Well, what do I do with all these posties now?

The Japan scooter fans know that Japanese mail is delivered on the backs of Honda MD 50's also known as "the postie". The image above is of 500 posties once destined for Southeast Asia and the Middle East, but now waiting in vein. Why? Well, the buyers were paying in US dollars, which was fine until a couple of weeks ago when the Yen began to climb. It's now at a 5% higher value; enough to ice this deal.

So, there they sit with their inviting seats shining bright in the warm winter sun... no one to twist their throttle... no one to honk their horn... Sad and unloved. :`(

Arigato to Akisan for the news from Japan.

Vespa's got 900 reasons to buy a new 150cc scooter

(Just got a new press release on behalf of Vespa USA.  Let's see what we've got here.  I've interjected a bit, but I think the message is still retained).

Vespa USA’s new Hello Beautiful campaign outfits a brand-new Vespa LX 150, S 150 or LXV 150 with season-exclusive goodies that not only saves buyers $500 off the MSRP, but adds benefits designed for peace of mind and healthy living for a total savings of over $900.  (I'm not sure what "season-exclusive goodies" are, but I hope it's not candy cane grips.  A Christmas tree scented seat would be alright though.)

From now through February 28, 2010, consumers who add one of these three most popular Vespa scooter models to their shopping lists will not only keep more cash on hand for other winter necessities but they can also take home a great product that’s as fun to keep as it is to regift (please... if someone's giving me a Vespa S, it is NOT getting regifted.)  In addition to the instant $500 purchase price savings, buyers also receive a free two-year extended warranty (a $350 value) (is that for a total of 3 years?) and a copy of EA SPORTS Active™, the #1 rated interactive fitness product for the Wii, to help keep bodies in tip top shape year-round (*wishes it came with a Vespa branded Wii*).  Whether a longtime two-wheel enthusiast, first-time buyer or fitness fan, the Hello Beautiful offer is a unique opportunity to join the vibrant Vespa community (um... oh kaaay...  I guess you could call my beer swillin', nude ridin'  friends that decoupage their old Vespas in a porn motif "vibrant".)

A Vespa really is the gift that will keep on giving 365 days a year – whether you keep it in your own garage or wrap it up for someone else.  Owning a Vespa is a bit like investing in a piggy bank -  the savings just keep adding up (well... except, if you need some cash for Tacobell, you can't just crack open your Vespa for the loot).  Swap out just one of your (crappy old) cars for a Vespa and you could save an average of $6000 a year.  Score Italian style points that never go out of fashion (and cost less than most designer clothes).  Save time – one of our most precious commodities – by using your Vespa around town or commuting.  Bank fuel savings - some Vespas can get up to 100mpg and with an average gas tank of 2.3 gallons, that’s a lot of miles before you have to fill-up at the pump.  Take up less space thanks to Vespa’s compact body style, and take the stress out of finding a parking space.  And, because a Vespa produces 72% less CO2 than the average car, you’re not only having fun, you’re more environmentally friendly (than an M1 Abrams).

For more information on the Hello Beautiful offer, log onto www.VespaUSA.com to locate a Vespa dealer and find more details about the Hello Beautiful offer.  (It's a great place to find info on the Hello Beautiful offer).


For more information on EA SPORTS Active™ (which has nothing to do with scooters) visit www.easportsactive.com

EICMA 2009 Redux

Did you miss the EICMA 2009 Show? Well, you can simulate the experience by grabbin' an ice cold Peroni and taking in all the great shots captured by the guys at Adrenalin-Pedstop, the best scooter shop in South Yorkshire, England.  There's 112 images in total and I'd like to know what you thought about some of the scoots, especially the new Lambretta Pato.  I like the Piaggio USB better with a both babe on it... for, um... reference of course.  It was hard to tell the scooter's size without a reference.

If you want to see the slide show even BIGGER go HERE>

Mr. Bean on a Vespa vs. Mr. Jackson - FIGHT!

If you're looking for a distraction from going out in the garage to winterize your scooter then this will cover a minute and a half. After that you've got no excuse. At least you've got Bob Headstrom to remind you how it's done right here in this video.

***UPDATE***

Ok... I'll give ya another minute and a half. Watch the best commercial ever. NOW GIT!

GasBuddy Blog - Gasoline prices soar compared to last Thanksgiving

Right now, according to GasBuddy, the national gas price average is about $2.63 per gallon.  Not, bad.  Not GREAT, but better than most of Europe where prices average around $7 a gallon (OUCH!).  GasBuddy's Patrick DeHaan doesn't expect prices to go down this winter.  Here's a small clip from his recent blog post:

What a year it has been. Since seeing gasoline prices collapse last fall, prices have risen some to nearly 41% higher than they were a year ago, and I have to say, the economy isn't looking much healthier, so what happens now?

Looking at data, I believe that between Thanksgiving and Christmas, prices are likely to rise. The state of the economy here is improving, albeit slowly, and that means that our appetite for motor fuels will increase. While I don't foresee any shocks at the pump between now and Christmas, I do think we'll see fluctuating prices, but we will see prices slowly move higher.

We're also seeing an increase in geopolitical tensions as Iran began war games this week, pushing up concern about a rash move from the oil producing country. Also helping boost prices is the perception that with additional refineries closing, capacity will drop, adding more risk into the market if demand moves up in the coming months.

So, what does that mean?  I hope it doesn't mean we revisit the $3.00/gal prices of 2007, like we had the winter before the price explosion of 2008.

2010 Sachs MadAss 125 Reviewed

Over the Thanksgiving holiday we wrapped up another long awaited review.  This is actually our first motorcycle review!  The MadAss has always been of those hard-to-classify designs.  It has elements of a trials bike, a BMX, a mountain bike, a moped, a scooter.  I was expecting this one to come in as an automatic.  It would be a bit easier to compare to other modern scooters that way, but the only thing scooter about this bike was the engine.

If you'd like to see what we thought after 200 miles of testing you can head over to Motorcycle.com or Motorcycle-USA to read the whole thing and watch a companion video edited to show what it looks like and sounds on the road.

Manual labor never looked so fun!

I'm convinced I'd do a LOT more gardening if I had one of these things. Anyone know where to get 'em?

The Gospel According to Chicken?

Photobucket Phriday-

I don't know if there is an official faith for the scooter community, but Gospel Chicken sounds like a strong candidate!



Have a great weekend!

Piaggio takes some plays from the Japanese design book?

First we had the Piaggio MP3, now they introduce the USB? I don't know if this is just coincidence, but if Piaggio introduces the Piaggio Tweet next year then I'll be highly suspicious that there's a computer geek heading up the new product naming department over there.

I've got a headache right now, so I'm having trouble constructing my own deep and thoughtful analysis of this new concept. I suggest that you visit Hell For Leather to read their post from yesterday. While you're there check out the jaw-dropping new designs from Moto Guzzi! The V7 Clubman Racer is the hotness, though I would have been happy with half the displacement.

Thanks to Orin O'Neill from Scootin' Old Skool for the scoop.

PS> You can see what the Italians think about the USB here.

Let Vossi destroy the rest of your work day

(fortunately none of the mopeds, scooters and motorcycles are as hideous as this folding Motograziella from 1969... I want one.)

How's your Tuesday going?  Good?  Getting some stuff done?  Well, not any more.  Here is your link to what you'll be looking at for the rest of the day.  Vossi's Moped page.  Go ahead!  Enjoy!  Take your time to fully savor the yummy curves and lines of some rare European two-wheelers.  That TPS report can wait to be polished off 'til tomorrow morning, but this web server full of delicious images could crash at ANY moment!


(I think Ducati should make mopeds again. The Cucciolo M 55 is gorgeous!)