DGS49
Diamond Member
12 Motorcycle Statistics That'll Floor You -- The Motley Fool
The above link is to an article giving a dozen or so motorcycle facts (some surprising), to which I will add my own thoughts below:
1. It is astounding to me how many people ride expensive Harley's, and (not to be stereotyping, but) how many of them seem not to be prosperous people. In other words, you see - in my area anyway - mainly E-Glides ridden by people who are seriously "working class." I have never thought I could afford a $20k bike, even with a household income well over $200k. But that's just me.
2. While Harley rules the MC world, for every Harley model there are others out there just as good and much cheaper. But note that unlike in the distant past, Harley's are actually pretty good bikes now.
3. Buying a new motorcycle is insane. It is EASY to find low-mileage, well-cared-for used bikes for less than half of the cost of a new one.
4. Harley's often-cited "great" resale value is a myth, in economic terms. Once you accessorize a Harley the way every used buyer will want it, then look at what actual humans are willing to pay you for it when you are ready to sell, your depreciation is actually more than it would have cost you to BUY a different, comparable bike new.
5. No single motorcycle is satisfactory. Every biker's garage should have at least two motorcycles, probably more.
6. There is no step up from a Goldwing. With one tiny exception, it is the perfect motorcycle for covering miles and miles. The single downside is that the engine configuration prevents having floorboards and usable highway pegs. And the fuel economy isn't great, but who cares?
7. There are few things one can do on pavement that match the thrill of riding a fast motorcycle.
8. Riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous. No one with school age children should ride a motorcycle.
The above link is to an article giving a dozen or so motorcycle facts (some surprising), to which I will add my own thoughts below:
1. It is astounding to me how many people ride expensive Harley's, and (not to be stereotyping, but) how many of them seem not to be prosperous people. In other words, you see - in my area anyway - mainly E-Glides ridden by people who are seriously "working class." I have never thought I could afford a $20k bike, even with a household income well over $200k. But that's just me.
2. While Harley rules the MC world, for every Harley model there are others out there just as good and much cheaper. But note that unlike in the distant past, Harley's are actually pretty good bikes now.
3. Buying a new motorcycle is insane. It is EASY to find low-mileage, well-cared-for used bikes for less than half of the cost of a new one.
4. Harley's often-cited "great" resale value is a myth, in economic terms. Once you accessorize a Harley the way every used buyer will want it, then look at what actual humans are willing to pay you for it when you are ready to sell, your depreciation is actually more than it would have cost you to BUY a different, comparable bike new.
5. No single motorcycle is satisfactory. Every biker's garage should have at least two motorcycles, probably more.
6. There is no step up from a Goldwing. With one tiny exception, it is the perfect motorcycle for covering miles and miles. The single downside is that the engine configuration prevents having floorboards and usable highway pegs. And the fuel economy isn't great, but who cares?
7. There are few things one can do on pavement that match the thrill of riding a fast motorcycle.
8. Riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous. No one with school age children should ride a motorcycle.
