Honda looking for younger riders... why dont they like bikes.

[Ivory55]

Scooter is popular in cities for commuting and mugging. Haha

 

[David and Sally]

Plus, it’s a lot harder to access faceache or twatter on a bike....

I have a HUD on my visor so that I can access the internet, watch the news and take/make phone calls. I also have a radio on my intercom and can play music off my phone into the ear speakers.

No point in riding a motorbike and not keeping your finger on the pulse

 

[denisejoe]

It may well be down to the cost of bikes now .. I got my first one (Triumph Speed Twin) for £4 .. bet you can't do that now!

Bet you wish you had it now worth more than £4

 

[Vic]

Motorcycling is too wet, too cold, too hot, too much outside, too much effort and you cannot download an app for it.

 

[Paddywack]

Well if they are going to address the shortage in transplant organs they need to find a way to get today's youngsters back on two wheels.

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[Taran_Las]

The local bike training centre where I passed my test loads up photos to their Facebook page (with the owner's permission) of their successes each week. Not one of the students has been under 40 years old for the last few years. I suspect there are many younger students who only take their CBT and these are not followed up with a photo. Incidentally it cost me just over £1000 in training, bike hire (including insurance) and test fees.

 

[TinaLes]

Then after many,many, years of indecision, nostalgic rose tinted memories of riding bikes, maybe even the "Ton Up" brigade for some on The M1, jaunts off to iconic places like The Ace Cafe, to stand and look, kick tyres on Cafe Racers, and enthusiastically modified bikes......you end up buying a Motor Home
Then incur all the stress of ownership, and keeping things working, at an age when you can least handle it
You then bore the socks off everyone that you meet, talking about the "Science" of Batteries, chargers, & the limitations of 12 Volt Technology.
So Not a lot different maybe?
LES

 

[PhilG]

At age 28 now, he fancies a KTM Supermoto but doesn't have the funds.

A license to lose your license LOL

 

[hilldweller]

Motorcycling is too wet, too cold, too hot, too much outside, too much effort and you cannot download an app for it.

I can recommend euthanasia to you.

 

[Spriddler]

Funnily enough that is the exact reason that I ride. Helmet on, engine on, go, no phone, no worries, no FB and no problems parking.

It certainly is a parking benefit. I can park my 1947 500cc single cylinder British bike anywhere. Last summer I parked it on the pavement, dripping oil outside a camping shop in the centre of Brighton while I bought some new tent poles. When I came out a copper was beside it:
"Is this your bike, Sir?".

Me, (sheepishly sensing trouble): "Yes Officer, it's mine".

"Lovely old thing innit? Let's hear it then".

I kicked it into life, rode along the pavement, bumped down the kerb and thumped away with a big grin.

(I was once pulled over by a police car in France after it had followed me for ten minutes. They just wanted to look at it).

Both my sons have commuted on bikes about 15 miles to work in the centre of Brighton for more than ten years. A day's parking is £25 for a car and the bus service infrequent.
The average age of my 'bike club members is around 65 but we still get about 250 camping at our annual rallies.

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[David and Sally]

I have a HUD on my visor so that I can access the internet, watch the news and take/make phone calls. I also have a radio on my intercom and can play music off my phone into the ear speakers.

Before I get a roasting I was joking about the HUD. I do use the intercom though and take calls on the phone through it.

All the rest was a joke...............honest officer!

There is no doubt that any external influences are not to be taken lightly on a m/bike

 

[David and Sally]

It certainly is a parking benefit. I can park my 1947 500cc single cylinder British bike

BSA, Matchless? AJS?

 

[jockaneezer]

Reminds me of that old one "What's the difference between a fat lass and a moped ?"
They're both good fun to ride, until your mates find out !

 

[Spriddler]

BSA, Matchless? AJS?

I raise the club average age as I'm nearly 75.
Sometimes I take the 1947 AJS

Otherwise the 1954 Matchless

My favourite wine territory.....

 

[David and Sally]

I had a BSA B31 350. Wish I had another one.

Have you read Gordon May's books about his travels on a Matchless? Awesome!

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[icantremember]

Bet you wish you had it now worth more than £4

Too right I would ... have to admit it did come in a few boxes so I had to rebuild it .. sold it for about £20

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Friend of mine (RIP) use to love his bikes told me how he sold a Black Shadow for £50

 

[Sus3v]

Y

Have you seen the rigmarole you have to go through to get a bike licence nowadays?
CBT
Mod 1
Mod 2
Theory.

Then there's the different licence types...
A
A1
A2
Direct access

Then you can't ride anything more than 40hp for a certain length of time ? or do you have to do another test ? all very confusing and very expensive.

All because nanny state wants us all to live in utopia.

Yeah, but some of that’s to stop the likes of me zooming to my doom on a big bike the day after I passed my test on a 125 (probably would not have thought like that if I had done it when I was 16 not 59). Also there’s too much traffic about and only 30% of it actually seems to notice you if you are on a smaller bike - even with hi-viz vest

 

[Spriddler]

Have you read Gordon May's books about his travels on a Matchless? Awesome!

Yes, and I met him at a classic bike show where he had his bike on display.
I'm not a 'biker' but enjoy the challenge and adventure with an old bike and tent...….although tbh sharing a tiny tent with soaking wet biking gear is getting a bit much for creaky joints. Bin there, done that, got the soggy sleeping bag.......(and these days a Nite Spirit bottle ).

 

[ABZSteve]

Lots of interesting points, and while lots can be said for people not wanting bikes for safety reasons , or the sparseness of top flight UK riders at the top of the sport , I think the main reason is very obvious.

People don't buy bikes, because the expectation of being able to leave them anywhere , and still be there when you get back, and the insurance biteback that causes, mean people just aren't going to bother.

Its nothing to do with bikes, its all to do with the lack of punishment for those that steal them , making it a futile exercise.




<Broken link removed>

Eh?

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[tonyidle]

my 1947 500cc single cylinder British bike anywhere.

Don't keep it secret - what is it?

 

[Masman]

Question to all you Bikers.I passed my bike test in the 70s.If I decide to buy a bike today,Could I buy say a 600cc bike and just ride it.If I did I would take a refresher course. Just wondering as Its something I have been considering.

 

[tonyidle]

Question to all you Bikers.I passed my bike test in the 70s.If I decide to buy a bike today,Could I buy say a 600cc bike and just ride it.If I did I would take a refresher course. Just wondering as Its something I have been considering.

Yes you can. Make insurance enquiries first because some limit the size they'll insure initially.

 

[Coolcats]

Have to say that, I don’t know anyone who has had a motor bike and not had an accident. I’m not surprised if costs have risen and it’s more difficult to get a licence then looking at the risk why would you buy a motor bike.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/447673/motorcyclist-casualties-2013-data.pdf

• Motorcyclists account for less than 1 per cent of traffic each year, but 19 per cent of fatalities in 2013.
• They are therefore considerably over- represented in accidents, more so than any other road user group.
• The risk of death for a motorcyclist is at least 57 times than that for a
car occupant.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Have to say that, I don’t know anyone who has had a motor bike and not had an accident. I’m not surprised if costs have risen and it’s more difficult to get a licence then looking at the risk why would you buy a motor bike.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/447673/motorcyclist-casualties-2013-data.pdf

• Motorcyclists account for less than 1 per cent of traffic each year, but 19 per cent of fatalities in 2013.
• They are therefore considerably over- represented in accidents, more so than any other road user group.
• The risk of death for a motorcyclist is at least 57 times than that for a
car occupant.

Yes they certainly are frightening, and very dangerous if you can't control yourself on one. Sometimes the temptation to crack the throttle open is irresistible. But there's nothing else like it.
I now self limit to 400cc, I like being alive ?

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[David and Sally]

Yes, and I met him at a classic bike show where he had his bike on display.

His bike is in a special place at the National Motorcycle Museum.

 

[PhilG]

Yes they certainly are frightening, and very dangerous if you can't control yourself on one. Sometimes the temptation to crack the throttle open is irresistible. But there's nothing else like it.
I now self limit to 400cc, I like being alive ?

The problem is that most of these accidents are not the fault of the one who comes off worst. I haven't ridden in the ' smart phone ' era, but I cant imagine that its got any better.

Its why I choose to race, rather than road ride, because there is a point to it . Having lost a long time friend and competitor last year to a guy doing a U turn because his Sat Nav told him to, while they were going out for a summer Ice Cream, the risk/reward ratio isn't anywhere near enough for me.

Sometimes though you have to realise that there is more to being alive , than just not being dead.

 

[Vipar]

My friend has just bought a demo Triumph it cost him £22,000
He can go out get wet, get hassled by car drivers, fall off due to pot holes. Gets around 22mpg. Get them off the road. Bad carbon footprint!!!

Must be great fun☹☹☹?????

 

[Coolcats]

The problem is that most of these accidents are not the fault of the one who comes off worst. I haven't ridden in the ' smart phone ' era, but I cant imagine that its got any better.

Its why I choose to race, rather than road ride, because there is a point to it . Having lost a long time friend and competitor last year to a guy doing a U turn because his Sat Nav told him to, while they were going out for a summer Ice Cream, the risk/reward ratio isn't anywhere near enough for me.

Sometimes though you have to realise that there is more to being alive , than just not being dead.

It may be this wisdom that has been handed down to the youngsters from their parents, and the parents happy to subsidise driving lessons and a car to try and help keep their precious ones alive fit and well

 

[tonyidle]

I raise the club average age as I'm nearly 75.
Sometimes I take the 1947 AJS
View attachment 361263

Otherwise the 1954 Matchless
View attachment 361264

My favourite wine territory.....

View attachment 361266

Very nice. I did my first tour of France / Spain in '67 or '68 on a 1948 Norton M50 bought for £35. The following year did France / Switzerland / Italy but it died on the way home just South of Rouen with a cracked piston. When I got it home I converted it to a 500 using ES2 parts. Both trips were continually interrupted by Gendarmes who stopped me because they were fascinated by the bike and Norton in general. I answered many questions about it in schoolboy French .

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