Motorcycles in 20 years?

[p.dath]

Gaze into your crystal ball and report on the state of motorcycledom in the 30's here:

Almost completely unchanged. Sure there will be more efficient engines, engines putting out more power, better suspension, better tyres, etc - but nothing significantly different.

For significant change to occur there needs to be a significant problem to solve. Now I know there is a lot of complaining, but if you step back and look at the big picture - we don't really have any significant issues.

[James Deuce]

Almost completely unchanged. Sure there will be more efficient engines, engines putting out more power, better suspension, better tyres, etc - but nothing significantly different.

Those of us who were riding 20 years ago will tell you that today's tyres are unbelieveable. The current grip/mileage ratio was completely unavailable 20 years ago and combined with suspension that edges ever closer to actually suspending and the suspension revolution just around the corner I alluded to, bikes 20 years hence will have no trouble riding upside down over the bottom the Auckland Harbour bridge.

The main reason I have an aversion to Bridgestone is the horrific Excedra (excrement) radials. Made of concrete, no grip and unpredictable departure characteristics made them just horrible to ride on. Michelin's initial street radials were great until they let go. No warning, just *bang* and you were sliding on your arse. Metzeler made some great cross ply tyres, but they were "uncool". You HAD to have radials to go fast (not).

[Big Dave]

Not at all. The problem as.... snip

The price of fuel is what will fuel change in that regard.
Until it becomes a cost factor like we glimpsed in that last 'crisis' I agree.
That may not happen till much later.

[steve_t]

The price of fuel is what will fuel change in that regard.

How far into the future will Australia's $20 trillion of oil take us?

[Big Dave]

How far into the future will Australia's $20 trillion of oil take us?

.....so I packed up the truck and moved to Wakerley.
Brisbane that is.

Traffic jams.

No moving cars.

[ducatilover]

Thank you. The 'genuinely misguided internet snark' is the working title for the 2013 Night Rod under review currently.

Beautiful, modern, performance cruiser - performance that I would actually rate as best in class - including the metrics I've tested.
It comes at a premium price true - and I haven't ridden the Diavel.

I'll take a VMAX thanks. Or Diavel. Or anything that makes proper noises.
Or I'll just stick to my GN, because I do not need/want a cruiser?

[Winston001]

I think there will be two types of motorcycles:

1. Classic petrol high powered machines produced by niche factories or as elite models from the main bike makers. Less than 1% of motorcyclists will own these machines.

2. Everything and everybody else will be using small petrol or electric scooter type bikes including electric bicycles.

In support of that, already most motorcycles in the world are 150cc or less and number in the millions throughout Asia, South America, and Africa. People in those countries can only dream of owning what we consider to be proper bikes.

[Gremlin]

...But im secretly wishing for a flying bike!

If I can't have a flying bike (ok, adventure riding would become a bit easy) then I'll settle for Dredd's Lawmaster thanks.

[James Deuce]

I think there will be two types of motorcycles:

1. Classic petrol high powered machines produced by niche factories or as elite models from the main bike makers. Less than 1% of motorcyclists will own these machines.

2. Everything and everybody else will be using small petrol or electric scooter type bikes including electric bicycles.

In support of that, already most motorcycles in the world are 150cc or less and number in the millions throughout Asia, South America, and Africa. People in those countries can only dream of owning what we consider to be proper bikes.

You mean the same as now? I think lots of people in Western society are guilty of thinking that Europe and the US are the "big" markets for companies like Honda. We're just not. Honda's range of premium product models is diminishing in concert with the increase of the Asian market in particular.

I think that the capacity and capability of motorcycles are going to level out somewhere in the middle in all markets over the next 20 years, hence my prediction of NC500RRs. Honda have also tried to move production into these areas to build up local capability, a la Hero Honda in India.

[Big Dave]

I'll take a VMAX thanks.

Well, true - but I was only counting V-twins.

'13 Night Rod is improved exhaust note too.

[Big Dave]

a la Hero Honda in India.

Hero & Honda now. They have divorced IIRC.

Last I read online Erik is 'consulting' to Hero on development and they are sponsoring the US race team - or something like that.

[Banditbandit]

.....so I packed up the truck and moved to Wakerley.
Brisbane that is.

Traffic jams.

No moving cars.

You just need a boat instead of a motorcycle - oh - and asbestos underwear ...

[Big Dave]

You just need a boat instead of a motorcycle - oh - and asbestos underwear ...

I put the bike away and used the Jeep yesterday.

It was just too dayam hot and humid for freeway duty gear.

[Flip]

A 2033 harley will look, sound and go a lot like my 2005 one. Of this I am sure.

[James Deuce]

Hero & Honda now. They have divorced IIRC.

Last I read online Erik is 'consulting' to Hero on development and they are sponsoring the US race team - or something like that.

Yes, I am aware of that.