I am standing in front of John King’s tidy brick rancher in Parkville, Md., when he rolls up on his 2000 Harley-Davidson twin-cam Classic, and the sight just about takes my breath away.
It is a muggy, late-summer evening and the last golden rays of the sun dance off the flawless black paint job and light up the polished chrome as King revs the engine lightly, then lets it idle with that distinctive, throbbing blob-blob-blob sound.
I have never been on a hog in my life, but at this moment, I want one. Bad.
I want an endless stretch of open road and blue skies. I want to roll into a dusty prairie town and have the rubes on the sidewalk gawk with envy, and then I want to roar off at dawn with the mayor’s curvy young wife behind me, her arms around my waist, squealing with delight as we race toward the sun-streaked horizon.
By all accounts, I am not alone in my lust for these machines. This is a Golden Age for Harley-Davidson, the legendary giant of U.S. motorcycle manufacturing. After lean years in the ‘70s and early ‘80s, the Milwaukee-based company is one of the financial success stories of the last decade.
Harley now owns 51% of the U.S. motorcycle market. Total sales this year are expected to be well over $1 billion. Harley dealerships are thriving.
But there is another statistic associated with these legendary bikes that is startling, all the more so if you don’t ride: The average age of a Harley owner these days is 44. In fact, more than eight out of 10 Harley owners are over 35; almost one in five is 55 or older.
Maybe you still have this image of Harley riders: rebels on raked-out choppers of the type Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper rode in “Easy Rider,” or brawling Hells Angels, or moody iconoclasts who take to the open road to get away from dead-end jobs and loveless marriages.
But now your average Harley rider is the guy who leaps off his hog and opens a laptop to check on his 401(k), or the woman who picks up her cell phone to find out how the kids are doing at college, or the senior who quietly slips an AARP card out of his wallet when checking into a motel, hoping for the discount.
Take John King, a man who could be Exhibit A for the aging of the Harley ridership. King, 60, has tattoos and long, thinning hair and a bushy beard that looks like shredded burlap. He is, in every sense of the word, a real biker. The word is, too, that he’s a former Hells Angel, which he denies, although with something less than ringing conviction.
These days, King works for the Johns Hopkins University grounds department, a tame job for a biker who once rode with outlaws. But he’s been riding since 1954, gone through 50 or 60 Harleys, even owned his own motorcycle shop.
He still rides roughly 25,000 miles a year, and his house is a virtual shrine to Harley-Davidson and the biker lifestyle.
“Yeah, a lot of [Harley] riders are older these days,” he says wistfully. “But I’m not about to stop riding. I just hope I can make it ‘til I’m 85 or so. Until I set on the porch and die.”
In the midst of this conversation, King’s girlfriend asks if I’d like to see his little dog ride too. The dog’s name is Sparkplug, a wire-haired Jack Russell terrier. On the bike, he sits behind King, strapped in like an astronaut in a Mercury space capsule.
You have not lived until you’ve seen a hard-core biker on his big ol’ hog with his little dog behind him, the two of them racing along.
Near the entrance of the Harley-Davidson Store, gleaming hogs and Buell sport bikes (also made by Harley) stand in long, even rows. Not far away are huge displays of helmets, boots, leather jackets, T-shirts and custom accessories.
But during a tour of the cavernous store, Jim Foster, the genial 55-year-old owner, steers me away from the hard-core stuff to an area devoted to something completely different: Harley kiddie apparel.
Ten years ago, the average age of a Harley owner was 34. Now, as Harley riders get older, they’re having kids, and their kids are having kids too. Somewhere in this generational chain, Harley figures, is the potential to snag new customers. Hence, we are now staring at rack after rack of Harley baby clothes, Harley “onesies,” Harley jammies, Harley toddler overalls, Harley kiddie leather jackets. It’s like a Baby Gap for biker kids.
“We’ve got a lot of [customers] . . . baby boomers, who say: ‘My kids are pretty much raised, and I always wanted to do this as a kid. I’m more mature today than I was at 20. [Riding] looks like something that’s fun, and now I’ve got a chance to do it.’ ”
On the phone from Harley corporate headquarters, Joe Hice, director of corporate communication, offers one simple reason Harley owners are older these days: “Because the bikes are so expensive.”
Generally, older people have more disposable income. And you need disposable income to afford motorcycles that can cost up to $20,000, before customizing. Still, 17% of owners are 35 or younger, which means the company has made some inroads into a younger demographic.
By now, I’ve heard about so many Harley riders over 45 that I begin to picture Bike Week in Daytona 25 years from now: doddering bikers leaving their directional signals on for mile after mile, Metamucil-swigging seniors roaring through town on their hogs with shawls draped across their shoulders, stooped bikers with wind-burned faces lining up outside steak houses in full leathers at 4 p.m. for the Early Bird Special.
I visit Nelson Goldberg, a plastic surgeon who works out of the University of Maryland Hospital. Goldberg is 53, with longish hair and a ready smile.
At his rambling home, his two massive Bernese mountain dogs walk with us to his garage as he shows me his gleaming red 2000 Harley Road Glide, his ’93 Harley Heritage Softail with a sidecar, two Buells, a BMW and a Honda dirt bike used by his son Grady, 13.
Goldberg has been riding for 30 years, puts up to 15,000 miles on his bikes annually, and still delights in the reaction he gets when he pulls into the hospital parking lot on his hog--clad in black leather--and heads for the operating room.
“A whole part of my life is trying to shock people into being alive,” he says. “It seems that today, people go through life like they’re on an escalator, half-asleep and going through the motions.”
In Essex, Md., a few days later, I visit Helen Hurcombe, 46, and her husband Don, 43. Helen, a pleasant-looking, conservatively dressed woman who has a big job--director of acquisition and grants--at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Assn., seems an unlikely person to be roaring off on the Harley Ultra Classic parked in her garage.
That is, until you meet Don Hurcombe. Don, a big, friendly man, has been riding a motorcycle since he was 15 and seems culled from biker central casting: massive arms and legs decorated with tattoos of snarling cobras and dragons, graying hair pulled back into a long braid, goatee, earrings, sleeveless black Harley T-shirt, big 2000 Harley Softail Classic out back.
Helen has been riding for just six years, which is how long she’s known Don, an executive driver for the Social Security Administration. “It’s just something we enjoy doing together,” Helen says of riding. “It’s a great way to travel. . . . You’re just one with the environment.”
Over the last four years, Helen Hurcombe took another significant step in her embrace of the biker lifestyle: She got a pair of tattoos. On one shoulder, in glorious, rich ink, is the famous French-dandy cartoon skunk, Pepe Le Pew. And on one leg is a phoenix, the legendary bird that rose from the ashes of a pyre, youthfully alive, to begin life anew.
FAQs
This distinction is important, since the average Harley-Davidson customer is a married man in his early 50s, with a household income at or above $90,000. These are the customers buying motorcycles out of a passion for the product or lifestyle.
Is 72 too old to ride a motorcycle? ›
To be honest, there is no specific last age to retire as a motorcycle rider. People in their 70's, 80's, and even 90's ride without any problems. The only difference is that they don't ride to compete, but just to have some fun and go from point A to point B.
What is Harley motto? ›
"Live to ride, ride to live."
Is 50 too old to ride a motorcycle? ›
That's not to say that no matter your age you can hop on a bike and ride into the sunset, no problem. Riding a motorcycle in a way that is safe and enjoyable takes effort at any age. So, no, 50 years is not too old to start riding a motorcycle.
How old are most bikers? ›
Cyclist Age
| Cyclist Years | Percentages |
|---|
| 40+ years | 30% |
| 30-40 years | 31% |
| 20-30 years | 36% |
Sep 9, 2022
Just like a new car, a new bike depreciates the second the papers are signed and you drive it off the lot. However, Harleys tend to retain a high resell value. Therefore, by buying used, you can get a beautiful bike that will resell at a high value, should you ever decide to sell your used Harley.
Should a 75 year old ride a bike? ›
Summary. Senior bike riding is perfectly safe and has many health benefits. It will help you lose weight, stay strong, avoid chronic illness, stay mentally alert and live longer.
Is 75 too old to ride a motorcycle? ›
That's not to say that no matter your age you can hop on a bike and ride into the sunset, no problem. Riding a motorcycle in a way that is safe and enjoyable takes effort at any age. It may be easy to forget that those skills and practices can change for aging motorcyclists.
Is 75 too old to ride a bike? ›
Cycling is sometimes considered a form of exercise and enjoyment reserved only for children or the most avid of sporting enthusiasts. However, when you peel back the surface of cycling, it's a sport that is perfect for everyone, including people over the age of 60!
What do bikers call their Harley? ›
Hog/hawg: Nickname for almost any Harley, but usually reserved for the bigger bikes in the lineup (as in, not Sportsters). Also, HOG is the acronym of the Harley Owners Group.
These little bells, known in the motorcycling world as Gremlin Bells, Guardian Bells, or Spirit Bells, are a kind of good luck charm for motorcycle riders. The bell is said to protect them during their travels, similar to how a pendant or image of St.
What is the Harley-Davidson Oath? ›
Engraved motorcycle graphic with a time-less Bar & Shield logo on top. Other side features the Rider's Oath "May the sun rise in front of me, the rain fall behind me, and the wind follow me. May the angels guard my travels for they know the road ahead of me. Keep me safe through rolling hills and swirling turns.
What is the average age of motorcycle fatalities? ›
The Average Age for Motorcycle Fatalities Is Over 40
However, motorcycle accident statistics prove that half of the drivers involved in fatal bike accidents were over 40. The most common age to die in a motorcycle accident is 42.
What is the average age of bikers? ›
Motorcycle Owner Statistics Overview. The average age of motorcycle owners in the United States is 50 years old.
Can a weak person ride a motorcycle? ›
Many believe you don't need core strength to ride a motorcycle. While there is some truth to this statement, it's important to remember that core strength can help you perform many other activities on a motorcycle. Many people think they need a solid core to ride motorcycles, but this is only sometimes the case.
What state has the most bikers? ›
Not only is California one of the U.S. states with the highest number of motorcycles, but it is also the most populous state in the U.S. overall, representing close to 12 percent of the country's total population.
What is a 25 year old motorcycle called? ›
Classic, vintage or antique motorcycles are generally at least 25 years old and look the way they were intended to when first manufactured or built.
What are the red flags when buying a used Harley? ›
Red flags. Things to look for when buying a used motorcycle include rust or significant scratches, oxidized paint, a rusty chain, smoke from the exhaust when the bike is started and leakage from the engine or transmission. Any of these can signal signs of bigger problems.
What is high mileage for a Harley? ›
Harley Davidson: High Mileage
When looking at a Harley Davidson's mileage, the range at which it begins to be considered high is around 80,000 to 100,000 miles. There is no specific mileage number where you should be concerned about your bike.
What year Harley is most sought after? ›
An ultra-rare 1908 Harley is officially the most expensive motorcycle ever to be sold at any auction at $935,000, according to Vintagent, which keeps tabs on vintage motorcycle sales. The sale took place at the Mecum Auction in Las Vegas January 28.
Step-through bikes are a great option for older riders, because they're a lot easier to mount and dismount than a bicycle with a crossbar, or even a sloped top tube. It's easy to get one or both feet down when making a stop. A number of brands make bikes with a low step-through.
What happens if you don t look away from the bike high on life? ›
No matter what, as soon as the player turns their gaze away from the bike, it will immediately disappear.
At what age should you get a bigger bike? ›
Kids Bike Sizes Chart
| Wheel Size | Age | Height |
|---|
| 16″ | 4 – 6 years | 41 – 48″ |
| 20″ | 5 – 8 years | 45 – 54″ |
| 24″ | 8 – 11 years | 49″ – 59″ |
| 26″ | 10 + years | 56″ + |
2 more rowsAug 18, 2022
Age on a bike is much like age on the rider. If taken care of - it isn't much of a worry. Obviously perishable items like tires, belts, gaskets, oil, cables will wear out over time, but are easily replaced. Maintenance is the key to keeping it going and purring.
Can you learn to ride a motorbike at 70? ›
(It would be pretty frustrating, wouldn't it; discovering that you've been missing out on so much joy, for so many years?) So that's why I'm here to tell you that you're never too old to start riding motorbikes.
Should seniors ride bikes? ›
“Biking is an excellent form of exercise for seniors,” says Kathy Wayman, a physical therapist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “It's easy on the joints, great for thecardiovascular system and a fun and social activity. Plus, a little wind and sunshine are good for the mind.”
Is riding a bike good for your heart? ›
Cycling is a good way to improve your fitness and heart health. Two short trips to the shops and back each day – about 30 minutes' of daily cycling – will begin to benefit your cardiovascular system.
Can someone with dementia ride a bike? ›
Cycling together during World Alzheimer's day
Research has shown that exercise is good for people with dementia. Moving ensures that the mental deterioration slows down. You improve your thinking skills, restlessness, passivity and your blood circulation with exercise.
What is biker code? ›
So instead you live a lie – or a series of lies about loyalty, honour, brotherhood, respect. And you give this lie a name. You call it the Bikers' Code.
What do you call a biker's girlfriend? ›
Ol' Lady: Some say Old Lady and others argue about using the 'd' on the end of old. However you choose to pronounce it - - when a biker decides he likes a woman well enough to keep her as his personal property, he takes her as his Ol' Lady. The term Ol' Lady is a term of endearment, not one of disrespect.
The "Biker Wave", the greeting between motorcyclists, is well known to us: it is a gesture of recognition, of friendship, which we do because we are part of a community, accomplices even without knowing each other. The basic concept is "Hello two-wheeled brother.
Why do Harley riders wave to each other? ›
It's simply a way of showing camaraderie with other riders. A wave or nod is our special way of saying hello and showing solidarity. Motorcyclists are often outnumbered on the road, so it's nice when riders show that we have each other's backs.
What are the rules of a biker bell? ›
The Rules of the Bell
It should not be bought by the user – in order to work, it must be given to a rider from a loved one. According to the legend, a bell is “activated” by the gesture of good will when someone, especially another rider, gives it to a rider they care about as a gift.
Who can give you a gremlin bell? ›
The Gremlin Bell is a gesture of kindness to a rider from someone who cares about them, so it should be kept by the intended recipient, and can be transferred to another bike. If someone sells a bike with a bell and they want the new rider to have it, they should still remove it, and give it to them face to face.
What does broken wings mean Harley? ›
Broken Wings = a patch meaning the rider has been in a crash. Burnout = Spinning the rear wheel while holding the front brake. Many places have contests to time how long it takes for the tire to blow out.
What makes a Harley a police special? ›
The new police sidecar chassis Harley-Davidson's new sidecar chassis features improved straight line and cornering stability, improved steering effort for left and right hand turns, improved tire to ground contact, reductions in vibration and noise as well as improved weight distribution. For Law Enforcement only.
What does bikers welcome mean? ›
When we're asked what Bikers Welcome means.... It means that we are more than glad to meet motorcyclists in our restaurant.
What is the most common death on a motorcycle? ›
By far the most common cause of motorcycle accident fatalities is traumatic brain injuries. Fatally injured motorcyclists wore helmets in 58% of accidents, and 52% of the crashes involved two vehicles.
What is the most common motorcycle accident? ›
1. Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Left-Turning Cars. The most common motorcycle accident happens when a car makes a left-hand turn in front of you. This is the single most dangerous situation for motorcyclists, accounting for 42% of all accidents involving a motorcycle and car.
Which bike has most accidents? ›
Cruisers: As much as 50% of the motorcycles on the road today are classified as motorcycle cruisers. This also means that they account for a large percentage of the accidents. Additionally, cruisers may encourage riders to wear less protective gear in order to maintain their 'cool image.
The authors describes various biker gangs who engage in criminal activity, and are between 21 and 45 years old. That description seems closer to the famous 1967 book by Hunter S. Thompson, Hells Angels which describes the gang members of that notorious group as ranging in age from the early 20s to mid-40s.
How many miles can a beginner biker ride? ›
To give you an idea of distances and speed, the average cycling speed for a beginner is about 12mph. This means that in your first week, you'll be covering distances of up to 2 miles. After eight weeks, the 10-mile ride shouldn't feel daunting at all.
What is the hardest thing about riding a motorcycle? ›
Any accomplished motorcyclist will tell you the hardest part about learning how to ride a motorcycle was mastering the clutch. Figuring out that fine line between stalling the engine and moving forward can be terrifying, done wrong, and things can get ugly quickly.
What is two main things you should never do on a motorcycle? ›
7 Things You Should Never Do While Riding a Motorcycle
- Don't tie shoelaces in loops. ...
- Don't watch the speedometer, watch the road. ...
- Watch the tires of the vehicle in front of you (don't trust brake-lights blindly) ...
- Don't change speed in the middle of a corner. ...
- Change gear before an overtake, not during the overtake.
IS IT HARDER TO LEARN TO RIDE A HARLEY® THAN OTHER TYPES OF MOTORCYCLE? Not at all. Larger, heavier Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are positionally stable, with wide tires that make keeping the bike upright a little simpler.
What is the age demographic of Harley-Davidson? ›
Harley Davidson as a bike manufacturing company established in the year 1903. Men of age group 35 to 65 are the core customer of Harley Davidson and the other customer are young adult, ethnically diverse rider and women of above average income. Harley has a wide range of product in bike and apparels.
What is the average age of motorcycle owners? ›
Motorcycle Owner Statistics Overview. The average age of motorcycle owners in the United States is 50 years old.
What demographic buys Harley-Davidson motorcycles? ›
Younger generations might have different attitudes toward purchasing motorcycles than older generations because they can't afford such a hobby. Average Harley-Davidson consumers are married men in their early 50s with a household income of $90,000 or higher, according to CNBC.
What is the average age of a motorcycle rider? ›
The average age of the American motorcyclist is 48. The average amount of riding experience is 26 years. 95 percent of its members are men.
What is Harley-Davidson personality? ›
Harley means Freedom
The dominant personality trait of the Harley-Davidson brand is freedom, not necessarily a Rebel.
Today's median Harley Davidson owner is a white male about 47 years old, with an income of around $90,000, according to company demographics.
Who is the target market for Harley-Davidson motorcycles? ›
Harley-Davidson buyers are predominantly males, aged 55 and above. With a comfortable disposable income, they invest in these premium vehicles because they identify motorcycling as a passionate hobby of theirs. These consumers are ageing, however, and steadily outgrowing their interest in purchasing new bikes.
Is 70 too old to start riding a motorcycle? ›
That's not to say that no matter your age you can hop on a bike and ride into the sunset, no problem. Riding a motorcycle in a way that is safe and enjoyable takes effort at any age. It may be easy to forget that those skills and practices can change for aging motorcyclists.
What is a 40 year old motorcycle considered? ›
According the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, an antique motorcycle is one that is 35 years or older. This is the only “true” official designation in the U.S., but because some states allow motorcycles to be registered or licensed as antiques after just 20 years, sometimes the definition becomes unclear.
Who is Harley-Davidson biggest competitor? ›
Harley-Davidson competitors include Yamaha, Bombardier Recreational Products, Polaris Inc., Thor Industries and Winnebago Industries. Harley-Davidson ranks 1st in Overall Culture Score on Comparably vs its competitors.
What is the culture of Harley-Davidson? ›
We are a proud corporate citizen and believe in strong support of the communities where we work and live. Each location with a Harley-Davidson facility has a unique heritage, excellent cultural and social environments, and friendly people who welcome newcomers – we are honored to call them home.
What is the decline of Harley-Davidson? ›
For 2022 overall, Harley-Davidson sold 117,100 new bikes in North America, down by 12 percent as compared to the 133,700 sold in 2021.
What does the number 13 mean for bikers? ›
The letter M, being the 13th letter of the alphabet, often is said to stand for marijuana or motorcycle. Generally, it is assumed someone wearing a 13 patch is either a user of marijuana or other drugs, or is involved with the sale of them. The M also has been known to stand for "methamphetamine".
What are the demographics of bikers? ›
largest group of the motorcycle riders were between 18 to 25 years old (43.9%), followed by 26 to 59 years olds (41.8%), 2.2% were below the legal motorcycle riding age (<15 years), and among those who were 15 to 17 years old 46.1% were illegally riding a size of motorcycle with more 110 cc.
