Posted by Ken L. on May 31, 2000 at 17:11:17:
In Reply to: Ken, I have this theory posted by Linnette on May 30, 2000 at 21:18:13:
I think the increase in motorcyclists is due to the need for stress relief. But if I was a mechanic I could see how a carberator would be a great thing to tinker with and I would get a great deal of satisfaction from optimizing its setup.
Don't know for sure but the bigger bikes seem to be getting as sophisticated as cars. The new big Kawasakis have fuel injection now.
I always said that if I ever decided to work on my own bike, then the relative simplicity of the Savage becomes a great feature.
If you want to tinker with car electronics, they do sell the toys you need to do it. Its just not the way it used to be. Don't know about inflation adjusted dollars and how the cost works out.
I'm wondering if we did not have the push for fuel efficiency and pollution control, whether or not we would have some of the electronic engine controls. We certainly would have ABS and traction control and alot of the other bells and whisters. Maybe the motivation for lower maintenance and fewer tuneups would be enough motivation for the engine control? I'm not sure.
Meanwhile the biker boom sure does seem to be just another fallout of the baby boom.
Wish I was riding now, later.
KTRSD