Motorcycle Baby Boomers A Common Trend
Baby Boomers No Strangers To Motorcycles
Take a look around you... and look at the baby boomers, more specifically, those about to turn 60 within
the motorcycle community. Now we know that the baby boomers are from 45 - 60. Looking on the high end
of the scale seems to be the one most attracted to the motorcycle industry.
Many boomers now find themselves unburdened by the costs of braces, summer camp and mortgages.
That means there's just a bit of expendable income, and for big boys and girls that means big toys.
Michael Turner was 45 years old when he started riding a motorcycle.
Turner is a Drug Enforcement Agency agent and said the fact that he is also a biker is not a problem.
"In fact, I see more agents riding bikes and motorcycles to work, in the garage, than I've ever seen," said
Turner.
Turner said he knew he was hooked after his first time on a bike.
"I loved the way the wind would go through my hair. Back then, I had hair," said Turner.
But, what may be even more interesting is the fact that Turner started his motorcycle career on the back of
a bike.
"I rode Michael for quite a number of years," said Michael's wife Edna Turner. "One day I realized it was
time for Michael to get his bike. And that was, we drove up a little incline and came to a light. Michael was
so relaxed sitting back on the sissy bar that when I took off the bike did a wheelie. At that point in time, I
realized Michael had gained weight. So, Michael then had to get his own motorcycle."
Michael did just that. And so have lots of others. In the last 15 years, the demographic of bikers has
changed.
"Back in 1988, the average age for a biker was 32 years old. And in 2005, the average age of a Harley
buyer is 48 years old," said Bernie Keller of Rockville Harley Davidson. "Now, ten percent of buyers are
ladies."
Its reported that there are about 8 million bikers riding along the North American roadways, with about one-
third of them being over 50.
Vance also said about one-third of the bikers have college educations and make over $80,000 a year.
Bikers said that some of the appeal is the feeling of a new lease on life.
"It's a perfect way of just dating again," said Edna Turner. "It's just a wonderful feeling because you have
control. You can go fast. You can go slow. You shoot the gears. You can hear your music. You can talk
each other … it's just wonderful," said Edna Turner.
Baby Boomers No Strangers To Motorcycles
Take a look around you... and look at the baby boomers, more specifically, those about to turn 60 within
the motorcycle community. Now we know that the baby boomers are from 45 - 60. Looking on the high end
of the scale seems to be the one most attracted to the motorcycle industry.
Many boomers now find themselves unburdened by the costs of braces, summer camp and mortgages.
That means there's just a bit of expendable income, and for big boys and girls that means big toys.
Michael Turner was 45 years old when he started riding a motorcycle.
Turner is a Drug Enforcement Agency agent and said the fact that he is also a biker is not a problem.
"In fact, I see more agents riding bikes and motorcycles to work, in the garage, than I've ever seen," said
Turner.
Turner said he knew he was hooked after his first time on a bike.
"I loved the way the wind would go through my hair. Back then, I had hair," said Turner.
But, what may be even more interesting is the fact that Turner started his motorcycle career on the back of
a bike.
"I rode Michael for quite a number of years," said Michael's wife Edna Turner. "One day I realized it was
time for Michael to get his bike. And that was, we drove up a little incline and came to a light. Michael was
so relaxed sitting back on the sissy bar that when I took off the bike did a wheelie. At that point in time, I
realized Michael had gained weight. So, Michael then had to get his own motorcycle."
Michael did just that. And so have lots of others. In the last 15 years, the demographic of bikers has
changed.
"Back in 1988, the average age for a biker was 32 years old. And in 2005, the average age of a Harley
buyer is 48 years old," said Bernie Keller of Rockville Harley Davidson. "Now, ten percent of buyers are
ladies."
Its reported that there are about 8 million bikers riding along the North American roadways, with about one-
third of them being over 50.
Vance also said about one-third of the bikers have college educations and make over $80,000 a year.
Bikers said that some of the appeal is the feeling of a new lease on life.
"It's a perfect way of just dating again," said Edna Turner. "It's just a wonderful feeling because you have
control. You can go fast. You can go slow. You shoot the gears. You can hear your music. You can talk
each other … it's just wonderful," said Edna Turner.