Dying breed

[BLSully]

Interesting thread so far, just read through all the comments and posts. I guess you could say I am of the younger generation at the age of 26 and looking back to when I was much younger, seeing my dad ride around on the GS750 I know own, I cannot think of a time when I was not dreaming of having a motorcycle. People talk to me about my motorcycles all the time trying to determine why I am crazy enough to ride them with the people on the roads now a days and I think that amongst the current costs of owning/maintaining a motorcycle factor in the slow decline in enthusiasts and riders.

I completely agree with Sonreir I get a lot or flack from HD riders when buzzing around on my zooks and numerous times I have had some interesting discussions with those riders. Funny thing is my step father, whom has a HD, has received some undue tension with other HD riders for going riding with me, his son. I know this is not the mentality of all HD riders and have several good friends who own them. All factors included add to the decline from what I can see. Only thing we can do is help pass on the knowledge to the next generation to keep the dream alive. I take my nephews for rides and they come help me turn a wrench in the garage periodically so hopefully with correct guidance they too will enjoy the thrill of their own motorcycle.

Seconded w/ the "flack from HD riders". I, however, think it's not entirely a brand thing. My family has a few BMW bikes in it, and in between owning my own bikes, I would sometimes ride either a K1200 or R1100. If we happened to pull up to a light w/ harleys, or stop at the same dive, we wouldn't get the looks of scorn I would on my Kawasakis. I do think more than "brand" snobbery, it's just "money" snobbery. "Oh your bike didn't cost 15k? You must be one of those poor people we hear about"

Dunno. Those types exist in all circles though, not just HD riders. You can get the same attitude from sport bike riders when you're on a cruiser, or from any "type" of rider when you're on the rusty POS that you bought just so you could be on two wheels. I like Frog's quip.... "don't be a c*nt all your life".

My little brother (at 15) bought a $500 GS750 just so he'd have something to ride with me next year... Worked part time all summer to buy a bike that doesn't even run I'm just glad as hell he has a motorcycle. It could be made in frickin China for all I care.... he's in the garage a few days a week working on it though and learning how. And I absolutely LOVE passing on what knowledge I can, and enjoying the times when we're both learning (e.g. staring at the exhaust saying.... how the F*CK is that still attached????)

We (as motorcyclists) won't be a dying breed as long as anyone is willing to teach, and there are younger ones who are eager to learn. DTT is a great example of that.