Actually, the fact that there are not that many two-stroke motorcycles shouldn't give us much comfort. The fact is that we are visible and vulnerable. It drives the greens nuts to see and hear off-road vehicles on God's green Earth. And we are vulnerable precisely because there are not that many of us, i.e. little political clout.
Look at helmet laws. Logic would dictate that if you really wanted to reduce the number of head injuries in motor vehicles you would require automobile drivers to wear helmets. The vast majority of head injuries in traffic accidents occur in automobiles. Given the relatively few motorcycles on the road, requiring helmets was not calculated to make a big difference in death rates from head injuries. But automobile drivers are not going to sit still for helmet laws, even though such laws would save thousands of lives every year. So the lawmakers targeted a visible, vulnerable minority--motorcyclists.
The same thing is likely to happen with two-stroke motorcycles, and eventually with all off-road motorcycles. I really doubt that it will be possible to ride off-road in this country in 30 to 40 years. I plan to enjoy it while I can.
Look at helmet laws. Logic would dictate that if you really wanted to reduce the number of head injuries in motor vehicles you would require automobile drivers to wear helmets. The vast majority of head injuries in traffic accidents occur in automobiles. Given the relatively few motorcycles on the road, requiring helmets was not calculated to make a big difference in death rates from head injuries. But automobile drivers are not going to sit still for helmet laws, even though such laws would save thousands of lives every year. So the lawmakers targeted a visible, vulnerable minority--motorcyclists.
The same thing is likely to happen with two-stroke motorcycles, and eventually with all off-road motorcycles. I really doubt that it will be possible to ride off-road in this country in 30 to 40 years. I plan to enjoy it while I can.