I think theres some truth in what Lois is saying...

My take is that Adventuer biking EXPLODED in popularity over the naughties..With E&C and all the manufacturers jumping on the band wagon with them, there was a lot of new interest.

That led to a lot of newbies all at once (me included).... Just look to how the Riply meeting increased in numbers ???

Well, what do newbies do ?? They buy all the stuff they think they will need. Expensive aluminium boxes, TT electric bum fluff removers, titanium lazer etched soap dishes etc..

All the stuff that any adventurer will SURELY need to survive yeah !!

Well, all these newbies got out there and did some trips (me included) and realised how much money we'd wasted on pointless crap. The vast majority realised that you don't need to spend ££££££££££££ on kit to ride around the world.

I think it's a case of experience now... Where you still get a decent amount of newbies coming in and swallowing up the sales brochures, I don't think there is that explosion of novice adventure bikers with open wallets that there was even five years ago.. People got smart !!!

OF COURSE the global recession is also to blame. There just isn't that spare cash for toys anymore. Many of my riding buddies have downgraded their bikes and put those "Bike bling" toys on indefiate hold. That goes for me too. You can't justify spending £300 on a new GPS when your kids need new shoes for School.

Maybe we can put it down to Education too. With more and more forums full of experienced overland bikers showing people "HOW TO" .

You're always going to get that bling bling side of it who will continue to buy the top end metal boxes and £1000 riding suits. If it keeps them happy and the market alive, ces't la vi...

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.