Future of Motorcycling and Triking

[paws]

A group of us have been discussing what the upcoming years may bring for 2-wheel and 3-wheel motorcycling. This came up in conversation based on all the local motorcycle dealers carrying so MANY off-road 4-wheelers and so FEW 2-wheel motorcycles on the showroom floor. Except the Harley dealer. They are still all 2-wheelers.

It used to be lots of fun to go to the dealer and ooh & ahhh over all the new models on the showroom floor and discuss the merits and negatives of them with our riding friends and get the "wants" for a certain bike. But now, since it isn't our interest, its not a lot of fun looking at almost an entire showroom of off-road 4-wheelers, 7 cruisers, and a row of crotch-rockets. However, that collection DOES make us appreciate our trikes all the more.

We've noticed the last, maybe 10 years, that there just doesn't seem to be near as many bikes on the road as there were. We're guessing that OUR generation must have been all those bikes on the road back then and that the younger generation doesn't seem to have the interest in riding that we did and still do...an interest that has kept us out there, thankfully, by going on to 3-wheels.

Maybe its just our area that has declined in riders.

What about your area - what have you noticed - more or fewer general riders, or about the same through the years?

[1dn5up]

Lots of crotch rockets here, HD 2 wheelers about the same . Not many trikes of any brand. In NY 40 miles north of the rotten apple at Bear Mtn.

[rhino 2]

Lots of crotch rockets here, HD 2 wheelers about the same . Not many trikes of any brand. In NY 40 miles north of the rotten apple at Bear Mtn.

.
You guys still holding a grudge because NYC stole your water fair and square...

[oldprowler]

Since I do not recall ever going into a motorcycle dealer or even a car dealership "just to look" -- I am probably not qualified to respond to the above post(s). Here near Tulsa I certainly have not noted any decrease in the number of motorcycles (of all brands and types) on the road. If anything there is an increase. Ya just gotta go where they are.

[Bikerbozo]

Lots of crotch rockets here, HD 2 wheelers about the same . Not many trikes of any brand. In NY 40 miles north of the rotten apple at Bear Mtn.

.
You guys still holding a grudge because NYC stole your water fair and square...

Hey, can NYC help it if upstate sold the water rights for all Bigfoot hunting rights?

[rhino 2]

Hey, can NYC help it if upstate sold the water rights for all Bigfoot hunting rights?

The thing about it was the at the time the hard pan farmers up state thought they were screwing the City Slickers, By Selling them worthless land for 25 cents an acre..

[cavie]

Round here we see lots of trikes and out of town 2 wheelers. You yanks bring 'em down every winter. Round here, the Jap shops are multi-brand dealers. That's why you see the 4 wheelers in those shops. Harley has no 4 wheeler.

[0pini0nated]

Maybe its just our area that has declined in riders.

What about your area - what have you noticed - more or fewer general riders, or about the same through the years?

In Central and Eastern PA, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware, when the weather is dry and reasonably comfortable *, there's a stream of 2-wheelers (and a few gaggles ** of trikes) of all descriptions.

Sorry about Texas ~ motorcycle riding is flourishing in this area.

* = 60° and up
** = gaggle {def} Noun: A flock (of geese)

[1dn5up]

.
You guys still holding a grudge because NYC stole your water fair and square...

Ya, we send only the best, we get good ol contaminated well stuff. Lol

PS: NE WON.

[rhino 2]

Out my way i see more and more bikes every year, Not too many Trike's though...
And i also noticed theres a lot more Female riders out riding the last few years...
Kinda cleans up the sport a little.... I mean it softens the Great Unwashed image bikers sometimes have.......

[Marc H]

The number of 2 wheelers I notice seem to be growing around here or maybe they are just riding more.the number trikes growing some not much.I think the macho image runs too deep around here lots have the mentality of they'll quit before they go 3.I have to go an hour plus to get to a dealer so going to drool isn't near as tempting now that I have what I want but I have noticed the off road machines taking over the space.The 1 dealer that was close quit selling bikes over 2 yrs ago and just sell atv/utv.1 is expanding and taking on new lines and adding buildings.

[peteg59]

Not seeing any 2 or 3 wheelers this time of year around here, but in riding season there are always a lot of riders out & about.
While atv/utv platforms are popular, there are less & less open areas to ride. Seems landowners don't want riders tearing up their land, or trespassing on their hunting grounds.
I sold my atv's as a result, & really don't miss them that much...

[LadyonaMission]

Sorry about Texas ~ motorcycle riding is flourishing in this area.

* = 60° and up
** = gaggle {def} Noun: A flock (of geese)

Don't feel sorry about Texas, there are herds of motorcycles on the roads I ride.

[werewolf]

The economy hitting the skids in 2008 hurt the bike business HARD
Truthfully I'm not sure things have gotten that much better.
Now the price of OIL has laid off hundreds locally. They don't drill
for oil when it is this cheap.

I saw a NEW 2009 Yamaha roadstar for sale at a dealers site just recently. Apparently
the dealer stocked up when times were slow.

Maybe bikes have peaked for a while, I don't know.
The kids like the go fast bikes, but the thrill seems to wears off in about 18 months.
On the other hand, there are 5 year old Harleys with 5k mileage for sale in the local
for sale sight, so maybe the boredom sets in across the board.

Trikes are a niche market. There will always be OLDER (trying not to look at the gray in the mirror)
riders who need the extra wheel for whatever reason.
I like the lady riders on the big Harley trikes. It allows them to ride bigger bikes and be
comfortable. (and just to be sexist, it lets us guys look at the pretty women GRIN)

Money and health permitting, I see maybe two more trikes in my future. Hopefully one
the next year and maybe a NEW one in about 4 years when I retire

Ride safe.

[tbear]

Here in Michigan, We got 2 wheels for all kinds! ATV's galore (because we have a lot of trails in the state) and Snowmobiles because of our winters. Trikes, they are becoming more popular. A lot depends on how our economy is going also....The ones that can afford all of the above are usually working a lot and end up not keeping their toys for along time, because they don't have the time to enjoy them. Then when you got the time (retirement) usually you don't have the money to keep all the toys that you have or want! (did that make sense?)............... I know when I can't ride anymore due to health reasons, I will probably go back to fishing, because we do have a lot of lakes in this state. oh well-----------

[Ed Hobgood]

In my area I've seen a lot more bikes and trikes out on the road. We also have a lot of 4 wheelers around and it does seen like most of the dealers have more 4 wheel and bike displayed on there floor. Trike are catching on and I see more every day or it just be me and I notice more of them.

[paws]

Very interesting replies.

We are somewhat isolated by long distances here in west Texas - not much to see for new riders and the older riders have been there, done that... so I guess its just a natural thing happening in our area.

I do know that there are a LOT of motorcycles and a number of trikes just "sitting" in garages until their owners want to take them elsewhere - somewhere interesting - like the hill country, east Texas, or the mountains in New Mexico. The battery sales here go up when that happens.

We went on a jaunt around the patch today - 63 degrees - mostly sunny - saw 2 other bikes out on the highway. Stopped to eat a couple of tacos and some iced tea at Rosa's.
Was really nice ride until we got bopped with 30mph gusting side winds from the north due to a front moving through.
THAT was fun.
But it did charge OUR juices and the trikes' batteries til the next ride and we have another adventure to talk about with friends.

Ya'll have fun out there.

[Shimpy]

Round here we see lots of trikes and out of town 2 wheelers. You yanks bring 'em down every winter. Round here, the Jap shops are multi-brand dealers. That's why you see the 4 wheelers in those shops. Harley has no 4 wheeler.

Same here cavie. They also show lots of jet ski's. Being in a retirement area we have lots of trikes.

[DK Custom Products]

ATV's everywhere in our parts...more so than ever.

Motorcycles are definitely more than 10 & 20 years ago...definitely more Harley's/Cruisers. Not many crotch rockets.

Trikes are growing, but still a very small minority.

During the cold months I might go a month without seeing another bike/trike on the road.

When it's warm, they are everywhere!

Kevin

[Doug D.]

What about your area - what have you noticed - more or fewer general riders, or about the same through the years?

Around here, there're still riders a plenty. About 95% 2-wheelers, but trikes are on the rise.

PEACE and Godspeed!