Is motorcycling in general in trouble?

[PaulG]

I pay a measly $19 a month for midline motorcycle coverage. Its not the best, but its also not base coverage.

WTF?    I pay +/- $100/month with +/- 30yrs of riding.  Now each of us has an appreciation of the factors that form our perspective on this subject.  If I had rates like that I'd probably have 1/2 dozen bikes.  Like Sabre093 pointed out (and we in Ontario have bitched about this before), it's getting unaffordable for many people to ride.  Insurance companies insure us only because they legally have to, but they'll make us pay through the teeth for it.  About 50% of the value of my bike just goes into insurance every year.  For new rders forget it.

Like Mr. Blackstock said, as soon as someone says that they are okay, like in a movie, or a show, well see it boom again. Kids these days need something to follow. They wont choose to get get a bike, they have to be told to.

What we need is a modernized version of On Any Sunday to raise public conciousness - if that's possible.  "Stressed out?  Need a Vicadin or Oxy?  Forget it!  Get a motorcycle instead!"  Oh well.  If there are fewer riders on the road, then that just makes the road more open for us.  If it wasn't for the fucking cars.  Oh yeah, and winter... 

[big r]

You guys back east are really getting screwed. I was able to insure my 86 FJ for $275 a year with a collector plate. Only thing I couldnt do was ride the bike to work. To have a collector plate you had to have a primary source transportation. Should mention that this is in BC. Without the plate my insurance would have been over 1200 a year

[Motofun]

My FJ's are insured as antiques.  Full coverage and $250/year for 4 bikes.  A few restrictions but generally not a problem.

[carey]

My FJ's are insured as antiques.

Makes sense, an antique rider for antique bikes 

[TexasDave]

My FJ's are insured as antiques.

Makes sense, an antique rider for antique bikes 

Hey--I represent that!   

[fjbiker84]

A lot of the insurance expense involves what coverage you get.  I have had Progressive for the 12 years I've owned my FJ but only liability coverage.  So the insurance company is only responsible for the damage I do to someone else's property.  And I said that I only ride 2000 miles a year - which seems to be very close to actual.  My logic is that the bike doesn't have a replacement value worth the premium of comprehensive insurance.  My yearly insurance premium is something like $95. But then again, I'm an old man with a clean driving record.   

[Motofun]

My FJ's are insured as antiques.

Makes sense, an antique rider for antique bikes 

I prefer "classic" but will take antique over dead......

[Motofun]

A lot of the insurance expense involves what coverage you get.  I have had Progressive for the 12 years I've owned my FJ but only liability coverage.  So the insurance company is only responsible for the damage I do to someone else's property.  And I said that I only ride 2000 miles a year - which seems to be very close to actual.  My logic is that the bike doesn't have a replacement value worth the premium of comprehensive insurance.  My yearly insurance premium is something like $95. But then again, I'm an old man with a clean driving record.   

With antique insurance you get the best of both liability and full coverage.  As long as you keep the declared value reasonable they won't require an appraisal.  They require pictures so a heavily modified bike might not work.

[big r]

In BC if you call it an antique you can only use it for parades and shows.Needs to be collector status to ridden regularly

[rlucas]

My FJ's are insured as antiques.

Makes sense, an antique rider for antique bikes 

I prefer "classic" but will take antique over dead......

"Vintage" Or maybe, "Timeless"

[fj1289]

My FJ's are insured as antiques.

Makes sense, an antique rider for antique bikes 

I prefer "classic" but will take antique over dead......

"Vintage" Or maybe, "Timeless"

Unfortunately these days I know it's not ageless ...

[FJmonkey]

Maybe the bike needs to change to capture the younger generation.

Facebook vid
https://www.facebook.com/WTFuture/videos/385928431876033/

[rlucas]

Unfortunately these days I know it's not ageless ...

"Hey, little girl...wanna see my patina?"

[FJ1200W]

I work at a multi-line dealership in the midwest and can tell you what I'm seeing -

Motorcycles are not selling

ATV's sell more than motorcycles

UTV's are the hot ticket for sales - Both utility and sport

I was excited to see the Kawasaki Z900RS come out. #1235 arrived at our shop, I prepped it myself.

What a bike, fell in love, but seriously, $11,000.00 for a new bike when I already have a motorcycle that does everything I want it too, and then some.

[Pat Conlon]

.... but seriously, $11,000.00 for a new bike when I already have a motorcycle that does everything I want it too, and then some.

Bingo!