I would like to propose that motorbicycles are the "new" motorcycle culture. I put the word "new" in quotation marks because motorbicycles themselves certainly are not new, in fact the first vehicle to cross the Continental United States was a motorized bicycle. But this is undeniably a culture that mirrors early motorcycle culture, when soldiers came home from the war and built motorcycles using whatever they could find. Isnt that what many of us do here? And, as with that early culture, the best of us as builders (not including myself in that category yet, just for clarification) are constantly pushing the envelope. That early culture had several shootoffs, from bobbers to cafe racers to choppers and everything in between. I see our little hobby taking many different forms and directions, each unique in their own right and distinct from the others. And any builder out there is only limited by his own imagination. The real reason why I think that mb's are the new motorcycle culture is because they are more economical than motorcycles or cars, and in today's economy, any culture that is based on saving money is bound to thrive. I do see myself as a motorcyclist, and I am proud to be part of this culture. This culture may not get as much media exposure, or be as "socially popular" as other forms of motorcycle culture, but then again, we dont do this for them, do we? No, we do it for us. We are a culture unto ourselves, not dependent upon what society may think or feel about it. We are modern day motorcyclists, hearkening back to the days when two wheels ruled the world, and I believe they may some day again.
While it sounds good at first - I must say I don't agree with your "proposition" at all, not even a little bit, it's simply flawed in too many ways to be credible & is even perhaps a contributing factor in the potential downfall, a cessation of this activity as we know it.
It begins with the contradiction of a "new culture" that's not new in any way shape or form, either as motorcycles or motorized bicycles, but the most profound error is proposing the primary distinction between motorcycles and motorized bicycles is economy alone, that you even see yourself as a motorcyclist - abet on a huffy not a harley, some shoddy kit in place of a honda.
By doing this you're doing a grave disservice to both the motorized bicycle and motorcycle enthusiast, directly inferring that the only point to motorized bicycling is if you're cheap, that they're mere imitations of something else, even that there's no innovation or uniqueness left in the motorcycle realm - we are
not "modern day motorcyclists" we are motor bicyclists and it is that distinction above all else that holds the most importance, yet is exactly that you've dismissed so readily.
For it is within that distinction that remains a rarity indeed and that is a freedom to express a creativity unhampered save by the most general of outlines, that should you refrain from gross excess you may build what you will, ride where you will and be beholden to no man, subject to no inspection, no ongoing taxation or insurance - that it is left to you and you alone to judge yourself, your creation and your intent.
It is one of the very last vestiges of such trust in self reliance and our relative maturity, allowing anyone interested to decide for themselves what they wish to create and how they wish to create it, regardless of cost or rationality.
It is this, one of the very last examples of independence that harkens back "to the old days" as "a culture unto ourselves, not dependent upon what society may think or feel about it" and is in fact the only true distinction between motorized bicycles and motorcycles.
For if you wish to build a custom motorcycle "from bobbers to cafe racers to choppers and everything in between" you are more than welcome to do so and many do - provided they follow the strict letter of the law, to be fully compliant with every aspect of the inspection criteria, from DOT approved lighting to safety standards, then to be subject to that inspection again on a never ending annual basis, to be registered, to be plated, to carry insurance no matter your usage or even if it's to be used at all.
While motorized bicycles do have some legal limitations, they're generalities in comparison, a mere description of the perimeters in which you're free to do as you will, you're actually still entrusted with your own interests.
Be proud for this, be proud of being a motor
bicyclist unfettered by paper or plate, to have found one of the last remaining freedoms of self-determination. Do not style yourself as a cheap motorcycle in a longing for acceptance for if you wish for a motorcycle and it's trappings, by all means get one, build or buy one and avail yourself of the benefits of bureaucracy, the security in the conformity of compliance.
You may choose to have a motor bicycle based only on economics, utilizing the least expensive components then pretending you're a motorcyclist by adopting a culture unrelated save for the vaguest reference to a common ancestry, emulating a style instead of acknowledging a truth...
I for one will continue to savor my independence no matter the cost, my creativity no matter the culture, I will ride on knowing I've done my best, proud to have done so, proud of those that have done so before me, prouder still that I'm actually allowed to decide for myself.
These are not motorcycles, they're motor bicycles and the day that is discarded is the day I will ride no longer.
Motorbicycles allow people that are disabled in some ways to be able to ride, and ride fast!
