Probably more in the US that small bikes are becoming popular, I think they have always been pretty popular everywhere else. Maybe the US has traditionally had the bigger is better mentality along with chopper/cruiser bikes being more popular there than anywhere else.
Same with cars, I wouldn't have thought a mini or a VW Golf would sell very well in the U.S 10-20 yrs ago but from what I've read they do quite well now
It all depends on gas prices. The Ford F-150 is the best selling vehicle until gas hits 5$/gallon, then a car is the best selling vehicle. It's funny how truck and SUV sales are high during cheap fuel and low during expensive fuel. One problem people fail to realize is that as we reach and pass world peak oil production, gas will be ever increasing. It wont be long now when trucks and SUV are a thing of the past.
For my lady and myself, it's a win-win between low cost to own/operate and being able to ride as hard as you want without getting your license revoked.
__________________
C'mon, sko sko sko!
The Following User Says Thank You to Rusty Shackleford For This Useful Post:
It all depends on gas prices. The Ford F-150 is the best selling vehicle until gas hits 5$/gallon, then a car is the best selling vehicle. It's funny how truck and SUV sales are high during cheap fuel and low during expensive fuel. One problem people fail to realize is that as we reach and pass world peak oil production, gas will be ever increasing. It wont be long now when trucks and SUV are a thing of the past.
What blows me away is how many guys are still driving around in big F250 & F350 Dualies as commuter vehicles. The trucks I'm talking about are usually loaded with bling wheels & tires... it's not like they are hauling lumber or equipment with them, just their large egos. Just this past weekend I pulled up to a gas pump on my CBR, that was just vacated by a "Monster Bling Truck"... the guy had just pumped $170 of fuel into his pride and joy toy!!! Simply amazing... I really wonder if some of these knuckle draggers would even wake up and smell the coffee if gas were at five or six bucks a gallon. Something tells me a lot of them won't.
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to MotoMike For This Useful Post:
i love my Ford Ranger's mpg+ fit in small parking spaces.
i get almost 500 miles to a tank with a 3.0 06 automatic sport driving
55 or under when i can on long hauls,and just easing the pedal
down when taking off. ALWAYS keeping below 2000rpms 100%
of the time i'm driving-or striving to.
My favorite thing to do while drinking coffee outside a Starbucks is watching soccer moms trying to park their expedition. A lot of people have a warped view of what is necessary. You don't need an expedition if you have 1 kid, not even if you have 2 kids. It goes back to being lazy and in the end selfish. Its easier to put in and take out a car seat in an SUV than it is in a car, so that justifies wasting a huge amount of fuel and money. Its selfish to waste fuel driving an SUV or a truck when what your doing could be accomplished by driving a car because fuel is finite. If all you do is drive on the road, don't haul or tow anything, and don't live in an area that constantly gets snow buy a ******************** car or motorcycle. But this wont change until gas prices go up because people don't think about the future.
I was guilty of this at one time. Although I did take my Jeep of road often, I drove it on the road 90% of the time, in an area where it hardly ever snows. But I quickly discovered my mistake and corrected it. Now all I have is my Ceebee.
My favorite thing to do while drinking coffee outside a Starbucks is watching soccer moms trying to park their expedition. A lot of people have a warped view of what is necessary. You don't need an expedition if you have 1 kid, not even if you have 2 kids. It goes back to being lazy and in the end selfish. Its easier to put in and take out a car seat in an SUV than it is in a car, so that justifies wasting a huge amount of fuel and money. Its selfish to waste fuel driving an SUV or a truck when what your doing could be accomplished by driving a car because fuel is finite. If all you do is drive on the road, don't haul or tow anything, and don't live in an area that constantly gets snow buy a ******************** car or motorcycle. But this wont change until gas prices go up because people don't think about the future.
I was guilty of this at one time. Although I did take my Jeep of road often, I drove it on the road 90% of the time, in an area where it hardly ever snows. But I quickly discovered my mistake and corrected it. Now all I have is my Ceebee.
Now getting off soapbox
"Its selfish to waste fuel driving an SUV or a truck when what your doing could be accomplished by driving a car "
It's selfish to waste fuel riding a motorbike when you could be walking or riding a bicycle! Sounds a lot like "anybody who burns more fuel than I do is selfish and morally inferior... just something to ponder while you sip sanctimoniously at Starbucks.
Enjoy your latte and scones.
Oh, enjoy your moral high ground too,
Last edited by Gordo; 11-06-2012 at 05:20 PM.
The Following User Says Thank You to Gordo For This Useful Post:
Know what my kids say when they see a Prius? "Another guy saving the world so the rest of us can drive cool cars." This is usually followed by them saying "Now, get the hell out of my way"
Sounds like a bit of an elitist point of view, but what's new?
__________________ there are old motorcyclists and bold motorcyclists,
but you seldom meet an old bold motorcyclist
Every single person is guilty of wasting energy. Where did the food you bought come from? Yes, I bought apples that came from Washington State the other day but I walked to the grocery store to buy them. Its not about placing blame or saying that Im better than you, its about taking personal responsibility and knowing that things cannot go on forever as they have. So look at what your doing and ask yourself if you can do the same thing while using less energy? I went from driving an SUV to a car and now to a ceebee, so I have drastically lowered my energy consumption and emissions, not to mention saved money. Also, I moved into the city so that I could walk more places. That doesn't mean that Im not guilty and selfish, it just means that I'm less guilty and selfish than I was. If you chose to do the same then thats great, if you chose to live in denial thats ok too.
And yes, I stand by my opinion, it is selfish to drive a 5,500 pound vehicle that gets 14mpg in the city, especially if its too big for you to park it.
Last edited by ecustu7; 11-06-2012 at 06:10 PM.
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to ecustu7 For This Useful Post:
Know what my kids say when they see a Prius? "Another guy saving the world so the rest of us can drive cool cars." This is usually followed by them saying "Now, get the hell out of my way"
Wonder where they learned that selfish point of view from?
I don't think any of us shd call each other selfish. None of us really know each other. Who of us does volunteer work? Who of us feed the hungry, make monetary donations, grow our own veggies, recycle, reuse etc. This info usually doesn't become known on a motorcycle forum. I think (not that it matters) such statements are judgmental. Not wise to point a finger, really. (And not nice)(
__________________
WHY DOES TOILET PAPER NEED A COMMERCIAL? Who IS NOT BUYING THIS?
CBR500RA
CBR250RA (sold)
CBF1000 (sold)
MINI COOPER
JEEP TJ
SPORTSTER (sold)
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to live_to_ride For This Useful Post:
CBR250r
The trucks I'm talking about are usually loaded with bling wheels & tires... it's not like they are hauling lumber or equipment with them, just their large egos. Just this past weekend I pulled up to a gas pump on my CBR, that was just vacated by a "Monster Bling Truck"... the guy had just pumped $170 of fuel into his pride and joy toy!!! 
.
SUMIKO
SUMIKO
SUMIKO
(
