Riding it out

"I would never want to be in that category," he says. "I would be devastated to lose it."

It seems Rob is not alone. For every boat, wave runner, or snowmobile landing in the classifieds these days, there is a motorcycle heading out for the open road.

Riders aren't splurging on new wheels, however. According to a national retail sales report by the Motorcycle Industry Council, sales for on-highway motorcycles fell by 27 percent in the first quarter of 2009. At Bruce Rossmeyer's Boston Harley-Davidson in Everett, general manager Michael Sienkiewicz says his dealership is feeling the hit in new bike sales, but is benefiting from a run on accessory parts.

"New bike sales are off by 30 percent and used bike sales are flat, but accessory sales are up 10 percent," he says. "Customers are choosing to repair, modify, and upgrade their existing bikes, rather than buy new ones."

Guy Corey, president of the Merrimack Valley HOG (Harley Owners Group) chapter, says riders in his group are taking that a step further, continuing to spend money on purely cosmetic upgrades such as chrome and exhaust.

"It's still a passion," he explains. "It's still about, 'How can I outdo the next guy?' "

Sienkiewicz sees that passion in the customers who visit his shop every day. He believes motorcycle owners benefit from riding in a way that transcends the family budget, and that they will do what it takes to keep their machines running, even in tough times.

"With all of the gloom and doom the media surrounds us with regarding the economy," he says, "there is no greater stress reliever than to be out there on the road, riding."

Ryan Livermore, general manager of Kelly's House of Harley-Davidson in Billerica, agrees. While his shop's new bike sales also are down from last year, they haven't stopped; the buyer motivation has simply changed.

"The price of fuel was a big factor in pushing sales last year," he says. "But there are still people who want to buy. It's a way for them to escape the daily grind."

When it comes to dropping items from the family budget, Livermore adds, motorcycles have a practicality that allows them some staying power.

"Bikes are really the most practical of the 'big boy toys' in that they can be used in the day-to-day, and they offer fuel efficiency," he explains. "The same can't be said for boats or jet skis."

Practical or not, a motorcycle still represents a hefty investment. Beyond the initial sale price, upgrades and accessories can run into the tens of thousands of dollars when all is said and done. Price ranges vary greatly when it comes to new or even used motorcycles. A new Harley-Davidson will start out at around $7,000 for a 2009 Sportster XL883L; a 2009 Screamin' Eagle Ultra Classic, however, will come in closer to $35,500. Used Harleys can be found for as low as $1,500, but as with any used vehicle, the onus is on the buyer to investigate the goods prior to purchase.

Is this really a way people want to spend their money while their retirement funds are in jeopardy?

"I've had people come in who were already losing money in the stock market, so they pulled a few thousand out just to buy a bike," Livermore says. "People figure they might as well enjoy their money if they're going to be losing it anyway."

So, what if you want to get in on all that enjoyment but have limited funds? There's no doubt that the current economy has created a used model market, and many looking to buy are making a beeline for it. But Paul Nault, sales manager at Nault's Windham (N.H.) Motorcycles, says that in some cases, buyers going directly to the used market may be missing a better opportunity.

"Because of the demand for used bikes, used models are at a premium, and sellers are actually getting greater than book value," he says. "But whereas I could sell someone a used 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 with a few thousand miles on it for around $5,500, I could also offer them a brand new 2008 model for just a few hundred more, simply because it's not a current-year model. Buyers need to start asking about those deals."

Whether targeting new or used, it seems enthusiasts looking for a way to get out on the road are finding it. According to the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association, the state Registry of Motor Vehicles has recorded an increase in motorcycle registrations every year since 2000; last year the increase was the steepest since 2005. Ridership is clearly increasing, but devotees are quick to dismiss fuel efficiency as the only factor.

"I know some past riders who have come back to it for fuel efficiency," says Chris Waites of Danvers, who started out with a mini-bike at age 10 and has owned both US and Japanese motorcycles. "But when it comes down to it, it's really a way of life. I feel I'm part of a family, a real kinship."

For Andover's Jack Daniel, that kinship is an integral part of his life and his work.

On sunny Saturday mornings, he can be found riding down winding back roads on his 1976 Triumph Bonneville, a classic bike much like those he and his brother began riding in the 1960s. Joining him are usually about a dozen or so congregants from The Free Christian Church in Andover, where Daniel is the senior pastor.

"We take advantage of the opportunity to relax, take a break from the stresses of life and the economy," he says. "For me, it's a way to really connect and forge friendships with the people in my church. It's a ministry of sorts."

Economy up, economy down; numbers aside, motorcyclists seem to be taking it all in stride. They may scale back here and there, but the point is to keep it enjoyable by keeping it simple. Says Chris Waites: "If the weather's good, I'm out there."