Surplus Store Stop

En route to Vegas.







-- Post from my iPhone, out-n-about...

Scooter Case

-- Post from my iPhone, out-n-about...

Trader Joe's Lasagna

You find scooters in unusual places...




-- Post from my iPhone, out-n-about...

Going to Vegas!

Just packing up stuff for our journey to Las Vegas for Highrollers Weekend. If you are there, stop by our booth and say hello or Twitter message me @scootmagapril.  Looking forward to seeing some great scooters and meet up with scooter friends from far away.

Sugar Ray CD with Vespa

This came out last year and I somehow missed it.





-- Post from my iPhone, out-n-about...

Scoot! Editor Quoted in Article on Genuine Scooters

I was interviewed for a story on Genuine Scooters.

Scoot! Magazine Online Version Available

If you have never seen an issue of Scoot!, boy oh boy are you missing out! But don't fret, you can now browse a sample issue right now on our website. We just launched a new web-version that you can page through, zoom in & zoom out, follow links to our advertisers and more!

Our plan is to start with one recent issue; now we've got the December 2009 issue up. As time goes on, we'll swap out issues. In the future we're planning on making sold out back issues available for online browsing, too.

Whaddya waiting for? Go to www.scootmagazine.com and select Magazine from the upper navigation bar and get reading. Unless of course you are looking at this on your phone while driving, In that case, wait until you get home.

Scoot! Buyer's Guide Goes Online

In an effort to provide the most up-to-date and accessible information on new scooters, the Scoot! Magazine Buyer's Guide has moved online. Prospective scooter buyers can now access the guide 24/7 at www.scootmagazine.com and select the "Buyer's Guide" link from the top navigation bar. Not only does the online version provide all of the specs from our original print guide, it now has an interactive component that allows you to sort by model year, manufacturer, MSRP, displacement and tire size. You can also compare up to three different models simultaneously. By going online the Guide is now easily accessible, easily updateable and information can be updated when it is available rather than once a year in the print guide. Another convenient feature is the Reviewed by Scoot logo that provides a link to the Scoot! issue in which the bike was reviewed. This year many manufacturers are releasing new bike later than usual. Our team will be adding bikes as soon as their specs are available.

Give it a try and let us know what you think!

 

Sample screen

Vectrix's next step: Resurrection?

Haven't heard a peep from Vectrix as they have been re-organizing. But did happen upon this info at MarketWatch:

Vectrix Gears Up for Relaunch

NEW BEDFORD, MA, Feb 08, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Vectrix Corporation, a newly formed Delaware corporation, and Vectrix International, will relaunch the Vectrix brand and its advanced electric vehicle technology products into the worldwide market on February 12 - 15 at the International Powersports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana.
In gearing up for the relaunch, the Vectrix Corporation has opened its new US Head Quarters and development center in New Bedford, Mass. With its patented technologies developed over the last decade, Vectrix will continue to design and develop innovative technology solutions in New Bedford, Mass. with original key members of its product development team. "The core focus of the Vectrix Corporation design team is to remain on the cutting edge of innovative technologies that revolutionize urban transportation," explained Chief Operating Officer Jason Kim.
The International Powersports Dealer Expo will give Vectrix Corporation an opportunity to reassure its loyal customer base that it intends to grow in the market place as one of the leading personal electric vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturers. Vectrix has begun to ship spare parts and finished products to its customers and is excited about the growth potential in the coming months. The Vectrix product lines are an ideal solution for the worldwide urban transportation market's need for clean, efficient and cost effective transportation alternatives. Vectrix will be expanding beyond its traditional markets into other vertical professional markets, while continuing to service its loyal customers through dealer channels.
Key Features of the Vectrix Scooter:

--  Zero carbon emissions during operation
--  Range of 35-55 miles (depending on speed, rider weight, and driving
    habits)
--  Top speed of 68 mph
--  Acceleration 0-50 mph in 6.8 seconds / 0-31 mph in 3.6 seconds
--  As responsive as a 400cc scooter but with a 125cc classification, making
    the bike accessible to anyone with a provisional license who has
    completed CBT training.
--  Patented Multi-Function Throttle provides regenerative braking and a
    slow-speed reverse for greater maneuverability and easy parking
--  The onboard charger recharges the scooter in just over three hours from
    a standard 110/220V (3 pin) power socket.
--  Low noise for reduced sound pollution
--  Estimated battery life of 10 years/50,000 miles

About Vectrix Vectrix (www.vectrix.com) was reformed in 2010 to develop and commercialize zero-emission vehicle platform technologies focused on two and three wheel applications. The single focus of Vectrix has been to provide clean, efficient, reliable and affordable urban transportation. Vectrix has its US headquarters in New Bedford, Mass. which include engineering, test facilities, sales offices and a multiproduct vehicle assembly line.

Miss Armadillo Wear?

Were you one of the folks considering buying an Armadillo Scooter Wear jacket, but heard that they were no longer distributed here? While plenty of dealers still have stock (I recently saw some at Nichols Motorsport in Fremont, CA) there is a new distributor: Martin Racing Performance in Miami. You probably know MRP from their ads in Scoot! or through their videos and online news. They are a one-stop shop for dealers who want to carry a wide array of performance parts for scooters and ATVs. They are not taking over the distribution of Armadillo Scooter Wear as you can read here. MRP is a wholesaler, so they do not sell directly to consumers. But you can find a list of dealers at the company's website.

Top Gear Vietnamese Bike in Museum

Remember the episode of Top Gear where the guys have to cross Vietnam on motorbikes? Well, two of the bikes from that episode (the Viet-bodge Vespa and the USA minibike) have been bought at auction and now are installed at the National Motor Museum's "World of Top Gear" exhibit.
Read more about it here.

Olympic Torch Bearer is a Scooterist

According to an article in the Vancouver Sun:

Environmentalist Tzeporah Berman will be celebrating her 41st birthday today by carrying the Olympic Flame...riding a blue electric-powered scooter in Squamish, with the torch attached to the handlebar with a metal clamp for safety.

 It's admirable that someone wants to use a scooter to emphasize environmental alternatives, but I wonder how all those folks who run their part of their route will feel?

 

Photograph by: Ian Smith, PNG

Sneak Peek: Issue #55 reviews Vino + Like

Josh and I decided that we should really go back and review some "oldies but goodies" scooters that have been around for years, but don;t get much attention. So, we're reviewing the Yamaha Vino Classic (50cc). Also slated for review is the KYMCO Like 50.

Both bikes are 50cc, but the Like really is much larger than the Vino. In this photo, the Like may be closer to the camera, but it still is much bigger than the Vino.

Reviews to appear in issue #55 (April 2010)

Another Barbie Scooter

They are milking the tooling on this one. I wish they'd make some Avengers-style Barbie with a modded-out scooter. I'm sick of Miami Beach style Barbies.

 

Is she wearing  dental hygienist scrubs with crop pants?

Scooter Relief Fund: Ben Jahrsdoerfer

If you have ever bought a Scoot! t-shirt or hoody, or if you have ever received a cool MODified raffle prize at a rally, you have Ben to thank. He's a generous, funny person: good people! Please help if you can...


from the site:

Ben Jahrsdoerfer is the co-owner of MODified Printing in Portland Oregon. Modified has been a generous sponsor of many rallies around the country. I had the pleasure of working with Ben and Modified on swag for the Gotham Rally 3 Rally in New York City. Well Ben was involved in an accident in December and landed in the hospital with a broken collarbone. That's not all he got thought, upon discharge from the hospital he was handed a bill for over $10,000! We're helping Ben pay off that bill with an initial $500 grant, and hope that folks will be able to pitch in and make a donation. Every bit counts. If everyone who has a shirt printed by MODified, or who attended a rally sponsored by MODified in the past gives a few bucks, we'll have that bill paid in no time!

Twist & Gone, sponsored by Scoot! Magazine

Scoot! is proud to sponsor a unique scootering event: Twist & Gone a scooter drag & swap meet.

Twist & Gone 2010
Scooter Drags and Swap Meet 
When: May 1st (Reg starts 8am)
Where: Brown County Drag Strip
Why: To compete for pride and glory

Entry fee $45 first class, $20 each additional.  Swap meet booths are available for $25 for a 10X10 booth. You must bring your own tent, table, and chairs.

LINKS
Facebook event page
North American Scooter Racing Association

CLASSES

Class 1: 4 Stroke Scooter
1a: 72cc Pro: Displacement must not be larger than 72cc, no power adders.
1b: 100cc Unlimited: Displacement must not be larger than 100cc.
1c: 170cc Pro: Displacement must not be larger than 170cc, no power adders.
1e: 235cc Unlimited: Displacement must not be greater than 235cc.
1f: 250cc + Maxiscooter Unlimited: Displacement of 250cc or larger.

Class 2: 2 Stroke Scooter

2a: 99cc Pro: Displacement must not be larger than 99cc, no power adders.
2b: 100cc + Pro: Displacement of 100cc or larger, no power adders.
2c: 2 Stroke Unlimited

Class 3: Sprinter

3a. Unlimited Sprinter

EXHIBITION:

King of the hill. Anyone can enter, first across the line wins.

SAFETY

Scooter:

• Must be equipped with a dead man switch.
• A oil / fuel catch can is required. We dont want any oil or gas on the track.
• Must be structurally sound. Scooter frames may be lightened but must not be done in such a way that it makes the frame unsafe.
• Front and rear brakes are mandatory and in good working condition
• Must be in good working condition with no unsafe mechanical defects. Such as a sticking throttle, loose steering, excessive slop in the front end.
• Nitrous tanks must be securely fastened to in a manner with a proper mount. No zip ties... lol
• CVT must be covered in such a way that if a belt were to snap no injury could occur to the rider or anyone else.

Gear:

• A DOT approved full face helmet in good condition with eye protection.
• Full length jeans at a minimum
• Shoes must cover the ankle and be leather. Hi-Tops are ok!
• Riding gloves and a suitable riding jacket is highly recommended.
• Drunk or otherwise impaired drivers will be asked to leave the event.

Bad Girls 2010 Calendar Winners: gypsymermaid & CatEyez13

I ended up getting two calendars, so the randomly selected winners of my Twitter Bad Girls calendar contest are GypsyMermaid from B.C. Canada and CatEyez13 from Toronto! Please DM me with your address so I can send you the calendar. Not sure how my scraps of paper in a bowl could have selected two Canadians. Perhaps I should buy Canadian lotto tickets since California tix give me no luck!

CFMoto Scooter Recall

News on a recall of CFMoto  CF250T scooters. Contact CFMoto at 1-888-823-6686 if you think you have an affected model.

Vehicle Make / Model:     Model Year(s):      CHG / CF250T V3     2005-2009      CHG / CF250T V5     2005-2009 Manufacturer: CFMOTO POWERSPORTS, INC. Mfr’s Report Date: JAN 13, 2010 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V027000 N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS:HAND CONTROL

Potential Number of Units Affected: 6405

Summary: CFMOTO POWERSPORTS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 SCOOTERS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2005, AND DECEMBER 31, 2009. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 123, “MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS.” THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE intended to be MANUFACTURED AS SCOOTERS AND THEREFORE LACK A REAR WHEEL FOOT BRAKE AS REQUIRED FOR MOTORCYCLES BY THE STANDARD.

Consequence: THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED THE AGENCY WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSEQUENCE AS IT RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.

Remedy: CFMOTO POWERSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RIGHT FOOT CONTROL REAR WHEEL BRAKE KIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CFMOTO POWERSPORTS AT 1-888-823-6686.

Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .