Pierre, S.D.(AP) As gas climbs closer to $4 a gallon, more motorists are trying to save money by getting around on motor scooters and smaller motorcycles.

Dealers across the nation say sales are way up this spring, particularly for motor bikes and scooters that can get from 75 to 120 miles per gallon.

Mike Mount, spokesman for the motorcycle industry council, says sales of name-brand scooters such as Honda, Yamaha, Vespa and Suzuki rose 24 percent in the first quarter of the year. That's despite the colder weather most of the country sees at the start of the year.

Prices can range anywhere from about $800 for low-end models, to as much as $8,000 for top-of-the-line scooters.