Gas prices are up, so are sales of motorcycles

Sales of motorcycles are rising, and it may be because motorcycles get better gas mileage. Iowa motorcycle dealerships are reporting an increase in sales. Randy Johns is sales manager at Zylstra Harley-Davidson in Ames and says the motorcycle sales are predicted to be up 35 percent in Iowa this year. Scott Falb of the Iowa Department of Transportation says rising gas prices and rising motorcycle sales could be related.Falb says there was increased motorcycle usage in the 1970s and early ’80s, when gas prices were so high. There were a lot of cycling accidents then, though, but Falb says Baby Boomers own the majority of motorcycles licensed in Iowa, and “Boomers” are more careful on their bikes. Depending on the model, motorcycles can get more than 50 miles to the gallon.