re: Will motorcycles ever make a comeback?

As gas prices increase, car prices increase, peoples wages stagnate and cities become more crowded. I think scooters will see a rise in usage like they seem to in more urbanized/densely populated/poorer parts of the world.

Grew up riding dirt bikes. Was excited about riding on the streets as I became an adult. Didn’t take long to see it was a bad idea. People pulled out in front of me regularly. It’s like you’re invisible because they are subconsciously looking for a car or truck.

I had a bike up until my late 30s and really didn't consciously give it up I just sold my bike with the plans of getting another one and never did. I still think about getting another one and considering I ride ~13k miles on a road bicycle a year vehicles don't bother me too much and I know plenty of ways to avoid traffic since there are lots of nearly deserted roads if you pay attention and those are often the most fun to ride. I am a big MotoGP fan and I have looked at the bike below dozens of times a year. The only issue is I would have to start slower and build back up to anything near as wild and wooly. Every year I wait it becomes more of a daydream and less about reality. Getting older sux in so many ways, I wish I could send an envelope of money back in time so I could have had something similar 30 years ago...

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modern culture

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Yes, I see lots of use of motorcycles and ATVs as a playful way to ride the streets and do some tricks without hurting anybody. Modern culture just wants to do what they want.

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Motorcycles are very expensive to operate.

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I don't find that to be the case at all.

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The insurance is high.

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Completely false. I've got a turbo Busa and a GSX-R1000 on my policy, and I only pay about $130 a year altogether for all 4. If I was paying for full coverage on a new bike, is would still be less than a car. Even if you're under 25, the insurance on anything but a fire breather is going to be dirt cheap.

If you have just a basic, low power no frills bike, the insurance is a pittance. A few dollars a month at most.

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The maintenance is high

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If you have a shaft or belt driven motorcycle, the maintenance is mostly limited to oil changes. Maybe a valve adjustment every so often. And with a little lube and being properly adjusted, a modern o ring chain last a very long time.

Is it more maintenance than the average car or truck? Probably, but if you do most of it yourself, that negates most of the expense. It's the labor at a shop that'll get ya.

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while not as fuel efficient as some people would have you believe

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Unless it's highly modified or some massive large capacity land barge, chances are it'll get well over 40 in sedate riding, and even a good bit more if it's sub 1000 cc. Even sportbikes get excellent fuel mileage when driven sanely.

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Drivers today cannot even avoid texting while driving - can we expect them to operate on two wheels in traffic?

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You don't have much choice on a motorcycle other than to be aware. It's not like you can text and ride at the same time.

I would have one if the damn deer were not so bad in my area.

I can think of about 5 people that I knew well that got totally fricked hitting a deer. Actually, one was on a fourwheeler but still.

None died but 2 never worked again due to injuries.

It's a great time to learn to ride. There's so many cool bikes to choose from now. The selection is amazing.

A KTM Duke is probably going to end up in my garage when I get my car paid off in a few years.

Didn't realize they were gone.