How long do you think the new commuters will last...

[blueridgerider]

I have noticed several new commuters.  There are always a few more in the warm weather, but this year there are a LOT more.

It looks like everyone that has a bike is getting it out not just for weekending and touring, but for commuting.  Rarely have I ever seen a full-fledged bagger or touring bike.  But this summer there has been an LT, three baggers, and another ST bike with hard luggage all making the commute.  That's not counting all the other bikes and for the first time I have noticed a couple of large displacement scooters.

It's good to see some new faces, but I am getting tired of the morning wave.  The few commuters that I usually saw, we had a curt but friendly nod going intermittently.  Now all these new commuters want to wave while I just want to get through the school zones in safety.

School ends tomorrow so that will make safer (somewhat) my least favorite intersection.  It is right at a high school.

I'm betting the allure for the baggers/heavier touring bikes will will wane first.

[Nodaclu]

Here in the land of NOTHING but Harley's, I do know that a couple of local shops here are absolutely bewildered by the sheer volume of Ninja 250R's and Yamaha XT250's they are moving so far this spring.

I've been trying since both bikes were released to see them and sit on them. I got lucky a few weeks back with the 250. I later learned that I got to see it in a 6 hour window that it was on the floor before it sold.

The XT250 is even worse. The last two trips in, the response has been, "I've got one in a crate, but even after we assemble it, you still can't sit on it - it's already sold."

The 50cc scooters are absolutely everywhere here, but the maxi-scooters (Burgman's, Majesty's, etc.) still aren't moving. Odd.

[davop]

Gas will continue to rise. So I'd say econobikes will sell like crazy.

[R.Markus]

Here in the land of NOTHING but Harley's, I do know that a couple of local shops here are absolutely bewildered by the sheer volume of Ninja 250R's and Yamaha XT250's they are moving so far this spring.

I called around looking for a new Ninja 250R for a friend. Every dealership stated they can't even keep them in stock and didn't know when they would be able to get more.

[FJR_Jim]

I've noticed three bikes in the parking lot at work lately. I've been at this particular location for over two years now and I thought I was the only rider on site. Came out the other day and a Shadow ACE was sharing my parking space. Came out at the end of the day and he was gone.

[Jake Harsha]

Gas will continue to rise. So I'd say econobikes will sell like crazy.

After riding a Ninja 250, my wife is ready to move up to something a little faster.  We haven't even confirmed that we're selling the bike yet (no replacement purchased) and we've already gotten inquirys from two non-rider friends who want to buy it...  

We were at the Kawi dealership where I bought it looking at 650Rs and the sales drone was saying he'd give us top dollar on a trade for it because they can't even keep 'em on the floor for more than a few days.


Jake

[PhilBiker]

I hope they last a long time though I haven't noticed any increase in commuters in my area.

I just hope the new commuters don't ride like idiots on a weekend blast.  I was commuting in today going about 60 (I'm keeping it at about 60 on the hwy to see how good mileage I can get).  Some jackass on a harley dyna with leather saddlebags blew around me and started weaving up through traffic.  Dumb-dumb's left saddlebag was unlatched, lid flapping away in the breeze.

[dm_gsxr]

I was surprised yesterday to see two other bikes on my way to work. Generally when it's raining that hard, I'm the only one crazy enough to be out riding. And I think one was a woman (hard to tell for sure with all that gear).

While there are a few newbies out, one guy in particular has caught my attention. He's on a Ninja 250 and when I pass him he's always laying on the tank. Trying to save a couple of pennies I guess

Carl

[jstark47]

What I've seen is a lot of the young guys with sport bikes are now using them to get to work.  I think the bikes were always around, now more of them are out on the interstate during commute time.  Also a few more cruisers puttering along at 60 in the right lane while traffics flies around them, obviously petrified and holding on for dear life.  Those are the guys who aren't gonna stick it out, IMO...

What I don't see is females commuting on motorcycles.  Seems to be an all-male thing around here, that's odd...??  (...except for my wife, who is bound to be different, in this as in all other things......   )

[rgbeard]

Here in SoCal you won't find many female motorcyclists.  Most of the female commuters/soccermoms take the Tahoe, Escalade or Hummer to work/errands and don't give a sh*t what it costs to fill.

When they swipe their ATM card to spend $100 to fill the tank, it better go thru or their husbands will be on-the-line!

You know, every SoCal woman wants a BMW for their wedding, right?   Be My Wallet, that is.

[DRam]

How long will they last?  Like Impatien (a not-so-hardy flower), until the first frost.

[dm_gsxr]

Pulled over for a guy on a Harley. Nice looking bike too. He was kneeling down next to it on the shoulder and inspecting the wiring. I asked if he was ok and he said he'd lost power although it idles. I asked if he was ok and if he needed anything and he thanked me, shook my hand and said he had a cell phone if he needed any help. I said, "ok then, be careful and ride safe".

We might be doing that a little more often as the older bikes are brought out of the garage and some spider gets sucked into the carbs

Carl

[jay547]

i've noticed more bikes (mostly cruisers) and my ride to work is only two miles.

[goto]

Seen 3 new bikes at work in the last few months... bringing the count to 14 to 18 in the lot I park in.  The temp here will thin them out, but I am amazed how many have stuck it out.  It will be over 100 again next week.  

Have had a few others say that they "want to talk to me about getting a motorcycle".  One guy even took the MSF class.  I am glad to see others getting back on 2 wheels, BUT now... I have to get to work early to get a covered spot.

[mcb]

I'm seeing a lot more bikes at work these days.  My company is actually adding more moto-only spots in both of our parking lots, it's hard to beat having reserved parking and 55 mpg.  As for the new additions, they'll fade away when it gets cold or wet.  

[sleazy rider]

I'm still the only one on two wheels at our store.  I've had several approach me about riding, but no takers yet.  OTOH, there are many more riding in the area, so many that I've suspended waving at any till the first frost.    

[phoenix]

I've seen a few more motorcycles at work lately, although judging from the models, I think they used the gas price excuse to get the motorcycles. Not that I have any issue with that.

Last week I started to ride my bicycle in to work. On the nasty weather days, there were no motorcycles in the parking lot. I took the car on those same days.

At the end of the year, I expect to pick up a lightly used bike of my choice for a good savings when people are unloading their toys that are not good year-round.  

[j1mmyj4m]

Unfortunately, on top of way more riders than normal, what I've seen is a ton of shorts, sandals, t-shirts and no helmet.  That's starting to dominate the SE Houston area.  I'm waiting for the new riders to start making the news and drawing more negative attention to us.

[Bjorn Toulouse]

There's likely to be some who will call it quits when the elements get iffy, but on the other hand, there will be some who will embrace the experience and wonder why they've been driving all those years.


Rex

[Zerosum]

About the same number of motorcycles here in Baltimore, but the scooters are reproducing at a geometric rate.

I can't believe these things don't require tags/registration/insurance, etc.  Not because I think they should, but because MD is usually such a confiscatory, greedy, parasitic state.  They usually never leave "money on the table" like that.  The second they see someone diriving value from something, they're on top of it.  I suspect they'll be regulated pretty soon.