Thursday, May 15, 2008

McKinney motorcycle shop helping with gas crunch

By Rodney Williams of McKinneyNews.net

MCKINNEY — Gas prices are hitting everyone hard. With record-setting prices at the pump combined with the fact that gas prices jumped five cents over the weekend, the crunch is on. The national average for a gallon of 87-octane gas was listed as $3.758 as of Monday, an increase of almost 35 cents in the last month, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report.

More people than ever are looking into alternatives to their daily drivers, with hybrid vehicles getting the lion's share of the media attention.

I'm thinking that's two wheels too many.

I'm betting the guys at Family Powersports agree with me. If there is anyone who doesn't work for Exxon or Mobil who has reason to smile these days, it's motorcycle dealers. Sure enough, the shop on University Dr. is doing a brisk business.

Rodney Williams/McKinneyNews.net

New scooters lined up for sale at Family Powersports.

Tanner Gearn, sales manager at Family Powersports, said average sales have nearly doubled over last summer, with used bike sales being more than twice what they were at this point in 2007.

"For the past four years, every year [sales] have increased," Gearn said. "Right now, with the economy crunch it's really starting to take effect on the motorcycle market even more in a good way."

It's easy to see why. A consumer can walk into a shop like Family Powersports, spend just over $2,000 and ride out on a new vehicle that comes with a warranty and gets over 100 miles per gallon. What's that? A scooter isn't your cup of tea? A 250cc United Motors sportbike can be had for under $4,000 retail, gets between 60-70 mpg, is comfortable and powerful enough for highway driving and has the look and feel of a bigger bike.

Those same UMs are moving briskly from the sales floor as Family Powersports had just three assembled models available. It's not just new bikes that are attracting buyers, however.

"The used prices at auction are something you can gauge off of, and auction prices are through the roof on used motorcycles," Gearn said. "Dealer incentives are being pulled back, too."

Gearn said that many of those who walk into his shop are new to two wheels and looking to stay away from the pumps for longer periods of times.

"We definitely have our share of first-time buyers. I normally have a stack of brochures for a two-day motorcycle safety course at Collin County Community College, but they're all gone now," he said.

The attraction here is obvious. Whether it be a scooter, small sportbike or large cruiser, such as an American-made Victory, which can cost upwards of $25,000, riding on two wheels means instant savings at the pump and on insurance premiums. I had to bump up liability coverage on my personal motorcycle just to meet GEICO's required minimum yearly policy charge of $72.

"Low cost, great gas mileage, lower insurance, those are all reasons price-conscious buyers are seeking out [vehicles] like the UM," Gearn said.

That trend doesn't appear to be tapering off anytime soon. President Bush, in a recent online interview, said that there isn't much that can be done to stem the rising gas costs. He said he would consider a suspension of the gas tax, but that wasn't likely.

What is likely is a continuing rise in costs and more people than ever keeping their cars in the driveway and opting for the two-wheel option.

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