$4 gas has local drivers parking pickups and picking up gas-sipping motorcycles
By KIP BURKE news editor

It isn't all gas mileage: Scott Lewis takes his Honda VFR for a hot lap at a road racing course in Florida.

With gas just a hair from $4 a gallon, more and more Wilkes County folks are parking their trucks and SUVs and hopping on two wheels, and finding they can get a lot of miles - and smiles - out of every precious gallon.

"I've seen a 500 percent increase in motorcycle insurance calls," said State Farm agent Scott Lewis, a 17-year motorcycle rider. "Guys - and ladies - either starting to ride or going back to riding, and lots of them say it's to commute and save gas."

Motorcycles vary in gas mileage, depending on size, from big Harleys that get in the 30 mpg range to smaller-displacement bikes that get as much as 70 miles to every gallon, even on the highway. And that's not including scooters and mopeds, which are finefor in-town use but not powerful enough for the open road.

Lewis is commuting now on his Kawasaki Ninja 250, a sports bike that revs to 13,000 rpm and handles like a racer, but gets 65 miles per gallon "when I ride it like a grownup," he says. "Julie, my wife, always gets 65 mpg when she rides it."

Gas savers without sacrificingfun: Tim Harris (l) with the Johhny Pag Spyder 300, and Scott Lewis with his Kawasaki Ninja 250.

Lewis has ridden the Ninja to business meetings in Augusta, and brings home groceries and other cargo when needed. "With proper clothing, you can ride all year, all weather, and with a little rack, you can carry a lot of stuff."

A new 250 Ninja costs around $3,200 and used models can be had for less than $2,000. "And insurance costs are tiny - $30 for six months for my bike," Lewis said.

Motorcycles of all sizes are popular at Harris Custom Cycles, which sells used motorcycles of all sizes in addition to Tim Harris's custom bikes. "We've sold just about every bike we had," said Kelly Harris, "from Harleys on down to these new Johnny Pag mini choppers."

The Johnny Pag minichoppers like the Spyder 300, grew out of Southern California custom bike builder Johnny Pag desire for a cool, small bike. "When the last gas crisis hit, he was tired of seeing grown men riding around on scooters and moped looking ridiculous," Harris said. "So he built a real motorcycle, with a warranty, lots of accessories, that could be ridden anywhere. And we can't keep them in stock."

The Johnny Pag bikes range in price from $3,995 to $4,995 with upgrades. "We can order other styles, a cruiser, a chopper, or a bobber, with all kinds of accessories," Harris said. (See www.johhnypag.com)

Scott Lewis says that whatever size motorcycle a person gets, he advises new and returning riders to attend the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. (See www.msf-usa. org) "Even after riding for 16 years, I learned a lot," he said. "If you're new to riding, or just haven't ridden much over the years, the course will help you get the most out of your bike, probably save your skin, and maybe save your life. Plus at the end of the course, you've earned your Georgia license endorsement, so you don't have to take the test at DMV."

Lewis points out that, for longtime motorcycle riders, the extra miles per gallon are just a side benefit of the freedom of riding. "There's a feeling of freedom riding against the wind, hearing and seeing and smelling everything around you - there's nothing else like it. But now we can tell our wives that it's not about us having fun. We're just trying to save gas."

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