Remember Harley Davidson, Indian Motorcycle, and every other American-made heavyweight cruiser? They’re all dead! Why? Because the next generation and the ones to follow could care less about heavy, loud, gas-farting noisemakers.

Polaris Industries invested in the wrong brand, sure they are growing in share with Indian Motorcycles today, but what happens when there are no more Harley customers to steal from?

The next generation of thrill-seekers is way different than my generation, that’s for sure. We grew up riding motorcycles right across from our house in the empty field. How many empty fields do you see across from your house today? Farmland doesn’t count either, it turns out; they don’t like people on motorcycles ripping up their precious crops-go figure!

Nope, tomorrow’s youth is interested in one thing, their phones, and everyone on the other end. If the motorcycle industry is to survive the coming generations, they are going to have to get creative. I see Luke Skywalker meets Pokyman Go.

Imaging hopping on an electric or other-worldly powered bike, pulling on your helmet with a heads-up display (which is connected to your social ride-tribe via a hand-held device), where-by your team encounters the warlords of the woods in a heated battle of killing the aliens while riding along your favorite trail.

Am I wrong about this? Maybe, and maybe not, but one thing is certain: three-wheeled motorcycles like the Slingshot and Spyder are just a band-aid for dying boomers. Those trikes will be dead soon too.

Sorry for all the doom and gloom here, but I’m trying to save the motorcycle industry here!

You have been warned–From the future

MM