By Shane Goodman shane@dmcityview.com

Joining the motorcycle trend

I was riding motorcycles when riding motorcycles wasn’t cool. I guess it was a family thing. Since the ’70s, my brothers and I have been riding dirt bikes, street bikes, off/on bikes, crotch rockets and cruisers. I learned on my mother’s (yes, my mother’s) Suzuki 185. This little bike became quite popular at my hometown Department of Transportation office. With its small size and ease of maneuverability, dozens of local people used it to help pass the sometimes tricky motorcycle driving test.

I last owned a motorcycle about 10 years ago, a customized Honda Interceptor 750. At the time, I was publishing an automotive photo magazine that is now known as Auto Trader. I sold my bike in the magazine and even peddled Mom’s 185.

Well, I am looking again, but would prefer a more laid back, American made bike this time around. I have been searching for a cruiser at cycletrader.com, eBay and pennysaverusa.com for weeks trying to find the right one. But by the looks of motorcycle owner statistics, I am not alone.

Cityview editor Michael Swanger wrote this week’s cover on this growing motorcycle trend. Whether you are a bike enthusiast or not, you will find the statistics in this story fascinating. Here are a few that shocked me:

• The number of people owning motorcycles has grown for 14 consecutive years.
• Estimates on new-unit sales for all brands last year was 1.158 million bikes
• One in 10 buyers of new motorcycles is a woman.

Motorcycle owners have inadvertently formed a brotherhood (or sisterhood) of sorts, a bond between people who often have no other similarities. And it isn’t the stereotypical Hell’s Angels gang member. People of all walks of life find common ground with motorcycles. It truly is a sight to see.

I was hoping to join the crowd with a bike of my own for the Ride-In Bike Show and Rally at Prairie Meadows this weekend. I still plan to attend the rally, but unless I find something quickly, it looks as though the only bike I will be riding is a Schwinn.

Thanks for reading.

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