The General T

The General.
Originally uploaded by pondocus.

Well, I guess I've figured out what makes an Icon. An image that never goes away... like The Dukes of Hazzard's General Lee. You can find that paint job on just about any type of vehicle including this Vespa T5 in the UK.

YEEEEEHAAAAA!

(Thanks for sharing pondocus!)





And if THAT didn't do it for ya, there's always the General Flea, probably ALSO in the UK. Can you image Bo and Luke jumping a ravine in this baby? The "Yeeehaaa" would probably be replaced with a "YeeeeeOUCH!" as they spill their hot lattes on their "good ole boys". (thanks to yomamali for sharing!)

You know... as of today I'm gonna call the Smart an "honorary scooter". Sure, it's a 4-wheeled cage, but I don't have the time right now to start The Smart Scoop, so you may see some Smart news around these parts in the future.

Big Shout Out!

I'd like to give a big shout out to my good friend and web design genius Mark Johnson in Orlando for sparing a few minutes today to help me get my frickin'-frackin' buttons working (except for my tip jar button... I think the bulb is blown).

Good lookin' out Mark!

Click on the title link and check out his portfolio if you're in the market for some web work... Oh, and don't worry... He didn't design my ugly-assed site. I AM hoping to hire him to kick it up a notch sometime in 2009 when we reach a million hits though. We'll see if we can still afford him by then. ; )

Let's look at some art scooters

scooter.jpg
Originally uploaded by dtherave.

Adhesive backed stickers on steel... I guess all stickers are adhesive backed by default. I wonder if there's really a scooter under there. Perhaps they just moulded the stickers in the shape of a Vespa.

Let's look at some art scooters

Smart scooter
Originally uploaded by polbar.

Oil on Steel? I'm not positive, but it looks fun! A lot of time was put into this baby.

Let's look at some art scooters

jaime-232
Originally uploaded by inhaler97.

Here's the "Sharpie on White Vespa" look that inhaler97 shares with us. I'm sure it's a work in progress.

Photos from the 2007 Capital 10K Noisemaker Ride

2007 Capital 10K Noisemaker Ride

Every year for the last... um... I dunno, five... maybe eight years, the Austin scooter and moped gangs have put on the Capital 10K Noisemaker Ride. The Capital 10K is a famous Austin benefit run sponsored by the Austin Statesman newspaper and TENS of THOUSANDS of people show up for it to either run or cheer on the runners.

So, if you wonder where the onlookers get their noise makers... They get them from us!

(I gotta go, so I'll be back with more details in a few hours... click the photo to see more!)

My Vespa and I have become ONE

(You KNOW you're a scooterist when you let your Vespa dictate your dress for the day. I wonder if she's got 7 different scooters in the garage.)

Check out this photo from Pedro in Portugal. A brilliant example of scooter/rider color coordination and a far cry from the squint inducing, haphazard neon Power Ranger on a big grey roller... NOT that there's anything wrong with that. It's a style unto itself (in the land of Animaria). Anyway, Here's what Pedro had to say:

Hi Steve!

I live in Lisbon, Portugal, and I'm a regular reader of the Scooter Scoop. I ride a Yamaha Majesty 400. On one of the days that I was driving instead of riding (I have to two days a week to take my baby daughter to my parents' house), I caught this sight - which struck me as interesting because of the coordination of the colors - her jacket with the Piaggio, the pants with the lights/reflectors on the back, and the helmet with her hair and the seat. Very coordinated! :-)

Thanks for the excellent job you're doing.

Regards from Portugal,
Pedro Pinheiro

Cool Pedro! Very keen eye. Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us. For being the first exclusive submission from Portugal that we used on the site we'd like to send you an official The Scooter Scoop jacket patch as well. (email me your address)

If you've captured a photo or video that hasn't already made it's rounds on "the net" and you'd like to share it with us, send it in! Who knows maybe YOU'LL get a patch of yer own! (Limit one per city for now, but that could change).

Kawasaki getting into the Scoot game? Maybe if Oberdan Bezzi has something to do with it.

OBIBOI is back at it with what he envisions Kawasaki should do to make their foray into the Scooter world. It's genetics are pretty obvious... Knobby tires, narrow plastic fenders, high stance, and Kawasaki's motorcross green, it's like a baby cousin to the KX series. I see some potential for a narrow little mud hopper like this, especially if it were a 2 stroke Minarelli or something with good tuning support.

A rough Babelfish translation of Bezzi's blog says:

KAWASAKI KS-50

Here first scooter the 50 from KAWASAKI, usually allergic Japanese brand to these vehicles.
In order to enter in this combattutissimo market, one has decided for a decidedly sport model and much tempting one for the public of the adolescents.
The KS-50 has a modern aspect much and aggressive one, minibadly recalls in some way the models from motocross of the house and its line and much "aerea"dice something of new in the panorama, lately rather static, of scooterini the sportswomen.
Naturally it is available in several colors, but verda the Kawa is decidedly that to choose.

So, what do you think? Should Kawasaki take the plunge? What do you like/dislike about the design?

Yamaha redesigns the Majesty (YP250)

Coming (to Japan at least) on May 31st is a new and improved Yamaha Majesty (YP250) called the Premium Majesty Sport. BigScooter.com announced the press release on Friday. Here's what they point out as the main features:

(1) automatic speed change quality can be chosen from 3 patterns, "YCC-AT" (This will explain)
(2) new engine & new frame
(3) dual opening under seat storage space (under both seats)
(4) the body part is connected smoothly, "seamless & low Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, europe" design
(5) RF key. Just walk up and push "Start".

Go here to see the official site with all the pretty pictures... the functionality of the gallery REALLY is quite impressive. You can change the color, see how riders of different heights would sit on the bike and even drag it around to see the scooter from different angles. They've also got a sweet video (even if it is CG). I think you'll appreciate what they've done. Oh and Specs are here and environmental specs are over here. Wall papers are here. The Japanese know how to hype a scooter. Production is planned at 10,000 units per year. Hrm... now HOW many of those units will be available in the USA? Care to make a guess?

Spring has SPRUNG!

It's hard to beat a refreshing dip in the stream... It's hard to get off your scooter...
Why not do both.

Thanks to Keith Kelly for sharing this cool, refreshing photo of a Cardamom Mountain Trek in Cambodia. I think you HAVE to have 16" wheels for this tour... or... you know, an off road bike.

Mojito black and white and DEALS all over.

Originally uploaded by opeksei.

I saw this photo from opeksei and remembered how much I love the Aprilia Mojito. Judging by the fact that the driver is wearing a Momo helmet, this is probably the Aprilia Havana (same thing).

I decided to give Jay Bernard over a Mototek a call to see what's new. He actually offered to let us use a couple of Mojitos for the annual Capital 10k Noisemaker ride this Sunday. Too cool!

He also mentioned that he still has back-stock on a few 2005 Mojito 50's and he's offering a GREAT deal on them to make room for his new stock. The Mojito 50's come de-restricted and I believe they have Leo Vinci pipes on them!

If your interested in one of those New '05, 2-stroke Mojitos you can snag it for $1,999 (lower than dealer cost)! Just give Jay a call and mention TheScooterScoop deal on the Mojito or if you like the Scarabeo 50... he's got the same deal on those as well, just $1,999.

Check out the fresh fish delivery scooter!

fish delivery
Originally uploaded by ninja desu.

Ninja Desu shares this image of a Fish Deliver scooter in Japan.

That's too cool.

In US and A we can't even get Long John Silvers to deliver fish in a car, much less someone delivering fresh fish on a scooter.

I've have to schedule a visit one day.

Sensitivity Poll

It's been a while since we've had a poll around here, but a recent comment from a reader in Atlanta had me a bit concerned. Seems I've lost cool points for my choice of words in THIS post.

Perhaps it was a poor choice of words and, while I may come across as brash, insensitive, or crude sometimes I never intend to disrespect someone for their diversity. I embrace it! Who knows... maybe I need to lighten up... take some sensitivity training, become a Buddhist.

Well, enough with self-defense... Let's see what the jury says.



*This is a non-scientific poll. For entertainment purposes only. Void where prohibited by law.

FORE!

India XXXIX
Originally uploaded by vm1757.

Check THIS helmet out. It's got dimples!
I've never seen a black golf ball helmet before. It's kinda cool.

Thanks to vm1757 for sharing this shot from India.

Beautiful Čezeta

Cezeta-027
Originally uploaded by anjin-san.

This scooter must belong to anjin-san... with as many photos as he has. A stunning example of Czech design. The trailer just sets it off. Thanks anjin-san for sharing your pictures of such a beautifully ugly beast.

For more on the Cezeta, czech out the wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%8Cezeta

Harley Davidson Topper - Great for the affluent scooterist

Bob E. up in the Great White North reminded me of an American Classic today. It seems a fellow Canadian is selling a project Harley Topper for $3500 CAN OBO, which translates roughly into $3000 US OBO.

Now... The photo you see above is not the project Topper... No, it's an 1960 original condition with less than 2,500 miles on her. Right now on eBay she's going for $4,500.00 with about 5 hours to go. I wouldn't be surprised if she sold for over $5,000, due to her condition.

I've always wanted a Topper to ride down to the Harley rally on. I couldn't POSSIBLY get any dirty looks! IT'S A HARLEY! Click on the title link to see the ebay listing for the scooter seen above.

***UPDATE***
This actually went for $4500 to Motobones. Lucky guy. Judging by his bidding history he is a collector of American classics and oddities. My kinda guy! Congrats Motobones!

Nitros

Nitro scooter - Click here for more amazing videos

City considers scooter incentives

This is a promising bit from the Annapolis paper. Maybe we can use this as leverage to request the some kind of scooter incentives in our cities.

City considers scooter incentives
By SHANTEE WOODARDS, Staff Writer

Soon, Robert Malone could ride his scooter in downtown Annapolis and get a free bus ride home on rainy days.

It is one of the incentives city officials are considering for residents who own scooters. They also are trying to work with a local scooter dealer - Vmoto Scooters - to get a reduced rate for city residents. Similar programs are being considered for bicyclists.

The plans are part of an effort to reduce congestion and parking problems in the city. There are an estimated 500 scooter riders in the city. The plans are still being reviewed and being worked out with Vmoto.

"Generally scooters, and certainly bikes, pollute a lot less and take up a lot less space downtown," said Chuck Weikel, who works with the parking committee and the transportation board. "They're also fairly good at maneuvering around the spaces and the congestion we have downtown."

Click the title link to read the whole thing.

This ride here is for the ladies only. The ladies, the ladies.

Rubber Magazine announced today the "First Annual National Female Ride Day" scheduled for May 4, 2007. Now, my PR writing teacher would not be pleased with announcing any "first" as an "annual" event but that's beside the point.

What IS important is that YOU, the scooter girl... sexy thang on 2 wheels, need to be sure you don your helmet and get out there and be seen that Friday.

Rubber puts it like this:

As the fastest growing market in the motorcycle industry, more and more women of all backgrounds and ages are getting pleasure from the pure enjoyment of riding a two wheeled vehicle. Providing a community where female riders can advance their rider skills and know-how ­ MOTORESS, run by former European female motorcycle racer Vicki Gray, has initiated a day where women are asked to hop on their motorbikes or scooters and ride to work, to school, to meet a friend or to wherever they desire. Just ride!

Hey! If women are getting pleasure from it, then it must be good.

A new record. Riding SIX up!

The last record I had was riding five-up back in February 2006.
Today Keith Kelly shares a photo taken in Cambodia of a family of SIX on a single scoot... A Honda? I'm not sure... but it looks awfully frightening. PLEASE don't hit a bump. Thanks Keith! We look forward to MORE from your Cambodia - On the Road collection.

Drum roll please... The winners of the 2007 MBI awards are:

Scooters got some GREAT representation in the Motorcycle Bloggers International Awards this year. Thanks to everyone who voted. I didn't get a chance to really explain how YOUR vote helps shape the industry, but basically the more clout the MBI awards get, the more powerful YOUR voice is and that means YOU sorta have a say as to what this industry needs more or less of.

So, let's look at the winners!


Steve Williams over at Scooter In The Sticks won BEST BLOG. No, not BEST SCOOTER BLOG, but BEST BLOG! That's quite an achievement. His site is always full of great photos and fantastic writing. Congrats on your win my friend!



Best New Motor Scooter goes to the Piaggio MP3 with second place going to the Vespa GTS 250ie and third to the Yamaha Morphous. The MP3 ALSO won the "Wish We Had Thought Of That" award. Way to go Piaggio!



We talked about this recently. Rodger Donaldson, director of World’s Fastest Indian, won 3rd place for Best Contribution to Motorcycling.

Unfortunately, worst manufacturer's websites go to two great products... Vespa and Icon Motorsports. Luckily, an unfriendly website doesn't necessarily equate to a bad product. Vespa just needs some updates and Icon just needs to rethink the speed and user interface.

You should check out all the winners, loosers and runners up by clicking on the title link.

PS> Oh and as for all the begging and pleading for people to vote, we still came in 10th place of the top 20 with just 132 voters, getting beat out by Scooter in the Sticks and 2 Stroke Buzz who each had over 200 referred voters. But of those 20, 7 were were scooter blogs, so that's cool.

Another Central Texas ride coming up

If you're in the area April 15th, you should join us for the San Antonio Spring Fling 2007! It's being hosted by Jason at The Motorcycle Shop (if you don't know Jason, he's the Texas ringer for the slow race. I'm thinking we need to have an American Gymkhana Competition and see who's the best in the land! But I digress.)

Just wanted to put it out there. Don't forget about the monthly Maxi-Ride hosted by Fred Brown! Info can be found by emailing idontgiveashift@gmail.com

Police Use Scooters for St. Patrick's Day

If I remember correctly, the Savannah St. Paddy's day celebration is second only to Ireland's in size. I've been there... and I'm surprised I remember much of anything.

Anywho... this year some cops are ditchin' the 4-hooves for the 3-wheels, courtesy of Piaggio. Kaitlyn Pratt wrote a little ditty that goes like this:

It looks like a snowmobile. (Nats key turning in ignition)

Is as maneuverable as a bicycle. (Nats revving)

But with an extra punch: (Nats taking off)
"It's very similar to a bike, I think it pretty much handles the same way, except you have a little more stability, due to the fact it has two wheels in the front," explains SCMPD Officer Chris Talley.

Talley will be spending his Saint Patrick's Day weekend on the back of a Piaggio MP3 scooter. "Just a neat little way for us to get around, to maneuver quicker through the parade routes, to assist people if they need any help or anything," says Talley.

The scooter is one of three on loan from Piaggio. Police leaders call it an experiment:
"The issue is always about mobility. How do you get around in a city that's clogged with traffic, and clogged with pedestrians? We're hopeful these will be a valuable tool," says SCMPD Chief Michael Berkow.

And while officers are doing their official training on the driving range Tuesday, they've already tested out some obstacles on River Street.

"They drove it over the railroad tracks, over the cobblestones, over the grass and in the parks, and it ran great!" says Chief Berkow.

Want more? Click on the title link to read the whole story!

What your Vespa does while your sleeping

Thanks to Bob E. up in the Great White North for bringing this one to our attention!

Warning. Riding a Yamaha may cause swelling and irritation.

First road test of the sporty Gilera Nexus 500

(While it doesn't have the largest displacement in the land, it's definitely the sportiest scooter out there. Can't wait for them to sit on the GP 800!)

I love how Tim starts this story off:

As a teenager, I had a friend with a mechanical obsession - he wanted to install a Porsche 911 engine in his 1971 Volkswagen Beetle.

I told him such surgery would turn the car into a death trap but Gordon grinned and kept checking the scrapyards for the Porsche unit he couldn't afford.

I just wanted a Porsche; he craved the thrill of humiliating sports cars in a vehicle that looked mundane.

The Gilera Nexus 500 Maxi scooter helps me to understand what Gordon meant. Gilera promotes this beefy 460cc urban warrior as "a scooter with the soul of a motorcycle".

My initial reaction was to dismiss it as silly. I ride sports motorcycles every day. They have fighter-jet acceleration, sumptuous steering geometry and handling that leaves me grinning from ear to ear.

Would I swap that for a twist-and-go scooter with linked brakes and a centrifugal clutch?

The first hint of an answer came when a chubby chap in a gold Jaguar tried to beat me away from the lights

I yanked the throttle wide and the big, single-cylinder engine did the rest. Bye, bye Jag.

He tried it again. Same result. Even the biker on a red Ducati 999S was laughing. He gave me a big thumbs-up before leaving Jag - and Gilera - in his wake.

Besides the limited Europe only availability, there was only one gripe... but I'll let you click on the title link to read the whole story for yourself. Thanks to Clay in India for the scoop!

Ride commando!

DSC_1022.jpg
Originally uploaded by moustache.

Well... it probably would be more of an Army messenger scooter than a Commando bike. I just love military OD Green paint jobs. Must be the brat in me.

Thanks for sharing the Cushman photo mr. Moustache! Mark's photo collection also includes some nice military textures if you're thinking about your own custom job.

Vespa P200 Bomber

Vespa P200
Originally uploaded by i_hate_my_screen_name.

Schweeeet! There's only a small image available, but I love what they've done with this. Painted rivets and weathering. Thumbs up! Anyone seen this scooter in person?

Clarion intros "drip-proof" CD player for scooters

I caught this one over at one of my old haunts engadget.com, one of the inspirations for THIS very site. While this CD player is drip-proof, it can still be played by saps, suckers and loosers... just kidding. Couldn't resist the word play. Should have called it "splash proof" or "water resistant" anyway, it goes a little sump'n like this:


If you've got your scooter all tricked out but are still looking for a way to drown out the noise (or jet engines, as it were) you may want to give Clarion's latest CD player some consideration, which promises to hold up even if you regularly go for drives in the rain. You'll also be able control it relatively safely, with the included remote control ready to be attached to your handle bars. Of course, you don't necessarily have to use it with a scooter, with Clarion also suggesting it as a solution for motorcycles and "leisure boats." What's more, Clairon's also planning to release an iPod interface for the unit, although there would seem to be other, less expensive ways to enjoy your iPod while you're motoring about. Look for this one to be released in Japan next month for 44,100 Yen, or about $375.
See it at the Clarion Japan site.

Don't make this mistake

dead scooter
Originally uploaded by brappy!.

Man... This guy just bought a new scooter and parked it at Charbucks instead of voting. Don't let this happen to YOU.

Didjah Vote Yet?

Mod Scooter 3
Originally uploaded by mick y.

This guy did and his scooter now goes 5 MPH faster and gets 10 more MPG!

PS> You DO know we're in competition to see which blog has the most involved readers. You don't want the MBI to think TSS readers are lame, right? Show 'em that TSS readers ROCK! (the vote)

LAST CHANCE TO VOTE!!1!!!!21111

Click HERE to voice your opinions on the scooter / motorcycles for 2007. Your vote is going to help build the MBI Awards and give YOU a voice to help shape the industry. Please, if you haven't done so, click on the title link to cast your vote today. On Monday the polls close.
GET OUT THERE AND VOTE! Please... Thanks!

Speaking of Japan

The girls in Japan really know how to ride!



And even though a bow doesn't qualify as a helmet...

It's still rather cute.

And the Japanese aren't afraid to go over the top.


Waaaay over the top.


Arigato Skorji!

Puffy Yammy Yumi!

So, the other morning our good friend Skorji, in Japan, was eating his Cheerios (do they eat Cheerios in Japan?), anyway... and this commercial for the Yamaha Vino comes on featuring
Japanese pop princesses Puffy AmiYumi. That's a pretty big feat considering their popularity... It would be kinda like... um... Maybe Gnarls Barkley doing a commercial for Yamaha.

So, Skorj snaps these screen shots to share with his fellow scooterists in the Americas, since we will never see the commercial on our TVs. If I do find the video somewhere, I'll be sure to post a link here. Here's the shots in the meantime:

A bear and his scooter

Vrrrrrrrrrrrrom!
Originally uploaded by dollie_mixtures.

Vrrrrrrrrrrrrom!
Thanks to dollie_mixtures for sharing this fuzzy little photo of blue Gloomy Bear on a Rabbit (?) Lambretta (?) scooter thing.

If you like it, click on it... There's more!

An illustration of "Reduce, reuse, recycle"

DSCN0157.JPG
Originally uploaded by jhesseman.

Cheers to jhesseman for sharing this creative use for a Guinness can. Is the widget still in there?

Joe Rocket close out

Purchase any of our close out jackets for $129.99 and get a Free HJC or KBC helmet of your choice (Retail value up to 129.99).

Click on the title link to see my source or go straight to the deal here.

Viffer has this feedback:

I strongly recommend anyone looking at this deal to first look at the closeout section at New Enough.

Secondly, anyone who knows anything about biking knows that before you buy a helmet you try it on. Helmets fit differently. A Large Arai is not a large HJC. In fact a large HJC CS-12 does not fit like an HJC AC-12. Even further the CS-12's and HJC's that they are giving way for free are terribly noisy on the road.

Another thing is that any jacket you purchase should have at minimum CE certified armor in the shoulders, back and elbows. I don't think any of these jackets are full CE certified.

I am not trying to rain on your parade here, and in fact for dumb sh^H^H people who consider a pair of flip-flops and sunglasses proper cycling protection this is a good start and better then nothing.

On a side note, anyone who truly is looking for a good textile armored jacket as there first, check out the Tourmaster Advanced Sport Jacket at New Enough for $60.

I take this topic very seriously. I have seen people go down with no gear and geared up. You can become a believer real quick of getting armored up. Road Rash is not a pretty thing, and your always going to get it, but at least with the proper gear it will be minimal.

Scooter trash mucking up Bike Week (hehe)

Florida Today tells a little story how the Space Coast Scooter Crew is tromping all over motorcyclist's hallowed ground, Daytona Bike Week.

Here's a snippet:

Scooters attract a broader range of personalities in people, Egan said.

There's the conservative group that likes to meet and talk about their latest upgrades.

Scooter riders, especially those like Karen Ranes who favor the vintage models, can be a rowdy bunch.

"The Harley people are conservative as far as I'm concerned," said Ranes of Sanford, who is taking her Stella scooter she named Evergreen up to Bike Week.

Ranes said she and her husband rode scooters in the 1970s and motorcycles later on, but had given up two-wheel vehicles until about three years ago when they walked into a motorcycle shop and fell in love with the Stellas.

Click on the title link to read the whole story if you'd like.

The lap of luxury...

DSCN0132.JPG
Originally uploaded by jhesseman.

Here's a photo the jhesseman was nice enough to share. It's a photo of a cherry Zundapp Bella with matching trailer. What more could you possibly need?

***UPDATE***
I stand corrected. Mark B, who actually owns a Bella pointed out that this is a Industrial Works Ludwigsfelde (IWL). You can find out more about the rare IWL scooter HERE.

This Piaggio promo video for the MP3 makes me want one even more

I found this video over at Motoblog.it. After watching the riders push this scooter waaaay further than I would trust my two Michelins, it definitely makes me recalculate my slush fund... and yes, Joey Ramone's, "Wonderful World" had a little to do with it.

Apologies to the readers on dial up. I, at one time, felt your pain... back in 1996.

Sandblast '07 The Aftermath

(A stunning success! Only one person fell asleep.)

Well, the Austin team is back home... alive and well with our scooters. So what does THAT mean? SUCCESS! We had a... um... blast at the first Sandblast this last weekend. Thanks to our gracious hosts from Houston for making this rally a success. We look forward to next year's and hope you can arrange for it to be about 20 degrees warmer, hehe. The bloody marys were excellent by the way.

I didn't get a bunch of photos, but what I did get is available for your perusal here. Just click on the photo below to check them out.

Sandblast Rally photos

If you've got your photos posted somewhere, send me the link to share the the other readers!

A commercial for the Buddy crowd.

Just thought this would bring back memories for some of ya out there. You know the funny thing is... even though it's called the "Buddy", it was one of the most dangerous scooters at the Sandblast Rally... Or perhaps it's just the Buddy RIDERS that are dangerous.

LOOK OUT! BUDDYYYYYY! *CRASH*

We're off to SANDBLAST!

Catch you up when we return!

Yamaha introduces keyless ignition on a scooter.

Brand new for '07, at least in Hong Kong, is the fresh iCard. She's a 124cc, 2t, twist-n-go with a little surprise... No place to insert your key (see below... looks a bit like a washing machine knob).


No, to start your scooter, open the gas tank or pop the seat storage you'll need to carry an iCard (seen below and it looks a lot like a credit card). All you do is wave the card around the head set and select your function from the washing machine knob. I guess it uses a secure RFID, so you could just keep it in your wallet and wave your wallet around the headset to get her started (like so many women in my past).


iBike.com.hk has it covered if you'd like to see a bit more, or you can go to Yamaha.hk and try to make sense of that.