Another kookie custom, from Malaysia perhaps?

I found this tasteful stretch Vespa over at a site I just found called Zoomerboys (title link).  I'm sure the Ruckus fans are all too familiar with their site.  There are lots and LOTS of great customs, tons of Ruckus (Zoomer) mods & accessories and the largest collection of Motra images I've seen to date.

Zoomerboys, I salute you and I really love this Ruck.

PS>  I didn't know Suzuki made a Monkey competitor either!  The Epo?

The Daihatsu Pickup Cub

Somewhere around Shibuya, our friend Kuroneko has captured a shot of the rare and wondrous Daihatsu X (not its real name).  It's like a Honda Gyro crossbred with some sort of cub.  Unfortunately I don't have a model name or any specs on this since it's the first time I've ever seen it.  Anyone know?  No one should count Daihatsu out... they've still got some pretty innovative tricks up their sleeve.  Mudmaster-C anyone?  And how about their cool little coupe?

Honda has a great line up for you (if you live in Japan)

In 2009 they've got four different cubs, the Gyro X and Gyro Canopy, the Gorilla, the Big Ruckus, the Helix (title link)... these are all great reasons to be alive... in Japan.  Then, they really rub salt in that wound when they announced that they will reintroduce the Monkey and THE MONKEY LIMITED!

This fuel injected (PGM-FI) special edition "leisure bike" has a red and chrome-plated body, plaid seat, lots of extra chrome and emblems and even a special edition key.

The Monkey has cool little features like compact folding handle bars, a tiny little luggage rack (good for holding a large bunch of bananas), an optional theft deterring alarm system, a tiny little 49cc engine, a seat height of 26 inches and an overall length of 53.74 inches (just a smidgen longer than Zelda Rubinstein 's height).

Look for the new Monkey at a store near Gifu as soon as next week with a translated MSRP of $3,427.00.  Thanks to Katsu in Tokyo for the sad, sad scoopage!  Too bad it can't out race the 500cc nanobeast from RocketGarage.

Snow? Hrmf, at least you don't have ZOMBIES!

Here in Austin traffic signs warn scooterists to beware of possible zombie encounters down Lamar Blvd. Zombies have flocked to UT for years, finding comfort in the constant supply of fresh, pickled brains. You can expect at least a half dozen drunk freshmen to be found lying brainless on a sidewalk near UT on any given Sunday.

This is the first time groups of Zombies have ventured outside the UT campus in search of brains. City officials believe they may be making their way south where it is feared they will blend in with the other citizens of South Austin, making them virtually invisible.

The last time a Zombie made it that far south they were captured by police after a man in a tutu tipped them off to the zombie trying to buy a Brains Iced Turbo at Jo's Coffee.

For the REAL story, check out FoxNews Austin. Thanks to Scotty B for the scoop!

A case for the full face

Here's a frame from a 3D CT Scan rendering that says it all. Surfactant shares it in video from flicker and you can watch it by clicking the title link. Here's what Surfactant has to say about what we see here:

This patient was not using a helmet.. Extensive facial and mandibular fractures are present. The patient has an endotracheal tube, and a orogastric suction tube.

The vertex (top) and posterior skull are not damaged. These portions were excluded in the initial scan and appear as though they are missing on the 3D rendering.

Besides the absence of teeth up top, there's a whole lot of other "wholly $#!+" going on in this image. Thanks to the Honky-Tonk Dragon for digging up this piece. Still gives me the jibblies just thinking about it.

Leave it to Malaysia - The Vespa Trailer

Here's a cool shot from Satu Lagi's Flickr collection. If you've ever kept tabs on the Malaysian mod scene you'd know this is pretty mild (and tastefully done). They've got some crazy mods out that way. I think they are responsible for the rolled back legshield look (ick). Thank's for sharing! You can click the title link for more of Satu's shots.

Here's another sweet matching trailer with scooter photo from... someone else (wish I could remember who):


OH, and if you haven't seen enough way-out customs, check out Frost Photography's collection of images from the IM3 Scooter Culture Celebration 2008 held in the central Bali town of Ubud.

Best rat classic in a movie goes to...

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button! I haven't seen the movie yet, but I'm sure someone from the Chicago Scooter Club has. Found this image on their site as well as a very cool b&w shot of D.C. police officers on Vespas. Too bad they were being a bunch of d1cks.

I think that the frosty Chicago weather (20 degrees right now) is a great excuse to comb the interbeaches for beautiful scooter images. They've got more! Click on the title link to visit their site.

Latest in scooter rider safety gear

AHAHAHA!  I just had to post one more from TNCRS.  I don't know why but this thing just cracks me up.  At least the rider wouldn't have to worry about nuscenses like rain, pollen, bee stings , dumptruck debris, awkward social situations or venerial diseses.  Thanks again for sharing S.A.!

Click the title link to see what this REALLY is.

What is this machine?

Anyone know what this thing is?  I just found it lying around the internet and wanted to get more info on it.  Looks like something Swatch would have come up with before they settled on the Smart car design instead.

Proof that scooters are more manly than motorcycles

Do you need any other proof?  :D - Bwahaha!
Anyway, I just thought it was funny.  If you are having a slow day and have a few hours to kill then you should take some time to see what's going on at one of my favorite pit stops, The New Cafe Racer Society.  S.A. in San Francisco has an impressive appetite for oddities. That's where I found this ballet bike image.  Enjoy!

Captain to starship America: Brace for impact!

(I know I've posted this image before, but it fits so well with today's post)

You know that feeling you get just before you to do something painful? You've gone past the point of "how can I avoid this" and have entered that sure sense of inevitability. This is probably one of the few moments in your life you'll feel SO sure about something. Your senses are working so fast it's like time slows down. Just after you get past that "Hrm... what was that?" moment you've got a good mental minute or two to go through a lightening fast checklist. Here's Bandanna-boy's:

Impact imminent?
Um, yeah. Looks like it.
Am I protected?
Um, no *sigh*.
Do I have a clear and relatively safe trajectory?
Well, looks like it.
Will this hurt?

and this is where one of two things happen; you either hope it doesn't, try to fight it then brace for impact or your brain overloads and you pass out.

Today this wreck is our economy and my fellow Americans; we have just checked the box in the "Will this hurt?" part of the checklist. I'm not being a pessimist or an alarmist. I'm one of the most laidback, optimistic people you'll ever meet... as a matter of fact I can see the light at the end of this wreck (no, and it's not a light at the end of a tunnel - "Stay awaaaay from the liiiiiight"). So why am I bringing this up? To piss in your cheerios? Not at all. I'm just saying "brace for impact!"

How does one brace for this economic wreck? Well, I'm sure there are other blogs that can help you map all of that out in varying degrees of severity, but if you own a scooter or are thinking about selling the second car and getting a scooter then you're on the right track.

Unemployment is a runaway train, and I sincerely hope none of us are on board. This morning, NPR did a story on the relationship between employment and insured drivers. It turns out that there is a direct correlation between the number of uninsured drivers and the unemployment rate. Even the cheapest auto policy will cost you $400 a year. If you have more than one car your insurance costs can get out of control. Scooter policies, on the other hand, will run you less than $100 a year. That's it. In fact, it costs me $60 a year to be legal. Imagine trying to slink around in your car without insurance. Getting a ticket then is definitely not gonna help you out economically.

Secondarily there's the added gas savings; that'll help a bit. If YOU are thinking about getting a scooter to help make it over the hump here's a few things to consider to make a smart purchase:

1) What is the distance and top speed you need to reach? If you travel 10 miles one-way at 45 mph, you don't need a 600cc scooter. There's a chance you'll be fine with someting in the 50-125cc range. Be sure to take into account terrain and body weight. A 300 lbs guy isn't gonna make it up a 20 degree slope on a 50cc scooter. Ask an experienced scooter owner for their opinion. You can even ask ME! thescooterscoop@gmail.com

2) What do you need to haul? Can the scooter handle it or can you get accessories to help? A luggage rack will carry your briefcase to work, but you're gonna need a sidecar to carry the whole family. Oh, and the floorboard can count as storage space too.

3) A scooter's required funding is inversly proportional to the buyer's mechanical ability and ingenunity. McGyver might get by with a mail order scooter. He can make a float bowl out of a thread spool and a V8 juice can. I, on the other hand, would be better off spending more to get a reliable scooter with a good warranty and good parts support.

4) Be sure to ask your dealer if they have consumer financing options. GE has Funancing, there is also Sheffield Finance, HSBC and you might even see your local credit union.

We'll get through this if we play it smart. Who knows... The economy might inspire a slew of cool DIY projects! ;)

When is a car better than a scooter?

When it's this car. (larger version)

Older than old school - The 1917 Autoped

(Postal workers on their brand new-fangled motorized doohickey machines - source)

Before the Segway there was the Autoped, the first American built scooter introduced in 1917. (Nerd fact: California Senate Bill 1918 was introduced to attempt to classify segway riders as "pedestrians".) More like a motorized kick scooter than a step through motorscooter, this was still top technology in it's day.

If you had the chance to attend the NY Motorcycle Show recently you may have seen one in person. Here is the copy from a letter that was kept with the scooter on display:

1917 Autoped - The Autoped Company of American Long Island City, New York 1916-1920.
The Autoped is considered to be the first motorscooter invented in the United States. They were designed by Arthur Gibson and Joseph Merkel (the designer of the Flying Merkel). Powered by an air cooled 4-stroke engine, they could reach speeds of 30 mph.

In mid 1918 the Eveready Battery Company got involved and they were then fitted with a battery and coil. Some models were sold as Everyeady Autopeds.

The unit seen at the show (below) is 1 of 10 known to exist in the United States at this time. I have located nearly all the other 9 adn know who owns them and most are in museums, including the Smithsonian. The unit at the NYMC Show was purchased from the original owner's son (the son was 74 years young). He told me that dad had it from new as a teenager and rode it for a while until it stopped working. Dad removed the fuel tank and fuel tube and stashed the bike in the coal bin out back, intending to fix the tank. It languished out in the coal bin under the coal until 1974 when dad was moved into a nursing home and the house was sold. The son moved what he could find to his home in Nassau County (about 10 miles from the original house in Willetts Point) and there it sat until I aquired it.

The unit is 100 percent original unrestored, down to the original headlight and taillight and wiring. One of the owners of 1 of the others has agreed to let me make a copy of the fuel tank from his unit and the other parts necessary to complete what I have the schematics for.

It is for sale, a rare opportunity to own 1 of 10 autopeds in existance that from research are the only motorized 2 wheelsers ever built in New York City. See Mudfish 631-395-5382.

Thanks again to Ripley Radio for the shots!

Vespa Wheelie King is at it again

Here's some more recent footage of Nicola "The Vespa Wheelie King" doing his thing. Looks like it's gone past "hobby" and into career.

Wooden Vespa = Pure genius

This came to me from my wife while I was on the road, then over the course of the next 24 hours I received a flood of emails, IMs, text messages, and twits telling me to check out this wooden Vespa. I finally got to see it this morning and now I see what all the excitement is about. 'Nuf respect to Portuguese craftsman Carlos Alberto for this handbuilt beauty. She is incredible.

And if that's not jaw dropping enough... She runs.


Go here for some behind the scene shots (thanks for that link Tim!) and thanks to all the other scoopers who were turned on by this work of art.

Teaser shot - The 2009 SYMBA

Lookie here y'all! Fresh off the boat, it's the 2009 SYMBA from who else but SYM. I've had a chance to give her a physical and even a test ride. Here's my first impressions:

- She's slim... VERY slim. The widest part of the Symba
is about as wide as my shoulders.

- She's a four gear auto-clutch, which means you can put
her in neutral and rev the engine at the red lights for
extra badassmanship.

- She's got very tall wheels (17") which made easy work of
climbing a low curb.

- First gear is kinda torqy... best for climbing hills or hauling
stuff. I normally start out in 2nd to prevent whiplash.

- The Symba weighs as much as I do (pre-Thanksgiving).

- LOTS of seat configuration options! She comes with a
saddle and passenger seat but you can make it a bench
seat or a saddle with a huge chrome luggage rack and more.

- Suction cups under seat make a suction cuppy sound
whenever you need to lift it to fill the gas tank.

- I hear that she's rated for 153 mpg if you average 25 mph! (and who does?)

- I believe she tops out at 50 mph. Requires further testing. Tested see update.

- You can stiffen the rear suspension for riding two-up with
the flip of a switch... well, two switches.

- Riding characteristics are more akin to riding a mountain
bike than riding a scooter. Scooterists may need a little
time to get used to it.

- Front brake is in your right hand and rear brake under your
right foot.

- LED brake lights rock.

If you want to get your hands on a Symba in person then you should hit the SYM booth at the Indi Dealer Expo next month. That's all I got right now, but it's exciting! Tell your local scooter dealer to order one for you. They should be shipping in 3 months from what I hear.

PS> You can see some more photos of her cousin the Wo Wow right here.

***UPDATE***
I know it's WAAAY over capacity, but a friend and I buzzed around the neighborhood with me riding cupcake... that's over 400 lbs of hilarity rollin' on this poor contraption. He says he wants one so he can put some straight bars on her, swap out the head for a 110cc and slap on a new pipe and bigger carb. I like where he's going with that. He thinks you could find a disc to fit on the front too. With those sorts of upgrades, he'll need it... especially if we start a Cupcake Racing League. ;P

***UPDATE***
Don't tell anyone, but I got her up to 100 km/h which is just over 62 mph... and I think there was some more in there. I'm not sure of the accuracy of the speedo. I'll have to shake it out tomorrow with my GPS. I still need to work the kinks out of my downshifting though.

***UPDATE 1/22/09***

Ok, my speeds were off a bit. The max I could reach today was 57 mph according to my GPS. You can see she was most comfortable running right around 45-50 mph. Seemed like she could do that all day. I'm getting better at the down shift. I find it's best to let her rev nearly all the way down before down shifting to prevent doing the clutch jerk. Now, I wonder what she'll do with some slight modifications. I'll have to wait until I get one of my own to find out.
Some notes: The scooter only has 100 km on the odometer. It was carrying me (200 lbs). It was being ridden on a road that has some gradual hills.

$5000 tax credit to purchase a car? I wish the scooter indusustry had lobbiests.

Kate Schott from the Daily-Chronicle.com reports that U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo wants to "stimulate the economy" by offering buyers $5,000 to purchase a new car / truck or $2000 to purchase a used one.  No according to what I have read, not a new American car... not a high efficency car, just a car.  It has to be priced at less than $50,000 and you're not eligeable if you make more than a quarter million dollars a year.  What he ultimately would like to do is make the funds available as vouchers so you can buy that car right away.

Manzullo's "Get America Moving Act" (H.R. 550) would cost tax payers a scant $75 BILLION dollars and would, "bring relief to families struggling throughout the nation".

I think Manzullo should stick with issues like promoting transparency, accountability and reform (H.R. 557), THAT'S something I can get behind unless you want to give me $5000 to buy a new scooter (gas or electric) and I'll be the happiest tax payer on the block!  I'll add a side car and use it to get groceries, take the kids to school, take the family to the park and when gas is up to $3.00 again I'll be feelin' fine.

(too bad there's no American made scooter, eh?)

Hail and fairwell

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 20: US President Barack Obama waves alongside his wife, Michelle, and US Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, as former US President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, leave the US Capitol on the presidential helicopter after Obama was sworn in as the 44th US president in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2009. (Photo by Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images)

Vectrix expands its line-up with 2 new scooters!

(The flagship VX-1, introduced in 2007 get's some new graphics)



(The VX-1E is the economy version of the VX-1 at $8,495)


(The VX-2 is expected in June with an MSRP of $5,195)
Images courtesy of our friends at Ripley Radio.  Thanks a bunch!

Vectrix has come out the gate at today's NY Motorcycle Show with a pair of new zero emission scooters for 2009.  Today's electric vehicle market has experienced some what of a whiplash from the roller coaster oil market.  Fortunately for them, the oil coaster is slowly climbing another hill.  Will it touch the $3.00/gal mark again?  Who knows?  But Vectrix, the green leaders in the scooter field, are ready to roll when they do.

Here's the press release (I've trimmed it up a bit and sprinkled on a tiny bit of feedback):
New York, N.Y. - January 18, 2009 - Vectrix Corporation (www.vectrix.com), the world leader in Personal Electric Vehicles, has debuted its entry-level VX-2 and the VX-1E urban commuting model at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Alongside the flagship VX-1, the new models round out the company's family of electric vehicles, which will help make 100 percent electric vehicles available to a broader consumer base.

VX-2 is a smaller and more compact electric equivalent of a 50cc internal combustion engine (ICE) bike with a weight of 429 pounds (whew, power of a Yamaha C3 with the weight of a Yamaha Majesty) , a wheelbase of 54.5 inches and seat height of 29.9 inches. It features a 40-50 mile range (hey!  That's pretty good!), 30-mph speed capability (Ewwww, I wish it was 45), a 48V/20A battery charger that plugs into a standard 110V/220V outlet and safe, near-silent operation.

"It's the perfect choice to replace cars for short urban trips," said Mike Boyle, Vectrix CEO. "The shortest car trips are the most damaging in terms of global warming, air pollution and our dependence on foreign oil."

Available in green, blue, red, yellow and white, VX-2 is expected to arrive at dealers in June 2009 with an MSRP of $5,195.

Another new addition to Vectrix's family of Personal Electric Vehicles, VX-1E uses the same platform and drive train as the original VX-1, yet features a lower price point and a more urban commuter driver profile with slightly less acceleration and top speed. VX-1E is expected to arrive at dealers in April, and the MSRP is $8,495.

As part of the company's drive to make electric vehicles available to a wider range of consumers, Vectrix also plans to announce a new line of accessories for its VX-1 and VX-1E—including a lower, narrower seat to accommodate riders with smaller frames.

"One of the most important new accessories in the 2009 catalogue is an optional seat that is significantly lower and shaped to give riders with a smaller frame the ability to place both feet on the ground at each stop," Boyle said.

Other new options include a sport windshield about 7 inches lower than standard for riders who like the feel of wind in their face, and a winter windshield nearly 9 inches wider than standard that offers additional protection from wind and insects. Lastly, a new center stand offers more convenient parking and raises the rear tire off the ground for easy tire maintenance.

Vectrix's original Personal Electric Vehicle, the VX-1, was first introduced in 2007 as an eco-friendly, zero emission and powerful alternative for commuting and recreational needs. The 2009 VX-1 will have refreshing new graphics in four colors: white/burgundy red, white/metallic silver, white/sapphire blue and white/acid green.

The VX-1 weighs in at 515 pounds, has a 60-inch wheelbase and 30-inch seat height. It is highway legal, with a top speed of 62 mph, acceleration from 0-50 mph in 6.8 seconds, and an average range of 30-55 miles on a single charge.

All vehicles in the Vectrix family are 100 percent electric — no gas, no oil and no emissions — and feature minimal maintenance and simple operation. In 2008, Vectrix saw 321 percent growth in its distribution network, and now has the largest dealer network of any electric vehicle in the country.

"The success of the Vectrix dealer network shows consumers are ready for new commuting alternatives," Boyle said. "Vectrix appeals to men and women of all ages, and our new accessories make the VX-1 available to everyone looking for good clean fun."

About Vectrix Corporation
Vectrix Corporation was formed in 1996 to develop and commercialize zero emission vehicle platform technologies focused on two-wheel applications. The single focus of Vectrix has been to provide clean, efficient, reliable and affordable urban transportation. Vectrix two-wheel zero emission vehicles currently are being marketed to consumers and government fleets. Vectrix Corporation has headquarters in Middletown, R.I., engineering and test facilities in New Bedford, Mass., sales offices in the UK and production facilities in Wroclaw, Poland.

The NY Post features the NY Scooter Club

Ahhh, seeing this video from last April makes me want to go to the Scooter Block Party this summer.
If you want to experience the Big Apple in a way like no other be sure to visit the NY Scooter Club website for updates on this years party OR just show up Wednesday nights (7pm) at the Brass Monkey (in the Meat Packing District *snicker snicker*).

Cheers to YOU NYSC!

Tattooed scooter girl from...

(Image Source - (c) Alan Travis )

Anyone want to guess where this lovely bird rides?  The streets of Portland?  Seattle?  Amsterdam ?  Ipanema ? She looks like she'd fit in right here in Austin.  Just thought it was a nice photo, you can go back to work now.  :)

Thanks to Alan for sharing!  Great shot man.  If you want the answer to our question you can click on the title link to see the original image and the tags that go along with it. 

Great scooters of yesteryear: Fuji Rabbit Superflow

Awww cute! Here's a shot from Shop Boy's Flickr Account called "Tokyo Tower in 1960" featuring two cute little girls in their Sunday best and a sweet 200cc 1959ish Fuji Rabbit Superflow (come on, SUPERFLOW? You gotta love that) much like this beautiful specimen over here.

It says "BS Eversoft" on the side... but I doubt they were advertising the Braun Silk Eversoft (and I can't read the text below it). This is the part where I request the assistance from my kind and patient friends in Japan. Kuroneko? Aki?

Thanks for sharing Shop Boy!

Classic Japanese scooter models available... in Japan

Aki has recently discovered some cute 1/18th scale 50cc classic Japanese scooter models including (top to bottom) two 1958-62 era Fuji Rabbits two 1960 era Mitsubishi Silver Pigeons (specifically the Gale Pet) and two Daihatsu Hallos from the late 60s (would you believe this was introduced as an electric at the 1974 Cologne Motorcycle Show!?)

Want them? Here's the store link. I'm not sure if they ship to the US though... and you can only order 3 per person... I need to move to Japan for a year. Oh, and here's another collection of Japanese scooter models from Hot Wheels, of all people. Hot Wheels has other scooter toys not available in the USA including the Honda Touring collection and a Yamaha Majesty.

Thanks Aki!

PS> If you are more into pimped out public service vehicles, you can also check out the The cadet corps Hotaru dream dump industrial waste truck from Minidekotora. Dream dump?! I don't know why, but that sounds hilarious!

Scooter sales jump as buyers pawn TVs

Here's an interesting story from Australia that says "Motorists desperate to survive tough economic times are pawning laptops, furniture and television sets to buy scooters for cheap transport."

I'm not sure if we'll see anything like that in the USA, but it makes a good point on how Vespa got into scooters in the first place... because of a tanked economy.

Here's some more:

In Australia, scooter sales rocketed 7.6 per cent last year, helping the two-wheeled market to a record 3.2 per cent increase, according to figures released yesterday by the Federal Chamber of Austomotive Industries. Car, van and truck sales dropped 3.6 per cent.

Major Brisbane scooter dealer Joe D'Ercole said he expected sales to continue rising.
"The whole reason Vespa exists is that after World War II there was a credit crisis, mortgage issues and high fuel costs just like today," he said.

"The main problem is that people can't get credit to buy a $2500 scooter. People are even selling off household items just to buy one. I had one guy trying to sell his big flat screen TV because they had two of them. The trouble is, what's a second-hand TV worth?"

FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar said the drop in fuel prices below $1 a litre would not slow the scooter or low-capacity motorcycle market.

"With the sort of economic challenges around, people will still be looking at those sorts of economic alternatives," he said.

Will a downward spiraling economy finally wake people up or will they be living in their SUV and standing in a bread line when they finally see the light?

Top Gear Vietnam - Motorcycle vs. Cub vs. Scooter

Our friends from the Scooter Club Gold Triangle have dug up some more great entertainment for scooter lovers with their discovery of the Vietnam edition of Top Gear on YouTube. The Kingdom's tenacious three travel 1,000 across Vietnam on a motorcycle, a cub and a Vespa. You may be surprised with the results!

Shouts to Krallopian who managed to squish the 1 hour special into a smoke-break long 10 minute edition (still allowing you 5 minutes to get to the elevator and back). For links to the entire show visit the SCGT's website. Thanks Lorenzo!

You know, I'd like to see the same battle except Scooter vs. Hummer. Jeremy? You can drive the Hummer.

UK bike sales down, but be glad you're not a car dealer

("Tell ya what. Buy this car instead of the scoota and I'll throw in a pint and a nice plate of fish and chips.")

Big ticket items the world over are feeling the pinch of this transitional economy. All this uncertainty has had a measurable affect here and abroad. Many US scooter dealerships showed a 50% decreases in sales for December over last years numbers, but we're not alone. Even in scootercentric regions like the UK sales showed a decrease in 2008 over the prior year's numbers.

December's motorcycle sales in the UK were down an astonishing 19.1%! Even with that plunge, motorbike sales for 2008 ended the year down just 3.4%. These figures actually show the apparent stability of the bike market when compared to the car market, which experienced a cheek-clenching 11.3% drop in 2008.

So, if bike sales are relatively stable, what bikes were selling? Post-analysis of UK motorcycle sales show an upturn in the sale of commuter bikes and a drop in sportsbike sales. The five best-selling models of 2008 were small-capacity motorcycles, mopeds and scooters with engines of less than 125cc.

While these numbers may not directly translate for the American market, we can't be that far off. There was a huge surge of small displacement scooter sales in 2008 (Q3 alone showed a 50.6% increase YTD from 2007) and Q4 for car dealers was abysmal with sales dropping over 30% for major automakers (source).

So, what does 2009 hold for scooter dealers in the US? It's a tale as yet untold. One can only image that gas prices will increase as they do every summer. Some consumers are finding it difficult to get big ticket financing with lenders playing it safe (even after the bailout). Still others are feeling like they don't have the stability to risk making a $20,000 purchase until the economy shows improvement. Car dealerships are closing at an ever increasing pace. (as they have been since 2007). Americans have to get around SOME way. Will consumers risk a $3000 transportation investment over a $20,000 investment? Will more Americans take the bus or telecommute? Will gas prices be the determining factor? And... how will Dubai afford to restock the gold-plated caviar for their 6-Star hotel (Tower of the Arabs) after the demise of the gas guzzler?

(Hrm... That pint and the fish and chips dooooo look good!)
***UPDATE 1/9/09***

OMG! :D-BWAHAHAH!
You've gotta see this advertisement over at idly.org
Wait, what am I laughing about?! IT'S TRUE! (*grrrr* now I'm mad.)
Actually, I'll post a copy down here too in case it vanishes.

(click to enlarge)
***UPDATE 1/9/2009***
Wow! We had an Anon commenter point out an impressive bit of info which I had missed. As of today Ford still has not taken any of the Bailout money (source). I'm very impressed! Ford, you're ok in my book. I've changed the image to remove the word "Ford" from the bottom. But, if you take that money... back it goes. Now, please do me a favor and bring us some small, efficient, environmentally friendly, safe cars... Like the Mitsubishi i! <3

Toyota now officially in the "Segway" business for 2010

Our friend Aki in Japan gives us this scoop.  Toyota has announced that they will be selling 25 of the Toyota Winglets in 2009 to be used in large factories, parks and airports.  The price is around $3,500 US and it will weigh 22lbs.  Don't look for large scale production until around 2010.  Go here for the story on MSN Japan.

Gearing up for Spring - Protect your nose, sinuses and lungs

We received a comment tonight from Eric who asked if filtered-air helmets are available in the US yet. He was tired of choking on smoke during his daily commute. Since we hadn't seen them 'round these parts we suggested that he check out Respro. We've heard good things about their filter masks. Later, a few minutes of digging around the Respro site revealed this new item, the Urban Commuting City Mask.

This is something I will HAVE to get. Mother nature and her band of sinister cedar trees are KILLING me this season. When I ride around town it's like I did some pollen snooters and my sinuses are closed for business, rendering me a slack-jawed, mouth-breather until my overdose of allergy meds kick in.

Now, what's so cool about THIS City Mask is that it's coated in Scotchlite white! So, it gives you a sort of storm trooper look and it glows a bright white when hit by intense light (like headlights) adding to your "rider safety quotient".

So multiple thumbs-up all around for the Respro City anti-pollution mask in Scotchlite. Interested yet? Here's the benefits list from their website:

• Filters out exhaust emissions
• Fits without fuss and fully adjustable
• Durable and washable
• Ensures correct fit for adults
• Releases heat and water vapour

And the features:

• Activated charcoal filter
• Velcro fastening
• Made from Neoprene
• Two sizes

You can even customize it with other filter packs and valve packs to vary the filter level and air transfer speed. I'm not sure how it fits for full face helmets, but we'll let you know. Oh, another thing. This mask looks better than some of the others, though I would definitely ride around with this option or this other option too. While yer at it, get one for the bike too. Hrm... why the fascination with gas masks now? Wait... Am I revealing some sort of fetish? I gotta go.

Gearing up for Spring - A helmet for you hot heads

(image source rakuten.co.jp, where I also found a crazy orange helmet from Osbe and other stuff you can't get in the USA)

You remember Nexx?  The helmet company from Portugal that we were so excited about back in 2007?  Well, guess who's now available in the USA... THAT'S RIGHT!  Nexx has landed!  The helmet I was referring to in the title was what you see in the collage, the Nexx X60 Air (in Orange).  Check out those huge screen vents on the sides!  I haven't had a chance to ride with one yet, but it seems that besides looking cool they'd actually keep you pretty cool too.

The Nexx X60 Air is ECE/22-06 and DOT approved.  It weighs 2.3 lbs, has a washable lining and a flip down eye shield.

And yes, while open face helmets are fashionable they are usually not the safest choice.  If you feel like an experienced, safe and confident rider and you like to talk to the people you're riding with all the while looking rather dashing, then Nexx might have a lid for you.  Ask your local dealer if they have them on order.

***UPDATE 1/8/09***
Casey comment on this post saying "that's some serious vent-age", which made me think.  Vintage?  Who made the first motorbike helmet?  The answer is University of Southern California (USC) Professor C. F. “Red” Lombard back in 1953 and I looked like this:

Just 4 years later the Snell Memorial Foundation was established to create helmet performance standards.  Thank goodness.

Gearing up for Spring - A lid that's impossible to miss

If you are a ninja or you're trying out as a stunt double for Snake Eyes you can skip this article and go buy a Bandit helmet, BUT if you're not trying to sneak up on somebody, you might think about a helmet that will get you noticed and by "noticed" I mean the jabbing-onlookers-in-the-eyeball-with-a-chopstick kind of noticed.

There's not a lot of helmet manufacturers making lids in neon lime safety yellow, but Scorpion is! This baby was introduced just a couple of months ago and it's already on back order at the factory. I don't have one to review, but WebBikeWorld.com has put together a nice review illustrating the eye-jabbing effect of the EXO-700 Neon Helmet. Check it out here. If this sort of thing is your cuppa tea, then go here to find a dealer near you. And you might even think about getting the matching XDR Commander jacket if you don't think it's overkill... or perhaps "underkill"?

You could even trim the helmet out in some of that Scotchlite tape for that extra JAB!

This is just one of a series of posts we'll be doing to help you gear up for the spring riding season. If it's new, stylish, innovative, affordable or just plain cool we'll try to let you know about it. Cheers!

CNN Money: Gas prices begin their ascent

CNN Reports:  After topping out at more than $100 a barrel in July, oil hit a four-year low of $32.40 a barrel on Dec. 19. Prices have since crept up to $47 a barrel on Monday.  Jason Toews, co-founded of GasBuddy.com, says:

Oil companies "don't like to shock us, they like to ease us in to higher prices."
"If prices rise too quickly, it could cause a dramatic drop in demand", he added.

Toews is expecting gas to reach back up to $2.75 by the summer.
Have you submitted your prediction for the 3/6/9 contest yet?  You've got 5 more days!

Live in the south? Got $2 bucks to fill up yer tank? Then it's RIDIN' SEASON!

(Tillamook's got more than cheese baby.  They got beautiful roads.  Image source)

Across the southern states it's already riding season.  Temperatures in the mid 50's to low 80's stretch from coast to coast.  Can you southerners believe it's already time to check your tire pressure, top off your fluids, and give the scooter a good kick... be sure to do it outside of the garage.  You don't want the neighbors to think your garage is on fire.

So where to ride?  Well, beside the normal spots (to work, to lunch, to class, etc.), you should try to see the country side!  Get out and get a breath of fresh air (before the pollen kicks up).  Now, where to ride?  If you're stuck here, then you should check out this keen little website called MotorcycleRoads.com.

Just click on your state and away you go.  They give you a lay-of-the-land, and a selection of suggested routes.  Each route is rated for scenery, road quality, and roadside amenities with a little detail around each.  Great stuff.  They don't do all the work for you though.  Some of the rides are mapped out in Google maps and others require you to draw it out yourself.  But, don't let that stop you from at least reading up for some ride ideas the weekend.  I think the 40 mile "Hippie Hollow Horror" ride is calling me.  Might stop out in Marble Falls and see if I run into The Red Headed Stranger.

And while your roads may be beautiful too, my sympathies go out to the rest of the nation where the weather is not so rider friendly, especially where it's still down below 30.  Your time will come my friends and you'll be riding like a bunch of cooped up bats outta hell looking for the cure to Spring Fever. 

The ol' switcharoo (PMSFW)

I think this is pretty much safe for work. It's a video of a superpower I always imaged Josh Rogers would have. Thanks to Blue Mark for the scoop!

Indonesia does lowriders - The Yamaha Mio "Naughty Bike"

Can you believe THIS came from this:



That's one funky transformation. Ardi Kupret has put the moves on this previously tame little scooter from Yamaha. The Google translation isn't all that great, but from what I could understand it looks like Ardi was going for an American styled low-rider.

He calls it the Naughty Bike; because it breaks all the rules. There are lots of great customs in Indonesia. It looks to me like breaking the rules is really the norm. Check this out:

Don't ask. My guess was maybe Aprilia Area 51 based? No, on second thought, it's something else completely. For more lowriding oddities check out Maticholic.com. You can also click on the title link for more photos of the Naughty Bike.

The wacky world of knock-offs

This is a bit off topic, though scooter fans are no strangers to seeing knock-offs  coming from China.  Over at the the Industrial Design Blog, Core77, they did a little piece on blatant knock-offs.  I like how they put it:

From the spectacular general smartypants blog Mental Floss, a round-up of ten fake brand names that are so brazen they wrap right back around to awesome again.

Click the link to go straight to the mental floss article and check out such cool brands as NIRE, Sunbucks and Daiads.

Gas drops through the floor. Prices less than $1.25 in some places. CONTEST!

Looking at GasBuddy today, I see some parts of the nation have actually dropped below the magic "buck-and-a-quarter" per gallon mark.  Unbelievable!  Gas is at a five year low just months after an all time high?!  

CONTEST:

So, who feels like a gambler?  Let's do this...  It's simple.

Send an email to thescooterscoop@gmail.com with "My Prediction" in the title. 

Tell us how much YOU predict regular gas will be per gallon on the date MARCH 6th 2009 (03/06/09).  

On that Friday at 12 noon CST I will look at the little GasBuddy widget on the right of our screen here for what they have listed as a national average.  The person who comes the closest will win something.  I haven't decided what yet.  In the event of a tie, the person who supplies the closest answer FIRST will take home the prize.  

Deadline:  Entries will be accepted until January 11, 2009 at 11:59pm (01/11/09), that's just 10 days.

Your email address will not be sold or used for evil purposes... cross our heart.

Will sagging demand and fleets of bicycle sales force gas to drop to a cool buck-a-gallon?

(Wow a $23 fill up?  I'm takin' the Hummer to work.)

Will OPEC flip-tha-script on us in the middle of an economic climb and drive it back up to $4 a gallon?  

(Four BUCKS?  F' THAT!  I'm takin' the scooter.)

Don't necessarily go with what you HOPE will happen.  Go with your gut.  Do you have friends in the oil industry?  Use them.  Is your aunt Miss Cleo the psychic?  Call her.  Friends with Chakib Khelil?  Ask him for the scoop.  We're looking for what you predict gas prices to be this March just before we hit spring time.  Good luck!