Getting the young'ens on a bike.

[houndguy]

I'm sure this has been brought up before and frankly, I'm not sure if there is a section of the Burgie forum for this subject. So feel free to move it moderators!

It seems in the various other forums and blogs I visit there is a concern about the lack of new people taking up the sport of motorcycling.

I don't really see it here in Florida, if anything I see a large number of young people on scooters and motorcycles. But I can only speak to my small part of the world. I do know however that sales have been falling over the last few years and I think there is a combination of reasons for this.

So my question is...how do you promote the sport? How do you get younger people involved?   

[RlwadeII]

From what I understand yes sales have dropped off on new bikes over the last few years but that doesn't mean that the bikes aren't out there. Take a look at Craigslist and look at the number of bikes being sold there. I think that with the state of the economy these days it makes a lot more financial since to either buy a used bike for half the price of a new one or hang onto the one you allready have since most of the modern bikes are built to last a lot longer. The only reason I bought my Super 8 new a few months ago was because of the great financing deal I got. If I would have had the cash at hand I probably would have bought a used one. (First bike for me btw) I think that young people are getting into the sport just not in a way that corporate America can quantify!

[SCOOTER 2290]

I think, that the price of gas will make the difference on the scooters that will be sold in the usa. europe being small and less of a distance to travel also makes a statement... for me it's just bringing back my youth..am 60... but still giggle like a 13 year old girl when I ride the scooter. Loved cycles. But some how the scooter brings a memory back that I did not know that i still had. Started with a home made bike. The first bike was a mobylett... france made. Spent more time under it than on it. Yamaha. zundap. yamaha  and yamaha...kymco...and now a s250 people....with a great big smile on my face...

[Stig / Major Tom]

Gotta agree with 2290,
I met another guy on a scoot this morning - chased him down actually - scoots are so rare in these parts(small town OHIO).
and sure, enough, he was another old guy like me, riding a Honda Helix - used -.

The neighbors bought a pair - both are seniors. Saw a guy at my dealers having a Kymco LIKe like mine being loaded onto a truck for delivery to his house. He was another old guy.

Well, OK, I don't giggle like a 13 yr old girl (partly because I HAVE a 13 yr old daughter at home) but dadgum I'd hate for the goofyness that's going on inside my fullface helmet to get out onto youtube!

Youth is wasted on the young. It would be nice to see a lot of scoots on the road - but it's mainly youngsters bent double over their 'sport bikes' and old chubby guys on HDs -- with no mufflers blasting around here in 1st or 2nd gear.....without enough $ to get a tune-up apparently - because their bikes won't idle at a light without playing with the throttle like an adolescent.
Saw a lot of folks on scooters while in St Pete Beach - some were youngsters - but many were 30/40 yr olds having fun and saving $ going to work.
I think gas would have to go WAY up to start pushing scooter sales again. Don't see it happening.

I'm going to try to ride this scoot year 'round to work. We'll see how that goes. cold is no issue, snow is my concern. Sure do envy those folks in Florida.
Storm coming? Put on a poncho and hop on the scoot all year around!!