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36654
New member
It used to be. The Kawasaki 650 twin was one of the first large Japanese bikes in the late 60's.
B
bobh41
Guest
Why Ride?
From Mika
I just spent a few moments viewing a group of 1 or 2-minute videos from Triumph covering each of their entire product line. http://forums.bmwmoa.org/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=625071
The sport bike video style and content would clearly appeal to the young MTV crowd; much speed, wild running, and plenty of sensuality if not erotica. There were no tech details.
The Rocket III opened with a disclaimer stating the demonstration was with "professional stunt rider", "closed course", etc., and related a totally hooligan imagery.
With variations on each of the themes - not one even hinted at economy, utility, or functionality (perhaps excepting the new Tiger 800).
I was a little surprised to encounter these promotions, this doesn't seem to be the norm for other manufacturers, but I feel that they represent the true sense of most people's impressions of motorcycling. At least they serve to further my argument as to baseline motivations for riding.
Personally, my only interest is economy...
From Mika
I just spent a few moments viewing a group of 1 or 2-minute videos from Triumph covering each of their entire product line. http://forums.bmwmoa.org/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=625071
The sport bike video style and content would clearly appeal to the young MTV crowd; much speed, wild running, and plenty of sensuality if not erotica. There were no tech details.
The Rocket III opened with a disclaimer stating the demonstration was with "professional stunt rider", "closed course", etc., and related a totally hooligan imagery.
With variations on each of the themes - not one even hinted at economy, utility, or functionality (perhaps excepting the new Tiger 800).
I was a little surprised to encounter these promotions, this doesn't seem to be the norm for other manufacturers, but I feel that they represent the true sense of most people's impressions of motorcycling. At least they serve to further my argument as to baseline motivations for riding.
Personally, my only interest is economy...
osbornk
Old man in the mountains
We buy a bike because we love to ride. Commuting is just an excuse to ride but we "justify" it to others as a money saving thing. When compared to many popular leisure time activities, riding a motorcycle is cheap. Boating, snow skiing, golf, tennis, big game hunting, serious fishing and many other activities cost more and people don't try to justify them as money saving.
People never buy a new car because they need one. They buy it because they want it (same as a motorcycle). They might need another car but not a new or near new one.
mika
Still Wondering
Exactly we love to ride because its fun.
I commute and most of my conversations with non riders result as questions about commuting are asked. In all the discussions of cost / benefit I get dragged into I keep telling people the fun factor of riding to commute is tips the scale no matter what the other numbers say.
In all the posing companies advertisers and we do about what to do with a bike (tour, commute, race etc) and how to do it (ATGATT rants, my way or not at all) what is lost is the fact that riding is fun.
I commute and most of my conversations with non riders result as questions about commuting are asked. In all the discussions of cost / benefit I get dragged into I keep telling people the fun factor of riding to commute is tips the scale no matter what the other numbers say.
In all the posing companies advertisers and we do about what to do with a bike (tour, commute, race etc) and how to do it (ATGATT rants, my way or not at all) what is lost is the fact that riding is fun.
M
MAYLETT
Guest
From the age of 16 to 20, my transportation consisted of just a motorcycle, and that did save money. Adulthood and marriage, however, has pretty much required a four-wheeled cage.
Frugality certainly wasn't the reason that I spent $20,000 on my current motorcycle. Even so, I usually ride the bike into work ÔÇö partially with the notion of saving a few bucks on gasoline. As long as I've got both the bike and an SUV in the garage, I might as well double my fuel efficiency on the way into work by taking the bike (plus making the trip a little more enjoyable).
If I lived a little closer to work, I'd ride my bicycle into work more often ÔÇö and that would be a money saver. On second thought, muscle-powered bikes are no longer cheap either.
Frugality certainly wasn't the reason that I spent $20,000 on my current motorcycle. Even so, I usually ride the bike into work ÔÇö partially with the notion of saving a few bucks on gasoline. As long as I've got both the bike and an SUV in the garage, I might as well double my fuel efficiency on the way into work by taking the bike (plus making the trip a little more enjoyable).
If I lived a little closer to work, I'd ride my bicycle into work more often ÔÇö and that would be a money saver. On second thought, muscle-powered bikes are no longer cheap either.
jstrube
John.
When gas hit over $5, I bought a new Yamaha TW200 for $3999. I insured it for $75/year, registration, in CA, about $70 or so. Compared to the F250 I was driving to work 9 miles each way, I saved a ton of money. I put $5 a week in the tank & that's it. Oh yeah, it was fun too! I haven't sold the F250, I still pay insurance, etc, but the less I drive it, the more money in my pocket. Riding a $20K motorcycle isn't going to save money over a $20K car like a Prius, but a cheap bike will!
D
dhgeyer
Guest
when gas hit over $5, i bought a new yamaha tw200 for $3999. I insured it for $75/year, registration, in ca, about $70 or so. Compared to the f250 i was driving to work 9 miles each way, i saved a ton of money. I put $5 a week in the tank & that's it. Oh yeah, it was fun too! I haven't sold the f250, i still pay insurance, etc, but the less i drive it, the more money in my pocket. Riding a $20k motorcycle isn't going to save money over a $20k car like a prius, but a cheap bike will!
+1
Zygmund
Pusser's Pyrate Society
Schwinn Stingray with cards in the spokes then a 3HP mini bike that I broke the front end off, On Any Sunday, Suzuki TS250, CZ 250 mx, Yamaha YZ 250, you'll get the point.
I ride because something in my brain fired some adrenaline when I was young and I haven't been able to contain it! Someone posted earlier how hard it is to get kids in the dirt so they can learn how to enjoy some horsepower on two wheels and get the bug for riding. Up here I see 4 wheelers as the main choice for getting off road and general fun so the skill level dwindles and anybody can sit on their butt and see some pretty country, cool, I have no problem with that until they decide that they can handle a MC now and off they go with horsepower, flip flops and their girlfriend on the back with her butt hanging out and no helmet
I think this plays right into the hands of the HD so they can display a lifestyle of just sit on it and be riding and looking cool. Calm down now, I know that is a generalization but i know a lot of people that took this path and when the temp drops or it is not sunny and warm out the Hog sits in the garage.
I ride because something in my brain fired some adrenaline when I was young and I haven't been able to contain it! Someone posted earlier how hard it is to get kids in the dirt so they can learn how to enjoy some horsepower on two wheels and get the bug for riding. Up here I see 4 wheelers as the main choice for getting off road and general fun so the skill level dwindles and anybody can sit on their butt and see some pretty country, cool, I have no problem with that until they decide that they can handle a MC now and off they go with horsepower, flip flops and their girlfriend on the back with her butt hanging out and no helmet
I think this plays right into the hands of the HD so they can display a lifestyle of just sit on it and be riding and looking cool. Calm down now, I know that is a generalization but i know a lot of people that took this path and when the temp drops or it is not sunny and warm out the Hog sits in the garage.
no, but motorcycle parts and service sales are saving the industry. people are fixing up their current ride because they can't afford to get a new one.
Not all. The guy that sometimes shares a space with me traded in his Suzuki cruiser and bought a new Honda chopper rather than put a new tire on the Zuk. He told one of the maintenance guys the tire was $500. I checked, <$250 from SW Moto. Mornings are getting cool enough I haven't seen him lately.
Very interesting discussion, with lots of suggestions about what's happening and what we might do about it.
For what it's worth, the demographics continue the overall trend of fewer young riders getting in, and those who are already "in" are growing older as we continue to ride.
In 1990 the mean age of motorcyclists was 26.9.
In 1999 the mean age was 38.1
In 2003 the mean age was 40.2
For 2010 the mean age is predicted to be 47.2
at the current rate of aging, by 2015 the mean age will be 52.2. That would be just about 10 years increase in the mean age every ten years.
I suggest the important question--considering the above demographics--should be how you or I plan to close out our motorcycling careers.
pmdave (age 73 and ticking)
For what it's worth, the demographics continue the overall trend of fewer young riders getting in, and those who are already "in" are growing older as we continue to ride.
In 1990 the mean age of motorcyclists was 26.9.
In 1999 the mean age was 38.1
In 2003 the mean age was 40.2
For 2010 the mean age is predicted to be 47.2
at the current rate of aging, by 2015 the mean age will be 52.2. That would be just about 10 years increase in the mean age every ten years.
I suggest the important question--considering the above demographics--should be how you or I plan to close out our motorcycling careers.
pmdave (age 73 and ticking)
gertiektn
New member
a couple things..
Good thoughts Dave.
My exit is around a point where I can no longer pickup and unloaded bike.
When, I get there, I will look at a lighter unit.
I can still pick up my R75/7.
Four weeks ago, all loaded from a complete tip over in a Best Western drive through. That darn self retracting kickstand and my short legs....one heave ho and it was up. And I was PO'd at my sloppyness. I feel lucky my legs and back were up to the task. (65 and counting)
Second, if we as a country have a severe , really severe financial collapse and gas goes to 6 bucks a gallon... we might have some demographics like Indonesia.
I saw a photo of a guy with his whole family on a small cc bike.
A senario that I hope we can avoid..
Jim Dahl
Ketchikan, AK
Good thoughts Dave.
My exit is around a point where I can no longer pickup and unloaded bike.
When, I get there, I will look at a lighter unit.
I can still pick up my R75/7.
Four weeks ago, all loaded from a complete tip over in a Best Western drive through. That darn self retracting kickstand and my short legs....one heave ho and it was up. And I was PO'd at my sloppyness. I feel lucky my legs and back were up to the task. (65 and counting)
Second, if we as a country have a severe , really severe financial collapse and gas goes to 6 bucks a gallon... we might have some demographics like Indonesia.
I saw a photo of a guy with his whole family on a small cc bike.
A senario that I hope we can avoid..
Jim Dahl
Ketchikan, AK
mpmarty
New member
I'm going to be 72 in January and I can still pick up my RT when I get clumsy and drop it. Once a year or so ago it rolled forward off the side stand in my shop and I had to call for help from a neighbor to pick it up. The floor in my shop is as slick as a sheet of glass and the bike just kept sliding away from me when I tried to lift it. Neighbor came over and one handed it back up. He's going on eighty years old but is six foot six and three hundred pounds. I'm five eight and one fifty.
I think it's a good idea to recognize what's likely to happen, and have a plan for what to do when you get there.
A couple of years ago I leaned my loaded R1150GS over on some soft gravel, and the sidestand sunk down so far I just couldn't wrestle the bike back to vertical. The following day on a remote desert road I crashed, and couldn't pick it up, even unloaded.
In the good old days I would have been able, but with a sprained shoulder and cracked rib, I couldn't. So, after that trip, I decided the GS was just too big and heavy for me to handle anymore, and I swapped it for a Can Am Spyder.
Even if you're thinking of yourself as "young" or "middle age", and chortling at those "old geezers" you see wheezing and having trouble swinging a leg over their scoots, the realitiy is that we all get our turn to be old geezers. And then, what are you planning to do?
if your plan is to just keep on riding until you can't do so safely, it might be smart to decide what the indicators are, and have some sort of alternatives in mind. Maybe you'll still be riding at age 87. Maybe not.
pmdave
A couple of years ago I leaned my loaded R1150GS over on some soft gravel, and the sidestand sunk down so far I just couldn't wrestle the bike back to vertical. The following day on a remote desert road I crashed, and couldn't pick it up, even unloaded.
In the good old days I would have been able, but with a sprained shoulder and cracked rib, I couldn't. So, after that trip, I decided the GS was just too big and heavy for me to handle anymore, and I swapped it for a Can Am Spyder.
Even if you're thinking of yourself as "young" or "middle age", and chortling at those "old geezers" you see wheezing and having trouble swinging a leg over their scoots, the realitiy is that we all get our turn to be old geezers. And then, what are you planning to do?
if your plan is to just keep on riding until you can't do so safely, it might be smart to decide what the indicators are, and have some sort of alternatives in mind. Maybe you'll still be riding at age 87. Maybe not.
pmdave
mpmarty
New member
Having to pick up a bike after an "awchit" was what decided me to sell my beloved Yamaha Venture Royale and buy the 04Rt. That Yamaha was the best road bike I've ever ridden including a Vincent Black Shadow and numerous Japanese bikes. The BMW 2004 RT was a joy to ride and work on but the 2006 RT is a quantum leap better.
I wish that BMW would devise an interlocking device where the side stand would not retract (fold up) unless the clutch was pulled in. It seems most of the laydowns are the result of a bike rolling forward and collapsing the side stand. I know, "make it foolproof and a better fool comes along".
I wish that BMW would devise an interlocking device where the side stand would not retract (fold up) unless the clutch was pulled in. It seems most of the laydowns are the result of a bike rolling forward and collapsing the side stand. I know, "make it foolproof and a better fool comes along".
greenwald
New member
I agree. That's where BMW could steal a play from the H-D playbook. On Harley's, there are 'prongs' that capture the sideside once it's lowered - makes it impossible to roll it off.
When I was exiting my police Harley on a regular basis 25 to 30 times a day (I patrolled on it for 8 hour shifts), I never feared it rolling (or vibrating) off the side stand - a unique system - liked it very much!
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R
rocketman
Guest
I love the self-retacting side stand on my 78, its the damn interlock on the non-self-retracting one on my '10 Honda I can't stand!
guess it all about what you're used to, too.
RM
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
Harley-Davidson to build bikes in India
November 04, 2010|By Sara Sidner, CNN
The iconic American motorcycle brand, Harley-Davidson, has announced plans to build an assembly plant in India.
Harley-Davidson, the iconic American motorcycle brand with a cult-like following, has announced it has chosen to build its second assembly plant ever outside the United States in India.
The "complete knock down" plant or CKD is expected to be up and running in the northern Indian state of Haryana in first half of 2011. Parts made in America will be put together for the Indian market in Haryana.
"What we are doing is made in USA, assembled in India, which will have a positive job effect back home which is why we are driving this investment as quickly as we are," Anoop Prakash managing director for Harley Davidson India told CNN.
November 04, 2010|By Sara Sidner, CNN
The iconic American motorcycle brand, Harley-Davidson, has announced plans to build an assembly plant in India.
Harley-Davidson, the iconic American motorcycle brand with a cult-like following, has announced it has chosen to build its second assembly plant ever outside the United States in India.
The "complete knock down" plant or CKD is expected to be up and running in the northern Indian state of Haryana in first half of 2011. Parts made in America will be put together for the Indian market in Haryana.
"What we are doing is made in USA, assembled in India, which will have a positive job effect back home which is why we are driving this investment as quickly as we are," Anoop Prakash managing director for Harley Davidson India told CNN.
