The MIC, which accumulates retail figures for 12 original equipment manufacturers, said third quarter on-highway motorcycles sales were up 16% compared to the same period in 2004. The organization said sales of scooters during the July through September period were up 65%.

The MIC recognizes 1973 as the high point for annual motorcycle sales, when Americans purchased more than 1.5 million bikes. Sales in 1979 topped the one-million mark, but tapered during the 1980s and early 1990s. A rebound began in 1993.

1992 - 278,000
1993 - 293,000
1994 - 306,000
1995 - 309,000
1996 - 330,000
1997 - 356,000
1998 - 432,000
1999 - 546,000
2000 - 710,000
2001 - 850,000
2002 - 936,000
2003 - 1,001,000
2004 - 1,063,000

"Motorcycle sales have been on the rise for more than a decade, through economic times both high and low," said Tim Buche, president of the MIC. "While there's no study or survey that directly correlates increased fuel prices with the popularity of two-wheelers, we do know that dealerships, motorcyclists and scooterists are fielding more questions from other motorists about what kind of mileage they're getting. There are a lot of great reasons to ride and better fuel economy only adds to the positives."