Start seeing motorcycles, as the bumper sticker says.
That shouldn’t be hard. There are about 10.4 million of them nationwide, according to the latest survey from the Motorcycle Industry Council.
American motorcycle sales held nearly steady in 2008, when 1.1 million new bikes found homes. That’s down 3 percent from 2007, a dip that would make automakers happy. In fact, 2008 was the sixth year in a row that cycle sales topped 1 million, bettering the glory days of 1970-74.
But in this economic climate, sales took a 30.5 percent hit in the first quarter of 2009 from a year earlier.
Superior fuel economy swung into cycles’ favor last summer, when gas hit $4 a gallon, and scooter-commuter sales soared to 222,000 for the year.
To put that figure in perspective, total bike and scooter sales were only 278,000 in 1992 and have quadrupled since then, notes Tim Buche, president of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the industry council.
In any case, gas prices are creeping back up, and there are dozens of new models if you want to trade four wheels for two. And they are loaded with everything from anti-lock brakes to sophisticated automatic transmissions for superscoots.
So here are some new things for 2009:
SPORT BIKES
BMW S1000RR
Claimed 193 horsepower, 14,200- r.p.m. redline, ABS and smart traction control. 999-cc, DOHC 4-cylinder; 450 pounds; $13,999- $17,000 (estimated).
BIMOTA DB7
Fabulous jewel-like finish, wrapped around a Ducati Testrastretta engine. 1,099-cc, DOHC, V-twin; 362 pounds; $39,945.
DUCATI DESMOSEDICI RR
A barely legal, 200-h.p. street racer made of titanium and magnesium. 989-cc, DOHC V-4; 377 pounds; $72,500.
YAMAHA YZF-R1
All-new, borrowing from M1 racer, including staggered crank, programmable engine mapping. 998-cc, DOHC 4-cylinder; 425 pounds; $12,390-$12,490.
KTM RC8
Stripped-down racer based on Super Duke and Adventure. Scary fast and edgy. Only 450 coming to U.S. 1,148-cc, DOHC V-twin; 414 pounds; $19,498
ADVENTURE TOURERS
BMW F800GS
Mini GS is more tractable than 1200 but expensive. Capable and reliable. 798-cc, DOHC 2-cylinder; 392 pounds; $10,520.
BMW R1200GS/ADVENTURE
There’s still no substitute for this globetrotting, two-wheel ATV. 1,170-cc, SOHC, horizontally opposed 2-cylinder; 439-492 pounds; $14,750-$16,750.
KTM 990 ADVENTURE/S
Fast and well-regarded, though a bit nose heavy for soft going. 999-cc V-twin; 460-456 pounds; $15,398-$15,498.
SUZUKI V-STROM 650/ABS Faithful miniature of bulletproof 1000. Handier and $2,000 cheaper. 645-cc V-twin; 478-485 pounds; $6,999-$7,499.
SPORT TOURERS
BUELL ULYSSES XB12/XT
Surprise hit for off-beat design with bags and top case. 1,203-cc, OHV V-twin; 425- 465 pounds; $11,495-$12,995.
BMW R1200RT
Classic BMW. Options include adjustable windshield, heated everything, luggage, tire monitors and stability control. 1,170-cc, SOHC, horizontally opposed 2-cylinder; 505 pounds; $16,800.
DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1100S
Stylish option that’s stood test of time. 1,078-cc, SOHC V-twin; 432 pounds; $14,495.
KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14
Big and fast. ZX-14 motor, shaft drive, hard bags, heated grips and adjustable windshield. 1,352-cc, DOHC 4-cylinder; 670-679 pounds; $13,499- $14,299.
TRIUMPH SPRINT ST/ ST ABS
Durable, flexible, great fairing and good bags. Frequently replaced with another one. 1,050-cc, DOHC 3-cylinder; 462-469 pounds; $11,599-$12,399.
SUPERSONIC TOURERS
KAWASAKI ZX-14
If you don’t live in Montana or Nevada, you’re going to jail. One of the two fastest production bikes. 1,352-cc, DOHC 4-cylinder; 485 pounds; $12,099-$12,399.
SUZUKI HAYABUSA
The other one with the same top speed (186 m.p.h.). Not as attractive as the ZX-14, but at those speeds who’ll notice? 1,340-cc, DOHC 4-cylinder; 573 pounds; $12,499.
YAMAHA STAR VMAX
You can probably beat the others to 120 m.p.h. New model handles better. 1,679-cc, 199-h.p., DOHC V-4; 683 pounds; $17,990.
CLASSIC REVIVALS
DUCATI SPORT 1000 S SPORTCLASSIC
Handsome retro, also available as two-seater. Unfaired version is cheaper GT 1000. 992-cc, SOHC V-twin; 398 pounds; $11,495- $12,995.
ROYAL ENFIELD BULLET CLASSIC C5/G5
“New” unit-construction engine, front disc brake, fuel injection and electric start. The original is still available. 499-cc, OHV single; 370 pounds; $5,349-$6,395.
TRIUMPH THRUXTON
Retro British cafe racer, now with fiberglass tank and fuel injection (for $600 more). 865-cc, DOHC twin; 451 pounds; $8,599.
STREET FIGHTERS
BMW HP2 MEGAMOTO
Boxer engine crammed into small package. Exciting but expensive. 1,170-cc, SOHC, horizontally opposed 2-cylinder; 395 pounds; $20,520.
DUCATI HYPERMOTARD/S
Over the top at 125 m.p.h., but $1,000 more this year. 1,078-cc, SOHC V-twin; 396 pounds; $11,995-$14,995.
DUCATI STREETFIGHTER/S
In case the Hypermotard isn’t enough. 1,099-cc, DOHC V-twin; 374-369 pounds; $14,995-$18,995.
TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE
Get an address in another state as well; you might keep riding. 1,050-cc, DOHC 3-cylinder; 416 pounds; $11,299.
SUPERSCOOTS
APRILIA SCARABEO 500
Attractive highway scooter that handles, weighs and costs like a sportbike. 460-cc, SOHC single; 417 pounds; $6,299.
HONDA DN-01
Bizarre crossover straight from the anime film “Akira.” Continuously variable transmission with a 6-speed manual mode and low feet-forward seat. Pricey. 680-cc, SOHC V-twin; 595 pounds; $14,599.
PIAGGIO MP3 500/400
Successful combination resembles a “leaner” ATV trike. 493-399-cc, SOHC single; 538 pounds; $8,899-$8,699.
SUZUKI BERGMAN 650/400
Perhaps the definitive long-range scooter. 638- 400-cc, DOHC 2-cylinder; 535-438 pounds; $9,299/$6,199.
CITY SCOOTS
HONDA RUCKUS
Less is more for this barebones hit. 50-cc, SOHC single; 194 pounds; $2,149.
VESPA GTS 250
Pocket rocket still leads crowded field. Does nearly 90 m.p.h., excellent handling and disc brake. 244-cc, SOHC single; 322 pounds; $5,999- $6,899.
YAMAHA ZUMA
Mass of compromises comes out right, and engine is tunable. 50-cc, 2-stroke single; 197 pounds; $2,199.
DIRT BIKES
HONDA CRF450R
Redesigned, though it already was good. 449-cc, OHV single; 235 pounds; $7,599.
KAWASAKI KX250F
Solid model tweaked to be lighter and better balanced with a stronger frame. 249-cc, OHV single; 230 pounds; $6,499.
KTM 450 EXC/530 EXC
Might be the best dual sport, but you pay for that distinction. 449-510-cc, OHV single; 235-253 pounds; $9,198- $9,498.
CRUISERS
HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCDX (NIGHT ROD SPECIAL)
Still the coolest of 34 H-D models–a blackout V-Rod. 1,250-cc, DOHC V-twin; 643 pounds; $16,699.
HONDA FURY
Custom chopper look and finish for less than half the money. VTX 1,300 power, shaft drive, fuel injection and endless list of accessories. 1,312-cc, SOHC V-twin; 663 pounds; $12,999.
SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R
Gigantic twin that’s taken a lot of cues from Honda’s 2004 Rune. 1,783-cc V-twin; 764 pounds; $13,099-$13,399.
TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD
Just like Ford’s 1955 twoseater, new T-Bird is supersized. Counterbalanced and fuel injected, it’s smooth but huge. 1,599-cc, vertical 2-cylinder; 700 pounds (estimated); $12,999-$13,799.
VICTORY CORY NESS JACKPOT
Ness tweaks a nice design. 1,731-cc, SOHC V-twin; 649 pounds; $24,499.
HEAVY TOURERS
CAN-AM SPYDER
Oddball trike built by Bombardier. Traction control, ABS, dynamic stability control and huge trunk. Rotax 998-cc, DOHC V-twin; 699 pounds; $16,199-$17,699.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON TRI-GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC
Son of Servicar for riders who convert their bikes. Dual rear wheels and a large trunk for an extra big Teddy bear. Electric reverse optional. 1,690-cc, SOHC V-twin; 1,174 pounds; $29,999-$31,994.
HONDA GL1800 GOLD WING
The gold standard, now with air bag, navi, weather radio and ABS as options. 1,823-cc, SOHC, horizontally opposed 6-cylinder; 895-928 pounds; $20,000-$24,399.
