Topic: Things that changed motorcycling forever...

[754]

In my lifetime there have been 3 big ones IMO

 Feel fre to add your own or flame away

....................................................................................

First, The Japanese Invasion, changed biking forever.

Second, The movie Easy Rider..

Third, Bike-Building TV Shows,  man, did they change the biking crowd...

[HavocTurbo]

The CB750..... bikes were never the same after that.

[Steve F]

O.C.C.  We'll never get that bad taste out of our mouths 

[Gordon]

Hollister 1947

[upperlake04]

 Don't forget the British and European contributions beginning with the invention of the machine.

[HavocTurbo]

Don't forget the British and European contributions beginning with the invention of the machine.

Down with the British!!!

[upperlake04]

   Relax HT, they're gone.

[Uncle Ernie]

Hollister 1947

Actually, it was LIFE magazines desire to sell more magazines through yellow journalism (including posing fake pictures after the fact) that did that.

I'd say the A-Bomb.  After we destroyed Japan, we taught them how to build things on a massive scale using the latest technology.  That kind of facilitated the whole bike thing, IMO. (as well as all the tech stuff in general)

[Ryan 550k]

Third, Bike-Building TV Shows,  man, did they change the biking crowd...

First I must say I can't stand the OCC show.  Second, I don't watch a lot of TV nor do I know any riders who watch bike building shows.  With that said, I'm super curious how Bike Building TV shows changed the biking crowd?  I'm just curious.....I also like to laugh at people and I feel your going to give me a reason to

[HavocTurbo]

Third, Bike-Building TV Shows,  man, did they change the biking crowd...

First I must say I can't stand the OCC show.  Second, I don't watch a lot of TV nor do I know any riders who watch bike building shows.  With that said, I'm super curious how Bike Building TV shows changed the biking crowd?  I'm just curious.....I also like to laugh at people and I feel your going to give me a reason to

Went from people who rode becasue they enjoyed it, or had at least a reason to do so....

To people who wanted to be cool or socially attractive by giving the false persona of being a "bad boy".

As my father always says.... I ride what I built because nowadays every swingin dick has a harley.

  Relax HT, they're gone.

Crumpet eating so'n'so's..... grrrrrr. 

[jsaab2748]

In my lifetime there have been 3 big ones IMO

 Feel fre to add your own or flame away

....................................................................................

First, The Japanese Invasion, changed biking forever.

Second, The movie Easy Rider..

Third, Bike-Building TV Shows,  man, did they change the biking crowd...

8 words-----You meet the nicest people on a Honda

[azuredesign]

During the course of my involvement with motorcycles:

1. CD ignition made a big difference for me!
2. Fuel injection, although I'm not sure if I like it or not.
3. Disc Brakes (+1 cb750!)
4. 300+kph for off the rack bikes

[shacolaid]

some may disagree I am sure, in the US at least, I would say the AMA.

 You have the famous quote, "99% of riders are law abiding citizens", leaving the 1%s.

And the AMA has certainly done a lot for the advancement of motorcycling in the US. Both on and off the track.

[tramp]

when i bought my first one
i was so cooollll
the whole world held it's breath

[bill440cars]

   Well, I don't know about the "Forever" part, but:


    !. I'll always remember when the British bikes went from separate engines and transmissions to the "Unit Construction jobs".

    2. Quick detachable lights (complete with rubber plugs to plug the electrical connections) on the Indian (Royal Enfield) 500cc Woodsmans, 250 Hounds Arrow and the 700cc Apache

    3.  When the Hondas and Yamahas First arrived in Arkansas

    4.  Tachometers and electric starters were available   
   
    5.  Disc brakes were available

    6.  Seeing my First 69' Honda CB750K coming down the street, in Misawa Japan!   In fact, I can STILL remember that day and how "Fascinated" I was at the very sight of that "Massive 750cc Four Cylinder Engine"!

[Ecosse]

I'm not one to say but some claim the doc "On Any Sunday" showing across the country. Simply because it helped put riding in the mainstream, and Like Honda, helped make riding 'OK' for the average person; suddenly it was something the family could do and gained a slightly more wholesome image.

Seemed to influence lots of racers too.

[Magpie]

bill44ocars,
I'll add a 7 to yours:
7. Seeing a candy red 1969 CB750 in the window of Shepard Shoes on Granville Mall in Vancouver in July of 1969. I bought it the next day. I traded in a 1968 Bonnie for it. It was literally a traffic stopper. THAT'S when motorcycling changed forever. "Why does that thing have 4 exhaust pipes? Because it has 4 cylinders! NO S**T!!!" was a typical conversation.
Cliff

[Demon67]

Japanese electrics that broke the King of Darkness's (Lucas's ) hold on lighting, PE Irving's little book "Tuning for Speed" , Honda 50cc Step through ( suddenly librarians, teachers, slightly risque aunts, sisters were driving a motorcycle ) WW 2 ( helped change metallurgy, you could cast Alloy easily), I could go on about the Japanese hiring, I think it was Degner and starting the Ding-Ding revolution, electric start etc.
Any how you get the idea.
Bill the demon.

[volkswagendan]

Hollister 1947

im happy being a 99% er.

[BobbyR]

It was Honda making two wheels acceptable for the average person. They succeded in getting away from the Thug image. Harley revied the Thug image,so now you could become an instant Thug  That is of course until they meet some real thugs who will take their Harley, Rolex and  wallet.

[Ecosse]

It was Honda making two wheels acceptable for the average person. They succeded in getting away from the Thug image. Harley revied the Thug image,so now you could become an instant Thug  That is of course until they meet some real thugs who will take their Harley, Rolex and  wallet.

 



~99%er

[super pasty white guy]

Cordura.  Or to put it another way,

1 word.  Plastics.


spwg

[HavocTurbo]

Russ Collins

Don't know if he changed the motorcycling "world" but a good part of it.

God knows I used to watch the videos of him going down the track and think the whole time how cool it would be to not only own a Honda, but ride in general.

[Kevin D]

Steve McQueens Great Escape:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wih_Kj0zEZU&feature=related
 
I was only 10 when this movie came out but it showed me and a lot of others how much fun (empowering, enabling......insert your own words here) motorcycling could be. Its not shown in this film clip, but at the end of the scene when he is tangled in the wire, he gives his ride a little love tap.
 

Did the Germans not notice he was riding a Triumph?  

[PJ]

For me it was...