07-06-2017, 12:10 PM
I'm also in agreement that the motorcycle industry is changing here in this country. That's just the tip of the iceberg — I'd say the priorities of the younger generations is (and has been) changing in dramatic ways that is finally being realized by the motorcycle industry (amongst many others).
In my mind there are a couple of key factors involved. Namely, the impact made by the internet and personal communication devices. But also the steady migration of the population from rural to urban environments over the decades
I've long marveled over the declining significance of obtaining a drivers license amongst young people today. They aren't nearly as concerned about driving cars, let alone riding motorcycles, as I was 50 years ago. Kids in the city can get around via public transportation options, or they can arrange for a ride from Uber, Lyft and who knows how many other options right from their smartphone. When I was a kid growing up in a small town, none of that was an option. Heck, I don't even think that we had a stoplight in town, let a lone a bus.
I spent much of my youth dreaming about motorcycles and cars. I did so in large part because they represented fun, freedom and an escape of sorts from that small town. Here I am now, living in a city, sick of traffic (be careful what you wish for, lol) and watching todays kids marching through their teens attached to their smartphones. Many of these kids are past the age of 16 and aren't really all that concerned about obtaining a car or a motorcycle. Many of them just don't feel the need. Their escape can be found "online", interacting with someone across the country can happen instantaneously. If they want to get across town there seems to be little need to hop on a bike or jump in a car of their own. If something is going to draw them in, be it with two wheels or four, it's probably going to have to represent an economical choice when it comes to fuel consumption.
Sure, a lot of this seems a bit strange to me, but life is different now and it continues to change at an increasingly rapid pace and is bound to change in ways that I can't even imagine in another 50 years. Who knows, maybe by then there will have been a "mobil renaissance" fueled by a new generation who has once again discovered the joy of open road — no doubt on vehicles powered by some alternative energy source.
The fact that we all are communicating with one another on an internet forum, let alone because we want to talk about motorcycles, sort of makes us relics by todays standards, lol.
In my mind there are a couple of key factors involved. Namely, the impact made by the internet and personal communication devices. But also the steady migration of the population from rural to urban environments over the decades
I've long marveled over the declining significance of obtaining a drivers license amongst young people today. They aren't nearly as concerned about driving cars, let alone riding motorcycles, as I was 50 years ago. Kids in the city can get around via public transportation options, or they can arrange for a ride from Uber, Lyft and who knows how many other options right from their smartphone. When I was a kid growing up in a small town, none of that was an option. Heck, I don't even think that we had a stoplight in town, let a lone a bus.
I spent much of my youth dreaming about motorcycles and cars. I did so in large part because they represented fun, freedom and an escape of sorts from that small town. Here I am now, living in a city, sick of traffic (be careful what you wish for, lol) and watching todays kids marching through their teens attached to their smartphones. Many of these kids are past the age of 16 and aren't really all that concerned about obtaining a car or a motorcycle. Many of them just don't feel the need. Their escape can be found "online", interacting with someone across the country can happen instantaneously. If they want to get across town there seems to be little need to hop on a bike or jump in a car of their own. If something is going to draw them in, be it with two wheels or four, it's probably going to have to represent an economical choice when it comes to fuel consumption.
Sure, a lot of this seems a bit strange to me, but life is different now and it continues to change at an increasingly rapid pace and is bound to change in ways that I can't even imagine in another 50 years. Who knows, maybe by then there will have been a "mobil renaissance" fueled by a new generation who has once again discovered the joy of open road — no doubt on vehicles powered by some alternative energy source.
The fact that we all are communicating with one another on an internet forum, let alone because we want to talk about motorcycles, sort of makes us relics by todays standards, lol.