[MagVic CCT]

My story is much like most here, but one thing that I believe contributes to the lack of young riders (and there are many reasons, no doubt) is the lack of countryside and real estate where they can go ride bikes or even go carts with some abandon. This is an advantage that probably most of us had. We grew up in areas where people were more spread out and it was fairly easy to hop on a bike and run off into the woods or even take the go cart for a spin around the yard (we had over an acre and dad set me up a "track"). Or is was easy to go to that buddy's house who had a bike and space to ride near his home. Lots of land was "open" and available for riding. Not all fenced in and heavily guarded by Fred Asswipe. Hell, we could even run a few miles up the road and shoot off of an old country bridge with out any issues. Different set up, I think that makes it much more difficult for younger riders to just go and enjoy riding freely. And, of course, our parents ran us outside, and wouldn't let us sit in front of the tele all day. Now with games and all, thumbs and bums are about all that get any excercise. Not the whole picture, but I think a big part of it.
At 13/14 back in 60whatever, it was easy to find a bike to ride and places to ride them. We had a "pack" of five in the summer of 69 who went out and rode all night on back country roads for miles ranging at least 30 miles from home. All about 14 years of age. No trouble making, just enjoying the night air and the riding. I can't remember even once being stopped or seeing a policeman. Turtles were probably the most dangerous thing on the road.

 

[MagVic CCT]

Well, if it turns out that they are not worthy to receive the Norton, I'm up for adoption......dad. 😁

 

[MagVic CCT]

Three wheels??!! What? Are you some kind of communist?


If there's no other way, maybe. Better than downsizing.

 

[MagVic CCT]

I started riding at 10 in my uncles junk yard. He had a bunch of bikes there so the employees could ride way back in the yard to get parts off junk cars. Once the yard closed at night it was ride time.
I was hooked. There was something very special about having control of a gas powered vehicle at 10.
I have owned over 25 bikes. Always wanted to own something els.
In 2013 I bought a Cross Country Tour. Put just under 60,000 miles on that and sold it to my son.
Found a 2015 low milage Vision at a Harley dealer and bought it the same day.
A couple of years ago I bought a 2014 low mileage Suzuki V Strom. At 62 I thought it would be nice to have a lighter bike.
But..
I am to spoiled by having the Vision. The seat on the Vision with factory backrest the best most comfortable I have ever had. At 64 I still have the V Strom and the Vision. The Strom is so refined compared to ether my CCT or the Vision. Super slick shifting with never a clunk. The engine is silky smooth. I like it but it’s not comfortable. But on the hyway it’s running at 5000rpm and sound way to high in the rpm for 65 mph.
The Vision is so comfortable and very flickable for its size. And I am very aggressive with it. It sees wide open throttle every time I take it out. It runs the hyway without all the high RPM drama….
So I love big bikes and I will run the Vision for as long as I can get it off the side stand.

Some of the stories in this thread have given me hope that I have many years of riding left.
And before you say I am young yet….. my body has taken some hard hits with all the dirt bikes I have owned over the years….

Rob

Low years, high mileage?