We're all doomed...
Official: Biking is now an old man's hobby.
Went to meet Niall Mackenzie at Donington on Saturday. He was doing some one-on-one instruction at a two-day Focused Events track bash, the first to be held at the newly reopened Leicestershire circuit. I was really interested in what they’d done to the track and the new chicane looks the business. I’m sure Niall has a few things to say about the track himself.
We were stood on pitlane with Chris Walker, looking skyward waiting for it to stop raining. It was then, looking up the row of garages that it dawned on me how old we all are. As far as the eye could see it was nothing but a sea of bald or grey heads – ours included.
Niall pointed out that he’d done his part to foster another generation of motorcyclists. He’d helped both his boys to explore and enjoy the biking scene and wee Tarran was there alongside him – RS125 Honda on its stand in the garage beside Niall’s S1000RR BM’. To a certain extent, I’ve done my bit too, with both my kids more than capable of hustling a bike.
I know it’s no longer a cheap hobby but, as hobbies go, biking has become a very late-forties pastime and I’m seriously worried that we’re eating ourselves. It doesn’t seem sustainable in the long run. Twenty years ago, track days like this were full of young nutters on LC Yamahas and 250 Gammas. Coming to think of it that young nutter was me and the pit lane at Donington was just the same nutters, just twenty years on, greyer, slightly fatter and still doing track days.
A mate stayed at ours on Saturday night and he (nearly 40) said he hadn’t been using his CBR600RR much and struggled to find time to ride it, what with work and family duties, an’ all that. He was thinking of chopping it in for something like a VFR800, something that was comfier, nicer to ride with a pillion and more likely to get used in rain or shine. I’m running a VFR1200 as a long termer – my choice – so his sentiments kind of struck a chord.
Another alarm bell rang when I caught him doing my Observer crossword on Sunday morning. I had to have a word with myself. This was nothing to be angered by, surely?
Then I clocked the clock. At just gone 9am on a Sunday morning we were both up – even after a fairly thirsty evening in town. Aaaargh! Old people get up early. Old people enjoy crosswords. Aaaargh!Old people want to trade sports bikes in for ‘something a little comfier’.
I realised that this was the moment where I’d probably have to kill myself.
Our (my) only hope is the next generation.
But how do we entice the next generation onto bikes? Any suggestions gratefully received…
Discuss this story
Anything to do with track days has now become a serious money pit. I recently went to a No Limits track day at Silverstone, and whilst I had a great time, most of the people there were much much older than myself (24). They seem to be the only people who can afford to keep this kind of hobby up. I don't have a track bike or a van to get it there in. I can't afford to shred tyres on a track and then go out and buy new ones, or to replace my bike if I crash. I only went out for two sessions before my tyres were balled up and getting snotty, and was worried about shredding them too much as I had to ride home. Just seing the amount of 1198 S & R Ducati's, S1000RR (5 of them!) and even a Desmo just goes to show that young people, in my opinion are being priced out of riding.
Posted: 25/08/2010 at 22:02
'But how do we entice the next generation onto bikes? Any suggestions gratefully received…' More cheap bikes in the 33bhp category that can do 90+ MPG Move away from this idiotic 'I'm a litre bike rider' BS Bikes you can fix yourself More scoots and topboxes so bikes aren't just toys And a bit less of the safety nazi full-leathers-every-trip mindset perhaps
Posted: 25/08/2010 at 23:05
"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" a famous chap once said. So Visordown, what are you doing to appeal to the youth of today? In fact not just you but the UK motorcycle media in general? This is not a rant from an (admittedly) old fogey, merely an observation that everyone involved in bikes and scooters should play their part in nurturing future enthusiasts. If there was a magic wand to be waved, rest assured it would have happened long ago as enticing youth onto 2 wheels is seen as a 'holy grail'. Wasabi makes valid points and perhaps here is a possible key. The only way to diffuse parental objection is to engage the parents. Appeal to the green(er) aspects and increased mobility that PTW offers. Freedom and all that... Perhaps a new sticker 'Dad's taxi is now the family moped...'
Posted: 26/08/2010 at 11:51
I wouldn't jump to conclusions quite so quickly. I'm 21, I passed my DAS earlier this year and have myself an '09 Kwak Z750. Alongside at least 3 other friends who are CBT completed and looking to do their DAS, I'd hardly say the younger generation of biking is dwindling. At least, in my eyes. You need to remember that you've overlooked two major factors here. Primarily, track days are not a good way to judge the general biking population. As discussed by George and Szmolo above, they are really a niche benefit to those that can afford. I know there is no way I would be able to afford a bew bike if I dumped this one at high speed on a track, yet alone parts, tyres, quality safety gear or even track-day insurance! Likewise, the prices of DAS tests are so high. This combined with the amount of bad press the new DAS test has received... I'm not surprised you're not seeing too many fully licensed riders coming through under the age of 30. Once you've paid it through your DAS, bought yourself a bike and insured yourself at under-25s rates (which are bloody rediculous, by the way. I have 3 years no-claims but still have to pay £700+ for my Z750) and got some decent riding gear for the higher speeds/heavier bike... it's no wonder people stare blankly when I quote them the prices of half-day track-days. Until the movement into a full license becomes more logical and cheaper, insurance isn't as insane as it is (including track insurance), you're only going to see the old or the rich doing laps down at your local. I suggest a young riders scheme for track days, as I would love to go on one myself. But right now, you must be having a laugh. Like I said, for the old and the rich.
Posted: 26/08/2010 at 11:57
Buy a bunch of 04 cbr 600's, organise celebratory track days for teen years birthdays, passing exam days, maybe even stag do's etc Obviously worried Wendy's not going to let her 'reason for living' go and do one but some parents will. Not sure about the insurance for such a scheme mind. Risk assessment has made some insurance execs very wealthy over recent years by protecting us from ourselves. Garages/lock ups at the track where owners' dedicated track bikes can be kept. Roll up, ride, put it away, drive home. It's growing on me is this one. Lets face it there are plenty of youths into biking now, even with all the other distractions. Just need a scheme to reduce track day costs. Four wheels move your body, two wheels move your soul. The cool kids know this and let's be honest everyone wants to be cool.
Posted: 26/08/2010 at 13:43
Also sorting out the test would be a big help, there's a lack of availability as it is, but some bike schools keep buying up tests in advance even if they don't need them, and then hand them back to the DSA 3 days before the test and get a refund on those they don't use, meaning that no-one gets to use them!! I like SM2's idea, just wish someone would put something like that together. It would also be good if firms were willing to cut their margins a bit for younger and first time riders. You see people offering 10% for new riders, but it's always off the full RRP which no-one sells at, making it just as expensive as everything else. Any chance of VisorDown using their pull to get a few spots for new and young riders at track days? It's not as if bike journalists and the likes of Mackenzie need more track time!! Any chance I can take a few sessions off you at your next track day? :P
Posted: 27/08/2010 at 01:41
Anyone who's done a trackday knows it's the trimmings that cost ie. van. Szmolo has covered why it's not a good idea to ride there. I don't think you could give it the beans if you thought binning it meant walking home either. A mate of mine did a day at Donny then had to ride home in the rain back to Yorkshire ie M1>M62. Spoils the day. On site storage. It's the future
Posted: 27/08/2010 at 17:08
Have to agree with the general comments here. Track days are a very expensive luxury that frankly many young people can't afford. Add to that the fact that I, and I'm certainly not alone, only own one bike and it's my transport for daily commute. If I went to a track day and binned it that would be me without transport to work and facing a potentially hefty repair bill. Yes there's track day insurance but you add that to the cost of the trackday itself and suddenly an already expensive day becomes even more costly. If there was a better choice of cheaper offers available for people to hire a track day bike as well as doing the track session (in a package) at a reasonable cost then I'm sure that would encourage more young people to go. The bikes don't have to be amazing as I'm sure most people would just enjoy getting out on track and not having to be constantly terrified of damaging their pride and joy. Just something to give people the opportunity to get out there and try it.
Posted: 31/08/2010 at 11:53
Move to the USA. We colonials love it when guys who can ride come here and raise the barre. "£700+" insurance? Wow. I'm old (59), but my RF900R's insurance (RaceTech, Beringer, Galfer... and Corbin -- OK, I said I'm old!) sets me back just $12 a month in Indianapolis. What's that -- £8?
Posted: 31/08/2010 at 16:39
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