Sometimes kneedraggin' just doesn't cut it.

One little funny before I hit the hay. Do not try this at home.
Speaking of home, I should be back home in the next day or two. I've had a GREAT time in California. Lots of good people, fantastic weather and awe inspiring terrain.

Ran into Jay Leno today... handed him my business card. I wanted to talk a bit about what he sees "comin' around the bend" as far as vehicles goes, but he was trying to get on the road. I'm not one to hold up progress, so I hope we'll get a chance to chat in the not too distant future.

Extra special shout-out to Tor & Tam for all the support here and to Bella for the help back at the ranch.


(not that you can tell, but that's Jay on this Ninja)

LA Scooter Review Week - Day 4

Day 4 - The Aprilia Scarabeo 200. This video was blown out for some reason... over compensating for yesterday's video? Perhaps.

Taiwanese noodle scooter stunter brother

See title link for source because I'm about to pass out from lack of sleep. G'nite!

LA Scooter Review Week - Day 3

Day 3. The video was shot late after a long, no wait... LOOOOONG day of riding. From about 11am until 8:15pm. Wiped me out for sure... sorry it's so dark.

LA Scooter Review Week - Day 2

Just a little summary of Day 2 in LA. Everything went swimmingly! Big thanks to J-Dub for the help today, couldn't have done it without ya! (note: That is the Vespa GTS behind me, which has already been reviewed by Motorcycle.com)

LA Scooter Review Week - Day 1

Well here's my first days report from LA. In case you're wondering what I'm doing out this way, I've been contracted to do a series of scooter reviews for another site (I say who in the video).

It's been nearly a month since I started down the "blog as my day job" path and we're starting to ramp up where we need to be. Still got a couple more irons to throw in the fire, so wish me luck!

America's "pusher" trys to refuel our oil addiction

(Ah mister BUsh! What you think about phat gold chain I buy with all of oil profits? Nice, no? And this was only from profits I make between 9am and 9:02am this morning! Hehe!)

This from today's CNNMoney report titled "Saudi summit aims at oil prices":

The world's largest oil producer, stepping out of its usual role as de facto leader of OPEC, will host representatives of big oil producing nations, consumer countries and companies.

The Saudis are widely believed to be concerned that escalating oil prices - crude hovered around $134 a barrel Thursday, nearly double what it cost a year ago - will cause a permanent drop in demand as consumers get more efficient...

To inject more oil into the market, Halff said the Saudis may use the meeting to arrange for special deals with refiners and others that could bring crude to market at below-market prices. The exact nature of the deals, he noted, will probably never be disclosed.

I'll tell you the nature of the deals! The Pusher (that's OPEC) knows the User (that's America) is kicking the habit. What's it gonna take to get us hooked again? $3.00/gal gas? Subsidized Ford Excursions? Ford would like that right now according to this CNNMoney report.

What do YOU think about all this? ME? I say GOOD! America you're doing a FINE job. Get in your microcars, your hybrids, your scooters, mopeds and bicycles! Today YOUR efficiency allows YOU have the power to control this issue. Doesn't it feel good to have power for a change?
Thanks to Danny Hooligan for this scoop!

Video: Japanese for "Motorcycle Safety Course"

Akisan sends us this COOL video from Japan. When it first starts up you might shrug your shoulders, but you'll be smiling by 1:30.

This video is actually a bike riding school demonstration. Here you see the instructors showin' what they got. I think they ride so well because of the low center of gravity caused by the weight of their brass buddies... And there's some GIRL instructors in there TOO! Talk about some riding confidence! Arigato Aki!

TheScooterScoop adds the "Steve Journal"

I can hear it now:
So... Where's the updates? You don't have a job Steve, so I should be seeing 50 posts a DAY!

Well, while I may not be "workin' for the man" any longer I DO have things that I'm doing to try and stay afloat. While those "things" do involve scooters, they aren't necessarily "blog worthy"... I mean, there are sites out there that add TSS posts as newsfeeds! What news organization is going to care if I got a parking ticket on my scooter the other day? None, I hope.

That brings me to our new feature, the "Steve Journal". If I'm not blogging, you'll probably know why when you review the Journal. You can't miss it. It's the little box poking out of the side of my blog. See it? I use my blackberry to shoot a photo and add some text to fill you in on my adventure. This will come in handy next week as I'll be in LA doing some scooter reviews. *EXCITING*

So, keep an eye on that spot because that's where you'll find "The Scoop's" latest behind the scenes information. It's not quite a scoop, but more like one of those tiny taster spoons.

Low-ride-uh drives a little slowa

As long as we're looking at the Kuroneko collection, we have to make a pit stop at this image. Looks like a magazine scan of an alien craft and its proud owner. That is one CRAZY body kit. He's got to have airbags on that bad boy if he wants to go any direction other straight. Arigato to Kuroneko for sharing! Click the title link to find the original.

Try to maintain a relaxed but aware riding posture

There's a "laid back" riding style, then there's this guy who is pretty much loungin'. Somebody get this guy a pillow. Click the title link to see the source of this image (Tokyo Scooter Stuff) courtesy of the black cat (Kuroneko).

Scooter parking in China is getting TIGHT

(Yao Wang manages to dislodge his bike in time to make it to tap class.)

Hehe, ok we took this outta context. These scooters and bikes are all actually slated for the scrap yard in Guangzhou. I just couldn't resist.

...I think I see a Helix in there!

Europe feeling the effects of unsupported Chinese scooters

(The infamous "Hockey Mask" scooter has been a buzzkiller in the USA for years)

I was told a couple of years ago that Europe doesn't have the disdain for Chinese scooters that has become status quo in America. All imported scooters had to go through a rigorous approval process before they were allowed on the roads, keeping out the 2-wheeled riff-raff. America has traditionally been more lax.

Apparently today the tables are turning. American requirements are becoming stiffer with EPA certs no longer being transferable between different makes and models using the same engines. I suppose Euro requirements are letting up because I'm seeing more and more inflammatory reports from overseas.

Recently, French site Scooter-System (title link), called for a blacklisting on all fly-by-night scooter brands. They also have hopes that French manufacturer Peugeot could use their 2006 partnership with Qingqi to bring China to a new level of quality (Qingqi had already formed a joint venture with Suzuki). I'm not sure about their quality, but Qingqi's stock has improved since the announcement.

What it all comes down to is "support". In time China will either provide quality on par with their Taiwanese competitors or they will continue to provide the world with disposable scooters. For prospective buyers with tighter budgets I will say this... You can buy a perfectly usable scooter from a Chinese manufacturer, but if you do so make sure it's a name that has been around in the USA for at least 5+ years. Ask your local dealer if they get good support from the distributor. If they offer a nice warranty (like 2 years), do they honor that warranty without giving your dealer grief? And never buy a scooter from a mail order clearance house unless you are cool with disappointment. There is an old saying, "When you buy a dirt-cheap Chinese scooter you can expect to get one mile of road time for every dollar spent." Don't expect to get far on your $800 scooter by mail. One day I will try to sit back and compile a list of the more reputable Chinese brands in America; until then, be careful!



(*Shudder* It wouldn't matter WHO made this scooter with its nausea inducing aesthetics. It's like Ed Grimley transformed into a scoot. "This is so sad I must say".)

Thai style scooter mods are a world of their own.

Looking like an extra from the movie Transformers is an X-Speed modified Yamaha Mio. If you get a chance to check out the Motorcycle-Thai blog (title link) you'll get a good idea of how they "kick it" over in Thailand. Very futuristic looking, and do you know what they like even better than modding up their scooters? Tricking out their Cubs! Here were using the generic word "Cub" to describe any scooter that somewhat resembles a bicycle with leg shields. Cubs are big business over there. See what I mean right here.

Look out for the SWARM!

"They're not headed for the shops, they are racing and racing seriously!"
Thanks Tim! Looks and sounds AWESOME!

50th Birthday approaching for the lowly cub

I say "lowly cub" in jest of course. The Honda Super Cub is responsible for the rise of one of the most powerful vehicle companies in the world! No vehicle in the world, not even the VW Beetle, can claim a better record of success than the Cub, and here we are just two months before we break out the cake and ice cream to celebrate 50 years and 60+ million units built.

The sad thing is, there are 195 countries in the world... the Cub is available in 160 of those countries. The USA is one of just 35 countries that are NOT graced with the Cub presence. Mexico's got em. Canada and the USA USED to "meet the nicest people" on their Passport C90's, but not since the early 80's. It would be cool to see a limited edition Cub/Passport here. Just for old-time sakes.

But I understand... "profit margins are too tight" to bring them here and the "American infrastructure doesn't support the use of such tiny scooters". That's not gonna stop me from lovin' 'em. Oh, but you know, if I could get one, I wouldn't want one of the new "green" ones I'm sorry to say. To understand where I'm coming from you'll have to read the blog of a REAL CubLuver, SuperCubBlogger in Tokyo. They way Honda made the Cub "greener" is kinda like the way Philip Morris made cigarettes "lite". You just gotta smoke more of them.

Now tell me... do you like the cub???

How about now? Without the leg shields there (hehe). The NYT likes 'em too and they've made some pretty wild journeys.

Did you know about - The Suzuki Street Magic TR50?

What happens when you slap a 2-stroke 50cc Suzuki engine on an under-bone frame minibike? You get the Suzuki Street Magic TR50. I believe they were built between 1997 and 2005. A slightly bigger version was built at the same time called the Street Magic II. 7.1 Horsepower, looks like fun!
It makes a pretty sick cut-down. See?
What more photos to drool over? Go here.

***UPDATE 6/11/08***
Our friend, the honorable Akisan in Japan, has found some more juicy bits on the TR50. Turns out that in 1998, Suzuki made 5,000 Street Magic 110's (strangely enough, with a 113cc engine). A tiny 113cc 2-stroke? SaaaaaahWEET! Check the specs here. ALSO, look over here at Aki's other link... It looks like the Streetmagic-II TR-50SD is still in production for the Japanese market! I'm both surprised and soothed by this notion. "Ahhh, Japan's still got it."

Engadget: Virginia Tech students create "smart" brake lights

Oops! I found this scoop under the fridge. Sure it's a bit old and crusty, but if you blow off the dust bunnies it's still tasty. Since I luv Engadget and their quip-ridden blurbs I'll just say... Take it away Engadget!

It's only taken about a million years, but someone has finally decided that improvements are possible in automobile braking lights. Students from Virginia Tech have developed a new system that can show not just whether you're stopping, but if you're slowing down, when you're about to stop, and how quickly you're pressing the pedal. The concept uses an array of horizontally arranged LED lights -- when you begin to slow, lights in the center glow orange, after a certain threshold side lights turn to red, and if you're slamming on the brake, they'll all flash red. The team, led by mechanical engineering Professor Mehdi Ahmadian, has plans for the system beyond the lab, though they speculate that it will be easier to add them as additional indicators on commercial vehicles at first. If this pans out, someday soon we may all be tailgating a totally psychedelic light show.

This could prove live-savingly useful to us 2-wheelers. What's it gonna take to have it implemented?

Yamaha has made official it's 2009 line-up

Two new models for the new year out of the Yamaha camp. First is a new twist on an old friend... The Zuma! She'll be available in her traditional, feisty 50cc 2-stroke package and now in her new 125cc 4-stroke configuration (it might make your face hurt).

There are a few design changes to the Zuma as well. She's got glasses now, or crash bars rather... around the lights and a noticeably restyled front end. If you look around back you'll see the exposed pipe frame look is new for the Zuma also. I kinda like it. I'll have to see her in person to make sure of course. Let's look at how the 125's specs compare to the traditional Zuma 50cc available in 2008.

Engine	2009 Zuma 125	2008 Zuma
Bore x Stroke	52.4 x 57.9 mm	40.0mm x 39.2mm
Carburetion	Electronic Fuel Injection	14mm Teikei
Clutch Type	Dry centrifugal automatic clutch	Spec Not Available
Compression Ratio	10:1	7.0:1
Ignition	Spec Not Available	DC CDI
Transmission	V-belt automatic	V-belt automatic
Type	125cc forced air-cooled 4-stroke single; SOHC, 4-valve	49cc air-cooled 2-stroke single reed-valve inducted
Chassis	2009 Zuma 125	2008 Zuma
Brakes/Front	220mm disc	115mm disc
Brakes/Rear	Drum	Drum
Suspension/Front	27mm telescopic forks	Telescopic fork
Suspension/Rear	Dual shock	Single shock
Tires/Front	120/70-12 51L	120/90-10
Tires/Rear	130/70-12 56L	130/90-10
Dimensions	2009 Zuma 125	2008 Zuma
Dry Weight	Spec Not Available	N/A
Fuel Capacity	1.6 gal	1.5 gal
Fuel Economy**	88 MPG	123 mpg
Height	43.8 in	43.7 in
Length	75.2 in	74.4 in
Seat Height	30.7 in	30.1 in
Wet Weight	N/A	Spec Not Available
Wheelbase	50.8 in	50.2 in
Width	30.1 in	27.8 in
Other	2009 Zuma 125	2008 Zuma
Warranty	1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)	1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)
MSRP*	$2,999 (Team Yamaha Blue/White) Available from September 2008 $2,999 (Raven) Available from September 2008 $2,999 (Bright Yellow) Available from September 2008	$2,149 (Team Yamaha Blue/White) Available from August 2007 $2,149 (Raven) Available from August 2007

I have a feeling this 125cc Zuma is going to have some surprises for us on the road; specifically in the speed department. High compression, Injected, 4 valve? Pour her a pint of premium and let's see how she cuts-a-rug!


So, what other surprises are we in for? How about America's first SuperSport Scooter? Sure the Burgman out displaces it (650cc vs. 499cc), but she's always felt like a Cruiser Scoot. I'm itchin' to put the two on the quarter mile to see if these designations are indeed justified. Here's the specs:

MSRP*	$7,999 (Deep Blue) Available from July 2008 $8,099 (Cadmium Yellow) Available from July 2008
Engine
Type	499cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke, forwardinclined
Bore x Stroke	66.0 x 73.0 mm
Compression Ratio	11:1
Fuel Delivery	Electronic fuel injection
Clutch Type	Wet, multiple-disc automatic centrifugal
Ignition	Digital TCI
Transmission	CVT double-cog V-belt auto
Final Drive	V-belt
Chassis
Suspension/Front	43mm telescopic forks
Suspension/Rear	Swingarm
Brakes/Front	267mm disc
Brakes/Rear	267mm disc
Tires/Front	120/70-15 67H Radial
Tires/Rear	160/60-15 67H Radial
Dimensions
Length	86.4 in
Width	30.5 in
Height	56.9 in
Seat Height	31.5 in
Wheelbase	62.2 in
Ground Clearance	4.9 in
Fuel Capacity	4.0 gal
Fuel Economy**	47 mpg
Wet Weight	489 lb
Other
Warranty	1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)

Wow! Cadmium Yellow? I'm not sure what the street value of Cadmium is, but it's gotta be worth the $100 upgrade from Deep Blue. Count on us putting this baby on the dance floor around September / October of this year. I hear even sportbike riders won't be embarrassed of this baby.

Whew... We're BAAAAACK!

(When the AC crapped out we were "born to run" from the heat)

Yikes! Has it been that long? Who could have dreamed that it would take over two weeks to get the AC fixed. In that time we did everything we could to get away from it, including nights in a hill country cabin and crashin' at the Grandmother-in-law's place for a couple of nights. It's no fun sleeping in an 86 degree house when you're so spoiled with 78 degree cooling, though while we were away we didn't have Wifi! Eghads! I don't know which was worse.

Eh, enough with the boo-hooin'! Break out your cones, 'cause it's SCOOPIN' TIME! Let me start with finishing where I left off on the last post.