I've observed (felt) this as well. However, I attribute this more to the changing landscape of the internet. Specifically, the growth of apps and sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and such. Lots of stuff out there dragging eyeballs away. In addition, there are a lot of videos on youtube that fit a motorcycle niche.
There's nothing like the in-depth discussion and information on this board but it also requires an attention span a bit longer than the life of a fruit fly.
As Haird noted, we're still here - let's make the newcomers welcome.
Simon
Agreed the newcomers should feel welcome. Reading some threads, yes, welcome to a "lifestyle." Enthusiasm, love of motorcycling and all that involves. Have been there since before I owned one, must have been about 12 years old. First bike at 16 sealed the deal.
Other threads are more like "welcome to the funeral." Doom & gloom and the MoCo will be out of business by next week or maybe next month. Not exactly inspirational for a new rider who just spent $40-50k on their up-until-then Pride & Joy on 2 wheels. Not to the point that the board has a "How Much Do You Hate HD" section, but it's a running theme of a sort.
Not advocating Pollyanna-ism. Realism is fine, warts & all. HD is suffering as much from the newer generations disinterest in riding on 2 motorized wheels (same deal is affecting non related industries, this generation, it be different) as it is from Indian having a decent product & the HD core riders getting too old to ride. Bikes with known issues HD will not address is bad ju ju.
Good to see new riders, younger riders. Hope they feel welcome here. We are not all going to hell in a handbasket or on 2 wheels, sometimes it just seems like it. Unless the 2 wheeled riding demographic changes, HD will have to adjust to reduced sales long term more than they already have. What that means is anybody's guess.