Ok thanks for the SPR definition, etc.

Yes, we are more car dependent than the 70's, but thats only because we're a larger country, more populace more cities than the 70s

I grew up in the 70's....and to my eyes, it isn't much different as far as requiring a car to live....never in my lifetime has there been any meaningful public transit anywhere I've lived across the US, but it isn't like anyone I've ever known missed it, etc.

Just normal way of life here.....I started working at restaurants when I was about 16yrs....saved my money and bought my first car (with some parental help) as a senior in High School.....and got that first taste of independence ..

I just thank GOD there was no social media back then and we didn't have cameras everywhere....ugh.

But the US has always in modern times been car centric....to see when it was not you'd likely have to look back about 100 years....

A few years back, I went to a local community college...paid a few dollars to "apply" to take some grad courses.....sent transcripts, etc....I think a total of maybe $50 to apply.

For that I got a student ID with picture...and NO DATEs on it.

I also got an .edu email address. I've not used that in ages, but likely could reactivate it with some phone calls.

But that ID alone has saved me a TON of money over the years getting educational rates and prices.

Check to see what your local colleges put on their IDs and you might find it worth it to do the same.

It's going to get substantially higher than $4. I think it could end up pushing 7 bucks. Historically, the US has tolerated recessions more lightly than it has gas above 5 bucks. So this is a really really big deal, not least because demand destruction through mode shifting is much less tenable than in the 70s due to greater car dependency, and the SPR is already extensively drawn down ahead of winter. A whacking great recession may well be on the way.

Maybe that high in the "weird" states that overtax and have massive regulations on formulation, etc.....but here in the New Orleans...TX area, I don't see it getting that expensive.....

I don't get from you response one thing clearly...are you saying we had greater car dependency in the 70's or we have it now?

Also, what is "SPR" please?

I just don't see an electric bike/motorcycle holding any interest whatsoever to me...I LOVE my regular motorcycle....the sounds, smells, mechanical vibrations and with all the controls, clutches, going through gears, etc....it's all part of a visceral feel that you only get from a real motorcycle.....

Just pulling a throttle on a silent EV "motorcycle"....even though it might launch you into the future....will not have the same appeal...

You forget your metamucil this morning, grandpa?

Once the machine is paid off I'm never touching the card again.

I just bought a Mac Mini last month. The no questions asked educational discount took $100 off. Also signed up for the Apple card giving me 12 months of 0% interest payments.

I wonder how many people on this site can ride a motorcycle. They have lots of opinions about the clutch, though.

I do. Just about a year ago, I bought a 2023 Indian Chief Bobber (dark horse edition)....just shy of 1900 CC of pure fun.

I could not imagine buying an electric motorcycle....even with all the things they may try to emulate.

There's now way they can simulate how a big V-Twin rumbles at idle or roars with gas......no way an electric can simulate that zen as you become one with the road and a mechanical beast.

Why go to all the trouble with fake clutches and sound effects and shaker motors....to simulate what is already simple there with an ICE motorcycle.

Without even going into real range anxiety (bikes cannot carry large batteries)....it's just the experiences.

The sounds and smells and feel of a real bike....every time I jump on mine, it's an adventure.

I had mine a couple months and removed the slip on exhaust parts and replaced with some "shorties"....now it sound just right....I can't imagine changing the mp3 recording on an EV bike would be quite so rewarding.

Around here you have your summer car and your winter beater. Sure you drive the winter beater all year round to pickup landscaping materials and such, but your summer car never hits those pot holes and salt.

Where do you live where you have "winter" and "summer" cars...??

I've never even heard of such a thing......

Hello from New Orleans....

Hell...still better than an Iran with nuke.....

We can wait them out....$4 gas isn't that big a deal....

Same thing here. My firewall/router is a core 2 duo box that set me back $35. I would like to replace it but it keeps chugging along without complaint.

How about a modern kernel on a 486? https://github.com/Sharktastic...

You going to ignore the other subsidies Ford was getting before they even made an EV? Then lets talk about fossil subsidies https://www.theguardian.com/en...

I rented a Versa for a trip and at 70mph or over you could watch the hood flexing in the wind.

Short term profits are all that matter in this age.