Everyone knows about the problems with the price of gasoline. With prices reaching over $3 a gallon in some places, many drivers are looking for relief. As a result, the U.S. scooter market has seen an increase in sales, as scooters have become a cheaper means of transportation than a car or truck, according to the scooter companies we spoke with. To find out what the latest scooter models for 2006 include, read this month's Market Report.

American Honda's latest scooter is their Big Ruckus, stated spokesperson Jon Seidel. He notes the Big Ruckus features a liquid cooled 250cc 4-stroke engine, textured floorboards and Honda's Combined Braking System that activates a piston located in the front disc when the rear brake is applied. With over a dozen models in their line- up, Seidel notes Honda offers the latest in style and value. He said this explains the reason, in addition to ever increasing gas prices, why their scooter sales rose over 20 percent in 2005. Seidel tells dealers that knowledge of your customer base is key, because not all small displacement scooter buyers are motorcyclists, but those who buy larger displacements generally are.

American Lifan Industry's Mandy Evins tells us their latest scooter, the LF150T-5, joins the ranks of those trendy sleek looking scooters available on the market. Along with the sleek design, the new scooter features excellent gas mileage and is equipped with a trunk, she says. Most of American Lifan's scooters average 100 miles on 1.18 gallons of gas, which she reasons could explain recent sales increases, since gas prices are so high. Other than their excellent mileage, she proclaims that she doesn't really need to tell dealers anything, because their scooters are very simple and the company supplies retailers with everything they need to sell their products, including advertising tools.

American Suzuki Motor Corporation is introducing their new, larger Burgman scooters to the marketplace: the Burgman 650, Burgman 650 Executive, Burgman 400 and Burgman 400 Type S. According to Senior Communications Specialist Garret Kai, both the Burgman 650 and Burgman 650 Executive feature a SECVT transmission with auto and manual power modes, larger sized wheels, suspension for a full-sized motorcycle feel and versatility, an adjustable windshield and large capacity for under-seat storage. Scooters have become very popular with both the younger customers, as well as the older crowd, he explains. As such, Suzuki is proud to acknowledge scooter sales are up from the same time last year.

Carter Brothers introduces the Jet Euro X scooter from their Taiwanese SYM lineup. The Jet Euro X has many key features and benefits, such as style, above-average performance, meets all DOT and EPA regulations, plus under-seat storage for a full-sized helmet and more, reports Sales Manager Robert Belmont. He says with the scooter market growing so quickly, everyone is jumping in from used car dealers to lawn and garden shops, even scooter rental shops are all selling new scooters now. The popularity of scooters reportedly has a lot to do with the rising cost of gasoline, as well as the rising cost of car maintenance, car insurance and parking. Scooter sales for Carter Brothers have gone up significantly since last year and are expected to continue to grow for years, he divulges. If a dealer is considering adding scooters to their product lineup, Belmont advises them to ask the manufacturer or distributor questions regarding things such as quality, parts availability, the length of the warranty and the scooter's test results. Dealers should also be aware of their local and state laws regarding scooters, he adds.

Chinese manufacturer CFMOTO introduces several new scooters through exclusive distributor Sunright International, with the CF250T-V3 scooter featuring European style and the CT150T-V5 American style scooter. According to Sunright Presidential Assistant Ed Harman, the new features incorporate a lot of the current trends including having a lot of power while still maintaining good mileage, able to make highway speeds of 65 mph and travel upwards of 60 miles on a gallon of gas. Harman adds consumers like to deal with stores that can provide parts for their scooters and CFMOTO now has multiple distributors in the U.S. who now carry their parts. Again, fuel prices have been attributed for the increase in scooter sales, he says. The growing scooter market means dealers must provide adequate parts, a reasonable warranty and customer service to clients, says Harman.

The 2006 TGB Extreme R50X is the newest scooter added to the TGB product line, reports Cobra Powersports President Bill Pierce. He adds the new R50X comes with a 2-year unlimited mile warranty and the following standard features: 2006 EPA certified 49cc 2-stroke engine, digital speedometer with an analog tachometer, projector headlight, front and rear disc brakes, battery friendly alarm system with remote starting, aluminum wheels and cell phone charger plug. Pierce proclaims, since the company is the first to offer 2006 EPA certified 2-stroke 49cc scooters, scooter sales this year have been very good. “People want power to go up hills,” he said. Dealers should be aware of the different types of scooter buyers and target their marketing to the ones that best suit their area, Pierce advises.

The GTR 50 and 150 scooters have been added to the product line up for the U.S. division of CPI Group, reports General Manager Benjamin Chen. According to him, the GTR 50 and 150 scooters have liquid cooled engines and are a lot like sportbikes, featuring twin adjustable external-canister rear suspension, aluminum fuel cap, LED tail light, racing style digital/analog gauges, 17 inch tires, front and rear disc brakes, 280 mm rotor, stainless steel braided brake line, spider web aluminum frame and CVT transmission. Most other manufacturers are fazing out the 2-stroke 49 cc engines, says Chen, but CPI is not one of them. He said their increased scooter sales are because of the interest in CPI 2-stroke 49 cc scooters over the 4-stroke 49 cc ones. CPI is a factory-direct facility, reports Chen and he suggests dealers should be aware that CPI guarantees shipment within 24 hours, while also providing a UPS tracking number from their Web site.

Sales Manager Raul Romero Jr. of Daelim Motor USA is happy to inform us about three new scooters they added to his company's lineup. The new models are the A-Four 50cc 2-stroke with a new seat design, the Delfino 100cc 2-stroke EPA certified scooter and the S2 250 250cc 4-stroke scooter; all feature a nice style, comfortable ride and a good price range for competitors, says Romero. Dealers should investigate a scooter manufacturer to make sure their products are of high quality with a good warranty and that the company can guarantee the service and parts should the consumer need any repairs, he said.

The Velux 250cc scooter features an upgraded power plant, a covered roof with a full front windshield and is EPA, DOT and CARB approved, reports DIAMO USA's National Sales Director Scot Steffy. Paying a little more to get parts, warranty and service has become what dealers look for when choosing a manufacturer, explains Steffy. The market has grown in the past and continues to do so with parts availability getting better. He notes this gives the dealer the option of investing in a company to supply parts, quality units and a long haul mentality. DIAMO offers some of the best scooters on the market and backs them up with 100 percent customer service, says Steffy. “Our numbers are up ... a direct result of great dealer programs and also the gas prices,” he divulges.

The Matrix Scooter by E-Ton America features a standard locking luggage box, pro-flow exhaust, hydraulic disc brakes, aggressive all-terrain tires and a full six-month limited warranty, reports Troy More of E-Ton's exclusive distributor, A&R Trading Co. He noticed that the recent increase in gas prices has helped bring in customers who wouldn't normally consider purchasing a scooter, causing sales to go up. Moore recommends to dealer/retailers that the best thing to remember about selling a scooter is to make sure the consumer is matched with the product best fitting all of their needs.

Genuine Scooter Company President Philip McCaleb reports his company added three new scooter models in 2006, the Buddy 125cc 4-stroke automatic, the Buddy 50 and the Black Cat. Both the Buddy and Black Cat are reportedly 50cc upgrades to replace the Yamaha Zuma. According to McCaleb, the Buddy line features a two-year, unlimited mile warranty and a superb fit with a size very comfortable for a rider under 5 foot, 5 inches or riders more than 6 feet tall. Easily able go over 60 mph, it will average over 100 mpg in the process, he adds. The company hopes the new Buddy and Black Cat lines meet with the same success as their predecessors with sales nearly doubling from those last year. The most important thing dealers should be aware of is with the growth of the scooter market, many opportunists are introducing cheap, inferior products, exclaims McCaleb. He warns dealers to be careful about dealing with companies that are less than five years old.

Hyosung Motors America's current Prima models are easy on fuel and big on fun, says National Sales Manager Ron Luttrell. The Prima SF50R's flat floor design offers plenty of cargo space and features a front disc brake and headlamp protection, he said. Luttrell reports high scooter sales resulting from increased gas prices, as well as a demand for the larger displacement scooters. He too advises dealers to educate themselves on their local and state requirements for scooters before they do business.

The KYMCO Xciting 500 scooter features a 499cc L/C power plant, dual front disc brakes with ABS, linked rear disc brakes, under seat storage, 12 volt power outlet, cell phone holder, smooth CVT transmission and a long wheelbase with plenty of legroom, says Bruce Ramsey of distributor STR Motorsports. Scooter sales for KYMCO have steadily increased over the past several years, reports Ramsey. The introduction of larger displacement models has reportedly secured retail sales from an older, more experienced consumer base. Dealers should be aware of the manufacturer's support program before selling their products, he added. “With the introduction of around 60 manufacturers, many simply do not offer adequate parts and service support for their product,” he said.

Jeff Platzer of Manco PowerSports tells us their latest scooter is the Matrex, featuring a 49cc 4-stroke engine and front disc brakes. Platzer proclaims he noticed the price of scooters has decreased recently. Though he could not give us any indication of his company's scooter sales, he did wish to inform dealer/retailers to be aware of local and state scooter laws. Education on the basic scooter repairs, he added, is something that dealers should know as well.

Johnny Tai of QLINK announced three new scooter models added to the company's lineup. Tai informs us the Legacy 250 is a cruiser with automatic transmission, a liquid cooled engine and built-in audio system. The Pegasus 150 features a liquid cooled engine, 16 inch wheels and enlarged legroom, while the Axon 50 features a 4-stroke engine. Scooter sales have gone up mainly due to gas prices, he reports. Also, in some states scooter riders do not need a motorcycle license, which Tai states makes it easier for dealers to sell them. When choosing a scooter manufacturer or distributor, he says to pick carefully. “Since a lot of scooters are imported, many of them are not covered with product liability, no parts in stock or no maintenance manual,” said Tai. QLINK covers their scooters with product liability, as well as a two-year warranty on parts and labor, he adds.

Scooter sales increased over 62 percent in the last year, exclaims Roketa General Manager Mike Turber. With the market bringing in so many first time buyers, due to rising gasoline prices, the company is introducing their new Bali 250, which offers over 80 mpg with a top speed of about 70 mph, reports Turber. He advises dealers to be aware of their state laws, because in most states a scooter over 500cc is considered a motorcycle regardless of the need to change gears, he explains.

The XT50QT-10 Handsome scooter model is the latest from Runmaster, says Senior Accounts Manager David Smith. He adds it comes pre-assembled with a built-in radio, speakers and antennae system. With gas prices on the rise, the market is growing strong and Runmaster scooters are selling more because of it, says Smith. If a dealer is interested in selling scooters and scooter products, they should only buy from companies that keep their parts in stock, advises Smith.

The Schwinn Motor Scooters new Sport scooter features 12 inch wheels, modern styling, front disc brakes, fuel economy averaging over 100 mpg, and EPA certification with 50-state compliance, remarks spokesperson Mo Moorman of Pacific Cycle Inc. Sales forecasts have gone up this year, due to an increased dealer network and an improvement in their offered products, reports Moorman. Adding, more consumers are buying scooters as commuter vehicles, rather than just for campus use or as a leisure hobby. Dealers are reportedly seeing an increase in customers who are not the average motorcycle rider. Therefore, he warns that when dealing with these clients, dealers may need to give additional instruction at the time of purchase.

Trailblazer BMG spokesperson David Mayhew reports the latest scooter models are the Z-Bike and the Eagle. Both scooters are 150cc units with remote start and alarm systems, as well as ABS front disc brakes, he said. The Eagle has a dual rear shock for a second passenger, he adds. The scooter market is growing as more people look toward scooters as an alternative to the automobile, notes Mayhew. Adding, dealers who are interested in selling scooters need to be aware of both their state laws and license requirements. Stores should also track their local interest in scooters to determine sizes and prices of units to keep in stock, advises Mayhew.

United Motors of America announces their new X-peed 50R. The scooter comes equipped with 12 inch aluminum wheels, spacious helmet compartment, elevated passenger seating, integrated grab rail, fuel-efficient engine and vented front disk brake, reports Marketing and Advertising Coordinator Laura Gomez. Scooter sales have risen in the big cities, as more buyers look for a practical, economical and user-friendly solution for transportation, says Gomez. Adding, sales for United Motors have gone up in the last year, especially in the bigger cc markets, as men are finding scooters more enjoyable compared to an automobile. With their easy convenience, dealers need to be aware of all of the benefits consumers could gain by purchasing a scooter, she explains.

Vento North America unveiled their new GT5 line of scooters. Vice President of Sales and Marketing Henry Lonski reports the new line features carbon fiber-look panels, aluminum floorboards, indigo glow instrument panel, Protech security system, remote start switch and lightweight 5-spoke rims. Last summer was the beginning of increasing gasoline prices and with another increase underway, Lonski believes Vento will see another increase in scooter sales. With so many new consumers buying scooters, it will only be a matter of time before there is a flood of aftermarket products in North America, thus allowing them to customize and accessorize to their heart's content, he explains. Dealers should be aware of what these new products are and if they don't want to keep them in stock, then know where to get them, advises Lonski.

Yamaha Motor Corporation introduces the new Morphous scooter for 2006, which boasts a 250cc 4-stroke engine, unique and sleek styling and a super low seat height, reports Media Relations Manager Brad Banister. He said their 2-stroke Vino 50 has been replaced with a cleaner burning 4-stroke engine that is virtually maintenance free. Scooters were once seen as a cheap form of transportation and have now become a hip and trendy alternative to a car or truck, says Banister. Recently Yamaha saw an increase in sales due to rising gas prices, he divulged. The Vino 125 reportedly gets almost 90 mpg, while their Vino 50 offers 115 mpg. The key to selling scooters lies in knowing how the customer uses the product, whether it will be a full-time or part-time form of transportation, suggests Banister.

Yamati Motorcycles introduces four new models for 2006, including the Strada RX200HP, a modified 2006 version featuring a 155cc engine, hybrid cooling system and super-GY6-head, according to distributor Power Sports Factory's CEO Steve Rubakh. He said the Superstrada SS300 features a 300cc engine, produced by Yamaha-Linhai Factory and a two-tiered cushioned seating system. The company reports the Eurojet RX81 has a 500cc 2-stroke engine with 2005 EPA certification and the Eurojet RX150I comes with a 150cc engine. Rubakh reports scooters have become more popular among a broader age group, with an appeal to both genders and, at the beginning of April, the company saw a rise in scooter sales. Rubakh said he has two pieces of advice for dealers: the first being the adage “you get what you pay for,” and the other is to be sure the supplier has the proper product liability insurance to cover any claims.

With so many people going into sticker shock over recent gas prices, scooter companies are rubbing their hands together in glee over the rapid increase in their sales. After all, if things continue as they are, it might just be cheaper in the long run to spend a couple thousand dollars once on a new scooter, than several hundred a month filling up a gas tank. We hope you enjoyed this look into our scooter market report. Be sure to check out our equally fascinating look into the new oils and lubricants entering the market.