Scooter Sales Were Up In Big in 2011
Last year motorcycle sales were basically flat but according to the Motorcycle Industry Council models that sipped gas saw big increases:
Collectively, the dozen leading brands included in the MIC’s Retail Sales Report were up 0.3 percent in 2011, compared to the year before. Fuel-efficient models did especially well. Among these brands, scooter sales rose 11.8 percent and dual-purpose bike sales were up 14.2 percent. The MIC will announce first-quarter 2012 sales for these particular brands, which represent most of the market, on April 20. (Source)
This means other models saw decreases for the total market to remain flat. The scooter I had for nearly three years was great transportation, the miles per gallon was around 80-90! The last year I owned it I didn’t have a car — it was my only motorized vehicle.
I’ve not kept up on scooters since I had to stop riding in 2008 but there are many models available. Interestingly Honda lists the 2009 Metropolitan as the most recent version of that model.
Laws vary from state to state (list) but I liked that Missouri didn’t require registration of low speed 50cc models like my Metropolitan. Like using transit riding a scooter required you to adjust shopping trips, namely more frequent smaller purchases. The scooter did give me 24/7 mobility on my schedule.
The scooter I had couldn’t exceed 30mph or so. As a result I didn’t venture out of the city often. When I did it was on weekends or I took back routes to reach my destinations. Depending upon where you drive and your storage options a scooter might be a good choice for you.
– Steve Patterson
You better not park there, you might get a SLU ticket! (remembering the old story attached to this picture).
I have a 2005 Honda Ruckus and it is the best purchase I have ever made. It has paid for itself in gas savings as it gets over 100 mpg. If you remove the restrictor plate on the metropolitan it can get up to 35-38 on a flat long stretch. I did this on my fiance’s metro. I highly recommend a scooter for everyone.
1) do they break that info down further….not everone wants a motorcycle…but a scooter? I would get one, some are very expensive
2) I wonder what scooter sales are in a place like Oregon or Maine with lots of fould weather, over say…Florida or Arizona?
Cycles of any type are great as long as you are driving alone and the weather permits.