STELLA IS BACK! In stores THIS October!

(Stella is for sell once again! Well... Not this one. I doubt PJ would part with her.)

Chris Sander gave me this FRESH scoop and it has been confirmed. Genuine has begun announcing the availability of 220 new Stellas scheduled to hit showroom floors this October. No word if they will be tagged as '07 or '08 models.

Once these are gone, that is IT... until the new year, at least. So grab your wallet and a bottle of 2-stroke oil because these babies won't last for long.

Scariest scooter, EVER!

scooter dragster équipe dragmob
Uploaded by pulsoreacteur

Here's an, um... slightly upgraded 125cc MBK. It's not going very fast. Probably gets horrible gas mileage. Can't be used to sneak up on someone, yet it has the potential to make the craziest scooter tuner's head spin. WICKED!

Click the title link to see the French comments translated.

Engine Hub? Um.. useful for... annoying coworkers?

USB Engine HUB, plug an Engin to your PC
Uploaded by AkihabaraNews

Only a couple more videos to post. This one sure to be a best seller world wide... according to their president. You decide.

This might go nicely with a side order of FoodHub and a little "The Button" Hub desert.

MCN Video - Commuter comparison, two wheels vs. four wheels

Autobloggreen.com (title link) discovered this video on the MotorCycleNews network. Cool study if you live in an area where you can get away with lane splitting.
I would post the video here, but my embed option makes the video way too wide and if I change the settings it just cuts off part of the screen.

Click HERE to watch it.

Mopeds inspire the next thing in Hip-Hop?

"THROW A KIT"
(video was shot, directed, and edited by Thunder Horse (Taran Allen, Alex Gvojic))

Took a trip out the the house of the Honky-Tonk Dragon (see title link) to see what's new and I run into THIS.

Now, this isn't some "Lazy Sunday" Mock-Rap, this is the real deal. These Chicago players, Hollywood Holt & Million Dollar Mano, do it right in what I can only describe as "Little Willie Style" (the opposite of the BIG Willie Style we've been hearing for WAY too long).

You may not dig it if you shun rap, but because of my hip-hop listening background (Since 1986) I fully appreciate what they are doing, especially in light of today's "wack-ass" rap ("This is why I'm Hot", anyone?). It's very uncommon to hear someone rap about something that really IS real and on an "everyman" vibe... or at least fresh and entertaining.

Forget "platinum plated Bentley's rollin' on thirdy-twoz" and "diamond studded jets with swimming pools full of Cristal"! "Kitted Peds" and "Phat Sacks of Krystals" is where it's at for the Oh-Eight!

If you dig it, check out their MySpace and soon to be updated Web Site.

***UPDATE***
If you're interested we just got a copy of the lyrics posted in the comments for your reading pleasure.

Poll - What to call a 250cc+ Scooter

I've always referred to them as Maxi-Scooters, but I'm starting to see people calling them Super Scooters. I'm wondering if the US contingent is trying to produce a paradigm shift here? Perhaps to avoid having their scooters be confused with another type of Maxi. I dunno.

What do you say?

Video - A little off topic, but LMAO funny! Triumph Rocket III

Thanks Bob E.! You made my night. I can now go to bed.

The CanAm Scooter?! Whoda thunk it!?

The diabolical Dudel has come through with another FRESH scoop... This one from the Bombardier camp, BRP. You know them best for their wheeled snowmobile, the Spyder.

Well, it looks as though they have another little suprise up their sleeves. A scooter! Here's what Dudel sent us from their patent filing just 20 days ago:

Bombardier (aka BRP) has a patent for a scooter with front storage and CVT with final chain drive. Functionally, a baby version of the Aprilia 850 Mana. The CVT is completely supported by the suspension and the CVT casing is structural acting as a frame member to decease unsprung weight improving handling and allowing the weight of the engine/tranny to be moved closer to the vehicle's cener of gravity. No word on engine size but they seem to imply that a varety of engine sizes may be used. From the physical size of the bike, I suspect 50cc to 150cc range.

Patent No.: US 7,225,892 B1
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7225892.pdf

"A storage bin between the handlebar and the seat that is sized to accommodate a helmet... the helmet storage location is sized to accommodate one helmet and, alternatively, may be used to store personal belongings as well... the CVT housing does not act as the rear swing arm for the vehicle, which reduces the unsprung weight of the vehicle." The illustration shows a final chain drive but also mentions, "Alternatively, a belt or shaft drive may be employed..."

You can read the highlights here. Sounds like there's some innovation going on there, especially with the transmission. Bring it on BRP!

Note... We are being just a bit loose with the term scooter here. Because it has a rear mounted engine and WOULD have a step through, were it not for the false tank/storage, we are going with "scooter"... and the fact that they call it a scooter in the patent filing. THANKS DUDEL! It was deeeeelicious!

Scootstars on their way to Death Valley

Lawrence of the Golden Triangle SC informed me of a little project called The ScootStars. The premise is two dudes riding across the USA on a couple of cheap scooters. At 29mph it's a bit too scenic for my tastes. They are about a third of the way through it right now. If they could figure out a way to bottle and burn frustration they'd have enough fuel and power to get them to the moon and back.

Good luck Josh & Peter! If you swing though Austin, I'll buy ya both a beer!

Check out their site and vote on their next destination at inTransit.tv!

Oh, you can also see a little piece the news did on Josh & Pete right HERE.

Video - T-Max + NOS = OH $#!+

Now you see me... now you don't.
(I hope you're not sick of video week yet. I've got a couple more to go.)

Oh, and if you've ever wanted to get a closer look at the special edition Black Max, you can check it out here.

***UPDATE***
Moto22 found this same video from a different perspective here:

Video - A Vespa with a 500cc suprise in the sidecar

Very tricky! A grocery getter that will smoke most rice rockets.

Video - A collection of old English Vespa Ads

No. Not Old-English Vespa Ads. I don't expect see Old-English 800 and Vespa doing a marketing tie-in anytime soon. These are old Vespa ads in English.

Video - The Munchen Vespa Acrobatic Team

More good fun. Kinda like the Blue Angels, on scooters.

Video - A clip from Vespa Forever

The video is in Italian, but still makes for a fun watch.

Gilera Fuoco 500 Rocks! American's green with envy. Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.

Isn't that the way it goes? Gilera, of the Piaggio family, is not available in the USA... which means they must create the best maxi-scooter ever.

Motoblog.it has recently touched on a review from Lorenzo Baroni. In the review Lorenzo discovers that you truly cannot fall off of the 500cc monster (as seen in the photo).

Some people complain that she's ugly, but that's one ugly scooter I would NEVER kick outta my garage. In my opinion, I'd say the Gilera Fuoco 500 is the perfect balance of power and stability. You can click on the title link and see what Motoblog and Lorenzo had to say, but it's pretty much the same thing.

Station experiencing technical difficulties... Please stay tuned

We've been absolutely swamped over the last few days with shooting another episode of TheScooterScoop.tv _while_ editing the next one to come out.

Special shout out to Ed Honzik for all the great Camera and Edit work (and especially for helping me to wade through all the Indi Dealer Expo footage). ALSO, a big thanks to Wayne Brissette, soundguy supreme for being there to capture the shoot yesterday. These are gonna be some great shows!

Keeway ARN 150 - Can Keeway be China's saving grace?

(Eh, looks somewhat inspired, but still a bit too much like the Chinese' standard spy-vs-spy design.)

BIG shout out to Orin O'Neill from Scootin' Old Skool who took it upon himself to give the Chinese a chance with a review of Keeway's ARN 150. Is it a complete pile of horse poop or a road worthy 2-wheeler. Let's see what Orin had to say, TAKE IT AWAY ORIN! (oh, and my quips will be lurking in the parens. LIKE THIS! scare ya?)

Keeway ARN 150 Scooter
by Orin O'Neill

For many people, the term "Chinese scooter" is inexorably connected to the term "cheap and nasty." (go ooooon?) And why not? Chinese scooters have mostly been devices with odd names, sold at big-box retailers or storefronts that also sell mobile phones and do money transfers to Central America. (don't forget pawn shops and used car dealers.) Cheap, yes, but not particularly well-made, and certainly not supported by anything like a franchised dealer network or service centers. (preach on brutha Orin!)

But this situation is changing rapidly. Just as the bicyclists in Mao suits have acquired BMWs and Italian designer clothes (Hrm... An Armani Mao suit?), China's automotive industry is ramping up, the goal nothing less than being a major player on the world stage, with products the equal of anything offered by Japanese, Korean, European or even American companies.

Keeway is one of those companies. New to the United States, the company has divisions throughout Europe [including a design and engineering center in Italy], and a product line that includes scooters, motorcycles, ATVs and even go-karts, all powered by engines designed and built by Keeway. (I will say that of all the Chinese bikes I saw at the Indi Dealer Expo, I liked Keeway the best).

Keeway's ARN 150 plays in a crowded field in Europe, going up against such storied names as Honda, Yamaha and Piaggio. In the U.S., where people are just now warming up to the idea of motor scooters, the ARN 150 has what most Americans are seeking above all else--a low price.

Scooter Gallery of Seattle, which supplied the test example, sells the ARN 150 for $2195, a price that includes a top case and remote-controlled alarm. This compares quite favorably with the Genuine Buddy 125 ($2599) and Yamaha Vino 125 ($2649), both of which give away 25cc to the ARN 150's 9.4-horsepower engine.

Nasty, the ARN 150 most definitely is not. The styling is modern, if a bit derivative. Yes, the body is plastic but the pieces are of high quality and fit together precisely. The blue is a perfect match for Team Yamaha blue, so you can easily find a helmet that will match. The chassis components look well-made, and the cast aluminum wheels look expensive. There's a purposeful-looking hydraulic disc brake in front, and a rear drum brake with a helper spring that adds a weighty feel to the rear brake lever operation. (Yeah, this ARN isn't the prettiest thing that Keeway has to offer, but I'm glad to know it's at least put together well.)

On the road, it works well and feels solidly built. Like most Asian scooters, the riding position is a bit scrunched-up for someone 5' 11" and 240 lbs., but I was able to place both feet flat on the ground, in my Adidas scooter shoes. (This tends to be the biggest complaint with Keeway scoots. Scootdawg and I both have experienced displeasure with the 'high floorboard'.) The seat is harder than you'll find on most scooters in this class, but the upholstery is somewhat slippery... I found myself sliding forward slightly going down hills. (Ewwwww not good. Might have to sprinkle some of those non-slip cell phone mats on the seat. Reminds me of the time a friend of mine Armor All'd his seat. It was like riding a greased hog! Not that I'd ever admit to riding a greased hog, mind you.)

The 12-inch wheels combine with an adjustable rear and telescopic front fork suspension to make Seattle's mostly awful pavement bearable. The ARN 150's Kenda tires easily passed the Fremont Bridge Grating Nibble Test; there was none. (BWAHAHA! That's the greatest sounding test I've ever heard of. Thanks Orin.) These tires have a tread pattern not unlike the Continental Zippy 3, sort of a slick with diagonal grooves.


(Nice... An expansion chamber on a 4-stroker. Sure to make you look 10 mph faster!)

The engine's sound is not what you'd expect, the performance-looking (that expansion chamber is really a muffler) pipe giving off a low-pitched growl. Even accounting for a bit of play in the right handgrip, it seemed to require a great big twist to get the bike to move smartly, but once twisted, it will go. We saw an indicated 50 mph, and there was room for more than that.
However, you probably won't be motivated to do random speed runs with the ARN 150, but if that's what you want, you'd be looking elsewhere.

This is a bike for the first-time scooter owner. It's inexpensive, easy to ride, handles predictably, has plenty of power to keep up with traffic and will let you amaze your friends with tales of how far a few bucks' worth of gas will take you.

And when you're ready to move up, chances are Keeway will have something for you...

(Say cheese! Congrats Keeway! Your ARN 150 has passed the test. With the expansion of your dealership and support infrastructure I believe you will have a quality product worthy of a TSS reader's hard earned cash. I've talked to Keeway's president and voiced my only concern, the high floorboards, and he said they are addressing it now. Great to know! These guys are close to us here at the TSS headquarters, so we plan on paying them a visit when things cool off.)

Thanks again to Orin from Scootin' Old School for the excellent report! We hope to hear more from Orin in the near future and if you can't wait for that you should go check out his blog. I'm sure he'll have something tasty for us when AmeriVespa kicks off on July 12th. Wish I could be there. TheScooterScoop's roving reporter, Lawrence Hsu will be on site snapping photos and pondering it's greatness. Be sure to say "Wassup!?".

What you DON'T wanna be driving today

Why is Ford still making these dinosaurs? I'll let you answer that.

Off Topic Video - The definiton of "on fire"

WOW! I wonder if he's related to the fastest secretary.



These two are truly ON FIRE!

Where the iron butt riders gather - The Iron Range Super Scooter Rally

(Pre-ride huddle before the Maxi mine ride.)

Back on May 29th I got an email from Marty asking if I was going to make the "Iron Range Super Scooter Rally" in Minnesota. Well, as nice as it sounded, I didn't think my Vespa T5 stood a chance of making it from here to Mountain Iron, MN, so I had to pass on it. Maybe if I still had my Honda Helix I'd be able to pull it off.

Well, I got a follow up email from Marty explaining that he was leaving at 7am for a 400 mile, one way trip out to the rally. I was impressed! 400 miles one-way is nothing to scoff at. THEN he told me to check out Bowen's Rally Ride Blog. Bowen is another guy who takes his riding seriously. When I asked him about the ride and why he was making ride from California to Milwaukee he responded (with my parenthetical commentary close behind):

I am riding, if you include my 2-nighters in both Yellowstone and the Black Hills, a ways over 2000 miles to get to the rally. One of the main reasons I am doing this is because every teenager, before they go off to college (I am 18, by the way), needs to go on a big trip, following high school. In conjunction with that, I wanted to be a part of a huge maxi-scooter event and this was easily the best way to do it. I really relish the opportunity to meet my scooter brethren and understand everyone else's reason for coming. My grandparents live in Milwaukee, so I get to go see them after the rally, so thats yet another reason for coming all the way out here. There really are tons of reasons for why I am doing this, some big, some small, but too many to list.

Wholly Guacamole! 2000 miles!? And at such a tender age... That's some seriously impressive iron-butt action right there! The two of you have ridden further to a rally than I ever have.

Marty came back to give us a few highlights:

Went up on June 6th and came back on June 10th.

I went for the rides and tours that had been set up. If I am going to drive 400 miles for a rally I want to see something in the area.

And that is how this rally was set up. Having some one local guiding you to the best things to see in the area.

I road more at this rally then any other rally.

The Iron Range Super Scoot Rally 2007
Events-

The Serviceman's Club in downtown Virginia was our place to gather, socialize, organize ride groups, and hang out.

Wed, Jun 6th. 4-7pm was Early check-in/registration with a burger fry put on by the Serviceman's Club.

Thurs, Jun 7th. 9-12AM - official check-in/registration. The Serviceman's Club holds a pancake feed as a fund raiser for help with their projects. Very good food!

In the early After Noon about 12 of us went for a ride to Ely, MN. We stopped and had some lunch then went to the Wolf museum and back to Virginia. (I'm impressed, I didn't know wolves had their own museums!)

One other group went for a ride to Hibbing. They stopped at the "Iron Man Statue" before going arriving. They also stopped at the Hull Rust Mine (because hull rust is a very important export for Hibbing), Grey Hound Bus Museum (mom, can we leave yet?), The High School it was built in the 20's with millions of dollars (you didn't have to sit in any classes did you?). Bob Dylan and Robert Zimmerman where both from Hibbing (and now we know).

Fri, Jun 8th, Groups should start pulling out about 8AM heading north to Ely. They had breakfast at the Ely Moose Lodge (I guess if the wolves can have their own museum, why not?), Lunch was at Two Harbors, At 4ish, Aerostitch in Duluth (that's the rider jacket people). I was unable to go on this ride because I was camping and the night before we got some 70 MPH wind gusts that made my tent look like a large upside down white cap on the lake below the campground (damn... the sux). But I did drive down to Aerostitch in Duluth to meet up with them.

Sat, Jun 9th, about 8AM the groups started out for Tower/Soudan To see Underground Mine & & Physics Lab (That was very Cool) Kind of like some thing you would see on the SCI FI channel. (Isn't that where they split the beer atom?) We had a small parade in the afternoon and shopped at a vendor that came up with a trailer load of stuff. At 4PM we met at the Sawmill Saloon in Mountain Iron for dinner, presentations, drawings, and good times.

On Sunday I packed up for the 400 mile ride home.
This rally was very well planned out. We are now all part of the same scooter family. I put on a little over 1200 miles total - 800 of it there and back.
We had people from all over.

States that people came from.
Wisconsin (3), Arizona (1), Minnesota (19), California (1), Indiana (2), Illinois (5), South Dakota (3), Idaho(3), Kansas(1), Ohio(1), Iowa (1)
Money raised for charity? About $624

Well, it sounds like it was good times and according to the photos I've seen, looks like some beautiful scenery. You can click on the title link to check out the forum posts or go see the Rally Ride Blog for Bowen's daily ride updates. Thanks to Marty and Bowen for the scoop on the Iron Range Super Scooter Rally!

Vigillante - What I expected the Batscooter to look like

(In black of course, not 80's hot-pants red)

Found this little post while putzing around the Hybrid Car forums.

These are limited production kit cars
The kits start at $12,500

Specifications:

0 to 60mph: 3.0 seconds
1/4 mile: under 10 seconds
at 150+ mph
Top Speed: over 200 mph
Braking: 1 "g"
Cornering: 1 "g"
Under 1,500 pounds
Up to 700 hp street-legal
small block Chevy engines

How would you like to drive a vehicle that is fun to drive and still has great performance and mileage? You don't have to give up one to get the other! With lightweight and low drag aerodynamics, you can have both. With a 25 gallon fuel tank and up to 80 mpg, you would have a maximum range of 2,000 miles. You could drive coast to coast and only need to stop once to fuel up. For commuting at 50 mph, you would have a range of 1,250 miles. If you're traveling 50 miles per day, you would have enough fuel for 25 days. Fill up once a month.

Now, I'm really doubting that "150+ MPH" and "80 mpg" go hand-in-hand and I'm not sure how you'd get 80 mpg out of a Chevy small block. This is starting to sound a bit like a Boss Hoss with a full body fairing kit.

Anyone ever see one of these in person? Kinda reminds me of when I was a kid. I always wanted to build a Lambo kit, until I realized I didn't have any money... or skills. That's probably...why... I'm not building a kit today. If I were, I'd try to stick some electric motors in one of these. Oh, and note... Never hire Dogbert as your "Green Consultant".

Introducing THE BATSCOOTER

(Batman on his way to the Joker Rally)

Well, well... What have we got here? Looks like the new Batman movie (Joker Begins) will feature Gotham's favorite Gadget Geek on a new ride... The Batscooter AKA "The Batpod". It's pretty sweet in a DIY, naked frame battlescooter with guns kinda way.

Nice to see the Batman going with a gas saving commuter over that remixed hummer he had last time. I'd like to know how that thing takes corners though, with those big "swamp tires".

I look forward to checking this out when she she hits the silver screen.

(Though, how's Batman gonna look with a big-ass grin on his face?)

****UPDATE****
Check out some video footage of it on MSNBC.
Interview with her creator and driver here.
Seems like a couple a months ago Batman was haitin' on scooters.

Rider tip #18 - When it gets hot, dress smart... Keep on your gear

(Here's one way I recommend fighting heat stroke, just kidding... Get the real scoop! photo from Motoblog.it)

Today in Austin we are scheduled to hit 92 degrees... Ten degrees shy of what I expect us to hit this summer and heat stroke is a serious possibility for unprepared riders. So, what do you do if the temp hits 99 degrees? Dress sparsely like the young lady in the photo? No. Even if it looked "cute" on you, your still setting yourself up for trouble. Check out THIS advice from SoundRider.com:

People from cooler climates often react to hot weather by removing clothing. That helps cool the skin--providing air temperature is less than body temperature. Heat transfers from a hot object to a cold object. Pick up an ice cube, and it feels cold. What’s happening is that the ice is rapidly absorbing heat from your skin. Even if the air is 89F, the air will absorb heat from your skin (assuming your body is around 99F). Now, consider what happens when you curl your fingers around a hot cup of coffee. Your skin rapidly absorbs heat from the cup, because the cup is hotter than your hand. The same thing occurs when the air temperature is hotter than your body temperature.

You may think your body is hot at 99 F, but it’s "cold" compared to air at 118 F. If you expose your skin to air that’s hotter than you are, your body just soaks up more heat.

The lesson here is that if air temperature is in the 80s or 90s, it helps to open up the jacket vents, or wear a mesh jacket. But once air temperature climbs above 99 F, the best way to keep from getting cooked is to keep your insulation on, and the vents closed. Desert nomads wear long, loose wool garments, both to keep the sweating skin in the shade, and to insulate the body from the hot air.

That's right, contrarily to what you might believe, instead of dressing down you need to stay geared up! It insulates your body from the heat. What I suggest is that you click on the title link and read the whole story. It could save your life or the life of someone you know.

Largest commercially available Vespa - The Vespacar P2

While prowling the Lisbon Zoo, our Portuguese corespondent Pedro Pinheiro came face-to-face with THIS spectacle... A Vespacar P2. Pete says it was bigger than an APE, about the size of a compact car. Check out the tight custom lightening bolts!.


Here you can see the plush interior. You could eat off the floor! (if you don't mind a brief case of food poisoning). While the Vespacar P2 is cool, it can't really touch the complete and utter awesomeness of the Isocarro Van.

The "Street Smart" road show update

The "street smart" tour kicked off in Los Angeles on May 19th and already is a major success. In Southern California alone, we've hosted over 5,000 test drives! Stopping in locations like Urban Outfitters, Whole Foods, and Lucky Strike, thousands of Reservation Holders, "insiders" and enthusiasts have come out to test drive the smart fortwo. In addition, our street teams have taken the car all around town, popping up in places like Riverside, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Hollywood, Malibu and Long Beach.

The reaction to the car from both the public and the media has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are extremely grateful to everyone who stopped by to meet us. Take a look at some of these great clips from KCBS or KTTV News in Los Angeles, or this one from KNSD in San Diego.

While our Western Tour continues through San Diego and Las Vegas, our Central Tour will begin in Minneapolis. Stop by to see us in the Twin Cities at the Stone Arch Festival of the Arts on June 16-17. Not long after, our Eastern Tour will begin in Boston on June 30.

To find out when the "street smart" road show will come to your city, simply click here. We look forward to seeing you at one of our many events and test drives of the smart fortwo.

Off topic: What do you get when oil and money are no object?

Ask the folks in Dubai. Every year in November at the Dubai Motor Show automakers from across the globe converge to show off the most ridiculous rides available to man. Take THIS for instance. It's a Brabus custom UniMog. A bargain at $306,000 and guaranteed to make even the most enraged Hummer driver think twice about running you off the road.

We might be a bit over fed here in the good ol' USA, but we don't got JACK on the bruthas in the UAE! I mean, those guys have so much loot, it's only a matter of time before you see one of these plated in gold.

Off topic video: Dan does downhill

Dedicated scoopist Pete forwarded this video of a couple of madmen on some super sweet downhill riding. If it were better quality they could have used the footage in that downhill fight scene from Pirates of the Caribbean 2 or the Endor speeder bike scene.

Sure, it's off topic a bit (they do have 2 wheels), but it looks like so much fun I had to share.

Guess who's back! 2008 Yamaha Zuma

Your favorite bug-eyed 2-stroke is back from the grave! Yamaha, who at first didn't wanna mess with the whole 2-stroke emissions certification mess, decided to give her one more go due to popular demand. We haven't had a chance to to a point-by-point comparison to check for differences with the new model, other than "New carburetor settings and exhaust catalyzers for clean exhaust emissions." but we are glad to see her back.

Hotsumi will be happy since her last one was 'kicked to da curb'.

Coming this August with an MSRP of $2099! Thanks to Keith Wahl for the scoop!

Speeder Bike gets one step closer

(it all starts with this... an ion-propelled backpack)

One of my dreams, besides owning a Honda scooter museum or growing a Jamiestache and grabbing my beret for an appearance in Mythbusters (no, not so Kari can sculpt me out of polymer clay... though that's not a bad idea) is to ride a Speeder Bike. Well, looks like Gizmag caught wind of a new patent from California's Personal Flight Systems. It seems they want to harness the energy of ion-propulsion to create a jet-pack of sorts.

Now, back in the days I used to be a big follower of lifters and one major drawback of their design, as far as them being useful for something, is the necessity of an exterior power supply. The craft could not carry its own weight plus the weight of its virtually unlimited electron source (power from a wall outlet).

To make a long story short they are talking about using Nikola Tesla's broadcasted DC power to give life to a supersized ionocraft that straps to ones back. Let's take that idea, stick it on a 'bike' and throw a couple a thrusters on the back. We'll be just about there. I'd say by 2024 we'll at least be able to see some test flight footage.

Click on the title link to see the whole, geeky story.
***UPDATE***

Speaking of "geeky story", Jay points out what should have been obvious to me and that's the fact that the patent office submitted sketch of the ionocraft is basically a Lambda class shuttle minus wings. You cheeky monkeys... couldn't you have based it on THIS sketch instead?

Vectrix Electri Maxi-Scooter - Tested on our turf

(Dave Steiner prepares to give this electric hottie a twist)
David Steiner
Philadelphia (Yardley), PA
6/12/2007

Wow! Got some good stuff here. Our Philly corespondent, David Steiner, has gone and brought us The Scoop on the test drive results of world's first electric Maxi-Scooter from Vectrix. Here are the photos, first impressions and feelings on the Vectrix from an American's point of view. Take it away Dave! (my comments will be lurking between parenthesis, like this).

On Wednesday I was honored to be one of the first stateside disciples of TheScooterScoop to "ride the revolution" - the Vectrix Electric Maxi-Scooter. The fine folks from VectrixUSA held a test drive event at a small airport outside of Philadelphia (isn't that like the birthplace of electricity or something? How befitting!)

Upon arriving at the location I was immediately greeted by VectrixUSA's friendly, enthusiastic knowledgeable and organized staff, led by America's Director of Marketing Jeff Morrill.

After showing my motorcycle license and signing an accident waiver, I was off to the races (so to speak, I'm sure.. They didn't have any stop watches or umbrella girls, right?). Vectrix came well prepared. There were 3 demo maxi-scooters and driving instruction was brief, complete and one-on-one. A small yet functional closed-circuit course was setup for test drives. The oval course had two tight turns and was outlined with bales of hay (as to not reenact the terrible brickwall and barbedwire incident of the 1972 Sawyer Scooter test rides. Sawyer immediately slipped away from the test track, filed for bankruptcy and moved to Montana).

(Wow! I'm not positive what that is, but I'm betting it's a flux capacitor.)

As I eyed the flowing lines of this finely machined beauty I was immediately drawn to the handsome driveshaft housing (seen above). A substantial electric drive mechanism was subliminally beckoning for me to ride her (Um... I thought we agreed this would be safe for work Dave. Did you get that email?). The power cord under the seat had a build quality reminiscent of the high-end 'cables section' of my quarterly high-end audio catalog. I found the fit and finish to be excellent as I excitedly approached this environmentally friendly chick magnet for a closer look (let it be known, this is only the second time that the four words "environmentally friendly" and "chick magnet" have been seen side-by-side... and no, Tesla didn't beat us to it it was some guy on the 420 Lounge forum).

Riders had two choices. One could ride alone with motorcycle license, or one of the Vectrix staff members would take you for a spin (while you rode bitch on the back). As one of the lucky solo riders I was immediately struck by the obvious total absence of noise. The digital controls were nicely oriented and presented the two most important measures; speed and battery reserves. (This scooter will be the obvious choice for ninjas across the globe).

Lap one had me gently rolling up the throttle and getting the feel for the handling. Having easily navigated the course I stepped-up the acceleration on lap 2. Lap 3 had me accelerating quickly and using the regenerative braking. A very impressive ride. Handling would be fine for a lightweight rider. The powerband was linear and the acceleration was strong. The motor whirred to life with a hypnotic whine. (Dave, didn't I hear something about the regen braking working by actually twisting the throttle forward? Is that the case? How was that?)

(Director of Marketing Jeff Morrill with his bottle of high quality H2O)

After debriefing with Jeff (Hey! Remember "safe for work"?!), I left with the feeling that I had experienced the beginning of something big. The Vectrix Electric Maxi-Scooter is for real and I would seriously consider purchasing one. This technology effectively reduces the cost of ownership. Although the initial cost is higher than an equivalent gas maxi-scooter, the performance, convenience of no gas, reduced maintenance, lower insurance, and no trips to the dealer makes it a compelling proposition. With significantly fewer moving parts, the reliability should be another key selling point.

And yes - the brake light does go on when you stop by using the "regenerative feature"!

Here's the side-by-side:
Regular scooter:
Cost - $6,000;
Gas - 50,000 miles @ $3.00 per gallon (80 mpg) - $1,875;
Maintenance - Oil changes, tuneups, etc... - $2,000
Cost of time going back and forth to the dealer - $500
Total - $10,375

Vectrix
Cost - $11,000;
Gas - 50,000 miles @ $.02 per mile - $1,000;
Maintenance - Oil changes, tuneups, filters, etc... - $0
Total - $12,000

(Eh, I'd say those numbers could use a bit-a-tweakin', but I can see where it starts to balance out once I get past the sticker shock.)

Here is a video of Jeff from cnet.com. (D'oh! They were in Austin? Jeff?! Where's the LOVE?!)

(Here's the sign in booth just getting things started)


(and some specs to chew on while you wait your turn)


(ooOOOo! Schwaaaag... Did you get a shirt and a pen and a beer koozie?)


(Hands on the controls. Nice layout!)


(and here's where you top-her-off. Dave, is that a standard outlet plug?)


(errrrrrooooown! Weeee! This is fun! Can I drive now?)


(the LED array is back here. She's got a purdy look I'd say!)


(helmets weren't optional were they? I see top-siders were passable as "safe foot wear")

THANKS again for the report Dave! I'm glad you liked it. Let's hope others do too so Vectrix has a fighting chance to change our paradigm. If you have some questions for Dave, post them in the comments here and who knows, he might just answer them!

la lambretta de Pablo Escobar

la lambretta de Pablo Escobar
Originally uploaded by sicoactiva

Looks like the infamous Pablo Escobar used to collect scooters. According to sicoactiva, this image was taken in Pablo's burnt out garage.

Thanks sicoactiva!

If Mother Nature rode a scooter...

DSCF2836
Originally uploaded by -=BadguY=-

It would probably look like this, but be wind and solar powered. Thanks to -=BadguY=- for sharing this bark covered beauty.

What is that? An iris growing out of the horncast? Wild.

The Hysyrider - When a scooter has TOO much fairings

(looks like a double bladed Zyliss pizza cutter)
Well... I say that now, but I'm sure it adds to the aerodynamics of the thing (perhaps a vehicle's personality is inversely proportional to it's aerodynamics). From what I gather in the Google Translation, there is an Eco-show going on in Turin and the Hysyrider hopes to make an impact there with its zero emission, zero noise engineering. Topping out at 12.4 MPH (humans top at at around 15 mph, running), riding this to work would definitely be scenic, if not downright frustrating.

I think they are going about this whole hydrogen thing wrong. Why use it to create electricity to drive a motor? Just use the explosive energy of hydrogen to rocket that sucker down the highway! 12.4 MPH would be the speed of your helmet as it pops off yer head.

Thanks to Motoblog.it for the scoop!

(Where do I put the quarter?) Oh, and THIS pizza cutter beats a Zyliss ANYday.

It's midnight, do you know where your scooter blogger is?

This weekend we're locked up in the tower until the latest episode of TheScooterScoop.tv is COMPLETE. Good progress is being made on the script and when our master editor, Ed Honzik from Flowstone Digital gets here we'll REALLY be crankin'.

Bare with us for a bit while we get this taken care of. Why don't you go for a ride this weekend or go visit some other great MBI scooter blogs like 2StokeBuzz, Scooter In The Sticks, Classic Italian Scooters, GirlBike, Little Billy's Scooter Tales, Who Ride's a Vespa, Vespinoy!, Shivering Life, and Soldiers of the Slab.

Wish me luck!
-steve

The Kustom Sk00ter is BACK

DIRK and MAX
Originally uploaded by zombophoto

DIRK and MAX taking the hotrod out for ride. Three thumbs up! (and an eyeball with wings too!)

Harley Davidson applies for a patent to be like a scooter

(Well then, lookie here. The Piaggio MP3 has a new, burlier cousin.)
While checking the pulse over at TheKneeSlider I ran into this image. It seems Motorcycle Daily has dug up a patent application from Harley Davidson for their tilting 3-wheeler. The front end appears much more complex than what I've seen in the MP3 and a LOT wider.

Maybe next month's dealer show will provide a little more detail on this oddity.
Harley! As long as we're talking about scooters, bring back the Topper!

Final MSRPs available for new Italjet Models!

Alright folks... I know you've been itchin' to know what's up with Italjet. We do know that we are expecting 3 models this year and we have the specs, but we didn't have the prices, until now. So, without further ado, this is what we know.

ITALJET TORPEDO 150cc 4-Stroke

The Torpedo is sleek. The water cooled engine pushes you up to about 65mph and the front ABS Disc, rear drum combo brings you to a quick halt. She has a carrying capacity of 330lbs, comes in silver, black and blue AND has an MSRP of $2,995

ROLLER CRAFT 50cc 2-Stroke

This rolling sculpture is powered by a liquid cooled 50cc 2-stroke, which usually means UPGRADES! Expect her to be restricted to 30mph out the door... we'll let you know what she does when unabated. She has a disc/drum combo and comes in blue, red, black and silver and also holds an MSRP of $2,995

DRAGSTER 50cc 2-Stroke / 250cc 4-Stroke

The legend is BACK IN BLACK or your choice of red, blue or silver. She will be available as her classic racing 50cc 2T (beggin' for a 70cc big bore kit after she's, *uhrm*... derestricted ) and a brand spankin' new 250cc 4-stroke (single overhead cam) capable of a blistering 80mph (stock)! Both models include front and rear discs with water cooled heads. The Dragster 50 has an MSRP of $3,495 and the Dragster 250 is $5,795.

So, start savin' up kids! I think the Torpedo is available now, the Roller Craft and Dragsters are expected before summers up, so you've got a LOT of lawns to mow before then. Now, get ta CRACKIN'!

Celebs on Scooters - Jude Law on Vespa

Jude Law on Vespa
Originally uploaded by Th♥mas Lu

Well, well, well... If it isn't the Sky Captain. Looks like Jude traded in the wings for a pair of wheels. Be careful with that classic on the seedy New York streets. I'm just sayin', at least ask the hotel if you can park inside.

In the NYC, if you see someone "Ridin' it like they stole it", they probably did.

Thanks for sharing Thomas Lu!

You know, that brings up a good point. I know we have some readers out there in NYC. What's the best way to make sure no one swipes your scooter when you're not riding it? Do you bring it inside? Do you chain it to something big and heavy? Do you just get good insurance coverage? Austin isn't too bad except by UT where there is a team who will lift your scooter on to a truck as soon as you turn your back. Bastards.

Yesterday's Honda "Today"

Yellow on yellow
Originally uploaded by Daniel Hoye

Back in 2002 Honda released a cute little 50cc 4-stroker called the Today. This shot from Daniel Hoye was likely taken in Japan.

Two years later it was released to China. Then is was brought to America in two thousand never. At least we can enjoy the pictures.

From what I gather, it is still produced today as the "Today Deluxe" and now comes in swanky color combinations (see below) and sells for less than $900 US.

(Today Deluxe. I'm holding out for the Honda "Today Double, extra cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, mayo with a side of rings" due out in the USA next week (in an alternate universe).)

The only Smart I would be embarassed to ride in

The Lindt Goldbunny
Originally uploaded by FrogMiller

The Lindt Goldbunny Smart.

As FrogMiller states:

This modified smartcar was parked in San Bernardino, California. I couldn't resist, and just had to take a photograph of it!

Of course! Why laugh today at something you can laugh at for a lifetime. I'm not sure why this hasn't shown up at CuteOverload yet... perhaps FrogMiller should have taken a 'tocks shot instead.

NASA gets all futury and stuff - Electric Smart

The future is here
Originally uploaded by toastforbrekkie

This photo shared by toastforbrekkie, shows one of NASA's special "Electric cars only" parking spots.

You can see a little electric Smart Car from Hybrid Technologies, Inc. parked there. Good thing there are 2 outlets because you could really park 2 Smarts in there.

We look forward to hearing what's new with Hybrid Tech Inc. in the near future. I'm told it's rather promising, baring any intervention from the oil giants. We'll give you the scoop in the very near future.

Whoa! Is this what a Vespa T5 MK2 headset would have looked like?

100_0270
Originally uploaded by vanbastenmilan

Scavenging the Flickr feeds I run upon this here image that tripped me out. It's some sort of custom, halogen type, low profile headset on a Vespa P series. Blasphemy or Badass? You make the call.

Thanks for sharing vanbastenmilan!

Helmet mods anyone?

(Ok, maybe the shoulder caps and chest plate are a little over the top.)

While perusing the web I ran into a site called Hyperdyne Labs. They make stuff for nerds and movie geeks. As I became hot and bothered by all their flashy goodies, I started to fantasize about modifying my helmet so that I might cause others to "flip-out" or drop a bucket of "OMG!'s" on me.

Before I begin voiding my warranty or possibly my helmet's functionality, I thought I'd check with the crafty readers out there. Anyone ever do any cool mods to your helm? Got a story or photos you wanna share? I'm just searching for a bit of inspiration before I dive into said mod.

PLEASE remember. Before you go Daft Punking, drilling holes and installing breadboards in your helmet, The Scooter Scoop will not be held accountable for any damage, mental OR physical, done to anyone in the world or their belongings. If I do this myself it will be for entertainment purposes only. *blah blah blah, legal jargon, blah blah mice type, blah blah blah*

Brooklyn Daily Eagle : Brooklyn Scooter Theft

Park Slope and Windsor Terrace
THREE MOTORCYCLES STOLEN — On Polhemus Place, a 25-year-old man had his silver Yamaha motorcycle, valued at $8,200, stolen on May 17 at 5:30 p.m. Police reported that the motorcycle had a disc-and-brake lock. On May 23 at 9 p.m., a red-and-silver motorcycle valued at $10,000 was stolen on Berkeley Place. Finally, on May 24 at 4 p.m. at 14th Street, a Vespa scooter belonging to a 38-year-old man valued at $3,000 was stolen despite having a Kryptonite bike chain. No arrests have been made.
*Superman not a suspect in Scooter theft*

Can we expect the resurrection of the 2-stroke shifter?

(LML back and running! Will that mean the return of the Stella?)

While visiting the site of the birthday boy himself (Illnoise over at 2Stroke Buzz), I ran into this little story discussing the return of LML. It seems that Brian has discovered some clues on the Japanese LML site showing the factory back in full effect.

Right now all we can do is keep an eye on the progress of Stella's cousins the Star Xpress and Belladonna. Chances are if we see them back on the market, we'll see the Genuine Stella again (*fingers crossed*).

ksl.com - More People Riding Scooters Around Town (In UTAH!)

Barber Brothers President Chuck Barber says, "It seems like every time the gas prices hit three dollars a gallon, the doors fly open on the scooter shop. This year we're approximately 80 percent above last year in sales of scooters."

Chuck says most people are buying these as a second or third around-town vehicle and they're not going to the clientele you'd think. "We're not talking about a scooter that goes to a lot of young kids, college students; we're talking about a scooter that goes to a middle-aged guy like me, doctors, lawyers, we've sold them to people from all walks of life."

The greenest car on the streets

Grass Car
Originally uploaded by anab Jain

I love the SMART, but I'm not sure I want one that I have to mow. You know what though? I bet you could do a cool, fuzzy Domo-Kun custom!

Thanks for sharing Anab Jain!

Dragon Custom - Americans finally have a shot at competing with the Sexxxim Girls!

(You can order all the shiny bits individually OR get a full custom scooter. Turn-key HOTNESS!)

It's been a long time coming in the USA, but we are FINALLY about to get our hands on some supa-fly custom scooter parts and Dragon Custom is shipping them now! So now you have a fighting chance at impressing the Sexxxim Girls!

They've got stuff for your Kymco Xciting, Yamaha Morphous and Majesty, Honda Reflex, Diamo and generic GY6 pieces and more! If you've been looking to seriously pimp your ride (outside of the curb feelers you picked up at Pepboys), your ship has come in.


Here's a bit from their press release:

Gas Saving Transportation Appeals to Youth

May 26, 2006 (Sugar Land, TX) – Dragon Custom recently unveiled a new lineup of gas saving transportation specifically targeted to today’s youth. Dragon Custom has developed two wheel transportation that has caught the attention of the powersports industry by offering radical designs and the ability to fully customize its bikes. The products offer the aggressive styling of street bikes with the riding ease of scooters.

“The goal of the company is to provide gas saving transportation that appeals to today’s younger audience,” said Jonathan Solo, president of Dragon Custom. “Two wheel transportation is a ridden by a large segment of the younger population in countries such as Japan and Europe. Personal customization has proven to being a key buying factor with youth from clothes to cars to even cell phones. They want to be able to identify themselves with any product they buy. Another key factor is countries that have laws that encourage the use of two wheel transportation by giving younger people the opportunity to ride these bikes before they drive cars.”

“At Dragon Custom, we believe getting youth to adopt gas saving and environmentally friendly transportation at an early age will have a positive effect over time. The only way to successfully accomplish our goal is to provide products that appeal to them. We wanted to retain the comfortable riding style and automatic transmission of a scooter but give it a really aggressive street styled look. We hope to tap into a younger audience who want something that appeals to their uniqueness and is a two wheel product that is not intimidating but fun to ride. In countries like Japan, products similar to Dragon Custom have become a complete subculture and not just viewed as transportation.”
.
The Dragon Custom product line focuses on style, design, and performance and is targeted for people who are looking for something different from today’s current motorcycles and scooters. Dragon Custom provides a full line of accessories to fully customize existing manufacturer products. They also have a customizing shop that can fully customize a bike to a customer’s taste so no single bike is alike. The 300cc Street Cruiser capable of speeds up to 90MPH ranges in price from $4595 to $8595 for a fully customized bike. The 500cc Street Fighter II capable of speeds over 100mph ranges in price from $6799 to $10995 for a fully customized bike.

Go online and order your gear today!

Diamo puts money where mouth is - Adds roadside assistance + 2 year warranty!

This is a welcome sight. In a world where cheap mail order clone scooters have dominated the market (at least in quantity), it's nice to see one brand stand behind their inexpensive scoots.

Diamo, determined to differentiate their product from the pack has doubled the length of their scooter warranty to TWO years AND have added a one year Roadside Assistance program to the package. So, if in your voyages on your new Diamo you have an issue with a dead battery, or you run out of gas, or maybe get a nail in your tire YOU'RE COVERED! That's not something you're gonna get online. The two year warranty will make sure you stay on the road.

Bravo Diamo! Nothing leaves a sour taste in someone's mouth like spending their hard earned loot on a crapped out scoot that they can't get repaired. I've seen it happen time and time again and all it does is make people hate scooters.

WTF!? Scooters of the week - All terrain Honda Trail?

Less than 4 hours left on the auction for this 1970 Honda CT90 on home made tank treads. I'm not sure who the Doctor Frankenstein is who's responsible for this contraption, but I'd like to buy 'em a beer (not one of those highfalutin fancy ones either... Coors light).

Click on the title link (while the ebay listing is still there) to see more photos.

Cree SAM - What you get when you cross a...

What 2-passenger vehicle releases Zero emissions, goes up to 52MPH, covers 30 to 40 miles per charge and looks like the bastard child in a three-way between a Smart Crosstown, that Vectrix 3-wheeler concept scooter and Darth Guppy? Why, the Cree SAM, that's what.

With it's award winning aesthetics (that's what they say), the Swiss built "SAM" is described as quiet, maneuverable, responsive, agile, and a lot of fun to drive.

Although I tease, it's only because I love and I will say that a vehicle like this should always been seen in lighthearted colors (as seen below). Black is a little to serious for a vehicle that begs to not be taken seriously. I applaud their environmental considerations right down to the easily recyclable package. Testing for the SAM began in 2001 and Cree chugged on until 2003 when they went broke, but NOW they return with a vengeance, seeking investors to help build this dream. The SAM, if ever put into production, will retail for just under $9,000 US (around what the current Vectrix is expected to go for). Thoughts? Considerations?

Thanks to Fritz for the scoop. he found it on the Cyberscooter site.