Are you the type guy who had his chromed-up noisy thang dialed in and drive to the bars? Or do you really go someplace – ride it to Yellowstone, to Glacier, to Laughlin?! Maybe you sit around worrying about the sub-prime market and seldom ride beyond the dealer due to high fuel prices?
I’ve ridden a fair number of miles this year through summer colors of green and acres of corn, beans and white, puffy clouds. The Road King is a wonderful way to be at one with nature. So whatever type rider you are, you know that fall has arrived in the Northwest and those “Dog Days” of summer are only a memory. Like the Chris Ledoux song — The nights are gettin colder, well, man you’re gettin older. Tonight I’m feelin my age…
Demographics have been on Harley’s side since the ‘80s. Japanese bikes are less expensive and built more like hot rods, attracting a younger set. Harley’s niche is cruising bikes…otherwise known as heavyweights and they’ve catered to the baby boomer demographic. But boomers range in age from 40 to 62 and the average age of a new Harley buyer is 45 years old. In last nine years that average went up 7 years! In the next five it might be as high as 50. Harley will have to re-name all the models – Road Geezer; Fatbaster; Ultra Geezer; Street Geezer etc.! You get the idea. Harley is challenged to attract a younger rider with the willingness to lay out a premium price over that of its competitors. Maybe the V-gReezer will save the day and pull in the kind of person who has the income?
What about the rest of us? You know, like the “Blue-Hairs” driving a 40 foot Holiday Rambler when is it time to put down the “Costco cheater glasses” and hang up the chaps? Spend time sipping chardonnay while polishing paint vs. riding? NO WAY!
Not me, I’m going to be like Ardys “Queenie” Kellerman (photo above). At 74 years of age she rode more than 80,000 miles in ’06 to win the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (Women) mileage contest. Clearly she doesn’t like to stay home! She started riding thirty-five years ago with a small Yamaha, stepped up to a Honda CB360. Since then BMW has been her motorcycle of choice. Queenie completed 4 Iron Butt rallies (11,000 miles in 11 days). Thousand mile days are routine for her. You can read more about her in the BMWOA article.
I don’t know what the great-grandmother’s secret is, but I hope I have half her ambition and riding skills when I’m the same age!!
Kellerman picture courtesy BMWOA.
Ardys gives me hope that I have a lot of years left to ride. Just in case I don’t I keep riding through winter so I can have as many miles as I can on the road.
Actually, I prefer the sub 60 degree days on down to about 25. From there it’s a bit tougher to deal with but I can always stop to warm my hands on the muffler.
If you rind out what the great-grandmother’s secret is make sure you remember to post it!
Steve Williams
Scooter in the Sticks
Great post. I will be 60 next April and I have managed to ride 14,000 miles since April. I bought that Road King to ride, not to look at. I rode several times this summer with a 78 year old who averages 300 miles per week on his brand new 2007 Ultra Glide, his 4th Harley. You have to hustle to keep up with this guy.
You’re right about Harley needing something to appeal to the younger riders, but I think they are making some good moves with Buell. I’ve actually considered buying one of those Buell “adventure” bikes myself. Still, changes are coming and some of the “traditionalists” are screaming already. BTW, I love my Road King.
No rocking chairs for me. I’ll just Keep on Keepin’ On.
Bill”uglicoyote” Davis
http://songsopenroad.blogspot.com (my biker poetry site)
@bill a.k.a. uglicoyote – thx for the comments and stopping by!
-mac
Good stuff, Mac. Lots of “older” people have gotten into bikes the last several years, lots will leave for their motorhome when the bike seat gets too hard. Many riders who came for the mid-life crisis will have learned what riding really is and will stay. As the Aussies say “Good on ’em.” They can join all of us who have no intention of going “gentle into that good night.”
By the way, there’s actually a club out here in AZ and a couple of other places called “The Geezers.”
http://groups.msn.com/geezerbikers
They ride on Tuesdays and Thursdays mostly “because we can.” Most all retired guys, I’m one of the younger ones at 56 and ride with them as work allows. Some of the guys have a pretty colorful past in bikes and now just want to ride a couple of hundred miles for a burger and a beer. No fancy talk, no posing, no pretense, doesn’t matter what you ride. Great folks. The club has two mottos: “No rules, no dues, no problem” and the other is on the club patch and simply says “Never to old.”
Doug