Not Your Father's Motorcycle

By Dennis McCafferty

Posted Aug. 19, 2008, at 1 p.m.

More and more folks are turning to motorcycles as a response to the gas crisis. This trend is becoming fairly evident even in sections of the country where the chopper is revered.

Take Strokers Dallas in Texas. Customers can buy pretty much any kind of motorcycle they want — a Harley-Davidson (commonly known as a Hog), of course, but also a Big Dog or Wild West. A 2005 Yamaha Silverado with detachable windshield, fuel injection, white-wall tires and customized grips can be bought for less than $10,000. A 2006 American IronHorse with 42-degree rake, six-speed transmission, customized paint job and a fat, 280 mm back tire goes for around $24,900 manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP).

Thanks to soaring gas prices, customers are flocking to the motorcycle shop more than ever these days — there's been a 20 percent increase in store traffic recently. "Everyday the gas ticker goes up, I see new faces in my dealership," says owner Rick Fairless. "People are looking for a way to save some gas money — some of them have never even been on a motorcycle, and some haven't been on one for 20 years."

The reason of the uptake in interest: There are clear cost-savings advantages. Motorcycles average 56 mpg, according to the Washington-based Alliance to Save Energy. Motor scooters do significantly better, the alliance reports, averaging 90 mpg.

Such fuel economy is leading to double-digit sales growth, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. More than 20 million Americans now ride a motorcycle or scooter at least once every year, according to the council.

Not surprisingly, manufacturers are more than happy to keep coming up with newer and hotter motorcycle/scooter models to meet the rising demand. Here are some that are catching the eye of consumers:

• The 2008 Buell Ulysses XB12XT: This model features a commanding riding position with wide, athletic handlebars; standard seated hand grips; lots of storage space; 43 mm inverted front fork; and a 1203 V-Twin engine. Buell bikes are considered innovative because they don't have a traditional fuel tank. Instead, the fuel is carried within the frame of the bike, lowering its center of gravity to allow bikers to ease into corners and twisty roads. Buell is owned by Harley-Davidson — the beloved maker of The Hog. (Manufacturer's pricing starts at $12,995.)
• Suzuki Boulevard C109R: With a 109-cubic-inch engine and Suzuki signature fuel injection, this motorcycle combines cruiser styling with power. It features pullback handlebars, spacious riding, slash-cut mufflers and a 1783 cc, four-valve, liquid-cooled V-twin engine. (Manufacturer's pricing starts at $13,799.)
• Honda VTX1300T: This model is a slightly smaller machine with a lower pricetag — starting at $10,999 MSRP. It comes with custom windscreen, leather saddlebags with 24-liter capacity, chrome backrest and sleek two-into-two exhaust system. The engine is a 1,300 liquid-cooled V-twin.
• Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive scooter: At just $8,999 MSRP, this stylish product features an adjustable windshield and electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. It has a liquid-cooled, 638cc, 8-valve, twin-cylinder engine that's designed to produce responsive power under a wide range of riding situations.
• Yamaha TMAX: This fuel-injected, liquid-cooled scooter features forged pistons, carburized connecting rods and ceramic-composite plated cylinders. The engine is a four-valve-per-cylinder, 499cc parallel twin that powers a lightweight frame with strong rigidity and balance. (Manufacturer's pricing starts at $7,999.)

If you're interested in buying a motorcycle or scooter, you may want to start with a local club. The clubs have gotten more and more popular in recent years, and can serve as repositories of good information.

"Local groups are usually made up of diverse, experienced riders who know the ropes," says Allison Watters, an organizer of the New York Scooter Club. "Typically you will find people on different brands and models and they can give first-hand experience on why they made the choices they did. Also, local groups know the area shops and their reputations. You can also learn about helmet styles and other needs. And of course, there are many long-term friendships formed along the way."

No matter where you start your search, there is one point to keep in mind. While purchasing a motorcycle in the past may have been viewed as a response to a mid-life crisis, for many of today's shoppers, it's often a fuel crisis remedy.

Bio: Dennis McCafferty is a freelance writer with extensive experience in the automotive field, as well as with NASCAR. He has written for Chrysler magazine, UAW-GM People magazine, Dodge Tomorrow magazine and Corvette Quarterly.

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