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Fast Times, Fast Changes, Fast… Seniors?
 By
Dave Preston
Many of us spent a few decades attempting to persuade the
“nonbelievers” that motorcycles are good things. I’m not sure we had
much chance of success, or even if it was a good idea, but we tried
in all earnestness to present a good image, answer questions with
open-faced honesty, and always ride in a manner that reflected
positively on the sport. When we started, motorcycles had a negative
image for so many, due both to real events and media exaggerations –
and we tried to counter that.
Our feeble efforts were swamped by cultural changes beyond our
control – and mostly for the better. The Harley-Davidson “miracle”
of the 80s made a motorcycle (at least a Harley) a “cool” thing to
have for thousands upon thousands of upwardly mobile consumers. The
perception of motorcycles and the people who ride them was
drastically changed.
That was twenty years ago. What about today?
I’ve written before of the local high school marketing class project
that surveyed the attitudes of “young people” (17 – 25) toward
Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The students used the Internet to get a
variety of respondents from across the country – over 1100 of them. Their work was excellent, and the process pure. The respondents,
almost to a person, identified Harley-Davidson motorcycles with two
separate and distinct groups.
1. Illiterate and greasy motorcycle gang members
2. Their grandparents
Stunning! From a Harley-Davidson marketing point of view, those
surveyed did not see themselves becoming a member of either group –
ever - and thus could not see themselves purchasing a Harley - ever. Attitudes like that
are one of the reasons for Harley’s recent
efforts to create a dirt bike and other, “younger,” products.
But now – things appear to be changing… again!
I was recently contacted by a newspaper reporter sicced on me by her
publisher. He had run into members of the Cycle Barn Women’s Club at
a Starbucks, and felt there was a story to be told. Then the twists
and turns began.
The reporter informed me she was to do an article on “seniors” on
motorcycles. Stifling guffaws, I imagined her being severely beaten
by my women friends! Remaining as close to professional as I get, I
managed to choke out a question about her definition of “senior.”
The response – “Anyone over 50.”
What? Over 50? Good heavens – there are few people UNDER 50 that are
worth talking to, don’t you think? Over 50s are “seniors?” Well,
now…
I rambled on, mentioning that I was 60, and neither the oldest or
fastest rider I knew. In my experience motorcyclists talk about
bikes, roads, and riding, but rarely if ever discussed trivia like
politics, religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, or age, meaning I
would have to guess the age of people to give her folks to talk to.
A couple of weeks later a photographer for the newspaper called. He
had been asked to take pictures of “seniors” riding motorcycles -
could I help?
Well, sure! Feeling a bit frisky, I arranged for Facilities Manager
Jim Sparkman to join me, and we chose to show off just what
“seniors” look like. Jim brought his more-than clean Kawasaki ZRX
1100, wearing his full Eddie Lawson replica suit, helmet, boots, and
gloves. I was on my Triumph Speed Triple, with my Vanson Cycle Barn
custom leathers, black helmet and boots, etc. As we rode to the
camera shoot locale, I glanced in the rear mirror at Jim on his ZRX
and laughed out loud – seniors indeed.
Here’s the next twist - we were EXACTLY what the photographer
wanted. Turns out the gist of the story was that over-50 “seniors”
were now riding all kinds of motorcycles – and fast naked bikes in
full gear created the look he wanted. Just when you think you’re
being rebellious…
What followed was an hour of hilarity as we arced through a
selection of sharp corners many, many times, with the photog's very
expensive digital camera set on “machine gun.” The result was 2,227
pictures (egad!) – which would be culled down to … three for
publication. One positive was that we got to practice making u-turns
in the street – we were much better at this in the end than we were
at the beginning.
Photo shoots like this create strong memories; carving through a
corner inches from Jim’s ZRX as he was fudging in from the gravel on
the edge of the road while I was trying not to have a picture taken
with my Speed Triple over the center line. Or coming over the brow
of a steep hill together, side by side in the “Ponch and Jon” style
the photographer wanted, only to find him sitting in the middle of
the street over the centerline on our side, directly in front of me,
and a car coming the other way. Speed Triples have good brakes.
The photog kept assuring us we did not have to go fast, as he would
make us “look fast” later. Of course, leaning the bikes over in the
corner required a bit of speed. It took me several passes to realize
he was concerned because he thought we were trying hard. In fact, we
were just trying for a comfy speed we could replicate with the bikes
a few inches apart in a sharp corner. Not trying hard at all, but it
looked fast enough that he was concerned.
So in 2007, from the point of view of print media, people accept the
idea of motorcycles, accept that they are enjoyed by riders of all
ages, and even accept the idea that fast motorcycles ridden rapidly
are not necessarily the province of the young.
That is probably a good thing. Isn’t it?
Dave Preston is the author of Motorcycle 101, a sensible book
for the new and returning rider. |
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