Why aren't young people interested in motorcycles??

[NormKern]

For starters, 26% of young people under 35 don't have a drivers license. Here is a must-read if you are interested in the future of our sport:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...y.html?hpid=z4

Norm Kern

[exploring/carolina]

For starters, 26% of young people under 35 don't have a drivers license. Here is a must-read if you are interested in the future of our sport:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...y.html?hpid=z4

Norm Kern

Hey Norm, Enjoyed meeting & riding with you Friday!

See many young folks on scooters in my area. I started out on a mo-ped in the late 60s and now have several motorcycles.

[GSRider2Up]

Norm, Interesting article! I couldn't wait to get my license when I was 16 and had been riding mopeds for a couple years on the roads in the country. On the other hand, my nephews seemed pretty disinterested in getting their licenses.

Just another comment. I really found out the last few years - I'm really not a hard core motorcyclist. Where we live, most of the roads are squared off into farm sections and we have to ride a number of miles to find interesting roads. We've found that unless the roads or the scenery are interesting, we don't really get much enjoyment just putting on miles just for sake of doing so. Lynn and I have a number of other interests that trump just riding down some straight roads on a motorcycle.

One of the reasons we like the MSTA so much is that it takes us to interesting and some of the most challenging roads in the country.

[NormKern]

Al,

I do little local riding any more. Ridden all the good local roads so many times it's not that interesting. Love going to the rallies and riding the best roads with the most fun riding companions. Just about everything else is dull in comparison.

Norm Kern

[NormKern]

Hey Norm, Enjoyed meeting & riding with you Friday!

Hey everybody. Go out and ride with this guy! Top notch riding skills and great conversation at the stops. Glad to ride with you anytime. A tip of the helmet to you.

Norm Kern

[stevegrab]

Interesting article that makes some really good points. Surprised to read that so many young people don't even have a DL. I thought most kids today still looked forward to that day for years (and assume a car magically materializes for their use when they reach that age).

I was never the biggest car guy myself, while I like the classics and can appreciate them I didn't grow up during the craze (now 47). But when I was buying cars I wanted something that looked nice, and had good performance. Now as I've matured and gotten into riding motorcycles cars are just basic transportation. What I can haul/carry and what kind of mileage I get is far more important than how they look or perform. I know my bikes (even the oldest and smallest) will provide more performance and thrill than any car I'd care to own.

As far as local riding, I've heard that same sentiment expressed by a couple of the older (age and years of riding) people here in my area. While I can say that in nearly 15 years I've probably found and ridden every decent road within a few hours of my house (especially SE Ohio) it isn't boring, mundane or anything like that. I still enjoy it and look forward to getting out with others. I've also started to enjoy riding solo again, short rides in the local park combined with hiking and even a 4+ hour trip on mostly slab to visit my brother. Commuting to work is something I'm working on doing more as well.

[Brick]

I too do NOT understand young folks not interested in getting a DL... heck I was SO into it but that was a LONG time ago!

As far as riding around where I live... well, that's why I moved to NC. Not boring any more!! Every year I find more EXCEPTIONAL roads here... it's amazing!

The young riders I do meet here only want to ride up and down NC 181 just outside of Morganton. There is a place at the top to sit and wait to ride back down again. It is a nice piece of curvy highway but it's too crowded on the weekend AND to cops know they are there. Plus... the back roads make that one look straight! Way too much fun!!

I'm a lucky dog!!

[MSTASam]

We've found that unless the roads or the scenery are interesting, we don't really get much enjoyment just putting on miles just for sake of doing so. Lynn and I have a number of other interests that trump just riding down some straight roads on a motorcycle.

One of the reasons we like the MSTA so much is that it takes us to interesting and some of the most challenging roads in the country.

I'll second that from Florida. Sure glad we joined MSTA so we could learn the best roads in exotic places quickly. No best roads in Florida.

[RIDEMYST]

Good article and I too don't understand the mindset of the young people.
However, it's no surprise really.
Look around you when you go to your next bike rally or bike/car show. A "young" person at Daytone Bike Week is in their 40's and most in attendance are in the 50-60 range.
Hey, even look at our STAR group photo, everyone (except me of course) seems to have a little gray. -JEP-

[Gary]

Maybe it is not motorcycling but young people. It appears that the National Park System has the same issues.
http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/_n...ng-people?lite