10-20-2016, 07:14 AM
Interesting... I've never gauged the motorbike brand and type demographics of my area. Nevertheless, without much observation, my off the cuff report:
- Influence Factors
1. Jacksonville is 1.5 hours north of Daytona Beach, where the cult like gatherings of Bike Week and Biketober Fest happen every year.
2. Year-round riding weather (except during hurricanes).
3. Jacksonville has two naval bases. Lots of motorcycles in military bases.
4. Jax has the distinction of being the largest city by land area in the lower 48. Wait for it...
- The Cruiser Rules
The majority of bikes I encounter are cruisers. I think that in-town distances, because of número cuatro above, encourage the ownership of this type. I don't try to I.D. them unless I see something too peculiar, but Harley is KING. Many Goldwings (some with really cute little matching trailers), not many F6Bs, yet metric cruisers abound. Did I say HD is KING? The local HD dealer (Adamec) has 2 stores in town and one in the St Augustine. Too many cruisers with ultra tall ape hanger bars that look super uncomfortable.
- The Plastics
The sport bike is the second predominant genus. Again, I don't I.D. them because they don't spark my interest but among the sea of ninjas and gixers I have regular sightings of the following same 4 bikes (similar commute): a seasoned dude (like Ferret's age
) on a CBR1000RR, peculiar because of the mellow nature of his ride and his bike looks like he just rolled off the showroom floor; the lawyer in the suit on the red & black BMW 1000 sport bike, he rides wearing his lawyer-like dress loafers (I really don't know if he's a lawyer); then there is the guy in the red Ducati that when he gets it in 1st the bike sounds like the transmission is going to fall apart; finally the young man with his book bag on a white Triumph Daytona that is obvious has visited the earth surface on its left side at least once.
I've also noticed a subgroup of stretched-out Hayabusas with crazy paint jobs. Most of the sport bikes are in the 600 size, as far as I can tell.
- Not Much Adventure
ADVs are not common to see. I regularly see a Super Tenere who's driver rides like a maniac in morning traffic. Very few BMWs and Tigers, mainly on the interstate and on weekends. One friend with a Versys 1K and another with a WeeStrom but both uncommon.
- Nakeds & Retros
The FZ-09 sold well in Jax; I see them regulary. However, and although was dubbed best bang for the buck, the FZ07s are not as common. I have a friend still riding his 919 but not many left and occasionally I see Bandits and FZ-1s in good shape still fighting traffic. There are loads of SV650s around, all years and in all sorts of shapes, from perfect to miraculously running.
There is a small bunch of R9Ts and Duc Scramblers but very rare. Both I've seen riding in pairs; two R9Ts together and in separate occasion two Duc Scramblers. I guess they have their 2-men clubs.
The Bonnies are almost common but not the new ones. I haven't seen a T-120 and the only Street Twin I've seen belongs to my kid. The dealer has 3 Thruxtons in the showroom but I have never seen one in the wild. I haven't seen the lil 400 Yamaha and as far as I can tell I may have the only CB in town (probably not the case but I haven't seen the others).
- Students
Street legal enduros, supermotos and the 200 Yamaha with the fat rear tire are common around the south side school complex (UNF and FSCJ).
-The Beach
On the weekends scooters swarm on Jacksonville beaches. The bada$$ses are the Ruckus, there are a couple with brackets for their surfboards.
That's it. I'm out.
- Influence Factors
1. Jacksonville is 1.5 hours north of Daytona Beach, where the cult like gatherings of Bike Week and Biketober Fest happen every year.
2. Year-round riding weather (except during hurricanes).
3. Jacksonville has two naval bases. Lots of motorcycles in military bases.
4. Jax has the distinction of being the largest city by land area in the lower 48. Wait for it...
- The Cruiser Rules
The majority of bikes I encounter are cruisers. I think that in-town distances, because of número cuatro above, encourage the ownership of this type. I don't try to I.D. them unless I see something too peculiar, but Harley is KING. Many Goldwings (some with really cute little matching trailers), not many F6Bs, yet metric cruisers abound. Did I say HD is KING? The local HD dealer (Adamec) has 2 stores in town and one in the St Augustine. Too many cruisers with ultra tall ape hanger bars that look super uncomfortable.
- The Plastics
The sport bike is the second predominant genus. Again, I don't I.D. them because they don't spark my interest but among the sea of ninjas and gixers I have regular sightings of the following same 4 bikes (similar commute): a seasoned dude (like Ferret's age
) on a CBR1000RR, peculiar because of the mellow nature of his ride and his bike looks like he just rolled off the showroom floor; the lawyer in the suit on the red & black BMW 1000 sport bike, he rides wearing his lawyer-like dress loafers (I really don't know if he's a lawyer); then there is the guy in the red Ducati that when he gets it in 1st the bike sounds like the transmission is going to fall apart; finally the young man with his book bag on a white Triumph Daytona that is obvious has visited the earth surface on its left side at least once.I've also noticed a subgroup of stretched-out Hayabusas with crazy paint jobs. Most of the sport bikes are in the 600 size, as far as I can tell.
- Not Much Adventure
ADVs are not common to see. I regularly see a Super Tenere who's driver rides like a maniac in morning traffic. Very few BMWs and Tigers, mainly on the interstate and on weekends. One friend with a Versys 1K and another with a WeeStrom but both uncommon.
- Nakeds & Retros
The FZ-09 sold well in Jax; I see them regulary. However, and although was dubbed best bang for the buck, the FZ07s are not as common. I have a friend still riding his 919 but not many left and occasionally I see Bandits and FZ-1s in good shape still fighting traffic. There are loads of SV650s around, all years and in all sorts of shapes, from perfect to miraculously running.
There is a small bunch of R9Ts and Duc Scramblers but very rare. Both I've seen riding in pairs; two R9Ts together and in separate occasion two Duc Scramblers. I guess they have their 2-men clubs.
The Bonnies are almost common but not the new ones. I haven't seen a T-120 and the only Street Twin I've seen belongs to my kid. The dealer has 3 Thruxtons in the showroom but I have never seen one in the wild. I haven't seen the lil 400 Yamaha and as far as I can tell I may have the only CB in town (probably not the case but I haven't seen the others).
- Students
Street legal enduros, supermotos and the 200 Yamaha with the fat rear tire are common around the south side school complex (UNF and FSCJ).
-The Beach
On the weekends scooters swarm on Jacksonville beaches. The bada$$ses are the Ruckus, there are a couple with brackets for their surfboards.
That's it. I'm out.