Rising gas prices = More scooters and Motos on the roads?

[Slide Panda]

So, we all know gas is going up... the local news here reports daily on the prices for regular. So this brought up some thoughts...

I've been noticing a lot more scooters on the roads in my area.  This might partly be due to the fact that where I live, you don't need to register sub 50cc scoots, and there's a large immigrant worker population (but let's not discuss the politics of that stuff).  But I've seen more and more 50+ jobbies on the roads as well, and the local Vespa dealers website touts 55+ mpg as one of the 1st items you see on their website. 

With the fuel economy of scooter and many bikes being 2+ times that of most cars, do you expect to see a shift in the US to be more like Europe where 2 wheels is the primary mode of transit for a significant population, and not just play toys like they have been historically in the US?

Of course this will vary a lot by area.  For people like me (I live in VA, but still within what was the original borders of DC) it's easier to deal with 2 wheels only.  But people out in the real burbs where the closest grocery cannot be walked to, it might not be as realistic...

Just some pondering... any similar thoughts out there?

[DucPete]

I think that some people will make the move for efficiency. 

But unfortunately with society the way it is, many people will not move to a 2 wheeler for fear of loss of social status.  I can see many people making cuts to other things before they sell their SUV or car for a scoot. 

Plus, driving on two wheels takes WAY too much concentration for the average person.   

[T-byrd]

I think this will give some guys a good argument to the wife to get a motorcycle.  I know a couple of guys that have been wanting a bike but the wife wouldn't let them get one...until now.

T

[the_Journeyman]

Plus, driving on two wheels takes WAY too much concentration for the average person.   

It's way too hard to sip your latte & check the Blackberry while playing dodge-car

My fiancée is looking into a bike for this verry reason ~

JM

[Slide Panda]

Hmm hadn't even factored in the 'social status' factor of it.  But hey, one of the biggest gas sipping bikes is the BMW 650 gs - So you can always say you've got a BWM and retain that marquee name plate status I'm cooler than you BS... 

Hhah, good point T - I can see it now "But Honey, look how much we can save on gas".

And yes... the concentration issues... TONs of people around here love to text while driving these days - someone else even spotted a cruiser rider talking on their phone (the actual hand set) one time - no joke... So there's the stupid, "It's might right to always blab on my phone" hurdle too. 

[Scooter Montgomery]

Hhah, good point T - I can see it now "But Honey, look how much we can save on gas".

Of course he will spending the savings on chrome, billet pieces, carbon fiber...the list goes on and on.

[Slide Panda]

Of course he will spending the savings on chrome, billet pieces, carbon fiber...the list goes on and on.

Shuush you!  Don't give away those 'trade secrets'

But - that comment is more poignant that you might think. All those extra widgets would be bought (hopefully) with disposable income - since some level of income would not be pissed away on filling up the single digit mpg Caddy Le Bohhemeth.  More disposable income isn't such a bad thing for anyone right?

[SheMonster]

I have a regular trusty old (2003) Honda Civic, and it gets about the same gas mileage as my Monster.  It got better than my 749 ever did.

[Slide Panda]

I couched my terms... and said "many"  My 900 gets better mpg than my car - but it's not going to do better than a scooter or than BMW that can get over 50 mpg. 

But also remember your civic is a lot more efficient than much of what's on the road right now.  I'd also expect to see a shift in the auto market towards the smaller cars like the civic

[Drunken Monkey]

Most definitely.

5 years ago bike parking was plentiful in downtown SF (at least the area I work in)
2 years ago, it was a bit scarce, but there were still slots to be found
Now if I don't get in before 10, I'm forced to park in the 'boondocks' slots about 5 blocks away from work.

Mind you, this is springtime & summer only. In winter there are always plenty of spots.

The disappointing part: "Demographics" wise it's mostly scooters.

Still, this is an urban center, that enjoys good weather. And when the alternatives are public transportation or horrible traffic and $30 parking rates it's hard not to see why folks are making the shift.

[akmnstr]

Here in Anchorage, I'm seeing more scooters than ever.  Must be the price of gas.  My wife and I are doing as much commuting as we can on our bikes.  Makes our 15 min. commute a lot more fun.  She has a DR 650 and I have a BMW F650.  YUU you may be right about the status of the BMW.
My 1999 Funduro gets complements all the time.  I don't get it.  I picked up the beemer for around 3K and fixed it up from an abused state.  I think of
it as a purely utilitarian adventure tourer, but some folks see that name on the tank and assume it is something special.   

[c_rex]

I think this will give some guys a good argument to the wife to get a motorcycle.  I know a couple of guys that have been wanting a bike but the wife wouldn't let them get one...until now.

T

dudes need to grow some stones!   

I've noticed a lot more scooters on the roads too.  It started happening around 5 years ago or so long before gas was outrageously price fixed.  I dig it- I even wave at the little buggers although it scares them sometimes, as though they're not sure it's safe to take one's hand from the bars.  Here in the Seattle area we have a surprising number of full time 2 wheelers and I think the scooter-folk are perhaps even more prevalent in the rain than real cycles.  I'm not a foul weather rider though.  I used to be but I don't think it's safe here, for reasons I'm not proud of. 

[ducatiz]

Around me, the answer is yes.

I've seen more and more scoots going by lately.

There is a car repair place which sells scooters and when I got my car inspected, I asked him if he's been selling a lot lately and he said he was selling 3-5 per month and now it's around 10.  Some crap brand, Kymco or HiTon or some thing.

I would go for a Malaguti, but I am a snob.   

[GLantern]

I totally think it will.  Since i have bought my bike my moms two friends have both picked up scooters as a way to save gas after i told them my mpg.  I spread the word on this everyday.

Im starting a whole movement at work with the gas savings.  I had someone come up to me last week from the lab over to ask about fuel efficiency and how to get started riding a moto.  Its completely feasible for the US to start heading this way. [moto]  Also my boss is looking into them now as well as a coworker in my lab.

[Slide Panda]

Around me, the answer is yes.

Well you're a fellow CAM'er ducatizzzz so you're probably seeing the same trend I am.

This Chinese 50cc market exploded - a honda engine patent expired a couple years back and so the Chinese fired up the knock off honda power plant market. 

I've even seen a place that does picture framing selling a 50cc scooter...

And for the name cache thing... I choose BMW as a prime example, since people who know 0 about bikes can still associate BWM with being a marquee brand.  And since they want to be cool.. well a BWM is cool becuse it's a Beemer!  Honda, Suzuki etc don't enter the high end car market so people in US place a lower value on machines with their name plate -even if it might be superior.  If honda sold the 'Acura CBR1000RR' some sod might go and pay more for it than it's "inferior" honda cousin
- That being said I drive an acura, and it was kitted out more nicely than the accord of the same period. Just making an argument for the name cache....
And names like Ducati, MV Agusta etc or foreign to the US mass market so they carry 0 weight or might even be a detractor to some people (what they don't know, scares them)

Hmm, I wonder how Mercedes branded scoots would sell..