As you said, it's the cost, not only for 3 tests, but the cost of the bike too. What's the average cost of a bike now £10 to £15000, for a nice bike. Bonkers really. This is why RE are doing so well, decent looking bikes, at a sensible price. I love the new 650 RE Classic. Enjoy the NEC when you go. 👍👍🏍️🏍️
No. It's not the tests. It's the economy. Young people don't have the opportunities previous generations had. Or the income to be able to afford the motorcycle life. And it's not the "they don't work hard enough" BS.
Pin locks never seem to go back in right most times better getting a new one although sometimes fitting a new one doesn’t go to plan either, bit like a screen protector one chance or throw away and start again. Of course that could just be me being hopeless at fitting them.
There are a load of reasons why motorcycles are dying, the test regime is just one of them. I’m not one of the foil hat brigade but the government really don’t care and in their drive for a safety culture where we all live to 110 would like to see the back of motorcycles. As you say biggest reason is cost, why would you want a bike when you can sit in a warm car, cheaper and carry on texting 😂
Big bikes are way too expensive now, a car is more important to most people, the bikes are toys but not many can afford a £20,000 toy. When you rode through Hett you were about half mile from my house.
Expense, no exposure on media hence no interest for young people. The weather, where would you rather be over the past few days, car or bike? The bike market is set up for rich " born again bikers" and or those that wanted a bike when they were younger but never did. Motorcycles have become a hobby, like golf or fishing etc. The motorcycle market is chasing the money, the best bike for you is the one that you haven't yet bought.
People are struggling to pay inflated energy bills and buy food which grows evermore expensive, nothing left for buying motorbikes never mind all the expense of getting through the ridiculous licensing system. It would be unusual but maybe somebody would be honest enough to admit that the over-complicated training/testing system is designed to discourage people from riding motorcycles. This is a shame when you think of how carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced. I'm just a bit further northwards from you in Northumberland.
Lack of young people coming thru 18 -25 yr olds cant afford it never mind the lessons. The average biker age is 54 and they are getting older bad knees chronic illness. The industry is going to change to an online model otherwise it will be non existent if they keep it up. They need to invent a heated visor.
The government doesn’t want motorcyclists so legislators make it as expensive and inconvenient as possible they want car drivers as there much easier to price off the roads.😐👍
Bikes stopped being cheap "get you to work" transport that appealed to younger people and hooked them, and instead became expensive weekend toys for an ageing demographic that younger people don't want to be associated with. The bike market has been propped up by affluent old men rather than enthusiastic young ones. Game Over.
Young folk seem to be averse to danger. Lots of mental health issues and anxiety. If your too anxious to go outside its unlikely your gonna get on abike and yeet yourself into the horizon.
I was one of those who you were chatting with up on the bridge,canny chat it was. As for bikes,prices and people wanting them. I've talked to quite a few down in the city who are after a bike but they've generally been the college kid ages and good luck to them,had a few say they had bikes in the past but the majority are too busy on their phones these day's all wrapped up like they're in Antarctica whilst worrying about getting a bit of muck on the primarni shoes. Can we blame kids though if it's a choice between car or bikes licences as most will go straight to a car with all it's comforts as well as being able to buy a decent car for the price of a bike. I think the utter stupidity of the test situation doesn't help either as there was absolutely nothing wrong with the old scheme,a ride around the block and a few questions.It's beyond time it was changed back.
I am 60, I have two 125s. I would love to pass my test but the testing system puts me right off. I think after two years riding on a cbt you should be able to remove the L plates on a 125 not repeating the same test again. Then a further road test only on a larger bike to get your full licence!
The testing system is abit of a nightmare in my opinion.i passed my test in 1995,im 46 now and my 9 year old daughter and 8 year old son both come out on the back of my tiger 900.they both want to ride bikes,and i just bought a zx6r that needs doing up for 300quid. Theres cheap bikes out there if you dont mind not having all the toys!
16 Comments
As you said, it's the cost, not only for 3 tests, but the cost of the bike too. What's the average cost of a bike now £10 to £15000, for a nice bike. Bonkers really. This is why RE are doing so well, decent looking bikes, at a sensible price. I love the new 650 RE Classic. Enjoy the NEC when you go. 👍👍🏍️🏍️
No. It's not the tests.
It's the economy.
Young people don't have the opportunities previous generations had. Or the income to be able to afford the motorcycle life.
And it's not the "they don't work hard enough" BS.
Pin locks never seem to go back in right most times better getting a new one although sometimes fitting a new one doesn’t go to plan either, bit like a screen protector one chance or throw away and start again. Of course that could just be me being hopeless at fitting them.
Young people can’t get off the phones long enough to get interested in anything !
There are a load of reasons why motorcycles are dying, the test regime is just one of them. I’m not one of the foil hat brigade but the government really don’t care and in their drive for a safety culture where we all live to 110 would like to see the back of motorcycles. As you say biggest reason is cost, why would you want a bike when you can sit in a warm car, cheaper and carry on texting 😂
Big bikes are way too expensive now, a car is more important to most people, the bikes are toys but not many can afford a £20,000 toy. When you rode through Hett you were about half mile from my house.
Expense, no exposure on media hence no interest for young people. The weather, where would you rather be over the past few days, car or bike? The bike market is set up for rich " born again bikers" and or those that wanted a bike when they were younger but never did. Motorcycles have become a hobby, like golf or fishing etc. The motorcycle market is chasing the money, the best bike for you is the one that you haven't yet bought.
People are struggling to pay inflated energy bills and buy food which grows evermore expensive, nothing left for buying motorbikes never mind all the expense of getting through the ridiculous licensing system. It would be unusual but maybe somebody would be honest enough to admit that the over-complicated training/testing system is designed to discourage people from riding motorcycles. This is a shame when you think of how carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced. I'm just a bit further northwards from you in Northumberland.
Lack of young people coming thru 18 -25 yr olds cant afford it never mind the lessons.
The average biker age is 54 and they are getting older bad knees chronic illness. The industry is going to change to an online model otherwise it will be non existent if they keep it up. They need to invent a heated visor.
The government doesn’t want motorcyclists so legislators make it as expensive and inconvenient as possible they want car drivers as there much easier to price off the roads.😐👍
Bikes stopped being cheap "get you to work" transport that appealed to younger people and hooked them, and instead became expensive weekend toys for an ageing demographic that younger people don't want to be associated with. The bike market has been propped up by affluent old men rather than enthusiastic young ones. Game Over.
Young folk seem to be averse to danger. Lots of mental health issues and anxiety. If your too anxious to go outside its unlikely your gonna get on abike and yeet yourself into the horizon.
I was one of those who you were chatting with up on the bridge,canny chat it was.
As for bikes,prices and people wanting them.
I've talked to quite a few down in the city who are after a bike but they've generally been the college kid ages and good luck to them,had a few say they had bikes in the past but the majority are too busy on their phones these day's all wrapped up like they're in Antarctica whilst worrying about getting a bit of muck on the primarni shoes.
Can we blame kids though if it's a choice between car or bikes licences as most will go straight to a car with all it's comforts as well as being able to buy a decent car for the price of a bike.
I think the utter stupidity of the test situation doesn't help either as there was absolutely nothing wrong with the old scheme,a ride around the block and a few questions.It's beyond time it was changed back.
Anybody else remember Latham’s when it was a green shed selling maggots, fishing tackle and permits?
I am 60, I have two 125s. I would love to pass my test but the testing system puts me right off. I think after two years riding on a cbt you should be able to remove the L plates on a 125 not repeating the same test again. Then a further road test only on a larger bike to get your full licence!
The testing system is abit of a nightmare in my opinion.i passed my test in 1995,im 46 now and my 9 year old daughter and 8 year old son both come out on the back of my tiger 900.they both want to ride bikes,and i just bought a zx6r that needs doing up for 300quid.
Theres cheap bikes out there if you dont mind not having all the toys!