I didn't own a bike for almost 25 years while I raised my family and devoted all my free time to playing and recording. In 2023, I bought an Indian Scout Bobber and I ride religiously, as often as I possibly can. It is dicey out there in traffic, but if you just pretend you're invisible and the rules only apply to you, you can avoid most of it. Life is short, ride a lot. You won't regret it.
Same thing with automotive sales. New cars and trucks sales are doing horrible. That sucks for us aftermarket people as well (I work for Borla Exhaust, making carbon fiber parts for a bunch of cool cars).
Harley Davidson has sucked for years now. I’ve owned a crap ton of bikes, sold them, because I consider myself lucky and have had no accidents, prices are freaking stupid.
Haha, That Sony really wanted to focus in that shed on the background. Gotta check out the other channel. Hope to see you on the road soon. Hopefully on the bike, but defiantly in concert.
Personal opinion of course but during the 2020 "incident" they couldn't keep motorcycles in inventory. I think part of it is pull forward. The other thing at least around south central PA, many of the places we used to ride are now housing developments and business parks. Many of the other places thanks to lawsuits have gotten so strick. Motorcycles have always been through cycles too. For me at this stage of life I would like to see more of the imported utility motorcycles. Overseas you see small motorcycles with large boxes doing normal day to day activities.
I think having the extra vehicle stops a lot of folks (extra insurance registration and maintenance.) But, one of the big factors, from folks I've talked to over the years, people don't know how to work on their stuff anymore. I've built no less than 10 bikes, most of us work on our own stuff (that is most of us who ride often) and we don't park them in the winter. I live in Pennsylvania and, as long as the roads don't have ice or snow on them, I'm riding. Lots of variables.
I’m a 29 year old female and I own a ‘21 Indian Vintage Dark Horse. Being in the industry for seven years now, I can tell you people my age see owning a motorcycle as a luxury, especially in the United States. I feel in other countries motorcycles are more affordable but not necessarily as easy to purchase as it is here. In the UK, you need special licenses to purchase certain CC’s and in the US you can basically buy a Road Glide as your first bike if you can afford the payments. An interesting irony 😂
What I'm seeing local to me in Ohio is that the younger generation (Gen Z) doesn't even want a drivers license....let alone a motorcycle or car. They just aren't into the cars/motorcycles. Had this discussion with my stepson and nephew (both in their early 20s). Both told me it's easier to Uber. For us Gen X or older.....drivers license and a car/motorcycle meant freedom. And it was also a status symbol in a way. Don't think that applies today. Greg-Ohio Cafe Racer
I see quite a few bikes on the road but not like it was in the 70s and 80s. Maybe I’m wrong I was riding a lot more then as well. I don’t see ride quite a bit.
Dude, I haven't ridden in over ten years now. I have a Hypermotard and a DR-Z SM slowly rusting, all because it just got too dicey out there. The close calls kept getting more and more frequent, and I just couldn't justify the risk anymore. I really miss it, though.
I'm 37, I make good money, I could afford a new Harley if I really wanted one. I just prefer the older bikes. I would much rather have a late 90's heritage than a new road glide, and If I was gonna spend new road glide money, I'd buy a panhead. The market is flooded with used bikes at reasonable prices, and that's the stuff I want.
Bottom line, the generation that supported Harley for years are dying off, the same goes for the vintage car market, the guys and girls that grew up around that are also dying off, the younger generations coming up have no interest in either of these things.
For me Rikki its just economics, hopefully I will get a new one soon. I can say I like the Honda Monkey, its a retro seventies mini bike, Merry Xmas Rikki, rock on
I used to buy a new motorcycle every year. Four recent developments (since Covid) in the way motorcycle dealers operate have stopped all that: 1) Not allowing test rides. 2) Exhorbitant dealer fees 3) Lack of willingness to negotiate pricing. 4) Lack of dealer stock. When you put up unnecessary roadblocks that complicate the sales proccess, people are going to lose interest. Especially since motorcycles are a luxury item and not something you have to have.
I buy used and go by reviews :( it is what it is. You can go on test rides at some motorcycle races but your brand selection is limited. Example, Circuit of the Americas MotoGP 2025 in Austin Texas.
We just need Vanilla Ice to get another GSXR and make a new video. Seriously, as a kid in the 70's/80's we rode bicycles and didn't play computer games or with phones all day. With the world at my finger tips age 16...natural upgrade was dirt bike to street bike. Best part about riding is going riding with friends or hitting motorcycle events. Could not afford a fast car but just about all bikes are quick!!
Motorcycles in general have gotten a lot more expensive. I purchased a 2013 Ninja 650 new when the MSRP was $7299, now it costs $1k more... back then the dollars went much farther than they do today. I know that an extra grand for the same bike today doesn't sound like a lot but when you factor everything else it might as well be 10 grand.
I just went from an Indian Scout to a Can Am Ryker. Really enjoying it !! Still has a throttle and handlebars so I consider it still motorcycling. You should review one. I’d like to see your opinion. Cheers !! 😊
I am 56 years old and 2 years ago I said screw everyone and got my Motorcycle License. I have been putting it off for years because Life kept getting in the way. My first bike was a Royal Enfield 650. There are alot of people I know my age who are starting to ride for the first time or picking it up again after decades. I think Harley Davidson makes fantastic Motorcycles but they are to expensive. Royal Enfield is killing it and they took over the market segment left behind when HD killed off the EVO Sporster. If Harley Davidson could make a better entry level motorcycle I would get one. Royal Enfield is making cool entry level motorcycles.
The new RE super ride sure did nail the entry level cruiser segment. If the nightster had just a little less tech and a little cheaper entrance fee. Love my B roads, less traffic and more time to reflect and recharge.
Kids can care less about bikes...it's all about phones and video games, and staying in the house. Parents are too wrapped up with making ends meat. I've been riding since I was 7, from pull start minibikes to street bikes...60 now. Taught my son ride, but happy he doesn't anymore... grandkids now. Peace
LOL, Motorcycling is a lifestyle of a few, it never has been more than that. The industry wants to establish it a utility for hobbyists, but let them all drop their nose on tarmac and see what their bikerism is actually about. No Motorcycling won‘t end, all that is ending is the prime Western customer focus, global bikes are created that feed the marketing shaped needs of a User generation. With that it will be easy once combustion engines can‘t be supported anymore to continue with whatever the future will bring in reality, regardless of e or h or n or whatever energy would support it. At the same time cities will be closing out traffic from the cities to establish better living climate, less chaos, and public transport use.
Happy Holidays Ricky. Some great points here. All this "woke" nonsense doesnt help anyone, as you mentioned. Its fine to have opinions on brands but lets be real, theres no way most sturgis goers are ditching HD. I know you have a Pan am (as do i) and thats when companies like HD shine. But, there is a huge affordability problem. Until my pan am, i never bought new. Most riders I know will never buy new. The good news is you can get into a sportster for cheap, make it your own and make it rip for not too much dollars. Lets hope everyone else gets on board. Cheers!
I didn't own a bike for almost 25 years while I raised my family and devoted all my free time to playing and recording. In 2023, I bought an Indian Scout Bobber and I ride religiously, as often as I possibly can. It is dicey out there in traffic, but if you just pretend you're invisible and the rules only apply to you, you can avoid most of it. Life is short, ride a lot. You won't regret it.
Same thing with automotive sales. New cars and trucks sales are doing horrible. That sucks for us aftermarket people as well (I work for Borla Exhaust, making carbon fiber parts for a bunch of cool cars).
Merry Christmas Brother. Always appreciate your perspectives. Believing for a great new year for you and your family!
Harley Davidson has sucked for years now. I’ve owned a crap ton of bikes, sold them, because I consider myself lucky and have had no accidents, prices are freaking stupid.
Merry Christmas Rockett family.
Haha, That Sony really wanted to focus in that shed on the background. Gotta check out the other channel. Hope to see you on the road soon. Hopefully on the bike, but defiantly in concert.
Personal opinion of course but during the 2020 "incident" they couldn't keep motorcycles in inventory. I think part of it is pull forward. The other thing at least around south central PA, many of the places we used to ride are now housing developments and business parks. Many of the other places thanks to lawsuits have gotten so strick. Motorcycles have always been through cycles too. For me at this stage of life I would like to see more of the imported utility motorcycles. Overseas you see small motorcycles with large boxes doing normal day to day activities.
Upstate NY seems to have lots of riders. I enjoy off-road riding best.
Rock on Mr Rockett
I think having the extra vehicle stops a lot of folks (extra insurance registration and maintenance.) But, one of the big factors, from folks I've talked to over the years, people don't know how to work on their stuff anymore. I've built no less than 10 bikes, most of us work on our own stuff (that is most of us who ride often) and we don't park them in the winter. I live in Pennsylvania and, as long as the roads don't have ice or snow on them, I'm riding.
Lots of variables.
Many are no motorcyclists by lifestyle, they‘re users by hobby, or industry gear walkers.
I hope motorcycle 🏍 isn't dying I think it's cost of living going up affordability.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Biking is dangerous. Just a couple a weeks ago a block from my house, a biker got hit when a car turned in front of him.
@@fortyyearfitness No question. I just urge people to look at the stats.
Merry Christmas!!
I’m a 29 year old female and I own a ‘21 Indian Vintage Dark Horse. Being in the industry for seven years now, I can tell you people my age see owning a motorcycle as a luxury, especially in the United States. I feel in other countries motorcycles are more affordable but not necessarily as easy to purchase as it is here. In the UK, you need special licenses to purchase certain CC’s and in the US you can basically buy a Road Glide as your first bike if you can afford the payments. An interesting irony 😂
@@mariviscous Thabk you for that perspective.
What I'm seeing local to me in Ohio is that the younger generation (Gen Z) doesn't even want a drivers license....let alone a motorcycle or car. They just aren't into the cars/motorcycles.
Had this discussion with my stepson and nephew (both in their early 20s). Both told me it's easier to Uber.
For us Gen X or older.....drivers license and a car/motorcycle meant freedom. And it was also a status symbol in a way. Don't think that applies today.
Greg-Ohio Cafe Racer
Two Rikki videos🤗yay💚!
"The good news is that Sony found focus!"😂💚you're the best Rikki!🤗💚
I see quite a few bikes on the road but not like it was in the 70s and 80s. Maybe I’m wrong I was riding a lot more then as well. I don’t see ride quite a bit.
Dude, I haven't ridden in over ten years now. I have a Hypermotard and a DR-Z SM slowly rusting, all because it just got too dicey out there. The close calls kept getting more and more frequent, and I just couldn't justify the risk anymore. I really miss it, though.
@@robhebert5137 I get it. Be careful. Live your life!
Badass bikes!! I ride a DRZ-SM in Cabo San Lucas because of all the traffic. Unfortunately, the Pirelli Diablo's suck in sand over 1" deep.
I'm 37, I make good money, I could afford a new Harley if I really wanted one. I just prefer the older bikes. I would much rather have a late 90's heritage than a new road glide, and If I was gonna spend new road glide money, I'd buy a panhead. The market is flooded with used bikes at reasonable prices, and that's the stuff I want.
Bottom line, the generation that supported Harley for years are dying off, the same goes for the vintage car market, the guys and girls that grew up around that are also dying off, the younger generations coming up have no interest in either of these things.
For me Rikki its just economics, hopefully I will get a new one soon. I can say I like the Honda Monkey, its a retro seventies mini bike, Merry Xmas Rikki, rock on
Love motorcycles and your videos! Excited for more in 2025 ❤
I wouldn't say that. But if you drive it wrecklessly, we could say that it is!
I used to buy a new motorcycle every year. Four recent developments (since Covid) in the way motorcycle dealers operate have stopped all that: 1) Not allowing test rides. 2) Exhorbitant dealer fees 3) Lack of willingness to negotiate pricing. 4) Lack of dealer stock. When you put up unnecessary roadblocks that complicate the sales proccess, people are going to lose interest. Especially since motorcycles are a luxury item and not something you have to have.
@@jakeviolet2195 You aren’t wrong!
I buy used and go by reviews :( it is what it is. You can go on test rides at some motorcycle races but your brand selection is limited. Example, Circuit of the Americas MotoGP 2025 in Austin Texas.
@@ThePoisonDrummeryou should do a video about that issue
We just need Vanilla Ice to get another GSXR and make a new video. Seriously, as a kid in the 70's/80's we rode bicycles and didn't play computer games or with phones all day. With the world at my finger tips age 16...natural upgrade was dirt bike to street bike. Best part about riding is going riding with friends or hitting motorcycle events. Could not afford a fast car but just about all bikes are quick!!
Motorcycles in general have gotten a lot more expensive. I purchased a 2013 Ninja 650 new when the MSRP was $7299, now it costs $1k more... back then the dollars went much farther than they do today. I know that an extra grand for the same bike today doesn't sound like a lot but when you factor everything else it might as well be 10 grand.
@@2WheeledShenanigan-gs7cl Yes, but if you adjust that for inflation it’s about par.
I just went from an Indian Scout to a Can Am Ryker. Really enjoying it !!
Still has a throttle and handlebars so I consider it still motorcycling.
You should review one. I’d like to see your opinion. Cheers !! 😊
@@jasonthemason1971 I’d like to!
I am 56 years old and 2 years ago I said screw everyone and got my Motorcycle License. I have been putting it off for years because Life kept getting in the way. My first bike was a Royal Enfield 650. There are alot of people I know my age who are starting to ride for the first time or picking it up again after decades. I think Harley Davidson makes fantastic Motorcycles but they are to expensive. Royal Enfield is killing it and they took over the market segment left behind when HD killed off the EVO Sporster. If Harley Davidson could make a better entry level motorcycle I would get one. Royal Enfield is making cool entry level motorcycles.
Yes, I have reviewed several Royal Enfields. Fastest growing bike brand right now.
The new RE super ride sure did nail the entry level cruiser segment. If the nightster had just a little less tech and a little cheaper entrance fee. Love my B roads, less traffic and more time to reflect and recharge.
Kids can care less about bikes...it's all about phones and video games, and staying in the house. Parents are too wrapped up with making ends meat. I've been riding since I was 7, from pull start minibikes to street bikes...60 now. Taught my son ride, but happy he doesn't anymore... grandkids now. Peace
Ride the Wind up the Apache Trail 🎉
Nice bike. I have the gunship grey version.
LOL, Motorcycling is a lifestyle of a few, it never has been more than that. The industry wants to establish it a utility for hobbyists, but let them all drop their nose on tarmac and see what their bikerism is actually about. No Motorcycling won‘t end, all that is ending is the prime Western customer focus, global bikes are created that feed the marketing shaped needs of a User generation. With that it will be easy once combustion engines can‘t be supported anymore to continue with whatever the future will bring in reality, regardless of e or h or n or whatever energy would support it. At the same time cities will be closing out traffic from the cities to establish better living climate, less chaos, and public transport use.
Happy Holidays Ricky. Some great points here. All this "woke" nonsense doesnt help anyone, as you mentioned. Its fine to have opinions on brands but lets be real, theres no way most sturgis goers are ditching HD. I know you have a Pan am (as do i) and thats when companies like HD shine. But, there is a huge affordability problem. Until my pan am, i never bought new. Most riders I know will never buy new. The good news is you can get into a sportster for cheap, make it your own and make it rip for not too much dollars. Lets hope everyone else gets on board. Cheers!
@@tvd1188 Great take!
Yeah, trying to hurt Harley hurts their everyday workers and dealers way more than anyone at the top.
🎄🤘🤝👍