A shot at motorcyclists ...

[Lord Popgun]

I work with Navy sailors. Most are young and although they LOVE their phones, a LOT of them are into motorcycles. Or fast cars and big trucks.

The good thing is the Navy requires them to take the Navy basic motorcycle course and the advanced course after a little experiance. They can’t even buy a bike without notifying their command and signing up for the course.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I'm assuming this sort of thinking is why motorcycle sales are down. The snowflakes are scared to do anything beside play video games and stare at their phones. There are inherent risks in everything we do including walking out the front door. The trick is to be aware of dangers and mitigate their consequences. Common sense really.

And as my dad always said, "If the left one don't get ya, the right one will." So I suppose we should all just have fun doing what we love while we are above ground.

I work with Navy sailors. Most are young and although they LOVE their phones, a LOT of them are into motorcycles. Or fast cars and big trucks.

The good thing is the Navy requires them to take the Navy basic motorcycle course and the advanced course after a little experiance. They can’t even buy a bike without notifying their command and signing up for the course.

Interesting PG. I never thought to consider "Navy + motorcycle". Now I have images of motorcycles touring back-and-forth inside an aircraft carrier.

[misterprofessionality]

I'm assuming this sort of thinking is why motorcycle sales are down. The snowflakes are scared to do anything beside play video games and stare at their phones. There are inherent risks in everything we do including walking out the front door. The trick is to be aware of dangers and mitigate their consequences. Common sense really.

And as my dad always said, "If the left one don't get ya, the right one will." So I suppose we should all just have fun doing what we love while we are above ground.

got to chime on on this, as one of the only millennials on the forum. the fact is that, for most people, a motorcycle is a secondary means of transportation. if you buy one, it's a secondary vehicle. most millennials absolutely cannot afford that kind of recreational expenditure. it's simple economics. millennials by and large will not spend money on something they can't afford. it's got zero to do with danger/risk aversion. one of the only reasons i started riding in my 20's was because i broke the system by using my bike as my primary means of transportation and giving up cars. everybody else in my peer group won't touch motorcycles, because they can't justify the expense when they already have a car.

[ishouldbuyatacotruck_imp]

I'm assuming this sort of thinking is why motorcycle sales are down. The snowflakes are scared to do anything beside play video games and stare at their phones. There are inherent risks in everything we do including walking out the front door. The trick is to be aware of dangers and mitigate their consequences. Common sense really.

And as my dad always said, "If the left one don't get ya, the right one will." So I suppose we should all just have fun doing what we love while we are above ground.

got to chime on on this, as one of the only millennials on the forum. the fact is that, for most people, a motorcycle is a secondary means of transportation. if you buy one, it's a secondary vehicle. most millennials absolutely cannot afford that kind of recreational expenditure. it's simple economics. millennials by and large will not spend money on something they can't afford. it's got zero to do with danger/risk aversion. one of the only reasons i started riding in my 20's was because i broke the system by using my bike as my primary means of transportation and giving up cars. everybody else in my peer group won't touch motorcycles, because they can't justify the expense when they already have a car.

got to chime on on this, as one of the only millennials on the forum. the fact is that, for most people, a motorcycle is a secondary means of transportation. if you buy one, it's a secondary vehicle. most millennials absolutely cannot afford that kind of recreational expenditure. it's simple economics. millennials by and large will not spend money on something they can't afford. it's got zero to do with danger/risk aversion. one of the only reasons i started riding in my 20's was because i broke the system by using my bike as my primary means of transportation and giving up cars. everybody else in my peer group won't touch motorcycles, because they can't justify the expense when they already have a car.
Hello fellow millennial! Boomers, , amirite?

When I'm group riding, it's primarily with fellow millennial ladies ([url=https://www.thelitas.co/]The Litas), and it is absolutely considered a luxury second vehicle by us. But then we also haven't prioritized buying houses or having kids, for the most part.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I'm assuming this sort of thinking is why motorcycle sales are down. The snowflakes are scared to do anything beside play video games and stare at their phones. There are inherent risks in everything we do including walking out the front door. The trick is to be aware of dangers and mitigate their consequences. Common sense really.

And as my dad always said, "If the left one don't get ya, the right one will." So I suppose we should all just have fun doing what we love while we are above ground.

got to chime on on this, as one of the only millennials on the forum. the fact is that, for most people, a motorcycle is a secondary means of transportation. if you buy one, it's a secondary vehicle. most millennials absolutely cannot afford that kind of recreational expenditure. it's simple economics. millennials by and large will not spend money on something they can't afford. it's got zero to do with danger/risk aversion. one of the only reasons i started riding in my 20's was because i broke the system by using my bike as my primary means of transportation and giving up cars. everybody else in my peer group won't touch motorcycles, because they can't justify the expense when they already have a car.

Interesting terms.

When I started riding, I couldn't afford even a used car. My pedal bicycle was tiresome for long distance in profuse summer humidity and eyeball-cracking winter winds. Heh, with the exception of winter (actually not), I actually had to "give in" and buy a used motorcycle to get me around effectively. It was, "uh god, ... I gotta get a motorcycle license ... drag ... pay stupid insurance, etc. etc.". So the m/c became my primary means of getting around and came out of need and economics.

My friends who had cars or unrestricted access to cars did not consider m/c's for similar reasons as you stated - for the most part.

[Lord Popgun]

GO,

Although there are lots of wheeled vehicles on carriers, no motorcycles

During the Vietnam era sailors were allowed to buy bike overseas and bring them home on the carrier (don’t know about the rest of the Navy). I was told bikes cost about $1 per CC at the Navy exchange in Yokosuka.

In 1977 I was was in a Navy air squadron (VAW-126) and we deployed on the Constellation on a West Pac cruise. And we were the last allowed to bring bikes back. Around 50 or so of us did. I got a 77 1/2 Yamaha XS750 triple. Purchased in the Navy Exchange in Yokosuka and were US models in factory crates that were loaded onto the hangar bay on our last port call. After customs inspection they were moved by the supply department into storage somewhere in a hold.

[Bheezy27403_imp]

I'm assuming this sort of thinking is why motorcycle sales are down. The snowflakes are scared to do anything beside play video games and stare at their phones. There are inherent risks in everything we do including walking out the front door. The trick is to be aware of dangers and mitigate their consequences. Common sense really.

And as my dad always said, "If the left one don't get ya, the right one will." So I suppose we should all just have fun doing what we love while we are above ground.

got to chime on on this, as one of the only millennials on the forum. the fact is that, for most people, a motorcycle is a secondary means of transportation. if you buy one, it's a secondary vehicle. most millennials absolutely cannot afford that kind of recreational expenditure. it's simple economics. millennials by and large will not spend money on something they can't afford. it's got zero to do with danger/risk aversion. one of the only reasons i started riding in my 20's was because i broke the system by using my bike as my primary means of transportation and giving up cars. everybody else in my peer group won't touch motorcycles, because they can't justify the expense when they already have a car.

got to chime on on this, as one of the only millennials on the forum. the fact is that, for most people, a motorcycle is a secondary means of transportation. if you buy one, it's a secondary vehicle. most millennials absolutely cannot afford that kind of recreational expenditure. it's simple economics. millennials by and large will not spend money on something they can't afford. it's got zero to do with danger/risk aversion. one of the only reasons i started riding in my 20's was because i broke the system by using my bike as my primary means of transportation and giving up cars. everybody else in my peer group won't touch motorcycles, because they can't justify the expense when they already have a car.
I'm with you on that. My first bike was in '91 after i graduated HS because it was $800 and I could afford it. My car blew up so that's the route I went. You would think then that the millennials would shift TOWARD motorcycles for the $ savings?

[Guth_imp]

I'm assuming this sort of thinking is why motorcycle sales are down. The snowflakes are scared to do anything beside play video games and stare at their phones. There are inherent risks in everything we do including walking out the front door. The trick is to be aware of dangers and mitigate their consequences. Common sense really.

And as my dad always said, "If the left one don't get ya, the right one will." So I suppose we should all just have fun doing what we love while we are above ground.

got to chime on on this, as one of the only millennials on the forum. the fact is that, for most people, a motorcycle is a secondary means of transportation. if you buy one, it's a secondary vehicle. most millennials absolutely cannot afford that kind of recreational expenditure. it's simple economics. millennials by and large will not spend money on something they can't afford. it's got zero to do with danger/risk aversion. one of the only reasons i started riding in my 20's was because i broke the system by using my bike as my primary means of transportation and giving up cars. everybody else in my peer group won't touch motorcycles, because they can't justify the expense when they already have a car.

I'm assuming this sort of thinking is why motorcycle sales are down. The snowflakes are scared to do anything beside play video games and stare at their phones. There are inherent risks in everything we do including walking out the front door. The trick is to be aware of dangers and mitigate their consequences. Common sense really.

And as my dad always said, "If the left one don't get ya, the right one will." So I suppose we should all just have fun doing what we love while we are above ground.

got to chime on on this, as one of the only millennials on the forum. the fact is that, for most people, a motorcycle is a secondary means of transportation. if you buy one, it's a secondary vehicle. most millennials absolutely cannot afford that kind of recreational expenditure. it's simple economics. millennials by and large will not spend money on something they can't afford. it's got zero to do with danger/risk aversion. one of the only reasons i started riding in my 20's was because i broke the system by using my bike as my primary means of transportation and giving up cars. everybody else in my peer group won't touch motorcycles, because they can't justify the expense when they already have a car.

got to chime on on this, as one of the only millennials on the forum. the fact is that, for most people, a motorcycle is a secondary means of transportation. if you buy one, it's a secondary vehicle. most millennials absolutely cannot afford that kind of recreational expenditure. it's simple economics. millennials by and large will not spend money on something they can't afford. it's got zero to do with danger/risk aversion. one of the only reasons i started riding in my 20's was because i broke the system by using my bike as my primary means of transportation and giving up cars. everybody else in my peer group won't touch motorcycles, because they can't justify the expense when they already have a car.
Hello fellow millennial! Boomers, , amirite?

When I'm group riding, it's primarily with fellow millennial ladies ([url=https://www.thelitas.co/]The Litas), and it is absolutely considered a luxury second vehicle by us. But then we also haven't prioritized buying houses or having kids, for the most part.

These are good observations, thanks for the insights. When I was in my 20's I joked about becoming the crusty old guy that would yell out "you kids keep off of my lawn". While I have become a bit crusty as I cruise ever closer to 60 years of age, my "crustyness" typically has to do with others sharing the street while my lawn is nothing to speak of, and frankly better not to be spoken of at all, lol.

As far as the millennial/boomer thing goes, one of the biggest reasons that we keep the conversation so directed on motorcycles/motorcycling around here is that it is nice to focus on something that people have in common. There are far too many things that people don't have in common and can drag the conversation down quickly. I appreciate the fact that people of any age are enthusiastic about motorcycling. The idea that those reasons for being drawn to motorcycles (or turned away by them for that matter) might differ greatly from one person to the next is fascinating in and of itself.

If it wasn't for my wife who has worked in the mortgage business ever since I've known her I'm still not sure that I would be in a house today. I also wouldn't trade having a child for anything, but in my case that part of my life came far later than with my parent's generation. Everyone has to follow their own path in life, the trick is finding the right path for you. I'm really glad to have some younger members on board here.

[misterprofessionality]

I'm assuming this sort of thinking is why motorcycle sales are down. The snowflakes are scared to do anything beside play video games and stare at their phones. There are inherent risks in everything we do including walking out the front door. The trick is to be aware of dangers and mitigate their consequences. Common sense really.

And as my dad always said, "If the left one don't get ya, the right one will." So I suppose we should all just have fun doing what we love while we are above ground.

got to chime on on this, as one of the only millennials on the forum. the fact is that, for most people, a motorcycle is a secondary means of transportation. if you buy one, it's a secondary vehicle. most millennials absolutely cannot afford that kind of recreational expenditure. it's simple economics. millennials by and large will not spend money on something they can't afford. it's got zero to do with danger/risk aversion. one of the only reasons i started riding in my 20's was because i broke the system by using my bike as my primary means of transportation and giving up cars. everybody else in my peer group won't touch motorcycles, because they can't justify the expense when they already have a car.

got to chime on on this, as one of the only millennials on the forum. the fact is that, for most people, a motorcycle is a secondary means of transportation. if you buy one, it's a secondary vehicle. most millennials absolutely cannot afford that kind of recreational expenditure. it's simple economics. millennials by and large will not spend money on something they can't afford. it's got zero to do with danger/risk aversion. one of the only reasons i started riding in my 20's was because i broke the system by using my bike as my primary means of transportation and giving up cars. everybody else in my peer group won't touch motorcycles, because they can't justify the expense when they already have a car.
I'm with you on that. My first bike was in '91 after i graduated HS because it was $800 and I could afford it. My car blew up so that's the route I went. You would think then that the millennials would shift TOWARD motorcycles for the $ savings?

There are two big barriers in place that prevent that from happening: 1) perception. the perception is, if you ask around, that motorcycles are, in fact, not cheaper than cars. it's objectively untrue, but it's the perception. people see motorcycles as if they're actually more expensive than owning a car. they think motorcyclists are changing their tires every 4000 miles and constantly having to do engine repairs. they think motorcycles can't handle 6 digit mileage. they think motorcycle gear costs thousands of dollars. they truly believe it's a pure luxury pursuit. people would have to be enlightened and educated about these misconceptions before folks can shift toward buying more motorcycles, and i believe it starts with the manufacturers. they've never really attempted to market their products as transportation solutions, only as fun machines. a shift in marketing toward more practical applications and safety training would make a huge difference.

2) social pressure. people are told all the time about how dangerous motorcycling is, and they're right, but not for the reasons you'd think. it's dangerous because of the lack of training and the culture of carelessness that surrounds it. more measures like mandatory training, mandatory protective gear, and more strict licensure practices would sharply reduce the number of traffic deaths related to motorcycles, and over time people would begin to develop a familiarity with them. the more motorcycles you see on the road, the more accepted it becomes as a mode of transportation, and the more people will be willing to give it a try.

if these two things make a 180 in the near future you could see a huge turnaround for the motorcycle industry, but it's going to take the manufacturers putting up big $$$ for political lobbying and advertising to accomplish them both. This is what my generation needs to be shown the advantages of motorcycles.

[Ben70_imp]

Yep, it's dangerous out there. Took a little 150 mile spin today and had to take evasive action three times. One pickup truck parked squarely in my lane, pointed right at me on a slow blind curve. One oncoming left turner that made things worse by trying to stop in the middle of my lane when they finally "saw" me, and a pickup truck that pulled out in front of me then looked back and saw me. All rural stuff, no road rage or malicious intent, just an OMG moment for two out of three, with one oblivious.
I am firmly convinced that people instinctively see things as threatening or non-threatening and subconsciously ignore the non-threatening. The act of driving has become so second nature that it is relegated to autopilot, except when something alarming snaps them out of it.
Hence the .30 caliber machine gun I have mounted... Uh, no.
I practice the idea that getting on a motorcycle is like slipping the cloak of invisibility on, or that ring from "The Hobbit".
It does seem like the preponderance of young people these days get their thrills virtually. Not counting the ones in flying squirrel suits, and a few others.

Ben