In the United States, motorcycles have largely been viewed as a luxury item. Toys, not transportation. With few exceptions, bikes are marketed to consumers in the U.S. with that premise. For the industry to really grow in the U.S., however, the intensity of that emphasis needs to change
There are plenty of practical reasons to own a motorcycle as transportation. As journalists in this country, we often forget that as much as, or more than, the manufacturers
Here at MD, we give coverage to all the latest, greatest technological wonders offered by this industry, but we want to give adequate focus to simpler, less expensive motorcycles (and even large displacement scooters).
We believe that motorcycles are not only entertainment, but a great way to save gas and create less congestion on our highways. The low-gas-price party may be over here in the United States, and two-wheeled vehicles as practical transportation may some day be as important as it has become in Europe (where gas prices continue to be dramatically higher).
By the way, a simple, inexpensive, "practical" motorcycle can be every bit as fun as the latest superbike. Sometimes more fun. Entertainment will always be part of the equation when motorcycles are involved, but now more than ever there are practical reasons to ride them. We would like to see manufacturers emphasize this, and grow the market into places it hasn't been before in this country. We'll try to do our part.
