Chance of a lifetime: YOU can decide on the message that will unite all bikers

[Flip]

That is going to change very rapidly. The rest of the world, the really big "emerging" markets will ensure that motorcyling continues and its global perception changes. The big bikes, currently mostly toys in Western economies are undergoing a rapid change. KTM and BMW introduced low friction singles (and twins in BMW's case) that are incredibly frugal. Honda have just gone a step further with their 670cc parallel twin destined for a few different platforms from scooters to tourers. Car production is going to head to different countries and the destination markets for the bulk of car production are going to shift from their current western hemisphere-centric focus. The price of fuel in Western economies is going to start making these new and frugal bikes look very attractive as disposable income diminishes and quality of life follows. People will convert their motorcycle hobby to transport, IF they can get decent mileage, something almost impossible on a modern sportsbike (and bikes using the same power plant or its derivatives) with its stratospheric rpm power delivery.

More people will end up on bikes for urban transport around the world.

I believe you are right.

As the price of fuel goes up, fuel efficient 2 wheel transport will become a lot more popular. It will be this and nothing we can do that till improve the plight of our lifestyle.

Even my crappy old HD does 6/100 l/km.

[Katman]

Said before my bikes aren't going anywhere. I don't recall marijuana disappearing recently.

Come the day that motorcycles aren't permitted on the road, you'll be dead right - your bikes won't be going anywhere.

[MSTRS:Me]

... People will convert their motorcycle hobby to transport...

Which is still the death of motorcycling as we know it.

[James Deuce]

I got told this about airships also
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/07...ip_king_thing/

While I hope you are right, and I am wrong........pipe dreams are everywhere.

Airships have never comprised the entry level transport medium for most South East Asian countries.

[TrentNz]

ill ride motorbikes even when they aren't allowed on the road..

[avgas]

Airships have never comprised the entry level transport medium for most South East Asian countries.

Most people didn't use lots of stuff when petrol became the source of all power.
Not saying Airships are where things are tracking. Just saying pipe-dreams are everywhere.

Motorcycle manufacturers are going to find it very hard to compete with a second hand car market, and an even more competitive "tiny car" market (tata, chery even BMW is having a crack).

I remember being told that 2-stroke was having a come back............15 years on I am still waiting.

[avgas]

Come the day that motorcycles aren't permitted on the road, you'll be dead right - your bikes won't be going anywhere.

I was riding illegally before. Why would I not ride illegally in the future. As mentioned earlier. Have to keep a track of demerits, and thats about it.
Its unlikely that they will take away your license for riding a motorbike on the road. Considering they don't if your driving a car that has never been legal on the road......you get 35 points damhik.

[Katman]

I was riding illegally before. Why would I not ride illegally in the future. As mentioned earlier. Have to keep a track of demerits, and thats about it.
Its unlikely that they will take away your license for riding a motorbike on the road. Considering they don't if your driving a car that has never been legal on the road......you get 35 points damhik.

Fuck me, this is like teaching a special needs class.

If motorcycles were one day banned from our roads you'd to be hard pressed continuing to ride one - even inconspicuously.

[jafar]

Which is still the death of motorcycling as we know it.

I doubt that, I got my first bike when I was 16 & never owned a car until I was in my 20's.... I suspect many here did something similar .

[Fatt Max]

I still believe “Riders Are Voters” is a great message.

Voters have the power to change governments and influence decisions. Ok, that’s very simplistic but the basic theory is right there. If we want change then we use our vote to force such a change.

Lobby the parties, find the one that has the best deal on offer and run with it. However, the current economic situation and other external influences on our lives means that for some, the best deal for their motorcycling persona is outweighed by the best deal that keeps them in work and earning in order to feed the family.

On another angle, safer roads and safer riding keeps us sunny side up and not in a hospital bed (or worse) which also means we can stay earning and feeding the family.

The crux of it though in my humble opinion is that Riders Are Votes is a unifying message, as long as we can get it across to the right people and we have wide, all embracing support.

[MSTRS:Me]

I doubt that, I got my first bike when I was 16 & never owned a car until I was in my 20's.... I suspect many here did something similar .

Not as many as when we were young(er). The cheap jap import saw to that.
My point is that if a huge number of people turn to commuter bikes for daily transport, how many of them will ride their cheap, frugal commuters for fun in the twisties. A few, yes, but for the majority it'll simply be a transport option, not leisure activity.

[Conquiztador]

I still believe “Riders Are Voters” is a great message.

........

The crux of it though in my humble opinion is that Riders Are Votes is a unifying message, as long as we can get it across to the right people and we have wide, all embracing support.

A voice of sanity comes out from the darkness and perhaps there is some traction gained even if in miniscule steps...

[James Deuce]

The cheap jap import saw to that.

They're about to go away.

[MSTRS:Me]

They're about to go away.

Yep. Heralding in a new, golden era of biking.

[jafar]

Not as many as when we were young(er). The cheap jap import saw to that.
My point is that if a huge number of people turn to commuter bikes for daily transport, how many of them will ride their cheap, frugal commuters for fun in the twisties. A few, yes, but for the majority it'll simply be a transport option, not leisure activity.

Yes cheap jap imports saw a lot of people that may have otherwise had a bike get a good deal on a cheap car, no doubt about that. The bike manufacturers were slow to combat the problem then & to an extent still are. I hear advertising from car dealerships daily on the radio, but is rare to hear a bike shop advertising their wares .

Riding bikes is a personal thing, not all riders take their bikes out for a fang through the twisties even now, some ride just because they can & enjoy a leisurly cruise.. each to their own.