Comments on: Are Motorcycles the Future of Performance? http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/02/04/are-motorcycles-the-future-of-performance/ Motorcycle News for Positive People Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:34:05 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: OzarkBard http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/02/04/are-motorcycles-the-future-of-performance/comment-page-1/#comment-119415 OzarkBard Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:42:51 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/02/04/are-motorcycles-the-future-of-performance/#comment-119415 As long as laws don't change defining a motorcycle, the new upcoming/proof-of-concept hybrid/electric trikes with enclosed cockpit environments (Venture q100 anyone?) don't have much to juice up to get Tesla roadster-like performance at a much lower cost. It's still gonna take mass-produced vehicles to be out for a couple of years before a significant portion of the hot-rod community to take hold, but it's definitely becoming a legitimate option. As long as laws don’t change defining a motorcycle, the new upcoming/proof-of-concept hybrid/electric trikes with enclosed cockpit environments (Venture q100 anyone?) don’t have much to juice up to get Tesla roadster-like performance at a much lower cost. It’s still gonna take mass-produced vehicles to be out for a couple of years before a significant portion of the hot-rod community to take hold, but it’s definitely becoming a legitimate option.

]]> By: todd http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/02/04/are-motorcycles-the-future-of-performance/comment-page-1/#comment-116517 todd Sun, 10 Feb 2008 07:05:08 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/02/04/are-motorcycles-the-future-of-performance/#comment-116517 GenWaylaid , I tend to romanticize the past a little but here's a thought: During the previous gas crisis the motorcycle companies actually sold economical, non intimidating motorcycles. A typical Ford LTD driver could go to Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, or Harley Davidson and buy a 250cc or 400cc bike that achieved stellar fuel economy and was a respected motorcycle. The bike was light, simple, inexpensive, and easy to learn and manage. Even the super bikes like the Z1 or R90S weren't as fast or quick as a modern SV650 "beginner bike". Now there's maybe a Ninja 250 or Rebel that fits the bill but the sales person will oversell a larger bike to a customer or not even have any of those models available, prefering the large and heavy fast movers. The person will be ridiculed by his friends and shunned by other riders for buying such a sissy bike. Motorcycles are no longer seen as basic viable transportation. They are considered dangerous toys and rightly so. Instead people look towards expensive auto technology. Gone are the days when one payed less for an economy car, now economy is a add-on feature manufacturers charge more for. -todd GenWaylaid , I tend to romanticize the past a little but here’s a thought:
During the previous gas crisis the motorcycle companies actually sold economical, non intimidating motorcycles. A typical Ford LTD driver could go to Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, or Harley Davidson and buy a 250cc or 400cc bike that achieved stellar fuel economy and was a respected motorcycle. The bike was light, simple, inexpensive, and easy to learn and manage. Even the super bikes like the Z1 or R90S weren’t as fast or quick as a modern SV650 “beginner bike”.

Now there’s maybe a Ninja 250 or Rebel that fits the bill but the sales person will oversell a larger bike to a customer or not even have any of those models available, prefering the large and heavy fast movers. The person will be ridiculed by his friends and shunned by other riders for buying such a sissy bike.

Motorcycles are no longer seen as basic viable transportation. They are considered dangerous toys and rightly so. Instead people look towards expensive auto technology. Gone are the days when one payed less for an economy car, now economy is a add-on feature manufacturers charge more for.

-todd

]]> By: GenWaylaid http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/02/04/are-motorcycles-the-future-of-performance/comment-page-1/#comment-116189 GenWaylaid Fri, 08 Feb 2008 06:48:45 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/02/04/are-motorcycles-the-future-of-performance/#comment-116189 The parallel between what is happening now with CAFE and gas prices and what happened thirty years ago raises an interesting question. If the number of used bikes around is any indication, motorcycling enjoyed a period of relative popularity during the last gas crunch (c. 1978 to 1985). Might the same factors that increased the popularity of motorcycling then do so again now? It doesn't take a large fraction of car drivers switching over to dramatically increase the number of motorcycles on the road. Thirty years ago I wasn't even on two legs yet, much less two wheels. Those of you who were riding then, did the gas crisis lead more people to motorcycles? Could it happen again? Are there other factors which would make it less likely today? The parallel between what is happening now with CAFE and gas prices and what happened thirty years ago raises an interesting question. If the number of used bikes around is any indication, motorcycling enjoyed a period of relative popularity during the last gas crunch (c. 1978 to 1985).

Might the same factors that increased the popularity of motorcycling then do so again now? It doesn’t take a large fraction of car drivers switching over to dramatically increase the number of motorcycles on the road.

Thirty years ago I wasn’t even on two legs yet, much less two wheels. Those of you who were riding then, did the gas crisis lead more people to motorcycles? Could it happen again? Are there other factors which would make it less likely today?

]]> By: Rick http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/02/04/are-motorcycles-the-future-of-performance/comment-page-1/#comment-116082 Rick Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:53:39 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/02/04/are-motorcycles-the-future-of-performance/#comment-116082 I believe that there is a argument to be made that while motorcycles can perform as well as a car, they aren't as practical for most everyday functions. That being said, they are probably mre enjoyable to drive, especially some of the top models. I believe that there is a argument to be made that while motorcycles can perform as well as a car, they aren’t as practical for most everyday functions. That being said, they are probably mre enjoyable to drive, especially some of the top models.

]]> By: Benyen http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/02/04/are-motorcycles-the-future-of-performance/comment-page-1/#comment-115909 Benyen Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:15:52 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/02/04/are-motorcycles-the-future-of-performance/#comment-115909 i think its funny that GM has made such a big deal about this new hybrid TAHOE, when in the tiny little print at the bottom of the screen you can see it has 21 MPG highway estimated. good job SUVs. you went from incredibly retardedly impractical to just completely impractical. i think its funny that GM has made such a big deal about this new hybrid TAHOE, when in the tiny little print at the bottom of the screen you can see it has 21 MPG highway estimated. good job SUVs. you went from incredibly retardedly impractical to just completely impractical.

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