Motorcycle Research Paper
Imagine for a moment, the stereotypical motorcycle rider. People who don 't ride motorcycles will probably picture one of two extremes. A burly, leatherclad, tattooed Hell’s Angel, or a younger holligan on a crotch rocket flying by on the freeway. Neither is a very positive image that would make someone think well of those who ride motorcycles, but these people are an extreme. Rarely have motorcyclists ever been seen in a positive light due to these extremes. For those who don’t ride, motorcycles are noisy, dangerous, and an unnecessary way of getting around. So why does the public hate motorcycles and the people who ride them? Going back through history offers an interesting look at how and why the public seems to …show more content…
Unlike the early American automobile industry which was dominated very early on by around 10-15 companies the early motorcycle industry had over 250 brands. And unlike the motorcycle industry of today, they weren’t viewed as just a weekend hobby, they were a direct competitor to the automobile. Early motorcycle brands attempted to market their product as a cheaper alternative to the automobile, that got better gas mileage and was more versatile on the unpaved roads of the early 1900’s. However right from the start the public had an issue with these motorcycles. SInce the motorcycle was offered at a much cheaper price than most automobiles people who rode bikes were often associated with the poor. Also in smaller towns and cities, horses were still a viable means of transportation, and when a motorcycle would ride through town, they would quite often spook the horses. The automobile was much quieter than these motorcycles and people who drove them were held in a higher regard than those who rode motorcycles. Many manufacturers sought to fix this issue by making their bikes quieter with an exhaust flap. Many companies only offered this as an option, and even when they were made standard they were often …show more content…
Seeing as there were only 2 kinds of bikes to ride there was a split between the people who rode them, Harley riders and Indian riders. This marked the origins of the motorcycle gang. Since both brands had such a strong following, they often got together to go on rides. However these motorcycle gangs aren 't the ones we picture today. These “gangs” were few and far between throughout the 30’s and the modern motorcycle gang didn’t show up until the late 1940’s. Prior to World War II, motorcycles weren’t embedded into pop culture like they are today. But when American G.I’s went overseas and rode motorcycles during the war they enjoyed it.Upon coming back they wanted to continue riding their bikes. However the bikes they rode during the war were much lighter and nimbler than the bikes they came back to. As a result they stripped many parts off their bikes resulting in the origins of the chopper. Many of these riders banded together and rode as groups adopting the lifestyle of Eat,Sleep,Ride. These gangs developed such strong followings that they became hostile to any other groups of riders. Going back to the war, Harley won most of the contracts to produce motorcycles for the military. When the GI’s returned home they wanted to continue riding Harleys. In 1953 Harley’s only competition, Indian closed its doors. This left only Harley, the quintessential American motorcycle. With gangs growing in numbers
Imagine for a moment, the stereotypical motorcycle rider. People who don 't ride motorcycles will probably picture one of two extremes. A burly, leatherclad, tattooed Hell’s Angel, or a younger holligan on a crotch rocket flying by on the freeway. Neither is a very positive image that would make someone think well of those who ride motorcycles, but these people are an extreme. Rarely have motorcyclists ever been seen in a positive light due to these extremes. For those who don’t ride, motorcycles are noisy, dangerous, and an unnecessary way of getting around. So why does the public hate motorcycles and the people who ride them? Going back through history offers an interesting look at how and why the public seems to …show more content…
Unlike the early American automobile industry which was dominated very early on by around 10-15 companies the early motorcycle industry had over 250 brands. And unlike the motorcycle industry of today, they weren’t viewed as just a weekend hobby, they were a direct competitor to the automobile. Early motorcycle brands attempted to market their product as a cheaper alternative to the automobile, that got better gas mileage and was more versatile on the unpaved roads of the early 1900’s. However right from the start the public had an issue with these motorcycles. SInce the motorcycle was offered at a much cheaper price than most automobiles people who rode bikes were often associated with the poor. Also in smaller towns and cities, horses were still a viable means of transportation, and when a motorcycle would ride through town, they would quite often spook the horses. The automobile was much quieter than these motorcycles and people who drove them were held in a higher regard than those who rode motorcycles. Many manufacturers sought to fix this issue by making their bikes quieter with an exhaust flap. Many companies only offered this as an option, and even when they were made standard they were often …show more content…
Seeing as there were only 2 kinds of bikes to ride there was a split between the people who rode them, Harley riders and Indian riders. This marked the origins of the motorcycle gang. Since both brands had such a strong following, they often got together to go on rides. However these motorcycle gangs aren 't the ones we picture today. These “gangs” were few and far between throughout the 30’s and the modern motorcycle gang didn’t show up until the late 1940’s. Prior to World War II, motorcycles weren’t embedded into pop culture like they are today. But when American G.I’s went overseas and rode motorcycles during the war they enjoyed it.Upon coming back they wanted to continue riding their bikes. However the bikes they rode during the war were much lighter and nimbler than the bikes they came back to. As a result they stripped many parts off their bikes resulting in the origins of the chopper. Many of these riders banded together and rode as groups adopting the lifestyle of Eat,Sleep,Ride. These gangs developed such strong followings that they became hostile to any other groups of riders. Going back to the war, Harley won most of the contracts to produce motorcycles for the military. When the GI’s returned home they wanted to continue riding Harleys. In 1953 Harley’s only competition, Indian closed its doors. This left only Harley, the quintessential American motorcycle. With gangs growing in numbers