Everyone on 2-Wheels? (gas prices) - Ugly picture in the crystal ball

[FemmeLaMoto]

Though I'm sure we can all sit here and argue many sides to this growing concern, we are totally straying from the main point: people choosing to jump on the bandwagon of motorcycling due to an increase in gas prices. The desire to increase fuel efficiency by getting a motorcycle is increasing, but not necessarily in the best of ways. I think many of us who have been riding for a long time see it as in intrusion upon our beloved hobby. May that be the case or not, getting into this is for saving some gas should not be your only factor. There are other choices such as getting a more fuel efficient car or changing your driving habits. 2 wheels aren't for everyone, granted, but as a community of informed riders, it is our duty to inform those who inquire about it to inform them from an unbiased perspective, if you can. Tell them the pros and cons, how dangerous it can be, but how wonderful it can be also. Tell them the basics, where they can go to get info on riding/safety schools, tell them good starter bikes like a 250, not a GSX-R1000, and tell them to get some damn GEAR!

Sport bikes are only ONE variety of motorcycles in the market and they are definitely NOT for everyone. Let's inform, rather than discourage.

 

[Junkie]

I'm not positive, but I think that riding a scooter for the DMV test will only get you a scooter endorsement; M2? Isn't the determining factor the horsepower output? I heard that if it has less than 30hp you can't use it to take the test to get you M1?

This is all from recollection though, not certain its factual...

Stefan

the determining factor is the displacement. My recollection is that 150cc is the magic number.

 

[Feanor]

No we don't.

Let people find out on their own, and it's not about being pro-Darwinism. No one is experienced at something they've never tried (obvious), so being an inexperienced rider shouldn't be a stigma cause that'd be stupid. Each and everyone of you (including me) were as ignorant about the details and minutia of riding like you guys paint the non-riders to be, regardless if you knew anyone that was riding before you. You didn't find out jack shit until you became a motorcyclist yourself.

We all love riding for our own or similar reasons, but it doesn't make riding motorcycles our own.

Let people do what they want to do for their own reasons, and if you don't like how it will reflect on you or affect you as a motorcyclist yourself, I don't know what to tell you.

There are billions of people in the world; you gotta accept the fact that you will be judged on and/or against what the majority does, and you will be affected, like it or not.

We all own motorcycles, but none of us own motorcycling. Don't act like bouncers to an exclusive club.

That's my two cents.

This is an excellent post, and this is why I think that mandatory MSF is a good idea, particularly an expanded MSF course because it gives the opportunity for EVERYONE to try motorcycling in a safe, controlled environment, and also gives them a very good opportunity to decide if its something they want to pursue, or something that's beyond their interest/capability.

My wife was absolutely against the idea of motorcycling initially and never thought she would ever have any interest in it. After taking the MSF course she discovered it is something that she has since grown to love. It was something she was never exposed to before and so how could she know something she didn't know?

Everyone deserves a chance, but by the same token, those who are a danger to themselves or others, should be limited.

I've heard that the MSF is working on a practical riding course that is an extension of the MSF BRC. It couples two rider coaches with a small group of BRC graduates and leads them on a controlled ride on a preplanned route through non congested areas. The argument is that after graduating BRC, most riders experiment with their new skills alone on the streets, when riding with others with guidance is a better way to ease into real world riding.

I think this is a GREAT idea, but I wouldn't want to know what the liability insurance for the schools teaching the course is going to be

Stefan

 

[Xenophonii]

Oh I'm sure that all the motorcycle and scooter salesmen around the Bay Area are going to point this out to prospective buyers...




... but on the bright side, more people will experience what 2 wheelers have to deal with while being on the street with cagers

I have noticed a *HUGE* increase of senior scooter riders in Sonoma. That and golf carts

 

[Moto4Fun]

My wife has the Hole Shot!

 

[CuriousMike]

We don't need everyone to buy motorcycles and scooters.

We just need a bump.. maybe double-digit %.
We needs a few more peeps to trade in their 15mpg trucks for 30mpg Civics.

That would tremendously lower our fuel demands... enough to where fuel prices stabilize a bit.

 

[gixxerboy55]

Agree with Moto4fun, there seems to be some elitest doom and gloomers, really disappointed.

 

[1nsanity]

i never got into motorcycles to save gas. although, it does have its perks, and draw backs...

 

[blackrat]

One thing that it will affect is officers attitudes towards motorcyclists.

As of now, most cops let us get away with a little speeding, just for the simple fact that it's safer for us to be out of the pack. It's also a lot easier to ignore something when you only see one or two of them a day.

With a steep increase in motorcyclists on the street however, our niche-ness effect will soon be worn down and we'll be just another target for tickets.

 

[BatskyStarman]

imagine how much faster we are gonna pollute our air . . .

 

[Ogier le Danois]

so people are spending thousands of dollars on new bikes....to save money?

I know a guy who works at a Yamaha/KTM dealer. We were laughing at how people will by a KTM adventure 990 to commute, and finance it, to save money.

If someone was serious about commuting to save money, they would buy a nighthawk 250 or elite 80, used of course, and ride it for 30,000 miles.

 

[taranis]

Though I'm sure we can all sit here and argue many sides to this growing concern, we are totally straying from the main point: people choosing to jump on the bandwagon of motorcycling due to an increase in gas prices. The desire to increase fuel efficiency by getting a motorcycle is increasing, but not necessarily in the best of ways. I think many of us who have been riding for a long time see it as in intrusion upon our beloved hobby. May that be the case or not, getting into this is for saving some gas should not be your only factor. There are other choices such as getting a more fuel efficient car or changing your driving habits. 2 wheels aren't for everyone, granted, but as a community of informed riders, it is our duty to inform those who inquire about it to inform them from an unbiased perspective, if you can. Tell them the pros and cons, how dangerous it can be, but how wonderful it can be also. Tell them the basics, where they can go to get info on riding/safety schools, tell them good starter bikes like a 250, not a GSX-R1000, and tell them to get some damn GEAR!

Sport bikes are only ONE variety of motorcycles in the market and they are definitely NOT for everyone. Let's inform, rather than discourage.

I agree with your final point there but... In regards to the other highlighted item and the OP, WTF? This aint a hobby to me! This is my main form of transportation and is a way of life
I grew up in England where bikes were considered more of a cheaper, alternative form of transportation than a luxury item.

 

[chrysler79]

I know a guy who works at a Yamaha/KTM dealer. We were laughing at how people will by a KTM adventure 990 to commute, and finance it, to save money.

If someone was serious about commuting to save money, they would buy a nighthawk 250 or elite 80, used of course, and ride it for 30,000 miles.

+ 1000000

 

[LS1Bandit]

You never know what may happen with a person that gets into motorcycling due to increased gas costs ...

Two years ago, I saw the upward trend in gas prices, which was especially poignant for me since I have a 100 mile round-trip commute and my vehicle was an explorer. I decided to look into motorcycles as an alternative.

I had planned for it just to be a mode of transportation that saved me money. It turned out to be a real passion.

In 2 years I've put on 45,000 miles. Lots of commute and lots of twisties, and any type of weather. And I'm currently planning a trip up to Alaska next month.

And even better - I managed to get 2 women hooked on motorcycles too.

Oh, and as for saving money with the motorcycle. Over the past 2 years I've saved roughly $7500 in fuel. Since I do my own maintenance on the motorcycle, but have a shop do the Explorer, the cheaper maintenance basically offsets the increased tire costs. Subtract out insurance ($450/yr) and savings are actually $6600. My bike was $4100 and my gear was about $2K.

So I've actually "made" about $500, and from now on, whenever I ride my bike it's pure "profit".

 

[Alexey]

You never know what may happen with a person that gets into motorcycling due to increased gas costs ...

Two years ago, I saw the upward trend in gas prices, which was especially poignant for me since I have a 100 mile round-trip commute and my vehicle was an explorer. I decided to look into motorcycles as an alternative.

I had planned for it just to be a mode of transportation that saved me money. It turned out to be a real passion.

In 2 years I've put on 45,000 miles. Lots of commute and lots of twisties, and any type of weather. And I'm currently planning a trip up to Alaska next month.

And even better - I managed to get 2 women hooked on motorcycles too.

Oh, and as for saving money with the motorcycle. Over the past 2 years I've saved roughly $7500 in fuel. Since I do my own maintenance on the motorcycle, but have a shop do the Explorer, the cheaper maintenance basically offsets the increased tire costs. Subtract out insurance ($450/yr) and savings are actually $6600. My bike was $4100 and my gear was about $2K.

So I've actually "made" about $500, and from now on, whenever I ride my bike it's pure "profit".

Good on you!

 

[Go2Trackdays]

A little good news, if it's real: http://www.nextenergynews.com/news1/next-energy-news2.13s.html

 

[Alexey]

A little good news, if it's real: http://www.nextenergynews.com/news1/next-energy-news2.13s.html

Funny, I was just talking to my father in law about this, who's been working in the energy sector for a while. It is indeed good news for the US, but it's not all roses. All our refineries are currently set up for sour (high in sulfur) crude, which comes mostly from overseas. The stuff in Texas and North Dakota is sweet (low sulfur) and none of our refineries can use it. It would take $5 billion to convert a sour refinery to a sweet one, so instead new ones are in the works, but won't come online for some time. If we decide to use this new domestic oil before then, it would have to be shipped overseas for refinement. Talk about irony.

 

[LS1Bandit]

Good on you!

Thanks! And thanks to those that gave me + rep for the post. I feel so inferior with my measly 2 squares. Too bad I can't rack up points as fast as I rack up miles on my bike. Actually, I'd much rather rack up miles than points.

Anyway, not to belabor the point too much - but I'm honestly very thankful that the gas prices went up the way they did, otherwise I would likely have missed out on the truly unique and amazing experience that is motorcycling.

My days are so much more enjoyable now. My commute to/from work is my favorite part of the day. Of course it doesn't hurt that I often make my commute contain a healthy portion of twisties, ending up with a nice ride up the coast. And I'm still exploring and finding new routes home. Yesterday instead of taking Tunitas all the way to Hwy1 I tried Lobitos Creek Rd. There were a few sketchy spots because they're doing a bit of roadwork there, but all-in-all a nice addition.

Thinking back, I just realized that in the (almost) 2 years I've been commuting on the motorcycle I've only driven my Explorer to work 4 times. I find it oddly amusing that it's the Explorer that has to stay on a battery tender and not my moto.

 

[FemmeLaMoto]

The reserve in Alaska is more than enough to last a us a very long time, but there are still environmental concerns that need to be calculated.

"The United States has the largest known deposits of oil shale in the world, according to the Bureau of Land Management and holds an estimated 2,500 gigabarrels of potentially recoverable oil, enough to meet U.S. demand for oil at current rates for 110 years." - Wikipedia

http://www.dailyreckoning.com/rpt/OilShale.html

That's a whole lot of track days for everyone!!!

 

[iehawk]

I understand riding being a bit harder than driving, but it's still no rocket science. It works in the rest of the world... especially the third world countries.

People here just need to be re-educated and make to realize that a motorcycle is not a toy. And that one doesn't save that much money by riding. You save on gas... yes, very true. Time, also true. But the cost of tires that need to be replaced around every 3000 miles - 10000 miles... the cost of tune up if the interval is less than 10K miles. They add up.

We've all heard the famous reason: I'll save money on gas, but I'll spend $4000-$16000 first to buy this extra vehicle.

Want to save money on gas, buy a more fuel-efficient vehicles... being a motorcycle, ones with side-cars, trikes in all their weird configurations. Or buy a VW Jetta/Golf TDI, Prius or Civic Hybrids, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris or Corolla... etc.