Commuter bike sales are the highest for 30 years

[Undinist]

So says the MCIA:

[kerr]

Sounds like good news to me, the more bikes on the road for whatever reason the less congestion
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aprilia 125 Af1 Futura >> Suzuki gsxr 600 srad >> J1 zx6r >> cbr 600rr >> Speed Triple

[pepperami]

[tiger blue]

It's exactly the reason why I started riding a couple of months ago, after many years of saying I'd never have one. My commute is fairly short by some standards (13 miles / 20-50 mins depending on time of day), but is the most stressful part of my day. The final straw was losing on site car parking at work (bikes unaffected). I'm enjoying it so far, despite the weather, and plan on doing my DAS in a few months.

[stevo as b4]

It's not really that surprising though is it?

I bet in 2009 moped and small bike sales rose too, due to people no longer affording to run a car etc.

Small bike sales have always been kind of important to the 16/17 year olds market too. Its always been a way of getting around for a year before you can learn to drive, or even for 2-3years for those that can't afford or justify the costs of buying and running a car especially insurance wise.

I know of at least 3 cyclists in the last 2years that have also swapped pedal powered commuters for a scooter or motorcycle, maybe after one too many winters of being shoved into the gutter or over bonnets of dozy car drivers etc.

[Vracktal]

Total motorbike numbers are a double-edged sword. Sales fall too low and the industry doesn't care about you; no real new bike developments, no lobbying power to speak of, nobody cares because bikers are such a minority.

However, too high and the government starts seeing you as a cash cow going unmilked; increases in VED because drivers swapping cars for bikes lowers their income, local authorities put an end to free parking for bikes, congestion charging starts being applied to them etc.
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2007 BMW R1200R: On road
2009 BMW G650X Challenge: On road
1975 Norton Commando 850: Off road, awaiting recommissioning

[Piercee100]

This does pretty much describe me. I've always been a petrol head but always hated bikes, well not hated but just not interested in them.
Until one day I was sat at the entrance to the Black Wall tunnel after an accident for four hours watching bike after bike bike pass me. I had my CBT booked the next week and a test 12 months after that. I was 30.
I love bikes now, and my whole family is following too. There are so many advantages for commuting, parking, socialising and having fun. I even sold the family car. It was simply easier to hire one for a week when we went on holiday.

Friends and family have watched me and followed suit. I know of at least four people at work who have opted to buy a scooter or motorcycle after talking to me. Its usually after I had the argument with them about being late for work and the cost of public transport haha! Only one test pass though.
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Rides: Honda H100a (Retired), VT500e (Sold), Kawasaki ZX400 (sold), Kawasaki GT550 (Sold), Suzuki Inazuma (Daily), Honda CD185t (Broken), LML Star 2t (Last run edition).

[Undinist]

Aha, a GT550! How wide are your handlebars?
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Current bike: K1100RS. Previous: CD200, GSX250, GT550, VFR750, K100LT, K1100LT, R1100GS, R1150GS, ZZR1100, Hayabusa, RSV Mille, MV F4 750S, R1, ZX-10, KTM Adventure 950S

[Piercee100]

Not sure, seem pretty average why? GT550's a barge lol.
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Rides: Honda H100a (Retired), VT500e (Sold), Kawasaki ZX400 (sold), Kawasaki GT550 (Sold), Suzuki Inazuma (Daily), Honda CD185t (Broken), LML Star 2t (Last run edition).

[redeem ouzzer]

Do we want filthy casuals into bikes though?
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Be a REAL MAN!

[stevo as b4]

Us older multiple bike owners for the lols and fun frolics might not want filthy casuals and tourist bikers, but think of all the Lexmoto sales and cheap tinny 4stroke clone crap they won't sell without them.

Also it can only be sensible ride to work and ride to save time/money types that prop up sales of dedicated high mog big bikes and middleweight commuter machines like the Honda NC750 and cross dresser 800's, as anyone with balls and a pulse wouldn't otherwise buy em.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Almost all for London. Good news for sure though. A good sign that the industry is starting to recover, and the more bikes on the road, the more the powers that me might see them as a viable method of transport rather than a death trap.
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My Flickr

[.Chris.]

One wonders how much of this is due to the popularity of Chinese bikes in the 125 sector. Could be a combination of low new prices plus bikes that don't last very long making for lots of new registrations.
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[Undinist]

[Piercee100]

Its only that the mirror's are just the wrong height, used to fold them in too. Its handling though, is bloomin aweful. Comfy with the wife on the back for a ride, but show it a roundabout- Shaft drive and ancient air / oil suspension... Shudder.
Usually commute on my Inazuma 250. Medway to Wembley and back cost's a tenner a day.
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Rides: Honda H100a (Retired), VT500e (Sold), Kawasaki ZX400 (sold), Kawasaki GT550 (Sold), Suzuki Inazuma (Daily), Honda CD185t (Broken), LML Star 2t (Last run edition).

[geordie1234]

I always wanted a bike bt couldn't justify but I've got a 2nd kid on the way and the mrs is going part time so taking the car..

I told her I'll do the cbt and get a cheap 125 lol

fast forward 4 months I have my mod1 coming up and a honda cbr600 waiting

got the bug big time
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[tiger blue]

I'm new to riding, in my late thirties, never had any interest in bikes before. A change in circumstances at work made me re-think my commute, so after talking to colleagues who ride I decided to take the plunge and do my CBT three months ago. I'm pleased I did, and after buying a second hand YBR I'm planning on getting my licence at some point this year. I can see the benefits of a bigger bike, but will see how I get on with the YBR.

[Rogerborg]

Yup, no need to rush at it. I was perfectly happy on my 125 for a year. Very cheap motoring, lots of grins.

Just don't ride anything bigger, or you'll fall out of love pretty sharpish.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike