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What would it take to revive bike industry ?

18K views 199 replies 74 participants last post by  bacchus40 
#1 ·
Curious what people would want to get new people involved and excited about bikes again. Events local , Big events not so local like Sportbike West , kids programs like Yamaha has ? What would it take to get your neighbour or co worker riding ?
 
#2 ·
- Proper, local track with lots of reasonably-priced bike events.
- Plate sharing (at least between bikes)
- No Judge Dredd enforcement on the side of the road
- Major campaigns to educate the public about motorcycling, and the "speed kills" bullshit
- Major campaigns to educate the public about driving, and some common courtesy from the average Joe (you know, the impatient, I'm-the-most-important-person-in-the-world type)

Yeah, I know, pigs flying over frozen hell :laughing
 
#3 ·
Based on my own co-workers/neighbors: Less fear from new entrants to the market that it is an unsafe hobby. Less negative publicity about riders from media. Better marketing from the manufacturers; selling the "feeling and the freedom" might entice those with money into the showrooms.
 
#5 · (Edited)
First thing would be to get more kids involved in it. Look at Spain, South Africa and others who have great kids racing programs. Here in BC it is not even considered a sport! This is why it is just about impossible to get any kind of funding etc to get kids involved. There is only one place I know if where kids can get on a bike in the lower mainland and that is at PCMRC and even then there is only one kid who races there.

The media portray "bikers" as these hooligans. Our image as motorcyclists has been tarnished so much that many people out there would not want to be associated with that "type" of people.

Education, re-branding, more events showing regular people who ride etc.

Anyway that is just my two cents.

Yes as Kernut has said as well, better tracks, more events etc. Is there someone who know how to go about lobbying to get road racing in BC classified as a sport. I believe that would lead to the ability at least for better facilities.
 
#6 ·
thats a really tough one man... unfortunately it comes down to brass tax (pun intended)

people are broke, hobbies are not a priority anymore....

coupled with the fact that a lot of people have gotten sick of being ripped off over the years,
a tiny dealer support network makes for a lot of people who are just simply unaware of what is
available out there... high cost of insurance for the bigger bikes also has a negative effect on the
sport as a whole.... i transferred insurance from my car to the bike last summer... had to be done

as a student i just could not afford these absurd insurance prices... not a chance :jerkoff

i've been watching the used bike market, there is none... its dead :(


on my end of things, not being chased by the popo everytime you start the bloody engine would be nice,
plate sharing is something i'm very much interested in, but i'm not holding my breath
 
#7 ·
People need a carrot; and not from the industry itself.

They need better insurance coverage for less. They need an incentive from the folks upstairs to ride a bike instead of one person one car. Think of how much less crowded the roads would be if 30% of the single person vehicles became motorcycles.

They need a few proper race tracks in BC. For racing, for track days, for training schools. No cones in a lot no scabbed onto a drag strip, something as nice as any other casino or arena the folks in Victoria rain money on.

They need reasonable speed limits and enforcement.

And the nice thing about these measures as the reduced congestion and modern training facilities will benefit all motorists in the province. Not just riders.
 
#54 ·
Sure you can, you can go rent them little 50's at Popkum motor park and show them what dirtbiking is about. Then you get them riding as youngsters offroad... which translates often into a love of motorcycles, and sometimes a foray into road riding.

I think at the core, economics are what are hurting street motorcycling. Disposable income is just not there for an extra vehicle and insurance for many people these days. Personally speaking, the over 40 impound rubbish turned me right off. The idea of paying a few grand and having to dick around just for some fun... not worth it. I can ride offroad, with little insurance cost, and basically do whatever the hell I want without any looking over my shoulder or spending my time scanning for the lame ass funbusters.
 
#12 ·
Build a full size 3.5 mile track for cars and bikes, provide onsite storage for vehicles, and most importantly night lighting which opens up a lot more riding days/evenings. Run open car track days 3 nights a week, and bikes 2 days.

You have to include the car community,not just for the revenue aspect, but for the safety value proposition bid to the government to fund it.
 
#13 ·
Ban cars.
Ban bicycles.
Ban fishing.
Ban hunting.
Ban Hockey, scoccer, football, baseball and basket ball.
and
and
and
Ban radar enforcement.

Seriously though, there is nothing that can really make the bike industry sing with joy, other than a whole bunch of people, with a whole lot of money.
With the increases in putting a roof over your head over the past few years, toys are getting harder to own.
There is a direct corrilation between motorcycle sales and unemployment.

News media does not help at all, in regards to that stupid impound law which should be banned!
 
#62 · (Edited)
Seriously though, there is nothing that can really make the bike industry sing with joy, other than a whole bunch of people, with a whole lot of money.
With the increases in putting a roof over your head over the past few years, toys are getting harder to own.
There is a direct corrilation between motorcycle sales and unemployment.
aye aye, and goodbye... :thumbup

i've had this conversation with a lot of people over the past 2-3 years.. back in the day the chat would usually turn to

"well, what do you think? maybe a nice used xxx bike then? the economy cant be that bad, i'm feeling pretty safe in my job"

fast forward a few short years and even though the same people are still walking around thinking the economy cant be that bad
now its more like...

"wtf.. are you fvcking kiddin' man... unless i win the bloody lottery i'm keeping my hard earned right where it belongs... "

thats either in the bank or investing into property, but as far as i've seen, aint nobody investing into property, they're selling
out of the shitty area they live in to move into an area where nobody gives a rats arse who you are and what you do for a living
just in hopes that in a few years to a decade they can enjoy a few days off....
call me crazy... :ghost

It would make a huge difference if we didn't have to pay 12% on top of our purchase price. It makes no sense to have to pay this every time you buy a new or used bike. Destroys the market.
.
actually, you know i hadnt even considered that, as posted 'ive kept a pretty close eye on the used bike market over the past while,
i always thought the 12 percent tax was absurd 'cause i was thinking about getting a different car but the way things are going that aint gonna happen... I did
not really consider what a difference that makes on peoples decision to sell their bike privately in hopes of getting a smokin' deal elsewhere...
maybe a lot of whats going on now is peope either deciding that selling and having to pay the damn tax again is just not worth it, OR the dealers are geeting an
influx of trade-ins in order to save on taxes, being charged only on the difference cost... :rolleyes

The state is here to serve, not scam us of our wealth.
boy are you out to lunch, just how much was that little payout the gov't took a few years back as icbc found a surplus!!??
rest assured, if there was a way to offer cheaper insurance, the gov't would quickly divert it to our failing transit system,

and a few bonuses to go around for good measure :cool
 
#14 ·
I'm a dirtbiker and the major one when I was living in Vancouver was easy access. I think Popkum is helping that, but another track in South Delta would be awesome.

For sport bikes its insurance cost. I'm considering not insuring my bike this summer because I can't afford the extra $1000 with two kids now.
 
#15 ·
For sport bikes its insurance cost. I'm considering not insuring my bike this summer because I can't afford the extra $1000 with two kids now.
I have to agree with you there, I used to pay the same for full coverage in Alberta as I pay now for PLPD basic!
ICBC has to go!
That whole govenment run system is a huge rip off for all of us.
 
#16 ·
Instead of wasting money on bike lanes in lower mainland why not build a motorcycle lane only on highway 1 from Abbotsford to Vancouver and reduce congestion. Just think how many one occupant cars travel the hwy each day. The reduced congestion and fuel savings would attract people to park their cars and get a bike.
 
#17 ·
Ummm, disposable income has to be right up there for BC. Everyone's too busy/invested/indebted into their goddamn homes that they have no more time/money to play, at least the younger demographic that would normally be buying toys. The industry is doing OK in the interior, and growing in Alberta.
 
#18 ·
The weather.

Cost of living.


I know there were some "good old days". But these have to be the two biggest problems for motorcycling in BC.

The speeding laws and ICBC are huge factors as well. Transferable plates would be great, but only for ppl who most likely already own a bike.
 
#23 ·
Correct. The cost of living in what has been determined to be the second most expensive place to live on earth, has, obviously reduced "discretionary" spending, particularly on high end toy which motorcycles are included in. Another effect has been enhanced reluctance of banks to lend money to wannabe squids that are still living at the parents place, have no job, etc,etc. Insurance costs as well.

The fix? I'm afraid the baby boomers have all the money and are spending it. The trend away from full on sportbikes should be obvious, but I know there are deniers here. Shops must look to scooters, fuel efficiency, ease of use. the day of the 200hp superbikes I'm afraid, will die with the death of the baby boomers.
 
#19 ·
NOPE

Most people don't know the 40+ impound laws, so no diff there
Most people don't know how much it costs to run a bike, so no diff there on dealers
Most people don't care about racing bikes, so no diff there on local track
Most people don't know about insurance costs, so no diff there



Why aren't there as many new riders now as there used to be a few years ago? No one thinks it's cool anymore. Other shit is cooler, like taking pics of your food, pics of a different city, pics of your dog etc etc. Just check Facebook. Everyone's lost sight that motorcycling can be pretty cool.

Why isn't it cool anymore? Because full on sport bikes are lame now. It's run its course and it's time for something new. Every kid that grew up in the 80s grew up with the sport bike image branded in their skulls. In mid 2000, those kids finally got some money to buy them. After a while, with a serious flood of super sports on the streets, sport biking has become a thing of the lame past.


I'm not really sure what can revive the biking industry, but I can tell you, that BCSB's "fuck any thing that's not a sport bike" attitude doesn't help, because in the public's eye, sport bikes are lame.


What's not lame? Raw nakeds and the retro cafe style. Why? the hipster movement. And why might it work today? Because everyone is into the urban exploration scene now. "Oh look, there's a new bistro in town" "oh, I've GOT to try this dessert place" "I'd LOVE to check out that book store across town" "Coffee at that new hole in the wall would be great this afternoon". And the retro motorcycle + open face + plaid shirt + skinny jeans is really the perfect way to conduct urban exploration. Nothing screams LAME louder than full color leathers and a neon plastic sport bike. It just doesn't fit the old styled antiques store you're visiting. I mean, what kind of a fucked up photo would that produce on Facebook?


So what do we need, we need to stop it with the hate on the retro cafe racers, and we need a big block buster movie some where that blends the acknowledgement of hipster movement and the retro motorcycle.

And who the fuck knows, we might just come full circle back to motorcycling's roots.



*drops mic*
 
#24 ·
Why aren't there as many new riders now as there used to be a few years ago? No one thinks it's cool anymore. Other shit is cooler, like taking pics of your food, pics of a different city, pics of your dog etc etc. Just check Facebook. Everyone's lost sight that motorcycling can be pretty cool.

Why isn't it cool anymore? Because full on sport bikes are lame now. It's run its course and it's time for something new. Every kid that grew up in the 80s grew up with the sport bike image branded in their skulls. In mid 2000, those kids finally got some money to buy them. After a while, with a serious flood of super sports on the streets, sport biking has become a thing of the lame past.


I'm not really sure what can revive the biking industry, but I can tell you, that BCSB's "fuck any thing that's not a sport bike" attitude doesn't help, because in the public's eye, sport bikes are lame.


What's not lame? Raw nakeds and the retro cafe style. Why? the hipster movement. And why might it work today? Because everyone is into the urban exploration scene now. "Oh look, there's a new bistro in town" "oh, I've GOT to try this dessert place" "I'd LOVE to check out that book store across town" "Coffee at that new hole in the wall would be great this afternoon". And the retro motorcycle + open face + plaid shirt + skinny jeans is really the perfect way to conduct urban exploration. Nothing screams LAME louder than full color leathers and a neon plastic sport bike. It just doesn't fit the old styled antiques store you're visiting. I mean, what kind of a fucked up photo would that produce on Facebook?


So what do we need, we need to stop it with the hate on the retro cafe racers, and we need a big block buster movie some where that blends the acknowledgement of hipster movement and the retro motorcycle.

And who the fuck knows, we might just come full circle back to motorcycling's roots.



*drops mic*
agree - it's the idea of building motorcycling culture and at least with sport bikes moving away from the idea that a guy crusing the city on a 400cc rat bike or cafe racer is lame because he's not riding at mach 9 up the sea to sky.
 
#20 ·
It would make a huge difference if we didn't have to pay 12% on top of our purchase price. It makes no sense to have to pay this every time you buy a new or used bike. Destroys the market. When I was looking at the new DL1000 at $11,999 it came to over 15 grand with all the taxes and extras, plus the ridiculous ICBC handouts.

I agree about the lack of affordable facilities for kids to learn at. Popkum is a huge Ripoff IMO if you look at the fine print. If you damage anything they ding you for full retail pricing on everything, and they only buy original manufacturer stuff which means huge increases. You can't tell your kid not to fall down. There is a place on the Island that looks great for kids, but then there is the ferry and the high expenses, just for a few hours of fun. Probably cheaper to go to Popkum when you consider the cost of the ferry and food for the day.

People are mostly scared to ride motorcycles, and since they didn't learn it as a kid, they have no confidence to try it later in life.
 
#21 ·
with the current driving laws i'd say acces to local track facilities would provide the biggest boost. i'd love to see a local track (less than 2hrs drive from van) with a changeable configuration and a couple of other bc tracks (6-8hr drive) that offer reasonable prices for track time whether it be racing, open track days, club days etc. the biggest reason i see for it not happening locally is the noise factor and this is only going to get worse with the continued growth in the LM.


like someone else mentioned though, there are only so many dollars and hours to go around and sport bike riding is an expensive hobby with little return in the LM. doing a good ride means a full day with 25-50% of that spent on ok roads depending on your route. finding guys that can commit to a full day can be hard to do. it would be great to have nice 2-4hr ride out of van that wasn't a heat score.

the upside is that typically the people that do want to ride the big days are comitted riders. my best days on the bike have always been bigger days with guys that don't have too much ego.
 
#22 ·
Most kids ages 16-25 are a bunch of soother sucking cowards who try real hard to be women. Or gangster pimp internet tough guy. Anything but responsible grown up men with balls looking forward to adding to society instead of sucking it dry through immediate and false self gratification.

Until these tools find out that they aren't as special as their counsellor/parents/mediation team/focus group/Facebook tells them, bikes will only remain a hobby in North America and not a solid form of transportation.
 
#26 ·
For the most part, riding motorcycles on public roads (or off road) is as much a social activity as it is a thrill. Some see it as an opportunity to be part of a community (or buying into "cool if you prefer), or just a vehicle to get away. Heck, go so far as calling it a need to identify with something outside your day to day life. It's freaking FUN! After big day ride people are glowing for at least a day or two after. that glow is what is infectious. That's what we, the community need to promote.
 
#27 ·
The hipster thing as hated as it is . It is the only form of cheap biking people can get into right now. Personally I think it's cool seeing people wrenching or wrecking bikes to make whatever they want. I don't care what people ride as long as they ride.


I think kids have been over looked for years also. They are the new generation with no way to experience it.
 
#31 ·
Should also be mentioned that anything with an engine these days is seen by the younger crowd as the devil's tool. A hydrocarbon burning atrocity that must be abolished. The bicycle is big nowadays, especially in BC with our terrain and world renowned trails, many of which are a short bus ride away from DT Van. The eco movement is killing motorsports at the foundation, the youth.
 
#32 ·
Fear not, the youthful enthusiasm and naive "eco-first" ideas will die the same day they grow up, move out, and need to take transit to commute from somewhere like Delta to downtown van, or Coquitlam to South Burnaby, etc. A single two hour (one way) commute can do wonders for appreciation of personal automobiles. After all, Kits & West End can only fit so many people, and employ so many baristas.
 
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