Why did minibikes die off?

#1
Ok, I know someone is going to say it so I know that minibikes are not totally dead, but why when it was such a craze in the late sixties and early seventies did the popularity just die off? It seems like once you get past '72-'73 it just kind of died off. Was there a particular contributing factor? Was it a myriad of things? Can anyone who was around then tell me why? I have always wondered.
 
#2
I believe it was the infussion of japenese bikes, they made a far superior bike as far as comfort with suspension, gear boxes, lighting ect. Besides all the hippies were busy smoking dope jumping rope and having orgies in flowered vw buses. To f't:001_rolleyes: up to ride minis.
 
#3
i thout it was the ins com,s becaus of law sutes,
tha man that would realy is steve durham: and tha trykes were outlawed buy are goveerment
 
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george3

Active Member
#4
mini cycles is the no. 1 answer. some were street legal, That is why the later mini bikes came out with better suspension, spoked wheels, an items to fit in to the mini cycle Ara. most people on this site dont like spoked wheel mini bikes. because of the fact that it fits in the catagory of mini cycles, witch is a little motor cycle. The 10" spoked wheel mini bikes are ok, but I prefer aluniumn wheel bikes. three wheelers were outlawed in 86 and only outlaws ride them, still have two my self. Have the 1 year honda 70 trike and a 86 200x both clean.
 
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#5
george i have 2 italian mini bikes that have 9" wire spoke wheels it 18 mo
till it could be identafide on this site,its a realy neat minibike very small
top fuel tank and all,got to get it done someday.:smile:
 

george3

Active Member
#7
I have two bike with spoked wheels rare bonanza and a yahama 80 enduro, thats just because its alot better than a 72, 60 enduro. funny thing mac ask me the other day how many mini bikes I have now? I had to count on my fingers by name of bikes and ran out of fingers. good thing I passed up at least 10 great deals or I would be counting toes, and stacking. I think I need to sell two more of my bikes, recently sold two bonanzas and bought two others, I just cant win. Wayne post a pic. of the 9" wheel bike on this thread, think I seen it before.
 

george3

Active Member
#8
1972 gas was a big problem. mini cycles, motor cycle sales went up. .5 and .10 candy bars did not exist anymore went to .30 or .40 or more the next day. everything skyrocketed like over night.
 
#9
It has been said that the Japanese were dumping minicycles into the market at below cost with the belief that if they got the kids hooked on their brand, then they would have them as adults as well. I believe they even did it with their cars as well.

Not to mention that it was similar to what we have now where the chinese can sell things for a fraction of what it costs to build a similar product in the US.
 

george3

Active Member
#12
Tom the china man is using the same strategy, and been doing it for a long time, just not the same quality as the Japanese.
 

george3

Active Member
#16
too many girls you have no time to do anything its irritating. you go to do something the phone rings. I also remember a few times calling and asking for the wrong girl, oops, click.
 
#17
Went I had the store at first it was still mini bikes but in mid 1972 the Mini Cycle market just exploded I took on Indian first and then Rupp and Alsport had the Steen with the ace 100 Hodaka engine . And all the mini bike sales just failed.
As for trikes there are Two kinds first is the ATC like the Honda you sit on top and straddle the engine . And the other style is the ATV The Dunecycle,Tri-Sport, Sperry Rand, Dune Gote, Tri-Cat Mud Bug Montgomery Ward T-555 these all were ATV's.
When the Government stopped the importing of the ATC's like the Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and any Trike of this style could not be sold as a new vehicle it was a result of a very poor safety record and improper age groups riding and getting hurt. If the industry don't watch out the Quads safety record may suffer the same fate.
Conclusion if you love to trike go for it . Steve :scooter:
 
#19
Yea I kind of remember those days, the other day I was so happy cause I was peeing a really good stream like a young man, then I realized it was still in my pants. I used to love to show the girls what I got but now it looks like a button on a fur coat. Still ride my old bonneville and shovelhead though, also the worlds fastest tote goat.
 
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