Motorcyclists have always been freedom seekers, looking for adventure. Some could be characterized as rebellious. And today’s riders are likely not much different from previous generations in terms of their enthusiasm.
As some manufacturers have discovered to their detriment, what it is that new enthusiasts want in a motorcycle can, and often is, quite different from the previous generation. In this article I’d like to address what it is that makes these riders different in terms of expectations from those in the past.
Focus
Youths are often characterized as risk-takers. I surely was one of this particular group when I was younger, but over time as experience develops and one’s mortality is tested, we have a tendency to become more averse to the taking of risks.
Young powersports enthusiasts are characterized by their passion for speed, adrenaline, and the thrill of the open road. But one notable difference is that unlike previous generations they seek a more community-based immersive and interactive form of riding.
Generally, they are more technically savvy but want an iconic bike that matches their need for speed and unique character. Recently, I met with a group of Sihk riders in the local Sihk motorcycle chapter. Every member of the group must be Sihk but in addition. to join, one must ride an Indian Motorcycle. Not an Indian-produced motorcycle, but an actual “Indian Motorcycle Company” product. And it’s not just the name of the motorcycle that attracts. They want the bike they ride to be iconic in its own right.
What I found interesting as well, was that this quite large group did not want any affiliation with the other iconic American-made motorcycle. When I asked why, the answer I received was enlightening.
“We don’t ride that motorcycle because it is associated with rebellion and those who want to be ‘1%ers’.” We are simply motorcyclists who enjoy the comradery of our group and our interests. We will stop and help any other motorcyclist in need, but need no affiliation with a group that is anti-social or criminal.”
I had never really considered this, to be honest, in relation to any group of motorcyclists. Who knew?
Technology and Speed
For me, technology and speed pretty much go together. I’ve ridden bikes from the 70’s that had virtually no technology, and virtually no speed to speak of, at least in contrast to what’s available today. Today, I find new technologies make my riding experience much better in virtually every way, mostly due to reliability and comfort.
New riders want power, speed, high technology, and reliability. They also expect to get all of this at a reasonable price and are not enamored or expressly loyal to one brand or one country’s particular product. Essentially all the things that some of the iconic brands, to this day, seem to ignore.
I was at a local motorcycle coffee shop last fall and stopped in to stretch my legs. A younger group of riders who were universally riding sports bikes came over to look at my bike and we struck up a conversation. I told them that I was writing articles for possible submission to motorcycle magazines and asked them what it was that they expressly wanted in a motorcycle. At the same time, at the other end of the parking lot, a group of motorcyclists who were much older and who rode cruisers stayed to themselves drinking coffee and talking amongst themselves.
One of the young guys that I had posed the question to just pointed to the end of the parking lot and said, “Absolutely not that.” It wasn’t a surprise for me, to be honest, but the depth of almost animosity made me realize how completely alien they view the cruiser community.
One of the others said, unapologetically, “You’re old. Why don’t you ride one of those?” while pointing at the group down the lot. I said that I have never owned a cruiser for a lot of reasons, and explained that I like fast, responsive, technically superior motorcycles that are both powerful and not ridiculously expensive.” The young guy just nodded and said, “Well, that’s how we feel as well. I can see myself riding a sports-tourer like your bike, but never a couch on wheels.”
I just nodded, “Well, neither can I.” And with that, they jumped on their bikes and were gone. I noticed that almost all of them had communication devices on their helmets, and seemed to be immersed in conversations while I spoke with the one individual. It is one of the other major differences that was immediately noticeable. Technology and new safety rider aids are readily accepted by young motorcyclists. All of them were wearing complete motorcycle armored jackets, pants, good full-faced helmets, boots, and gloves.
One other thing was noticeable, which I wasn’t aware of until all their helmets were removed. About a third of the group were women.
I noticed one other thing that surprised me. At least a third of those riders were riding Zero motorcycles, but different models. All Electric motorcycles. The electric bikes were highly customized with lots of neon-like lighting combined with LED’s. The other thing was, that they were exceedingly fast to accelerate. I remembered one model and looked it up once I got home because it reminded me of my Honda VFR 800 in some ways. I was surprised to find it was capable of 125 mph, had a range of 275 kilometers, had 113 horsepower and 140 ft. lbs of torque.
I had a bunch of questions, but the group was heading to a recharge station which had a restaurant for lunch. Recharge on this generation of the motorcycle is a bit long for my liking, but the new electrics arriving this year and onwards will utilize new battery technologies that reduce charging times to less than 12 minutes, and provide a range of 255 miles.
One factor for the number of new electric motorcycles being purchased by women is that women love simplicity. They don’t want a mechanically complex machine that requires a lot of maintenance. They also don’t want to have to learn the complexity of using a clutch, when it’s possible to simply turn the throttle and go. Lastly, though more expensive, women take a long view of ownership. With cheaper ownership, less maintenance, and cheap charging costs, it makes more sense in the long run, as they see it. Some were concerned about battery replacement, but most manufacturers are bringing new battery technologies to market in 2024 and 2025 that will offer much longer battery lifecycles, that can be swapped for the existing battery, should it expire in time.
I must admit, that now that lithium titanate batteries are available and swappable directly from previous lithium-ion batteries for motorcycles, owning an electric motorcycle is a much more interesting possibility. Lithium-ion battery replacements were in the range of $300, while lithium titanate batteries range from $750 to $1500. However, lithium titanate batteries have a lifecycle of 20,000 charges or 20 years, while a lithium-ion battery will generally last one-tenth of that time.
Lightning Motorcycle’s new Enevate battery technology will be available in several other motorcycles either in 2024 or 2025. It offers almost total comparability to ICE engines concerning range and can be recharged in 12 minutes. I think grabbing a coffee to stretch my legs for another five minutes isn’t a big deal. However saving 85% in energy costs is, and that will be essentially forever, as fossil fuels will only get more expensive.
In any event, new technologies will only improve and become more prevalent over time. In 2024 and 2025 there are at least four mainstream manufacturers producing motorcycles with new battery technologies (not just lithium titanate) that reduce charging times to 20 minutes or less while offering ranges comparable to gas engines of 230 miles.
Interesting times.
Ciao…
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