Motorcyclists: Our Own Worst Enemies? Hot

In this day and age when roadways are overly crowded, gas prices are astronomical, and global warming is a concern, you'd think we'd be entering the age of the motorcycle. Think about it. Even high performance bikes get around 40 mpg, and more conservative engines can easily get over 60 mpg. The compact size of motorcycles makes more room on roads and parking lots. Finally, modern motorcycles are very clean burning.

So why haven't we seen more growth in motorcycling over the last decade? And why have we witnessed a proliferation of anti-motorcycle legislation?  Simple - we are our own worst enemy. The perception of motorcycles and motorcyclists is still being negatively affected by a large segment of every subset of our sport, and it's all about the way some guys ride. Here are a few examples:

Cruiser Riders

The nature of the cruiser screams individuality and independence as a lifestyle. The problem is many cruisers also simply SCREAM. Most motorcyclists love the rumble of a powerful engine. However, the general public is growing more and more resentful of the proliferation of straight-piped, obnoxiously loud bikes.

Touring Riders

You'd think this segment of motorcycling would be exempt from negative societal perceptions. However, I have heard from more than a few non-motorcyclists that they resent being trapped behind a large group of tourers traveling below the posted speeds. It is virtually impossible for a car to safely pass a half-dozen touring motorcycles in cruising formation.

Sport-bike Riders

The perception of sport-bikers is probably best summed up by some of their nicknames – crotch-rocketeers, squids, and racer wannabes. No driver wants to be passed at 100 mph on a double-yellow blind curve. Overly aggressive sport-bike riders are very visible in their roadway nuisance.

Dirt and Dual Sport Riders

Dirt riders are vocal in their lobbying for more open-space access. However, a segment of the dirt riding population is brazen in its disregard of delicate terrains and ecosystems. Not only that, the hiker that you roost on the trail is a voter.

Before you think that I am some "holier than thou" soap-box screamer, I have been guilty of a lot of the behaviors outlined above. Yes, I have strayed from the posted trail on my dual sport, and I have been known to lose my patience and pass on an occasional double yellow on my sport-bike. I have even run my share of "competition only" exhausts on the street. However, as I have matured as a motorcyclist (and as a citizen), I have made a concerted effort to keep the general public, as well as the "greater good" in mind. Let's all stop being our own worst enemies.