Words of Wisdom From David Hough - Part 9
More wisdom and advice from David Hough:
Q: What is the deal with riders in the 2 - 3 year range and accident rate increase?
A: It's easy to get cocky on a bike, because once you master the basic skills you might think you're ready for anything. After two or three seasons, riders may start to take increased risks, not realizing that the lessons are just starting. A few crashes or near misses typically gets the overconfident rider back on track.
Q: Where do you see the future of motorcycling going? From what camp will the new leaders and innovators come? Sport bikers? Women bikers? Do you feel that there is a passing of the guard happening?
A: The motorcycle industry is very nervous about the average age of motorcyclists, which is increasing something like 7 years every ten. There just aren't as many young riders getting in, but there are lots of older riders fading away. With competition from all sorts of exciting sports and games, the motorcycle industry seems to be building faster and more aggressive machines. Unfortunately, race-technology bikes are expensive, and young people typically can't afford them. One interesting phenomenon is the sales of three-wheeled motorcycles such as the Can Am Spyder. Spyder buyers seem to be young professionals ready for something exciting, but without the same level of risk of a bike.
The BMWMOA Foundation recognizes the need to encourage younger riders, so they have a two day "camp" prior to each International rally for less experienced riders. The idea is to get newer, usually younger, riders involved in the social activities such as seminars, rather than just "hanging out."
There are a lot more women riders now, and there are women riders' seminars and conferences to allow women to encourage and educate each other. Personally, I'd prefer to see women just become "motorcyclists" without the need to segregate. Women riders are a huge untapped market that the industry has been slow to recognize.
Q: What was motorcycling like when you started? There wasn't a "Hurt" report, a 750cc bike was considered "big", decent books, training or other resources.
A: Actually, when I started, a 650cc was a "big" bike. The "senior" class on the Isle of Man was 500cc. Lots of people were riding around on 250s, 500's, and 650s. There wasn't much in the way of riding gear, other than leather boots and leather jackets. It took a while for useful helmets to come along. Bell came out with a full coverage helmet with a tiny face opening that made it look like a diving helmet. Everyone knew that motorcycling was dangerous; no one knew exactly why. And when the big buying boom of the 1970s came along, crash and fatality numbers shot through the roof.
Q: Advice for the "no helmet", t-shirt/flip-flop and shorts crowd. You don't want to rain on their parade but anything you can mention that can possibly help?
A: Some people are so focused on personal freedom that they will cling to any scraps of logic to "prove" that helmets aren't useful. I'm with (the late) Hugh Harry Hurt here. Even the cheapest DOT approved helmet is better than no helmet. I would prefer we not have to have helmet laws, but too many riders have proven they aren't too sharp about avoiding crashes and injuries. It's not possible to crash without involving other people. And neither the Constitution nor the Bill of Rights guarantee the freedom to operate a motor vehicle any way you want. There's a huge difference between helmet usefulness and helmet laws. If those who fight helmet laws would simply wear helmets voluntarily, there would be no need of laws.
This is the last segment from our interview with David Hough. Stay tuned to watch the interview videos, also on 2wheeltips.com.
Q: What is the deal with riders in the 2 - 3 year range and accident rate increase?
A: It's easy to get cocky on a bike, because once you master the basic skills you might think you're ready for anything. After two or three seasons, riders may start to take increased risks, not realizing that the lessons are just starting. A few crashes or near misses typically gets the overconfident rider back on track.
Q: Where do you see the future of motorcycling going? From what camp will the new leaders and innovators come? Sport bikers? Women bikers? Do you feel that there is a passing of the guard happening?
A: The motorcycle industry is very nervous about the average age of motorcyclists, which is increasing something like 7 years every ten. There just aren't as many young riders getting in, but there are lots of older riders fading away. With competition from all sorts of exciting sports and games, the motorcycle industry seems to be building faster and more aggressive machines. Unfortunately, race-technology bikes are expensive, and young people typically can't afford them. One interesting phenomenon is the sales of three-wheeled motorcycles such as the Can Am Spyder. Spyder buyers seem to be young professionals ready for something exciting, but without the same level of risk of a bike.
The BMWMOA Foundation recognizes the need to encourage younger riders, so they have a two day "camp" prior to each International rally for less experienced riders. The idea is to get newer, usually younger, riders involved in the social activities such as seminars, rather than just "hanging out."
There are a lot more women riders now, and there are women riders' seminars and conferences to allow women to encourage and educate each other. Personally, I'd prefer to see women just become "motorcyclists" without the need to segregate. Women riders are a huge untapped market that the industry has been slow to recognize.
Q: What was motorcycling like when you started? There wasn't a "Hurt" report, a 750cc bike was considered "big", decent books, training or other resources.
A: Actually, when I started, a 650cc was a "big" bike. The "senior" class on the Isle of Man was 500cc. Lots of people were riding around on 250s, 500's, and 650s. There wasn't much in the way of riding gear, other than leather boots and leather jackets. It took a while for useful helmets to come along. Bell came out with a full coverage helmet with a tiny face opening that made it look like a diving helmet. Everyone knew that motorcycling was dangerous; no one knew exactly why. And when the big buying boom of the 1970s came along, crash and fatality numbers shot through the roof.
Q: Advice for the "no helmet", t-shirt/flip-flop and shorts crowd. You don't want to rain on their parade but anything you can mention that can possibly help?
A: Some people are so focused on personal freedom that they will cling to any scraps of logic to "prove" that helmets aren't useful. I'm with (the late) Hugh Harry Hurt here. Even the cheapest DOT approved helmet is better than no helmet. I would prefer we not have to have helmet laws, but too many riders have proven they aren't too sharp about avoiding crashes and injuries. It's not possible to crash without involving other people. And neither the Constitution nor the Bill of Rights guarantee the freedom to operate a motor vehicle any way you want. There's a huge difference between helmet usefulness and helmet laws. If those who fight helmet laws would simply wear helmets voluntarily, there would be no need of laws.
This is the last segment from our interview with David Hough. Stay tuned to watch the interview videos, also on 2wheeltips.com.
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