Scooters and Motorcycles More Popular Than Ever According to NADAguides.com
Leading Vehicle Information Website Says Outrageous Gas Prices are Driving the Trend
COSTA MESA, Calif., Sept. 7 -- NADAguides.com, a leading vehicle information website, today announced that during the past three months, more people researched scooter and motorcycle pricing and specifications at its website than at any other time during its five-year history. Experts for the company cite high gas prices as a leading cause for the boost in its online motorcycle traffic, saying car, truck and SUV owners are realizing they can dramatically reduce their monthly gas budgets by owning a motorized two-wheel vehicle as an alternate means of travel.
During the months of June, July and August 2005, traffic to the motorcycle section of the NADAguides.com website reached 810,901 visitors, an increase of 31% compared to the same timeframe a year ago. What's more, approximately 1,601,230 motorcycle and scooter pricing reports were provided by NADAguides.com -- a 16% increase since January and a 21% increase compared to June, July and August 2004.
"The motorcycle and scooter market is red hot right now," said Lenny Sims, Managing Editor at NADAguides.com. "On average, it takes about $60 to fill an SUV with a tank of gas and about $15 to fill a motorcycle when you consider today's gas prices. With numbers like these, it's easy to see why people are making the switch to a more economical approach to driving." Sims goes on to say that motorcycles and scooters offer a convenient mode of travel as well. "Economics aside, they're convenient in traffic and easy to park. If you live in a crowded urban area -- or a fast-growing suburb for that matter -- they offer a quick and easy way to get around town."
So what were the most commonly researched motorcycles at NADAguides.com during June, July and August of this year? According to the website, five makes and models zoomed past the competition.
1. Harley Davidson XL1200C 2. Yamaha YZFR65/C YZF-R6 3. Honda VT750C4 Shadow 4. Honda CBR600F411 5. Honda CBR600RR3
Following are the top three most researched scooters at NADAguides.com during that same time period.
1. Honda Silverwing 2. Suzuki Burgman 3. Vespa ET4
Sims says that the number of scooter pricing reports provided by NADAguides.com increased 22% from July to August, the biggest increase the website has experienced for its scooter pricing information since its inception.
NADAguides.com also experienced an influx of visitors to other areas of its website during the summer months of 2005, including RVs, boats and classic cars. The website's RV traffic grew 23%, its boat traffic grew 27% and its classic car traffic grew 16% compared to the same timeframe a year ago.
Sims goes on to say that many people hit the open road this year in RVs -- with boats in tow -- to save money on expensive vacations involving exorbitant airfare and hotel costs while enjoying the beautiful sites of the U.S. with family and friends.
What's more, Sims says his organization has seen an influx of classic car traffic due to the growing demand -- and ultimately the growing value -- of classic, collectible and special interest vehicles.
"In 2000, the average NADAguides.com high value for a classic car was $35,786. In 2005, this number rose to $50, 391," said Sims. "As the demand for classic cars rises, so do classic car values. We're seeing increased traffic to this section of our website and right along with it, an increase in the average high value for these types of cars."
For more information about a variety of vehicles on the market today, log onto NADAguides.com at www.NADAguides.com.
About NADAguides.com
N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides (NADAguides.com) is the world's largest publisher of vehicle valuations and specification information for new and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, as well as van conversions, limousines, classic and collectible cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft and manufactured housing. The company's consumer website, NADAguides.com (www.NADAguides.com), offers a variety of new and used vehicle services in addition to valuation information. Throughout its 72-year history, N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides has earned the reputation as the recognized authority for vehicle valuations. Its website, NADAguides.com, is the most comprehensive vehicle information resource on the Internet today.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050907/LAW132AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com