RSSDrivers changing seats to combat rising fuel costs
Consumers take to two-wheel transit as a way to detour high gas pricesYakima Herald-Republic
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"People are bringing in their old motorcycles and fixing them up for basic transportation," said Bill Grubin, owner of Grubin & Co., a repair shop off Fruitvale Boulevard. "We are seeing a huge increase in (repair) service. We are three to four weeks behind."
While sales for new low-power scooters and smaller motorcycles are reported to be brisk, that strong demand isn't being felt for bigger and more expensive two-wheelers.
The uncertain national economy, coupled with oil hitting a record of more than $139 a barrel June 6, the search for cheaper transportation is only likely to intensify. The price for a regular gallon of gasoline in Yakima was at a record $4.14 a gallon on Sunday, according to AAA.
People are looking for used, entry-level bikes, or starter motorcycles, while manufacturers are reducing the number of larger bikes being put on the market, said Mike Pistoresi, owner of High Prairie Choppers off Gunnyon Road outside Toppenish.
"Suzuki has cut back, Harley has cut back, it's come down to everybody cutting back," Pistoresi said. "People just don't want to spend the money right now.
"What people are riding now may not be the most beautiful thing on the road, but if it runs good and you can put in five gallons instead of 50, that's all that the counts. It's all about the pocketbook."
Customers may be unwilling to spend $15,000 for a 2008 Harley Davidson Softail, but they are willing to spend much less to look far less cool.
Take the 2008 Honda Metropolitan scooter. It's got two wheels, a 49cc engine and gets up to about 100 miles to the gallon. Prices are in the $2,000 range.
Craig Poulin of Poulin's Honda Motorcycles said his inventory of the Metropolitan is gone.
"Sold the last one on Saturday," Poulin said. "People are buying them to get back and forth to work."
Poulin said most of his scooters run between $1,900 to $2,200. Higher powered ones that require the same driver's license endorsement as a motorcycle can cost up to $7,000, he said.
Even shops that don't sell the scooters have been fielding so many questions about them that owners think it might be time to get some in stock. Rick Lago of Motocentre said he sold a few mopeds and scooters in the 1980s and '90s, but for the most part deals in dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles now.
"I wish we sold them. We're missing a huge market right now," he said. "It was inevitable, I guess.
"Gas is never going to be cheap again, Yakima is going to always have rotten wages, so mopeds (scooters) are going to sell."
Having watched the increased interest in two-wheeled vehicles, the Washington State Patrol recently issued a few safety precautions. First, those with scooters that cannot sustain speeds of at least 30 mph should stay off the freeway.
Secondly, those scooters with enough horsepower to hit 30 mph and beyond need to get endorsed, the same as motorcycles. Otherwise, owners chance getting fined $124 and having their vehicle taken away by law enforcement.
State Patrol spokesman Sgt. Ed McAvoy also warned that those attempting to ride their old motorcycles should brush up on their training before getting on the road.
"If you're not properly trained and endorsed and you go out and ride your motorcycle or scooter, it'll cost you a whole lot more than what you save in your gas tank," McAvoy said.
For more information on motorcycle training schools and moped classes, log on to www.endorseyoursport.com.
* Rod Antone can be reached at 577-7628 or rantone@yakimaherald.com.
Motorcycles and scooters -- what's the difference?
* Motorcycles generally have foot pegs, while scooters have a floorboard
* Motorcycles can typically hits speeds of more than 100 mph, while scooter speeds range from 15 to 80 mph
* Scooters are lighter, often starting under 100 pounds. Motorcycles are typically much heavier, starting at 300 pounds. Motorcycles often have three or more gears, while a scooter has just one
* Power. Scooter engines are usually smaller than 200 cubic centimeters. Motorcycles are typically much larger.
