Soaring gas prices spur interest in motorbikes

Skyrocketing gas prices in the Commonwealth are prompting many residents to trade-in four wheels for two, with one of the island’s largest vehicle dealers and some rental offices reporting a rise in consumer interest in motorcycles and scooters.

Gas prices rose 18 cents to $4.80 per gallon on Saipan last week – far above the national average of roughly $4 — due to the climbing global cost of crude oil, an increase that has placed a major strain on local drivers.

Yet rather than suffer the added pinch at the pump, it appears many locals are choosing to adapt.

Joeten Motors, the primary dealer of Yamaha motorcycles on Saipan, is seeing many customers looking to buy motorcycles in light of gas prices.

“We’ve definitely had more interest in our bikes,” said Matthew Deets, general manager of Joeten.

Motorcycles in general perform better when it comes to gas mileage than cars, Deets said, noting that some get 50 to 60 miles per gallon. That’s even better than many gas-efficient hybrid cars, which tend to get between 30 and 50 miles per gallon.

Better mileage means fewer fill-ups and less of a drain on drivers’ finances in the long run.

The most popular models among gas-conscious buyers, Deets added, are the Yamaha TW 200, an off-road bike with fat tires fit for cruising Saipan’s rugged terrain that can also be driven legally on city streets. In addition, the slightly more powerful TW 225 is seeing increased consumer interest, he added.

Given the low volume of sales that Joeten sees generally, Deets said it is hard to quantify the increase in sales for the moment, but the transition among consumers toward driving motorcycles is part of a larger trend, with many prospective buyers seeking the most fuel-efficient vehicles available.

“We see people on a daily basis trying to trade in larger cars for smaller cars,” Deets said, adding that roughly 80 percent of his dealership’s inventory is now made up of gas thrifty four-cylinder vehicles.

Responding to this, Deets is preparing to market the new Honda Civic hybrid model at Joeten in the near future. The dealership already sells the Ford Escape hybrid, he added.

Meanwhile, two of the island’s scooter rental agencies are also reporting a jump in business related to gas prices. At the Tico Corporation’s rental stand on Beach Road, staff member Choi Yung said gas prices have brought in many customers seeking month-long rentals on scooters. Across the street, Sang Jee Rent A Car agent Esther Sacramento reported much the same.

“Mostly, local people have come in because they’ve raised the gas prices very high,” she said, adding that more and more customers are looking to rent smaller cars.