Are Choppers Dead?

[Buzz Kanter]

Is it me, or has the market for choppers dropped off the radar? Two years ago you couldn't go to any rally, big or small, whithout seeing dozens of high end, big buck choppers. Now you need to look long and hard to find them.

What happened to the choppers?

I'll agree with that. Less stretched and raked bikes and much more baggers in my area.

I don't think they are dead Buzz. I do think the trend is moving more towards more comfortable, shorter and more usable bikes.

[05bigdog]

I totally disagree, I just came back from Myrtle Beach a couple of weeks ago and was very surprised by the amount of choppers I saw there. I wouldn't be surprised to see Harley coming out with a chopper soon. Their 96" engine and 6 speed tranny moves them closer to the players in this market.

[AdamWilliams]

In the areas where riding is not a 12 month a year opportunity, it seems that the impracticality of custom stretch jobs is changing the marketplace. LOTS of baggers up here in the northeast.

[94flhtcu]

There's a bunch of chops here in northern va. Custom and traditional. And, I see a lot of the same ones in traffic each week. At least some are getting ridden.

[Majicbringer]

Unless you live someplace that has long straight stretches of smooth road, and you can afford to buy a pricey bike and keep it garaged for 5 months or so while snow flies, choppers aren't the way to go. The price of a chopper alone is a bit prohibitive for Joe Average. Anyone can get a deal on a non-chopped bike and customize it without breaking the bank and have a ride that can take on any riding situation.

[Hawaiian_346]

I have a 1946 Indian Chief and take it to most of the custom bike and car shows here in Hawaii. It's in premium shape and has all the stock Indian stuff on it (ie it RED and has Fringe).

It is interesting that at the shows, everyone goes over to look at the great choppers and customs at the show, then "sticker shock" sets in and they start looking at the practicality of owning such a machine.

Finally it never fails. First the girls wander over to my old Indian and ooh and aah over the fringe and the glowing Indian fender light, then the guys slowly wander over and we get to talking about this great old bike. I show off the fact we've actually put an electric starter on the bike, something we couldn't do with any of our old flathead Harley's and just have a good talk about bikes in general. From what I can gather, and my own tastes reflect this as well, if you are going to spend that much money on a custom bike, the custom baggers are more appealing and make a bit more sense.

In the end, the crowd is usually more around a 60 year old motorcycle than the new customs. I always thought that a bit odd, but enjoy the lime lite while it lasts.

[94flhtcu]

It's probably the first one I'd look at.

[delininquent]

I Feel The Market Is Moving To Hot Rod Baggers.just Look At The Street Glide Sales