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[JCZ]

I ran across this interesting article this morning.....

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-motorcycle-summit-20171214-story.html

[ultrafxr]

Very interesting and some excellent points made. Thanks for posting JC.


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[grc]

Many industries, not just motorcycling, will feel the pinch as we Boomer's age out and eventually die off.  Look at how many people from the Millennial and "Z" generations don't buy cars at all or just buy low priced basic models for instance, or how many rent rather than buy homes.  As always, there will be lots of change and there will be winners and losers.  Companies in the transportation sector will all need sharp leadership to avoid being the losers.

JMHO - Jerry

[ultrafxr]

Many industries, not just motorcycling, will feel the pinch as we Boomer's age out and eventually die off.  Look at how many people from the Millennial and "Z" generations don't buy cars at all or just buy low priced basic models for instance, or how many rent rather than buy homes.  As always, there will be lots of change and there will be winners and losers.  Companies in the transportation sector will all need sharp leadership to avoid being the losers.

JMHO - Jerry

Spot on Jerry.  I think the glory days of auto mania and even motorcycling we experienced in the 50s, 60s and 70s, is fading.  Too many vehicles on the road, too much congestion, too expensive.  Like you said the younger folks just don't have the emotional connection to vehicles like we do.

[VaEagle]

Lots of interesting points in article and in the replys posted...
I wonder how much of the "thrill of riding" or even driving is lost on younger people now since the cell phone has all of their attention.
Gone are the days i'm afraid where we traveled to enjoy the trip itself and see and smell the nature and attractions around us.
I remember the days when we bought bikes or cars and trucks based on power, performance and handling. Not whether it tied into our phones and had all the electronic bells and whistles.
All the talk about autonomous or self driving vehicles shows how little people are interested in the "driving experience" and just want to pay attention to their electronics and have themselves transported form point a to point b without their involvement.

[BigLew]

I would say as a general rule  I find the new age group lack passion about anything of substance!

BigLew

[Grizzly]

Thanks JC for the very good article.

I don't believe any of us are hearing anything new though.  I'm sure we all have friends that have taken to boats or sport cars in recent years looking for new hobbies after selling their bikes.

I believe H-D is trying to gear their business to the younger crowd in recent year years as well with the introduction of their "Street" lineup and as mentioned on this site many times in the past few months... The 2018 colours appear to be directed at a young market.

We've all said it I'm sure in the past few years that Harley has a major problem with an aging customer base, and we are now starting to see the results.

We started a new HOG Chapter locally 20 years ago with 145 members out of the gate, grew it to almost 200 in the early 2000's, and now we fight to maintain a membership of 100!  Of the original members 20 years ago, there are less than 10 still hanging in there with our group.  There is a number of reasons we've heard over the years, but the main one is boomers getting out of riding all together.

A sign of the changing times.

[OBB]

I would say as a general rule  I find the new age group lack passion about anything of substance!

BigLew

Nailed it!  Or value of anything of substance. Pretty much what Jerry pointed out.

[bbrown]

Nailed it!  Or value of anything of substance. Pretty much what Jerry pointed out.

Sad but true   They are happy doing virtual reality on their Devices

[FLSTFI Dave]

Thanks JC for the very good article.

I believe H-D is trying to gear their business to the younger crowd in recent year years as well with the introduction of their "Street" lineup and as mentioned on this site many times in the past few months... The 2018 colours appear to be directed at a young market.

We've all said it I'm sure in the past few years that Harley has a major problem with an aging customer base, and we are now starting to see the results.

I agree about the Street to try to attract younger buyers.  I'm just not sure their advertising is reaching the intended market.  My nephew, a 20 year old sport bike rider who was recently hit by a drunk driver is looking to get a Harley.  He has been talking to me about sportsters.  I told him to look at the street, he had never heard of it.

As for the 2018 colors, I read an article on the CVO bikes.  The CVO SG and RG with Chrome were targeted at the 50 plus CVO crowd.  Black motor and flat paint or black was targeted at the middle age CVO buyer and the Gunship gray was targeted at the young crowed.  While the color strategy makes sense, as that gray is very popular in the 20 something market.  How many 20 somethings can afford a 40K motorcycle?

Colors like that should be on the street along with other more hip colors.

I also know several in the over 50 crowed that love the Gunship Gray, me being one.

[muddypaws]

Jerry i think you know Harley does not have sharp leadership...

[RonandJanet]

All good points.  I know from my own kids (4) and all the nieces and nephews that they typically do not have the passion for cars, bike or anything mechanical. I have a son that has some passion (two ride and one wants to ride) and one nephew that rides and has the passion.  Part of this is due to electronics and games they have.  They also they don't typically have to work hard to get something. They don't work on cars, like we used to, and then have the pride when it runs and you ride it.  I think the excitement I had working on anything and driving/riding is replaced with playing cool games etc.  They are great kids but typically are driven by different passions.   The funny thing is they all love to play driving/riding games. If we go to Dave and Busters and they will line up to use the car and motorcycle games. My nephew loves bikes and enjoying working on bikes or cars. Somehow if you have the joy of working on mechanical things you seem to want to drive/ride them as well. I know that is true for me. Oh, the nephew that has had two bikes was never aware of the ad campaigns targeted to his age group (mid-20s) etc. He reached out to me and then found what he wanted on-line.     

[WRE4U]

I don't know....I think it is a money thing (or lack of) for the newer riders.  We all spend good money on our bikes, then go out and spend more money on changing them with aftermarket parts that should have been there in the first place, plus all the gear that goes with it.  It is an expensive hobby!!

If I were to become a visionary and invest in the next transportation wave, I would look into the electric motorcycle, a 150 mile range, top speed of 80 MPH, quiet, and most of all.... under $8K for a top of the line bike.  I'm not going to buy it, however I think the younger generation would.
 
Our generation is almost a cult with our Harleys, we won't change, but if the motorbike companies want to stay in business, they had better start marketing to a new clientele, with a newer designs, environmentally safe, inexpensive, fun, and reliable means of transportation.  The days of rallies, beer nights, and bad ass imagery, will soon be over! IMHO   

[Cat Eye]

Onething that's for sure is that the members of this forum are doing their part to sustain this industry.

How many of us have two, three, four or five motorcycles along with a dozen jackets and helmets!

It's a burden, but WTH, it's only money and if it saves the industry until the Snowflakes grow into their accumulation stage of life......well I'm going to the Dealer later today to buy something I don't need but at least I know now my needless purchase serves a greater purpose.

Cat

[bigsixman]

We have an issue in our area in that some of the older riders are getting out of riding do to cell phone use by car drivers and the accidents they cause. Some of my friends still have their bikes, but seldom ride them and I know some of the concern is coming from the wives.