Yes they are on the decline. And as you mentioned the customers / owners are getting older and fewer. Once upon a time we ruled the world, now we struggle to kick start a motorcycle, and we have to stop every half hour to piss :)
Who wants them? There are new classic retro bikes much more reliable. All have electric start. People want unrealistic prices for old unreliable nails that you can no longer find parts for.
As a former Director of one of the major British Bike clubs I can assure you we were discussing the issues as early as the early 90’s. It’s not a new problem but certainly one that is hitting home hard now. Doesn’t help that people have out of date ideas of what the bikes are worth. Some realistic prices might tempt some younger people to try it. No good the bikes sitting in a shed with an unrealistic ambition of worth. Those glory days are long gone.
For me the fall in prices is not a bad thing at all Fall in membership and in motorcycle use in general certainly is The lower prices may help to some extent but it’s apathy that’s the real problem and I haven’t seen any club tackling that for sometime No training days Even the manufacturers have done nothing to appeal to younger people post COVID with comparison such as Honda scrapping training programs
@@bikerdood1100 Yes I’m glad I sold my 1947 T100A a couple of years back, I’d get half what I made on that now., and as you say the drop in prices is now a good thing when it comes to new purchases, although we can definitely forget buying as an investment on 99% of bikes as I’m sure the downward trend will continue.
I'm glad old bike prices are getting more sensible I mean £1.600 for a c11 g .? Grey porridge? Vincent's and Broughs will still be valuable but a lot of the rest we'll they will either sell for a much lower price...or they just won't sell .
I'll tell you what, at 73 years old and looking back on it, you had to be a very adept mechanic/electrician if you wanted to ride very much. That's the way it was, you accepted it. You had to stay on top of it. The basic maintenance was easy. Valve adjustments, oil changes, rear chain adjustments, oiling the chain, changing tires, fixing flats etc.. I was on them until the early 90s. My last one was a 1978 T140E, that I put 90,000 miles on. I did 1 top end job, and changed out a set of clutch plates. Of course there were tires, an occasional battery, light bulbs. It was a very easy bike to take care of. It had factory electronic ignition, and better carburetors, that I really appreciated. I had them all. BSAs, Triumphs, Nortons and I worked part time in a noted local Bike shop. I went on to BMWs, 5 in a row, and now I'm on a Harley Davidson Sportster . I lived on them 24-7. I had no garage queens, or drive way trophies. They were all working daily runners. My wife had the car, and we raised 3 boys. Rain, shine, summers heat, icy roads, some snow. It didn't matter, I was riding. Yes, I think it's dying . The expense, lack of the skills required to keep them running, and just generally staying off of motorcycles of all kinds.
People should involved their families They did nothing to keep it going and then blame everyone but themselves People if any age won’t get passionate about something they have never been exposed to
@@priscillaroberts7945 I didn't get left too often. Most small things I could handle on the spot. I always carried a spare clutch cable, throttle cables, fuses, a small roll of electrical wire, connectors, spark plugs, light bulbs, and a tire patch kit. I always had panniers, (Saddle Bags) and enough small tools as I needed to get the wheels off in case of a flat. Nothing like pushing a BSA 650 down the side of a busy Virginia highway on a cloudless 105 F summer day. My wife saved me. She saw me pushing the bike and I always kept a full 1 gal. gas can in the trunk of our Ford Mustang. I had a 67 spitfire 650 with the small tank that looked like a watermelon cut in half. I was a Navy aircraft sheet metal mechanic and was always able to make things like panniers.
I had a two stroke Suzuki GT550. No valve adjustment but some carburetor adjustments. Rode it from Denmark through Germany, Switzerland and France to Monaco and back with my girlfriend and all our camping gear back in 1979. Good times. I just got a used SV650. Much better fuel economy, no carburetor adjustments and tube less tires. Much easier than a classic bike. Went two weeks to Harz this sommer camping in the rain. Good times.
@fuglbird I also had a 74 GT550 3 cylinder 2 stroke. I really enjoyed it. I had also altered the intake and exhaust ports, changed the timing, and had 3 separate expansion chambers. I also occasionally ran model airplane gas in the oil injection tank. The bike was very fast.
That's true, but they haven't learned because they didn't have to. Besides, given modern machine complexity, there's less maintenance but when something fails it fails big and costlily. And often requires professional mechanicking.
This is evident at a really low level. Cars on the roadside with a flat tyre, people stood around clueless or a breakdown van changing the tyre. Granted they might not have a spare but should have runflats or some tyre jollop.
Sad but true. I have been riding since the 70's and have observed the growing lack of interest in bikes. It used to be that teenagers, young men and dogs would turn to look at passing motorcycles. Now sadly it is mainly the dogs that follow you with their eyes.
the elitism of classic bikes is a barrier to entry. I run a ratty looking 43 yr old vintage enduro. the amount of times i hear "oh you should tidy that up like when it was first new!" they cannot understand that im only interested in riding it, not posing.
Not sure about elitism to be honest M old BEEZA Is definitely an oily rag as they say You do find some shallow attitudes but pits more often than not from people who don’t actually own one The classic armchair experts
@@bikerdood1100i fully agree! 100% my opinion and experience to be the case.. and tbh it was not much different 40 years ago. I heard those phrases so often…. Luckily These days, luckily authentic and unrestored are s(till) more wanted and more expensive than “restored” bikes in the bike community
100%. I don't agree the interest in the bikes is on the decline. It's the clubs that are in trouble. These guys get their bikes transported to their meet, or Kop Hill Climb or whatever, and get all dressed up. There is absolutely no place there for anyone on a Japanese bike that actually gets used. The collectors club types don't ride their bikes - they're too valuable and hardly ever work. But they always have perfect paintwork! That thing is doomed. But if I could get a WLA or WW2 BMW for a reasonable price (roughly 10% of their current market value), I would ride it around for errands and such. Why? Because I find it fun. There's a lot of contempt among these guys for people like me. The clubs can disappear, but hopefully the machine shops and parts suppliers will stick around.
@@RealMalta-fx4sx i do not fully agree TBH... atleast not what i experience in mainland europe and UK in the british bike scene i am in.... maybe in your area it is different ... yes, trailer guys are there, as are a lot of people who really ride and i mean really ride their bikes.. still: a lot of the riders are getting old AND on a 50's or much older bike's , dual carriage ways and city's are not fun to ride anymore, let alone the danger..., can not blame them for trailering some distance... i do not know about the japanese classic scene... these bikes are also a lot younger and more capable to do 75 mph on the M1 to cover some distance what you want regarding budget.. buying a € 2000 WLA, not going to happen... the last one we sold was € 14500 3 years ago.. 10% would be € 1450 , is not going to happen.. tip: go to less prestigious gatherings.. to see dirty riders on their old bikes..
@@motolab.EuropeanMotorcycles OK buddy, just remember, you fired the first shot. Here's a little wake-up call. 1) I am, literally, rubbing my hands together in glee to pick over your remains (i.e. bargains from your soon-to-fail business) while you try and figure out health and retirement issues. 2) You are most likely a spiv with an O-level in maths and English and no more, telling me about "prestige". 3) Prestige is my entire life and it comes from my multiple achievements and background not from putting on airs and graces among colostomy bag wearers (the last of your piggy bank i.e the soon-to-be-extinct flash Harrys of yesteryear). 4) A Harley WLA is pure junk but I like things like that and can fix them and use them. That's a weird and niche hobby and there aren't many people like me. 5) You aren't smart. The more and more saturated Instagram and RUclips gets with what you think is timeless cool, the more bored and oversatiated the younger rich people get, and the less attention such things as a WLA bring. 6) The wealthy in all countries are fickle and change their hobbies flippantly at the drop of a hat because they can afford it. One year it's old bikes, the next year it's yachting, etc. Look what happened to the Harley market in Japan - they imported every bit of old crap from America and now they're growing tired of it and prices have crashed. I have been aware of this since 1987. Prices crashed on your "prestige" friends back then. Nobody wants an Austin Healey, and nobody even knows what a Napier-Railton is. Learn history. 7) There are no bike meets for rough people (bikers) - that's just your impression from your circle (as a spiv like almost every motorcycle dealer, I'm quite sure you have connections in the "scene", i.e. 1% clubs, and have some involvement with petty crime such as fake charities and raffles, and various forms of fraud). That's your way of life. 8) I am from a professional, university background. I take a long-term view on "investments". You probably don't use up your ISA allowance every year but are into some kind of get-rich-quick scheme which you think will save you. 9) Yes, I will get a WLA for less than £2000. Not sure when, but within a decade seems reasonable to me. A few words of advice to set you straight on a few things, buddy. Stick to your classy plastic shoes.
As an 21 year old who rides an old bike (1972) i do feel like i ll be one of the last who is gonna ride the old bikes in my area which will come with problems like finding parts, etc...
Not so gloomy. Finding parts has become relatively easy since the Internet. And with a low demand prices will go down. You’ll be able to ride like a king! 😁
Younger people aren’t getting into bikes like we did in 1960. As a 16 year old I needed one to get to work. I took advice learned the Highway Code. ( possible in those days ) Took my test without any training & passed first time. These days I would not be starting work at 15. The training & complex licence system means these days I would not bother with bikes. Did the lack of training do me any harm. I have over 200,000 bike miles under my belt & still have all my bits.
@@bikerdood1100 My father & his brothers used ride round the fields & woods before they were old enough to ride on the road. Percy Tate slightly younger than them lived in the same village.He told years me later that my dad & his brothers had taught him to ride.
Getting a car on finance is a lot easier than it used to be . There used to be a gap that bikes filled when riding was cheaper than car ownership . That gap can now be filled with a no tax , no fuel , no insurance , no training electric bike or scooter .
I think motorcycling in general might be in decline. We have lots of bike dealers going to the wall as the cost of living bites. You only need to go to a bike meet, it's all us old guys. Last weekend I rode to Hawes in North Yorkshire from Penrith, all most every person riding there or who I saw there were middle-aged. I did one young couple there, stats 99% oldies.
That is very true Shhh 🤫 though It’s the subject of a video I’m planning soon 😂 To survive bikes need to be seen as an economic transport choice And need to appeal to younger people and not just seen as an expensive middle class tow for middle age men
The same at Model train shows, all us old geezers, the last big show at M /keynes did not offer any discount for senior citizens, probably because they couldn't afford to! It was £17 entry.
I am glad to have been part of the bike culture in the 70s... Lots less bikes today,kids dont know or care what they're missing... My bike still gives me a stiffy at 64.... "Let the good times roll!"
@@bikerdood1100 I realize it's a generalization,and I know younger folks ride,but I lived through the heyday when bikes were everywhere.... Good times, indeed!
@@bikerdood1100 I think it's Jeff that got the point. He enjoys riding a classic. I wish Jeff would tell more about it. I'm 66 and considered to get a classic too but chickened out because I wanted to ride a lot as cheap as possible without to much work and got a 2018 model instead. It could have been different if I had acces to a garage but I don't.
good video , 70yrs old hear , and yes ive bought a few bikes i wanted as a nippa , the latest a CL honda, always loved the street scrambler look , electric start as well , the problem , arthiritis , i can't even get my leg over it , does get polished a lot though !
The unmentionable problem is for my generation (I am 72) we lived through Ariel Square fours and that era, went to work on 350 Matchlesses and actually learn't to ride on a BSA Bantam and an M20. I am an engineer, had a motorcycle breakers as a student and so on. BUT we know they were junk, rose-tinted spectacles not withstanding they were just rubbish compared with any modern day bike. While I could restore anything I just don't actually want one, I want something that goes, stops, corners and actually gives me the pleasure of riding. The earliest bike I would consider would be something like a GSXR600 or maybe back to my younger days and a Kawasaki triple, an ancient Rudge just belongs in a museum not in my garage.
As an owner of a number of both modern and old machines I have to disagree You seem to have missed to point of the video rather also Modern bikes are fast yes but like an IPhone totally devoid of charisma For me my 54 A10 is the most enjoyable bike I’ve ever owned and there’s been an awful lot of em Many Many Japanese incidentally had a GSXR horribly uncomfortable and with ( like a few Suzukis I’ve owned ) somewhat suspect electrics and very cheap rapid rust fasteners I still like Suzukis but they definitely have their faults
@@bikerdood1100 You find it charismatic but that doesn't mean anyone else does, there are people who like Harleys or Simson mopeds as well. I actually started my motocross career on an A10 and had no regrets selling it to buy something better. I have two sons in their early 20's who ride and it's function over nostalgia for them, getting even a 30 year old bike up to the standards offered by a modern Chinese bike is a money pit. I'm not a Sunday cruise to the biker meet-up to admire polished aluminium and most of the bikers I see or know aren't either.
Yeah, sure, right. Those Kawasaki triples were known as the best handling bikes of all time. A GSXR? LOL! Did you see the pigs flying in formation last night? I'll take that ancient Rudge any day, thank you very much! I prosper with guys like you out there.
@@robertscheinost179 Most of my riding is/was on motocross tyres so the handling of the Mach 3 I had was just something to live with, the engine was worth it. The rise of the "modern classic" tells us what the average motorcyclist thinks, they do actually want brakes, lights, suspension and reliability because they are used to it.
You don’t have to look any farther than the classic car scene, it’s going through the same sort of issues. I have been noticing the average age and increase of trikes at bike week in Daytona for years.
My local ''biker pub'' just closed. Same reason , older age profile, less regular expenditure. Younger people either very focussed on career/ money/mortgage or are stuffing cocaine up their noses etc. I just wish I'd kept my 2-strokes !
That was a good informative vid, I'm 69, I've got four classic bikes including an Isoscooter like the one @1:57, I use a modern bike regularly (BMW C400X). I've always thought of my older bikes as a good investment but maybe I should think about selling them soon.
I'm 29 and like 90's and 2000's Japanese bikes mostly. Reliable, fast, exciting, no gadgets or BS. Most of them are in the bargain basement - you can get a Super Blackbird for £2000-£3000; if you can get through the joke that is the full A license that is! I suppose I like those bikes because that's what was cool when I was a kid, like you mentioned in the video.
Very good video, thanks for this. The problem here is price, many of these older and very desirable bikes are so expensive now. The other issue is safety, Britain's roads are very busy and the driving standards are extremely low making many people, and the older ones especially more declined to drive a car rather than ride a motorcycle. I love the old "pop pop" bikes as shown here, what a fabulous sight and sound!
Older bike bike prices are falling currently No bad thing at all Problem is a lack of people riding them at all The very desirable stuff will hold its value and for us best avoided to be honest
Just my theory but here goes, many young people are risk averse not just with motorcycles and other physical activities but even a lot of their music today seems a little bit softer. I think the reason for this, is that when we were young the future and prospects seemed incredibly bright and full of promise, and many younger people (men especially) don’t seem to be as optimistic about the future as many of us were back in the 70s and 80s. I’m guessing that if you are uncertain about your future, you don’t want to spend more money than you have to and probably aren’t looking to take on added risk, even if that risk is statistically quite small. As usual TY for the video.
Not sure that’s as true as you might think However as I do say in the video many parents are very risk averse and simply do not allow their kids anywhere near motorcycles. Another point is that motorcycle fathers often do not involve their children in their riding and then seem somehow surprised when they later show no interest Risk averse well - Watch the X games This is also a nonsense in reality because many younger people enjoy cycling which is more dangerous than motorcycles statistically speaking Except in the imaginations of over protective parents because if any younger people are indeed risk averse then it’s with the parents where the blame must live My son is 21 Sure he enjoys the odd video game but he also runs and has a few motorcycles See good parenting Also motorcycles don’t have to be expensive and can make for economical transport In the US unfortunately they are viewed all to often as play things This is not necessary case everywhere in the world
You're right about the music. The young uns listen to right old tripe. Most of it would struggle to get played on the Jummy Young show . That Ezra bloke makes me puke with his plod along guff.
@@priscillaroberts7945 There's no tripe in music, simply lots of different music, some that you don't like but someone else does. It's taken me all my life to finally realise that, but it's true. But thinking the music younger people like is tripe is merely nature's way of showing us we've got old. "Look at that Johnny Rotten. Absolutely disgusting! It was never like that in my day...." See what I mean!
@@priscillaroberts7945 Clearly somebody liked all of them or we'd never have heard of them. It doesn't mean we have to like them, but who are we to judge other people?
Unfortunately, I agree with much of what you say. We were filming for our RUclips channel at the recent Bonhams action at Stafford. The rare stuff was still commanding big money, but there were plenty of much cheaper stuff, including some old immaculate British bikes. The second hand motorcycle market new and old is seeing a readjustment. Let's not play the 'Last Post' just yet. That young chap Sammy Miller was bagging quite a few bikes to take back to his museum
The old devil 😂 Motorcycling in general needs to get proactive Some see it as a comment on British bikes It’s definitely not Don’t think the market for Japanese classics will hold up for long I’ve already noticed a decline in bikes from that era too
In Australia any vehicle 25 years or older is classed as a classic by the government so you can get a bike from the 90s, they go by the date on the compliance plate so you can actually get an early 2000 model, join a club and have a great time. Also as a learner here you can ride a bike up to 650cc so we aren't hit with the ridiculously priced 125cc and 50cc bikes that you have in the UK. With the price of older motorcycles compare to those made now I think they will still be sold here for quite a time to come.
The European leaner laws don’t help but also the demographic of most European populations in s very different and in effect there are far fewer young people and given the attitude of much of the population toward motorcycles in the UK, not surprisingly few of them choose to ride Despite the fact that they can offer economic clean transport they are largely seen as the toys of the midlife crisis crowd I wonder what percentage of riders in Australia are younger ? If it’s low then the same problems will soon become apparent
@@bikerdood1100 The number of motorcycles per capita is significantly higher in the EU than in the UK. It's twice as high in the north and even higher in the south.
Price is a factor too. I bought my BSA Bantam D1 in the 70's for £10 and rode it home. Today its worth about £2000. I also sold a Triumph 3TA for £95, I have just replaced it with an identical bike after 50 years for over £4000. And yes the dodgy knees are a problem, thankfully 3TA's are easy to kick over....
You're absolutely right. I import and restore ( It's a hobby that got out of control) Japanese 70s bikes. The average age of guys who come to buy the completed bikes is 60-ish with just the occasional younger buyer. Many are looking for a lighter machine as they just can't push a bigger bike around any more. Demographics will I'm afraid dictate that the guys who ( like me) wanted a CB 750 or a Z1 but couldn't then afford it are now starting to want those smaller bikes, or sadly are simply getting fewer. Selling the bikes is getting slowly but inexorably harder. It's reflected in the car world too where pre-war cars can be had for a fraction of the price they commanded 10 years ago-the buyers are mostly gone unless the cars are to sit in a museum. What's the answer? I wish I knew. So just enjoy your bikes for the fun they give YOU.
Definitely need to attract more people into bikes Seeking to middle age men was always going to be self limiting Already heard of dealerships going under
Here in France there is still interest, riders are getting older and it's mainly little bikes. 50cc, 125 and up, those you see a lot during the summer. Like the Mobilette weekend at Jaulny, all 50cc.
I’ve got an XT500, an SR500 & a BSA Royal star 500. Thing is, I have the most fun on my mobylette X7 moped (with a 67cc big bore kit) which does make a hell of a difference. I got 47.8 mph today down hill. Brilliant.
@@buxvan You seem to have the best 500cc bikes. I still have one 50cc, the old moped of our mother, a Batavus Gogo. I have to make time to get it running again, even that it go's only 25 km/h.
Another thought provoking and entertaining video. Of course there’s no credible reason why flared trousers, ‘70s funk, G-Plan furniture and vinyl records should come back into fashion but they did. Insatiable appetite for nostalgia, a fresh look at the past through rose tinted specs and a desire to find value in the reworking of an old theme all play their part along with family histories and idiosyncrasies. Beyond that is the fact that these bikes have a heart and soul that it’s difficult to beat or even replicate. Few of us oldies care if they’re cool. But we might provide a tiny ray of inspiration to spark a new following. I hope so. What would be helpful is a handing down of the invaluable bank of knowledge and support to enable younger owners to be able to take on ownership in the way that we did. Remember that these are different times. They don’t think like we did.
71 year old guy here. I've been involved with motorcycles since 1968. OK, prices are falling and the same thing happened with old automobiles, too. I love it! This means I can fill out my collection (11 bikes now, 5 or 6 more wanted. I am watching the market and will "strike" when a bike on my "hit list" is offered at a price I can afford. The hobby will turn around when these youngsters go after quality rather than the "next new thing." As I tell young people that stop and look at my bike at a gas station "you can look at this geriatric motorbike now but you will appreciate the older bikes better when your computer chip goes belly up hanging you with a dead bike and I pass you on the motorway with a smile on my face." Go buy a new BSA 656 "Goldstar" and try to sell it 2 years later and then we can talk about depreciation. There's plenty of room in this hobby for a young person to build up a nice bike collection. Buy right, learn to wrench and pick the brains of people who actually know what they're talking about and you will prosper financially and have a blast to boot!
Many riders of modern bikes ( including some with you tube channels ) haven't the ability to change a sparking plug ; how they would have managed in the contact breaker points days I don't know.They buy the newest bike they can afford, expect , with nil maintenance, to run it for several years, then change it . A different breed from the older riders !
@@bikerdood1100 I think there were always inept owners. Some of the bodges I have found on old bikes defy belief. But at least in the past they did try to repair. Today, younger riders just take it straight to the shop to be fixed.
@@Keithiopian To be fair modern motorcycles need more work for serving. In the seventies I could service my Suzuki GT550 outside without any problems. Today I need to almost disassemble my Suzuki SV650 to inspect the air filter or the rear spark plug. I don't want to do that outside. Not everybody has a garage.
The price sky rocketed a few years back and even though its dropped a bit, its still way too much, i would love to have a 750 Bonnie becaus as a near 60 year old they was to aspire too but 5 grand i cant afford one.
The prices rose consistently for more than a decade Dealers may have dropped their prices only a bit at the moment But watch how long they sit unsold This is not an imaginary thing Memberships are falling and some clubs are unsure about they survival in the long term That values will continue to fall I have no doubt This could indeed be seen as a good thing but the inability to attract younger riders can be seen as nothing over than troubling
@@bikerdood1100yupp, but is it the lack of inability or “just” a declining curve, who can go up again in time? I mean Cassettes are popular again, i can sell my sony walkman DD2 for as much of the amount i paid for it when new… 35 years ago… youngsters buy them… it can happen in time with classics, both motors and bikes, if… the right fuel stays available. Time will tell
I agree with the link to demographics but also I think unfortunately nostalgia is the only real appeal many older british bikes have. Small capacity singles like AJS / Matchless and Villiers engined bikes were actually woefully slow and quite rubbish. Japanese 2 stroke twins and triples and four stroke fours are stylish and exciting to ride by comparison and can at least keep up with modern traffic. The market prices tend to reflect that.
Point well an truly missed The riding experience of a machine has little to do with it’s performance My newest bike is about a month old But my 54 BSA is the most fun to ride Fact Performance figures really mean little in the real world A bike isn’t an Apple Watch after all
I think you may have actually missed my point. I own and ride a number of classics too and I love them. I agree its not about performance. But blind faith nostalgia in certain machines is misplaced. Some bikes were (and still are) just dull. Whilst other classics are great fun. Prices tend to align to this.
@@bikerdood1100 I think you are missing the point - again. You are clearly a hobby rider. Some of us still use our motorcycle as our main transportation just as we did in the seventies. Of course performance is important. Shopping, day trips, weekend outings and camping holidays all over Europe. Our motorcycle needs to do it all. Performance and practicality means a lot. What is an Apple Watch? Why bring that into the discussion? Weird, weird, weird and bye to you.
In the 1950's and 60s a lot of boys would find an old Bantam or old Villers two stroke engined bike and learned how to strip them down and rebuild them with the help of their father's for when they turned 16 and could get their provisional. By the 1970's a lot of boys were rebuilding the old BSA C15s with the same aim of having a working bike for when they could get their provisional. Yes Japanese bikes were more reliable when they came on the market in the late 1960's and that meant there wasn't the same old single cylinder, simple to work on bikes about going cheap, but you also have to remembber that around 1973 or 1974, they raised the age for a provisional licence for a motorbike from 16 to 17 years of age, which was the same as a car, so a lot of boys just got a provisional car license and learned to drive a car instead. These are the guys who are now at retirement age and would normally be looking for some interesting hobby (as in restoring an old bike) and thankfully, there are still some of us about. As for me, I've just got a Barn find A65Thunderbolt I'm for restoring. I would say though that raising the age of getting a motorcycle license to 17 has contributed to a lot more people not getting into the bike scene now as well as a number of other contributing factors. When I got my provisional at 16, it only cost me about 50pence to fill up with petrol and that did me a week - about 100 odd miles to the gallon - so I could go places on my own. Now people at 16 are still at school so don't have the same capacity to go places on their own with their own money. Now the culture is to buy new, and newer is supposedly better (Hmmm! I wonder if it isn't more of a publicity gimmick to get us to spend more money) And if mummy and daddy are buying a car for the son/daughter's 18th birthday present, where is the incentive to get a motorbike
An interesting thought I’d also say that attitudes to bikes changed during the 60s to a point were many people are actively anti motorcycle. Misconceptions that persist today
Perhaps you need classic bike rental companies , as the prices come down might be possible. There is electric start conversions for some BSA's and Triumph .
Well it may help younger riders to access them Rider numbers generally are in decline so prices dropping isn’t the problem It’s having riders to ride them
I've owned my Norton 850 Commando for 35 years. I work on my own bikes and this is a big part of owning old classics. In the late 80's British Bike imports were a huge thing in Australia. The bikes have dried up and the British bike specialist who we used to buy parts from have retired. There are still plenty of parts available tho. There is also a Historic motorcycle racing club in Western Australia which is worth an optic on race days.
Museums are nice to visit for sure, their collection is growing faster each day (see the museum of Sammy Miller these days) but tbh… nothing beats a ride on the road on a classic for me….
Quite correct in many ways. Perhaps there has been a complete generational change in the interests and hobbies. Instant gratification might have driven it, combined with the throw-away, swift replacement, and upgrade approach.
I think many riders simply don’t involve their kids in their motorcycles We did taking our son on rides and having Holidays on bikes He has a few bikes of his own now. Simply put young people today are exposed to bikes like previous generations The throw away society applies to all How many 55 year olds replace their car or bike every 3 years These days if you don’t they think your weird 😂
Interests in anything are, or have had generational connections, this is obvious. We can only really develop an interest in the things that represent our own experiential times in many respects. Like those kids born before WW2 were interested in the events that affected them personally during a specific formative period of their lives. everyone from then could probably tell you every plane that flew in the British air force for example. Some kids were introduced to motorcycles and liked riding them despite the fact that older people they knew like fathers etc, did or didn't ride them. My father never did ride them, he hated them in fact, but both my younger brother and I rode bikes and I still do he, only retiring from them last year. But we were different than many people in the classic bike scene, whose parents uncles and friends were interested in the bikes. Of all the people we knew who rode bikes, we were the last, most stopped in the early 1980's after crashes or thefts of their bikes etc. My brother has never had an interest in classic bikes but I have. I have owned two BSA A65 thunderbolts over the years. I have also owned bikes from 1982, and still have one from 1980 in recent years. My BSA is 1967 model Thunderbolt. My youngest bike currently is 24 years old. What people relate to in the technological and material world that develops or is invented around us, varies between people. I personally do not like exposed valves on a bike or a total loss lubrication system. I also don't like the period in which the timing was advanced and retarded by a hand lever. I can't stand two strokes. These things are just peccadilloes though, and I can appreciate many bikes that have been made because of their beauty and technical advancements, as opposed to practicality or reliability. We have seen the decline of many interests that once were important to older people. People age and people tend toward a less complicated life in most cases. My step father died about 4 years ago and he left a shed absolutely full of stuff that had to be sorted out by myself and my siblings. At 80, he should have been getting ready to depart this mortal coil and down size his collection of machinery tools and mechanical projects. I am only in my mid 60's but I do not want to be one of those bastards who suddenly dies and leaves a whole lot of work for other people to do to clean up my mess. There in lies the rub, people just disappear and although I see many younger people including women involved in classic bikes, it is all a bit like the population growth in western culture, not enough people being born to replace the ones that die, therefore a gradual decline.
And yet I’m a child of 60s My BSA is from the 50s and my oldest bike is a 102 years old I listen to music from all ages Enjoy Beethoven too You can develop interest in things that were not of your era Hopefully falling values will help but it’s important to expose younger people to bikes in general if motorcycles are to have a history
You are spot on. I'd say it's true of motorcycling in general. Used to be the average age of a touring rider was 20s. An oldster was in their 40s or 50s. Now an oldster is in their 70s, a young one in their 40s, and the 20s are nowhere to be found.
Another problem with younger riders being priced out of classic bike ownership is they might never acquire the essential knowledge of working on them, slowly gained over years. Even if they turn spanners on their affordable, modern bikes, not so much of those skills are applicable to classic bikes. There are probably riders in their forties now who've never owned a bike with a carburettor.
It used to be that I would go out and ride my favorite local twisty road on a weekend and I would see groups of younger riders hustling their sport bikes along. Now I see very few riders of any type.I have my 850 Commando up for sale not because I can't kick it but because I prefer to ride my Honda. I don't have to make sure the ramp is in the truck and my wife has her phone when I take the Honda.
As a point of fact my BSA is from 54 and has never failed to get me home More than could be said For some much later machines I’ve had the misfortune to own But this is completely irrelevant actually The video is not about that at all but the decline in motorcycle use This effects Japanese bikes and bikes too
A few of the vintage motorcycle club sections like my local one have needed a shake up for years regarding their attitude towards prospective new members. I can remember going to a club meeting in the 1970's and been made to feel about as welcome as a turd in a punch bowl, you cant sit there that's Fred's seat, he's sat there for the last 20 years, rampant old boyism! So I for one gave them a huge miss over the years even though I now have machines that would have fitted in. Don't get me wrong there are other clubs that are the total oposite and hats off to them, but as for the stick in the mud types the dwindling membership numbers in your section's slow demise has been speeded up by your lack of interest in prospective new members and referring to modern classics as the winkers and top boxes!
@@bikerdood1100 Well as you said age has a lot to do with it coupled to the fact of the mess this country is in right now. I spent 48 years in the motorcycle trade and in that time the first thing be hit during a slump would be leisure past times.
The moving finger writes and having writ moves on, not all thy piety or wit shall lure back to cancel half a line, nor all thy tears wash away a single word . ..............leaving us behind
The most coveted m-cycles of my youth were the British bikes of mid- & late 60's, & later Beemer airheads & the Yamaha XS650. Altho' I'd love to have examples of these, your points are well-taken. I'll remain content w/ my 'modern' 2000 Honda 1100 Shadow Spirit - a lesser-known classic in it's own right.
@@bikerdood1100 YES!! I bought a new. 2017 Tri. T120. I was looking for the feeling of my '66 & '68 Bonnies of yore. Disappointed - tho beautiful & quick, it was too slick & techy for me & lacked SOUL. 'Sold it in 11 mos. & kept my trusty 2000 Honda Shadow 1100, which actually has more Soul & several virtues, which I enjoy to this day. Go figure...
Great thoughts... Yes, I've also noticed that interest i changing. I believe people buy what they remember from their youth, so naturally interest for really old classic vehicles 'dies out'. I think some classic cult brands will always have value and followers - like Porches, Vespa's, maybe classic Harley's etc. I also think the 'need' to join a club is smaller today. Much of the technical knowledge you can get in a club, you can find on the internet today in Facebook groups or youTube videos.
Just got a 1980 bmw r100rs and at 60 im finding it a struggle to push about but my 2 year old enfield gt650 hasnt moved as i so much enjoy spannering and servicing the bmw,i see very,very few young riders now
In my mid-30’s and I’ve just got the tele rigid B31 I’ve always wanted! It’s not all doom and gloom but a simple case of exposure I think. Groups such as the VMCC need to modernise their approach. A well maintained Instagram page and RUclips channel would have a great impact I feel. As it’s often very tricky to access events and their locations readily unless you already know where to look. There’s also the general apathy of people in the UK these days. Particularly when motorcycling is by and large advertised as a rich man’s hobby as an aside to the rented grey Audi. Not many young people will get past the price point of an adventure bike before immediately dismissing two wheels as a whole. By showing the affordability of a humble 350 single and perhaps with some improved communication I’m sure things will look different!
The clubs definitely need to be more pro active I agree that there are indeed younger riders My son is 21 and has a Velocette The problem is simply there aren’t enough of them I don’t believe that young people aren’t interested in anything other than computer games but few are exposed to motorcycles even if their father owns one Let’s hope that the fall in prices helps bring some more people into the fold But it’s also a matter of hearts and minds with many modern riders have a very negative attitude to anything older, rampant commercialism I suppose, anything over 3 years old must be replaced 🤷🏼
We do tests of older bikes, we did the B31 last year I generally try to involve Tom as often as possible because I think seeing a young face in a video on older bikes can only be beneficial
Many years ago, when I was a youngster, my learner bike was a 1946 BSA C11, Speedo in the tank, rigid etc. A proper bike when everyone else my age wanted an RD 250. My bike and me were looked down on by most, the old boys said it was crap, bloke my age laughed but I struggled on. I had no knowledge but I was very keen. My next bike was a super modern MZ Supa 5, which introduced me to reliable, efficient ish biking. Past my test and bought a Triumph Tiger 90 and then my first big bike, an A65 Beeza which I still have. Then a Jubilee Bonnie which my then girlfriend, now wife of many years rode. For all that time I was in the VMCC and try as I might I was never really welcome, especially my girlfriend who was expected to make tea and provide sandwiches for the horrible old blokes rather than go for rides. Being a feisty girl, at 57 years she still is, she eventually stood up and told them all to f**k off and they didn’t deserve us. I still have old Brits, Ariel’s, BSA, Nortons, Enfield and I must at some point buy a 20s Sunbeam which looking at the plummeting prices, I well be able to. Since all those years ago I have not been a member of the VMCC even though I’m probably older than the old blokes who were so unwelcoming.
@@bikerdood1100 I set a youngster , relatively speaking, on my 1933 ICI Sunbeam Lion, lever throttle and hand change, he loved it but was frightened of having to work on it. Now, as you said, kickstarts, ‘wrong side’ and upside down gear changes worry people, even middle aged blokes. I will admit, my hip is going west and my Commando takes some hoofing over so I’ll have save up for an Alton or Colorado ‘leccy start kit. The singles are a piece of cake. All that old myth of being thrown over the handlebars on starting…cha. Utter nonsense.
@rustyrims05 A great comment,well put. I've only ever owned twins and singles. Some Japanese, some British. My real love at 17 was my '59 Tiger cub. I had it for quite a few years, and used it for work and adventures! I'd hoped to get a T90, but around that time the prices roared up, and away from my affordability. Later I did get an ex WD B40 which I thoroughly enjoyed. There were other bits and pieces (not many) and a gap of a few years. More recently I purchased a new Enfield Efi 500 (great!) and this year noticed a very honest B31 for sale locally. Two great bikes, two quite ordinary bikes, and more than enough for me. Hoping to use the Beeza for getting to work. I'm fairly sure that I've lost money on the Beeza, but I don't mind, as I didn't buy it to make money, I buought it to enrich my existence. When I was a young bloke (and a hairy biker) most other riders were young. As many have commented, the demographic has changed, and the culture. Many bikes are toys now, not a necessity (and I'm as guilty as anyone!) But many new owners have never known necessity of bike ownership, or the shear doggedness of only having a bike. I'll add that I'm still in my 50s. Great video and good comments!
Hit the nail on the head. I'm 64 now with a 1981 gs 850. Risk averse now cautious where I go. Joined a local Mc club and we're all old buggers. My normal commute is modern, much lighter and super reliable.
I have noticed. 6 years ago, BMW airheads were going for more than the early oil head Boxers. I tried selling a very nice R90/6 for 2500.00, and never got a call. Have a 16,000 mile 78 R100 that needs sorting from sitting about too long...but a very clean bike. Seems I over paid now ! Oh well, I could ride it to my grave, and enjoy it.
I think that one of the issues is that British bikes from the 50s, 60,s and early 70s were overpriced, and an influx of bikes from those decades imported from the USA are flooding the market. Most people of my age group that rode the originals have now bought the machines that they hankered after in their youth and so the value of these bikes is softening.
The prices are only one part Prices coming down is in general a good thing If your buying of course But the number of riders on any type of bike is in decline There’s an awful lot of denile among motorcyclists I think
Absolutely spot on. Been saying the same thing for a few years now, in fact, about the same period that I started buying my pension fund bikes of the 70’s and 80’s 🤪
People saw them as sound investments for a long time but that’s coming to an end in many cases This may not be such @ bad thing as it may help to bring people in Maybe
At 75 I no longer lust after older machinery as I my balance to ride on 2 wheels is no longer there . My solution was to go to 3 wheels (can am) but I am not interested an old 3 wheeler !!
What happened was time and mortality. I'm currently wondering when I'll have to make the decision to sell my two classic scooters. Anyone who wants them probably got into them in the 1980s and are now over 55. Scootering is probably ten to fifteen years behind motorcycling in that respect.
What happened was inevitable when now one thinks about the future and how to get younger people riding bikes Numbers of riders on any type of bike are in decline because the industry has spent all its time and effort selling high priced machines to middle aged men without thought for the future
I’m in my 60’s and ride a 1993 FXR, I just put a kick start kit on it. I did own some KH 750’s and RD 400’s when I was a kid. Not interested in them today. I’ve also had a BSA 441, a few trumpets pre units in my day. I couldn’t and wouldn’t pay the price to get back my 76 FLH. Those are all going to lads with mustaches and no girlfriends these days in America. Same knuckleheads that buy relic fender guitars and pre torn jeans. Great video. My people were from Manchester. Fought the Britt’s in 1812.
1812 means bugger all to us to be honest With have 2000 years of history to learn so we only flash though the later 200 For Geography fans I live about 40 miles south of Manchester On the more important subject of bikes We have seen bikes being brought up as part of investment portfolios but with the exception of the so called more collectable bikes those days are over
I've owned a 1980 Moto Guzzi since 1989, I joined the owners club the same year. At the time the average ago of the 2000 members was about mid to late 30's. Although I sold the bike a couple of years ago, I'm still in the club. The average age of members has almost kept pace with my own, I guess it's around 60 plus.
I agree with you 100 per cent. Young people will get nostalgic about old electronic games, not bikes. I'm sixty-four next month and ride my RT every week. Still strong, but even I noticed pull-starting my petrol lawnmower seems to be getting a little harder. Not sure if I'll be able to do that when I'm 84. I'm nostalgic about late '70s and '80s bikes but I wouldn't spend a lot on one because they'll eventually go the same way as those of earlier decades. Classic car prices are struggling at the moment too.
Well not quite that simple My son is 21 and does play computer games But He also loves Vinyl And owns a few bikes including a Velocette venom All about exposure Ultimately he’d tell you games are one thing but motorcycles are real life and so a very different thing
Indeed there are not The question then is why and what to do about it Ultimately people in general don’t change Kids take risks and want some form of adrenaline rush Needs younger faces on social media promoting motorcycles And easier access to inexpensive machines Then things might change a little
I remember back in the 90s I had a Triumph t100 that was a bit of a bitsa, the amount of classic bike snobs (with their perfect shiny trailer queens that they only ride at shows) who looked down their noses at my mongrel bike, really got to me, I thought, if that's the scene, then you can keep it. I kept the bike, but eventually the lack of a garage or shed meant that the bike had to go.
When you look at how difficult it is to get a bike license compared to a car and when most of us were young the bike got us to work. Today's whimps can't go out in the rain, or just don't go out. But if you look at the recent London to Brighton run, the number of cars and bikes have increased. Look at any bike fun run and there will be a few classics, the best way we all can promote our bikes is to ride them, not keep them in the garage under a cover.
Certainly that does play a part But also a lack of exposure to motorcycles is a bigger problem If parents don’t ride or worse are anti motorcycles it’s hardly surprising
There will always be a market for classic albeit a shrinking market. The big issue is a dwindling parts supply and if you aren’t adept at maintaining them finding a shop or mechanic familiar with them is a challenge.
! have been riding 60 years and owned about 60 differend models from 50cc to 1000cc, and everything said is true. As a youngster i could never afford a Gold star etc so ended up with a BSA C11. As you get older you have to realise your physical limitations and I have downsized my bikes through the years to make sure I could handle my pleasure without any problems. Electric starts and twist and go is a good way to go if you want to keep riding. i enjoy doing up old bikes but rarely ride them, fixing them keeps the mind active ? Good realistic video.
I totally agree with you. The desirability (or actual value) of most motorcycles is purely driven by nostalgia. I started riding in the early 90’s and so covert the original FireBlade, 916 and R1 but will the next generation say the same? My theory is buy them and enjoy them when (and if) you can but be prepared to move them on while there is still a large enough pool of similar aged riders left to not lose your shirt.
Only tie to a point Because 3 of my bikes are much older than me and all of Toms bikes predate him So nothing to do with nostalgia here Last I checked I’m not 100 years old
It's also the fact that motorcycling in general is in decline, especially amongst the young. New bikes are very expensive nowadays and times are pretty hard if everyone hasn't noticed. Housing is totally unaffordable.
Decline is no doubt happening Not all bikes are expensive or need to be, but the The manufacturers have gotten into a pattern of pushing high price models a comfortably well off middle class customers Remove all the gadgets and a basic machine should be relatively inexpensive But the profit would of course be less 🙄
As to prices falling, I do honestly think that is, overall, a good thing. I completly understand that there are people with lots of money sunk into bikes and for them, personally, it's a calamity that prices are falling BUT for the good of the bikes themselves.. if they fall into the reach of more people.. I've hankered after a Trophy 6c for years but was always put off by high prices. They are around £7k now, once they are under £5k I'm in - and that will be another bike looked after, kept well and USED. Occasionally..
@@bikerdood1100 Honestly I think there are systemic issues that need addressing, here in the UK at least. Getting a license is convoluted and expensive. Getting insurance is expensive. My son (22 yo) has an A2 and a Duke390, must have cost close to £6k for that, all in. No wonder young riders are thin on the ground.
I think it’s interesting I’m in my 30s n I ride a 1927 flat tank Norton in all weathers, been riding Nortons since my 20s daily rode a Norton 650ss for 4 years an 4 winters as my main transport vids on my channel) Before that was 2k miles a week on a rd250lc, rebuilt my 68 Commando engine in my bedroom an I ride a 1927 Norton 16H flat tanker and I’m just finishing my 1944 Norton WD16H that I’ve got a few huge trips planned for, There’s a few of us about into our vintage motorcycles who are sick and tired of the modern tech I kind of imagine the same conversation was had in the late 70s about the flat tankers. I agree though prices coming down especially on stuff like commandos will encourage the next generation which is only a good thing.
Attitudes are very different. What motorcycles always meant to most of us (certainly to me) was freedom, a sense of adventure and the great outdoors. Those key things seem to have been steadily engineered out of each generation. An army recruiter and trainer recently told me that the current generation of recruits don’t arrive quite as “adventure-ready” as previous generations. They have to be taught how to have an adventure first. Once over that hurdle they’re ok. Must be something in that?
As a teenager from the early 70s I did have a keen interest in some of the Japanese bikes from that period. However I am now 69 years old and the 70s doesn't feel that far away to me, when clearly it is. Whilst I owned very cheap BSA Bantom then, I've no desire to have one of those now, probably the same as many 1970s enthusiasts
I lived in an apprentice hostel. Out of three hundred approximately 90 has motorcycles. Mainly because we couldn’t afford a car along with you could ride a bike at 16. The buss service was pants so needed a bike to get to work. I did not take a single lesson but learned the Highway Code & passed my test first time. Over 200,000 miles later I still have all my bits. Looking at,all the hoops you need to get a bike licence these days I wouldn’t bother.
I had a classic bike, a 1976 Yamaha XS650. I rode around Los Angeles and found it was just unsafe to ride. Brakes, suspension - all second rate and not safe enough compared to my modern bikes. Duh, yes, but it turned me off to owning classic bikes and I sold that one and won't look at an older bike again. Also, you get used to electric start, no choke, good mileage, longer service intervals and so on.
Hmmm Strangely accident rates are lower amongst riders of older bikes The appliance of a little brain power is an essential part of motorcycle riding My oldest bike dates from 1922, my newest is brand new. My favourite to ride is my 54 BSA Exciting to ride oh yes Scary No Service intervals are shorter but cost me the price of the oils What price the service of a modern bike ? Check out my valve check video for our modern Honda CB500x A bloody nightmare which took an entire day Incidentally my wife can easily start a 500 Triumph I’d suggest a work out plan if you found this difficult 😂or Maybe go EV A life made too easy isn’t living it’s just existing I prefer to live
I have been saying exactly what you have now for many years as i have seen the same thing happening in the classic car market , i was a youth from the sixties one of my first bikes a honda 450 black bomber after a series of triumphs the difference was night and day with the consequence that triumphs and older bikes are not interesting to me
agree totally. had the same conversation just the other day with a work colleague. we are both mid fifties in age grew up with japanese two strokes. we rode around in gangs. now bikes are throw away items, and the amount of younger people out there on bikes is nowhere near what we saw. the average age is considerably higher.
I can see the decline in classic bikes as us old folks die out or become more decrepit. I'll be 70 this year, and have had bikes since I was 16. I've still got my 1978 Triumph T140V, which I've had for 31 years, but knee trouble forced me to look for an alternative with electric start, so, 3 years ago I bought a 1980 Suzuki GS550 (which also has a kickstart for back-up). Although my knee is currently ok, I find myself choosing the convenience of the electric start (and the lighter clutch and better brakes) most days for every day transport. I've no interest in modern machines (I'd have difficulty folding my 6' 3" into the riding position on most of them, anyway), so I'll keep hold of my classics as long as I can carry on riding, but I can see that we are a dying breed.
A different perspective from here in India, recently there is a lot of intrest in classic motorcycles and the prices of the few classic bikes available here has skyrocketed, There is a keen intrest in retro and that's why you see brands like BSA and Jawa being brought back and even Honda and Kawasaki making retro bikes specifically for the Indian market. There is an import rule here that we can't import any classic vehicles post 1950 to India and even those pre 1950 the customs duty is at 230%!!! If these taxex were relaxed all the classic UK made Royal Enfields would have found their way to India by now 😅.
Very true this is very much a European/ US problem Although I would regard it as a cautionary tale As cars become more affordable in Asia they will begin to adversely effect bike sales
Very true this is very much a European/ US problem Although I would regard it as a cautionary tale As cars become more affordable in Asia they will begin to adversely effect bike sales
It is similar in former socialist countries. In the 1945-1990s, people dreamed of pre-war motorcycles, because they were much better than those produced in socialism. Therefore, there is still considerable support for the prices of pre-war motorcycles in my region. The interest is mainly in machines from 500cc.
I feel that the UKs licensing farce for new riders is frightening new riders away. And the fewer joining the hobby means a lower ratio of mechanically inclined riders getting involved in the vintage market.
It doesn’t help but to be honest people aren’t aware of the regs before they start Or in most cases start The attitudes of the general public have a great effect on Negative parents or parents who ride and don’t involve their families
Here in the US there is not many shops that will work on older bikes especially imports . The sales of new bikes is crashing here also . The video game generation of kids has no interest in riding most grew up indoors. I myself grew up riding in the 80’s and 90’s in the dirt which carried over to the street bikes in the mid 90’s. Yamaha has pulled out of the snowmobile market I thought companies like them would always build sleds they are the only ones still building sports quads . The times have changed the bubble wrap kids are going to stay in there safe places.
@@bikerdood1100 The giant Harley dealer in my town closed but they wouldn’t work on older bikes anyhow in reality it was a clothing store that sold a few bikes on the side . It was one of the huge buildings off of the expressway it’s now an another business.
In a way its a perfect storm- several aspects of change are currently in play.As well as the age issue there's the Driver licensing hoops to go through, people are living in properties that have no space for anything really - gone are the days of the garage or garden shed for a lot of people. Another thing is the apparent inability/ disinterest of many young chaps in repairing anything ,much less a motorcycle.I know I sound like an old fart when I say this but I think it is the case. On motorcycles I think we are also seeing a drift to lighter machine. Wrestling a 1000 cc machine out of the shed is hernia territory! I have 40 year old MZ 250 and its therapy to work on- I dont think there's a silicon chip in it- and I always feel better after working on that than most things.Its still man and machine and the kick start is easy peasy.Greeting from Ireland!
I love the old bikes and would love to get my hands on some. The biggest problem for me is that I would have to get it transported to Thailand and then get the government to allow me to register and license it.
My grandfather rode various flat tank bikes out of necessity/cheapness but my father went straight to a car. I started with bikes at 16 on a pedal start Mobylette. Many bikes later my son was born He has shown NO interest whatsoever and has never even been pillion. He now has a car. I'm not sad that he missed being at risk on a bike but I have at least wanted to know the joy I get from it. My son loves his warm car and he will admit he and his generation are a bit softer than his rough and tough dad. Perhaps it's just as well all this is coming to an end seeing as in 30 ish years, all we will hear is the whine of electric motors....ugh
So you never took him out in short and he isn’t interested 🤔 My son is 21 I took him out from an early age and traveled all over Europe Our Holidays are often bike holidays He now has 5 bikes I do have a flat tanker and he is always trying to nick it If he doesn’t show interest is that his fault I wonder 🤔
My Grandfather rode a Brough Superior SS100 which he purchased new! My father hated motorcycles. He always used to talk about a "near death" experience that he had on a BSA Bantom with a stuck throttle at the age of about 13 or 14. According to my late father, a Bantom's good for about 140mph! I've only ever driven a car for transport, but I've had a few bikes for "fun". My 26 year old son doesn't own either, although we're about to gift him our old Honda Civic. He's just as happy sitting on the tram on the way to work playing tap tap on a mobile device of some sort.
i think we should discuss the point of entry further….I’m 40 and living in the states, Im not bad off and not even close to wealthy. The older more popular bikes that i dream of are quite expensive compared to say a 70’s enduro or an 80’s honda by a substantial amount. For example I would love to own a 30-40’s harley or indian or a variety of english bikes, which are quite rare here. Brutal fact is the older generation that is slowly aging out of the hobby have driven the cost of ownership through the roof. If I have 40,000 to invest in a bike im going to buy and restore 5 or 6 late 60’s or early 70’s street bikes or trail bikes for the same price as 1 harley…. more fun with more bikes, similarly a young kid isnt going to try to buy a 30k bike either, he’s gonna buy a Grom or newer asian bike or something in the sub 5k range…. The older guys you speak of have driven the hobby out of reach of younger generations by and large. The numbers $ have to make sense, if a guy wants to get into the hobby and have fun and do it cheaply its simply not gonna be on an old high price 20’s- mid 60’s machine. same applies to the classic car and truck hobby.
That was the case but is coming much less so Particularly in the Uk My son does not have a high paying job but rides a Guzzi and a Velocette I have never seen a motorcycle as an investment which given the fall in prices here is no bad thing The video you may note is about rather more than prices although here in the Uk older British bikes are often less expensive than 70s Japanese machines My son purchased a Guzzi Imola and a Ducati SS for less than 5k all in And the more modern bikes here at least are far more expensive to insure with high service costs too As an illustration his insurance for his Ducati SS is less that the 125 it replaced and the purchase price was less than that of a Grom 🤷🏼 And if the money is important, the Grom will suffer much greater depreciation and is well to be frank A bit Crap 😂 So I need short The numbers can and do make sense If that’s important for some reason 🤔
Another problem may be the fact that most young people lack the hands on mechanical skills to maintain these bikes. Far fewer people work in the traditional engineering trades and lack any practical skillbase.
I'm 59, joined my local MCC 18 months ago - since then only 1 new member has joined, he is 60 - great bunch but not getting any new members at all. I am the youngest rider too
Bike dealerships at this time of the year cannot give bikes away at the moment as there is just not the market for them. Especially in the UK it is just too cold.🥶
More to it than time of year This is a long term problem Also note a number of dealership closures of the last decade This has accelerated somewhat recently Bit more than a seasonal blip I’m afraid
I think one of big differences between classic bikes and classic cars is that real motorcycle riders real enthusiasts buy a motorcycle to ride. And preferably to ride hard some of the time. Because that is why we really ride. Its to ride a bike well through the curves and get the blood going. The gut churning excitment of a bike at real speed on a great country road is not something classic car drivers experience. ever But the Uk has a problem. Increasingly finding places for exercise is much harder as congestion and everything else stifles creativity. And if Governments had their way they'd chop it off entirely. In Australia we can still exercise with care and obviously in europe. But if you cant use your nice Ducati for its intended pupose well you might as well buy a Tesla!
Not sure that’s necessarily true You see the beauty of older bikes is they feel fast at more legal speeds Also I have never seen my bike as a toy Speed is only one part o& the whole Musk can stick his EV up his arse If it’s excitement your after try a 1920s bike Scary at all speeds and thus utterly brilliant 😂
Yes I agree . And added to the fact that these machines require knowledgable maintenance and repair skills,again something that is not generally looked upon as “Fun” or pleasurable by the modern biker . The prices are definitely falling, ah well I maybe able to afford a big British twin soon !
I think your looking at this a bit wrong. First of all, if you mean that "classic bikes" are decreasing in so called monetary value, then I think this is a good thing for real bikers. For at least since 85ish, bikes have been increasing in price due in no short part by people buying for investment thus forcing the prices up . When I was in my early twenties around 82, me and my mates didn't aspire to own an original BSA, or Norton, We wanted a Kawasaki Z1, Suzuki GS 550 etc. These between 1995 and now have shot up to a ridiculous amount. Even bikes like a DT250, or TS250 now go for several thousands of pounds. I for one would love to get my hands on anything from 1950 to 1985, but can't because of the stupid prices.So, as a real biker, I applaud the idea of bikes finally coming down to a sensible price. Bikes will never go out of fashion even among the subsequent generations. The only thing that will end bikes is fucking government.
Wrong in so many ways Also mind you language We are all adults after all Allegedly The decline in prices is not a bad thing at all But the problem is club membership and motorcycle ownership is declining This can only be a bad thing Blaming the government is frankly pathetic Look at riders who never take their kids or family with them when they ride and then moan when their kids aren’t interested As a Real biker family we all ride The general attitude of people to bikers which was wrecked by the reputations deserved or otherwise by the rockers in the 60s played a part in putting people off them What about companies who have pitched high price machines at well healed middle class mid life crisis punters because of high profits with no thought to the future Nothing to do with wether your thing is British or Japanese bikes The problems will effect both Today I own a few bikes of all ages My BSA from 54 is the most fun to ride hands down Biking will be killed by apathy not policy
Much of this is common to classic cars where the value of 1970s and newer cars remaining strong, where as 1950s cars and older are declining. Basically, as you describe people are largely buying into their youthful dreams. What is probably more true of bikes though is knowledge. Would most people know how to even start a bike made before 1960? So even if you have a hankering to get into older bikes, the first barrier is after buying one is how do I start the beast.
Cars are somewhat different because unlike car drivers the overall numbers of motorcyclists is in decline so it’s not just happening to 50s machines but also in later bikes too. While 70s bikes are a little less effected they too are slowing down I don’t see falling prices as a bad thing at all, but the decline in riders is very much more serious
I am in the bsa owners club, and guess what i ha nice collection of bsa triumphs and many more, I also have two harleys one is a fat boy and a soft tail, very nice and bloody heavy, but they are nice to ride and you can start them wi a finger one press
Ive got old British bikes ,and to be honest im not bothered if they drop in price , i bought them because i wanted to ride and enjoy them ,and bought them before prices went silly , i do feel some of the clubs have been responsible for killing off up and coming youngsters who tried to show an interest, i attended a few club meets many years ago and found some of the attitudes of members towards peoples bikes off-putting and critical
The price isn’t really the main issue It’s not a video about market values The fact is if there aren’t enough people who want to own them they will eventually get scrapped and they would be tragic indeed
@@bikerdood1100 The antique furniture market has suffered a similar fate. Lovely examples of craftsmanship is now just classed as 'brown furniture' Values have collapsed. Probably will never recover.Modern houses are not suitable for old furniture and those that are suitable will be painted over. Only hope is for motorcycles is that they become glamorized again through movies.
The problem is that people buy bikes as an investment, forcing the price up. I'm in my 40's and would love a 350lc to ride and tinker with, but the prices are wild. These cheap and cheerful machines of decades past are now somebodies investment fund.
That’s previously been the case But The video is not just about prices Indeed motorcycle ownership full stop is in decline because of a complete lack of an effective program to attract younger riders
Those old Brit bikers a generation older than me are dropping dead - sorry to be so blunt…. I’ll take an old Commando please, but make it the MK11A - that’s the discs front and rear and left foot change (I think)… Funnily enough your video is exactly what I’ve been preaching for years. Another note is talking to two old BMW owners, aged 76 and 83, and they are on the cusp of being refused insurance. It used to be 55 year olds buying the bikes they loved when they were 17. Those 55 year olds now are just outside of the reach of the biking heydays. And….. grandkids are absorbing all the spare cash old blokes used to have. I haven’t got grandkids -or kids - I am So lucky. Great piece, I think the demise of biking is on the wall. I’ll stick with my five year old 1250GS and swing round France once or twice a year. Not shuffle in for a lukewarm tea in some obscure country cafe….
@@bikerdood1100you’re a proper dad then. I have to say thank you to my (long since passed) Dad for buying me an FS1-E in 1975 for £168. He started me on a road to freedom I’m still travelling - albeit slightly more grumpy and intolerant as I get older 😇😇 Look after your son, he will pick your care home. Sadly no one to pick mine. Keep up the good work 👍🏻👍🏻
It's not just vintage bikes, it's everything. Young people just don't engage like us old farts used to. I'm not saying that in a disparaging way, but seriously, they're homebodies. Yes, that's a generalisation, and I can certainly point out any number of exceptions in the circles in which I move, but the problem is, they're exceptions. My 26 year old son is consistently the youngest in just about any endeavour that he pursues. I spoke to him an hour ago. He's the youngest person in a fleet of 35 boats that have just raced across Bass Strait, Australia. That's a young man's sport! His mate, the same age, rides with me and my old grey haired pals because he's got no-one else to ride with. Lucky for him, we're good company! Too many cotton wool parents, too many electronic distractions. That's the problem.
Many riders should ask themselves why ? My son has more than one bike because he was involved in our biking early on Farr too many modern bikers start in middle age and never involve their kids an£ then are surprised when they aren’t interested 🤷🏼 Our holidays were on bikes He’s been actively involved his whole life Simple putting the blame on you younger people in isolation is a kop out
@@bikerdood1100 I don't disagree with you one bit whatsoever. I'm not placing blame on young people at all but rather stating an observation. It's my generation of parents that have guided our kids to be what they are. You can't blame the kids for doing what they're told!
Too right mate! My 26 year old son drove me hot 69 Dart a few weeks ago and loved it. Most of the mob with hot Oz and Yank muscle cars are old farts.Im trying to get him to go on some cruises and stir the old foggies. BTW his 90s collectibles are old vintage cars to him. 😁
@@kramrollin69 Please don't tell me: An old EA or a VN? I drove my son's mates EA home from our place the other day after he'd had a couple too many. I remember them from back then! He loves it though, and fairs fair, it goes!
Elvis memorabilia used to be massive and sell for millions but as his fans literally disappear, so are the values for that, and classic guitars, and cars......
Yes they are on the decline. And as you mentioned the customers / owners are getting older and fewer. Once upon a time we ruled the world, now we struggle to kick start a motorcycle, and we have to stop every half hour to piss :)
That’s getting older for you
Hey! Speak for yourself! For me it’s still once per hour! 😂
@@marcbrasse747lol
Who wants them? There are new classic retro bikes much more reliable. All have electric start. People want unrealistic prices for old unreliable nails that you can no longer find parts for.
@@marcbrasse747 😆
As a former Director of one of the major British Bike clubs I can assure you we were discussing the issues as early as the early 90’s. It’s not a new problem but certainly one that is hitting home hard now. Doesn’t help that people have out of date ideas of what the bikes are worth. Some realistic prices might tempt some younger people to try it. No good the bikes sitting in a shed with an unrealistic ambition of worth. Those glory days are long gone.
For me the fall in prices is not a bad thing at all
Fall in membership and in motorcycle use in general certainly is
The lower prices may help to some extent but it’s apathy that’s the real problem and I haven’t seen any club tackling that for sometime
No training days
Even the manufacturers have done nothing to appeal to younger people post COVID with comparison such as Honda scrapping training programs
@@bikerdood1100 Yes I’m glad I sold my 1947 T100A a couple of years back, I’d get half what I made on that now., and as you say the drop in prices is now a good thing when it comes to new purchases, although we can definitely forget buying as an investment on 99% of bikes as I’m sure the downward trend will continue.
I'm glad old bike prices are getting more sensible I mean £1.600 for a c11 g .? Grey porridge? Vincent's and Broughs will still be valuable but a lot of the rest we'll they will either sell for a much lower price...or they just won't sell .
I'll tell you what, at 73 years old and looking back on it, you had to be a very adept mechanic/electrician if you wanted to ride very much. That's the way it was, you accepted it. You had to stay on top of it. The basic maintenance was easy. Valve adjustments, oil changes, rear chain adjustments, oiling the chain, changing tires, fixing flats etc.. I was on them until the early 90s. My last one was a 1978 T140E, that I put 90,000 miles on. I did 1 top end job, and changed out a set of clutch plates. Of course there were tires, an occasional battery, light bulbs. It was a very easy bike to take care of. It had factory electronic ignition, and better carburetors, that I really appreciated. I had them all. BSAs, Triumphs, Nortons and I worked part time in a noted local Bike shop. I went on to BMWs, 5 in a row, and now I'm on a Harley Davidson Sportster . I lived on them 24-7. I had no garage queens, or drive way trophies. They were all working daily runners. My wife had the car, and we raised 3 boys. Rain, shine, summers heat, icy roads, some snow. It didn't matter, I was riding. Yes, I think it's dying . The expense, lack of the skills required to keep them running, and just generally staying off of motorcycles of all kinds.
People should involved their families
They did nothing to keep it going and then blame everyone but themselves
People if any age won’t get passionate about something they have never been exposed to
@@redr1150r tbf the old thumpers didn't have hissy fits and would stagger on at least until pushing distance from home , .....usually.
@@priscillaroberts7945 I didn't get left too often. Most small things I could handle on the spot. I always carried a spare clutch cable, throttle cables, fuses, a small roll of electrical wire, connectors, spark plugs, light bulbs, and a tire patch kit. I always had panniers, (Saddle Bags) and enough small tools as I needed to get the wheels off in case of a flat. Nothing like pushing a BSA 650 down the side of a busy Virginia highway on a cloudless 105 F summer day. My wife saved me. She saw me pushing the bike and I always kept a full 1 gal. gas can in the trunk of our Ford Mustang. I had a 67 spitfire 650 with the small tank that looked like a watermelon cut in half. I was a Navy aircraft sheet metal mechanic and was always able to make things like panniers.
I had a two stroke Suzuki GT550. No valve adjustment but some carburetor adjustments. Rode it from Denmark through Germany, Switzerland and France to Monaco and back with my girlfriend and all our camping gear back in 1979. Good times. I just got a used SV650. Much better fuel economy, no carburetor adjustments and tube less tires. Much easier than a classic bike. Went two weeks to Harz this sommer camping in the rain. Good times.
@fuglbird I also had a 74 GT550 3 cylinder 2 stroke. I really enjoyed it. I had also altered the intake and exhaust ports, changed the timing, and had 3 separate expansion chambers. I also occasionally ran model airplane gas in the oil injection tank. The bike was very fast.
One problem with vintage machines is you need good engineering skills to work in them. The younger generation are not learning these skills.
Not necessarily
You learn as you go to be honest
I’m a healthcare worker not an engineer after all
Some of us are :)
That's true, but they haven't learned because they didn't have to. Besides, given modern machine complexity, there's less maintenance but when something fails it fails big and costlily. And often requires professional mechanicking.
This is evident at a really low level. Cars on the roadside with a flat tyre, people stood around clueless or a breakdown van changing the tyre. Granted they might not have a spare but should have runflats or some tyre jollop.
Sad but true. I have been riding since the 70's and have observed the growing lack of interest in bikes. It used to be that teenagers, young men and dogs would turn to look at passing motorcycles. Now sadly it is mainly the dogs that follow you with their eyes.
Very true 😂
And small kids :)
You probably ran into things and that's why acc levies are so high
Of course the value follows the age if ots nostalgia group. I now own a gsxr1100 1986 my dream bike driving a moped.
the elitism of classic bikes is a barrier to entry. I run a ratty looking 43 yr old vintage enduro. the amount of times i hear "oh you should tidy that up like when it was first new!" they cannot understand that im only interested in riding it, not posing.
Not sure about elitism to be honest
M old BEEZA Is definitely an oily rag as they say
You do find some shallow attitudes but pits more often than not from people who don’t actually own one
The classic armchair experts
@@bikerdood1100i fully agree! 100% my opinion and experience to be the case.. and tbh it was not much different 40 years ago. I heard those phrases so often…. Luckily These days, luckily authentic and unrestored are s(till) more wanted and more expensive than “restored” bikes in the bike community
100%. I don't agree the interest in the bikes is on the decline. It's the clubs that are in trouble. These guys get their bikes transported to their meet, or Kop Hill Climb or whatever, and get all dressed up. There is absolutely no place there for anyone on a Japanese bike that actually gets used. The collectors club types don't ride their bikes - they're too valuable and hardly ever work. But they always have perfect paintwork! That thing is doomed. But if I could get a WLA or WW2 BMW for a reasonable price (roughly 10% of their current market value), I would ride it around for errands and such. Why? Because I find it fun. There's a lot of contempt among these guys for people like me. The clubs can disappear, but hopefully the machine shops and parts suppliers will stick around.
@@RealMalta-fx4sx i do not fully agree TBH... atleast not what i experience in mainland europe and UK in the british bike scene i am in.... maybe in your area it is different ... yes, trailer guys are there, as are a lot of people who really ride and i mean really ride their bikes.. still: a lot of the riders are getting old AND on a 50's or much older bike's , dual carriage ways and city's are not fun to ride anymore, let alone the danger..., can not blame them for trailering some distance... i do not know about the japanese classic scene... these bikes are also a lot younger and more capable to do 75 mph on the M1 to cover some distance what you want regarding budget.. buying a € 2000 WLA, not going to happen... the last one we sold was € 14500 3 years ago.. 10% would be € 1450 , is not going to happen.. tip: go to less prestigious gatherings.. to see dirty riders on their old bikes..
@@motolab.EuropeanMotorcycles OK buddy, just remember, you fired the first shot. Here's a little wake-up call.
1) I am, literally, rubbing my hands together in glee to pick over your remains (i.e. bargains from your soon-to-fail business) while you try and figure out health and retirement issues.
2) You are most likely a spiv with an O-level in maths and English and no more, telling me about "prestige".
3) Prestige is my entire life and it comes from my multiple achievements and background not from putting on airs and graces among colostomy bag wearers (the last of your piggy bank i.e the soon-to-be-extinct flash Harrys of yesteryear).
4) A Harley WLA is pure junk but I like things like that and can fix them and use them. That's a weird and niche hobby and there aren't many people like me.
5) You aren't smart. The more and more saturated Instagram and RUclips gets with what you think is timeless cool, the more bored and oversatiated the younger rich people get, and the less attention such things as a WLA bring.
6) The wealthy in all countries are fickle and change their hobbies flippantly at the drop of a hat because they can afford it. One year it's old bikes, the next year it's yachting, etc. Look what happened to the Harley market in Japan - they imported every bit of old crap from America and now they're growing tired of it and prices have crashed. I have been aware of this since 1987. Prices crashed on your "prestige" friends back then. Nobody wants an Austin Healey, and nobody even knows what a Napier-Railton is. Learn history.
7) There are no bike meets for rough people (bikers) - that's just your impression from your circle (as a spiv like almost every motorcycle dealer, I'm quite sure you have connections in the "scene", i.e. 1% clubs, and have some involvement with petty crime such as fake charities and raffles, and various forms of fraud). That's your way of life.
8) I am from a professional, university background. I take a long-term view on "investments". You probably don't use up your ISA allowance every year but are into some kind of get-rich-quick scheme which you think will save you.
9) Yes, I will get a WLA for less than £2000. Not sure when, but within a decade seems reasonable to me.
A few words of advice to set you straight on a few things, buddy. Stick to your classy plastic shoes.
As an 21 year old who rides an old bike (1972) i do feel like i ll be one of the last who is gonna ride the old bikes in my area which will come with problems like finding parts, etc...
Unfortunately you are likely correct
Not so gloomy. Finding parts has become relatively easy since the Internet. And with a low demand prices will go down. You’ll be able to ride like a king! 😁
Just hoping the Parts wil keep getting made for some time to come
Great to see other youngsters riding classics :)
Younger people aren’t getting into bikes like we did in 1960. As a 16 year old I needed one to get to work. I took advice learned the Highway Code. ( possible in those days ) Took my test without any training & passed first time.
These days I would not be starting work at 15. The training & complex licence system means these days I would not bother with bikes.
Did the lack of training do me any harm. I have over 200,000 bike miles under my belt & still have all my bits.
Perhaps the attitudes of their parents plays a part?
@@bikerdood1100 My father & his brothers used ride round the fields & woods before they were old enough to ride on the road. Percy Tate slightly younger than them lived in the same village.He told years me later that my dad & his brothers had taught him to ride.
Getting a car on finance is a lot easier than it used to be . There used to be a gap that bikes filled when riding was cheaper than car ownership . That gap can now be filled with a no tax , no fuel , no insurance , no training electric bike or scooter .
Electric bikes are hardly the same thing
A car is a soulless thing too
Spot on. No lessons , licence , helmet , fuel( plug in at mums ) take it on the train to the seaside. Why wouldn't you?
I think motorcycling in general might be in decline. We have lots of bike dealers going to the wall as the cost of living bites. You only need to go to a bike meet, it's all us old guys. Last weekend I rode to Hawes in North Yorkshire from Penrith, all most every person riding there or who I saw there were middle-aged. I did one young couple there, stats 99% oldies.
That is very true
Shhh 🤫 though
It’s the subject of a video I’m planning soon 😂
To survive bikes need to be seen as an economic transport choice
And need to appeal to younger people and not just seen as an expensive middle class tow for middle age men
@@bikerdood1100they're too bloody pricey
With gov. mandates & shawdy craftsmanship- plus the price tag, yep, it's going out fast.
The same at Model train shows, all us old geezers, the last big show at M /keynes did not offer any discount for senior citizens, probably because they couldn't afford to! It was £17 entry.
I am glad to have been part of the bike culture in the 70s... Lots less bikes today,kids dont know or care what they're missing... My bike still gives me a stiffy at 64.... "Let the good times roll!"
Kids may not
Parents must shoulder some of the blame I think
My son is 21 and loves bikes and and new
@@bikerdood1100 I realize it's a generalization,and I know younger folks ride,but I lived through the heyday when bikes were everywhere.... Good times, indeed!
Maby change rubber bushings or perhaps seat is too hard with use.
@@jimmymcjimmyvich9052 right over your head...
@@Pokesalad222I think that was a joke
The CB 750 Honda 1972 that I could not have as a 16 year old, I now have…. And love it ! It is not for sale !!
Not exactly the point
It’s not a video about retail prices
You did understand that right
?
@@bikerdood1100 I think it's Jeff that got the point. He enjoys riding a classic. I wish Jeff would tell more about it. I'm 66 and considered to get a classic too but chickened out because I wanted to ride a lot as cheap as possible without to much work and got a 2018 model instead. It could have been different if I had acces to a garage but I don't.
I have hat that exact bike for 45 years and is now sitting in my garage waiting to be gone through
good video , 70yrs old hear , and yes ive bought a few bikes i wanted as a nippa , the latest a CL honda, always loved the street scrambler look , electric start as well , the problem , arthiritis , i can't even get my leg over it , does get polished a lot though !
An all too common tale
I have to grab my bluejeans at the bottom and pull my foot up to get on my Sportster
The unmentionable problem is for my generation (I am 72) we lived through Ariel Square fours and that era, went to work on 350 Matchlesses and actually learn't to ride on a BSA Bantam and an M20. I am an engineer, had a motorcycle breakers as a student and so on. BUT we know they were junk, rose-tinted spectacles not withstanding they were just rubbish compared with any modern day bike. While I could restore anything I just don't actually want one, I want something that goes, stops, corners and actually gives me the pleasure of riding. The earliest bike I would consider would be something like a GSXR600 or maybe back to my younger days and a Kawasaki triple, an ancient Rudge just belongs in a museum not in my garage.
As an owner of a number of both modern and old machines I have to disagree
You seem to have missed to point of the video rather also
Modern bikes are fast yes but like an IPhone totally devoid of charisma
For me my 54 A10 is the most enjoyable bike I’ve ever owned
and there’s been an awful lot of em
Many
Many Japanese incidentally
had a GSXR horribly uncomfortable and with ( like a few Suzukis I’ve owned ) somewhat suspect electrics and very cheap rapid rust fasteners
I still like Suzukis but they definitely have their faults
@@bikerdood1100 You find it charismatic but that doesn't mean anyone else does, there are people who like Harleys or Simson mopeds as well. I actually started my motocross career on an A10 and had no regrets selling it to buy something better. I have two sons in their early 20's who ride and it's function over nostalgia for them, getting even a 30 year old bike up to the standards offered by a modern Chinese bike is a money pit. I'm not a Sunday cruise to the biker meet-up to admire polished aluminium and most of the bikers I see or know aren't either.
Yeah, sure, right. Those Kawasaki triples were known as the best handling bikes of all time. A GSXR? LOL! Did you see the pigs flying in formation last night? I'll take that ancient Rudge any day, thank you very much! I prosper with guys like you out there.
@@jimtitt3571 Of course you don't. The guys you see are buying Chinese junk...... Over and over......Every 6 months.
@@robertscheinost179 Most of my riding is/was on motocross tyres so the handling of the Mach 3 I had was just something to live with, the engine was worth it.
The rise of the "modern classic" tells us what the average motorcyclist thinks, they do actually want brakes, lights, suspension and reliability because they are used to it.
You don’t have to look any farther than the classic car scene, it’s going through the same sort of issues. I have been noticing the average age and increase of trikes at bike week in Daytona for years.
As but true
The owners clubs must start to be pro- active
Absolutely, I attended many antique motorcycle events with my father, and I am doing the same with my son.
With pricing that goes past Jupiter & the junk for that $. It's no wonder.
My local ''biker pub'' just closed. Same reason , older age profile, less regular expenditure. Younger people either very focussed on career/ money/mortgage or are stuffing cocaine up their noses etc. I just wish I'd kept my 2-strokes !
A sad and all too common story which effects modern bike riders too
Yes because stuffing cocaine up noses is a new trend 😂
That was a good informative vid, I'm 69, I've got four classic bikes including an Isoscooter like the one @1:57, I use a modern bike regularly (BMW C400X). I've always thought of my older bikes as a good investment but maybe I should think about selling them soon.
I have never seen a bike as an investment
I'm 29 and like 90's and 2000's Japanese bikes mostly. Reliable, fast, exciting, no gadgets or BS. Most of them are in the bargain basement - you can get a Super Blackbird for £2000-£3000; if you can get through the joke that is the full A license that is! I suppose I like those bikes because that's what was cool when I was a kid, like you mentioned in the video.
True but the number of riders overall is in decline
Very good video, thanks for this. The problem here is price, many of these older and very desirable bikes are so expensive now.
The other issue is safety, Britain's roads are very busy and the driving standards are extremely low making many people, and the older ones especially more declined to drive a car rather than ride a motorcycle. I love the old "pop pop" bikes as shown here, what a fabulous sight and sound!
Older bike bike prices are falling currently
No bad thing at all
Problem is a lack of people riding them at all
The very desirable stuff will hold its value and for us best avoided to be honest
You are spot on, it's the bikes or cars we wanted being young and could not afford, but now can...
Well a little more to it than that
After all I have 3 bikes which are older than me
@bikerdood1100 But I'm sure you would no be interested in a Roman era chariot..ha ha.
Just my theory but here goes, many young people are risk averse not just with motorcycles and other physical activities but even a lot of their music today seems a little bit softer. I think the reason for this, is that when we were young the future and prospects seemed incredibly bright and full of promise, and many younger people (men especially) don’t seem to be as optimistic about the future as many of us were back in the 70s and 80s. I’m guessing that if you are uncertain about your future, you don’t want to spend more money than you have to and probably aren’t looking to take on added risk, even if that risk is statistically quite small. As usual TY for the video.
Not sure that’s as true as you might think
However as I do say in the video many parents are very risk averse and simply do not allow their kids anywhere near motorcycles.
Another point is that motorcycle fathers often do not involve their children in their riding and then seem somehow surprised when they later show no interest
Risk averse well -
Watch the X games
This is also a nonsense in reality because many younger people enjoy cycling which is more dangerous than motorcycles statistically speaking
Except in the imaginations of over protective parents because if any younger people are indeed risk averse then it’s with the parents where the blame must live
My son is 21
Sure he enjoys the odd video game but he also runs and has a few motorcycles
See good parenting
Also motorcycles don’t have to be expensive and can make for economical transport
In the US unfortunately they are viewed all to often as play things
This is not necessary case everywhere in the world
You're right about the music. The young uns listen to right old tripe. Most of it would struggle to get played on the Jummy Young show . That Ezra bloke makes me puke with his plod along guff.
@@priscillaroberts7945 There's no tripe in music, simply lots of different music, some that you don't like but someone else does. It's taken me all my life to finally realise that, but it's true.
But thinking the music younger people like is tripe is merely nature's way of showing us we've got old.
"Look at that Johnny Rotten. Absolutely disgusting! It was never like that in my day...."
See what I mean!
@@Coop-Greavesie jedward. Pinky and perky. Frog chorus. I rest my case.
@@priscillaroberts7945 Clearly somebody liked all of them or we'd never have heard of them. It doesn't mean we have to like them, but who are we to judge other people?
Unfortunately, I agree with much of what you say. We were filming for our RUclips channel at the recent Bonhams action at Stafford. The rare stuff was still commanding big money, but there were plenty of much cheaper stuff, including some old immaculate British bikes.
The second hand motorcycle market new and old is seeing a readjustment.
Let's not play the 'Last Post' just yet.
That young chap Sammy Miller was bagging quite a few bikes to take back to his museum
The old devil 😂
Motorcycling in general needs to get proactive
Some see it as a comment on British bikes
It’s definitely not
Don’t think the market for Japanese classics will hold up for long I’ve already noticed a decline in bikes from that era too
I watched your video, Top shelf stuff!
@@robertscheinost179 cheers
In Australia any vehicle 25 years or older is classed as a classic by the government so you can get a bike from the 90s, they go by the date on the compliance plate so you can actually get an early 2000 model, join a club and have a great time. Also as a learner here you can ride a bike up to 650cc so we aren't hit with the ridiculously priced 125cc and 50cc bikes that you have in the UK. With the price of older motorcycles compare to those made now I think they will still be sold here for quite a time to come.
The European leaner laws don’t help but also the demographic of most European populations in s very different and in effect there are far fewer young people and given the attitude of much of the population toward motorcycles in the UK, not surprisingly few of them choose to ride
Despite the fact that they can offer economic clean transport they are largely seen as the toys of the midlife crisis crowd
I wonder what percentage of riders in Australia are younger ?
If it’s low then the same problems will soon become apparent
@bikerdood1100 I think for younger people a motorcycle would be cheaper transport for them but I think most are choosing no transport.
@@bikerdood1100 The number of motorcycles per capita is significantly higher in the EU than in the UK. It's twice as high in the north and even higher in the south.
Yet old bikes are selling like hot cakes....
Are they ?
Reality says otherwise
Unless the market for hot cakes has collapsed
OMG 😳
Why I’m I just hearing about this now !!
Unless the market for hot cakes has collapsed
OMG 😳
Why I’m I just hearing about this now !!
@bikerdood1100 in Australia they sell really well.
Price is a factor too. I bought my BSA Bantam D1 in the 70's for £10 and rode it home. Today its worth about £2000. I also sold a Triumph 3TA for £95, I have just replaced it with an identical bike after 50 years for over £4000. And yes the dodgy knees are a problem, thankfully 3TA's are easy to kick over....
This hopefully is starting to change
Although £95 may be a bit optimistic
After what was your weekly wage at the time
You're absolutely right. I import and restore ( It's a hobby that got out of control) Japanese 70s bikes. The average age of guys who come to buy the completed bikes is 60-ish with just the occasional younger buyer. Many are looking for a lighter machine as they just can't push a bigger bike around any more. Demographics will I'm afraid dictate that the guys who ( like me) wanted a CB 750 or a Z1 but couldn't then afford it are now starting to want those smaller bikes, or sadly are simply getting fewer. Selling the bikes is getting slowly but inexorably harder.
It's reflected in the car world too where pre-war cars can be had for a fraction of the price they commanded 10 years ago-the buyers are mostly gone unless the cars are to sit in a museum.
What's the answer? I wish I knew. So just enjoy your bikes for the fun they give YOU.
Definitely need to attract more people into bikes
Seeking to middle age men was always going to be self limiting
Already heard of dealerships going under
Damn you! Is that why my CB750 and CBX seem heavier? I just thought the tyres were getting low....ahhhhhhhhhhh!.
Here in France there is still interest, riders are getting older and it's mainly little bikes. 50cc, 125 and up, those you see a lot during the summer. Like the Mobilette weekend at Jaulny, all 50cc.
Few young people riding anything at all in the uk
I’ve got an XT500, an SR500 & a BSA Royal star 500. Thing is, I have the most fun on my mobylette X7 moped (with a 67cc big bore kit) which does make a hell of a difference. I got 47.8 mph today down hill. Brilliant.
@@buxvan You seem to have the best 500cc bikes. I still have one 50cc, the old moped of our mother, a Batavus Gogo. I have to make time to get it running again, even that it go's only 25 km/h.
Sadly, your assessment is absolutely correct.. 👍
Will get worse if some isn’t done to promote motorcycles as a whole
And not just to men having a midlife crisis
Another thought provoking and entertaining video. Of course there’s no credible reason why flared trousers, ‘70s funk, G-Plan furniture and vinyl records should come back into fashion but they did. Insatiable appetite for nostalgia, a fresh look at the past through rose tinted specs and a desire to find value in the reworking of an old theme all play their part along with family histories and idiosyncrasies. Beyond that is the fact that these bikes have a heart and soul that it’s difficult to beat or even replicate. Few of us oldies care if they’re cool. But we might provide a tiny ray of inspiration to spark a new following. I hope so. What would be helpful is a handing down of the invaluable bank of knowledge and support to enable younger owners to be able to take on ownership in the way that we did. Remember that these are different times. They don’t think like we did.
It’s more that threat to Motorcycles’s as a whole that is most concerning
Cheaper bikes is a plus
No one ridding them definitely isn’t
70’s funk 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
71 year old guy here. I've been involved with motorcycles since 1968. OK, prices are falling and the same thing happened with old automobiles, too. I love it! This means I can fill out my collection (11 bikes now, 5 or 6 more wanted. I am watching the market and will "strike" when a bike on my "hit list" is offered at a price I can afford. The hobby will turn around when these youngsters go after quality rather than the "next new thing." As I tell young people that stop and look at my bike at a gas station "you can look at this geriatric motorbike now but you will appreciate the older bikes better when your computer chip goes belly up hanging you with a dead bike and I pass you on the motorway with a smile on my face." Go buy a new BSA 656 "Goldstar" and try to sell it 2 years later and then we can talk about depreciation. There's plenty of room in this hobby for a young person to build up a nice bike collection. Buy right, learn to wrench and pick the brains of people who actually know what they're talking about and you will prosper financially and have a blast to boot!
Falling prices is not a bad thing
It’s the falling club membership and interest levels from younger riders that’s the real issue here
Many riders of modern bikes ( including some with you tube channels ) haven't the ability to change a sparking plug ; how they would have managed in the contact breaker points days I don't know.They buy the newest bike they can afford, expect , with nil maintenance, to run it for several years, then change it . A different breed from the older riders !
My son is 21 and seems to manage 🤷🏼
It’s true that some people are inept however
@@bikerdood1100 I think there were always inept owners. Some of the bodges I have found on old bikes defy belief. But at least in the past they did try to repair. Today, younger riders just take it straight to the shop to be fixed.
@@Keithiopian To be fair modern motorcycles need more work for serving. In the seventies I could service my Suzuki GT550 outside without any problems. Today I need to almost disassemble my Suzuki SV650 to inspect the air filter or the rear spark plug. I don't want to do that outside. Not everybody has a garage.
The price sky rocketed a few years back and even though its dropped a bit, its still way too much, i would love to have a 750 Bonnie becaus as a near 60 year old they was to aspire too but 5 grand i cant afford one.
The prices rose consistently for more than a decade
Dealers may have dropped their prices only a bit at the moment
But watch how long they sit unsold
This is not an imaginary thing
Memberships are falling and some clubs are unsure about they survival in the long term
That values will continue to fall I have no doubt
This could indeed be seen as a good thing but the inability to attract younger riders can be seen as nothing over than troubling
@@bikerdood1100yupp, but is it the lack of inability or “just” a declining curve, who can go up again in time? I mean Cassettes are popular again, i can sell my sony walkman DD2 for as much of the amount i paid for it when new… 35 years ago… youngsters buy them… it can happen in time with classics, both motors and bikes, if… the right fuel stays available. Time will tell
I agree with the link to demographics but also I think unfortunately nostalgia is the only real appeal many older british bikes have. Small capacity singles like AJS / Matchless and Villiers engined bikes were actually woefully slow and quite rubbish. Japanese 2 stroke twins and triples and four stroke fours are stylish and exciting to ride by comparison and can at least keep up with modern traffic. The market prices tend to reflect that.
Point well an truly missed
The riding experience of a machine has little to do with it’s performance
My newest bike is about a month old
But my 54 BSA is the most fun to ride
Fact
Performance figures really mean little in the real world
A bike isn’t an Apple Watch after all
I think you may have actually missed my point. I own and ride a number of classics too and I love them. I agree its not about performance. But blind faith nostalgia in certain machines is misplaced. Some bikes were (and still are) just dull. Whilst other classics are great fun. Prices tend to align to this.
@@bikerdood1100 I think you are missing the point - again. You are clearly a hobby rider. Some of us still use our motorcycle as our main transportation just as we did in the seventies. Of course performance is important. Shopping, day trips, weekend outings and camping holidays all over Europe. Our motorcycle needs to do it all. Performance and practicality means a lot. What is an Apple Watch? Why bring that into the discussion? Weird, weird, weird and bye to you.
In the 1950's and 60s a lot of boys would find an old Bantam or old Villers two stroke engined bike and learned how to strip them down and rebuild them with the help of their father's for when they turned 16 and could get their provisional. By the 1970's a lot of boys were rebuilding the old BSA C15s with the same aim of having a working bike for when they could get their provisional. Yes Japanese bikes were more reliable when they came on the market in the late 1960's and that meant there wasn't the same old single cylinder, simple to work on bikes about going cheap, but you also have to remembber that around 1973 or 1974, they raised the age for a provisional licence for a motorbike from 16 to 17 years of age, which was the same as a car, so a lot of boys just got a provisional car license and learned to drive a car instead. These are the guys who are now at retirement age and would normally be looking for some interesting hobby (as in restoring an old bike) and thankfully, there are still some of us about. As for me, I've just got a Barn find A65Thunderbolt I'm for restoring.
I would say though that raising the age of getting a motorcycle license to 17 has contributed to a lot more people not getting into the bike scene now as well as a number of other contributing factors. When I got my provisional at 16, it only cost me about 50pence to fill up with petrol and that did me a week - about 100 odd miles to the gallon - so I could go places on my own. Now people at 16 are still at school so don't have the same capacity to go places on their own with their own money. Now the culture is to buy new, and newer is supposedly better (Hmmm! I wonder if it isn't more of a publicity gimmick to get us to spend more money) And if mummy and daddy are buying a car for the son/daughter's 18th birthday present, where is the incentive to get a motorbike
An interesting thought
I’d also say that attitudes to bikes changed during the 60s to a point were many people are actively anti motorcycle.
Misconceptions that persist today
The amount and expense of training required to get a full bike licence for the past twenty years or so , must have put a lot of people off.
@@bikerdood1100 Yes that has a bearing and there are considerably many other factors to take into account
Perhaps you need classic bike rental companies , as the prices come down might be possible. There is electric start conversions for some BSA's and Triumph .
Well it may help younger riders to access them
Rider numbers generally are in decline so prices dropping isn’t the problem
It’s having riders to ride them
I've owned my Norton 850 Commando for 35 years. I work on my own bikes and this is a big part of owning old classics.
In the late 80's British Bike imports were a huge thing in Australia. The bikes have dried up and the British bike specialist who we used to buy parts from have retired.
There are still plenty of parts available tho.
There is also a Historic motorcycle racing club in Western Australia which is worth an optic on race days.
It’s not dissimilar here
Although younger riders coming through is a big problem
More than happy to visit a museum and see them all.
Yes but bikes were made to move
Museums are nice to visit for sure, their collection is growing faster each day (see the museum of Sammy Miller these days) but tbh… nothing beats a ride on the road on a classic for me….
Quite correct in many ways. Perhaps there has been a complete generational change in the interests and hobbies. Instant gratification might have driven it, combined with the throw-away, swift replacement, and upgrade approach.
I think many riders simply don’t involve their kids in their motorcycles
We did taking our son on rides and having Holidays on bikes
He has a few bikes of his own now.
Simply put young people today are exposed to bikes like previous generations
The throw away society applies to all
How many 55 year olds replace their car or bike every 3 years
These days if you don’t they think your weird 😂
Interests in anything are, or have had generational connections, this is obvious. We can only really develop an interest in the things that represent our own experiential times in many respects. Like those kids born before WW2 were interested in the events that affected them personally during a specific formative period of their lives. everyone from then could probably tell you every plane that flew in the British air force for example. Some kids were introduced to motorcycles and liked riding them despite the fact that older people they knew like fathers etc, did or didn't ride them. My father never did ride them, he hated them in fact, but both my younger brother and I rode bikes and I still do he, only retiring from them last year. But we were different than many people in the classic bike scene, whose parents uncles and friends were interested in the bikes. Of all the people we knew who rode bikes, we were the last, most stopped in the early 1980's after crashes or thefts of their bikes etc. My brother has never had an interest in classic bikes but I have. I have owned two BSA A65 thunderbolts over the years. I have also owned bikes from 1982, and still have one from 1980 in recent years. My BSA is 1967 model Thunderbolt. My youngest bike currently is 24 years old. What people relate to in the technological and material world that develops or is invented around us, varies between people. I personally do not like exposed valves on a bike or a total loss lubrication system. I also don't like the period in which the timing was advanced and retarded by a hand lever. I can't stand two strokes. These things are just peccadilloes though, and I can appreciate many bikes that have been made because of their beauty and technical advancements, as opposed to practicality or reliability.
We have seen the decline of many interests that once were important to older people. People age and people tend toward a less complicated life in most cases. My step father died about 4 years ago and he left a shed absolutely full of stuff that had to be sorted out by myself and my siblings. At 80, he should have been getting ready to depart this mortal coil and down size his collection of machinery tools and mechanical projects.
I am only in my mid 60's but I do not want to be one of those bastards who suddenly dies and leaves a whole lot of work for other people to do to clean up my mess.
There in lies the rub, people just disappear and although I see many younger people including women involved in classic bikes, it is all a bit like the population growth in western culture, not enough people being born to replace the ones that die, therefore a gradual decline.
And yet I’m a child of 60s
My BSA is from the 50s and my oldest bike is a 102 years old
I listen to music from all ages
Enjoy Beethoven too
You can develop interest in things that were not of your era
Hopefully falling values will help but it’s important to expose younger people to bikes in general if motorcycles are to have a history
You are spot on. I'd say it's true of motorcycling in general. Used to be the average age of a touring rider was 20s. An oldster was in their 40s or 50s. Now an oldster is in their 70s, a young one in their 40s, and the 20s are nowhere to be found.
Definitely need to find away to attract more younger riders
There are some
Nowhere hear enough
Another problem with younger riders being priced out of classic bike ownership is they might never acquire the essential knowledge of working on them, slowly gained over years. Even if they turn spanners on their affordable, modern bikes, not so much of those skills are applicable to classic bikes. There are probably riders in their forties now who've never owned a bike with a carburettor.
If parents had involved their kids more things may have been different
Not only classical bikes, go for a ride to our local coffee shop on Sunday in Australia and the average age is 50 plus for riders.
Very much the case here too
Need young riders taking up any type of bike
That's pretty much it; we're drawn to the bikes we had in our youth.
Personally I’m not
My oldest is 102
But that’s me really 😂
Ditto my son
All his bikes are older than him
It used to be that I would go out and ride my favorite local twisty road on a weekend and I would see groups of younger riders hustling their sport bikes along. Now I see very few riders of any type.I have my 850 Commando up for sale not because I can't kick it but because I prefer to ride my Honda. I don't have to make sure the ramp is in the truck and my wife has her phone when I take the Honda.
As a point of fact my BSA is from 54 and has never failed to get me home
More than could be said For some much later machines I’ve had the misfortune to own
But this is completely irrelevant actually
The video is not about that at all but the decline in motorcycle use
This effects Japanese bikes and bikes too
How much?
A few of the vintage motorcycle club sections like my local one have needed a shake up for years regarding their attitude towards prospective new members. I can remember going to a club meeting in the 1970's and been made to feel about as welcome as a turd in a punch bowl, you cant sit there that's Fred's seat, he's sat there for the last 20 years, rampant old boyism! So I for one gave them a huge miss over the years even though I now have machines that would have fitted in. Don't get me wrong there are other clubs that are the total oposite and hats off to them, but as for the stick in the mud types the dwindling membership numbers in your section's slow demise has been speeded up by your lack of interest in prospective new members and referring to modern classics as the winkers and top boxes!
Perhaps so
But that really doesn’t explain the downturn in motorcycles as a whole
@@bikerdood1100 Well as you said age has a lot to do with it coupled to the fact of the mess this country is in right now. I spent 48 years in the motorcycle trade and in that time the first thing be hit during a slump would be leisure past times.
A thoughtful observation. The inexorable passage of time takes it's toll.
Indeed it does
Use our time wisely
The moving finger writes and having writ moves on, not all thy piety or wit shall lure back to cancel half a line, nor all thy tears wash away a single word .
..............leaving us behind
The most coveted m-cycles of my youth were the British bikes of mid- & late 60's, & later Beemer airheads & the Yamaha XS650. Altho' I'd love to have examples of these, your points are well-taken. I'll remain content w/ my 'modern' 2000 Honda 1100 Shadow Spirit - a lesser-known classic in it's own right.
We have modern boxes too
They definitely lack something for me
A bike is more than a means of transport
@@bikerdood1100 YES!! I bought a new. 2017 Tri. T120. I was looking for the feeling of my '66 & '68 Bonnies of yore. Disappointed - tho beautiful & quick, it was too slick & techy for me & lacked SOUL. 'Sold it in 11 mos. & kept my trusty 2000 Honda Shadow 1100, which actually has more Soul & several virtues, which I enjoy to this day. Go figure...
Great thoughts... Yes, I've also noticed that interest i changing. I believe people buy what they remember from their youth, so naturally interest for really old classic vehicles 'dies out'. I think some classic cult brands will always have value and followers - like Porches, Vespa's, maybe classic Harley's etc.
I also think the 'need' to join a club is smaller today. Much of the technical knowledge you can get in a club, you can find on the internet today in Facebook groups or youTube videos.
That’s often but not always the case of course
3 of my bikes are older than me and all of my sons
Just got a 1980 bmw r100rs and at 60 im finding it a struggle to push about but my 2 year old enfield gt650 hasnt moved as i so much enjoy spannering and servicing the bmw,i see very,very few young riders now
And 5heres the big problem
Without more younger riders like my so, motorcycles have no future
In my mid-30’s and I’ve just got the tele rigid B31 I’ve always wanted! It’s not all doom and gloom but a simple case of exposure I think. Groups such as the VMCC need to modernise their approach. A well maintained Instagram page and RUclips channel would have a great impact I feel. As it’s often very tricky to access events and their locations readily unless you already know where to look. There’s also the general apathy of people in the UK these days. Particularly when motorcycling is by and large advertised as a rich man’s hobby as an aside to the rented grey Audi. Not many young people will get past the price point of an adventure bike before immediately dismissing two wheels as a whole. By showing the affordability of a humble 350 single and perhaps with some improved communication I’m sure things will look different!
The clubs definitely need to be more pro active
I agree that there are indeed younger riders
My son is 21 and has a Velocette
The problem is simply there aren’t enough of them
I don’t believe that young people aren’t interested in anything other than computer games but few are exposed to motorcycles even if their father owns one
Let’s hope that the fall in prices helps bring some more people into the fold
But it’s also a matter of hearts and minds with many modern riders have a very negative attitude to anything older, rampant commercialism I suppose, anything over 3 years old must be replaced 🤷🏼
We do tests of older bikes, we did the B31 last year
I generally try to involve Tom as often as possible because I think seeing a young face in a video on older bikes can only be beneficial
Many years ago, when I was a youngster, my learner bike was a 1946 BSA C11, Speedo in the tank, rigid etc. A proper bike when everyone else my age wanted an RD 250. My bike and me were looked down on by most, the old boys said it was crap, bloke my age laughed but I struggled on. I had no knowledge but I was very keen. My next bike was a super modern MZ Supa 5, which introduced me to reliable, efficient ish biking. Past my test and bought a Triumph Tiger 90 and then my first big bike, an A65 Beeza which I still have. Then a Jubilee Bonnie which my then girlfriend, now wife of many years rode.
For all that time I was in the VMCC and try as I might I was never really welcome, especially my girlfriend who was expected to make tea and provide sandwiches for the horrible old blokes rather than go for rides.
Being a feisty girl, at 57 years she still is, she eventually stood up and told them all to f**k off and they didn’t deserve us.
I still have old Brits, Ariel’s, BSA, Nortons, Enfield and I must at some point buy a 20s Sunbeam which looking at the plummeting prices, I well be able to.
Since all those years ago I have not been a member of the VMCC even though I’m probably older than the old blokes who were so unwelcoming.
The folly of old age
Those members should have showed some respect for the future
Will there be one I wonder
@@bikerdood1100 I set a youngster , relatively speaking, on my 1933 ICI Sunbeam Lion, lever throttle and hand change, he loved it but was frightened of having to work on it. Now, as you said, kickstarts, ‘wrong side’ and upside down gear changes worry people, even middle aged blokes.
I will admit, my hip is going west and my Commando takes some hoofing over so I’ll have save up for an Alton or Colorado ‘leccy start kit. The singles are a piece of cake. All that old myth of being thrown over the handlebars on starting…cha. Utter nonsense.
@rustyrims05 A great comment,well put. I've only ever owned twins and singles. Some Japanese, some British. My real love at 17 was my '59 Tiger cub. I had it for quite a few years, and used it for work and adventures!
I'd hoped to get a T90, but around that time the prices roared up, and away from my affordability. Later I did get an ex WD B40 which I thoroughly enjoyed. There were other bits and pieces (not many) and a gap of a few years. More recently I purchased a new Enfield Efi 500 (great!) and this year noticed a very honest B31 for sale locally. Two great bikes, two quite ordinary bikes, and more than enough for me. Hoping to use the Beeza for getting to work. I'm fairly sure that I've lost money on the Beeza, but I don't mind, as I didn't buy it to make money, I buought it to enrich my existence.
When I was a young bloke (and a hairy biker) most other riders were young. As many have commented, the demographic has changed, and the culture. Many bikes are toys now, not a necessity (and I'm as guilty as anyone!) But many new owners have never known necessity of bike ownership, or the shear doggedness of only having a bike.
I'll add that I'm still in my 50s.
Great video and good comments!
Hit the nail on the head. I'm 64 now with a 1981 gs 850. Risk averse now cautious where I go. Joined a local Mc club and we're all old buggers. My normal commute is modern, much lighter and super reliable.
I do like a nice mix personally
My newest bike is a month old my oldest is 102
I enjoy em all
Just for different reasons
Can’t seem to give them away. I just sold a 61 trials tiger cub completely sorted for 1500, ten years ago I could have got at least double that.
Well there are simply less people out there interested
Something needs to change and soon
I have noticed. 6 years ago, BMW airheads were going for more than the early oil head Boxers. I tried selling a very nice R90/6 for 2500.00, and never got a call. Have a 16,000 mile 78 R100 that needs sorting from sitting about too long...but a very clean bike. Seems I over paid now ! Oh well, I could ride it to my grave, and enjoy it.
I think that one of the issues is that British bikes from the 50s, 60,s and early 70s were overpriced, and an influx of bikes from those decades imported from the USA are flooding the market. Most people of my age group that rode the originals have now bought the machines that they hankered after in their youth and so the value of these bikes is softening.
The prices are only one part
Prices coming down is in general a good thing
If your buying of course
But the number of riders on any type of bike is in decline
There’s an awful lot of denile among motorcyclists I think
Absolutely spot on. Been saying the same thing for a few years now, in fact, about the same period that I started buying my pension fund bikes of the 70’s and 80’s 🤪
People saw them as sound investments for a long time but that’s coming to an end in many cases
This may not be such @ bad thing as it may help to bring people in
Maybe
At 75 I no longer lust after older machinery as I my balance to ride on 2 wheels is no longer there . My solution was to go to 3 wheels (can am) but I am not interested an old 3 wheeler !!
Scooters make a surprisingly good alternative
No realllly 😂
What happened was time and mortality. I'm currently wondering when I'll have to make the decision to sell my two classic scooters. Anyone who wants them probably got into them in the 1980s and are now over 55. Scootering is probably ten to fifteen years behind motorcycling in that respect.
What happened was inevitable when now one thinks about the future and how to get younger people riding bikes
Numbers of riders on any type of bike are in decline because the industry has spent all its time and effort selling high priced machines to middle aged men without thought for the future
@bikerdood1100 And getting a licence is now a bureaucratic nightmare.
I’m in my 60’s and ride a 1993 FXR, I just put a kick start kit on it. I did own some KH 750’s and RD 400’s when I was a kid. Not interested in them today. I’ve also had a BSA 441, a few trumpets pre units in my day. I couldn’t and wouldn’t pay the price to get back my 76 FLH. Those are all going to lads with mustaches and no girlfriends these days in America. Same knuckleheads that buy relic fender guitars and pre torn jeans. Great video. My people were from Manchester. Fought the Britt’s in 1812.
1812 means bugger all to us to be honest
With have 2000 years of history to learn so we only flash though the later 200
For Geography fans I live about 40 miles south of Manchester
On the more important subject of bikes
We have seen bikes being brought up as part of investment portfolios but with the exception of the so called more collectable bikes those days are over
I've owned a 1980 Moto Guzzi since 1989, I joined the owners club the same year. At the time the average ago of the 2000 members was about mid to late 30's. Although I sold the bike a couple of years ago, I'm still in the club. The average age of members has almost kept pace with my own, I guess it's around 60 plus.
On the bright side my son Tom is a member at 21
I agree with you 100 per cent. Young people will get nostalgic about old electronic games, not bikes. I'm sixty-four next month and ride my RT every week. Still strong, but even I noticed pull-starting my petrol lawnmower seems to be getting a little harder. Not sure if I'll be able to do that when I'm 84. I'm nostalgic about late '70s and '80s bikes but I wouldn't spend a lot on one because they'll eventually go the same way as those of earlier decades. Classic car prices are struggling at the moment too.
Well not quite that simple
My son is 21 and does play computer games
But
He also loves Vinyl
And owns a few bikes including a Velocette venom
All about exposure
Ultimately he’d tell you games are one thing but motorcycles are real life and so a very different thing
@bikerdood1100 Good for him, but I don't think he's typical. Very few youngsters at the bike meets I go to.
Indeed there are not
The question then is why and what to do about it
Ultimately people in general don’t change
Kids take risks and want some form of adrenaline rush
Needs younger faces on social media promoting motorcycles
And easier access to inexpensive machines
Then things might change a little
I remember back in the 90s I had a Triumph t100 that was a bit of a bitsa, the amount of classic bike snobs (with their perfect shiny trailer queens that they only ride at shows) who looked down their noses at my mongrel bike, really got to me, I thought, if that's the scene, then you can keep it. I kept the bike, but eventually the lack of a garage or shed meant that the bike had to go.
Never been a fan of bike snobbery given how few people are on two wheels these days
It’s just plain stupid to me
When you look at how difficult it is to get a bike license compared to a car and when most of us were young the bike got us to work. Today's whimps can't go out in the rain, or just don't go out. But if you look at the recent London to Brighton run, the number of cars and bikes have increased. Look at any bike fun run and there will be a few classics, the best way we all can promote our bikes is to ride them, not keep them in the garage under a cover.
Certainly that does play a part
But also a lack of exposure to motorcycles is a bigger problem
If parents don’t ride or worse are anti motorcycles it’s hardly surprising
There will always be a market for classic albeit a shrinking market. The big issue is a dwindling parts supply and if you aren’t adept at maintaining them finding a shop or mechanic familiar with them is a challenge.
A little naive
! have been riding 60 years and owned about 60 differend models from 50cc to 1000cc, and everything said is true. As a youngster i could never afford a Gold star etc so ended up with a BSA C11. As you get older you have to realise your physical limitations and I have downsized my bikes through the years to make sure I could handle my pleasure without any problems. Electric starts and twist and go is a good way to go if you want to keep riding. i enjoy doing up old bikes but rarely ride them, fixing them keeps the mind active ? Good realistic video.
It’s an unfortunate truth and the very reason young blood is desperately needed
I totally agree with you. The desirability (or actual value) of most motorcycles is purely driven by nostalgia. I started riding in the early 90’s and so covert the original FireBlade, 916 and R1 but will the next generation say the same? My theory is buy them and enjoy them when (and if) you can but be prepared to move them on while there is still a large enough pool of similar aged riders left to not lose your shirt.
Only tie to a point Because 3 of my bikes are much older than me and all of Toms bikes predate him
So nothing to do with nostalgia here
Last I checked I’m not 100 years old
I ride classic bikes because they are challenging and extremely enjoyable
Nostalgia doesn’t come into it
But true for down it does
It's also the fact that motorcycling in general is in decline, especially amongst the young. New bikes are very expensive nowadays and times are pretty hard if everyone hasn't noticed. Housing is totally unaffordable.
Decline is no doubt happening
Not all bikes are expensive or need to be, but the The manufacturers have gotten into a pattern of pushing high price models a comfortably well off middle class customers
Remove all the gadgets and a basic machine should be relatively inexpensive
But the profit would of course be less 🙄
@@bikerdood1100 word, as I believe the young say
As to prices falling, I do honestly think that is, overall, a good thing. I completly understand that there are people with lots of money sunk into bikes and for them, personally, it's a calamity that prices are falling BUT for the good of the bikes themselves.. if they fall into the reach of more people.. I've hankered after a Trophy 6c for years but was always put off by high prices. They are around £7k now, once they are under £5k I'm in - and that will be another bike looked after, kept well and USED. Occasionally..
I would tend to agree
The lack of younger rides is however definitely is not
@@bikerdood1100 Honestly I think there are systemic issues that need addressing, here in the UK at least. Getting a license is convoluted and expensive. Getting insurance is expensive. My son (22 yo) has an A2 and a Duke390, must have cost close to £6k for that, all in. No wonder young riders are thin on the ground.
I think it’s interesting I’m in my 30s n I ride a 1927 flat tank Norton in all weathers, been riding Nortons since my 20s daily rode a Norton 650ss for 4 years an 4 winters as my main transport vids on my channel)
Before that was 2k miles a week on a rd250lc, rebuilt my 68 Commando engine in my bedroom an I ride a 1927 Norton 16H flat tanker and I’m just finishing my 1944 Norton WD16H that I’ve got a few huge trips planned for,
There’s a few of us about into our vintage motorcycles who are sick and tired of the modern tech I kind of imagine the same conversation was had in the late 70s about the flat tankers.
I agree though prices coming down especially on stuff like commandos will encourage the next generation which is only a good thing.
Let’s hope it does
I too have 3 bikes older than me
And my son at 21 loves to ride flat tankers
Attitudes are very different. What motorcycles always meant to most of us (certainly to me) was freedom, a sense of adventure and the great outdoors. Those key things seem to have been steadily engineered out of each generation. An army recruiter and trainer recently told me that the current generation of recruits don’t arrive quite as “adventure-ready” as previous generations. They have to be taught how to have an adventure first. Once over that hurdle they’re ok. Must be something in that?
True to some extent
I enjoy both old and new bikes
Just for different reasons
Bikes will always be bikes
Over protective parents perhaps ?
As a teenager from the early 70s I did have a keen interest in some of the Japanese bikes from that period. However I am now 69 years old and the 70s doesn't feel that far away to me, when clearly it is. Whilst I owned very cheap BSA Bantom then, I've no desire to have one of those now, probably the same as many 1970s enthusiasts
For me I just plain enjoy riding older bikes
I lived in an apprentice hostel. Out of three hundred approximately 90 has motorcycles. Mainly because we couldn’t afford a car along with you could ride a bike at 16. The buss service was pants so needed a bike to get to work. I did not take a single lesson but learned the Highway Code & passed my test first time. Over 200,000 miles later I still have all my bits.
Looking at,all the hoops you need to get a bike licence these days I wouldn’t bother.
Definitely needs to be easier to get a license
I had a classic bike, a 1976 Yamaha XS650. I rode around Los Angeles and found it was just unsafe to ride. Brakes, suspension - all second rate and not safe enough compared to my modern bikes. Duh, yes, but it turned me off to owning classic bikes and I sold that one and won't look at an older bike again. Also, you get used to electric start, no choke, good mileage, longer service intervals and so on.
Hmmm
Strangely accident rates are lower amongst riders of older bikes
The appliance of a little brain power is an essential part of motorcycle riding
My oldest bike dates from 1922, my newest is brand new.
My favourite to ride is my 54 BSA
Exciting to ride oh yes
Scary
No
Service intervals are shorter but cost me the price of the oils
What price the service of a modern bike ?
Check out my valve check video for our modern Honda CB500x
A bloody nightmare which took an entire day
Incidentally my wife can easily start a 500 Triumph
I’d suggest a work out plan if you found this difficult 😂or
Maybe go EV
A life made too easy isn’t living it’s just existing
I prefer to live
I have been saying exactly what you have now for many years as i have seen the same thing happening in the classic car market , i was a youth from the sixties one of my first bikes a honda 450 black bomber after a series of triumphs the difference was night and day with the consequence that triumphs and older bikes are not interesting to me
Oh
I like all bikes
I find riding my old BSA very enjoyable
Hondas are good but do lack something for me
agree totally. had the same conversation just the other day with a work colleague. we are both mid fifties in age grew up with japanese two strokes. we rode around in gangs. now bikes are throw away items, and the amount of younger people out there on bikes is nowhere near what we saw. the average age is considerably higher.
Too high for long term survival it seems
I can see the decline in classic bikes as us old folks die out or become more decrepit. I'll be 70 this year, and have had bikes since I was 16. I've still got my 1978 Triumph T140V, which I've had for 31 years, but knee trouble forced me to look for an alternative with electric start, so, 3 years ago I bought a 1980 Suzuki GS550 (which also has a kickstart for back-up). Although my knee is currently ok, I find myself choosing the convenience of the electric start (and the lighter clutch and better brakes) most days for every day transport.
I've no interest in modern machines (I'd have difficulty folding my 6' 3" into the riding position on most of them, anyway), so I'll keep hold of my classics as long as I can carry on riding, but I can see that we are a dying breed.
My son is 21 and 6,1
He loves riding classics as well as modern bikes
Need to keep of my Beeza😂
A different perspective from here in India, recently there is a lot of intrest in classic motorcycles and the prices of the few classic bikes available here has skyrocketed, There is a keen intrest in retro and that's why you see brands like BSA and Jawa being brought back and even Honda and Kawasaki making retro bikes specifically for the Indian market. There is an import rule here that we can't import any classic vehicles post 1950 to India and even those pre 1950 the customs duty is at 230%!!! If these taxex were relaxed all the classic UK made Royal Enfields would have found their way to India by now 😅.
Very true this is very much a European/ US problem
Although I would regard it as a cautionary tale
As cars become more affordable in Asia they will begin to adversely effect bike sales
Very true this is very much a European/ US problem
Although I would regard it as a cautionary tale
As cars become more affordable in Asia they will begin to adversely effect bike sales
It is similar in former socialist countries. In the 1945-1990s, people dreamed of pre-war motorcycles, because they were much better than those produced in socialism. Therefore, there is still considerable support for the prices of pre-war motorcycles in my region. The interest is mainly in machines from 500cc.
I'm 77. I sold my Velocette MSS ten years ago and replaced it with a Moto Guzzi V7. Traditional looks but modern bells and whistles.
Oddly we have a V7 and a Velocette 😂
I feel that the UKs licensing farce for new riders is frightening new riders away. And the fewer joining the hobby means a lower ratio of mechanically inclined riders getting involved in the vintage market.
It doesn’t help but to be honest people aren’t aware of the regs before they start
Or in most cases start
The attitudes of the general public have a great effect on
Negative parents or parents who ride and don’t involve their families
Here in the US there is not many shops that will work on older bikes especially imports . The sales of new bikes is crashing here also . The video game generation of kids has no interest in riding most grew up indoors. I myself grew up riding in the 80’s and 90’s in the dirt which carried over to the street bikes in the mid 90’s. Yamaha has pulled out of the snowmobile market I thought companies like them would always build sleds they are the only ones still building sports quads . The times have changed the bubble wrap kids are going to stay in there safe places.
That’s also the case everywhere else
Motorcycle dealerships are disappearing
@@bikerdood1100 The giant Harley dealer in my town closed but they wouldn’t work on older bikes anyhow in reality it was a clothing store that sold a few bikes on the side . It was one of the huge buildings off of the expressway it’s now an another business.
In a way its a perfect storm- several aspects of change are currently in play.As well as the age issue there's the Driver licensing hoops to go through, people are living in properties that have no space for anything really - gone are the days of the garage or garden shed for a lot of people.
Another thing is the apparent inability/ disinterest of many young chaps in repairing anything ,much less a motorcycle.I know I sound like an old fart when I say this but I think it is the case.
On motorcycles I think we are also seeing a drift to lighter machine. Wrestling a 1000 cc machine out of the shed is hernia territory!
I have 40 year old MZ 250 and its therapy to work on- I dont think there's a silicon chip in it- and I always feel better after working on that than most things.Its still man and machine and the kick start is easy peasy.Greeting from Ireland!
Younger person disinterest may will have been offset but riders getting the whole family in bikes rather than make it a thing just for them
I love the old bikes and would love to get my hands on some. The biggest problem for me is that I would have to get it transported to Thailand and then get the government to allow me to register and license it.
Transporting bikes into some countries can be very difficult
My grandfather rode various flat tank bikes out of necessity/cheapness but my father went straight to a car. I started with bikes at 16 on a pedal start Mobylette. Many bikes later my son was born
He has shown NO interest whatsoever and has never even been pillion. He now has a car. I'm not sad that he missed being at risk on a bike but I have at least wanted to know the joy I get from it. My son loves his warm car and he will admit he and his generation are a bit softer than his rough and tough dad. Perhaps it's just as well all this is coming to an end seeing as in 30 ish years, all we will hear is the whine of electric motors....ugh
So you never took him out in short and he isn’t interested 🤔
My son is 21 I took him out from an early age and traveled all over Europe
Our Holidays are often bike holidays
He now has 5 bikes
I do have a flat tanker and he is always trying to nick it
If he doesn’t show interest is that his fault I wonder 🤔
My Grandfather rode a Brough Superior SS100 which he purchased new! My father hated motorcycles. He always used to talk about a "near death" experience that he had on a BSA Bantom with a stuck throttle at the age of about 13 or 14. According to my late father, a Bantom's good for about 140mph!
I've only ever driven a car for transport, but I've had a few bikes for "fun". My 26 year old son doesn't own either, although we're about to gift him our old Honda Civic. He's just as happy sitting on the tram on the way to work playing tap tap on a mobile device of some sort.
i think we should discuss the point of entry further….I’m 40 and living in the states, Im not bad off and not even close to wealthy. The older more popular bikes that i dream of are quite expensive compared to say a 70’s enduro or an 80’s honda by a substantial amount. For example I would love to own a 30-40’s harley or indian or a variety of english bikes, which are quite rare here. Brutal fact is the older generation that is slowly aging out of the hobby have driven the cost of ownership through the roof. If I have 40,000 to invest in a bike im going to buy and restore 5 or 6 late 60’s or early 70’s street bikes or trail bikes for the same price as 1 harley…. more fun with more bikes, similarly a young kid isnt going to try to buy a 30k bike either, he’s gonna buy a Grom or newer asian bike or something in the sub 5k range…. The older guys you speak of have driven the hobby out of reach of younger generations by and large. The numbers $ have to make sense, if a guy wants to get into the hobby and have fun and do it cheaply its simply not gonna be on an old high price 20’s- mid 60’s machine. same applies to the classic car and truck hobby.
That was the case but is coming much less so
Particularly in the Uk
My son does not have a high paying job but rides a Guzzi and a Velocette
I have never seen a motorcycle as an investment which given the fall in prices here is no bad thing
The video you may note is about rather more than prices although here in the Uk older British bikes are often less expensive than 70s Japanese machines
My son purchased a Guzzi Imola and a Ducati SS for less than 5k all in
And the more modern bikes here at least are far more expensive to insure with high service costs too
As an illustration his insurance for his Ducati SS is less that the 125 it replaced and the purchase price was less than that of a Grom 🤷🏼
And if the money is important, the Grom will suffer much greater depreciation and is well to be frank
A bit Crap 😂
So I need short
The numbers can and do make sense
If that’s important for some reason 🤔
Another problem may be the fact that most young people lack the hands on mechanical skills to maintain these bikes. Far fewer people work in the traditional engineering trades and lack any practical skillbase.
That also true of many middle age men too
I'm 59, joined my local MCC 18 months ago - since then only 1 new member has joined, he is 60 - great bunch but not getting any new members at all. I am the youngest rider too
That isn’t good
And a concerning pattern
I dont care about any scene, didn't even know there was one. All my old mates still build and ride our old British bikes every day.
Yes but what about after you and your mates ??
Bike dealerships at this time of the year cannot give bikes away at the moment as there is just not the market for them. Especially in the UK it is just too cold.🥶
More to it than time of year
This is a long term problem
Also note a number of dealership closures of the last decade
This has accelerated somewhat recently
Bit more than a seasonal blip I’m afraid
I think one of big differences between classic bikes and classic cars is that real motorcycle riders real enthusiasts buy a motorcycle to ride. And preferably to ride hard some of the time. Because that is why we really ride. Its to ride a bike well through the curves and get the blood going. The gut churning excitment of a bike at real speed on a great country road is not something classic car drivers experience. ever
But the Uk has a problem. Increasingly finding places for exercise is much harder as congestion and everything else stifles creativity. And if Governments had their way they'd chop it off entirely. In Australia we can still exercise with care and obviously in europe. But if you cant use your nice Ducati for its intended pupose well you might as well buy a Tesla!
Not sure that’s necessarily true
You see the beauty of older bikes is they feel fast at more legal speeds
Also I have never seen my bike as a toy
Speed is only one part o& the whole
Musk can stick his EV up his arse
If it’s excitement your after try a 1920s bike
Scary at all speeds and thus utterly brilliant 😂
Yes I agree . And added to the fact that these machines require knowledgable maintenance and repair skills,again something that is not generally looked upon as “Fun” or pleasurable by the modern biker . The prices are definitely falling, ah well I maybe able to afford a big British twin soon !
I’m. Not too worried about the prices falling
Obviously
But the decline in club membership and recent spate of dealership closures is a concern
I think your looking at this a bit wrong. First of all, if you mean that "classic bikes" are decreasing in so called monetary value, then I think this is a good thing for real bikers. For at least since 85ish, bikes have been increasing in price due in no short part by people buying for investment thus forcing the prices up . When I was in my early twenties around 82, me and my mates didn't aspire to own an original BSA, or Norton, We wanted a Kawasaki Z1, Suzuki GS 550 etc. These between 1995 and now have shot up to a ridiculous amount. Even bikes like a DT250, or TS250 now go for several thousands of pounds. I for one would love to get my hands on anything from 1950 to 1985, but can't because of the stupid prices.So, as a real biker, I applaud the idea of bikes finally coming down to a sensible price. Bikes will never go out of fashion even among the subsequent generations. The only thing that will end bikes is fucking government.
Wrong in so many ways
Also mind you language
We are all adults after all
Allegedly
The decline in prices is not a bad thing at all
But the problem is club membership and motorcycle ownership is declining
This can only be a bad thing
Blaming the government is frankly pathetic
Look at riders who never take their kids or family with them when they ride and then moan when their kids aren’t interested
As a Real biker family we all ride
The general attitude of people to bikers which was wrecked by the reputations deserved or otherwise by the rockers in the 60s played a part in putting people off them
What about companies who have pitched high price machines at well healed middle class mid life crisis punters because of high profits with no thought to the future
Nothing to do with wether your thing is British or Japanese bikes
The problems will effect both
Today I own a few bikes of all ages
My BSA from 54 is the most fun to ride hands down
Biking will be killed by apathy not policy
The video isn’t really about prices
Although it is a symptom
Membership of the VJMC is falling too, this isn’t just about Brit bikes
Much of this is common to classic cars where the value of 1970s and newer cars remaining strong, where as 1950s cars and older are declining. Basically, as you describe people are largely buying into their youthful dreams.
What is probably more true of bikes though is knowledge. Would most people know how to even start a bike made before 1960? So even if you have a hankering to get into older bikes, the first barrier is after buying one is how do I start the beast.
Cars are somewhat different because unlike car drivers the overall numbers of motorcyclists is in decline so it’s not just happening to 50s machines but also in later bikes too.
While 70s bikes are a little less effected they too are slowing down
I don’t see falling prices as a bad thing at all, but the decline in riders is very much more serious
I am in the bsa owners club, and guess what i ha nice collection of bsa triumphs and many more, I also have two harleys one is a fat boy and a soft tail, very nice and bloody heavy, but they are nice to ride and you can start them wi a finger one press
Doesn’t really help with overall decline in numbers unfortunately
Ive got old British bikes ,and to be honest im not bothered if they drop in price , i bought them because i wanted to ride and enjoy them ,and bought them before prices went silly , i do feel some of the clubs have been responsible for killing off up and coming youngsters who tried to show an interest, i attended a few club meets many years ago and found some of the attitudes of members towards peoples bikes off-putting and critical
The price isn’t really the main issue
It’s not a video about market values
The fact is if there aren’t enough people who want to own them they will eventually get scrapped and they would be tragic indeed
@@bikerdood1100 The antique furniture market has suffered a similar fate. Lovely examples of craftsmanship is now just classed as 'brown furniture' Values have collapsed. Probably will never recover.Modern houses are not suitable for old furniture and those that are suitable will be painted over. Only hope is for motorcycles is that they become glamorized again through movies.
@@55ablebof I have antique brown furniture as well , im a lost cause and dont care 😂
The problem is that people buy bikes as an investment, forcing the price up. I'm in my 40's and would love a 350lc to ride and tinker with, but the prices are wild. These cheap and cheerful machines of decades past are now somebodies investment fund.
That’s previously been the case
But
The video is not just about prices
Indeed motorcycle ownership full stop is in decline because of a complete lack of an effective program to attract younger riders
Those old Brit bikers a generation older than me are dropping dead - sorry to be so blunt….
I’ll take an old Commando please, but make it the MK11A - that’s the discs front and rear and left foot change (I think)…
Funnily enough your video is exactly what I’ve been preaching for years. Another note is talking to two old BMW owners, aged 76 and 83, and they are on the cusp of being refused insurance.
It used to be 55 year olds buying the bikes they loved when they were 17. Those 55 year olds now are just outside of the reach of the biking heydays.
And….. grandkids are absorbing all the spare cash old blokes used to have. I haven’t got grandkids -or kids - I am So lucky.
Great piece, I think the demise of biking is on the wall. I’ll stick with my five year old 1250GS and swing round France once or twice a year. Not shuffle in for a lukewarm tea in some obscure country cafe….
Well my son absorbs a fair bit of my cash
Fortunately it’s mostly on motorcycles
So I’m very supportive 😂
@@bikerdood1100you’re a proper dad then.
I have to say thank you to my (long since passed) Dad for buying me an FS1-E in 1975 for £168. He started me on a road to freedom I’m still travelling - albeit slightly more grumpy and intolerant as I get older 😇😇
Look after your son, he will pick your care home. Sadly no one to pick mine.
Keep up the good work 👍🏻👍🏻
It’s a MK 3 Commando with left foot gear change, discs front and rear and electric start that you want.
All very true, that is exactly what we are seeing 👍
Unfortunately
Although there is still a far amount of denial
Attract new blood I die out it seems
Very sad vintage motorcycleing is going away the bingo went 😢
Bingo is popular with young people in the UK
Although it’s a bike more rowdy
Than when my gran went
Classy it ain’t 😂
It’s not just vintage, it’s motorcycling in general.
It's not just vintage bikes, it's everything. Young people just don't engage like us old farts used to. I'm not saying that in a disparaging way, but seriously, they're homebodies.
Yes, that's a generalisation, and I can certainly point out any number of exceptions in the circles in which I move, but the problem is, they're exceptions.
My 26 year old son is consistently the youngest in just about any endeavour that he pursues. I spoke to him an hour ago. He's the youngest person in a fleet of 35 boats that have just raced across Bass Strait, Australia. That's a young man's sport! His mate, the same age, rides with me and my old grey haired pals because he's got no-one else to ride with. Lucky for him, we're good company!
Too many cotton wool parents, too many electronic distractions. That's the problem.
Many riders should ask themselves why ?
My son has more than one bike because he was involved in our biking early on
Farr too many modern bikers start in middle age and never involve their kids an£ then are surprised when they aren’t interested 🤷🏼
Our holidays were on bikes
He’s been actively involved his whole life
Simple putting the blame on you younger people in isolation is a kop out
@@bikerdood1100 I don't disagree with you one bit whatsoever. I'm not placing blame on young people at all but rather stating an observation.
It's my generation of parents that have guided our kids to be what they are. You can't blame the kids for doing what they're told!
Too right mate! My 26 year old son drove me hot 69 Dart a few weeks ago and loved it. Most of the mob with hot Oz and Yank muscle cars are old farts.Im trying to get him to go on some cruises and stir the old foggies. BTW his 90s collectibles are old vintage cars to him. 😁
@@kramrollin69 Please don't tell me: An old EA or a VN?
I drove my son's mates EA home from our place the other day after he'd had a couple too many. I remember them from back then! He loves it though, and fairs fair, it goes!
No one has any disposable income to waste on trinkets like bikes. I’m waiting for RG500 prices to come down as they’ve got kickstarts
I commute on a bike
A motorcycle is Not a toy
Well an RG is perhaps
@@bikerdood1100 good for you, spanky. Short form answer is no one is buying bikes because they've got no money for hobbies
Elvis memorabilia used to be massive and sell for millions but as his fans literally disappear, so are the values for that, and classic guitars, and cars......
Well fashion can play a part also
The King like everything else can move in and out of fashion