Triumphrat

UK Davesky · 09-29-2007

During the 1970s and 1980s if a guy took his helmet off you would usually see an adolescent youth with long hair, sideburns and aged 16-25 years old. Today when a guy takes his helmet off it is usually an overweight, balding or grey middle aged man 40-70 years old [me included]. Are there young guys [and women] still getting into bikes?, or when we all die will that be the end of motorcycling. Sounds morose but needs to be asked.
Happy days. UK Daveski, 48 years young.
If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?. Dr Hook 1980.

2112 · 09-29-2007

Nah...its must be you're area.
Plenty of young bucks having fun on two wheels in my area.

Catenaccio · 09-29-2007

Funny you should ask. I returned to motorcycles after a 20 year hiatus because my kids were gone. I stopped riding out of concern for their safety. Now as I rethink things, I'd have put them on bikes early in life and taught them to ride responsibly. My youngest has a bike, but because he's in school and married, he doesn't ride as much as he'd like. Too bad. I guess the short answer is be grateful for the old farts (myself included obviously) who are keeping the sport alive.

EnglishWombat · 09-29-2007

I don't often stick my head in here.....maybe this should be in the Hang out...

Quote:

Are there young guys [and women] still getting into bikes?, or when we all die will that be the end of motorcycling. Sounds morose but needs to be asked.

As someone who wasn't 30 when she bought her first Triumph, yes there are young guys/girls gettin into bikes.

But I'm getting fed up of being the yougest one when I go to Triumph-y things.... though I now know of a bloke who's only 4 years older than me and has a Speedmaster.

Old Greaser · 09-29-2007

I don't know about the UK anymore but over here bike riders just keep growing every year. Presumably a result of the post-Soviet era when only Russian and Jawa's were available. I stay off the local bike site as I'm considered an old fart riding an antiquated bike - though the bike has been the centre of attraction at MC fests I've been to.

Here the younger generation (OK - kids to you and me) go for the Nip bikes and speed or scramblers. Plenty have admired the Bonnie but don't have the money to buy a new one, so they go for secondhand Nips imported from Germany or elsewhere in Europe. The better off crowd tend to go for HD's.

Interesting point - seen a good few home made bikes with old Russian car engines. Some are quite slick.

Ernie.

BigChiefWoody · 09-29-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by UK Davesky

Today when a guy takes his helmet off it is usually an overweight, balding or grey middle aged man 40-70 years old [me included].

I'm glad you didn't use overweight, balding AND grey on your description!

Gyllek · 09-29-2007

Slightly overweight, brunette, 28 year old female here

Though the pink helmet may be a dead giveaway that it's not a middle aged man underneath...then again, maybe not!

ATGATT · 09-29-2007

I see all ages but would guess there are more older riders now than before.

I want to die young....at a very old age. One of the reasons I ride at 54 years old. Balding and gray but not overweight.

KingBear · 09-29-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by UK Davesky

Today when a guy takes his helmet off it is usually an overweight, balding or grey middle aged man 40-70 years old.

I resemble that remark. In fact, I'm identical to it.

Most of today's youngsters are attracted to the sport bikes, whereas when I was a kid growing up in Southern California it was all about dirt bikes. But I can tell you that my Bonnie gets lots of compliments from the under-20 crowd. Go figure!

RonD · 09-29-2007

motorcycle sales are going crazy in oz and it would be guys +40 that seem to be into it the most, i think its just at that age most guys can afford a nice toy..