FX
06-04-2004, 07:32 PM
By Marcia Moore
The Daily Item Larry Hill’s smile increases in tandem with fuel prices.
Sales manager at Michael Andretti Powersport in RR4 Selinsgrove, Hill said the rising cost of gasoline has caused a marked boost in motorcycle sales this season.
As of May 27, the company had sold 20 percent more bikes compared to the entire month of May 2003, he said.
"Seven out of 10 people who come in say the high cost of gas," is the reason they’re considering buying a motorcycle, Hill said.
Most were looking to purchase a bike anyway, he said, but the decision was made easier as regular gasoline prices climbed to $2 a gallon.
Other numbers that make owning a motorcycle a popular choice these days are:
# $10,000, the average cost of a motorcycle,
# Four, the average number of gallons of gasoline motorcycle tanks hold,
# 40-42 miles per gallon, the average distance a bike can travel.
"That’s better than the gas-guzzling cars or SUVs that most Americans drive," said Andy Yocum, sales manager at Yocum’s Motor Sports in Milton.
At RB Motorsports and Hobby in Northumberland, owner Rick Bunting said soaring gas prices are having an impact on his inventory of used motorcycles.
"If I had them, I’d be selling them," he said. "They’re not out there right now because people are either holding onto them or selling them easily on their own."
Hill said business is brisk and the selection on his lot is thinning out quickly .
"I’m beat," he said. "It’s just go, go, go and there’s no end in sight."
Ryan Leitzel, manager at Xtreme Power Sports at 809 N. Market St., Selinsgrove, said street-legal small bikes, or scooters, are selling like hotcakes.
"People are using them to run to the store, for short trips and short commutes to work," Leitzel said.
Customers can’t find a more economical ride than the Yamaha 50 scooter which gets between 70 to 75 miles per gallon, he said.
Leitzel said he’s looking forward to dry weather when he can park his full-size Dodge Ram and bring out his motorcycle.
"I’m paying $65 a week for gas," he lamented.
Bunting, who used to sell scooters and mopeds, said he expects a growing number of motorists will eventually turn to these fuel-economizing machines.
"They are not just for kids," he said. "California and other big states realize they are efficient. You’ll see that in the future, they will be the economical mode of transportation."
For motorists who want to stick with four wheels on the road, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released its list of most fuel-efficient vehicles by class.
They include the two-seater Honda Insight, mid-size Toyota Prius, large car Chevrolet Malibu MAXX, small station wagon Volkswagen Jetta, mid-size station wagon Ford Focus and sport utility vehicle Toyota RAV4 2WD.
Ranking lowest in fuel economy were Lambourghini, Ferrari and Bentley.
# E-mail comments to mmoore@dailyitem.com
The Daily Item Larry Hill’s smile increases in tandem with fuel prices.
Sales manager at Michael Andretti Powersport in RR4 Selinsgrove, Hill said the rising cost of gasoline has caused a marked boost in motorcycle sales this season.
As of May 27, the company had sold 20 percent more bikes compared to the entire month of May 2003, he said.
"Seven out of 10 people who come in say the high cost of gas," is the reason they’re considering buying a motorcycle, Hill said.
Most were looking to purchase a bike anyway, he said, but the decision was made easier as regular gasoline prices climbed to $2 a gallon.
Other numbers that make owning a motorcycle a popular choice these days are:
# $10,000, the average cost of a motorcycle,
# Four, the average number of gallons of gasoline motorcycle tanks hold,
# 40-42 miles per gallon, the average distance a bike can travel.
"That’s better than the gas-guzzling cars or SUVs that most Americans drive," said Andy Yocum, sales manager at Yocum’s Motor Sports in Milton.
At RB Motorsports and Hobby in Northumberland, owner Rick Bunting said soaring gas prices are having an impact on his inventory of used motorcycles.
"If I had them, I’d be selling them," he said. "They’re not out there right now because people are either holding onto them or selling them easily on their own."
Hill said business is brisk and the selection on his lot is thinning out quickly .
"I’m beat," he said. "It’s just go, go, go and there’s no end in sight."
Ryan Leitzel, manager at Xtreme Power Sports at 809 N. Market St., Selinsgrove, said street-legal small bikes, or scooters, are selling like hotcakes.
"People are using them to run to the store, for short trips and short commutes to work," Leitzel said.
Customers can’t find a more economical ride than the Yamaha 50 scooter which gets between 70 to 75 miles per gallon, he said.
Leitzel said he’s looking forward to dry weather when he can park his full-size Dodge Ram and bring out his motorcycle.
"I’m paying $65 a week for gas," he lamented.
Bunting, who used to sell scooters and mopeds, said he expects a growing number of motorists will eventually turn to these fuel-economizing machines.
"They are not just for kids," he said. "California and other big states realize they are efficient. You’ll see that in the future, they will be the economical mode of transportation."
For motorists who want to stick with four wheels on the road, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released its list of most fuel-efficient vehicles by class.
They include the two-seater Honda Insight, mid-size Toyota Prius, large car Chevrolet Malibu MAXX, small station wagon Volkswagen Jetta, mid-size station wagon Ford Focus and sport utility vehicle Toyota RAV4 2WD.
Ranking lowest in fuel economy were Lambourghini, Ferrari and Bentley.
# E-mail comments to mmoore@dailyitem.com