Move Along, Scooter: Americans Save On Gas

Two-wheeled Transportation Appeals To People Who Want To Save Money At The Pump

(AP)  Joan Kohler is not a typical new scooter customer.

But the 51-year-old restaurant owner bought a candy-apple red Honda last week as worries about the price of gas overrode any trepidation about learning to drive it.

With the average price of gas closing in on $4 a gallon, many cash-strapped motorists are turning to fuel-stingy motor scooters and smaller motorcycles. Dealers across the nation report brisk sales this spring, particularly for those that get from 75-120 miles per gallon.

"Ninety-five percent of those who come in mention high gas prices," said Lonnie Trujillo, sales manager for Vespa of California at Sherman Oaks, Calif. "Even though we're in southern California and have year-round riding weather, April sales were phenomenal," he added.

Sales of name-brand scooters such as Honda, Yamaha, Vespa and Suzuki rose 24 percent in the first quarter of the year, said Mike Mount, spokesman for the Motorcycle Industry Council trade group - noting that it's not exactly a hot sales period because of cool weather in much of the nation.

Many lesser-known scooters from China, Taiwan and South Korea also are sold in the U.S., but Mount said those sales figures are not readily available.

"We believe, anecdotally, that fuel prices are definitely having an effect on scooter sales," he said. "It seems likely that that's playing into scooter sales this quarter, as well."

The lowest-priced scooters such as the Chinese imports cost about $800, while name-brand bikes cost $2,000 to $3,000 and top-of-the-line models can go for $6,000 to $8,000.

Ross Petersen, a motorcycle and scooter dealer in South Dakota's capital, Pierre, said scooter and medium-sized motorcycle sales are propelled by gas prices. Even people who don't fit the biker mode are buying, he said.

"We're selling to people who we normally wouldn't get into our shop," Petersen said. "We're getting people who have no intention of ever moving up to a bigger motorcycle like a Harley-Davidson."

Within a day of buying her Honda from Petersen Motors, Kohler had 35 miles on her scooter. She said the price of gas was a major consideration, even though her daily commute is just a few miles.

"One-hundred miles to the gallon is great," she said. "I don't do a lot of driving. It's just mainly going to work and back. And I thought, it can't be that difficult to drive."

Gingerly edging to a stop on her driveway, she said her husband worried about her safety, and so she promised to be careful.

"My family was so concerned that I'm going to get killed that I went out and got a mesh lime-green vest with reflective tape, and if other drivers can't see me, they're blind," Kohler said.

Johnny Scheff of Motoworks in Chicago, which sells Vespas, said high gas prices are prompting consumers to find alternative means of transportation. Scooters can pay for themselves in fuel savings over one to three years, he said.

"April was a terrible weather month in Chicago, and the things were just flying out the door," he said.

At Vespa SoHo in Manhattan, the largest Vespa dealer in the country, owner Zach Schieffelin said scooter sales also are being propelled by New Yorkers fed up with commuting on the subways.

"We are starting to see the big uptick we were expecting, and it's all starting to boom now," said Schieffelin. "All of us who ride on a regular basis are having people stop us and ask what kind of fuel economy we get."

But the boom in sales for smaller scooters isn't transferring through to bigger models. Mount, the trade group spokesman, said sales of small and medium-sized motorcycles rose 7.5 percent in the first quarter, but sales of larger, more-expensive motorcycles were down 11 percent.

Harley-Davidson Chief Executive Jim Ziemer said high gas prices aren't bringing in new customers to their dealerships - but that fuel costs may help customers rationalize purchases they'd already decided to make.

The Milwaukee-based company is seeing sales erode as its customers pull back on spending amid the struggling overall economy. Sales fell 12.8 percent in the U.S. in the most recent quarter, and the company announced plans last month to cut 8 percent of its work force and trim shipments.

But the fact that many larger motorcycles can get up to 50-60 miles per gallon may be an important factor in those sales this year, Mount said. Sales of biker accessories, apparel and parts also are strong, he added - another possible indication that more people are driving motorcycles to save on fuel costs.

"It tells us, more people are riding more miles," he said.

Petersen, who sells Harley-Davidsons, said most who buy those motorcycles are not fueled by high gas prices.

"Nobody really buys a $15,000 Harley to save gas, but they do save gas and it helps justify it," he said. "What we sell is a want. It's fun.

"Even when things are bad, some people still buy their toys."

[sjc_1]

This is an interesting micro economic spin. Substitution is one things that is suppose to happen when the market "adapts" to new conditions. In other words, people who are affluent enough to just lay down $10,000 for a new scooter made in some other country when gas goes over $4 per gallon. Most people can not afford to do this and the real irony would be when they have to compete for road space with those big SUVs out there.

[countymotors]

If anyone is considering buying a moped it%u2019s important to know how to buy the right one and guiding you in the right direction to buy the right machine to begin with. Remember folks, in any market where there is a sudden high demand, also means the people who will take your money and never produce. Doing your research and carefully selecting your purchase is smart. Do not just throw your money at a dealer unless you know they are or have been there to stick around%u2026. Cases in point%u2026remember the pocket bike era? Saw them on every corner at gas stations etc. where do you get the parts now? There are great people who are here to share great advice and product with you at a reasonable price. Look for the veterans that have been doing this much longer than the gas crisis. Find a knowledgeable staff to help you with after sale service. Buying a moped, motorcycle or gas scooters will not only save you gas and less pain in the pocket... yes you may forget where the gas station is at 80-115 mpg, but you will also be helping our planet with a lower carbon foot print. http://www.countyimports.com has a great selection of mopeds to begin your hunt as well as a user forum for discussion and facts as well. http://www.scooterbbs.com is a moped community where you will find 1000%u2019s of people discussing 100%u2019s of different topics on gas scooters.

[countymotors]

We have been in the scooter business for many years now. Since mid March gas scooter and moped sales have soared. Coming from a business who is trying to keep up with demand! Generally, we would sell maybe 5-6 mopeds online a day and maybe that a week in our local store. Now people are standing in line to buy. We are seeing now 20-25 since they can buy themselves a new moped anywhere from $799-$2200 50cc-250cc delivered to their home saying it will "pay for itself" in 3-6 months. Many did not know that 250cc mopeds are actually freeway. We literally have customers driving 1500 miles to our store.

[olebd]

For the price you pay, a slightly used motorcycle was the answer for me. It has saddlebags, a windshield and enough room to fit 2 people. It gets about 50 MPG. I took the MSF course, got my license and practice every day the weather permits. It''s been great. The key is to wear bright colors to get noticed. Make youself stand out in traffic and yes....still pretend like you are invisible and always scan ahead.

I love my scooter, a Honda Metropolitan (49cc). I am a contractor and still manage to use it often. I have a cargo-hauler on the back of the truck that the scooter fits nicely onto. I take the truck to the jobsite with the scooter on the back, then leave the truck there until I need to haul materials. 110mpg vs. 12, any questions? Two serious tips from experience; 1. Always ride like you are invisible, because basically you are to far too many drivers (includes all size motorcycles). 2. Buy a name brand scooter, Honda, Yamaha, etc. My first one was chinese, even though it had an Italian name, and when I started having problems even the importer couldn''t get parts.

[gabbysmomrs]

I''ve read that in some places it is illegal to take a Vespa-type scooter on the public roads and highways. Is this true?

[brooks0638]

Smaller scooters can be had for less than $2,500 and are great for around-town riding. Bigger models that can carry two people run as high as $4,500. Top-end models, the ''superscooters'', are capable of carrying two people and some luggage at freeway speeds for long periods of time. All models are incredibly efficient, fun to ride, and downright cheap to own. Just make sure you add the cost of a really good helmet to the sticker price. If your head is worth $50, buy a $50 helmet. If it''s worth more than that to you, spend accordingly. It''s the only thing between you and the road.

[coppertales]

My first ride was an Allstate Vespa my Dad bought for me in 1958. He figured it was cheaper than letting me use the family car. I now ride vintage Kawasaki bikes. When you look at 15 mpg, pickup, vs 45 mpg on the bikes, it is a no brainer. I save 4 bucks a day....chris3

[sleepyric]

what a wonderful market prospect! If Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki can produce an affordable scoot to the US market, they would sell like wildfire! Presently, the top of the line scoots are expensive - $5000 and up. Beware the cheap Chinese scoots, they look great, but are far from maintenance friendly. I was looking for a scooter, but ended up with a small Yamaha motorcycle. It gets 38-45mpg, and I''m happy with it...This is the coming thing - bicycles/scooters/motorcycles/mopeds..yeah,,,bring back the mopeds!...

[commentator8]

It has been the experience of generations of motorcyclists that if you ride regularly it is not a question of if you will crash but when and how badly. One must look at the enjoyment one derives from riding as a major factor in his choice to ride in spite of risk of death and disability. When you include the cost of purchase plus lost wages plus medical costs and offset that with only gas savings it is hard to justify solely on a cost basis. If you then chose to ride, a highly recommended activity for new riders is to take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation''s course then practice, practice, practice.

[ranger1948]

I believe this is a viable alternative for transportation purposes, now if they will expand to a model that carriestwo people, and is enclosed from weather i think sales will look more positive as well.