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The Supersport is Dead

Kurosaki said:
I'm 38. Bought my CBR when I was 22.

No plans to switch up. I love my bike.
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38 is young. Wait till you hit 50, then see if your back still lets you ride that CBR.
 
Luckily, I'm seeing a positive trend in the Bayarea. Bikes like R7s, Aprilia 660s, GSX-8S, Ninja 400/500s are plenty up in the Santa Cruz mountain last few weekends I rode there. Bunch of young riders too.

Manufacturers are also doing their part to bring back affordable supersport. For a while, sportbike prices were beyond reach of young people. The new gen sportbikes are a bit duller in performance but affordable, looks nice and plenty of capability for street riding.

A friend of mine (BARFer) rode superbikes into late 70s. Someone I know still rides his CBR1K and his is 83. Take care of your body and you can still enjoy them for a long time. I worry about vision deterioration and reflexes degrading beyond the threshold of safe riding.

May sportbikes live long!!
 
elbacalao said:
38 is young. Wait till you hit 50, then see if your back still lets you ride that CBR.
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I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

I have good friends that are well into their 50s and beyond that still ride sport bikes.
 
Kurosaki said:
I'm 38. Bought my CBR when I was 22.
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I’m old enough to be your dad and also own a CBR, which I bought in my 40s. Yeah, it’s cramped. I think this is the year I’m finally going to part with it. I happy you haven’t given up the supersport fun.
 
Sportbiker said:
Luckily, I'm seeing a positive trend in the Bayarea. Bikes like R7s, Aprilia 660s, GSX-8S, Ninja 400/500s are plenty up in the Santa Cruz mountain last few weekends I rode there. Bunch of young riders too.

Manufacturers are also doing their part to bring back affordable supersport. For a while, sportbike prices were beyond reach of young people. The new gen sportbikes are a bit duller in performance but affordable, looks nice and plenty of capability for street riding.

A friend of mine (BARFer) rode superbikes into late 70s. Someone I know still rides his CBR1K and his is 83. Take care of your body and you can still enjoy them for a long time. I worry about vision deterioration and reflexes degrading beyond the threshold of safe riding.

May sportbikes live long!!
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Which is so weird being here in Italy, and not a supersport in sight.
 
Holeshot said:
Embrace the emerging HD/ Cruiser canyon carvers. The HD world is where the youth is and how they set their bikes up is very much for spirited riding. Love it.
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Better performance aside, road course moto racing is not going to give up the race motorbike style for a HD style. Or it is ? Has the youth given up watching moto racing too ?
 
Holeshot said:
Yeah good point..the Ducati stuff is on point. But man....I never thought I'd like ripping around on an HD too! The difference is in the community experience...the Ducati community isn't near as fun.
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This thing is pretty fun to rip around on.
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Definitely an aging demographic, moto riders, for sure. I haven't owned a sport bike for well over a decade, been to a track in two decades, and I'm "only" 55. When on the street these days, its all about comfort over speed after getting rid of my Street Triple. Smell the pretty flowers and look at the scenery pace on the old BMW GS.

I still spend a month every summer back in the Midwest, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas. When I was in highschool back in the 80's, it was a huge racing scene... motocross, flat track, and yes... road racing. Sportbikes made up at least half the bikes. Now there are none seen, none. My younger cousins in their 20's who actually ride (minority their age,) even race MX and flat track, all ride HDs or Indians on the street if at all.

I ride, and enjoy a late 90's Dyna when back there. It's what everybody who is still riding, by and large, rides. Even on trips down to the Alphabet roads. Went to a cafe bike event in Minneapolis the previous year with an old buddy, and an open bar. Well attended event... but we both laughed as the only cafe bikes there were some old vintage ones like his CB900F, a few modern retro triumphs, Indian FTR's and A Ducati. Most on HD's. When I was kid riding to such events, it would have been 100's of sport bikes.

It's certainly an aging demographic, much lower rate of participation for young folks, the economics for young folk, price of bikes, and an evolution of motorcycles.

I must say, I do enjoy riding the Dyna too. But I haven't bought any chaps yet. :laughing
 
if only cali roads were maintained, id buy another sportbike, otherwise makes no sense
 
I’ve owned several clip on bikes and still drool over ZX10’s but have no interest in riding them anymore.
I’ve ridden a friends gsxr1000 a few times recently and can’t wait to get off it, and I used to own one. Sport bikes look cool but screw that, it’s handlebars for me.
I don’t have any back issues, it’s just feel so awkward trying to look over my shoulder to see traffic compared to a more upright bike.
 
I’m 53 and still ride my GSX-R on occasion. Usually 100 miles max though. My FJR sees more regular use. It’s just as fun 95% of the time.
 
VicTim said:
This thing is pretty fun to rip around on.
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The Indian product is first class. Stock suspension? Like it?

OaklandF4i said:
Definitely an aging demographic, moto riders, for sure. I haven't owned a sport bike for well over a decade, been to a track in two decades, and I'm "only" 55. When on the street these days, its all about comfort over speed after getting rid of my Street Triple. Smell the pretty flowers and look at the scenery pace on the old BMW GS.

I still spend a month every summer back in the Midwest, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas. When I was in highschool back in the 80's, it was a huge racing scene... motocross, flat track, and yes... road racing. Sportbikes made up at least half the bikes. Now there are none seen, none. My younger cousins in their 20's who actually ride (minority their age,) even race MX and flat track, all ride HDs or Indians on the street if at all.

I ride, and enjoy a late 90's Dyna when back there. It's what everybody who is still riding, by and large, rides. Even on trips down to the Alphabet roads. Went to a cafe bike event in Minneapolis the previous year with an old buddy, and an open bar. Well attended event... but we both laughed as the only cafe bikes there were some old vintage ones like his CB900F, a few modern retro triumphs, Indian FTR's and A Ducati. Most on HD's. When I was kid riding to such events, it would have been 100's of sport bikes.

It's certainly an aging demographic, much lower rate of participation for young folks, the economics for young folk, price of bikes, and an evolution of motorcycles.

I must say, I do enjoy riding the Dyna too. But I haven't bought any chaps yet. :laughing
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My Ninja. Speaking truth. The large HD part that gets not as much lip service: the size of the riding community. Our business has gone from 0% HD and 80% sport bikes and 20% touring to 80% HD and 20% the rest. And the HD guys call, order and pay without asking for any deals, etc.
 
Holeshot said:
The Indian product is first class. Stock suspension? Like it?
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It's all stock. I really like it, I have lots of fun ripping around town. Looking forward to some twisty rides soon.
 
The HD thing is real. I enjoyed my time doing it. Usually the guys and gals are friendly and welcoming. It is a good vibe and the HD will give ya a vibe or two as well.
 
Alright. I saw two sprotbiles today. One supersport with a very pointy rear end in Bra. And in Asti, a mid-weight Aprilia, with what from a distance seemed to be clip-on extenders. Crappy weather yesterday and today. Very few bikes out. Definitely no tenderfoot hogs.
 
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