News, views, gossip, random stuff about my obsession; scooters and scootering! From the Managing Editor of Scoot! Magazine. www.scootmagazine.com
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Twist & Gone this weekend: Nashville, IN
Did I ever mention that I find slow races boring? Tolerable if it is done in one winner-take-all heat, but repeated heats of people riding slow, especially on modern scooters, is boring. I've been to rallies where everyone sat around and cheered or an hour while people rode in a slow line over, and over, and over. Yawn! I was plugging for mini drag races for Amerivespa 2009, but no one was buying it. Sure, drags can be dangerous, but they should only be attempted by people who are properly attired, have scooter skills (real skills) and do it in a controlled environment.
So I was thrilled to hear that some Indianapolis-area scooterists were arranging their own drag races called Twist & Gone. These races take place this weekend on May 1st at the Brown County Dragway in Nashvlle, Indiana.
Scoot! is a sponsor of the rally. Unfortunately, we can't attend. Josh is currently in Korea for a wedding and I am trying to close out the current issue. I am eager to hear how it goes.
Read an article on it in the Brown County Democrat.
Here are the categories:
Class 1
4 Stroke Scooters
1a. 72cc Pro. Displacement must not be more than 72cc, no power adders.
1b. 100cc Unlimited. Displacement must not be more than 100cc.
1c. 170cc Pro. Displacement must not be more than 170cc, no power adders.
1d. 235 Unlimited. Displacement must not be more than 235cc.
1e. 250cc + Unlimited Maxiscooter.
Class 2
2 Stroke Scooters
2a. 99cc Pro. Displacement must not be more than 99cc, no power adders.
2b. 100cc + Pro. Displacement of 100cc or more, no power adders.
2c. 2 Stroke Unlimited, scooters only.
Class 3
Sprinter
3a. Unlimited Sprinter. 2 or 4 stroke scooter engines only please.
Class 4
Exhibition (Free with paid registration)
4a. King of the Hill. Any scooter that can pass tech can enter. All race entries get free admission to this class. If you plan on running Class 4 only the registration fee still applies.
The winner of this class gets the BIG trophy!
The event is sponsored by NASRA the North American Scooter Racing Association. If you are in the Midwest & want to race, check them out.
Blog entry soundtrack: "I Never Came" by Queens of the Stone Age
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
No Reason to Stay Home this Weekend
This weekend is one of those jam-packed scootering weekends. Here are some events that you may consider:
Classico Moto Italia
San Jose, CA
Vespa Club Los Gatos puts on their famous scooter rally. What is this # 17? Who knows, but if you remember the first one, you are old. This is a typical rally in the old style. Expect an award showwith choice bikes and a long ride on Sunday.
Pittsburgh Vintage Scooter Club City Rally 10
Pittsburgh, PA
The club's 10th anniversary rally; pulling out all the stops. Saturday night has a gig with ska band The Pietasters.
May Day 2010
Eugene, OR
Oregon clubs really know how to put on a shindig. Top Dead Center is no exception. Their May Day rally is all the typical things you would expect from a rally, but like you would have done it when you were in your 20's and weren't worried about getting up for work on Monday, the corns on your feet and an upside-down mortgage---ya know, fun!
Blog entry soundtrack: "World Leader Pretend" by R.E.M.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Scooters in New Film "Exit Through the Gift Shop"
Here's a preview:
Friday, April 23, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Snapshots from Scootouring
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Got nothing to do on 4/17...Why not make history?
When: Saturday, April 17th, 2010
When: 1-2pm
Where: Scooter Therapy. 12 N. Few Street, Madison
We are organizing an event to get into the Guinness Book of World Records! The current record for longest parade of mopeds is 674 riders. UW Madison can easily beat this number as we have the highest mopeds per capita in the world! We are going to blow them away in magnitude and length (two aspects). We plan to start at Scooter Therapy, Inc, 12 N Few Street. After everyone gets a number to pin on their shirt back, we proceed East on East Johnson Street to First, right on First to East Washington. There we pull into the Fiore Shopping Center parking lot, regroup, then proceed West on East Washington towards the Capitol for the filming. After passing the film people, we will head back to Scooter Therapy for the bike show results, and hopefully give away a new Genuine Roughhouse moped to a lucky participant. Our sponsors will be at the event along with media coverage and approval from Guinness Book of World Records.Check it out on Facebook
Randy Knudson of Scooter Therapy has confirmed that if the UW Madison students break the world record, there will be a raffle for a FREE NEW MOPED from Scooter Therapy. You have take part in the record breaking ride in order to be eligible for the raffle.
Invite EVERYBODY you know to this event and make it HUGE!
Costumes and decorations are encouraged.
If you need any information please feel free to call (800) 411-1543 from 9-6 m-f and 10-3 on Saturday.
We would like to get started numbering and such early, so there is no big rush toward start time. This is a first time attempt for us to try this, and we do not really know what kind of turnout will happen. But rain or shine it goes on. There will be eight classes for the People's Choice Bike Awards. Eight Trophies, Best of Show, most miles Traveled, Duct Tape and Zip Tie special, Most Radical, And more. Lots of giveaway items.
Scooter Therapy Inc. and the Genuine Scooter Company hope you can attend and have a great time helping us secure the World Record!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Where will Scoot! be next weekend? SCOOTOURING
The Topz are one club that knows how to do it right and if you are in the Sacramento area (or within driving distance like we are) then get thee to the rally! I'm so excited, I just bought a new hat for the occasion!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
WKRP on TV
Ugly glass scooters
Friday, April 09, 2010
Brainwash your daughters
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Monday, April 05, 2010
Fuel-Injected Vespas Announced
NEW YORK, April 1, 2010 – Italian manufacturer Piaggio, recognized for ground-breaking technology and legendary style, has equipped its 2011 Vespa S 150, LX 150 and LXV 150 models with new 150cc electronic fuel-injected engines that are even more miserly at the gas pump than the previous generation. Consuming 15 percent less fuel than its predecessor, the new powerplant wrings up to 85 miles out of each gallon of gas, all the while delivering an endless supply of fun and riding thrills. In addition, the new engine design also provides stronger, smoother acceleration in stop-and-go traffic, an especially important performance trait for metro commuters.
Green Isn’t a Trend – It’s a Commitment
While fuel price peaks and valleys have introduced thousands of consumers to the benefits of scooter ownership, choosing to swap some driving miles for riding miles isn’t just a trend when gas costs spike. For environmentally conscious consumers, it’s a lifelong commitment. The addition of the new 150cc injected engine family within the popular mid-range category adds even more reasons for consumers devoted to reducing fuel consumption, carbon emissions and congestion to make the switch to two wheels.The electronic fuel injection system on the new 150cc injected engine ensures the air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber is optimized at all times and allows the single cylinder unit to pick up more smoothly and progressively from lower engine speeds. As a result, riders enjoy strong and smooth power delivery, especially in the relentless stop-start conditions of urban riding. The benefits of the new engines can also be appreciated on longer journeys where extended stretches of roadway come into play. And, owners who want a fast getaway will notice improved cold-starts, thanks to fuel injection.
Strong, clean and well-mannered at any speed, the 150cc i.e. equipped Vespa models are capable of zooming up to 60 mph. The unique, steel unibody Vespa frame provides greater rigidity and a more stable ride, while the superior trailing link suspension is designed to better handle potholes and other hazardous conditions. The front-disc braking system allows riders to safely make sudden stops on a dime, which is great for cities where traffic rules the road.
“Vespas are one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to contribute toward a cleaner, greener transportation landscape, and our new fuel-injected 150cc engine range makes it even simpler,” said Paolo Timoni, CEO of Piaggio USA. “Mid-scooters like the Vespa S 150 i.e., LX 150 i.e. and LXV 150 i.e. are tailor-made for confident urban commuting, and a 15 percent increase in fuel-efficiency is yet another great reason to add a scooter to your garage this Spring.”
Vespa has been and continues to be synonymous with fuel-efficiency and performance in North America and Europe. The new 150cc i.e. family upgrades the most popular models into a powerful league of their own, without compromising the long list of premium features. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for Vespa 150 i.e. models starts at $4,399 for the 2011 Vespa S 150 i.e. For more information, visit www.vespausa.com.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Scoot! Issue #55 April 2010 En Route
Dealers should be receiving their copies of Scoot! this week, with bookstores and subscribers not far behind. The new issues features:
- Project Ruckus: Part 2
- How to lift a scooter safely
- Scoot! City: New Orleans
- Reviews: KYMCO Like 50 & Yamaha Vino Classic 50
- NASRA Preview
- Rally Reviews, Reader's Rides, Scooter Collector and more!