Motorcycling is slowly dying
Discussion
Is it more to do with the change in purpose of motorbikes. Back in my Dads day it was the first step in getting about on your own (after walking & cycling), it was cheap and easy. Once you got a bit more money you got a car, a family etc and the biking fell away. Later in life once all that stuff had moved on some returned back to biking.
Those returning had much more disposable income and bikes started to reflect that by becoming more & more expensive too.
Now it's probably easier, cheaper and safer to get into a car so young people don't see it has a means of getting about anymore. The bulk of people are into biking as a hobby and lets be honest it's getting to be a pretty expensive hobby when a Honda Fireblade is over £20k new.
Hence people are only doing it when they've got a bit of disposable income to do it.
Having said all that I have 2002 RSV R that cost me £3k - has nearly doubled in value since I got it 10 years ago so it doesn't have to be expensive but who wants an old bike!
Those returning had much more disposable income and bikes started to reflect that by becoming more & more expensive too.
Now it's probably easier, cheaper and safer to get into a car so young people don't see it has a means of getting about anymore. The bulk of people are into biking as a hobby and lets be honest it's getting to be a pretty expensive hobby when a Honda Fireblade is over £20k new.
Hence people are only doing it when they've got a bit of disposable income to do it.
Having said all that I have 2002 RSV R that cost me £3k - has nearly doubled in value since I got it 10 years ago so it doesn't have to be expensive but who wants an old bike!
Are we sure it's really more expensive? Sure it is than 60s/70s but I passed my test in 1996. There were virtually no decent cheap bikes, luckily I came into some money (Leeds Building Society change to a bank) so could get a CB500 for £3,250. According to the Bank of England, £3250 then is £6324 now and you don't need anywhere near that to get a decent bike - there's plenty of decent Hornets/Bandits/etc for £1500. I've pretty much spent £500-ish on leathers each time I've bought (stayed with Richa as a good mid brand) so in real terms that's gone down too. There's a lot more choice of cheaper kit than there was and the cheaper stuff isn't dreadful anymore (like FM helmets were etc.).
I got the CB500 as insurance was achievable whereas for the only cheaper bikes then e.g. FZR600 it wasn't. I can't remember insurance costs then so can't inflate up to today's prices.
I think it's an excuse, it's always been expensive to me.
I think the lack of independence given to children (when did you last see a bunch of 10-15 year olds out cycling) breads a lack of freedom, and therefore a risk aversion as they get older. Coupled with it being so much hassle to get a licence and biking is dwindling. Electric scooters make so much more sense than electric SUVs, but are they being promoted to the same level?
I got the CB500 as insurance was achievable whereas for the only cheaper bikes then e.g. FZR600 it wasn't. I can't remember insurance costs then so can't inflate up to today's prices.
I think it's an excuse, it's always been expensive to me.
I think the lack of independence given to children (when did you last see a bunch of 10-15 year olds out cycling) breads a lack of freedom, and therefore a risk aversion as they get older. Coupled with it being so much hassle to get a licence and biking is dwindling. Electric scooters make so much more sense than electric SUVs, but are they being promoted to the same level?
For me the hardest part was learning what to do, where to go for bike things, finding garages to work on them, even places that would fit tyres. I was the only one in my family to wanted to bike and none of my friends did it so I had no one to ask. I did DAS in 2013 at 24, rode for a few months then I moved with work so gave it up until 2019 when I came home and had a garage again. It's only recently I've made biker mates to ride with, people a year above me in school. One wanted to ride when he knew I rode so did the test and got a bike. We spin about together and don't really do big meets. One or two charity ride outs but that's all really. Mix of abilities, I'm somewhere in the middle, I know my weaknesses but it's never risky or too fast. I'm 35 now.
One thing I've noticed recently is the amount of women getting into bikes around my age. I passed at 23 and I have noticed I'm still one of the youngest folk around on the road at 36. But compared to when I started I see more women out now.
My Mrs passed last year and is now part of a FB biking group, there's hunners of them on it. They organise some amount of ride outs. Id almost be a bit jealous if I didn't have to hear about who doesn't like who, and who's been b
hing about one and another.
Even at bike shows or racing, I see far more women showing up these days that men my age.
My Mrs passed last year and is now part of a FB biking group, there's hunners of them on it. They organise some amount of ride outs. Id almost be a bit jealous if I didn't have to hear about who doesn't like who, and who's been b
hing about one and another.Even at bike shows or racing, I see far more women showing up these days that men my age.
Wacky Racer said:
It is quite obvious that if you go to any bike meet, Devil's Bridge, Matlock Bath, Rivington Barn, Squires cafe etc, that nearly all the bikers are in the age range 40-75.
Both of my daughters have shown at least some interest in biking but this is why they won’t be going to biker meets anytime soon.I shall put my tin foil hat on
As someone said earlier, motorcycling does not fit the whole "vision zero" road deaths thing and realistically motoring generally is only going to become more regulated. The powers that be have steadily made getting a bike licence more difficult and I believe that I read somewhere that the whole sub 125 ICE engine market will be the first to be phased out, so anybody thinking they are going to float around on a CB125 for a couple of years with their CBT might be out of luck in a few years? Speed monitoring / limiting tech has to be fitted to new cars from July so the drive towards automatous EV vehicles proceeds at pace. I really don't actually see how bikes fit into all this
As someone said earlier, motorcycling does not fit the whole "vision zero" road deaths thing and realistically motoring generally is only going to become more regulated. The powers that be have steadily made getting a bike licence more difficult and I believe that I read somewhere that the whole sub 125 ICE engine market will be the first to be phased out, so anybody thinking they are going to float around on a CB125 for a couple of years with their CBT might be out of luck in a few years? Speed monitoring / limiting tech has to be fitted to new cars from July so the drive towards automatous EV vehicles proceeds at pace. I really don't actually see how bikes fit into all this
Most points have been covered already but it shouldn't be surprising that you don't see many young lads at the biker meets or cafes. They're full of old men who ask you about your bike only to spend the next 30 mins telling you all about their bike, even though you never asked.
It's a bloody expensive hobby, most under 30 are still living at home so a frivolous motorcycle purchase probably wouldn't go down well, or they're renting and have no disposable income.
And yes the licence laws now are a joke. When I was 21 I was able to do the DAS. So I passed my theory test (even though I had already passed it for my car test), passed my Mod 1 then they changed the unrestricted age to 24. So my options were either passing the Mod 2 and being on a restricted licence, then taking both tests again in 3 years, or wait the 3 years to do the full test. I ended up waiting but it was agonising. I can see why people can't be arsed.
It's a bloody expensive hobby, most under 30 are still living at home so a frivolous motorcycle purchase probably wouldn't go down well, or they're renting and have no disposable income.
And yes the licence laws now are a joke. When I was 21 I was able to do the DAS. So I passed my theory test (even though I had already passed it for my car test), passed my Mod 1 then they changed the unrestricted age to 24. So my options were either passing the Mod 2 and being on a restricted licence, then taking both tests again in 3 years, or wait the 3 years to do the full test. I ended up waiting but it was agonising. I can see why people can't be arsed.
The only young people I see on bikes are on Sur-rons and wearing balaclavas.
Apart from the odd one or two that have a scooter.
It's too expensive these days. I've never paid over £200 for insurance even as a 16/17 year old and it's been around a £100 for a long time.
I'd stop if insurance was £500 plus. That would be 50p a mile if that was the case last year.
Apart from the odd one or two that have a scooter.
It's too expensive these days. I've never paid over £200 for insurance even as a 16/17 year old and it's been around a £100 for a long time.
I'd stop if insurance was £500 plus. That would be 50p a mile if that was the case last year.
I'm so glad that I'm not trying to get a licence now. I'd probably not bother.
I had no interest in bikes as a youth and fully expected to get a Mini or similar when/if I took my test.
My A level Biology teacher had this huge, to us, Honda....a CX500
and he started a try biking thing in the school playground of an evening.
I gave it a go, it was similar to what they do now, riding round cones, figure of eights etc
First on an auto Puch Maxi then a geared Suzuki B120, this was around 1979.
I was hooked and to my Biology teacher's shock I bailed out of A levels, even though I was top of the class, in order to get a job and buy a motorbike.
You could ride up to a 250cc on L plates back then. Took my test in 1980, which involved riding round the block that the Test Centre was on with the examiner only being able to see you coming down one street
I was working in a garage when I bought my first new bike, a Z550 for £1300 on HP. Was made redundant a few weeks later so ended up being a dispatch rider in London. There must of been 1000s of us back then. Another reason for a youngster to want a bike as it was good money.
That teacher has cost me tens if thousands and a few hospital visits since
I had no interest in bikes as a youth and fully expected to get a Mini or similar when/if I took my test.
My A level Biology teacher had this huge, to us, Honda....a CX500
and he started a try biking thing in the school playground of an evening.I gave it a go, it was similar to what they do now, riding round cones, figure of eights etc
First on an auto Puch Maxi then a geared Suzuki B120, this was around 1979.
I was hooked and to my Biology teacher's shock I bailed out of A levels, even though I was top of the class, in order to get a job and buy a motorbike.
You could ride up to a 250cc on L plates back then. Took my test in 1980, which involved riding round the block that the Test Centre was on with the examiner only being able to see you coming down one street
I was working in a garage when I bought my first new bike, a Z550 for £1300 on HP. Was made redundant a few weeks later so ended up being a dispatch rider in London. There must of been 1000s of us back then. Another reason for a youngster to want a bike as it was good money.
That teacher has cost me tens if thousands and a few hospital visits since
Discendo Discimus said:
Most points have been covered already but it shouldn't be surprising that you don't see many young lads at the biker meets or cafes. They're full of old men who ask you about your bike only to spend the next 30 mins telling you all about their bike, even though you never asked.
Very true.
I've just taken my bike theory test, having had a car driving licence for over 20 years.
Not sure when I'll get around to the practical tests, but I wouldn't have trusted myself 20 years ago, I'd have been dead within a week.
Just discovered this is round the corner from me, looks reasonably popular: https://www.abrfestival.com/
Not sure when I'll get around to the practical tests, but I wouldn't have trusted myself 20 years ago, I'd have been dead within a week.
Just discovered this is round the corner from me, looks reasonably popular: https://www.abrfestival.com/
Wacky Racer said:
Discendo Discimus said:
Most points have been covered already but it shouldn't be surprising that you don't see many young lads at the biker meets or cafes. They're full of old men who ask you about your bike only to spend the next 30 mins telling you all about their bike, even though you never asked.
Very true.
Got a DT50 to start work as an apprentice when I was 16. Was like whacky races coming out of there on an evening. Rode all through winter and bought an RD125 when I was 17.
College, army, student, job overseas, back to UK, married, family. Passed my test at 41, life just got in the way up to then.
You really need to have a house and garage, so takes a while to build that up. Leaving home at 20 and buying a motorcycle just isn't feasible for most.
College, army, student, job overseas, back to UK, married, family. Passed my test at 41, life just got in the way up to then.
You really need to have a house and garage, so takes a while to build that up. Leaving home at 20 and buying a motorcycle just isn't feasible for most.
stang65 said:
Are we sure it's really more expensive? Sure it is than 60s/70s but I passed my test in 1996. There were virtually no decent cheap bikes, luckily I came into some money (Leeds Building Society change to a bank) so could get a CB500 for £3,250. According to the Bank of England, £3250 then is £6324 now and you don't need anywhere near that to get a decent bike - there's plenty of decent Hornets/Bandits/etc for £1500. I've pretty much spent £500-ish on leathers each time I've bought (stayed with Richa as a good mid brand) so in real terms that's gone down too. There's a lot more choice of cheaper kit than there was and the cheaper stuff isn't dreadful anymore (like FM helmets were etc.).
I got the CB500 as insurance was achievable whereas for the only cheaper bikes then e.g. FZR600 it wasn't. I can't remember insurance costs then so can't inflate up to today's prices.
I think it's an excuse, it's always been expensive to me.
I think the lack of independence given to children (when did you last see a bunch of 10-15 year olds out cycling) breads a lack of freedom, and therefore a risk aversion as they get older. Coupled with it being so much hassle to get a licence and biking is dwindling. Electric scooters make so much more sense than electric SUVs, but are they being promoted to the same level?
You're forgetting about how many times more expensive housing is compared to the average salary now. Years ago it wasn't quite so much of a struggle so people weren't having to save every penny just to get on the housing ladder - which is where a large amount of everyone I know puts their money rather than cars or bikes.I got the CB500 as insurance was achievable whereas for the only cheaper bikes then e.g. FZR600 it wasn't. I can't remember insurance costs then so can't inflate up to today's prices.
I think it's an excuse, it's always been expensive to me.
I think the lack of independence given to children (when did you last see a bunch of 10-15 year olds out cycling) breads a lack of freedom, and therefore a risk aversion as they get older. Coupled with it being so much hassle to get a licence and biking is dwindling. Electric scooters make so much more sense than electric SUVs, but are they being promoted to the same level?
I’m early 30s and currently riding about on an old lambretta, only got a cbt and bike theory done so far! Next house purchase is tying up funds to do a full licence, but I don’t want to be one of those people that sit on a cbt forever! Got a featherbed rolling frame in the shed waiting on a triumph engine so that may kick me into gear to get the test done.
Biker9090 said:
You're forgetting about how many times more expensive housing is compared to the average salary now.
It's mainly this.My mum and dad bought a house in their early 20's, and had bikes early on. I bought a house in my 30's and didn't get a bike until a bit later. Nowadays young people can't afford to buy a house, some can't even afford fuel and food, so a toy is the last thing on their list no matter how much they want one.
And because of rising insurance costs etc. a bike isn't that cheap to run compared to a small car, therefore it's not the frugal form of transport it used to be.
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