Are motorcycles the new cool thing?

[Hodag]

I know they are not new to most of us, however it seems there is alot of coverage given to our hobby. For instance how many cable shows are there about bikes, Orange County Choppers, build a bike , the new show the long way around, numerous specials on Harleys, and now the movie Motorcycle Diaries.
Are we the newest cool thing?
Mark

[donkey doctor]

Hello; I think that as us "Boomers" move into our retirement years, we will have more recreation time to use our "more disposable income" making us a profitable demographic for adveritsers. I think that's what is fueling this increased coverage of motorcycles in the media.

[rocketman]

While there does seem to be more motorcycle related stories and such on the TV, there are also a lot more channels that 20 years ago, so the actual coverage has not necessarily changed just more people doing what amounts to the same old stuff. Notice how much of it is still chopper/chrome/bad boy image related? This is not to say it all that way, but the vast majority, at least from I've seen still is not about what most of us are about, it's still focused on the same stereotypical image as in past years, with maybe the addition of the sport bike antics.
I'm afraid I have somewhat of a cynical view of the press.

RM

[Usedtopilot]

rocketman, I also have a rather cynical view of the press, but that's fodder for another discussion..

All I can say (and I am very new to this joyous sport) is that when I rode my bike to work this week, a professor saw my helmet on my office floor and asked, "Do you ride a motorcycle?" "Yes" I said. He replied, "Well, it's nice to know somebody is cool around here!".

I don't know what the perception is (a multitude of responses here).., but most individuals my age (no... I'm not telling) have already decided to "veg" and not investigate passion beyond their usual world. Sad... so sad.

[dlearl476]

I think for a lot of people forced (for whatever reason) into a mundane, conforming, subserviant role in real life it represents a little break. A way to pretend, at least for a little while, that their life is their own and that they make the rules.

I recognise a little bit of this in myself but also motorcycles, sportscars and racing were passions of mine in my youth that I really didn't have time for in my 20s, 30s, and 40s. I do now and I'm making up for it with avengence, including starting a MC related business.

[RT DOG]

Well like the old saying goes
... All things old are new again...

I'm just grateful for the people that kept the Sport or Recreational activity alive and even made it safer for us late starters :)

[MarkF]

always will be the cool thing.

It's just that society is starting to discuss things formerly considered on the dirty side.

For example how many upscale porno and adult toy stores are there in your neighborhood. I have two now and the billboards that advertise them are all over. The people I see walking in and out look like you and me.

I used to think that someone visiting a store like that would be a grubby, unwashed, social misfit. The same way society used to think about people who bought choppers or travelled on two wheels.

MarkF

[motofranz]

I don't think a lot of the general public can handle a "motorcycle".
But with the gasoline prices being so high
I think a lot of adults will be buying ScooterS
next Spring & Summer.....

I have been seeing a lot of them now in the Cincinnati area.

[manicmechanic]

Cool or not, is that the question? After having been asked following a near-death experience why do I still ride, I've finally come up with my philosophical answer. "Is there anything that you do that you enjoy to the extent that you cannot envision not being able to do it ever again?" It is difficult to explain this to people with disposable income used only for disposable interests.

[lorazepam]

I think "butt jewelry" is the cool new thing. Most of the sales of bikes are to people who would rather show them off in the garage, or just ride them on a nice sunny day for maybe 50 miles if they are feeling adventurous.
The rest of the motorcycle community has been doing the same thing for a long time, like the folks in this forum. Kids will always want the fast crotch rockets, and hard core riders will always exist.
The surge in cruiser sales is what is driving the market for now, and these bikes will mostly sit in garages until the owners get tired of them and find another way to impress their friends.

[Hodag]

I've always owned a bike since 15 wanted one 10 years earlier, I don't really think my ride is cool or I ride because its cool. I ride because of the feeling I got it on my 1st ride 28 years ago. I like this feeling I get when I pull out my driveway, and come home again. Disposable income? My bike is paid for, and my wife won't let me dispose anymore (besides accesories).
just highjacked my own post
Mark
If you have to ask you wouldn't understand.

[James.A]

Motorcycling is cool. Always has been, always will be. To the extent that the media's "discovery" of motorcycling raises awarness in the general public, this is a good thing.

Slightly off topic, but I just can't resist....................

What's the difference between a Harley and a Hoover?
Placement of the dirtbag.

[GSTom]

Originally posted by lorazepam
I think "butt jewelry" is the cool new thing. Most of the sales of bikes are to people who would rather show them off in the garage, or just ride them on a nice sunny day for maybe 50 miles if they are feeling adventurous.

There are dozens of different models of bikes, and many different ways to enjoy them. Some people have a nicely restored antique bike on display in their living room, some ride 100,000 miles in a year. Some ride in the dirt exclusively, some mainly on the interstate. Some prefer European, some Japanese, some North American. I can't find room to be critical of other motorcyclists and their choices as to model and method of enjoying their ride.

Riding 50 miles on a sunny day doesn't seem too bad of a way to unwind a little from life's pressures. My $0.02.

[85138]

Originally posted by woodnsteel
Motorcycling is cool. Always has been, always will be. To the extent that the media's "discovery" of motorcycling raises awarness in the general public, this is a good thing.

I agree. Seems the mainstream media caught on to the coolness over the last decade or so. Reference motorcycles in fashion print ads and movies. (not refering to junk such as Biker Boyz but more along the lines of Matrix, Terminator, etc.)

Of course many mainstream outlets get it wrong. Check out the recent Newsweek article that gives the boys at OCC undue credit and just misses aspects of the various segments.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6214517/site/newsweek/

[jwhite518]

Originally posted by rocketman
Notice how much of it is still chopper/chrome/bad boy image related? This is not to say it all that way, but the vast majority, at least from I've seen still is not about what most of us are about, it's still focused on the same stereotypical image as in past years, with maybe the addition of the sport bike antics.

RM

I don't mind that. If the press starts covering long distance riding (IBA stuff) and lanesplitters (CA only!), pretty soon the cops and safetycrats will shut it all down. Let the bad boys get the media attention and we can slide right on by. ;)

[Braddog]

Remember in days gone by when a motorcycle was just a motorcycle?

Now you've got cruisers, sportbikes, nakeds, sport tourers, tourers, etc.

It seems every new bike is pidgeon-holed into some classification. And along with those classifications are people trying to fit into those cultures. The cruiser riders try to fit into the "bad boy", doo-rag image, the sportbikers tend to favor the "Power Ranger" look, etc. I'm not saying this is always the case, but it is true at least on a small scale.

I'm hoping that new and returning riders keep going after the more "standard" style motorcycle, such as the R1150R, the new Bonnie, and maybe even the new Sportie. It may keep riders around longer.

While I've only been riding BMW's for 4 years, I've been around them for much longer than that, and I'll say that the common theme among BMW riders is that they tend to be "RIDERS", not poseurs, not hobbyists, not trying to be something that they're not. My personal experience with BMW riders is that they tend to include their motorcycle as transportation; for commuting, for vacationing, for a pleasure ride on a Sunday.

I don't think motorcycling is the "coolest new thing", it's always been cool, and I like others have posted, think that due to gas prices, we'll be seeing more and more people on 2 wheels, whether it be bicycle, scooter, or motorcycle.

[PeoriaMac]

Well, it's certainly got a lot of attention these days, thanks to Jesse James, OCC, and the rest of the Discovery Channel Crew.
Come this Thursday on Bravo, there's the start of six one-hour episodes of "Long Way Round", about Ewen McGregor and Charlie Boorman's trip around the world on BMW GS's.
Certainly sales are up...combined motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle sales for 2003 reached 1,882,000, an all-time record.
But the Median Age: 41 for all cyclists is 41 and climbing, and the median income now stands at $55,850.
We need younger people...and cheaper motorcycles are the obvious answer. Trouble is, 600 cc's are touted by dealers as beginner bikes...and some folks get into trouble real quick on them.
Mac

[rocketman]

Originally posted by Tom McIntyre
Well, it's certainly got a lot of attention these days, thanks to Jesse James, OCC, and the rest of the Discovery Channel Crew.
Come this Thursday on Bravo, there's the start of six one-hour episodes of "Long Way Round", about Ewen McGregor and Charlie Boorman's trip around the world on BMW GS's.
Certainly sales are up...combined motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle sales for 2003 reached 1,882,000, an all-time record.
But the Median Age: 41 for all cyclists is 41 and climbing, and the median income now stands at $55,850.
We need younger people...and cheaper motorcycles are the obvious answer. Trouble is, 600 cc's are touted by dealers as beginner bikes...and some folks get into trouble real quick on them.
Mac

The problem with the discovery crew is they all deal with hogs and chrome and low riders, not the daily riders, and as for younger riders, they are out there but they are all trying to kill themselves doing street stunts :D so they won't be around to replace all us old foggies as we die off (from old age :p ) (all said with tongue in cheek !)

RM "Telling it like it really isn't, well mostly :bliss )

[Rad]

For me, the real change are motorcycles becoming "main stream"

When I started ride'n it was not really accepted by the general public and ya got that sneer from the dad as ya checked out his daughter. Now the dad checks out yur bike; plus I’m to old to be look’n at his daughter. :eek

In some ways it was more fun be'n a “rebel” rather than be'n “in”