Scoot! Magazine issue # 56 shipping now!

The colors on this image are a little off, it is a bit more muted, but you get the idea. The next issue of Scoot! just arrived at the warehouse and is shipping, now. Shops should get their copies by June 4th, bookstores should have theirs by June 11th and subscribers should have theirs by the end of the month, depending upon how remote they are.

What's in this issue:

Scooter Art: including a cover by Parker Jacobs (of Yo! Gabba Gabba, Paul Frank Industries) a super-cool pull-out centerfold, and contributions of artists from all over the world.
New Scoot Reviews: Genuine Stella 4T, Sachs MadAss 125, La Vita 150EFi
Reader's Rides: Hank NoRush's Green Dragon and Josh Ellman's Orange Bike
Product Reviews: clothing, safety gear, helmets, books
Tips: for tying down your scooter
Regular features: Scooter Collector, rally calendar, classified, Show Us Your Scoots, and the Unlovables comic strip.

AmeriVespa Weekend in Full Swing

Unfortunately, Scoot! Josh had to cancel his trip to AmeriVespa, so we are not in "'da house." But there are several friends who are and I can watch their videos and check out their photos and almost feel as if I'm there.

Joel Martin from Martin Racing Performance is shooting videos. here's the group at The Alamo.


The KYMCO team rode from South Carolina to Texas, around 1,400 miles, and documented the journey on their KYMCO blog.

If you are on Facebook, check out how Scoot! contributor, Pistol Pete documents his journey to and participation in AmeriVespa on The Scooter Stoke.

Also, check out Steve Guzman's blog, TheScooterScoop for lots of reports on the goings on at the event. Here's a photo from the blog of the Sachs MadAss winner:

On the streets of San Francisco

The scooter of Casey, one of the original Scoot! publishers and also a redhead editor.



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Arai Takes J.D. Power Honors Again

According to a new press release out today, Arai is a top dog of the helmet satisfaction survey again:

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Highly Satisfied Motorcycle Helmet Owners Are Notably More Likely to Repurchase the Same Helmet Brand

Arai Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Motorcycle Helmets for a 12th Consecutive Year

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 20 May 2010 — Highly satisfied motorcycle helmet owners are approximately 10 times more likely to repurchase the same helmet brand, compared with owners with lower levels of satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction StudySM released today.

The study finds that brand loyalty is tied directly to owner satisfaction, as 41 percent of highly satisfied motorcycle helmet owners (satisfaction scores averaging higher than 900 on a 1,000-point scale) indicate they “definitely will” repurchase the same brand. Conversely, only a small percentage (4%) of helmet owners who are dissatisfied (satisfaction scores averaging lower than 550) say the same.

“As new-motorcycle sales have declined considerably during the past few years, the market for motorcycle helmets has also dwindled,” said Todd Markusic, senior director of the powersports practice at
J.D. Power and Associates. “As a result, it’s more important than ever for motorcycle helmet manufacturers to ensure their current customers are highly satisfied, increasing the likelihood that they’ll return to the brand the next time they are in the market for a new helmet. Since owners typically replace their helmets every three to four years, fostering customer loyalty may bring substantial benefit to the bottom line for manufacturers.”

Regardless of the actual price paid for a new helmet, motorcycle owners who are highly satisfied with their helmet also say they believe they received a great value. Overall, 57 percent of highly satisfied helmet owners rate the value for the price they paid as “outstanding,” while only 4 percent of those with low satisfaction indicate the same.

“In addition, satisfaction levels tend to rise as the price of the helmet increases,” said Markusic. “Quite simply, motorcycle helmets appear to be a product where you truly get what you pay for, in terms of comfort and fit.”

The study measures overall satisfaction of motorcyclists with their new helmet in three key factors: ventilation, face shield, and design and styling. These three factors are comprised of 11 attributes: quietness; ventilation/air flow; de-fogging performance; face shield ability to keep wind out; face shield ability to resist scratching; ease of replacing face shield; scratch resistance of shell; color/graphic design; weight; ease of fastening the strap; and fit and comfort.

Arai ranks highest in customer satisfaction for a 12th consecutive year with a score of 836 and performs particularly well across nearly all measures. Shoei follows in the rankings with 827, while Icon ranks third with 826.

Overall industry satisfaction averages 784 in 2010, up 18 points from 2009—the highest level since the study’s inception in 1999. This improvement in satisfaction is driven mainly by increases in satisfaction with ventilation/air flow; fit and comfort; color/graphic design; and scratch resistance of shell. Harley-Davidson has improved considerably, up 25 points from 2009, because of increases in satisfaction with ventilation/air flow; fit and comfort; and color/graphic design. Despite ranking below the industry average, Bell and Fulmer also improved notably—up 55 points and 39 points, respectively, from 2009.

The 2010 U.S. Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study is based on responses from more than 4,800 purchasers of new 2009 model-year motorcycles who provided information about their most recent helmet purchase experience and helmet use. The study was fielded August through October 2009.

About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction.  The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually.  For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a global information and education company providing knowledge, insights and analysis in the financial, education and business information sectors through leading brands including Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, Platts, and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2009 were $5.95 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/. 

Scoot # 56 off to printers

Just closed the next issue which features:
Scooter Art Issue returns!
Reviews: La Vita, Stella 4T, MadAss
Reader's Rides: The Green Dragon from Put up Shut Up Buildoff
Articles: How to Tie-Down Your Scooter, GoGo Girl Gear preview
and more!

We expect to have it in stock within 2 weeks and in mailboxes & stores in mid-June.

Scooter on Quilt

Seen in Land of Nod catalog.




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Scoot! Magazine "Scoot-In Movie"

We're hosting a movie night at the Scoot! Magazine headquarters:

When: Saturday, May 22 at 7:30pm
Where: Scoot! Magazine Headquarters,  1902 Lafayette St. #H, Santa Clara, CA 95050
What: Scoot-In Movie, like a drive-in but ride your scooter
Which film: Time Bandits

If you are in the Silicon Valley area, come join us for a fun night under the stars.

Scooter Racing in New Jersey

I just heard about this new venue for scooter racing. From what I have heard New Jersey Mini Gran Prix has been around for a while, but the organizers are looking to increase scooters in their ranks. Races are held at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, NJ. The following race days will accommodate scooters:

• May 30   Oakland Valley Race Park, Cuddebackville, NY
• June 6     NJ Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ
• June 28   NJ Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ
• July 25    Oakland Valley Race Park, Cuddebackville, NY
• Aug 9      NJ Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ
• Aug 22    Oakland Valley Race Park, Cuddebackville, NY
• Oct 10     NJ Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ
• Oct 24     NJ Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

 For more info, check out the website.

SYM-USA Drops Prices

Just got a brief email announcing that SYM-USA has dropped their prices. Now's the time to buy that HD you have been longing for.
Most everything is 2010 models.
 Citycom 300i:             was $5,498 now $4,699
 RV250:                       was $4,988 now $4,499
 SYMBA:                     was $2,598 now $2,399
 HD200:                       was $3,799 now $3,399
 HD125:                       was $3,298 now $2,698      (great buy)
 Fiddle II125:               was $2,598 now $2,298
 MIO:                            was $2,268 now $1,969
 Fiddle II 50:                was $1,998 now $1,798

Happy International Female Ride Day!

Did you know that the first Friday in May is International Female Ride Day? If not, don't be ashamed. Its a relatively new event created in 2007 for Canadian riders by Motoress, a website encouraging women to ride. The event has gained momentum each year, especially with the introduction of the United States and some European countries. Now with social media platforms exploding the group has used Facebook to spread the word.

The goal of the event is simple: "Just Ride."  So ladies, On Your Bike!

NSR: 24-hours of James Brown on KFJC

College radio station KFJC in Los Altos, CA is doing a 24-hour James Brown marathon:

Monday Mayhem 3 to Tuesday Mayhem 4 Midnight to Midnight
Doing it to Death
KFJC's 3rd annual birthday tribute to James Brown. A Massive showcase of the legacy of James Brown's music and influence on popular culture. Rare, unreleased and live material. Musician profiles & interviews, featuring an address by "History of Funk" author and professor, Ricky Vincent.

You can listen to it on the web.

Moped on the streets of San Francisco

This cute moped has a goofy face on the headlight.

Classico Moto Italia, again

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More Classico Moto Italia photos

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Classico Moto Italia

Some snaps from the rally via Hipstamatic iPhone app.







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