New Product Alert: Lockstraps

I am testing these out for the next issue, but I think they are cool thus far. Why hasn't someone made these before? Well, now that they are out, I'm sure there will be plenty of copycats (hear that Chinese factories?). The company claims that this is "the only tie-down currently on the market with a full-length steel security cord and combination locks."  Best of luck to them with their cool idea. Check out the demo on this bicycle.




Full review in issue # 38.

Blog Entry Soundtrack: Breaking The Girl (Album Version) [Explicit] by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Amazon's new motorcycle shop...and an update

Apologies for my absence from blogging. I got back from Vegas and them promptly developed a terrible cold that involved two days of fever, lots of coughing and me laying in bed while my housemates had a party at our house. When I miss a party, you know I must be sick!

So, I'm back and ready to tackle more scootin' news. One example is Amazon.com's new Motorcycle and ATV store. Looks like the identified another place where they weren't stomping the competition. Most of the products are sold by other vendors, so let's hope that these retailers are getting the benefit of Amazon's name while still maintaining their own business. As with all Internet purchases, do your homework. I prefer to buy locally, but some local retailers just don't carry the items that I need.

Blog Entry Soundtrack: "This Town Isn't Big Enough for Both of Us" by Sparks

New Vespa Branded Bags

Vespa Shopping has released some new airline-styled retro bags. Now that the Euro has gone down a bit, perhaps you can part with 30 of 'em for one of these cool carriers? Bg specs: Eco-leather bag with upper zipper and frontal pocket. Adjustable and detachable shoulder strap. Size: 26 cm x 33 cm x 9 cm

Sale Alert: PBTeen Speaker Messenger Bag

While rally season may be winding down, there's no reason why you can't start planning for next year. Pottery Barn's Teen store has their Quilted Speaker Messenger Bag on sale for a cheap $14.99. It comes in gray or pink. Add your iPod and 2 AA batteries and you've got a portable boom box. A fun way to menace cars as you sit at a stop light playing "Baby Got Back", "Immigrant Song" or "Pum-Pum". And when you get to your destination, you can enjoy some tunes, too. Get it now for x-mas and pay less than $7 for personalization.





Blog entry soundtrack: "Belly of a Whale" by Burning Sensations

Global Rights to Lambretta Bikes?

In my opinion, the Lambretta name isn't what it used to be. I suppose that is an understatement as you can get all sorts of tacky products from deodorant and body spray to clothing, watches and sunglasses. We have "Lambretta" scooters here in the US and apparently, there is now a global push on reviving the name as a scooter brand.

Check out this press release on Bike Biz which announces new "accessories" and a 26" wheel bike, by which I think that means bicycle. Hmmmmmh... I bet it will be exactly what Lambretta fans have been craving. :P

"Legendary Italian scooter brand Lambretta had been lying dormant for over 30 years until UK-based brand entrepreneurs Fine White Line Ltd secured the worldwide rights to the Lambretta brand."

So these are the people tanking this brand name!

I'm not sure who benefits from the use of the Lambretta name. From where I stand you either recognized the name and love the brand, thus new, cheap and totally divorced designs and products will ring false. OR you don't know the brand which seems to make the implied cache irrelevant. The only way to win is to find:
1) people that are so "brand-conscious" that they will take anything with the Lambretta name on it regardless of its relation to the actual appropriateness of the products or
2) people to "educate" about the brand's cache and relevance.

If ther are any UK readers out there, I'd love to hear your opinion on what you feel has beeen done with the Lambretta name. It seems that the license-holder will slap the name on anything. How does that go over in the UK? To me it feels like buying a "Gucci" bag on the streets of New York for $20. Empty.


Blog entry soundtrack: "I Used to Love Him" Lauryn Hill

etsy Scooter Girl Wallet

I like crafty,unique items, but I don't like sloppy homemade items. This wallet on etsy looks like the former, not the later, but who can say if I have never seen it in person..hint...hint...
I like the style of illustration and orange is the new black, ya know. It's from the tinymeat store, which has lots of other cool (even if they are not scooter-related) wallets.
Yo! Check it..

Scooter Belt Buckle on Etsy

I'm not the kinda girl who can wear a belt buckle, but if I were, and I had a pair of hose nifty hip-hugging pants from the sixties, I'd wear this belt with some red go-go boots.

Maybe not being a belt kinda gal isn't so bad...

I found it at the etsy exboyfriend store or $30. The buckle is resin, so I'm not sure it would hold up. This might be a "special occasion" buckle. You know, for rallies, bar/bat mitzvahs, school photo day, etc...

Scooter Accessories

Sometimes a nifty new scooter item an put me in a super mood. I just ordered the wallet shown above and can't wait for it to arrive. I hear about it from ScooterSwag but also found a larger version at
Secret Garden gifts.



and a cosmetic bag, too!


and a coin purse!

The products are made by Espe, a Canadian company.

If you want something that is more flashy, then consider the Betty Boop handbag. You may recall that a large, mid-priced figurine was for sale last year with Betty on a scooter. This is more affordable and practical, but not to my taste.


A wallet also exists...



I haven't seen these in stores, just online at Lune Blue, so I'm not sure if they are available in the USA. So when I say that I don't know where to get them, I really mean it. So, don't email me or post comments asking me where to get them. :)

One final item is another scooter wallet and it's one cool cat!
I found it for $16 at bella & lina. They have other cool things like knitted cupcakes. Check them out!

Now, if only I could find a bunch of cash to stash in those lovely wallets...