Do you think fewer American men are buying motorcycles because they are getting femynized?

[MatureDJ]

I was reading this, and it got me interested:

http://autoweek.com/article/motorcycles/motorcycle-industry-losing-customers-what-must-it-do

I should say that as I value my health, I don't ride a hog, but there's no denying that it's a masculine thing to do.

 

[R.U.G.]

Not sure. I had a Harley, but got into a bad accident. Drunk driver slammed into the divider and one of the heavy barricades went up and hit several cars.... And my bike. I went flying and landed on the road head first. My helmet saved my life. I was knocked unconscious and heart even stopped in the ambulance I was told (no, I didn't see a white light nor Jesus). I still have my MC license, but too concerned about something like that happening again. Not worried about death, worried about extreme pain and recovery. Oh, was also hooked on Vicodin for years.. Had to ween myself off of that. That was a fun trip. The pain from the accident and the pain from withdrawal.. See, I'm a gluten for punishment.

I traded my bike settlement in for a GT-R manual. Not as fun, but the launch control is amazing.

 

[RedScorpion]

Personally would be ok driving a motorcycle here and there - but I’ve heard about too many deaths and major accidents with them to consider it a non-risky venture. It doesn’t even have to be your fault, could be some idiot making the wrong decision. Or some old person making a left turn at the wrong time, killing a couple motorcyclists like in my town.

I don’t believe anything about it being ‘feminized’. I don’t think the article suggested that either - rather, that they might have to consider marketing more to women/minorities to sell more vehicles. I think overall it’s just falling as less and less a thing for people to do. Especially as some people may no longer see it as a necessary cool thing to be and have.

 

[Billtx49]

They were a big boy toy about a decade back, but I read that H-D is still selling about 147K in the US. That will improve with the economy.
Other drivers don’t see you coming, they’re programmed to look for cars and trucks.
Had a wreck also, subdural hematoma and a month in a coma plus some rehab. Still have the now good as new repaired bike, but don’t ride much anymore…
07 Fxstc

 

[Atom Smasher]

I ride my Harley less lately. When my girl is on the back seat all I can think about is how oblivious she is to the danger and I'm thinking about how responsible I am for her safety.

Nowadays I'll take it out for a spin every once in a while, as away from traffic as I can be. Ain't no second chances on a bike.

As billtx49 says, other drivers are looking only for cars and trucks. Therefore, when they see you when you are near, they erroneously calculate you to be far away. That's why we always see those drivers on the right cross road inching up in indecision and then finally pulling out right in front of you. It's doesn't "compute" in their minds how close you really are and their brain goes into indecision mode.

 

[The Duke]

I used to ride every day, averaged 8000 miles per year. Crashed a few times. Had a very bad crash at 100mph that left me with a laundry list of injuries, lucky to be here. I've slowed down some and don't ride as much simply because I got tired of motorists almost running me over weekly when riding in traffic. The traffic where I live is way worse than it used to be.

-I noticed when gas prices got really high a few years ago that a lot of people started riding. Seems most of those people have stopped.

-I'd definitely agree that the single mommies have produced little feminized boys that think motorcycles are too dangerous. I went to give a kid a ride on my 4wheeler the other day and the first thing he noticed was the label that said "NO RIDERS UNDER 16yo". He was 10. I about schitt my pants. What a little faggot. Then he was worried about going to fast. I had never even noticed what the warning label said. All of this preaching safety, warning labels every where schitt has turned boys into little faggots. Its created a mentality that hampers male development. Boys are supposed to push the envelope, have freedom, be aggressive, break bones, have cool stories to tell. Society has told them its not okay to behave that way and they should assume everything is dangerous. I've had 3 concussions, broken hip, wrist, fingers, knuckles, some impressive scars, and been on fire. I pushed the envelope way too many times but I'm still here. Nobody needs to be as wild as me, but my lord let those boys live a little.

-You also have to factor in childhood influence. Every generation before Gen X didn't grow up on video games. A lot of these kids had go-karts, dirt bikes, 3wheelers, 4wheelers, etc that kept them entertained. When they grew older they transitioned into street/road bikes. You don't have that anymore.

 

[sosousage]

masculine cuz u can die? so going on war fighting for your country is masculine too, or going barehanded vs a guy with a knife, but are these things smart? safety over everything

 

[logicallefty]

True story right here, straight out of my family:

My sister, 50, got with her now husband ~26 years ago. He was a badboy in a biker gang with all of the traits. Over the years he started to slow down in his biker/gang activities and do more with his sons, and her, but he still ran with the boys too. Then about 7 years ago my sister went to Florida with the girls. She shacked up with someone down there. One of the girlfriends spilled the beans and it got back to him eventually. Rather than kill her or beat her to a pulp like he would have once done I guarantee, he instead listened to all of her illogical reasons for why her cheating was his fault. It lead to them nearly splitting apart. He thought he could save the relationship by selling all six of his Harleys, getting out of the gang, and turining into a flat out AFC. One night my sister got drunk and told me she just isn't attracted to him like she once was. He has actually called me too much of a "hard ass" in recent years and once he got mad at me for saying the F bomb too many times at a party at their house. YES, you are still with me. This is the same guy who was in the bikger gang that I was talking about at the beginning of this post, who has a chest full of stab marks and has done some serious bad boy sh|t and done some serious biker stuff... Who now gets offended by the F bomb. Completely deballed, debiked, and changed. All over his woman who cheated on him and is no longer as attracted to him.

 

[RedScorpion]

True story right here, straight out of my family:

My sister, 50, got with her now husband ~26 years ago. He was a badboy in a biker gang with all of the traits. Over the years he started to slow down in his biker/gang activities and do more with his sons, and her, but he still ran with the boys too. Then about 7 years ago my sister went to Florida with the girls. She shacked up with someone down there. One of the girlfriends spilled the beans and it got back to him eventually. Rather than kill her or beat her to a pulp like he would have once done I guarantee, he instead listened to all of her illogical reasons for why her cheating was his fault. It lead to them nearly splitting apart. He thought he could save the relationship by selling all six of his Harleys, getting out of the gang, and turining into a flat out AFC. One night my sister got drunk and told me she just isn't attracted to him like she once was. He has actually called me too much of a "hard ass" in recent years and once he got mad at me for saying the F bomb too many times at a party at their house. YES, you are still with me. This is the same guy who was in the bikger gang that I was talking about at the beginning of this post, who has a chest full of stab marks and has done some serious bad boy sh|t and done some serious biker stuff... Who now gets offended by the F bomb. Completely deballed, debiked, and changed. All over his woman who cheated on him and is no longer as attracted to him.

Interesting story. A good affirmation towards how becoming AFC will not bring about attraction, even if that’s what she’s claiming she wants/reasoning behind her cheating (if I read the story right).

 

[Bible_Belt]

I have ridden off and on since I was 19. Motorcycles help you develop skills for driving an automobile, largely accident avoidance. I just had a big fat deer walk out in front of me going 60 in my truck. And I hit it, except instead of smashing my front end, I whipped the truck over about one deer length and the stupid thing ran right into the side of me with a bang, but didnt leave a mark on the truck. Being in the habit of watching constantly for hazards while riding is the reason I didnt total my truck on that deer.

As far as bike demographics go, younger males have less disposable income. Harley customers are aging and the tounger crowd isnt buying. I do think electric bikes will soon win over the crotch rocket crowd, simply by offering superior performance.

 

[Billtx49]

And I hit it, except instead of smashing my front end, I whipped the truck over about one deer length and the stupid thing ran right into the side of me with a bang, but didnt leave a mark on the truck. Being in the habit of watching constantly for hazards while riding is the reason I didnt total my truck on that deer.

Yep, split second accident avoidance decisions are an enormous benefit that come from a history of riding.

 

[Who Dares Win]

Biker here since my mid 20s, bought a used one custom style..didnt even consider to buy a harley given the excessive cost.

What can I say, I like and I would like it even more if there werent middle aged women driving like fvcks and forcing me to slow down any 2 mins, anyway as a biker in the traffic I developed foresee skills.

Basically I can predict who will do something stupid anywhere in the 50 meters near me and 5 meters all around my position, I just need to see their moving pattern I can accurately brake in advance.

 

[logicallefty]

Interesting story. A good affirmation towards how becoming AFC will not bring about attraction, even if that’s what she’s claiming she wants/reasoning behind her cheating (if I read the story right).

Yes. Upon the point of them nearly breaking up she tried to play the card that he was too wrapped up in his biker sh|t and didn't give her enough attention. Which lead to her seeking attention from this guy in Florida on her 'girl' trip. Then later she admitted (to me over the phone) that she wasn't AS attracted to the new AFC version of him she thought she wanted. I believe her words to me were something along the lines that he wasn't as "fun" and "exciting" to be with as when they "first met". But I could read between the lines. She also said to me, almost exact words, "I would leave him, but I don't want to be alone"

 

[EyeBRollin]

Between my road bicycles (real bikes) and car, I have no use for a motorcycle. I just don't see the point.

 

[Billtx49]

Which lead to her seeking attention

she wasn't AS attracted to the new AFC version of him she thought she wanted.

She also said to me, almost exact words, "I would leave him, but I don't want to be alone"

The in need of attention force is strong in this one…