Why Are Young People Not Riding Motorcycles?

[@jamesipock3669]

The number of idiots on the roads has multiplied exponentially in the last 20 years.

[@michaelshepherd8299]

Absolutely correct.. that's why I don't ride anymore.

[@greatwhitebuffalo6807]

And too expensive.

[@JoshuaRoberts-kq9cs]

True.Thats why you need to ride smarter not harder.And i've been riding for sixty two years and still love it as much as I did when i first started.

[@ClovisPoint]

bike has too be loud, so idiots are aware of you [not ridiculously loud ,saved me several times from idiots]

[@JoshuaRoberts-kq9cs]

@@ClovisPoint Their is also alot of idiots on bikes.Just an observation from a rider with sixty two years of experience.

[@miamipastel]

Millennial new rider here. I could not afford a motorcycle until recently in my 30s. There was always something else more important to spend money on...

[@SMSBJM1981]

Good point. If you are a university student there isn't much extra cash. The older generation was not in school and their early jobs could afford more.

[@adlisjsupremacy3318]

@@SMSBJM1981 if you are in school from 5 to 35 then you are doing something wrong.

[@666Victor777]

Ofcourse... Something more important... Your girlfriend you simp!

[@abellseaman4114]

@@SMSBJM1981 And of course the level of govt DEBT was much lower in the 20th century as well......................... with the added bonus that the drug addicts and homeless DID NOT GET major govt aid to fuel their addictions and health issues!!!!!!!!!!!

[@m.m.511]

Similar for me, until I was 28. And you what, it's probably for the best. When I was younger I was too irresponsible to actually have one.

[@125ZJK]

Insurance companies 1st. Licensing 2nd. These two elements are pricing young riders out of the market.

[@steve00alt70]

Convincing parents is the 1st hurdle most dont even get past that

[@elliotoliver8679]

Traffic in cities is not motorbike friendly, years ago yes, not now

[@zachwrench]

Thanks for the reminder I need to shop for a new insurance company my bikes go into winter storage next month

[@steve00alt70]

@@zachwrench mine dont go into storage until Dec - Feb then they out again in March

[@zachwrench]

@@steve00alt70 I’m done from November to April that’s sled season. If you don’t mind who are you using for insurance

[@ansmerek]

Here in canada to get a motorcycle license it takes 3 years, 3 written tests and 3 road test and costs $500-$1200 and you can expect to pay $4000- $6000/yr for insurance when you start out if you are male. Back in my day you got a license in half an hr for $35 bought a used bike for $200 and insurance was cheap

[@Mark-gk1bu]

Oh my goodness! 😮 Sounds like Canadian authorities are on a mission to deter motorcycle use!

[@williamrose2506]

Sheesh!! Obviously Canada doesn't like motorcycles.

[@ansmerek]

@@Mark-gk1bu if you are a 16 year old male you may pay $5000 to insure a 20 year old car. Its not that different with cars either. The insurance industry here is a joke

[@Mark-gk1bu]

@@ansmerek wow.... that's absurd. Don't y'all have an Automobile Association over there that can lobby for changes?

[@ansmerek]

@@Mark-gk1bu The insurance companies and banks run this country. They take our money and we can't do anything about it

[@roybatty2030]

Back in the day, bikes appealed to the young partly because they were a cheap alternative to cars but bikes have become expensive these days.

[@slimfit767]

Na bikes are pretty cheap tbh

[@RansomeDavis]

@@slimfit767 dont know what island you live on then. training, test, bike purchase, then all the gear,then the extortionate insurance. getting into biking isnt cheap these days, teens and adults spending a couple hundred quid on a fast electric scooter, is a much affordable option.

[@MarcassCarcass]

@@slimfit767 My Genuine RoughHouse 50 Sport was over $3K, as was the All Terrain Sport R750 FS ebike. I'm loving it, think I will get a license to upgrade. Can't believe stuff like the Dualtron X for $6K.

[@roryrose898]

I live in the UK and I’m 26 now. I had my CBT from 19-24 waiting to be able to do Mod 1 and 2 and get my full license, I passed first time and the cost was £1100 in total including bike hire. First ‘big bike’ is my trident 660 and the insurance on year one was £2400… with 5 years of riding experience and no claims. Factor in another £1000 for half decent bike gear, first service etc etc the cost of riding compared to driving is astronomical! I do ride as my main mode of transport and can’t stand driving cars but the cost is the main barrier for anyone my age wanting to ride. Cheers

[@Bobafe77a]

I'm a biker in my 50s and traffic is quite dangerous now. A few months ago on a highway ( two lane road) , I had a woman in a minivan just brake to a complete stop in front of me. Why? Because a semi trailer truck was approaching on the other side of the road. I've never seen anyone on a 100kmh road do this. But people are driving bigger vehicles, with less brains, less awareness, more distractions and huge screens built into the dash of these new vehicles.

[@Scoupe400]

Very true. And my main concern for a decade or more was tailgating and I couldn’t imagine much worse. But the new thing seems to be driving at you head-on whilst over the centre line. UK drivers see the horn as a sign of anger not warning.

[@Bobafe77a]

@@Scoupe400Yes indeed. I've noticed drivers, particularly of large cars/ trucks increasingly driving on, or over, the middle line on roads, particularly on corners. Yes, and the tailgating, particularly from young women in large SUVs or trucks. It seems to me that accountability is disappearing and rules are there to follow if you feel like it.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Same in the UK. Quality of driving has bombed. It's time we had a mandatory IQ test before a license is issued. I could argue the same before people are allowed to have children.

[@davidclarke1429]

👍

[@allenantonio4389]

Women driving

[@wittydisplayname1761]

"Why Are Young People Not Riding Motorcycles?" Because it is really hard to text and ride...

[@creamfalcon]

This comment wins! So true!

[@mikeallen3518]

Good one.....and TRUE!

[@antares2953]

LMFAO, you're on to something

[@ranjitkumar-zf5uw]

😂😂

[@sscbkr48]

😂👍👍

[@kennv7566]

I live in the U.S. Younger generation grew up without public land to learn to ride mini bikes, atv's and dirt bikes. The cost of these small bikes became expensive. Parents became more protective not letting their children have bikes. I've talked to young guys in their 20's, they simply have no interest or desire to get a motorcycle. Like Alf said, small bikes are popular in certain countries.

[@chrishart8548]

In 1996 I bought a 1991 Honda MT5 for £310. In 2024 I see a 1988 MT5 for £2,495.

[@will7its]

In my city in the US there are gangs of youngsters racing around on bikes day and night, illegally because the liberals wont prosecute them. They are cracking down now for the election and then it will go back to the same afterwards.

[@marks-0-0]

Theres the other factor too, young people socialise virtually more now instead of having to meet up in person in years past. Also instead of cheap bikes being the only transport available they can now choose to finance a car as a means of transport.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

City kids (and adults) on Surrons (and other small e-motos) is the new thing.

[@johnbarton9986]

I believe it mainly comes down to disposable income. In the UK we have probably the highest cost of living and lowest wages ratio in the world so it's no shock that people can't afford things that past generations took for granted. Saw a video recently that mentioned in 1985 the average wage was £14000.00p with the average house price being £28000.00p meaning the average wage should now be about £100.000.00p.

[@jameslee5428]

Just the other day in my small town of Fallbrook California I watched a kid on electric bicycle doing 30+ miles an hour on his electric bike having a time of his life. It seems that all these kids have electric bicycles, some of them highly modified to do 40 mph. Why the hell would they want to spend thousands of dollars on motorcycles when they can buy a cheap electric bicycle and basically take care of the fun factor, and basically go where they wanna go with no licensing requirements/insurance requirements…. motorcycling is dying on the vine. At 64 years of age, I’m still riding strong, In fact, you motivated me to go out and ride my KTM 890 before I get too old and they throw us all in the dumps.😉😉😎

[@rogergeyer9851]

All true, but of course, there SHOULD be licensing requirements for E-bikes that can do, say, 30 mph or more on public roads. But of course, local laws will vary wildly across red and blue US states.

[@DaveForArt]

A surron ebike is around 3.5-4k dollars and do highway speeds

[@jameslee5428]

Those are bad ass !! Seen them down here on fire roads. These crazy kids are living a dream life, But I know if we were Young, we’d all be riding them too.😎👍

[@rogerbarrett9920]

​​@@jameslee5428, Agree, I love motorcycles but if I was young now E-bikes would suit me just fine. So easy to buy with no real maintenance needed, just keep the battery charged and go. No good for real distance travelling but brilliant for local use.

[@kevinjones3900]

​@@jameslee5428 I see them riding the streets with no intention of using the off road areas that surround where I live . The other day the mountain bikers were trying to climb a steep muddy hill. And they are riding like pussys up the cycle path.

[@Zypher565]

As a 25 year old motorcycle rider I can tell you that the reason most young adults don’t ride motorcycles is just because we can’t afford it, most young people in this economy can barely afford their house note with a full time job let alone be able to buy a motorcycle

[@Cabalero24]

это всё навязанные правительством модели поведения. необязательно жить в городе и платить сумасшедшие деньги за аренду городской недвижимости. можно жить на природе, есть полупустые деревни, есть свободные дома. живя в деревне ты врядли найдёшь высокооплачиваемую работу, но в деревне нет таких расходов как в городе. не новый мотоцикл можно купить за смешные деньги, и это будет не хлам, но нужно элементарно уметь работать руками и читать инструкции.

[@hiddendragon415]

Bikes can be cheaper especially for parking. If you need a car for whatever reason then yes you are better off just owing a car

[@newmobile1455]

but they have money for a brand new car with a $800+ payment that is the reason

[@Zypher565]

@@newmobile1455 true that’s why I drive an old ford single cab so that I can afford my 26,000 dollar Harley lol

[@TheRealBelisariusCawl]

Nah, you can afford a $1200 cell phone you could afford a $1800 motorcycle.

[@johntoth9679]

I'm 66 and love the feeling of riding my motorcycle. The wind, the sights, the vibrations, and the smell is intoxicating and adfictive. I started riding motorized vehicles as a child so its a part of my identity. But, for young people today, growing up with cell phones and laptops, electric transportation such as bikes, scooters, erc. are hard to beat. Less cost, easy storage, no license, no insurance, basically free fuel, etc. Way of the future I guess...

[@michalwiktorow2188]

Please remember that there is a 'path' that brought companies here - 'greedy path' - pay for this, pay for that, insurance (with exclusions), clothes, training, tickets plus tickets-related points that sum up for two years - and if you loose license it is not just for the motorcycle, but for all categories you have obtained. So you can imagine, that nobody who uses car for living will risk loosing the license due to three random sundays across 2 years that summed up to 24 points - and you say 'bye bye' to your drivng license in the EU for half a year.

[@BlackJackLegacy]

Motorcycling now is no longer a mode of transport for the vast majority of folks in our western society. It’s become more of a luxury hobby (outside of food delivery scooters etc). Years ago motorbikes were an inexpensive way to give young people freedom to travel and gain independence. These days younger folks just don’t travel to socialise the same way, there’s other options like Ubers, city bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters etc and a motorbike is just seen as a luxury. Even the obsession with 600cc sports bikes that seemed to be around in the late 90’s/early 2000’s seems to have died off. I hardly see a bike on the road near me that doesn’t have an Uber Eats box on it 😢

[@Stefan_trekkie]

To add.. The complex and expensive system of getting motorcycle license in Europe at least is expensive, time consuming and with many steps. We all know that is in place to get crazy 18 years olds out of the 600cc sport bikes but repels the ones that are thinking about bikes but don't want to go trough all that mess with money and years waiting down the line. Bike storage is another thing, most people live in flats in cities now days and you have to rent some place to keep your bike save and dry.

[@BlackJackLegacy]

@@Stefan_trekkieI think it’s more than that. When I first passed my test in the U.K. at 23 ( l think!) we still had to do direct access and it wasn’t cheap, but then neither was taking driving lessons to drive a car and I couldn’t wait to do that. The car scene was big amongst younger drivers too and body kits, hot hatches, big alloys and sound systems were all the rage. These days younger folks don’t seem to be interested in cars as much either. Another thing to add is my first car was £400 back in 1993. These days young folks don’t want to be seen in an old car or are able to work on them to improve them. It’s just a change in the times and bikes are taking the hit right now.

[@8alakai8]

not in the big citys in the netherlands there more and more are riding a bike

[@TonyGray-bo4uy]

Uber Eats - most of those delivery drivers have foreign accents!

[@Bluepilled-c5t]

I know! I was so obsessed with 600 sport bikes in the 90s, went nuts on them, and I just don’t see it around now. Unbelievable to me. What do they do for fun?

[@jordanbyrnes7518]

Im proud to be that one 24 year old dude, rocking up to a meet and parking up next to the old blokes on my 40+ year old GPZ750 rice burner

[@gtrpimp76]

YES!! That bike is legendary!

[@lyndonohue3350]

I'm 57. I watch my 20 year old son, and realize how differently we grew up. When I was a kid, I was always outside, playing sports with friends in any empty field, riding mini bikes, etc. Kids now are all about electronics, and do not have the adventure spirit.

[@SkullviolaterGaming]

we have the spirit we just are watched more closely you cant have fun without intervention you cant go out and ride dirt fields

[@jamesrowland3857]

For a 57 year old youre a bit dim. Young people have just as much of an adventurous spirit. Difference is nowadays the cost of motorbikes is 5 to 10 times higher then youre generation had

[@rcnelson]

@@jamesrowland3857 Lyn pretty well nails it. Younger people are much more invested in their computer games and smart phones than they are backyard sports, driving cars, or riding motorcycles. As a kid we would gather on any piece of open ground and play softball, kickball, Pump Pump Pullaway etc. for hours at a time. Cost is indeed a problem, although when adjusted for inflation there's not that huge difference between old and new bikes. It's true that good lightweight bikes between say, 100 c.c. and 250 c.c. are much less common now than they were, but that's a function of a richer society.

[@julianmorris9951]

@@jamesrowland3857you can buy a zzr 1400 for 3 grand but it’ll cost a 24 year old 5 grand to insure it😂

[@witsend236]

@@jamesrowland3857 No so. I purchased a brand new Suzuki Katana 1100 in 1982 and it cost £2800. My monthly gross salary at the time was £350 making the bike around 9 times my monthly Nett salary. The average monthly salary in 2022 was £1950 and the average bike bike is around £15,000 new, making new bikes 7.5 times average monthly salary. Therefore average big bike prices of new bikes now are the sames as in my day.

[@Omenxiiii]

I’m 29 idk if that’s considered young anymore but I’ve been riding bikes my whole life. Couldn’t imagine life without em

[@888jackflash]

The fact that you used the code "idk" testifies that you ARE a young punk! (-:

[@kermit8619]

Started riding at 19 and got a new Harley at your age. I use to think the same. Now at almost 64 I have 3 bikes and ride daily a 2023 GSXS1000 . It never die in you 🙂

[@paulgospel4258]

I'm 64 now. When I was young motor bikes in the late 70s and all the way through the 80s and into the 90s were some what rebelias. Kh, rd, 250s. Then came along 350 lc😊 a naughty boys bike! It was almost a way of life back 40 years ago. Worked hard ride fast. A few years later we all rode gsxr zxr rgv kr1s tzr and trail bikes in the winter months. It seemed so right for a man like me back then.. a way to live my life. A way of life! Not now. Youngans today will never be able to replicate them years. Every thing changes, nothing stops the same! 😊

[@888jackflash]

@@paulgospel4258 Yup, I'm with ya, Old Timer! Same story for me- buddy got a new Honda Minitrail 50 for Christmas when I was 12... my mind exploded and that was IT. Bikes were plentiful, simple, and (reasonably) cheap. I got my first one (Yamaha YL-1 100cc when I was 14; a real piece of sh*t but it was MINE), and I never looked back. Have owned 28 since.. ridden around the world ..and still do!

[@fjp3305]

And how many of your friends ride motorbikes?

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

I'm in Australia. From my observations, young people just don't have the money to blow on a bike and the associated expenses that go with it. It's the same for cars, for a lot of them, too. And a lot of them, like my 26 year old son, are just as happy sitting on a tram or train, going to work so they can use their mobile devices.

[@ausforce1]

Yep $40k to 70k for a motorcycle... boomers killed it for the young

[@chrispekel5709]

@@ausforce1 Our dollar isn't that low lol

[@newmobile1455]

most young people would rather have a $800+ a month car payment

[@MattCallaghan-u7h]

I’m in Australia too. From what I see, bikes have never been cheaper or better for the price relative to wages. The big difference between what I had to do to get a license and what my son is presently experiencing leads me to believe there is an active policy to make obtaining a license as difficult as possible. It’s working.

[@newmobile1455]

everything goes back to those stupid smartphones and tablets

[@thegreenman2030]

1. The last two generations are kids who grew up with helicopter parents making sure nothing ever happened to them good or bad. They suffer from anxiety like no other and have no sense of adventure due to the internet ruining it for them. They are not going to take the risk of riding a motorcycle. 2. The cost to get involved with it is just too high these days, and the barrier to entry has become intimidating due to KZbin influencers pushing products and "must do or have” upgrades and gear. This especially rings true with with off road or adventure riding.

[@michaelfealtman3988]

Just had this discussion with another like aged motorcycle rider, (70 years young). We discussed how the younger generation just doesn't get the feel of freedom that we did growing up. Things change, and I guess I never did. Lol

[@chrissorlie5291]

I'm a 74 year old Canadian. In the sixties the Beach Boys sang about them. Elvis rode one. Bikes were advertised - You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda, Much less traffic. We all had jobs that would allow us to buy one. E bikes didn't exist back then. Things have changed.

[@dougcoffeyvideos9094]

I'm 74 as well. Insurance is unaffordable for you Canadians.

[@broc2727]

1st gear its alright, 2nd gear I lean right, 3rd gear hang on tight, Faster, its alright

[@des_smith7658]

Let the good times roll

[@gtrpimp76]

Don’t forget Steve McQueen and The Great Escape riding a Triumph TR6 or On Any Sunday. All required viewing for GenX riders. Oh, and in the mid 80’s I always watched the Camel Supercross races on TV Saturday night and raced motocross on Sunday at my local racetracks as a kid. My passion has been burning strong. And when I had a near 4 month downtime due to my daily rider having electrical issues, I felt like I was mentally losing it. It was the greatest feeling getting my daily rider back last month.

[@des_smith7658]

Bob Dylan stepped off his T100, back in the Woodstock era

[@stuarthull5706]

Some of the reasons are because of the following. The machines themselves are too expensive. The licensing and tests are ridiculously complex and expensive for example my son who is 25 and a motorcycle technician for Kawasaki he had to pay in total £1400 to pass all of the tests AM, A2 and A. The gear we wear if you going to ride properly and in all weathers like my son and I cost thousands. Maintenance is very expensive compared to a for example a Citroen C1 which is pennies in servicing. Tyres etc again expensive. Then there is the insurance companies that have killed motorcycling for young rides with premiums of thousands to insure a 500cc plus bike. To top it all we have the traffic volume which puts a lot of young people off because the standard of car drivers including those migrating here is shocking.

[@dombower]

100%

[@robfallon6346]

Completely agree m8.

[@unclefranko2452]

Absolutely agree with you , especially the comment about the immigrant drivers , I don't know where they passed there tests but I can't have been England. The number of near misses I have had while on my bike have all been with Asian women ! Sorry but that's the truth!

[@will7its]

Your in high priced europe. Its cheap in the US. Probably because you gave up your guns.....

[@stuarthull5706]

@@will7its actually it was surrender to the EU laws during the last 30 years and despite seeing sense and leaving we still have these stupid leaner laws and costs. Giving up our guns not so much we still have guns 😂

[@MrB1967]

It's too complicated and expensive to get started. The government document expaining the route to a full license is a five page flowchart. Budget £1500 for an A2 test, £500 for gear, take your pick for the bike.. £2k? Then £1500 for insurance. Then redo the test when you are 24. It's bollocks.

[@ShaunPearson-n6r]

Like anything else that's enjoyable the government price the youngster's out ove them just anothere controlling method

[@BUGBYTE_]

I'm 44. It's the way kids are brought up now. More kids road bicycles when I was growing up than they do now. Less kids play outside. Some people say it's a finance problem. It's just not a priority for kids to ride. There is a learning curve and people don't want to take the time to do it. I started on a Honda Helix when I was 12 and then saved for a v65 Magna when I was 16. By the time I was 19 I had a 750 katana and used it as my only transportation for college. I also think it has to do with risk. A lot of kids don't want to take as many risks as kids in the past. when I was growing up you got hurt falling out of trees, riding skateboards, crashing your bike of a ramp. We had video games but you didn't play all day on them. Kids now would rather just play video games.

[@fjp3305]

Right, less kids playing outside.

[@BUGBYTE_]

@@fjp3305 think about how many kids you see out riding bicycles nowadays. I might see 2 a day in my neighborhood. When I was growing up there were dozens in every neighborhood. It's kinda like natural progression. You had the kids that race down the road or jumping ramps. Then out of those kids you get a couple motorcycle riders. now alot of kids don't even know how to ride a bike with no interest to learn.

[@michalwiktorow2188]

Jesus Christ - in whole EU - you would not be allowed to ride A1, nor A2 not to mention full A-category motorcycle - 750ccm - at the age you've mentioned - 19. You need to be 21 years old and with prior obtaining those categories and experience. So your story is literally IMPOSSIBLE by law to reproduce today for 260MLN citizens in EU.

[@emppowersportsandmarine6270]

I am 41 and owned a motorcycle shop tor 16 years. The industry is definitely dying. In the last few years several well known shops and distributors in the states have closed down. Two older buddies are offering me there shops right now. I was at the Rock Store (America’s Ace Cafe) last weekend, and all of the riders were the guys who were my age when I was young. We are now all old men. The riders and bikes are definitely getting older and the industry is definitely shrinking. This is due to several changes, the internet, Covid, inflation, cars being safer, younger people not caring about getting outside, and a cultural shift.

[@odiesamantha]

Been riding since age 5.. just turned 60 and just bought a new ZX14... LOVIN IT!

[@gdfggggg]

Woo hoo. My next bike will be a 14. I’ve got an old 11 at the mo, and that is mind bending when on song 👀 god knows what a 14 is like..

[@omar-uu8qo]

Too many aggressive drivers out there anymore. It's just not worth it

[@brianstaude2783]

Cars have improved with better steering, suspension & brakes allowing drivers to become more distracted with things other than actually driving.

[@robertlewis3116]

I’m 60 and that’s the reason I don’t ride much anymore. People drive horribly nowadays plus so many are on their phones.

[@605pilot]

I’m 69 years old and I ride my motorcycles for economic reasons and also for the enjoyment. My Yamaha TW200 gets 85 mpg and my Sportster 55 mpg versus my Ford pickup at 15 mpg.

[@dgross2009]

Same here and I'm 71. Although my 23 Lowrider is primarily for fun the side benefit is $15 to fill the 5 gallon tank for the same range as my Ford Explorer that costs $45 to fill

[@chrishart8548]

My electric car gets the equivalent of 200mpg. I'm finding it hard to use the bike when it cost at least twice as much in fuel

[@fortyfour1654]

​@@chrishart8548Do you account for the horrendous depreciation that befalls any battery vehicle into the equation?

[@chrishart8548]

@fortyfour1654 if you don't sell it you suffer no depreciation. Also I don't own it anyway.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

My Honda NC750X returns 100+mpg on a run, 80mpg around twon.

[@owen9461]

I am 23 and love cars and bikes but three things stopping me: 1. Safety factor - all the people in my life dont think its safe for me to get a bike. I dont want some crap speedy course either id like to learn to be responsible and above all safe. 2. Price - its just too expensive to buy a bike, do cbt, do full license/lessons and insure at this age, and hard to justify when i already have a car amongst other expenses. 3. I will live in a flat soon so no storage. Even if i get a nice bike it will likely just get stolen Its such a shame because i really do love the idea of it. Maybe if i had a mentor or something to ease into it with confidence but it just seems so out of reach at the moment. Take care

[@jamessouthworth1699]

Chiming in with a western perspective. When I started riding there were cheap good running motorcycles everywhere. It seemed like there was an endless supply of early 80s Japanese motorcycles between 350cc and 650cc that you could buy for about a dollar per CC. Now you can't even get a basket case for under $1,000. Just about every bike comes with a monthly payment these days. Motorcycles have gotten too expensive. Motorcycles have gone from economical transportation to a luxury item and a status symbol.

[@toluwole]

Spot one. My first motorcycle was a Honda CX500 Deluxe which I bought used for $400 USD. Rode it from Boston to Key West and back.

[@jamessouthworth1699]

@@toluwole I love it! I had the touring version of that same bike. Honda GL500 Silver Wing Interstate. I wish I'd kept that one. There was also a turbo version.

[@rcnelson]

Some truth here, but demand for motorcycles dropped because buyers insisted on fluff-laden motorcycles. No computers or digital devices, simple carburetors instead of digital fuel injection, often no tachometers or digital dashboards, often no electric starter, were the order of the day.

[@brianredman9347]

Agree 100%. Bikes are not cheap anymore. Even used bikes are way too much now.

[@IaintTheHerb]

@@rcnelson There are so many great used bikes out there, it's hard to believe price is keeping them all out of the market.

[@ChrisVanMiddelkoop]

In the UK I think most younger people can't really afford a motorcycle. They need one vehicle that can get them from place to place all year around. motorcycles suck in the rain the schooling costs a lot of money, if it snows then forget about it. I just feel like there are less and less petrol heads and bikers because everything is so expensive.

[@John_Wood_]

agree, motorcycles are now a luxury.

[@sprocket-YT]

100% agree so many boomer takes in the comments! This all snowballed from 2008 financial crisis wage stagnation & inflation also the B word everyones in denial about has cost us more than the older generation!

[@sigis72]

and here I am in Northern England, commuting on a GS all year around

[@robfallon6346]

It's purely cost bro between 2 to 5 grand for a 125cc and when my 17year old tried to get insurance this year they were asking for 1700 for the year it's ridiculous.

[@axamitidynamit]

That’s mental 😮

[@trukr63]

I'm 61. My youngest son us 27. He has 3 bikes. He and I ride our Harleys together as much as we can. And he rides his dual sport with his friends. It makes me happy that we can spend this time together. 🙂

[@phililpb]

to ride a moped in the UK now is very expensive, you will need a licence pass a CBT buy an approved helmet buy costly insurance It also takes time to accumilate. or you can buy an ebike from Halfords and be riding it the next day

[@chrishart8548]

I bought a bike in 1996 fro £310. Finding a moped now is more like £2.5k

[@iandaniels8386]

and do the CBT every 2 years

[@chrishart8548]

@iandaniels8386 it's a pain if you do the CBT at 16. It runs out at 18 then what ?

[@iandaniels8386]

@@chrishart8548 they make you do it and pay for it again if you want to stay legal ?

[@davejenvey3598]

Not if you dobur test ​@@iandaniels8386

[@MervinDeJager-o2s]

I'm so grateful I'm an 80's child. Had the best music, Silver Dream Racer movie, the girls were hot with those hair styles, never difficult to get a date for the movies, those Friday Night Garage Parties - there was always one somewhere at someone's house, etc. Small cc bikes just started to become the 'thing'. Started at 15 with a Honda MB-5 later fitted with a MB-100 motor, then Suzuki 250cc, then Yamaha RZ-350, then Honda 500XR scrambler. All my bikes I acquired on my own, obviously 2nd hand, through the old way of "Go Fund Me" - mowing lawns, washing cars, etc. Currently in the garage 2008 VFR800 and 2018 Tiger800. And still riding. Sometimes feel sorry for the young Gen. Their world seem so small because of Tech and some other reasons. Blessings from South Africa

[@seigliere1]

The 1970’s were the best😂

[@Alex_Mitchell]

Canada here. Although the cost of motorcycles has just about kept even with inflation, the cost of maintenance, parts, fuel and especially, insurance, have increased astronomically. Bike are no longer simple and easily maintained by the owner. I'm 69 years old with a clean driving/riding record and get the cheapest insurance going and yet it is ridiculously expensive given our short riding season and the low mileage I do. When I tell younger riders how "little" I pay, they are astonished. They are all paying many times more than I do for lesser coverage.

[@VN9001]

For a young kid in Canada (16-19), at least here in Ontario where I live, it is not uncommon at all for the cost of insurance FOR 1 YEAR to exceed the cost of the motorcycle or car he/she may have. I about fell over when my neighbour told me the quotes he was getting for his kid before buying a used 400 cc bike. He explained that was par for the course for young kids today, including car insurance!

[@fjp3305]

Spain here. I'm 68, I have a Honda 300 scooter. I pay 102 euros for insurance. I lived in Florida back in the 80s, I had a GS1000 and I think insurance wasn't required or was very cheap.

[@jayc342009]

Curious how much you pay for the year, i'm 29 and i paid 300 for the year when i only go out in the summer when it's nice.

[@d.f.9064]

It might have something to do with why I quit riding a bicycle, walking anywhere, driving as little as possible, traffic has never been more dangerous.

[@F3udF1st]

I think that's demonstrably false.

[@graverobber6565]

@@F3udF1stall vehicles today are bigger than they have ever been. The majority of vehicles on the road or trucks and suvs.

[@graywolf4206]

Try driving the Mt. Baker highway. That'll change your mind. ​@@F3udF1st

[@brianstaude2783]

Agreed, my riding partner of 17 years quit riding because of bad drivers. I venture out less, riding the BMW or Harley to a large parking lot where I practice braking, figure 8s.

[@ShinobiKingYT]

I’m 30 and I purchased my 2021 Roadglide limited new in April 2021, in my 20’s my friends had motorcycles or pit bikes and that’s how I got into motorcycles, my friends helped me get my first bike a Honda shadow and it’s was the best experience of my life and the most incredible feeling I ever experienced.

[@delray06]

Broke my heart that my son never really showed any interest in bikes, have four in my shed I still ride at 70, will have to face the fact that at some stage when I can no longer ride I will have to sell them as nobody in my family has any interest in having them ☹️

[@Bluepilled-c5t]

That’s a shame. I’d suggest there will be someone you could find who would really appreciate them. I’ve done that with a nice old BMW once, gave him to a good home and he restored it.

[@fjp3305]

That's really sad.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

I actively discourage my 18 year old son from riding. I really do not consider UK roads to be safe for a novice on a bike these days.

[@Bluepilled-c5t]

@@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne I’d agree. But I’d encourage anyone to do some track riding, and England is blessed with great tracks

[@owen9461]

Im 23 and my dad is the same. Used to be a big bike rider back in the day but no more and doesnt want me to do it at all. Point is moot anyway as despite having an alright paying full time job its totally unaffordable to get a bike anyway ​@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne

[@skipwalker3269]

I'm 50 years old and we had no electronics out in the country where I grew up. What we did have is second hand mini bikes go carts Honda CL125,s That could be tinkered with and gotten running by an 11 year-old. Now kids are raised with a cell phone in their hands At age 1. They understand electronics and software like we never did. They do not understand an internal combustion engine , and how dirty they are and Why anyone would ever want Grease under fingernails! Let alone that the government is telling them That gasoline Is the root of all evils.

[@ccrider00]

That's because many in govt. have big investment in the E.V. industries and want to use govt.powers " passing new laws against gas powered vehicles " thus becoming richer by increased e.v. sales. Much like the vietnam so call

[@longrove5710]

I'm 50 and also grew up in the country riding 3-wheelers, 4-wheelers, scooters, and dirt bikes. This was before Reagan destroyed the small American farmer and started a massive population shift toward the cities. In 1980 there was a 2 to 1 ratio of people living in urban vs rural America. It'll be 5 to 1 urban vs rural by 2030.

[@fjp3305]

@@longrove5710 How did Reagan do that? Non American here

[@stuartholding6067]

The days of slap on your L plates (a UK requirement) and wobble off down the road have certainly gone. It's now a costly and protracted exercise to get a licence for a large bike, and I'm sure that's a deliberate act by the government. They won't ban bikes but they make it such that only the really dedicated can get to the end of the process. People will pay the money for car driving lessons as a car licence is almost an essential, but bikes are a leisure product (with exceptions). I suspect most of the grey / no hair riders you refer to in the video got their licences back in the days when it was ride round the block and don't run over the examiner doing the emergency stop. What the bike industry will be like in 20yrs time - when the current riding population is no longer active / around - I dread to think, but I suspect you can get a good idea by looking at what happened to the camera industry after the introduction of the iPhone. It's now about 10% of the size it used to be.

[@robtait6819]

💯🙌🏼

[@Tinker3504]

First thing I did when I made somewhat stable money at 18 was to buy a motorcycle. I’m 33 now. I don’t see many folks even my age making what they call stable income. Hence, no expensive toys.

[@rejected.takeoff]

Same but at 16. Reading all these comments makes me sad for generations that are just barely younger than us. The pure unfiltered joy and adventure from riding a motorcycle to nowhere for nobody.

[@Andrew-qu2np]

I'm 32, UK, and I'm rare having a full bike licence. I would put it down to: 1. Cost- New bike, insurance and gear is too expensive compared to a used car which you can get for £1000. Its not cheap transport now. I'm on a average salary and I only know could just scrape to buy a 2k bike never mind a 10k bike. I would like to go on long rides (touring) but just getting luggage bags and a mounting frame costs £100s. 2. Licensing- its dumb and should be scrapped now we are out of the EU 3. Traffic- Even I find it not enjoyable now with the amount of traffic, too many people and too many bad drivers. Its never quiet now on the roads except maybe 6am on a Sunday. 4. Knowledge- I own classic bikes and what I consider normal maintenance, people my age think I'm some sort of mechanical genius. People dont have the mechanical knowledge to work on bikes and modern bikes now have become very complicated. 5. Social- I'm the only one of my tiny friend group who rides and finding people who ride my own age is hard. Most, especially in the classic scene are obviously older and I've found they can be hostile about some one my age riding a classic for some reason!? I commute on my bike to work but other than that and the odd Sunday ride i find it hard to randomly ride somewhere without a friend or group. 6. Weather- i don't know but it seems to be getting wetter in the UK and obviously I will prefer to be in my car in the rain than on my bike. Many cannot merit the cost of riding a few weeks of the year.

[@kokilimonke]

From Norway here, and over here it seem like there have been a boom in younger riders. 125cc are selling really good and I see lots of teens on motorcycles. At least in the countryside where personal transport is more needed to get around. I think it has to do with our license laws. Where you can start riding motorcycles at 15 years old with a adult rider. And at 16 on your own. Where car you need to be 18 years old.

[@samstewart8511]

Young guy here (24) Reasons: 1) insurance 2) license 3) gear cost 4) they’re not interested 5) fear of bikes 6) the road and road conditions 7) practicality 8) seasonal use

[@Tom-x4t]

i ride 365 days a year dont even own a car. slowed down a bit till i can afford a new front tire. but still ride daily

[@bobbybishop5662]

Too many idiots in cars on the cell phone all the time not paying attention..

[@Jodyrides]

here is the biggest part of the reason young people are not riding. The tariff applied to imported motorcycles in 1985 at the request of the Harley Davidson company here in the United States .. I was a part-time motorcycle salesman when that devastating tariff was applied. It not only crashed motorcycle shops across the country, but the effects are still being felt today, 40 years later. The price went up 45% just because President Ronald Reagan said so A typical 750 cc list price was $2999 from the big four in Japan the price went to $4750 at the snap of mr. Reagan’s fingers to put that into perspective today, imagine a $29,999 Honda car, price jumping to $47,500 just because somebody says so. that’s what happened show rooms were deserted. I worked in several motorcycle shops throughout Pittsburgh as a full-time motorcycle mechanic in the early 70s, then when I got a steady full-time job in my field, I still worked part time selling motorcycles for 17 years. I quit selling motorcycles during the tariff, because the show rooms were deserted, not only that, five of the motorcycle shops that I worked for over the years, went out of business because of that tariff so how does that affect sales today? The price of imported motorcycles, meaning Japanese German and Italian motorcycles, jumping by 45% made motorcycles, not affordable to most young guys, those young guys didn’t buy motorcycles, they did not become motorcycle enthusiasts for life.. those young guys that never became enthusiast, got married, and had kids, they didn’t buy small motorcycles for their kids and later bigger dirt bikes for their kids. Because dad was not an enthusiast, so the kids never became enthusiasts.. now, 40 years later, there have been several generations of young people that never became motorcycle enthusiasts.. they never became enthusiasts , their kids never became enthusiasts,their grandkids never became enthusiasts.. and so on The irony is, this help from the government that Harley Davidson requested from President Reagan, has now gone full circle to bite Harley in the ass.. Harley Davidson’s core customers are in their 50s or 60s. They became enthusiasts before the tariff.. and they still are.. once you get motorcycling in your blood, you are hooked for life.. instead--- hundreds of thousands of riders that never became involved in motorcycling because of the tariff of 1985 is the reason for the constantly dwindling motorcycle market in the United States.. now I realize that most people, even Harley owners did not start out on Harley Davidson‘s when they first started to ride. in fact, I don’t know anyone that started out on a full-size Harley Davidson, or a full-size Goldwing as their very first motorcycle. You have to start somewhere. And that somewhere was usually a used small inexpensive Japanese motorcycle. Over the years riders want bigger more comfortable, faster, motorcycles, eventually, they would work their way up to a Harley. …now, I realize, of course, that not every rider that never got involved in motorcycling would have worked their way up to a Harley eventually. Only a few hundred thousand of them that never got started would have been on a Harley today

[@southhillfarm2795]

its all about the money. Insurance costs are killing a lot of rider fun.

[@MaccaIRL1]

I’m 32, I’ll tell you the honest reason The licence is difficult to get Restrictions on age for which cc you can get 4 tests plus a cbt is ridiculous Cost Also 4 tests plus cbt Cbt is 200+ Mod2 is 170+ Gear is 700 plus Cars are easier to get a licence for, no additional gear, no getting wet/lower theft

[@russelliow]

I suspect in the uk at least, its down to the overcomplicated licencing with multiple steps and excessive cost. Its no longer the cheap way to get about for those that dont already have a licence.

[@johnbellamy6449]

we spoke to a 17 year old on his 1st 125cc bike . the insurance he had to pay monthly and was very expensive ,something like £1800 per year .

[@RodeoRides]

I'm almost 63 and its in my soul, you either have it or you don't, I wish I could have another 63 they speak to me...

[@ac2-rm141]

I agree, close to you in age, wish I had 60 more, and my bike sure speaks to me.

[@steveoc64]

Riding any sort of bike requires at least 2 things from the rider … 1) being able to focus and concentrate for more than 30 seconds at a time … 2) being fully accountable for your own mistakes, and the mistakes of people around you

[@chrislye8912]

Interesting point. I think you may be right.

[@steveoc64]

@@chrislye8912 .. maybe, but I hope I’m wrong this time around 😢

[@laidoffjournalist]

Check this out. I've got a different angle. Today, there are simply less children. The few women who are having children, are only having ONE child, and often she's a single mother. We know from research, that a child raised without a father present in the home, results in a stunted growth. These children usually experience no "rough play", no chance to interact and find their place among a family of brothers, sisters, and cousins. They grow up alone. There is no sense of adventure.

[@peterealey4004]

Taught my 2 sons and my wife and my son’s girlfriend how to ride motorcycles, also they attended a professional school to learn how to ride defensive driving, we stick to backcountry riding and love it, we don’t get hung up on what bikes are cool but the experience of riding through the mountains and enjoying the experience, it’s not about your gear, it is about sharing the experiences with others and the environment

[@nevillegreg1]

I don't think it's one thing rather a number of things that have changed and impacted on the younger gen - motorcycling is not generally perceived as a cool thing &/or a cheap way to get from A to B at your own time and leisure, there's just not the interest. I got into motorcycling because in my early 20's motorcycling was relatively cheap compared with the cost of a car (not anymore, if you want a nice bike) but also because living at home with mum and dad there was not enough room for a 3rd car but there was room for a motorbike. And once I started riding with like-minded friends I was hooked. Also, back in my day, the weekend was a time for leisure, sport and your hobbies, whereas these days, shops and shopping centres are open 7 days a week, for many younger folks work schedules now include the weekend.

[@glynhannaford7332]

It's not just the existence of alteratives. Two wheels have traditionally, been the cheapest way of young people getting mobile. But successive governments have steadily ramped up the test requirements for all motorised two wheeled options in UK, whether motorbike, scooter or moped. The cost is sky high and the test standards are high and complex, compared to what was in place 30 + years ago. The bar keeps getting raised in the name of 'safety', but that has gone too far. Aspiring youngsters now can legitimately dodge all of that by getting an electric bicycle or an electric scooter. They're still out on the highway on two wheels but with no compulsion for training, testing or even a licence!! The entire process for getting qualified to ride a motorbike etc needs to be drastically scaled-down and simplified, both in terms of red tape and cost, to make it accessible again.

[@KarlBuckley-bw3vc]

Young men now grew up in safe houses with a tablet in their hands. They are a much less adventurous and risk-averse. When I was a kid, I would look outside on Christmas day and see dozens of other kids trying out their new bikes or skateboards. Now you look outside on Christmas day, and it's a ghost town.

[@jamesrowland3857]

Bikes just cost way way more nowadays. Youd have to be a millionaire to get a bike as a present these days

[@OtisFlint]

Yep, and they're also much less fit. I took a teenage kid riding a few months ago (his parents don't ride and they didn't want him venturing into the forest by himself). As he was making mistakes i was coaching him on what he could do to improve. I was being really polite and not doing it in any sort of belittling way, and he looked like he was about to cry when i was talking to him about body position, weight transfer, momentum, etc. He also sat down the whole time, which you absolutely can't do in rocks/roots/ruts. I couldn't figure out why he wasn't listening to me as far as standing up a lot more, and when we got back to the truck i realized it was because he couldn't. We only went a few miles, and he was totally gassed out.

[@Hype_Incarnate]

It's more that motorcycles are expensive. Nice virtue signal there Grandpa

[@newmobile1455]

and going to your friends house to see what they got

[@johndory649]

@@jamesrowland3857he on about push bikes, you plumb 😂

[@gdfggggg]

I think the enjoyment has been sapped. The traffic is terrible nowadays. Driving to work on a rainy day in traffic, is not particularly exciting. Speed cameras everywhere, losing your license etc.. it’s an anxiety building experience. Back in the day you’d ring the nuts out of your bike. It was fun and exciting. Going to work was a blast. Nowadays, you’ve got to follow the rules, and getting a bike with real power and speed means you have to go through hoops. Not attractive, at all.

[@605pilot]

The Amish in my small Colorado mountain village all own e-bikes and only ride their horse and buggies to Sunday services.

[@neilstern7108]

You know I'm thinking of going to real horsepower. But when I think cost the bike is cheaper. They are killing motorcycles with all the electronics. It's killing new car sales too.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

@@neilstern7108 Good point re electronics. I detest the invasion of modern bikes by mostly unwanted electronic interference.

[@sambam007]

High cost to entry, UK weather, Theft , insurance, speed cameras. More of a luxury in UK compared to rest of the world as a low cost form of transportation. Also social media showing accidents probably does scare some people trying to ride . Went to Barcelona recently totally different .

[@davidruelas6611]

it really just boils down to cost; its way cheaper to get in on an electric bicycle than a motorcycle , don't need to get your license , insurance, registration

[@markgrebbell1218]

On point

[@Juergen732]

..gas

[@BadBeardDude]

I'm 46 and organising my paperwork so I can do my theory test and start getting bike lessons. I've wanted a bike for years but only getting around to it now. There are many hurdles to jump through to get started and the cost is also a consideration. I'm looking forward to getting going eventually.

[@michaelsandy3353]

In the UK, it seems much harder and more expensive to obtain a motorcycle licence these days. My son in his mid thrties and an experienced driver and cyclist has struggled through the MOD 2 and MOD 1 tests which we boomers never had to take and the huge cost, both of the test and hiring motorcycles to take it, just puts them off. One of his test failures was in complete conflict with the training that would be given by the IAM or ROSPA. I just think that the UK government driven by Health Service costs, and the Insurance companies, just don’t want younger people to ride motorcycles.

[@John_Wood_]

Just passed last week. CBT £210, Off road training £70, Off road test incl bike hire (£150), On road test training £105, On road test 1 fail (£180), On road test 2 pass (£180). Helmet and safety gear (£1000). So Nearly £2K so far and still obviously still no bike, tax, mot + insurance. Agree the test isn't great. The MOD 1 was held in semi closed off conditions, but I was still interrupted by an inconsiderate driver at the test centre. My MOD 2 first fail was mainly due on my return to test centre meeting a driver taking her test and reverse parking. I stopped short on the single lane and the examiner got abrupt and told me to drive on past. On returning on the second test I met the same again and whizzed on past and this time the instructor made a point of stopping and waiting. So it's difficult. If I failed on the second ocassion I was about to pack it all in out of frustration. Car ownership is really much cheaper, safer and easier.

[@CrimsonRaven51]

I’m 73 years old. I used to ride a Kawasaki 454 motorcycle. Developed arthritis in my left hand and it became painful to operate the clutch. I now ride a Suzuki Bergman 400 Maxiscooter and enjoy it greatly and no problems with my left hand as I only need it for the rear brake.

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

A lot could be due to our older generation. My daughter said she wanted to get a motorbike. When I talked to people of our generation, including a lot of motorbike riders, their immediate reaction was, "Oh no, you want to discourage that. They're too dangerous." My reaction was to show her some videos and encourage her, pointing our that there is gear to wear and training available to make it safer. There are a number of hurdles in the process down here in kiwiland as the government certainly discourage motorbikes by adding fees/taxes to everything related to motorcycling. Even to get started you need to pass a basic handling test before you can learn, to me that is a circular barrier. Back when I got my license I just had to do a theory test and was good to go to ride on the road to learn those basic skills. It was just a logical progression from a bicycle, though not many of the younger generation ride those nowadays.

[@peterhoughton1731]

Your friends are right they are too dangerous, The right training and gear means nothing when it goes tits up.

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

@@peterhoughton1731 The big idea of training is to look far enough ahead to avoid trouble. Look for potentials issues, this has worked for driving cars, vans and trucks too.

[@jayc342009]

@@gadgetman_nz4092 You can only do so much, i had an accident not long ago where a woman changed her mind last minute on a roundabout and cut me off. It's dangerous and often puts you in a state of anxiety because car drivers are so incompetent.

[@karlschwab6437]

I agree with you in this video. My favorite motorcycle is a 1954 BSA 650 Golden Flash that I bought when I was a teenager; and, I still have it today! My other motorcycles that I currently own are, Bultaco Campera, Matador, and Alpina, Honda 305cc, and 1000cc Goldwing. Moped (forget name) and a bicycle with a Chinese engine mounted on it. The machine that I have been riding now is an ebike around my town. My three sons are not interested at all in motorcycles so finding buyers nowadays, is going to be difficult. I see fewer motorcycles on the road than ever, probably because the lack of interest, especially in larger motorcycles. And then there is the high cost of ownership, dangers on the road because of vehicle drivers' inattentiveness and higher speeds. But, at the age of 88 years, I still love my motorcycles, and I guess that is why I still have them, hoping to be able to ride them again some day .....

[@markmagee8755]

I say it's down to modern day cost & extortionate insurance prices for new riders. A solution for bike manufacturers is for then to produce quality bikes but at a lower cost. An example being CFMoto bikes, which have been designed & are being sold mainly in KTM dealership. My local KTM dealership told me that CFMoto bikes are outselling KTM bikes because they are so well put together. I personally ride a CFMOTO NK650 2023 bike & I just can't fault it in anyway. My previous bike which I had for 8 years was a Yamaha MT07.

[@BoatmayneThaUnsinkable]

Just turned 23 and got myself an SV650, zero regrets.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

I visited a small bike dealer in Warwickshire this week and had a great conversation with the owner. He was telling me that he used to employ three guys but sales had dwindled so much over the last 15 years that he's down to just himself now. I asked him what the driving factor was and he was instant in his reply: "Kids today just don't have the same interest in bikes that we had back in the day". This is evident if you visit a bike supermarket. You'll be hard-pushed to see many people who aren't white males approaching retirement. Throw in the last two years where here in the UK we haven't had anything of a summer and the appeal dwindles even for die-hard bikers to get out on their bikes.

[@owen9461]

As a young man I just don't think it's that simple. Myself and plenty of people my own age (20s) are interested in bikes, just the whole process of getting a bike and being able to ride it legally prices out most people. It's a hard expense to justify when most people already have a car as transport or use other methods

[@chrissmith7669]

I might have seen 58 years but I hope I’ll never grow old

[@beemerdek]

It's just the licence process for new riders is a nightmare and expensive. Couple that with higher insurance costs and it's a perfect storm.

[@Guest-u5c]

Im 61 now, Ive ridden harleys almost every day since i was 17, i have never had a licence in my life. FTW. FTL

[@aaronharris5275]

One factor, with 20 mph speed limits everywhere it's very hard to keep a clean licence. The insurance has risen a lot already but even more if you have points. Also many people don't have a garage. Lots of delivery riders are young in London though.

[@borismue]

I live in Germany. Here it is the same. Youngsters are happy with the latest apple products. For transport they rent e-scooter.

[@darkknight1340]

I don't blame the younger generation for not embracing motorcycling,they have to jump through hoops at every stage of learning,from the ludicrous 125cc 12 hp limit for learners to the prohibitive cost of training,we had it easy compared to today.

[@brattonbiker6482]

I know what you mean. As a 50 year old, i feel like I'm one of the young lads when i rock up to a bike meet! As others state, times have changed. People spend time looking at screens. Running a bike for enjoyment is a luxury in these tough times.

[@SteffiReitsch]

Maybe they don't want to get hit by a car and killed or crippled. There's a lot more cars than there used to be, and plenty of bad drivers. I'm not young, but I rode a motorcycle for years as my primary transportation, but I switched to an e- bike and I ride on the sidewalk as much as possible. I love this thing. Almost no maintenance, no insurance, no gas stations, runs on pennies , no tag or registration, ride it in the park, park it free anywhere there's a pole, fence, or small tree to lock it to. This thing can't be beat for getting around town.

[@peterhoughton1731]

I've had 62 motorcycles, I'm 64 and my e Bike is the best. For all the reasons above.

[@helljumper5613]

I live in an area with a very young median age and I've seen more guys on bikes this year than I have in previous years, myself being one of them. We're still out there.

[@azadr9231]

More hobbies are available to people.

[@six-pack1332]

They can't be on their phone while riding a motorcycle. 🤷

[@azadr9231]

@six-pack1332 that actually is true. Too many things are fighting for their attention.

[@yendor9078]

Started riding motorcycles at 59yo. I've also got a sur-ron electric bike that is fun to ride. has got around 70klm range. top speed is about the same and only weighs 50kg, but has nothing on my CB500x which is my pride and joy and my passion in my life. thanks for the video.

[@paulbrook2459]

Interesting video ! Motorbikes are expensive toys for us older guys who mainly ride for fun on the dry days we have ! I think the impracticality of bikes along with the never ending Wet weather we have for ten month of the year put most people off ! Two big bike shops recently close in Sheffield blaming congestion charge ? But the reality is they are not selling ! Sad but it’s market forces 👍

[@jayc342009]

Motorcycles are expensive, newer motorcycles are just silly prices. Young people would rather buy a car they can use all year than an expensive motorcycle that sits most the year.

[@PabloGarcia-hc8xq]

At 17 in 1986 I became a despatch rider in Sheffield. There were several companies in the city and we used to deliver packages all over the UK. London run was always exciting. It was like wacky races. Loads of crazy bikers ducking and darting in-between traffic. Only deep sea diving had a worse fatality rate apparently! Certainly stood me in good stead and never been without a large motorcycle in my life! Of course technology more or less put paid to that job. Is there any truth in rumour that things are going to be made more straightforward to pass the bike test very soon?

[@jamesmc1272]

in 1979 I had a Honda cb50 ride to work, that was what we had to do. In 20year not one of my under 20 year old workers have ever come to work on a bike.

[@jimbroen]

The West buys one in ten of the motorcycles sold worldwide these days. Motorcycles will do just fine but not in the West.

[@shaneobrien7978]

Hi Alf, enjoyed your video and agree completely with your point. I’m 59 and have ridden bikes all my life. I currently have a BMW S1000RR. Here in Ireland motorcycles have always been a very niche thing. And exactly as you mentioned, getting even scarcer. I suppose our weather doesn’t help and the mindset of most parents is that bikes are dangerous and they encourage and support their kids into cars. Apart from the weather the attitude to bikes in Spain or Italy is so different. Recently in my area a couple of young lads have appeared on 125s with their L vests on and all my older bike friends have commented on how great it is to see them. “Grey and bald” is the order of the day and I also fear for the future of motorcycling in our neck of the woods

[@jypsumfantastic]

Theres a lot more options out there. If you're young and living in the city an electric bicycle makes a lot of sense. They are quick, you don't need a license or insurance, you dont have to obey the 20 mph speed limit or deal with the constant fines and tickets. At the end of the day the govt wants us off our internal combustion machines and the young will adapt sooner than the rest of us

[@elliotoliver8679]

It’s def a cost thing

[@KeepItSimpleSailor]

Authorities make it way too difficult and expensive to get a MC licence here in Australia.

[@stephencartwright5046]

As an expat living in Indonesia I can tell you that the reason everyone rides small capacity bikes here is because they cannot afford cars. Families own multiple bikes, Dad for work, Mum for shopping and the teenagers to get to school or college. Through the forties and fifties in the UK men bought motorbikes because they couldn't afford cars. When they married they got a sidecar. But in the 60's more and more people were buying cars. Through the 1980s cars became cheaper and lasted longer and parents bought their teenage kids cars. Bike culture has died. We are the relics of a past age. Even if manufacturers do continue to make "Motorcycles" they will be the emasculated electronically controlled automatic playthings totally alien to those of us who have experienced the bikes of today.

[@Gail_Lee]

Born in 03, riding my gramp’s old 1968 Kawasaki . I rebuilt the motor reading the factory service manual and I get it fresh paint and chrome. Gotta love them old 2 strokes

[@metcruza5536]

Excellent vid. My experience Island of Lipari (born there) 95% scooters 16-80 yr olds ride scooters. Australia where I currently live....most young guys are on Enfields, 883's and Japanese bikes. It's just too pricey.....I sold my Deluxe after 5 yrs for a 48, just to free up cash. 100% right, interest from youngers had dropped and others a biking or scootering because with house prices and cost of living, bikes are a luxury.

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

I'm in Australia. It's so expensive to buy and maintain a bike, here.

[@GraceandGears]

I’m 29 and just bought my first motorcycle. It’s getting me out doors way more!

[@donaldmartin4980]

Price of insurance is a big one . Kids don’t get the opportunity to learn how to ride . Absolutely insane people in cars on the roads … many other issues..

[@newmobile1455]

motorcycle insurance is cheap $22 to $45 a month

[@donaldmartin4980]

@@newmobile1455 For the bike , yes. But when you get into an accident , the hospital costs will certainly hit six digits and I have seen seven digits … that is the insurance you need to worry about .

[@newmobile1455]

@@donaldmartin4980 that's why motorcycle insurance pay out is so high so your covered

[@Docinaplane]

I had two motorcycles back in the day. Now I have a couple ebikes. Riding those bring me back to the joy of riding motorcycles without the problems or dangers.

[@nathanielbakker8344]

I'm 27 and absolutely love the whole culture around bikes especially cruisers, I have childhood memories of my granddad's 1700cc Yamaha cruiser. Personally I much prefer the old ways, my wife says I'm an old man at heart haha, (I mean I play the accordion so...). I think with young people it comes down to two key things, 1. And it's a biggy, the cost. Life is simply so much more expensive, so it's just not always possible to get into biking. I mean heck even push bikes are ridiculously expensive! And 2. Modern culture and way of viewing things. Personally I like to have something of good quality, hold on to it for years, as long as it lasts basically, then it becomes something personal and sentimental to you specifically. While today it's all about being cheap, quick, and before you know it, it's no longer the latest and so you bin it and get something new. There's no lasting value to anything anymore. And unfortunately with many young people, not all, but many, they simply don't care. They want whatever the cheapest, carefree option is. They don't associate having something such as a motorbike as being part of a culture or way of life, something that you hold on to and appreciate. It's just simply a foreign concept to them. Mainly because that's all they know, it's how they've been brought up. Most wouldn't even associate the idea of getting on a bike that you love, riding down the road and feeling good and proud of yourself. (I don't mean feeling arrogant) But the fact that you've probably had to work hard to afford one in the first place and that you now belong to a whole culture, tip of the head or so to other bikers. They'd much rather jump on an e-scooter to get to wherever they're going and be done with it. Couldn't care less about the journey. Anyway, rant over haha.

[@1newbert]

E-bikes are affordable, don’t require insurance or licensing. They can follow bicycling rules of the road which are lax.

[@phililpb]

they dont smoke they dont drink and they dont ride motorbikes???? It really is a different world for younger folks. but I worked for a while next door to a computer games developer. and alot of the young staff had electric motorbikes (proper bikes not the pedal assist bicycles)

[@billfowler2867]

I’m 63 and started riding in 1971. I have two grown sons that both started riding when they were small. They still ride.

[@markmclellan7146]

I think the cost of insurance and the rising theft issue in London have put people off. I also think getting around on a high speed scooter without a licence and number plates is far more attractive than biking now for young people. That way they get to ride on the pavement without consequences...

[@newmobile1455]

motorcycle insurance is cheap $22 to $45 a month

[@stevek4449]

I started riding at 49. December of 23. My main regret is not starting when I was younger. That being said, my big EU size 53 feet made shifting my KLR650 a bit of an ordeal since my job of a long haul trucker here in the USA does not lend much time for riding when I drive between 960km to 1,120 km a day for months at a time. It was like starting over again each time I got home to ride. Especially since I knew how to ride a bicycle. So I traded it for a 2024 Africa Twin AS with DCT . First week after class I took it on a 320 km road trip for the afternoon and had a blast. For my big feet it was a hinderance but the DCT brings the rapid speed of learning I am used to and reduces time on a skill like shifting the bike as it did not need it. Plus going from 30 years of right hand gear changing 8-9-10-13&15 speed manual transmissions to a 5 speed gear box with my big left foot was not an easy transition. I can see automatic bikes helping to get more riders if they are aware of them. Poor marketing if ya ask me. Now BMW 1300 GS has ASA Auto Shift Assist…could have called it A utomated S hilt S ystem , but who wants to buy a BMW with an ASS😂? Now KTM is rumored to make an automatic 1290 SAS for 2025. As these bikes get better and better at increasing simplicity of use like Hondas E-clutch, perhaps more riders will come into the fold? Thoughts?

[@dombower]

Electric bicycles have ruined the need to get a motorbike especially for city riders.

[@dombower]

Oh ….exactly what you said. I wrote the comments above before I got into the video

[@metcruza5536]

Ruined or just given then another option thats cheaper ?

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

No license, no registration, no insurance and drink all the beer you want and take all the drugs you want, and nobody cares, if you're on an Ebike.

[@dgross2009]

​@davidbrayshaw3529 Love to see the stats on deaths and injuries on those things. I see kids too young to drive riding without helmets and some riding at night without turning on the light

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

@@dgross2009 I honestly don't think that you'd want to see those stats at all! I'm in Australia. There has been a crackdown on E bikes and scooters in Melbourne due to excessive speeds and a mounting injury toll.

[@lamonthoward3379]

I’m 49 always loved motorcycles never owned one cause of the dangers especially now people are not paying attention always on their phones. That’s why I chose to ride the e-bikes