The Ranger Online

Issue date: 6/30/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Rachael McBride Kevin Neeley, a Palo Alto College student, bought his motorcycle after gas prices neared $4 a gallon and his scooter slowed his life to a crawl.

Kevin Neeley, 22, Palo Alto College sophomore, used to drive a 1968 Oldsmobile, but it spent more time in the shop than on the road.

Then he had an electric scooter that was so slow he spent so much time getting back and forth from college that he dropped all his classes.

Jonathan Baker, 19, Northwest Vista College sophomore, used to spend roughly $80 to fill up his Dodge 1500 pickup that averaged only 12 miles per gallon.

As gas prices approach $4 a gallon, Neeley and Baker, like a growing number of young Americans, have chosen a more economical mode of transportation - motorcycles.

When Neeley pulled up to a South Side Starbucks, he looked ready to cruise down the highway on his 2008 Suzuki GZ250 that cost $3,249.

He wore a weathered black leather jacket and helmet, faded blue jeans, dusty black leather boots and sunglasses.

Now that he has faster and more economical transportation, he is back in school and has come to Starbucks to apply for a job.

He spends about $12 a week to fill up his tank.

"On a bad day, I get 60 miles to the gallon," Neeley said after driving the motorcycle as his only transportation for five months.

Baker got his Suzuki GSXR 1000 three weeks ago, he said, wearing a bright red, yellow, black and white Tai Chi leather jacket and black boots.

Baker's motorcycle gets 50 miles to the gallon. He was shocked to realize he spent $80 for his truck to go 250 miles on a fillup while $15 takes his motorcycle 156 miles.

Gasoline has increased by $1.053 in Texas in the past year, according to www.fueleconomy.gov, a Web site maintained by the Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Skyrocketing gas prices have caused Alamo Cycleplex, a major motorcycle and scooter shop in San Antonio, to see a significant increase in sales.

"We sold 346 motorcycles and scooters just this past month," salesman Daniel Rangel III said.

In the five years Rangel has worked there, he has seen a 30 percent increase in sales of motorcycles and scooters.

In May, Alamo Cycle Plex sold roughly 45 scooters, emptying out their stock, a record for the store.

"It's crazy. One of out every five people wants a scooter," another salesman, Nick Thibeaux, said.

Alamo Cycle Plex's salesmen have seen an increase in college students who want to save money on gas and are interested in motorcycles.

"I save about $400 a month since I have switched," Baker said.

Baker loves to get away and ride wherever he pleases without worrying if he's going to break his budget.

Motorcycles cost from $1,800-$8,900.

Owners have to pay fees including tax, title, license, registration, and shipping and assembling.

John Young, state coordinator of motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle training for the Texas Department of Public Safety, explained that in Texas more than 850,000 people are licensed motorcycle operators and have registered 360,000 motorcycles.

With so many people on the road, Young emphasized that safety should be the No. 1 concern for every motorcyclist.

Jared Brummett, 17, a Clark High School senior, got his GFX 600 Suzuki at the age of 15 and his motorcycle license through a three-day course at the Victoria-based Harley Davidson School.

Even though he had ridden dirt bikes all his life, his parents wanted him to take the class for safety precautions.

"Ride within your limit, and don't take unnecessary risks," Young said.

According to the DPS records, Texas had more than 8,000 motorcycle crashes and 400 fatalities in 2007, compared with 346 fatalities in 2006.

"Motorcycles are less stable and harder to maintain," Young said. "You have to be aware of your surroundings."

He recommended that every new motorcyclist take a motorcycle training class before hitting the road.

Neeley didn't take the motorcycle safety class and learned the hard way.

He popped the clutch before pushing the gas, which is the wrong way to start a motorcycle.

He then pulled the front brake at the same time and the bike fell on its side and down he went.

"I tore all the skin down from my left knee to my bone," he said.

Neeley then enrolled in a safety class.

DPS offers a basic course for beginners to teach them how to operate a motorcycle, get out of dangerous situations and choose the best clothing to wear.

Texas law requires minors ages 15-17 to pass a basic motorcycle operator training course approved by DPS.

Young said last year DPS taught more than 33,000 basic and advanced motorcycle courses. Courses cost $190.

This year, DPS officials expect 40,000 motorcyclists to take the course, a 7,000 increase from last year.

"More people are riding motorcycles because of gas prices," Young said.

Now that Neeley has a motorcycle, he can use the extra money for other things, such as helping his friends and joy riding whenever he wants.

"I have the freedom to go where I want, when I want, without being dependent on anyone," Neeley said.

More than anything else, he likes to feel the wind in his hair and enjoys the sense of freedom, especially from high gas prices.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools