For many years I've wondered about this, and came to a few conclusions.
First, the majority of auto drivers can barely drive beyond start,
stop, and steer. And many can't do that well. The same folks cannot
ride a bicycle either. Put those folks on bikes or even trikes? Nope.
No way. It is bad enough that they are allowed on the streets at all.
And then for a very large segment of the population, motorcycles are
dangerous. If you ride one and get hurt, it's your fault for being on a
bike. Like the anti-gunners, the motorcycle is at fault, regardless.
$100 a gallon gas won't get those folks onto a bike. Besides, they
might mess up their hair, get something on their clothes, have to wear
a helmet, eat a bug, no chatting on the cel phone, deal with weather
issues, actually pay attention while riding (what? No cigarettes, no
joint, no beer, no eating, no TV, no magazines, can't put on makeup,
etc.!?) Too much inconvenience.
Not one motorcycle manufacturer has stepped up and touted their bikes
for saving gas. Oh sure, you may see an ad in a bike rag, but will you
see a primetime ad campaign on network television or every major
newspaper from any bike maker? Not likely, and there is no logical
explanation for that at all. Not to mention, how many times per day do
ads from your local bike dealers air on TV? On every channel? Just like
auto dealers? Bet you rarely see even one. The bike dealer that goes on
the air jummping up and down on a bike like a spastic cokehead (like
any number of car dealers)will be the one that sells bikes. But they
don't even advertise, much less in a competitive manner.
Those of us who consider bikes a viable form of transportation are a
small minority. Gas prices may force a change of attitude for some, but
I think most of the people who are going to buy bikes already have. The
rest either consider them too dangerous, or it's just another luxury
item they can't afford.
I doubt we will see any mass migration to motorcycles over gas prices.
When the bike manufacturers get off their butts and make enclosed 3
wheelers with auto transmissions and a/c and 3-4 seats, they MIGHT sell
a few. But I doubt it. People want room, luxury, convenience, high
mileage, but they want it from a full size car or truck or SUV, not a
small car or bike.
Good luck, folks.
Don
--- "roncriswell@..." wrote:
> Why are motorcycle manufacturers not getting on the bandwagon during
>
> these high gas price times? I read yesterday in the Wall Street
> Journal how Yamaha's stock was down 26% (mostly due to economy
> slowing in the US) and motorcycle sales were down roughly 30 % in the
>
> last year in the US). Am I missing something? My Kawasaki KLR will
> get 40 to 60 MPG depending on how you ride it and it will go and park
>
> anywhere .... and it is cheap. Sure there are cars out there that
> will get close to bike milage or the same or better than the fastest
>
> bikes ....... but they will cost you 20 to 40 grand. My KLR can be
> had new for $5500 and you can pick up good used ones all day long for
>
> 3 grand. And even expensive Harley's get pretty good milage.
>
> I don't get it, I haven't seen one advertisement touting bikes as
> good cheap transportation not to mention advantages in traffic or
> parking. Do we really need an advanced Yamaha YZF R1 that won't get
> that great milage, land you in jail if you use all those ponies (or
> the morgue)? I remember back in the 70's when people went all over
> the place on Honda CB 350's that were cheap and durable, freeway
> capable and some even went cross country on them. And you meet the
> nicest people on a Honda 90's were everywhere commuting back and
> forth to college etc.
>
> What about the recently updated Ninja 250 that can be had new for
> $3500, gets great milage and still top 100 mph? Or the Kawasaki KLX
> 250 dual sport for around town commuting. Or if you are intimidated
> by motorcycles, get a Suzuki Burgman Scooter that will do the
> Interstate in fine fashion. I am against smaller scooters. The only
> place they belong is resort islands and not sure even there because
> of not enough power and tiny wheels (and brakes).
>
> Criswell
> who is confused
>
>
>
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