Another sign of what is ahead for the motorcycle hobby...

[Baatfam]

I have an 11 year-old nephew like that. I bought him a $500 BMX bike to try to get him away from his PS4 and Nintendo-to no avail.

Yes, they have bikes, also. But absolutely no place flat within walking distance, so they just never learned.
Now, they have cheer practice, cheer leading, cheer competition, and no time for bicycles.

We learned to ride bikes as kids, so we could go places. It was how we got around.
These days it seems like most kids, including my granddaughters, are chauffeured everywhere, even if only a couple blocks.

[earlfor]

Yes, they have bikes, also. But absolutely no place flat within walking distance, so they just never learned.
Now, they have cheer practice, cheer leading, cheer competition, and no time for bicycles.

We learned to ride bikes as kids, so we could go places. It was how we got around.
These days it seems like most kids, including my granddaughters, are chauffeured everywhere, even if only a couple blocks.

I rode a bicycle everywhere until I was old enough to get a driver's license. My parents didn't ferry me anywhere.

[Baatfam]

I rode a bicycle everywhere until I was old enough to get a driver's license. My parents didn't ferry me anywhere.

Same here, but we're old....

[earlfor]

Same here, but we're old....

My first car was a 1960 MGA bought while in the military.

[Baatfam]

My first car was a 1960 MGA bought while in the military.

My first car was a 1960 Austin Healey 3000, right after high school, while working at a small Lotus dealer.

[GS1150Pilot]

Mine was a '64 Mini Cooper, right-hand drive.

[earlfor]

Mine was a '64 Mini Cooper, right-hand drive.

If had any idea what they would be worth today, we would have kept them.

[Admiral Beez]

Though chain drive aside, I have to say I?ve been leering at the Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe as a new machine, even more so than the Triumph T120 that I thought was my dream bike.

https://www.kawasaki.com/products/2018-Z900RS-CAFE

[fbody_mike]

In southern California we have some big dealers, Del Amo, Berts, Chaparall, and a bunch of smaller guys. Now I hear complaints that internet sales are hurting their business, but I remember before the internet I could walk into my local shop, ask for a part, the guy would look on the micro-fiche and then tell me he had it and would grab it if I wanted it. If it had to be ordered it was 1 or 2 days wait before I'd pick it up, and they had lots of inventory on hand. Now when I go in, nothing is stocked anymore and must be ordered, but I can order it myself and get it to my house just as quick. Maybe the OEM manufactures shifted their policies that changes the credit the little guys had, I don't know. What I do know is I have little need to walk into a motorcycle dealer anymore unless I need some fork oil right away because I let my personal stock dwindle.
My last internet order was for some Michelin Pilot 2 tires and Motion Pro rim guards. I ordered it through bikebandit.com and I got it the next day, dropped shipped from Parts Unlimited which apparently has a warehouse 20 miles from me. I am just ranting, hopefully the Motorcycle hobby survives because it drives my lifestyle.

[GS1150Pilot]

If had any idea what they would be worth today, we would have kept them.

I had three of them at one point, plus a TR6.

[Jedz123]

Was at the local mega dealership a few days ago. They have a green Z900RS & a T120 Diamond Edition. Both are sweet. Its a tough call.

All depends what you want.

Reliable, Japanese, Throttle by cable, less frills... Z900RS
Not as Reliable (but still decent) , More options (cruise, heated grips, USB charging, ABS, TC, etc), Throttle by wire, 2 year warranty (mine came with 3) .. T120

41K on my 2018 T120 and I would confidently say I would still do it all over again. I did manage to throw a leg over a Z900RS and it would make a great mule but the T120 hands down has more personality and better option for my riding style.

Best,

[limeex2]

Dealers don't carry parts because of the new business principals of running "lean". If they can't sell the part 4 times per year they don't stock it. Younger generation doesn't enjoy the freedom of riding like the older gen does and the bikes made for us who still ride look like a vehicle from the Jetsons. Why do you think retro bikes sell well? Old people buy them cause the look good work fantastic and can be ridden all day. Big dealers do well by embracing all types of powersports, having items people can touch and feel and cost the same as the internet.

[Baatfam]

All depends what you want.

Reliable, Japanese, Throttle by cable, less frills... Z900RS
Not as Reliable (but still decent) , More options (cruise, heated grips, USB charging, ABS, TC, etc), Throttle by wire, 2 year warranty (mine came with 3) .. T120

I absolutely hate throttle by wire, and don't think I will ever own a bike with it.
Having it in cars sucks enough...don't need it on the bikes.

[Rob S.]

...2 year warranty (mine came with 3) .. T120

41K on my 2018 T120...

Was that tranny covered (fully or partially) by that warranty? What about the "new" one (with 21k on it)? Any warranty on it?

[limeex2]

Was that tranny covered (fully or partially) by that warranty? What about the "new" one (with 21k on it)? Any warranty on it?

As an ex-service manager in the mc biz, old tranny should be fully covered and the repared version would be covered by the balance of the remaining warranty period.