Scoot# 54 is en route

The first issue of 2010 (February) is available for order and en route to subscribers and retailers.We had a larger than expected order from our distributor, so this issue may sell out.

If you are a subscriber who has not received your issue by February 1st, let us know by using the CONTACT link above and selecting "Subscription/Order Inquiry."

Highlights of this issue include:

• Reviews: The SYM Citycom 300i & Yamaha Zuma 125
• Taiwan scootering
• Project Vespa Pt. 2
• Scooter racing in the Northwest
• Meet the folks behind S.I.P.
• Italian Scooter rallies
• Comic: The Unlovables
• Get ready for the Cannonball Run 2010!

Next issue, #55, will be available in April. Content deadline for that issue is January 19th, 2010.

EICMA: New Lambretta?

We've heard the "new Lambretta" story a million times, but look at this prototype revealed at Milan's EICMA show. I've had my heart broken several times before, but...is it too late to dream again?
Images from motoblog.it, thanks to Alex for sending the link!

Do Bats ♥ Motorscooters?

I have heard two different people remark that bats have followed them when riding their scooters. One was riding a two-stroke scooter in the hills of Italy at dusk. The other was riding a four-stroke modern bike around a parking lot in California at dusk. Coincidence?

Bats have a fine-tuned sense of hearing, but does the loud engine of a scooter attract them? Do the enjoy huffing scoot exhaust? have polled several bat experts, but without specifics such as what species the bats were, many of them cannot give me a definitive answer.

Have you ever encountered bats when you scoot? What do you think they are attracted to?

George Clooney on Scooter

From TMZ.com

When in Italy...

Win a Trip to Italy or a Vespa

Pasta Pomodoro is an Italian restaurant chain in California and Arizona. They have photos of Vespas in their locations and use images of scooters on their menus and to-go bags. They are currently holding a contest where winners can win either a trip to Milan, a Vespa or a 10-person dinner.

You must be a legal resident of California, over 18 years old and enter by April 30th. So get to it! Follow the link above or go into one of their locations and enter.

Beautiful Italian Scooter Lamps

These lamps surely bring a leap to the heart of Vintage scooter enthusiasts. Made in Italy by Maurizio Lamponi Leopardi, they bring together some of the iconic elements of Vespas and Lambrettas and refashion them into useful household items. I know quite a few people who would have a pleasant heart attack (if that were possible)upon finding one under the Christmas tree. No word as of yet on how much one of these would set you back, but with the sad state of the US Dollar versus the Euro, we're already down at the starting gate. I'll keep you posted in what I find out.

See Europe by Scooter

European automobile rental service Auto Europe has begun renting Vespa LX125s in Rome, Florance, Venice and Milan, and Yamaha Majesty 125s in Paris, Marseilles, Nice and Cannes. I don't know much about French drivers, but from what I've heard about Italian traffic, the company should also sell health and accident insurance policies. :) Although it does sound like a blast to join the Italians on Italian scooters in Italy. Ah, when in Rome...
Check out Auto Europe's scooter specials.

Also in the news, the Fine Living Channel has included the Italy by Vespa tour on their Great Adventure series. They took a tour that explored Siena and stayed in all sorts of posh places. A week tour costs over $3,000 per person but is supposed to be luxurious and well executed. They say participants can even keep the helmets they used during the trip.
Check out Fine Living's page on the show. or go straight to the Italy by Vespa website.