Antonio Banderas on Scooter

What's up with the Daily Mail? I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by the catty nature of the b*tchy British press, but they are clearly being jerks by badmouthing Antonio Banderas for riding a scooter at a MotoGP event in Spain.

AP image

He's actually riding a MotoGP licensed scooter made by Yamaha. There are pit bikes in car racing and motorcycle racing for when racers or crew want to get around the pits quickly but at low speeds. It's quite typical, all the big racers do it and it doesn't diminish their manliness in the least. What is also typical is the British press' interest in disparaging people when it is unwarranted.  

Ride on, Antonio!

Sunday Scooter Testing

The Scoot! team will be out testing some 125cc scooter head-to-head today for our next issue. On deck will be he KYMO Agility, Genuine Buddy,  Lance Cali Classic, Yamaha C3, and a Yamaha Vino. We might have another late entry. These head-to-head comparisons are a little time consuming, but fun to do and give the readers and apples-to-apples look at the stats.

I'll post some photos after we're done.
Doh! Mistake, I blew it when I was listing the scooters that were for the specific test for sunday. The 125cc test did not include the C3. I wish they had a 125cc version! We do have a loaner C3 from Yamaha, but it is for another article. I can't keep our test bikes straight.  

Blog entry soundtrack: "Love Cats" by The Cure

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)

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.

Sneak Peek: Issue #52 ships next week!

Here is a sneak peek at the next issue of Scoot! which should be shipping out from the printers on Monday. In this issue we have:

• Scooter reviews: SYM Symba, Yamaha TMAX, Honda Elite 110
• Scootin' in Maui
• On the Road with punk rock scooterists: Rise Against
• Polini Cup Scooter Racing
• Reader's Rides
• Product Reviews
• Amerivespa 2009 report
• Rally in Puerto Rico

Subscribers should have their issues by the 3rd week of October. Shops and bookstores should have their issues by the first week of October.

I'm already working on the December issue! If you have any suggestions on topics we should cover, let me know.

Consumer Reports Scooter Testing Results

A while ago I posted about Consumer Reports starting testing on motorscooters. The results of that testing appears in this month's issue, on sale today. I haven't seen it yet, but according to a press release issued this week:

Consumer Reports tested a total of eight fuel sipping, small-displacement models: three 50cc scooters, three scooters in the 125cc to 150cc range, and two 250cc entry-level motorcycles, all priced between about $1,000 to $4,400 and delivering as much as 60 to 100 mpg fuel economy, at a steady cruise. Among the scooters, models from Italy’s Vespa and Taiwan’s Kymco achieved the highest overall ratings, with the Vespa LX 50 leading the 50cc category, and the Vespa LX 150 and Kymco People 150 sharing best overall ratings in the bigger engine class. Among the motorcycles, the Kawasaki Ninja 250, an entry-level sports bike, achieved a higher score than the Honda Rebel.

With their 35 to 40 mph top speed, 50cc scooters may suffice for short trips in suburban and city riding. Of the three models tested, the Vespa LX 50’s smooth four-stroke engine, good ergonomics, controlled ride quality, and solid fit and finish made it the favorite choice, but it is very slow. Testers found that “you get what you pay for,” with the inexpensive $995 Motorino Allegra getting the worst marks for vibration, harsh ride, and subpar fit.

In the 125cc to 150 cc category, the tested models’ top speed range of 55 mph to 57 mph made them much better suited for keeping up with traffic but still not recommended for freeway or interstate use. The 150cc Kymco People and Vespa LX both proved well-rounded, easy-to-ride machines, with responsive handling and easy maneuverability. With its big 16-inch wheels, the Kymco offered superior stability and off-the-line acceleration while the Vespa excelled in ride quality, roominess, under-seat storage, and build quality. The third model tested, the Yamaha Vino 125 could not match the other two models’ ride experience. While offering the lowest price point at $2,899, the Yamaha’s harsh ride and sluggish engine detracted from its cost benefit.

This will be a great shot in the arm for scooters as Consumer Reports has over 7 million readers.

Yamaha Safety Recalls: Morphous + Majesty

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a recall notice for Yamaha Majesty and Morphous scooters from 2006-2007. Supposedly:

the engine could stall and be difficult to restart because the wire terminals in the fuel pump wire coupler have corroded. Water can enter from the main wire harness end and run through the harness to the fuel pump coupler.

If the water remains in the coupler for an extended period of time, the terminals can become corroded, which can prevent the fuel pump from operating properly. If this corrosion affects fuel pump operation while the scooter is being ridden there could be a crash resulting in injury or death.

Dealers will be able to install a fix and replace any corroded parts of the harness after May 1st. If you own one of these scooters, contact Yamaha at 1-800-962-7926.

Scoot! # 44 February 2008 Now Available!

Well, actually it has been available for a few weeks, but I have slacked on posting about it, which is silly since I am so excited about this issue. We've got some great content in the issue:
* Scoot Free Skate Hard: Three professional skaters who are household names in the skateboarding industry spoke with me about their appreciation for scooter. The cover shot was taken by Dan Bergeron who went toSkatelab in Simi Valley and got this shot of a grom pulling a sweet maneuver over Todd Huber's Vespa Rally. Todd is partial owner of Skatelab and also a member of the Westside scooter club.

*Cool contests: Readers can enter to win a cool skateboarding prize pack donated by Geoff Rowley and Flip Skateboards. Other Readers can win one of 10 calendars from ScootRS.

* Scooter Reviews: We ride the Vectrix, Yamaha Majesty and Genuine Rattler

* I Married a Scooterist: ladies and gents, the duly betrothed...get some hints from Josh's wife Katie on how to incorporate scooters into your ceremony.

* Ask Hot Rod Al: takes on performance mods in baby steps for vintage Vespas and Lambrettas.

The issue is available now, but hasn't been updated on the website. You can get it at your local scooter shop, bookstore. Subscribers should have it by now, or the end of February, depending upon if your postal carrier reads your magazines first.

NYPD Goes Electric

An Associated Press story about NYPD police testing Vectrix scooters is blanketing the Web. Lots of press outlets are picking up the story because it shows that the US's most high-profile city is taking economic and environmentally-friendly transportation seriously. The NYPD has a track record of working with scooters. Some may recall their fleet of Lambrettas in the waaay back. As the article points out, they department has over 400 gas-powered scooters right now. So kudos to them for looking to be environmentally conscious while still incorporating scooters. Read the story in the Boston Globe.

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.