U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Program

Fact #437: August 14, 2006
Motorcycle Sales Are Up

In 2005, motorcycle sales were at their highest level since the early 1970's. One of the reasons for the sales boom is the price of gasoline. The graph below compares motorcycle sales (which includes scooter sales, too) to the price of a gallon of gasoline.

Motorcycle Sales Compared to the Price of a Gallon of Gasoline, 1970-2005
Graph showing the reserves, production, and consumption of oil by the U.S., OPEC, and the rest of the world expressed as a percentage. For more detailed information, see the table below.

Supporting Information


Motorcycle Sales Compared to the Price of a Gallon of Gasoline, 1970-2005
Year Motorcycle Sales Gasoline Prices (constant 2005 dollars per gallon)
1970 1,010 1.80
1971 1,240 1.76
1972 1,360 1.69
1973 1,520 1.70
1974 1,200 2.08
1975 940 2.06
1976 1,050 2.11
1977 1,080 2.11
1978 975 2.01
1979 1,085 2.43
1980 1,070 2.95
1981 1,065 2.96
1982 740 2.62
1983 760 2.43
1984 755 2.28
1985 710 2.18
1986 595 1.65
1987 565 1.63
1988 420 1.56
1989 315 1.61
1990 303 1.74
1991 280 1.63
1992 278 1.57
1993 293 1.50
1994 306 1.47
1995 309 1.47
1996 330 1.53
1997 356 1.50
1998 432 1.27
1999 546 1.37
2000 710 1.71
2001 850 1.61
2002 936 1.47
2003 1,001 1.69
2004 1,063 1.94
2005 1,116 2.30

Note: Motorcycle sales include scooter sales.

Source: Motorcycle Industry Council.
Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, April 2006, Table 9.4.
Consumer Price Index from the Bureau of Labor Statistics was used to calculate constant dollars.

 

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