I was reading the Bike Bandit online newsletter this past week and wrote a bit about it in this Blog.
Well, well, well... it seems this is a bit of a hot button topic, with lots of opinions. Some suggest better training for new riders (I myself taught the CDN program for nearly 2 decades) others suggest various things like ad campaigns to promote riding, hiring firms that specialize in image building (do we really need to do that?!) (I think Trump must have used one of those) and reduced pricing.
One thing that came up several times in comparing Motorcycling in North America with places like Japan, Europe and developing countries (China and India for example) is how the population in general views motorcycling.
It's true that we over here have, always seen motorcycling as a sport or in some cases, a work of the devil!
Having ridden extensively in Europe a few years back, riding over across the pond is far better accepted and very diverse. It doesn't hurt that Europe in general has a much higher standard of living than say... Bolivia or Viet Nam where riding bikes is cheap and common and often a necessity.
The question seems to hinge on bikes as a necessary mode of transit (everyone has seen the pics of a family of 17 riding a Honda Cub in Thailand or San Salvador or in wealthier countries, more of a fashion statement or testament to MotoGP!
In the USA and here, riding is very much profiling as a sport.
My last uncle, John and his wife sitting on my Little Red;
Szolnok HU
It was nearly closing time way back when I worked for Bow Cycle in Calgary and an older (55 ish remember I was younger then) gent whom I'd been talking to, was leaving via the front doors. He was tall, dressed in black leather head to toe including chaps and shorty helmet, and was riding a vintage looking Honda Shadow with a short seat height, forward mounted pegs and loud pipes. Just as we were shaking hands a CBR 900 R pulled up and parked next to the Shadow. The rider was a 30 something, dressed also in leather but this time bright colors, full face helmet and pre curved Castre gloves, looking like he'd just come from the Isle of Man or maybe the GP at Donington!
They got a little tangled up with who was coming through the door first, but the Sports bike rider stood by my side as the Shadow rider fired up his VT, causing the windows to vibrate from his exhaust. He pulled away and the fellow in the GP gear said almost under his breath...
"Damn Posers" (actually he said F__ng Posers but you get it right?
Honestly I did a double take, okay maybe a triple. Sure the guy on the Shadow was likely a working stiff maybe even a professional but the CBR rider certainly could be said to be a poser too... I don't think the he was a top finisher at a local GP race.
At least if the road racer replica actually lived in England or France or Germany... he was probably a very good rider and quite possibly been a regular on track days or in the stands at a local event or GP.
While on the other hand it's no wonder that Honda has sold (let me get this right) 100 million step through's. That's 100,000,000! I myself have two. One in the basement adjoining the TV room and the other on my book case in the living room.
Countries like India and China are the new burgeoning markets. In fact India Enfield is now the fastest growing mark in the world! Never mind that scooters and micro engine bikes thrive over there.
While the US and of course on a much smaller scale, we are suffering with dropping sales (well under 100,000 units in Canada for example), those former poor third world countries, are selling tens of millions of motorbikes and I would venture to say, very few are Fat Boys, or 200+ bhp hyper charged Sports bikes! I would also guess that there is NO National motorcycle training program in any of those countries. You get on, you learn, hopefully, judging by the myriad of crash videos on U-Tube, you survive!
I clearly remember riding through Athens in '08 on my European Diversion 600 which I called Kis Piroska (Little red 'riding' hood) It was utter chaos to the tenth power! I stopped for directions at a local COP shop, parking on the sidewalk like the other 500 cycles/scooters of various incarnations, and asked two police officers (jokingly) if there were any traffic rules in the city.
One cop said, 'of course we have traffic rules'. The second cop then added very quickly, 'but don't follow the rules, follow the other moto's and you'll be alright.'
That meant splitting lanes at traffic lights, crossing the center line to get to the head of the traffic... anything but obeying basic traffic rules. It's got to be common knowledge when even the cops are telling you to break them. I learned in Athens that riders cut their handlebars down to ease the passage between rows of cars! But that's another story.
Anyway, as I said at the beginning, this topic is at least for now, getting some airplay.
Me, on the other hand will be starting my 50th year of continuous riding in just a few days and I can tell you this...
I did my part to encourage people to ride and tried to convince the public that NO, that guy on the Shadow was not a 'Hell's Angel or card carrying member of the Kings Crew' nor was the guy with the CBR and his race 4 into 1 pipe a professional road racer that had taken a turn at the local race track and somehow ended up on Bowness road!.
My riding experience began in 1968 when BSAs and Triumphs and Norton's and Harley's ruled the streets. (and leaked oil profusely)
When 4 stroke Scramblers were on the way out and ring dings were beating the crap out of them everywhere on the planet. I saw the rise of the Japanese domination of the sport as they still do, and I saw the threats posed by insurance companies and their "black lists"
As for 'Saving Motorcycles' ? I'm passing that torch to the Trevor's and the Chris's. The Melanie's and the Eric's of the world. It's their turn.
As for myself, to quote Arlo Guthrie...
"I don't wan' a pickle... I just wanna ride on ma' moto-sickle!"
Happy New year to all... heck, the days are already getting longer!
 |
| The Euro Divvie 600 at the Brandenburg Gate Berlin 2008 |
I was reading the Bike Bandit online newsletter this past week and wrote a bit about it in this Blog.
 |
| VTR 1000 new in '98, background, The Rockies |
One thing that came up several times in comparing Motorcycling in North America with places like Japan, Europe and developing countries (China and India for example) is how the population in general views motorcycling.
It's true that we over here have, always seen motorcycling as a sport or in some cases, a work of the devil!
 |
| My silver Citi 300i amid the wild lupins on PEI |
The question seems to hinge on bikes as a necessary mode of transit (everyone has seen the pics of a family of 17 riding a Honda Cub in Thailand or San Salvador or in wealthier countries, more of a fashion statement or testament to MotoGP!
In the USA and here, riding is very much profiling as a sport.
My last uncle, John and his wife sitting on my Little Red;
Szolnok HU
It was nearly closing time way back when I worked for Bow Cycle in Calgary and an older (55 ish remember I was younger then) gent whom I'd been talking to, was leaving via the front doors. He was tall, dressed in black leather head to toe including chaps and shorty helmet, and was riding a vintage looking Honda Shadow with a short seat height, forward mounted pegs and loud pipes. Just as we were shaking hands a CBR 900 R pulled up and parked next to the Shadow. The rider was a 30 something, dressed also in leather but this time bright colors, full face helmet and pre curved Castre gloves, looking like he'd just come from the Isle of Man or maybe the GP at Donington!
They got a little tangled up with who was coming through the door first, but the Sports bike rider stood by my side as the Shadow rider fired up his VT, causing the windows to vibrate from his exhaust. He pulled away and the fellow in the GP gear said almost under his breath...
"Damn Posers" (actually he said F__ng Posers but you get it right?
Honestly I did a double take, okay maybe a triple. Sure the guy on the Shadow was likely a working stiff maybe even a professional but the CBR rider certainly could be said to be a poser too... I don't think the he was a top finisher at a local GP race.
 |
| XT 225 Serow well travelled. This is overlooking the Sea of Cortez Baja CA |
At least if the road racer replica actually lived in England or France or Germany... he was probably a very good rider and quite possibly been a regular on track days or in the stands at a local event or GP.
While on the other hand it's no wonder that Honda has sold (let me get this right) 100 million step through's. That's 100,000,000! I myself have two. One in the basement adjoining the TV room and the other on my book case in the living room.
 |
| I own two of the 100,000,000 sold since '54 |
Countries like India and China are the new burgeoning markets. In fact India Enfield is now the fastest growing mark in the world! Never mind that scooters and micro engine bikes thrive over there.
 |
| Consulting with my GPS, err, map. |
While the US and of course on a much smaller scale, we are suffering with dropping sales (well under 100,000 units in Canada for example), those former poor third world countries, are selling tens of millions of motorbikes and I would venture to say, very few are Fat Boys, or 200+ bhp hyper charged Sports bikes! I would also guess that there is NO National motorcycle training program in any of those countries. You get on, you learn, hopefully, judging by the myriad of crash videos on U-Tube, you survive!
 |
| This is Athens, even Holly, my well travelled daughter thought Dad had lost his mind |
I clearly remember riding through Athens in '08 on my European Diversion 600 which I called Kis Piroska (Little red 'riding' hood) It was utter chaos to the tenth power! I stopped for directions at a local COP shop, parking on the sidewalk like the other 500 cycles/scooters of various incarnations, and asked two police officers (jokingly) if there were any traffic rules in the city.
 |
| Refused to pose for a photo but I did get their bikes |
One cop said, 'of course we have traffic rules'. The second cop then added very quickly, 'but don't follow the rules, follow the other moto's and you'll be alright.'
 |
| From Slovenia to Italy on the way to Portugal and the Atlantic coast |
That meant splitting lanes at traffic lights, crossing the center line to get to the head of the traffic... anything but obeying basic traffic rules. It's got to be common knowledge when even the cops are telling you to break them. I learned in Athens that riders cut their handlebars down to ease the passage between rows of cars! But that's another story.
 |
| Obligatory cat photo, hanging around the café Gradac Croatia |
Anyway, as I said at the beginning, this topic is at least for now, getting some airplay.
 |
| 1975 Me at 20, already had 7 years in. Heading across Canada '73 R 60/5 |
I did my part to encourage people to ride and tried to convince the public that NO, that guy on the Shadow was not a 'Hell's Angel or card carrying member of the Kings Crew' nor was the guy with the CBR and his race 4 into 1 pipe a professional road racer that had taken a turn at the local race track and somehow ended up on Bowness road!.
 |
| Victor441 |
My riding experience began in 1968 when BSAs and Triumphs and Norton's and Harley's ruled the streets. (and leaked oil profusely)
 |
| T Bolt 650 |
When 4 stroke Scramblers were on the way out and ring dings were beating the crap out of them everywhere on the planet. I saw the rise of the Japanese domination of the sport as they still do, and I saw the threats posed by insurance companies and their "black lists"
As for 'Saving Motorcycles' ? I'm passing that torch to the Trevor's and the Chris's. The Melanie's and the Eric's of the world. It's their turn.
As for myself, to quote Arlo Guthrie...
"I don't wan' a pickle... I just wanna ride on ma' moto-sickle!"
 |
| 2002 T bird 900 Triumph, a little old, a little new! |
Happy New year to all... heck, the days are already getting longer!
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