As the saying goes…. unless you are living under a rock you have seen a lot of changes in the motorcycle world. We have seen $100,000 motorcycles being built in 30 day TV time. We have seen people we never expected get involved and some just as quickly get out, while others liked what they saw and stuck with it.
A lot of these folks lost interest in motorcycles. They have moved on to cars, trucks, and boats or just went back to playing golf. (I can already hear the grief over the golf comment.) The investors that funded these projects are also gone. Looking for the next get rich scheme. Yes, it is a big tent. A lot have left the circus, for some good riddance. For the ones who have stayed and get it, Welcome.
It is always fascinating to see what has come and gone. Harley bought and sold by AMF, the introduction of the Low rider, the Evo, the Twin cam and now full circle Harley struggling once more.
Lets face we are in for some tough times. In the past year the whole world has had to eat a big bucket of shit. So has the motorcycle business. The end result will be customs created out of a need to be practical but still intensely personal.
America by necessity is getting back to basics and will survive and thrive once again. And so will we.
I was wondering, what ever happened to the good old American Bikers? You know, the one’s that if they saw you on the side of the road they’d stop to see if you needed help, or if you were stopping to take a leak. The kind that would talk to you at a rest stop or gas station. The kind that makes you feel good, helps you laugh at a stupid joke.
Recently, on the way home from a show, we saw a couple on the side of the road, and it looked as if someone took a spill, so we pulled over and asked if they needed help, and they were okay, and had everything under control. However, the guy that was riding the bike was taken to the hospital with some road rash. My point being is that we watched bike after bike go by and no one stopped to see if they needed help! It’s pretty sad.
This has happened to me also. I was out on Mother’s Day, and was pulling out of a parking lot, at Valley Forge Park, the rear tire went one way and the bike and myself went another. While trying to pick the bike up, about 40 bikes had gone by, and not one of them stopped to offer help. Then along came an old school biker (1 percenter). He helped get the bike up and then offered to follow me home to make sure I was okay.
That’s why I love the biker community. So, come on all you other bikers, if you think another biker needs help, offer, it’ll make you feel great, and it will help the person broken down feel better, because they just might be in need of your help. Even if you aren’t mechanically inclined, they may need to use your cell phone ( I know cell phone, that’s a whole different issue), who knows, try it, It can’t hurt.
Let me know what you thoughts are
Lauren