I saw old people with tattoos when I was a little kid. Betty Boop wasn't cute, the battleship was sinking, and the anchors were faded.
I knew then to never get one.
The old ones died off, carrying the screwed up tattoos to the grave before these kids learned what they would get later.

I was going to say something very similar to what Batman said. I know a few younger people who ride Japanese sports bikes ... or even ... Hyosungs! They still feel cool on a bike, but seem oblivious to the bad-boy / rebel / counterculture concept.

To me, even HD has become a caricature of itself. The HD showroom here has so many shiny bikes, made to look old school but then given the new bike feel. I'm thinking of a bike a saw with a swirled, raw, machine-finished tank - and then coated with some kind of pearlescent clear coat to keep it pretty.

This isn't to disregard the heritage of the HD, just to say I think it amazing that it still has the bad-boy reputation.

I remember a drawing by Banksy - there was, a middle-aged guy, a young mother, and a punk rocker, queuing up at a stall to buy t-shirts with "Capitalism Sux" printed on them  

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I do wonder about market saturation. Why buy a new Harley when Craigslist is loaded with very inexpensive used ones. That said, overall sales are indeed continuing to decline.

At least I did my part. With 3 college educated and gainfully employed sons, there are 4 bikes between them. So, they're doing better than a 1:1 ratio. Some times ya just gotta be proud.

IslandRoad wrote on 03/05/18 at 17:58:17:

It honestly does not look like that will happen, as many key US industries - auto, aircraft, and beverage, just to name three are absolutely livid at the mere suggestion. Many of us believe it is just another one of his smokescreens, designed to draw public attention away from the issue of kids packing serious heat and committing mass murder. He, who must not be named, must not upset the NRA. To do so could be career suicide. Now, back on thread. The military and the commercial air carriers are worried that younger people don't seem at all interested in pursuing careers in aviation. Or showing any interest in flying. I see a similarity here with motorcycle sales. Could be OP was on the right track.

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 03/05/18 at 18:34:51:




You had to go there, didn't you!  
Off to the Tall Table with you  

Standard/clutch. I work with a number of young folks, most of which have not learned how to drive a stick shift. I've had to explain the whole clutch/shifting thing. Some had never even rode a multi-speed bicycle (those who did at least understood the concept of shifting). Can't remember the last time I got into a new-ish car (other than an enthusiast's sports car) that had a stick shift. (I would love to try one of the auto-DCT goldwings myself!)

Also I understand the need for utility, and the financial burden of having a bike and a car (thus two insurance payments and maintenance costs). Easier for older people with a bit more income. Lots of folks on scooters as there is no shifting and no insurance (there is a cottage industry here hopping up 50CC machines).

Finally, not really the millennials but the old guys I work with don't ride because the requirements of the base safety department - everyone has to do MSF, and ride with all the gear including a reflective vest. Doesn't bother me a bit but some of the "tough guys" would rather drive their cars than "put on all that safety crap".

I commute daily on my bike, and a few folks have followed suit (most were old riders whose Harleys have been sitting in the garage collecting dust, but one new millennial also). However I just don't see what would drive young folks down to the dealer for a new bike when really good used ones are available.

-RH

A little off topic but one of my brothers has a HD Sportster 1200cc, the Roadster model.  It's a nice bike, well made, good finish and good looking, I like it but it doesn't fit me.  The pegs are only slightly forward which I like but I think I would move them a bit, they hit my legs when stopped.  What I don't like is the weight and the center of gravity that seems a little high.  So I can ride my Guzzi that generally outperforms it and weighs a hundred pounds less and costs less so why buy the Harley.  A guy down the street is giving up riding at 77 yrs old and selling his 883cc sportster but it is about the same weight as the 1200cc so I'll pass on that deal.

Lots of older guys like my neighbor are giving up their Harleys and they are flooding the market.