[bevo1981]

what's going to be the next motorcycle trend? right now it seems that baggers are the popular thing. which seems kind of strange to me because this isn't new. the custom bike industry has crashed, and the 00's trends of fat tires and long raked front ends has pretty much ended. what would you like to see as the next big thing(s) in the motorcycle industry?

me personally, i really would like ride-by-wire to catch on with cruisers. it's been on sportbikes for a while now, and is in some Harleys, but still isn't widespread yet. i'd also like to see bikes start to integrate some kind of HUD in the instrument console without the need for a fairing. some bikes have the LED readout in place of a speedometer/odometer, but i'd like to see the full head unit like most new cars now incorporate. it should give readouts on engine temp, let you know if a cylinder is running hotter or colder than it should, if it's misfiring, your oil/gas levels, tire pressure, etc. and i see no reason why this can't be incorporated into bikes without disturbing the styling of the rest of the bike.

 

[Chazzmichaels]

Retro-style bikes seem to be hot now i.e Ducati Scrambler, Honda CB 1100, Yamaha SR400, etc. I agree with you regarding ride by wire. Wouldn't mind seeing ABS more commonly standard as opposed to an add-on. Curious if traction control will catch on. The only bike I know of with TC is the Moto Guzzi California.

I hope I can at least get a gear indicator and fuel guage on my next bike! Ha

 

[DanR]

what's going to be the next motorcycle trend? right now it seems that baggers are the popular thing. which seems kind of strange to me because this isn't new. the custom bike industry has crashed, and the 00's trends of fat tires and long raked front ends has pretty much ended. what would you like to see as the next big thing(s) in the motorcycle industry?

me personally, i really would like ride-by-wire to catch on with cruisers. it's been on sportbikes for a while now, and is in some Harleys, but still isn't widespread yet. i'd also like to see bikes start to integrate some kind of HUD in the instrument console without the need for a fairing. some bikes have the LED readout in place of a speedometer/odometer, but i'd like to see the full head unit like most new cars now incorporate. it should give readouts on engine temp, let you know if a cylinder is running hotter or colder than it should, if it's misfiring, your oil/gas levels, tire pressure, etc. and i see no reason why this can't be incorporated into bikes without disturbing the styling of the rest of the bike.

So I guess I'll show what a newb I am and ask what the heck is ride-by-wire? Is that a none cable system for the throttle and such?

Dan

 

[osbornk]

So I guess I'll show what a newb I am and ask what the heck is ride-by-wire? Is that a none cable system for the throttle and such?

Dan

Ride-by-wire is the motorcycle version of vehicle's drive by wire. The throttle is connected electronically and there is no cable to the fuel injection system (forget carbs). BMWs, Indian, many Harleys and others have had it for a while now and it seems to work fine. My 04 F-150 has it, my Kia Optima has it and my prior Impala had it and none have had any problem with it.

 

[DanR]

Right, so using wireless, OK I figured yes, would be cool! And less cables hanging off the bars

 

[Hades02]

Ride by wire is why Toyota had all of those recalls. There is also a delay in throttle response in a lot of situations.

 

[Postmaster]

If you believe the motorcycle mags, they're all touting the benefits and eco friendly ideas of an electric motorcycle and automatic trannies on bikes. I don't think they're ever gonna catch on however. I ride a bike because I LIKE the sound of the motor and I LIKE shifting. What's next? AC on a bike? NO THANKS.

 

[nick57]

been looking at the FJ-09 it has three speed settings.sport, standard and slow why could'nt they program vehicles to stay within the speed limits.they would be hard to sell tho

 

[pangea33]

I ride a Roadstar because it's no frills and you can buy really solid ones for under $4k. A lot of those features just add cost. Sure they increase safety in some cases, but so does never riding a motorcycle.

Regarding styling though, I am a fan of the new slimmed down styles. The SR400 looks pretty cool to me, and I happen to like the fact that it's a kickie.

 

[Summer]

HUD, Traction control, lights and gauges for every little system on the bike...Not for me. If that's what you like then its all good but for me, two wheels, a comfy seat, a little torque, and some noise from the pipes is all I need on a bike. I can agree on ABS but other than that it's just something to add to both the purchase price and the repair cost if needed.
Look at the modern cagers today. We all talk about distracted drivers with cell phones...well with all the touch screens, buttons, lights and controls in many cars today seems to me the car would be more distracting than a phone for some people. Bringing any amount of that to a bike would send me in the other direction. But again that's just my opinion. Not saying it's wrong, it's just not for me.

 

[Sick Mick]

Skinny tire small CC retro bikes will be with us for some time to come. That is the biggest change in the industry since everyone went away from the "fat butt" chopper look of the 90's. There will still be a lot of the old school chopper look as well.

Baggers have always been here and always will. I'd definitely not call putting a big tire on the front of a bagger a radical movement in design. It's all just the same old stuff...with more lipstick on the pig.

I'm really enjoying the introduction of the new smaller CC bikes, like the Bolt and the SR400 from Yamaha and the CB1100 from Honda, not to mention Harley's intro of the 500CC and 750CC bikes. These things are made for customization and we're seeing some incredible looking bikes come from those platforms.

Adding more electronics to the bike is hardly "the next big thing", it's been happening for 110 years. Then again, that same thing is the reason why customizers tear these bikes completely down and toss all that stuff out to be back to the core of the machine.

I hope it all continues..... You can have a $25,000 BWM or a $150 400CC Cafe Racer with both riders being just as proud of their machines.

 

[Slayer]

I'm not in tune with what the Gen X's and Gen Y's are interested in motorcycle-wise.

The chopper, v-twin crusier, bagger popularity has been driven by Baby Boomers mostly. I suspect the Gen X's and Y's as they have disposable income will set the next trends.

Boomers will still drive our segments with enhancements like the "ride by wire", ABS, etc

 

[bevo1981]

Adding more electronics to the bike is hardly "the next big thing", it's been happening for 110 years. Then again, that same thing is the reason why customizers tear these bikes completely down and toss all that stuff out to be back to the core of the machine.

you can't buy a new production bike without buying new technology. electronics is only part of it.

 

[Slayer]

Maybe the skinny jeans/skinny suits guys will influence the "skinny motorcycle" trend as Sick Mick has talked about.

 

[bevo1981]

aren't they the target demographic?

 

[bevo1981]

i'd be fine with just about anything as the next trend as long as it sticks to 2 wheels. no more of these, please:

 

[Slayer]

aren't they the target demographic

Being a Boomer and having cycled to the Viagra demographic, I hate to admit it......you are correct!

We will still have some influence because we have money but we aren't the center of the target anymore!

 

[Chazzmichaels]

aren't they the target demographic?

Damn Hipsters!

 

[Larry Gude]

These aren't trends as much as the new normal that I see;

Standard ABS on most bikes. The benefits are HUGE.

Standard traction control. Same thing.

Standard ride by war. Electronics are getting far too good for this not to happen. BMW didn't start adding it because it was a fad. They started adding it because it is far superior. Folks resisted EFI for the same reasons wire will be somewhat resisted but, like EFI, the simple superiority will replace cables.

The Gold Wing will continue it's regression, already having stripped the trunk, they will next remove the bags and fairing and offer a stripped down street fighter Gold Wing that you can then add back everything else as an accessory.

Integrated helmets wirelessly connected to rear view cameras.

Automatic Integrated collision avoidance systems including next gen defensive lazers that will vaporize vehicles encroaching on your space.

Some sort of active 'landing gear' type mechanism that will, simultaneously, deploy a low side roller device to keep you from sliding out, meaning it will only allow the bike to lean in as far as your bikes geometry and tires are designed for, correcting for weight and speed and also a high side device that won't allow the bike to high side correcting for weight and speed. In essence, four wheels instead of two for when you **** up. A Corrective Automatic Restraint type set up or, CAR, for short.

 

[sparkn]

I think the next big trend is already in its infancy with the changes to the sub 10k category. The Bolt, Street, FJ-09 and such are a testament to a market opening up for bikes that don't cost 30k or even 15k to enjoy riding. When the UJM faded away a part of motorsports died, IMO, with only a couple retro looking Triumphs giving us a glimpse of a time when the same bike off the show room floor could be found 1/4 miling, track racing, commuting to work for economy or have a Windjammer and leather bags slung over it touring the countryside. The UJM is not coming back, but the focus towards satisfying the shoestring budget with something other than an afterthought needs to be met and reflects the product offering changes that are now being made.