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Could the new era of motorcyclists be starting? High gas prices always have an impact on the way we live. The change I have noticed is more motorcycles on the road.
Bikes have such a high power to weight ratio, even big bikes like our Big Dog Motorcycles get substantially better fuel economy than gasoline powered 4-wheel vehicles… Our bikes are estimated to get over 40 miles-per-gallon.
Another element that will lead to a new era of motorcyclists is scooters.
Many young adults are disinterested in driving, but they do like riding scooters, which have become increasingly popular in recent years. Many scooter riders have begun customizing their rides.
Thinking about how much fun I had on scooters when I was young, I realize that they will act like a “gateway drug” to get certain riders hooked and wanting more. It seems inevitable that a portion of scooter riders will graduate to full sized motorcycles. At the same time, anybody who enjoys customizing scooters would love customizing a big bike.
Yet another contributor to the upcoming motorcycle era is the “bike life” video trend online.
An entire path to stunting big bikes has been created by youth with bicycles and dirt bikes. They perform similar tricks, which allows young people to learn about performing stunts on full sized bikes without the risk of starting on a heavy, expensive, powerful machine.
To recap, we have high fuel prices, new drivers choosing scooters over cars, and bike life videos building a culture of young riders with skills that transfer to larger bikes… It seems all but inevitable that a new generation of motorcyclists is being created.
Seeing young riders on sport bikes, Honda Groms, and bobbed foreign cruisers, I realize we should embrace the new culture with excitement. I have realized a desire to provide mentorship and guidance to new riders. I hope many other seasoned Big Dog riders feel the same way.
We were all new riders at one point in life. Those of us who were young riders may understand some of the reckless riding and other shenanigans. We may not desire to participate, but I hope we can still provide a good example.
The way I see it, we can embrace the young riding culture and bring them into the motorcycle world properly, or we can turn our noses up at them and allow the next generation of bikers to re-create the culture without the influence of experienced riders.
Regardless of how wild new riders may be, we share something with them that the rest of the world doesn’t.
We all love riding and connect with other riders on an intuitive level. Motorcyclists wave at one another when passing in the opposite direction. We choose to be outdoors, active, and adventurous. And bikers understand that life has more to offer than a TV, smart phone, job, and a driver’s seat.
Next time you see a group of young riders, think about how much you have in common with them. Be cool, show them good will, and be a good example.
With proper mentorship from experienced riders, we can shape the future of motorcycle culture into a positive and safe experience for everyone.
Remember, if you ride a Big Dog Motorcycle, only use OEM parts
Post by Mike Gamache
