Soaring gas prices drive scooter sales skyward

Reuters ^ | Jul 22, 2008 | Joshua Brown

[decimon]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Record gasoline prices are fueling a boom in sales of fuel-efficient scooters across the United States, as commuters ditch their gas-guzzlers and don helmets and goggles to beat high prices at the pump.

U.S. scooter sales have risen 65.7 percent in the first half of 2008, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council, making the industry one of the biggest beneficiaries of a more than 30 percent spike in oil prices this year.

"They are just flying out of here," said Steve Travers, who manages a scooter and motorcycle dealership in midtown Manhattan. "Consumers want to escape gas prices, they can't afford to drive their cars and they want an inexpensive way to get around."

[wizr]

Thanks. Love yer tag line. Me, too. Me ‘n the crazy midget.

[Just another Joe]

The Rebel 450 also gets better gas mileage, and unless you paid less than $1600 for your 883, it's cheaper on the used market as well.

Could be, but there weren't any for sale in my area at the time I needed one.
I didn't just run out and look to buy a Harley. I ran out to buy a motorcycle.

I happened to find a Harley that was about $1,500 less than what I found anywhere on the internet for the same bike, so I bought it.
I could have turned around and sold it the week after for a $1,000 profit.

I'm no Harley fanatic but again, it does what I need it to do.

[Spktyr]

Well, if we're going to go up the surface transport collision safety hierarchy, the train's going to be at the top there.

So, if you're interested in having the safest vehicle, drive a train! :P

Me, I think I'll still be using this for the daily commute:

[Liberty Valance]

[Spktyr]

You might want to look into the 1980s Honda Nighthawks, then. Honda poured a lot of money into making them low-maintenance and high-reliability. The 250 and 450 are straightforward conventional bikes with chain drives, the 550, 650 and 700S are all shaft-driven so little to no maintenance there. They all have hydraulic valve adjusters, so no maintenance there. They all have electronic ignitions, proven reliable over time, so no maintenance there (points suck.) Pretty much just gas them up and change the fluids at the prescribed intervals and they’ll go forever. The 700S (my bike) is the sport model of the range, the others have significantly less power. All are air cooled, and the smaller ones are decent starter bikes.

I’d suggest a Nighthawk 550 as a starter, if you intend to ride a lot. Maintaining a chain is a PITA, even if you get an automatic chain oiler.

[decimon]

That orange seat looks like an Article 15 to me.

[kempo]

You have to take into consideration that 9 out of 10 people would rather be seen on an 883 rather than an 450.

[Spktyr]

Not really. Most motorcyclists in the world are actually on some form of Honda Super Cub. Honda just sold Super Cub number 60,000,000.

[wizr]

Specs didn’t seem to work at the time. It don’t say street, nowhere.

But, yes, that could be in our future. Much site better than the early 60’s econo-boxes....’til they put V8’s in ‘em to make ‘em ROooaaAR.

That was just poor planning...or they just wanted to sell more gas.

[headstamp 2]

I’ll need one that can carry 1000 lbs. and a ladder rack.

[kempo]

You did good. You can ride it for several years and get your money back or more. Ride safe and have fun.

[kempo]

Yea probably so if you count third world countries where thats all you can get. I'm talking USA.

[Squawk 8888]

The really fun stuff is when the scooter driver discovers that scooters don’t handle hills very well, especially if you are packing a few extra pounds.

Depends on what you're riding- a modern scooter ain't your grandpa's Vespa. I never recommend 50cc bikes for anybody, but for an average person a 125-150cc scooter is just fine. My Yamaha Vino 125 gets > 90mpg and can do 60mph on the flat, 45-50mph up a steep hill.

[kidd]

As a conservative, I have no problem with the marketplace adjusting to a new situation. Just as long as no one forces me to buy something I don’t want by imposing some ridiculous carbon tax.

I wouldn’t mind a motorcycle myself, but around my part of the country it would only be usable about half the year.

[Spktyr]

You mean like this guy?

Yes, that's in San Francisco, which is apparently one of the top towns for H-D sales.

[Squawk 8888]

Today’s engines get a lot more horsepower for the displacement. My 125cc four-stroke from 2006 delivers as much as a 200cc from the 1970s.

[Squawk 8888]

250cc engines in scooters don’t work nearly as hard as they do in motorcycles. The Kymco Bet & Win 250 is quite happy at 75mph. As for cooling, most scooters larger than 150cc are liquid-cooled now, and the air-cooled scooters have cooling fans and can be run all day at any speed.

[kempo]

Ok, smartass, your showing your ignorance. That ain't no 883. That's a Wide Glide. Buy the way, why are you looking at pictures like that?

[TexanToTheCore]

That has been my impression as I looked at the them over the last couple of months. I drove a Yamaha 125 for some time in Florida and it was a fine way to get around, even at 55 MPH. The bikes now look to be much better in all measures of quality and power.

I am really looking forward to it. It should be fun and cheap.

[Spktyr]

All Harleys pretty much look alike. I mean, after all, that’s their big selling point. That and their incomprehensible model codes, like FXSTAKWNSLGATHASTDS.

As for why I had that pic, it’s from a thread on another forum on bike safety gear and what NOT to wear.

And yes, I’m a *former* Harley owner. 00 Sportster 883, worst pile of crap I’ve ever had the misfortune to call my bike.