WTF!? Scooter of the week - Revenge of the four legged oddity

Seems like yesterday when we posted on a gas-powered, 4-legged oddity. This one isn't quite as mythical looking, but it's so funny you might tinkle in your pants a little bit. Thanks to Motoblog.it for the tip!

What would a scooter radio station sound like?

If you could distill the UK scooter scene down to a weekly 1 hour music program, this is what it would sound like... Scooterist Radio! I'm not sure how long they've been 'on the air', but over 1,500 dedicated listeners call this place home today. Mod, soul, ska, punk, indi, alternative; if you've burned a hole in your Boston, Steve Miller and Steely Dan CD's do yourself a favor and plug into David Porter's show for a taste of something different. You might discover something you like! (webcast and podcast available)

TheScooterScoop.tv hits 10,000 views!

(Thumbs-up to all the viewers who managed to drudge through our looong, pilot video show)

Back in December 2005 we decided to expand a bit... break new ground! We considered a "Podcast"(tm), but that was just too popular at the time PLUS it just wouldn't work for a visual person like myself.

If I was gonna take the time to enjoy a 'cast' I wanna hear the scooter, see her in action. SO, in a true gorilla style we went out to cover the introduction of the Sachs (Tomberlin) MadAss. Dan, Casey, Jeff, Weldon, Bella and I grabbed the home video camera and went to work. Sure, it's not perfect but it's a start and MUCH was learned in the process (take the scooter OFF PREMISES to avoid intercom chatter was a big one).

By the end of January we had recorded, edited and posted our first vidcast for TheScooterScoop.tv. The feedback rolled in... mostly supportive and constructive and we are taking that ALL into account for the new episodes planned for 2007. You can expect:

• Tighter episodes - Down to like 5-10 minutes each.
• Better production - We're enlisting the help of Video-Ninja Ed Honzik for advice and assistance with the shooting and editing.
• Bigger crew - We've got some volunteers for things like sound, lighting and the ever essential teleprompter.
• Added eye/ear candy - We are looking to get a :10 second video intro and theme song as well as some background tunes to make this baby SHINE!
• Show Sponsors - You may not think it helps YOU, but having Scooter/Moped related sponsors will generate some much needed revenue so we can make the show / site BIGGER and BETTER!

Thanks to everyone who provided help and feedback AND to those of you who have purchased the jacket patch or dropped a virtual tip in our jar (did you notice your name in the show credits?)! I hope you'll continue to send your good intentions our way so that we can make TheScooterScoop what it's meant to be. If you have any advice, feedback, suggestions, equipment, or money you'd like to share, please do so here in the comments area or via email at thescooterscoop@gmail.com. Manufacturers who would like to be sponsors should shoot me an email at the same address to make arrangements for ad production and discuss rates for the 2008 season.

We look forward to big things in '08 and hope you'll continue to join us for the ride! Thanks again for staying tuned to TheScooterScoop!
-steve

The evolution of Chinese design...

One thing Scooter-Infos.com noted when they returned from the Cologne show in October was how Chinese scooters are getting the serious design make-over. It's late, and I don't have a long, drawn-out analysis on the phenomenon but I don't wanna let that get in the way of some good eye-candy. Click on the title link to see all the pretty pictures they captured. Oh, and take a look at the new K2. Kinda looks like a bunny rabbit to me for some reason.

WTF?! of the week - Hideous 350cc abomination of scooterkind

(*GASP* OH THE HUMANITY! Hide the women and children! They should not know of such horrors!)

Sorry, for the over acting. This thing just BLOWS my mind. What you have is the creation of the Dr.Frankensteins from Team Cristofolini, scooter racing specialists. They have grafted FOUR engines (roughly 90cc each) together for a 4 cylinder, 2 stroke, 350cc monstrosity that produces 110 HP! (Well, 110 cv. which from what I understand is equal to hp).

Much love to Aki for this photo from the EICMA show. He managed to dig up the stuff everyone else (the major scooter news networks) was too afraid to cover.

If I manage some more full-frame images, I'll post them here. Casey? You have any insight as to what's going on here?

UPDATE - See more on MCN's site.

Bamboo is the new fiberglass?

French helmet arteest, Roof, has taken renewable to the next step with Bamboo helmets! They should be available in '07 to our friends overseas.

I think it's really cool. Sorta what you'd expect the professor to make Gilligan so he can safely put around the island on his coconut oil burning scooter. Prices yet to be announced.

Thanks to Motoblog.it, Motorbiker.org and CyberScooter for collecting the details!


(Sarah went for the DIY approach. GREAT effort Sarah! Um... just do us a favor and hold off wearing this while your scooting, umkay?) See more DIY examples here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

a Naples backstreet
Originally uploaded by mattjfleet.

Hey! We're gonna be pretty scarce during this Turkeyfest with all of the chewing and sleeping we have to do. We hope you'll take a break to enjoy a honkin' slice of pun'kin pie with extra whip-cream and get plenty of rest so you'll be ready to ride ALL weekend.

We don't want any excuses, just the scent of roasting chestnuts and 2-stroke smoke. If your a 4-stroker (non-smoker), that's fine too. Just be safe and enjoy yourselves!

Cheers!
-steve

(Oh, and thanks to mattjfleet for sharing this photo of a backstreet in Naples. Can you imagine pulling up on your scooter to buy some fresh veggies for your turkeyday stuffing? We can at least dream.)

5 Days of Free Shipping at www.ScooterSeatCovers.com!

(Hell! If I were a Lion... I'D EAT IT!)

Right in time for the holidays! Crystal Waters over at Girlbike.com does more than just blog scooters from a girls perspective, she makes a MEAN scooter seatcover! They're each custom made for all the popular models and in more fabric styles than you can shake a stick at! As for the FIT? LIKE A GLOVE!

What's MORE is that U.S. orders placed between NOW and midnight November 26th get it shipped to the house FOR THE FREEZIES!

Deals like this don't come around very often, so I'd take advantage of it if'n I was you! She has a slew of payment options and really, For the PRICE? You can easily afford make your scoot stand out from the rest of 'um.

Go check out what she's got at www.scooterseatcovers.com and tell her Steve gave you the scoop ; )

Italjet Moto shows the familiar and the NEVER before seen

Italjet Moto (Kinetic logo not to be found), was showing off what we HOPE is a new Dragster. Still no details outside of this photo (courtesy of Aki!), but we're diggin'. (UPDATE: Details below)

Now for the "something strange" file... Notice this little number from the Italjet booth. The thing on the right. If you zoom all the way in, you can kinda make out "Balbe Crafts" or "VWI3"??? I can't tell. I'm trying to get some more details too (UPDATE: Details below). Very interesting design. Why don't you click on the picture and get a closer look. Anyone else lay eyes on this thing and wanna give us some details? (UPDATE: Details below) Thanks!


(Future scooter rider marvels at the mysterious and strange new beast from Italjet Moto S.R.L.)

***UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE***
Here's the deets straight from Brasini Piero at Italjet Moto S.R.L.
First the NEW 2007 Dragster:

The new Dragster will basically look like the old one, but it will be slightly redesigned and improved. It will be produced with 3 different types of engines : 50 cc, 125 cc and 250 cc. We are not yet sure about the type of engine the 50 cc will be (we have to contain the final price), but for the 125 and 250 cc. version we will use a Piaggio Engine.

And the new mystery Italjet:

The new scooter is called Roller Craft 50 and will be ready by May next year. It’s a retro style.

Indeed! Very exciting! This is the first we've heard of this new beast and even my 8th Degree Blackbelt in Google-fu doesn't turn up anything. I've got a few more big questions in the pipeline and will be back as soon as we have answers. (more photos here)


***AGAIN WITH THE UPDATES***
1) Dragster will be definitely come out in 2007

2) Dragster 50 cc will be 2 stroke, (the) 125 and 250 (will be) 4 stroke

3) It will come to the USA and we will appoint our national distributor the company LSMotorSports (also DiamoUSA), Sugar Land, Texas (a stones throw from TSS headquarters).

4) For Roller Craft 50 we do not have further information since we just got the prototype ready for the Motorcycle Show in Milan (which was held last week).

So, there you have it! Is this BIG or WHAT!?

***More upping of dates***
1) The Italjet Dragster 2T 50 and 4T 250's are expected to hit US Shores before 2nd quarter 2007 (look for exclusive TheScooterScoop.tv coverage as soon as they touch ground).

2) The Itlajet Torpedo 4T 150cc, competing with the likes of SYM's HD200 and the Kymco People, will be available early Q1.

3) For the motorcycle fan, the 650cc Italjet Griffin is expected sometime in '07.

4) Italjet Moto S.R.L is not affiliated with Kinetic or the Kinetic Italjet line.

Rainbow riders - Born to be Styled

Moto
Originally uploaded by Nenners.

Hehe... sorry for the "Born to be..." rehash. I figured Illnoise would shoot coffee outta his nose this morning to see it... Anyway...

HERE'S a colorful shot of the Toronto Gay Pride Parade 2006 (sponsored by Motorola). They've almost covered the whole ROYGBIV spectrum with the exception of Red and Indigo. Thanks for sharing Nenners!

The CMSI L-Series "Lambretta" spotted in Milan!

(Arigato gozaimasu to Aki Hasegawa in Japan for sending back photos from Milan! How's THAT for international?)

Well, I don't have much to go on from a 'copy' stand-point. No media pack information... No official release dates or pricing (yet). All I really have is this sign (click to see the big picture) and the fact that Aki says, onsite they were calling it the L-Series and were NOT referring to it as a "Lambretta" which fits CMSI's story that goes:

Due to difficulties in securing clear worldwide rights from SIL for the Lambretta trademark, CMSI and its partners have decided that a new brand will enable clear worldwide trademark rights that are essential to worldwide sales and production required to amortize tooling costs for a new model. The basis for the L-Series line will continue to be the classic Italian "Lambretta Style" with excellent performance

Ok, I'm good with that. you could always badge it with aftermarket Lambretta stuff, should you wish to try to fool someone. So, enjoy the photos for now and I'll be back with more info in a bit.

Here's a couple more T&A shots (um... Turny-part and Aft?) of the new "not a lammy".


(Yeah baby! Stick it out there! I really dig the lines. Good attention to detail!)


Here's a shot of CMSI's lonely booth. Anyone else curious why they didn't get a whole lotta press at the show? Could there be any jealously from the European press that an American company is producing the 'Lambretta"? Or could it be that they were just too far off in the back of the convention center to get noticed? All I know is that I really would like to see the L-Series come to fruition. Please don't be a vapor scoot!


(and just to help you remember what the ORIGINAL prototype looked like, here's Steve from P-Town Scooters perched on one like a little kid on a Peg Perego. Thanks for sharin' Jim!)

***UPDATE***
Here are some more shots of the L-Series at the Milan show and here are a bunch of internals shots. Good stuff! Thanks to markh for droppin' some more deets on us! Now, I feel up-to-speed on the new "Lammy". You know what!? They should have just registered the name "Lammy" and gone with that instead of L-Series! Just a thought.

Also, look for updates to their website in early December and Scoot Magazine to give her the full nelson in their upcoming Spring '07 edition!

WTF!? Scooters of the week

Man... Glad I found a photo of this so you wouldn't think I was just on drugs or something. Motor shoes. I swear I didn't photoshop this... although, I don't know where I found it.

You think I could get some in a size 11? I think it'd be cool to wear some WHILE you're on your scooter and when you reach your destination, you'd step off the scooter and keep on goin'. Whadda trip!

Ghost Morph in Tokyo

Streetbike Tokyo
Originally uploaded by jonas_stokke.

jonas_stokke shares this photo of a pearl white Yamaha Morphous near Shibuya... parked next to a white cone, right over a white stripe. Kinda surrealistic. Doesn't the Morph look heart-throbbingly excessive? Makes me hope they actually release the Maxam 3000 (also known as the two-wheeled Cadillac El Camino.) http://wapurl.co.uk/?KCVCUS8

Makes me want a dog

Michelle_4238
Originally uploaded by mixelcores.

Hi Michelle! Saw this photo with the waaay cool dog in the back and thought "what a great accessory!". A cool-ass dog that wears green googles?!?! That rocks!

Thanks for sharing mixelcores!

More details on getting your head into an Italian helmet

(Nice animation and write up on the Momo 'can' at webBikeWorld.com, a great resource for helmets)

You may recall back in October we mentioned someone on Amazon who was importing crates of Italian helmets (see: sexy hotness) and providing them to us lowly latecomers (see: the Americans).

Yes, they are finally available here after HOW many years? AND these are DOT certified. From what I understand they also have a slightly reworked interior to accommodate our grotesquely massive American craniums.

I like how WebBikeWorld describes this Momo helmet with this paragraph:

One thing's for certain: you won't see yourself coming and going when you're wearing the Komposit. I rode a friend's cruiser down to the local hangout, and the crowd absolutely loved it. Everyone wanted to know where they could get one. So maybe MOMO will start a new trend - helmet-wearing cruiser riders!

Well, if that's what it takes to get a bucket on someone's head, so be it! I'm just glad we finally have it as an option here in the USA. All I know is that I have plans for my next tax return!

Keep an eye on Benchmark Helmets to start shipping in skid lids from all sorts of Italian manufacturers including not just MomoDesigns, but also cascos from Cromwell , Laura Smith , Borsalino and Ferrari! Bravissimo Benchmark! Keep 'em comin'! Maybe we can kick out a couple of reviews for the readers.

See more pictures here.

Derbi produces mixed emotions with the Boulevard S 125/250

Good 'ole Bryce Ludwig made a discovery on one of Derbi's offerings (not that we'd ever see it here). Bryce suspects that it's related to the SportCity from Derbi's sister company Aprilia.

Bryce goes on with:

Here is a really interesting new Derbi Boulevard S. I looked at it and the Aprilia SportCity flashed to mind. The 125cc versions of both have almost identical specs. Same engine, same wheelbase. Same wheels and tires. Same brakes. Specs like seat height are different, but it looks like they restyled the SportCity into a new model for Derbi.

Hrm... I can kinda see it... And I don't doubt it. I know one thing, it's WAAAY different looking that the old Boulevard, taking some cues from the Derbi Rambla I'd say. (More pictures here)

Piaggio Beverly Cruiser deets

(DAMN! Look at the size of that photon generator on that baby! I wonder how many candles she puts out.)

Dudel has pointed out this image of the low-key Piaggio Bev Cruiser as it was found on Motorfreaks.nl. I'm still collecting data, so we'll be short on 'deets' (details) till tomorrow morn. Thanks again Dudel!

***UPDATE***

(Side view courtesy of Cyberscooter.it... passenger not included... some assembly required)
Dudel continues his observations on the Beverly Cruiser with:

It uses motorcycle-ish lolliop blinkers in the front and motorcycle-ish guages. The rear end has bee slightly redesigned. The engine is the EURO3-spec 500-Master which gains 2-hp over the previous version. I haven't read anything about storage capacity or whether it uses the 16/14 wheels of the original.

Cool! Thanks Dudel! I think it looks like a gargantuan Vespa, meself.


(example of how it somewhat resembles a gargantuan Vespa, at least from this angle)

More juicy details on the VESPA LXS 125

VESPA S 125
Engine	Single-cylinder 4 stroke LEADER, two-way catalytic converter and secondary air system
Bore/stroke	57/48.6 mm
Displacement	124 cc
Max power at crankshaft	7.6 Kw (10.3 hp) at 8,000 rpm
Max torque	9.6 Nm at 6,000 rpm
Fuel	Unleaded
Valve train	SOHC, two valve
Cooling	Forced air
Starter	Electric and kick starter
Lubrication	Wet sump
Clutch	Automatic dry centrifugal with damping plugs
Gears	Twist-and-go CVT
Frame	Sheet steel with welded reinforcements
Front suspension	Singlearm with coil spring and dual effect single shock
Rear suspension	Coil spring with adjustable preload and dual effect hydraulic single shock
Front wheel rim	Die-cast aluminium alloy 2.50x11”
Rear wheel rim	Die-cast aluminium alloy 3.10x10”
Front tyre	Tubeless 110/70-11”
Rear tyre	Tubeless 120/70-10”
Front brake	ø 200 mm hydraulic steel disk
Rear brake	ø 110 mm mechanical drum
Length/ width	1,800/740 mm
Seat height	785 mm
Wheelbase	1,280 mm
Dry weight	110 kg
Fuel tank capacity	8.6 litres
Consumption (at 40 km/h)	39 km/l
Max speed	91 km/h
Acceleration to 30 m	4.6 sec
Emissions	Euro 3

A now a bit from the press release:

VESPA S
The appeal of the racing “Vespino” lives on in the shape of the all-new Vespa S. The minimalist design of the Vespa S traces its origins to legendary models such as the 50 Special and the Vespa Primavera.

Sport, dynamism and originality are the trademarks of the all-new Vespa S. Clean, essential lines provide a minimalist version of the original Vespa legend.

The reduced handlebar on the Vespa S holds a new rectangular headlamp. It’s not the first time we’re seeing a Vespa headlamp in this shape: Vespa fans will remember its use on the extraordinary 50 Special, a teenage icon in the Fabulous Seventies. The front shell is now bigger and hosts a new air intake that confers an aggressive touch to the frontal.

Downsized to highlight the view of the suspension, the mudguard in a new shape features stylish chrome trim for a sleeker look. Its reduced size also puts the wheel and the light alloy wheel rims on display in a tribute to the Vespa S’s performance and technological content.
But it is the front shield that has gone through the most significant changes. It is back to being a two-dimensional structure: no plastics, only the pure lines that have always been the Vespa’s trademark. The very simplicity and minimal thickness of the shield make it a strong design element.

The seat has a new shape with two versions available: a single seat that highlights the vehicle’s racy dynamism or a two-seater for extra comfort and use with a passenger. Both versions are impeccably clad in new upholstery with a classy clear trim to highlight the shape of the seat.
The rear end of the Vespa S has an all-new look: the shape is sleek and simple with a new tail light designed especially for this model to enhance its dynamism.

The minimalist yet striking design and simple yet stylish lines of the Vespa S evoke the fresh, dynamic look that made the Vespa the favourite ride of 1960s and 1970s teenagers.
The front wheel has a diameter of 11” to give the Vespa S stability and the rider an obvious feel of safety. The tubeless tyres measure 110/70 in front and 120/70 on the 10” rear wheel. The braking system is a conventional disk-drum combination. The stainless steel front 200 mm disk brake is gripped by a two-piston caliper and dependably backed up by a 110 mm drum. The 8.6 lire fuel tank is placed inside the chassis without however reducing the underseat storage bay, making it easy to access the engine.

The Vespa S is available in two classic displacements, 50 and 125 cc, on which the Vespa’s reputation was built. Light, speedy and very quick off the mark in town traffic, the two-stroke 50cc is perfect for young riders while the 125 version, equipped with a modern, environment-friendly four-stroke engine, stands out for its performance, low running costs and total compatibility with the stringent Euro 3 emissions norms.

Three words... I WANT ONE!

***UPDATE***
Looks like this 4-stroke air cooled engine tops out at 56mph... at least it does in it's stock configuration. Just for reference, the liquid cooled engine found on the Vespa GTS 125 can hit 62mph and the air cooled 4T 125cc engine found on the Genuine Buddy is said to touch 70mph!

Piaggio releases the specs on the MP3-400 i.e.!

Thanks to Dudel AKA "The Super Sleuth" for hunting down a bit-a-info that I've been anxious to hear and THAT'S the specs on the yet to be released MP3-400.

PIAGGIO MP3 400 i.e.: Technical specifications

Engine	4-stroke, single cylinder 4-valve Piaggio MASTER with electronic injection, catalysed
Displacement	398.9 cc
Bore	85.8 mm
Stroke	69 mm
Fuel	Unleaded
Compression ratio	10.5:1
Max power at crankshaft	34 hp (25 Kw) at 7,500 rpm
Max torque	37 Nm at 5,000 rpm
Cooling	Liquid
Gearbox	Twist-and-go automatic
Ignition	Electronic inductive discharge, integrated variable timing
Starter	Electric freewheel with torque limiter
Frame	Twin cradle made of high-strength steel tubes
Front suspension	Parallelogram composed of four aluminium arms supporting two steering tubes, cantilevered suspension. Travel: 85 mm
Rear suspension	Two dual effect hydraulic shocks, four-position spring preload. Travel: 110 mm
Front brakes	Two Ø 240 mm stainless steel disks, floating caliper with two pistons, Ø 30 mm
Rear brake	Ø 240 mm stainless steel disk, large-piston floating caliper, Ø 30 mm
Front wheel rims	Die-cast aluminium alloy, 12" x 3.00
Rear wheel rim	Die-cast aluminium alloy, 14" x 4.50
Front tyres	Tubeless 120/70-12” 51S
Rear tyre	Tubeless 140/70-14” 68S
Length/Width	2,190 mm/ 745 mm
Wheelbase	1,550 mm
Seat height	790 mm
Dry weight	238 kg
Fuel tank capacity	12 litres (includes 1.8 litres reserve)
Max speed	148 km/h
Emissions	Euro3

And here's a little press release to go along with it:

PIAGGIO MP3 400 i.e.
The Piaggio MP3, the three-wheel scooter that recently revolutionised personal transport by redefining the entire concept of ride stability, has grown to a 400cc displacement to offer unprecedented performance and safety. Fun, nimble and nervy, the Piaggio MP3 400 i.e. handles curvetaking with extraordinary safety and road holding that only the MP3 can manage, while providing all the power and distance range of a real touring scooter.

The Piaggio MP3 has upped its engine capacity to offer even zippier performance together with a safe, fun ride. The new Master 400 engine (Multi-Valve Advanced Super Torque Engine Range) — a 4 stroke, 4 valve unit with liquid cooling and electronic injection, provides a 34 hp power output at 7,500 rpm and torque of 37 Nm at 5,000 rpm.

These performance figures translate into smooth, full power output at any engine speed, with response and acceleration at the top of the category. This makes it possible for the Piaggio MP3 400 i.e. to handle all kinds of riding, from town traffic to city bypass roads and tougher out-of-town roads in total comfort and safety even when riding with a passenger and a full load.

Extra power and full-bodied torque become available at low engine rpm and are in fact crucial at critical moments like overtaking, when the Master 400 i.e. engine’s acceleration and throttle response together with the exceptional stability of the two-wheel front suspension let the rider pull away fast and safely.

The Piaggio MP3 400 i.e. is truly an all-round scooter. On town riders, the Piaggio MP3 400 i.e. handles cobblestones, tram tracks and irregular roads with the greatest of ease and stays stable and safe on wet roads as well. The exceptionally large underseat storage bay (which holds two full-face helmets), the wraparound protection of the wide front shield and excellent cruising speed the new engine offers make this the ideal vehicle for long-distance as well as tougher rides.

The new 400cc engine also adds substantial advantages as regards the running gear: the use of the new engine and a 14” rear wheel with a 140/70 tyre on the Piaggio MP3 400 i.e. has increased the wheelbase by a good 65 mm.

The result is impeccable stability when leaning into fast curves or when braking thanks to the longer rear end, increased rear wheel contact surface and outstanding road grip provided by the innovative parallelogram front suspension built to an original Piaggio design. Its tilt mechanism is composed of four cast aluminium arms, with four hinges fixed to the central tube and two guide tubes on either side of the parallelogram, connected to the arms via suspension pins and ball bearings.

Comfortable and innovative with exceptional performance, the Piaggio MP3 400 i.e. will seduce novice riders as well as seasoned motorcyclists, as it combines enjoyment and ease of use with unprecedented safety.

I really liked the MP3-250. I wanna feel this MP3-400. It could be the holy grail of all purpose scootering, taking the inner city and the highway equally well.

The NEW Vespa S 50 and S 125

Most of Vespa's announcements at the Milan show came as no surprise with one little exception, the Vespa S... and the more I see her, the more I am overcome by amore!

Now, I would try to sit here on my work day and craft up some clever little prose to spell out all the details, but Illnoise at 2StrokeBuzz has already done a marvelous job... so, without further adieu:

Luckily, Piaggio kept one Anniversary model a secret until last week. Seeing the first photos of the Vespa S, we accurately noted it’s stylistic nod to the Vespa 50 Special, but mistook it for a superficially retrofitted LX. On closer inspection, while the general dimensions and displacements (50 and 125) match the LX, there are some rather significant design differences. Most obvious is the legshield, which discards the plastic insert of the LX, returning to a more traditional shape and contour than any scooter since the PK series. The Corsa-style seat looks as magically uncomfortable as the original. Details like the fender and tailight add to the impression that the Vespa smallframe is back, although for some reason, of all the great smallframe models to choose from, they gave it the horncasting and square headlight of a Vespa 50 Special. (Apparently, every European teenager in the 1970s lost their virginity on the 50 Special, so we’ll let that decision slide) It’s impossible to look at this bike and not want to add a dummy tank and spare tire behind the legshield. It evokes the spirit of the original without being superficial or corny, and that’s more than can be said about the bigger and more expensive 60th Anniversary models. The 50 features the 2-stroke Hi-Per, the 125 has the 4-stroke LEADER. Hello, Neue Primavera.

Great insight Illnoise! Brilliantly written as usual. (I hope he doesn't disapprove of the blatant cut-and-paste. If so, he'll prolly just whup my arse in Indiana.)

Digital art scooter

Scooter Invaded
Originally uploaded by THEfunkyman.

THEfunkyman shares this photo of a scooter (what is that a Yamaha?) that at a distance looks like it has some sort of modern digitized paint scheme of some sort. Upon closer inspection it appears to have a bunch of colored tile stuck to it.

It caught my eye and who knows, it might inspire someone else out there.

American's take the MP3 concept and make it electric

Good eyes Vanya! She spotted this post at French site Scooter-Infos.com. It appears they got the scoop on what American company "Vectrix" is cooking up. Of course there's the Vectrix electric maxi-scooter which is finally ready to hit the road (after 10 years of development) and NOW there is this familiar looking package, the 3 wheeled prototype which is expected to be seen as a fuel-cell hybrid in 2008. Looks like Piaggio knew the time was coming for the 2/1 wheel configuration... We've seen it on the mP3, the Gilera Fuoco, the IRS 1000 and now this? Who's next? T'NG?

Click on the title link to see more photos and the google French / English translation attempt.

***UPDATE***
Found a couple of videos on the Vectrix Here and Here. Looks pretty fun actually.

Memphis Police turn to scooters to fight crime at malls

WREG TV in Memphis did a piece on scooters and crime fighters. If Bruce Wayne's leathery bat-behind is good enough for a scooter then they GOTS to be good, right? Here's the cursory snippet. I like how they start by clearing things up... THEY ARE NOT TOYS, DAMMIT!

Memphis - They are not toys. These low riding two wheel scooters are how Memphis police are fighting crime. Reserve officers are learning the tilts and turns to get ready to hit the streets. For the last two months, the Honda Metropolitan Scooters have been used in downtown Memphis, but starting the day after Thanksgiving, they will roll to local shopping malls.

"We will be able to take them out to the malls, patrol the parking lots of the mall, patrol the shopping centers the outside in heavy congested areas." says Barbara Davis, the Reserve Coordinator for Memphis Police.

Holiday shopping means criminals will be busy. "The security guard is passing now, but he is not always around. He tries to be, but he is not always there." says Mary Jane Landry, a shopper from Bartlett. In fact, we parked our vehicle, got out, interviewed several shoppers, and took pictures for 15 minutes before a security truck ever spotted us. Fifteen minutes, more than enough time for criminals to do their work. It's why police say they will beef up mall patrols and these scooters will help.

"Get to where we need to get faster and cover more territory at the same time. The visibility factor is what this is for and I think we will see this during the holidays and being out in force." says Danny O'Connor, a reserve officer going through training.

The scooters, because they are so small will also allow officers to move quickly in and out of traffic.

I'd go ahead and click on it so you can check out the video, if you like exciting things like... people training on Honda Metropolitans. It's a far cry from CHIPS back in the days.

Scooters Taking Off - Women And Middle-Aged Riders Help Propel Sales Of Small Motorbikes

And it goes a little sumthin' like this, hit it!

Ask Alicia Karr why, at age 56, she bought her first motor scooter, and her answer is succinct: "Al Gore and Europe."

Even though gas prices have dropped a little bit, we still find a straggler article on the 'ever increasing popularity' of our favorite 2-wheeled transports. They "wrote-a-song-about-it-like-to-hear-it-here-it-go.":

On a trip to Italy last fall, Karr, an artist from Radnor, Pa., fell in love with Scooter Culture: the men in business suits, the women in long skirts. Gore's movie on the perils of carbon emissions, "An Inconvenient Truth," sealed the deal.

And so Karr purchased a Vespa LX 250 in "aurora blue" - metallic sky blue. "The artist in me fell in love with that."

Her intention was to use the Vespa for short trips and errands, instead of driving her SUV, thereby saving gas and fossil fuel while making a small contribution to the welfare of Planet Earth. (Ten days after she picked up her scooter, a tree fell on her Lexus SUV, totaling it.)

More and more Americans, tired of sharing their paychecks with Exxon and dealing with ricocheting oil prices, are adopting scooters as economical "second cars," or as a practical vehicle to tool around the city.

Click the title link to get a .10 cent history lesson, a blurb on the growing market segment, a bit on saving gas money, scooter pricing and something about your grandparents riding nekkid at the next regional rally. That's a lot to cram into one little tiny article! (luckily, no pictures)

Speaking of unique tires... check out the Benelli 49

Benelli's not gonna settle for your standard issue black tire... Nooooo way. The 49 prototype has a set of tires that say BAM! They look like Innovas. It's a good match here, thumbs up! Thanks to the Always blog for sharing!

Spinners are so 1998... Now you're ridin' on glass!

Ok... it's really polycarbonate, but it's clear as glass. Interesting idea from D'Vinci Forgiato Radurra. One and a half inches of polycarb keep your wheels on the road and the $2000/ea price tag keeps your wallet in your pocket. If they came with transparent TIRES, that would be another story and would fit perfectly on one of my 'mystery projects'. Click on the title link to read more and see what they look like on a car.

More details on the WORLDS MOST POWERFUL SCOOTER!

(Because you never know when you need to go 120 mph)

Well we finally get a closer look at the GP 800 and upon closer inspection I find its look only moderately inspiring (IMHO). Here's a few more details on the GP800 from Inside Bikes News:

Piaggio have shown their new 839cc (51.2 cubic inches) maxi scooter at Milan today. The scooter will wear a Gilera badge, with a 90 degree V-twin motor, making 75bhp (as much as a VW Polo) powering the machine to an estimated 120mph top speed.

The new Gilera 800 scooter is actually heavier than some sports-touring bikes, at 235kgs (518 lbs) dry, and a steel frame, with 41mm forks and 300mm twin front discs indicate that the chassis is designed for high speed stability and handling. The scooter also has an 18 litre (4.75 gal) fuel tank.

There's no word on price yet, but as the UK market hasn't really taken to maxi scooters like the T-Max, Silver Wing 600 or Burgman 650, it's likely to be expensive as unit sales targets will be very small for Piaggio in Britain.

Hrm... Well, if the the UK market isn't looking good then the this baby stands an ice cubes chance in Texas of landing on our shores. That is to say if we EVER started importing Gilera (can we at least get THAT done?)

Here she is from the back... Dig the twin pipes? And there's enough discs on this baby to stop a train! Oh, and here's a couple of other small details... She's riding on a 16" front and 15" rear tire, and apparently enough under seat storage for your helmet.

A real scooter find... Lambretta excavation

scooter_clarkie
Originally uploaded by eam31.

Poking around flickr.com and saw the dirtiest Lambretta I'd ever laid eyes on. What was she DOING?! Mud-bogging?!

I had to send Ellie a message asking for an explanation and here's what she said:

We were digging out a new bed (gardening), and the spade hit something which turned out to be the Lambretta! We have no idea how it got there, we've only just moved into the house. Currently we're planning to try to get rid of it, because it's not in very good condition and being underground seems to have flattened bits.

cheers, Ellie

WOW! A 1957 Lambretta Li Series 1... Buried in your back yard. How does THAT happen? The best I can do is a beer can and some old chicken bones. They're talking about getting rid of it, but imagine the story THAT restoration would have! Thanks for fillin' us in on the details Ellie! We hope you'll let us know what happens to her and if you decide to restore instead. ; )

(The "crime" scene where the Lambretta was found buried)

White Continentals?

Baronia - Das Jugendrad
Originally uploaded by qny.

I wonder if they make the all white Continental tires for scooters. Anyone seen 'em?

The Eicma 2006 announcements begin!

(this tiiiiny little photo is a glimpse of something REALLY big! 850cc's BIG! It's a Gilera, so I wouldn't count on it being responsible for breaking the current big bore scooter record in the USA, currently at 650.)

So, who's got a booth at Eicma and what are they showing? Here's a list (filling in the blanks as it comes in):
ADIVA
APRILIA - New Scarabeo 250 to match the redesigned 400/500 and a 125/200 Scarabeo "classic"
AZEL
BENELLI Q.J.
CF MOTION
DERBI
GILERA - Fire 500 and the GP 800
HONDA - SH 300i, DN-01, Silverwing 600
HYOSUNG
ITALJET
KEEWAY
KYMCO - 700cc Prototype
LINHAI
MALAGUTI - Restyled Malaguti Spidermax 500
PEUGEOT MOTOCYCLES
PIAGGIO - MP3 400cc
QINGQI MOTORCYCLE
SUZUKI
SYM
UBI BIKE
VECTRIX - The electric Maxi
VESPA - The GTS and 125cc Vespa S
YAMAHA
ZONGSHEN

I'm keeping a close eye on CyberScooter.it this week!

Gone fishin'

Modern samurai
Originally uploaded by Photocapy.

Howdy troops! Outside my occasional trips to lue, it's been a while since I've gotten back to nature. I'm sure being locked up in an office for days on end isn't a good thing, so this weekend I'm takin' a break. A mini vacation of sorts.

I'm off to McKinney Falls State Park. Why don't you come along? Don't for get to bring a pole! And maybe some extra 2-stroke oil.

-steve

PS> Thanks for sharing the cool photo Photocapy!

Meet Silver and her big brother Gold

Thanks to Splinter for sharing this photo. I've never really seen them side by side. The Goldwing is GARGANTUAN! At around 850 lbs, it's more than half the weight of the Tiny SMART car. I'd like to stick the Honda Spree at the end. That'd be cute.

(the Goldwing weighs MORE than 7 Sprees!)

***UPDATE 11/11/06***

Well, that's a bit embarrassing. I need to remember that it's the Honda REFLEX that looks like it's related to the Goldwing with the twin headlights and not the Honda Silverwing, which looks like it belongs in Halo 3. "Good catch!", to all those sharp-eyed readers who caught that.

Ahhhh, scooter zen

Taking a break
Originally uploaded by eclipseman.

Eclipseman shot this beautiful photo of a field worker taking a break on her little Cub. It'd be nicer if she wasn't out there working... maybe touring the countryside and taking a break to pour a nice cup of green tea from a thermos instead. *steve contemplates bustin' out his Photoshop*

At least, that's what I'd like to be doing. Thanks for sharing Eclipseman!

The Detonator *Heart racing... cannot... contain...self!*

(Daniel Simon has BLOWN me away with this bike that looks like a cross between a chopper, an automotive welding robot, and a industrial pizza cutter.)
The cool thing about fantasy is that it is normally fantastic... a push of the imagination beyond what we think is possible. It's a creation that forces you to briefly consider the impossible. I've seen Daniel Simon's fantasy work before, but just when I wasn't looking he comes up with THIS device. The Detonator v4 6.0 Six Liter Monster Bike Sculpture. So when can we expect to start terrorizing (maybe I shouldn't use that word) the tarmac on this eye boggling 2 wheeler? Never. It's just an art piece. Here's how Daniel describes it:

The Detonator v4 6.0 is pure sculpture with no intention of being a functional motor bike. The initial idea was to shape a radical bike using simple shapes such as cubes and cylinders, a heavy & brutal look, with a mix of retro style and modern simplicity.

The Detonator comes without a visible frame. Instead, there is a simple block housing the giant 6 leter 4 cylinder engine. All the additional parts i.e. seat, steering, suspension and exhaust are geometrically linked to the V-shaped engine.

The front suspension is a complex lever system. The steering is achieved by an electromagnetic sled located directly behind the front wheel. The pilot controls that digial impluse with the 2 independent handle bars. These control bars also include the front lights.

On top of the frame, where one might expect a front light, sits a glas tube radar system to navigate the bike. Design wise it also necessary to give the bike a face. Without that feature it just looked blind.

Looking at something like this is really inspirational. Danke Schoen Daniel! Keep up the great work! (oh, and thanks to motoblog.it for the scoop!)

Fastest helmet EVER!

(cue "Highway to the Danger Zone" music)

Pete is a not just a Burg fan, but also a former "Naval avionics tech geek", so of COURSE this bucket got his attention. WebBikeWorld has been digging up all the trippy helmets lately and here's what they had to say about this one when they added it to their list:

Akuma continues the military theme with the V-1 "Ghost Rider". The V-1 was designed by Kerry Harris, the President of Integrated Helmet Technology, a manufacturer of interesting helmet accessories like the rechargeable LED lights built into the the Shoei Syncrotec Police helmet and the AFX FX-11 Lightforce.

Kerry was a U.S. Navy pilot and designed the Ghost Rider as a reflection of that experience and also as a memorial of sorts to the recently retired F-14 fighter. The artwork was executed by Mike Lavallee of Killer Paint.

What can I say other than this thing is cool! The way I figure it, as long as you're wearing a motorcycle helmet, it may as well look great, no? The heck with solid colors and the 1970's-style graphics commonly found on off-the-shelf helmets. The V-1 is a production version of a custom painted helmet with some great detailing and that detailing includes -- get this -- red LED lights in the exhaust vents!

That's right folks: flip a switch under the chin bar and the exhaust vents glow, just like the afterburners have kicked in! That alone is worth the price of admission, and believe it or not, the rechargeable batteries, wiring and lights apparently haven't added a gram to the helmet's weight, because the size large shown here weighs less than several other helmets of the same size we've reviewed (more on this later).

You can get more on this helmet and other kooky cans by clicking on the title link to get to WebBikeWorld.com.


(WOW! Those afterburners take this helmet RIGHT over the top. Thanks Pete!)

Lambretta vs. Flying Tigers Mashup

lambretta
Originally uploaded by Barnabella.

I always thought it would be cool to paint up a scooter in an old WWII scheme... maybe turn a Ruckus into a old, OD Green, army messenger bike or as captured here and shared by Barnabella, a Lambretta with a menacing Flying Tigers style.

I'm a little leery of the cheetah seat though.

Oldschool Scooter Gymkhana

This video comes from the British Pathe Video Archive (www.britishpathe.com). If you thought the scooter see-saw was brutal, check out what they used to do back in the day. Scooter Jousting! I don't see that floating today unless the riders were on cheap, Chinese automatics. Come to think of it, THAT sounds pretty good! MUCH better than scraping up someone's sweet handle barred Vespa.

Burgman's "magic button" cure for scooter-haters

(Thanks for showing us the "POWER", Pete! Does anyone make an aftermarket flip-up cover and a glowing red "Power" button? That would be cool, then add a full-throttle nitrous switch?! Doesn't someone make a bolt-on turbo kit?)

Gizmag did a pretty lengthy piece on the Burgman 650 recently and in that article they mentioned the lack of love shown to scooter riders and the Burgman's magic cure for such disdain. The "magic power button". I never realized there was such a thing, but according to Fred Brown, Burgman 650 rider and organizer of the monthly "Ride of the Shiftless" here in Austin, power mode lets the engine rev 1,500rpm higher and you can really feel the difference, granted you take a hit in fuel economy. This is contrary to my theory that a small mechanical arm with a lighter extends from behind the transmission case and lights a small fire under the Burgman's arse.

Check out this little snippet from Gizmag:

But there are other times when being on a scooter is not so great. It is clear after riding the bike for a couple of weeks, that many of motorcycling's brethren do not accept scooter riders as legitimate members of the two-wheeled fraternity.Pull up at the lights and nod to another two-wheeled commuter and the chances of getting a warm reply are greatly diminished if you are on a scooter. Quite strange really, and something we all noticed when riding either the Burgman or the Benelli Adiva.In motorcycling's pecking order, scooters are seemingly on the bottom rung!This rampant "scooterism" has a sure-fire cure when riding the 650 Burgman ­ hit the power button and nail it the millisecond the lights go green.The get-up-and-go of the Burgman over the first 50 metres embarrassed a couple of litre-plus bike riders and positively humiliated a Harley Sportster rider who rode through a red light rather than face the Burgman a second time.The "magic button" is conveniently located on the handlebar panel and it aids the Burgman in producing very spirited performance indeed.

Speaking of Burgman. Have you Burg riders already seen the new Givi step-through bag? Looks useful!

Honda Helix rider impressions... Makes me sorta miss Uhura *snif*

(An ode to "buttercup" from a couple of Burg fans)

Susan loves her new Honda Helix. She bought it as a learner scoot on her way to a Burgman 400; but, now that the Helix has shown her the joy of scootering I wonder if she'll really trade up. To make sure she was making the right decision, she let her good friend Pete put her through her paces.

Pete's a scooterist who's been around the block more than a few times; owns a Suzuki Burgman 650 and is a regular contributor at BurgmanUSA.com. So, as the proud owner of the scooter with the largest displacement available you might thing Pete would poo-poo the timid little 250 from Honda (244cc's to be exact).

Well, actually he did quite the contrary. Pete gave it a pretty sweet review, harping on the Helix's cushy seat, easy handling and solid feel.

This review was followed by a night ride review. He still liked it, but found it hard to get used to stepping on the brake peddle. The foot brake didn't cause me any issues for me because both the Helix and the Vespa T5 have foot brakes... now, the Genuine Blur? Different story.

In the end, it's not like Pete would trade in his big Burgman for one with less than half the cubes, but when he described it as "quite endearing", it did bring back memories. Now, granted I LOVE my T5, but I do miss Uhura's big digital gages, and complete disregard for aerodynamics. I imagine one day I'll own both. HECK! I may start a Honda Scooter museum.

If you've been considering a Helix, you should click on the title link and let Pete and Susan push you over the edge.

Momo gaining availability in the USA!

Poking around my Amazon today and look what I found! A dealer selling Momo Buckets! Is this a sign of things to come? I still want some Tucano Urbano gear... and a bigger bank account.

Don't forget about VespaSF's Scootlids.com

BMW C1 avail to US buyers!

(I love the looks... If you don't love the looks, you might atleast love the crashtest video)

I got an email from Detlef out in Florida. Good guy. He was the first to get SMART cars in the US and let me check it out in person about 6 years ago.

Well, turns out that Heir Detlef can hook you up with a BMW C1, granting that your bank is in order. It's about $7000 for the 125cc version and $8250 for the 200cc version... DON'T MAKE ME SELL THE CAR! (hrm... maybe my wife won't notice... there might be a baby seat module for it, right?)

Here's the letter from the man himself:

Good Afternoon,
I got good news! You can get BMW C1 scooter only used.

We can get you two models:
C1 - 125 used between 0 km and 5,000 km for EURO 5,500.00 without extras.

C1 - 200 with new engine for EURO 6,500.00 without extras.

If you like to get EXTRAS please let me know which. You can also get every color.

For extras visit my webpage :
http://www.detlefs-rentals.com/BMW_C1/index4.html

Have a great day,
Detlef

SO! There you have it. Who's gonna take him up on the offer? Seems like last time I asked him about this the number was closer to $14,000... so anywhere in the $8,000 range is a bahghan!

Damn... I want one of those more than Cartman wants a Wii!
Oh, and thanks to Akiog for sharing the photo of a C1.

***UPDATE***
I read this little article, from before the release of the C1, and I believe it pretty well sums up the American outlook on the C1 as well as scooters in general... especially during that time period, a decade ago. It's good to see a little change happening.

Pushing the boundaries of "what is a scooter?"

Walking down the interweb, past Motalia.de today and bumped into THIS oddity from Sans0n (somehow related to Moto-Guzzi). Needless to say I was taken aback with it's confusing design. Looks like a 750cc step-thru sports cruiser. It was apparently shown at the 2002 Intermot show in Munich and from there kept in a cold, dark garage.

I'm not sure I like this one. I mean, SURE having the heads right next to your feet is sure to keep 'em warm in the winter, but I prefer to have the engine behind me when I'm on a scooter. It doesn't seem right the other way. (I say that, but I don't think the Honda FB-S was an aft setting motor, oh well.)

Click on the title link to see MORE of this oddity.

OUCH! Hot scoots comin' thru! THE GILERA FIRE 500!

(Steve suddenly hears "Take My Breath Away"... By Berlin... not Jessica Simpson)

Here's some pre-Milan show goodness courtesy Chris "CoffeeDrink" of our sister city San Antonio. The photos are from MotorBox.com and a story can be found at good 'ole Cyberscooter.it. In it they announce the shock-and-awe inspiring Gilera Fire with FIVE HUNDRED CUBES under the seat. (note: put eyes back in head)

Also seen below from Vespa are the classically styled GTV (comes in a 125cc and 250cc similar to the limited editon GT-60, but I call it The GT-Sexy) and the Vespa S with trapezoidal headlight... I don't know much about it, but if they resurrected the T5 I wouldn't be mad.)

(THANKS FOR THE SCOOP CHRIS! This Milan show could be scooter heaven.)

***UPDATE***
Motorbox.com has a story to go along with their photos as well.
Did you know there are only 999 of the Vespa GT-60's being made?