Have to agree with you; it's an unnecessary toy thing. Boat business is the same way. The frills are first to go. And a dwindling work force is expected to pay more taxes to cover the uncontrolled government spending.

 

I can't tell you if the party is over because no one ever invited me to it. I can tell you that those who ride because they enjoy riding will continue to do so. It's sort of like the gym after new year when all the "Resolutions" show up. By March most are gone and I'm back to seeing the same faces I saw before.

 

apethtel:

Good for you. You're a rare breed among today's upcoming income "earners"!

Paniolo: Good analogy!

For many of us, riding is a given. How we enjoy the riding may evolve (for example, I never thought I would also enjoy road riding), but if you love to ride... fads really don't mean much.

 

I was here long before "the fad". I was here during "the fad". I'm STILL here after "the fad".................As far as sales of motorcycles go, my local dealer is doing very well, far better than most I would guess. This little area around Fort Hood (GO ARMY) has weatherd this Recession far better than the rest of the country, but it can't hold up forever. Things need to get much better, nation wide, soon or I fear we will be in the same shape as the rest of the country, if not worse.

 

If you think this "recovery" is something to hang your hat on, I would suggest you think again. After the first of the year I would look for things to go south pretty soon. We are raising taxes, we are returning the inheritance tax, we are doing the same things today that led to the serious financial issues we had in the 70's. Also, this housing boom and bust was created by the rapid over-expansion of the CRA ( community re-investment act ) that lowered the qualifications to buy a house so low it forced banks to make loans to people who could never repay them. There are many houses in foreclosure in Minneapolis ( for example ) that were sold for $200,000 and were issued 125% loans of $250,000 with nothing down that people pocketed $50,000 and then walked away from a year later after trashing the place and living for free. Now they changed wall street regulation and blame the banks!!! The stupid people who caused this issue are now "fixing" it. Get ready for credit of all kinds to dry up and get much harder to get. I really think we are in for some rough times ahead. But what the hell do I know? I'm just a truck driver. Noname

 

Ridin' before and after the "fad"...pay cash for mine so no worries. The DC, NoVa and suburban Md. metro area is basically a strong job market and recovering from the recession nicely.

 

It's the economy, stupid. Nothing personal.

 

When it comes to the "wanna be" bike fad being over, it's not the economy, stupid. Nothing personal.

 

I don't do fads. The economy dictates. Bikes of all flavors are considered recreational vehicles and that market tanks with the rest of the market. The beer market thrives as many of you know.

 

If everyone rode their bikes instead of driving cages they would be saving some money. Of course that just my .002