Is MCN relevant any more?

[agricola]

Never been a regular reader of MCN.


The impression I get is that bike sales are relatively healthy.  I suspect also cheap credit and PCP deals are keeping the stock rolling out the door.


Harley Davidson seems to be one of the big sellers up here – piloted by folks dressed up as outlaws and often wearing silly masks as if they are off to rob a bank or hold up a post office or something.


There seems to be a lot more to choose from in the way of new bikes, but then it seems hard to find something to fit the bill.


There seems to be shit loads more bikes on the road.  But then as bikes are now generally kept for leisure use or toys, they seldom get run into the ground and scrapped.

technologically advanced machines that most riders dont want

It seems to be there is a demand for stuff like rider modes, traction control and electronically adjustable suspension etc.


Can’t argue with ABS.  I’m surprised that tyre pressure monitors are not mandatory now as they are in cars – it can be a life saver.


I’ve been pouring over the options list for BMW’s R1250R


I like and I want;
Heated grips, Tyre Pressure Control, Cruise Control and Centre stand. (why are these not standard on the beemer anyway FFS?)
I’m tempted by Dynamic ESA (electronically controlled active suspension)


I could not care less about;
Keyless ride, daytime running lights, Quick shifter, Riding modes pro, GPS prep, alarm, Intelligent emergency call etc.

Wow. Bikes are a rare sight indeed down here in the east midlands. When i first started work in 68, i reckon perhaps 20% of the workforce at the old steel works travelled to work by motorcycle, 30% on pushbike (including me) 30% by bus (there were dozens servicing the steel works daily at all times), and the rest either walked or could afford a motor car. When I finished work 3 years ago, my motorcycle was generally the only one in the bike racks, along with half a dozen cycles. No buses came into the site (a major pharma site), and the car parks were rammed such that you had to arrive really early to get a parking spot at all. The Council twigged on and introduced a car park tax