Sunday Picnic

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Bad photo of a small portion of the parking lot.

Late nite-- post Amerivespa partay

Scooter Haus 2:14 AM
Josh snoring in a plastic chair after a long day at Saratoga Springs.

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Alex Azam from the Burgundy Topz and Eric Dutra from VCOA chat during a break in the gymkahana. Dig Alex's cool outfit.

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Bikes entered into the concourse at Saratoga Springs.

Snoopy Scooty

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Scooter Daddy's custom shirt with Snoopy & Woodstock scootin' around. Scooter Daddy also gave me some cool ornaments, one of which is Santa on a Lambretta! Thanks, Waid!

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Stop #3: Moon Zoom

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One small corner of this 2-story vintage shop in San Jose.

Shopping Ride

First stop-- Campbell!




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S.I.P photo bloggin' @ Amerivespa

Check out what some crazy German scooter-tuning nuts (I say that affectionately!)experience at Amerivespa at the S.I.P. blog.

Excited to finally meet Ralf & crew in person.

Upstairs @ Agenda

Xian & Jen


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Amerivespa Thursday Night

Extreme ride over Mount Hamilton was said to be a fun success. Lots of folks for first night. Sitting @ Agenda Lounge listening to Bang a 60's revival band with 3 lady singers.





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AMA Boost Roadside Assistance

PRESS RELEASE

American Motorcyclist Association announces expansion of free AMA Roadside Assistance program

Three-year membership requires no automatic renewal

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Members of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) have a new way to qualify for free roadside assistance for their motorcycles, cars, trucks, motorhomes and trailers. Effective immediately, all members who purchase a new three-year AMA membership will be enrolled in AMA Roadside Assistance at no additional cost.

Unchanged is the $39 annual fee that AMA members currently pay to belong to the world's largest member-based motorcyclists' rights organization. New three-year members are not required to annually auto-renew to receive free AMA Roadside Assistance.

"Whether members participate in our auto-renewal program, or if they sign up for a three-year membership, the result is the same: cost savings for the AMA," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "As a member-supported organization, we are happy to pass those savings back to our members in the form of one of the most significant member benefits we've offered in our 85-year history: free AMA Roadside Assistance."

This expanded benefit follows the AMA's introduction in February of free AMA Roadside Assistance for all members who enroll in the AMA's auto-renewal program. Whether riding on two wheels, driving on four, or hauling a trailer, AMA members can take the road less traveled with peace of mind, thanks to AMA Roadside Assistance,

Benefits include coverage for bikes, cars, pickups, motorhomes and trailers registered to the member, the member's spouse and dependent children under the age of 24, living at home or away at college; towing up to 35 miles; flat-tire assistance; coverage in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Canada; emergency fuel delivery; up to five dispatched service calls per year; and toll-free assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from two national call centers.

In addition, all dispatch and hook-up fees are included, and AMA Roadside Assistance does not require members to seek reimbursement. The program pays first.

AMA Roadside Assistance is just one of more than two dozen benefits that members receive when they join the AMA. Discounts are provided from companies such as Garmin, BikeBandit.com, EagleRider Motorcycle Rentals, XENA Security, Ezy-Lift, RoadLok, Char-Broil, MAD Maps and many more. In addition, members support the world's leading motorcyclists' rights advocacy organization, receive the monthly journal of the AMA, American Motorcyclist, and are eligible to sign up for participation in AMA Racing amateur competition.

For more information about the benefits of AMA membership, call the AMA Member Services Center at (800) AMA-JOIN or visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Amerivespa Starts TODAY

I'll be remote blogging and Twittering from the events. Thanks, iPhone!
OH... I'll also be riding my '78 Vespa P200. Can't be social networking the whole time. Keep checking back for updates and photos.

Washed, polished & recharged...

Came home from work to wash my trusty P200. Put something called "Ice" on it but the rattle can't be made to look like multi-stage pro paint. Changed the spark plug. Better to start out fresh. Battery is charging as Jon said that my lights looked dim.

Next... properly inflate tires and locate my reg + insurance. Where did I put those...?

With 600 or so scooters running around, I had better be on my best behavior and have all my papers in order.

Camping at Amerivespa- try these 2 treats

When camping you need marshmallows. I'm not a fan of S'mores as they have the wrong ratio of marshmallow: chocolate: graham cracker. So check out these two versions:

Marshmallow & Grasshoppers: Take a toasty marshmallow and plop it on a Keebler grasshopper cookie which is a chocolate wafer covered in mint chocolate. Exquisite! Impress your friends!

Local TV show View from the Bay just posted video of The Melting Pot's S'mores Fondue, which I think looks especially tasty. A scrumptious blend of marshmallow, chocolate, graham crumbs and Bacardi. Now that sounds like scooter camping!

See you all @ Amerivespa!

LA Times: Motos in Movies

L.A. Times motorcycle reporter Susan Carpenter recently posted a story about motorcycles and scooters appearing in films. It's no accident that we see actors riding macho motorcycles or quaint scooters. A person's transportation says a lot about them, and those non-verbal cues are also exploited in films. What did it convey when The Terminator rode a Harley wearing a tough leather jacket? What do filmmakers want the audience to know about a character when he or she rides a scooter?

Let's forget about Roman Holiday for a moment as I think the science of product placement wasn't quite dialed in. And Quadrophenia is totally another ballgame...

Here are some notable films with characters riding scooters.


Saved: Patrick Fugit is the son of a Christian school principal who not only rides a skateboard, but he also has messy hair and drives a Vespa. His scooter adds another layer to his outcast nature, and gives him a cool ride to give Jenna Malone a lift. The filmmakers obviously wanted him to be both cool and on the outside.

American Pie:
Finch, the friend in he film's group who had more refined taste, and was a 40-year-old in a teenage body rode a scooter. Of course, he stalled it in front of his friends to their amusement. He's a quirky character who seems out of place and from another time, thus he pursues his friend's mother. I liked Finch best! Can you believe that it has been 10 years since this film debuted?



Vampires Anonymous:
A small indie film, but with the benefit of Michael Madsen (rahr!). The film's protagonist, Vic, is a vampire trying to go clean. He enters a AA-style rehab plan where Madsen is his sponsor who teaches him how to feat on sheep instead of humans. He is sent to a small town to lay low. His sponsors tell him to blend in and not look conspicuous. Instead he shows up to his new backwater country town in a slim cut suit on a mod-style Vespa. Of course he stands out and his charm and uniqueness get him The Girl, but those qualities also make him the target of local ridicule from town jocks. In this film, the scooter was chosen to make the character standout from his rural surroundings and give him an outsider appeal. A fun independent film.

I could go on, but let's hear about your favorite scooter-riding film characters.


Blog entry soundtrack: "I Like the Rose" by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Can't Strip My Lambretta in the Kitchen...

I saw this video from The Animal Jack Band (who are Scoot! MySpace friends). Reminds me of when Jon refurbished my VBB in my dining room. My landlord came in to check something one day and I had to explain that it was all new & there was not gas or oil in it. Somehow, she didn't kick me out.

I can't strip my Lambretta down in the kitchen 'ska' blues from curious ostrich on Vimeo.

Free to good home: Vespa for 12 months

I thought I had posted this already, but realized that it languished in my draft folder. Well, better late than never!

Piaggio Group Americas Announces Industry-First Risk-Free 12-Month Test Ride

NEW YORK, June 1, 2009 – Piaggio Group Americas, Inc., the importer of Vespa, Piaggio, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi scooters and motorcycles, has an offer that you just can’t refuse. If you’ve been tempted to join America’s rapidly growing scooter community but your plans have been on idle because you’re not sure whether you were born to ride, the time to discover your inner scooteristi is right now. Effective today, Piaggio invites consumers on a risk-free 12 Month Test Ride, an industry-first program that offers qualified buyers the opportunity to experience all the fun, savings and environmental benefits of select Piaggio, Aprilia and Vespa scooters without a long-term commitment. The 12 Month Test Ride offer includes the option to return the scooter to participating dealers after 365 days of ownership if the buyer decides that the two-wheel lifestyle just isn’t right for them after all.

The Piaggio scooters included in the 12 Month Test Ride are the Piaggio FLY 50, Piaggio FLY 150, Piaggio BV Tourer 250 and the Piaggio MP3 250. You can also choose from the Vespa S 50, Vespa LX 150, Vespa GTS 300 Super or the Aprilia Sportcity 50, Aprilia Sportcity 125, Aprilia Scarabeo 100 and Aprilia Scarabeo 200.

"It’s our mission to remove any roadblocks keeping even more Americans from discovering just how much money and time they can save, and how much fun they can have, by adding two wheels to their garage,” said Paolo Timoni, President and CEO, Piaggio Group Americas. “The economic, environmental and lifestyle benefits of scooters are proven on a daily basis in major markets around the globe, and we think this hassle-free introduction to scooter ownership is a risk-free way for U.S. consumers to take a trial membership in our American scooter nation.”

Timoni believes that newcomers to the scooter lifestyle will quickly be convinced to make two wheels a permanent addition to their personal transportation fleets. Existing scooter owners already know that life on two wheels delivers fun and thrills. Practical benefits such as an average 70 mpg fuel economy and an average ownership and operating cost savings of $6,000 per year provide even more incentive to ride. With the majority of American households still owning two, three or more vehicles, swapping just one set of four wheels for two is an immediate solution to rev up personal savings while throttling back on foreign oil dependence, urban congestion
and carbon dioxide emissions.

The 12 Month Test Ride is open to buyers who qualify for a 36-month closed-end finance term, exclusively offered through Piaggio Group America’s partner Sheffield Financial. To take advantage of the offer, the purchase
must be completed by July 31, 2009. The risk-free return guarantee requires the completion of 12 scheduled loan payments and excludes upfront license, vehicle preparation, freight and tax fees as well as a 10% down payment based on the vehicle’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

For more details about the 12 Month Test Your Ride, please visit
www.PiaggioUSA.com

Blog entry soundtrack: "Careful" by Hot Chip Those limeys rock! :-)

Twitterers @ Amerivespa...

If you are at Amerivespa, don't forget to use the #amerivespa tag!

Follow me @scootmagapril

Amerivespa 2009- Ths Weekend!

I can barely believe that Amerivespa 2009 happens this week. It's in Scoot!'s backyard-- the Silicon Valley. Last weekend the heat was unbearable, but this coming weekend is supposed to be pleasant. Yes!

Scoot! has helped secure donations for the raffle (including several brand new scooters!) and both Josh and I are leading rides. Mike and his crew from SF are throwing the Friday night shindig and Scoot! is hosting a scooter movie show after the Saturday night banquet.

I'll be leading a Shopping Ride with my housemate, Lori. If you are interested in hitting some unique vintage shops and gift boutiques come along! You can see some of the stops here:

View Amerivespa Shopping Ride in a larger map

Josh is leading a ride to Alice's Restaurant, a popular destination for two-wheel riders in this area.

We'll have a booth at both the Friday and Saturday vendor events. If you are here come by to say hello!

Vera Wang: If You Have $$ to Blow

I know that Vera Wang is a hot, in-demand designer, but whenever I see her name on something I automatically think that the product will be needlessly overpriced. We can argue about high-style wedding dresses, but let's agree that these snazzy Vera Wang "Hurry Over" notecards available at Barnes & Noble are a little pricey. At $27 for 10 cards, the recipients of these cards will be cherished friends, or loved ones.

I'm sure she is a probably a nice lady, but really, quit trying to rob me, Vera Wang!

Blog Entry Soundtrack: "Shine a Light" by Wolf Parade

Progressive Getting Serious About Scooter Biz

Progressive Insurance is making a play for the scooter insurance business by working directly with Genuine Scooters and KYMCO. Progressive has created in-store marketing materials that dealers can share with customers including an FAQ, sample quotes and a dedicated website where consumers can get a quote. Buyers will also be able to call for quotes directly from the dealer showroom.

It's a smart move. Aligning themselves with two of the most popular scooter distributors in the US and making contact where scooterists buy their bikes gives Progressive an edge. Many new scooterists have no idea that they can/should insure their scooters, nor do they know which companies provide scooter insurance.

The Genuine site features "Flo" (Progressive's kooky spokesperson) on a Buddy. While KYMCO keeps it motorcycle-centric with their portal.

Spotted in Bloomingdales...

A confidential informer spotted this cool scooter shirt in Bloomies. No other info such as price, but maybe some enterprising scooteristi out there will want to do some recon work and report back.

Your anonymity will be ensured!

My two loves: Vespa + Mac

I was browsing Amazon looking for info on Laika (I've been thinking about that dog since I saw the moped seat...) and stumbled upon this book.

I'm not a Mac programmer, but I dig that they used a scooter on the cover.

If you want to Mac-nerd out, then get it a Amazon:


Blog Entry Soundtrack: "Rip it Up" by Little Richard

George Clooney on Scooter

From TMZ.com

When in Italy...

Scoot! Issue # 50 shipped

Issue #50 is en route to subscribers, stores and scooter shops. Retailers should expect to receive their copies by June 8th with subscribers receiving their copies soon after.

If you have already received it, leave a comment of where you are located so we can get an idea of how fast they get around the country.

This issue is our 50th, and this golden "issue-versary" features:

* San Francisco Scooter Centre owner Barry Gwin's rare Lambretta D racer
* Kung-Fu master and scooter fan Alan Dollar shares his pedal scooter toys
* 150cc Shoot-Out: we test 5 popular scooter models
* Retrovespa: take a spin on a new old Vespa
* Scads of product reviews
* Lots of rally reports
* and of course 50 Reasons to Scoot!

Blog entry soundtrack: "Even in the Quietest Moments" by Supertramp

Laika Custom Moped Seat

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Reminder--Ride to Work Day 6-15

Recently, I posted about Ride to Work day. Well, it is almost upon us, so check out the release just issued by RTW:


Motorcycle and scooter riders' 18th annual commuting day is this coming Monday, June 15th. Participation is estimated to triple the number of riders on the road. Motorcycle and scooter groups and organizations actively encourage riders to commute by cycle on this day.

Two wheeled commuters of all ages, and from all walks of life seek employer support for this form of transportation and increased public and government awareness of the positive value of riding.

More motorcycles and scooters in the mix of vehicles makes urban parking easier and traffic flow better, according to Ride to Work, a non-profit advocacy organization. Studies have also shown that across the same distances, the average cycle or scooter rider will reach their destinations in less time than automobile drivers. Many motorcycles and scooters also consume less resources per mile than automobiles.

"Riding to work on this day is fun and shows the positive value of motorcycling. For many people, riding is a socially responsible form of mobility that saves energy, helps the environment and provides a broad range of other public benefits," stated Andy Goldfine, this year's event organizer.

Contact Ride to Work Day, a 501 c4 nonprofit organization, at:
POB 1072, Proctor, Minnesota, 55810 USA

UPDATE: I messed up and put 8/15 but it is really June 15. I goofed!

Found on Flickr: Don Eduardo's Fascinating Photos

I found these images on Flikr of scooters in the midst of life in India. Great look at the everyday life of the Indian scooter. So different from USA scootering, but we all share the love of the two-wheels...

Scooter Rosa Rally Coverage

Revolution Moto in Santa Rosa, CA threw their 3rd Scooter Rosa rally which provides scooterist with great rides in gorgeous Northern California wine country, but also raises money for the local Big Brother and Big Sisters. The rally was covered in The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat. The article also has a companion video.

Peak SC Rally Gets Ink

Peak Scooter Club in Colorado just had their annual rally, which was covered in the Colorado Springs Gazette. It was the tenth incarnation of the rally. Congrats, Peak SC!

Flea Market Finds

DeAnza Flea Market, Cupertino.



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Scooter sidecar dining

Came across this story by John Foley about a scooter food cart in the Examiner:

It was developed in Sonoma, California. Wine country. And the ingenuity that pops out of the cork laden region is exceptional. It could be the constant sampling of wine and bubbly that spurns such magnificent invention, or it could be the idle time that so many winemakers have to think in the late afternoon.

But for Terry Grimm and his partner, Nick Grimm, the cart is a product of their own invention. The duo operates Sorento Imports in a beautifully remodeled service station in downtown Sonoma.

The cart, pictured here comes with a customized sidecar that can be filled with gelato or other refrigerated products. The family Grimm is also in development on a Panini Scooter and possibly a Crepe Scooter- the French would eat this up.

A great publicity vehicle, perfect for sampling menu items, or delivering lunches or dinners, the scooter is listing out for around $10.000.00. A reasonable amount for a cart that can not only promote your business but possibly produce a profit.

A good portion of the cost must be the vintage scooter and sidecar. I never thought of using a sidecar as a food service option. Mostly, one thinks of a three wheel Ape or Lambro, but you can probably go faster on the Vespa with a sidecar.

Scoot! Rides the Honda SH150i

Scoot! staff members Mike and Josh went to Santa Cruz, CA to get a ride on the new Honda SH150i. Check out this video where the guys (and our friend Christine) hare their thoughts on this new scooter. Look for a full review in Scoot! issue # 51 late this summer.

Vespa in new Sacha Baron Cohen film

Cohen's new film, Bruno has him playing another foreign goofball. The trailer shows him tearing off on a scooter with an adopted African baby on a Vespa. This film is sure to shock, offend and amuse.

Brennon's Lammy Museum

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Stickers @ Maido

Transport stickers with scooters in several colors. $4.10.


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What can we learn from Alexa Glatch?

While scanning the news I cam upon a totally unrelated New York Times article that mentioned that US tennis player "[Alexa] Glatch, a 6-footer from Newport Beach, Calif., might have caused trouble at a Grand Slam earlier had she not broken her right wrist and left elbow in 2005 when she crashed her motor scooter while being chased by a dog."

Does anyone recall how to deal with a pesky dog that wants to chase your scooter?

1) kick it with your foot if it get's near (if you are on a manual scoot use your non-braking foot)
2) honk your horn, yell and stand on the floorbards to make yourself appear bigger
3) gun it (especially if it is a 50cc model) as soon as you see the animal begin to chase
4) Approach the animal slowly, then speed up.

Ah, too easy! You know it is #4. Why not 1-3?
1) Although you shouldn't kick an animal at all, you don't want to let it get close enough to touch (i.e. bite you) and kicking throws off your balance
2) Are you kidding?
3) If you gun it when the animal begins to give chase, it will accelerate along with you and likely catch you. Your increasing speed will only bait it.
4) If you approach slowly, the animal will relax and approach you slower. Or, it may even slow down in order to match you. Once it sets a slow pace, you can accelerate and go around.

Whatever you do, don't panic. You are smarter than the dog and your ankle-high motorcycle boots can handle a little roughing up.

You are wearing the proper protective shoes, right?

Well, that's for next time!

Things I learned from Google Analytics

Some quick stats on this blog:

Top visiting countries:
USA
UK
Germany
Indonesia
Canada
Singapore
Australia
Italy
France
Thailand

54% of visitors use Firefox (the largest %)
80% of visitors use Windows OS ('cmon Mac folks...I don't bite!)

I'd love to learn more about optimizing my blog to make it easier for folks to find and more enjoyable once they get here. It's on my very long, and super-human "to do" list.

International Women and Motorcycling Conference

The fifth American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) International Women & Motorcycling Conference takes place August 19-22, 2009, in Keystone, Colorado.

According to an email that I received from the PR agency for the event:

The AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference focuses on educating, encouraging, inspiring and mentoring women in the lifestyle and sport of motorcycling. Participants come from all corners of the world, including Australia and Japan, and all walks of life. There are singles, couples, mother and daughter riding partners and grandmothers; professions include ad agency owners, lawyers, factory workers and journalists. The conference is well timed. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, women now account for 12.6 percent of all motorcycle and scooter riders, a 29 percent increase since 2003.

As the number of women motorcyclists has risen, so has conference attendance: the AMA anticipates that the number of riders participating will double this year to over 2200. In addition to a wide range of daily workshops, conference attendees will have the opportunity to demo new bikes, shop for the latest gadgets and gear at the vendor marketplace, and enjoy numerous after-hours social activities at the idyllic Keystone Resort, which is nestled among the majestic Rocky Mountains.

I had considered going to the previous year's conference which was in Georgia, but a schedule conflict made it not possible. I've got it on my calendar and hope to attend, depending upon the magazine's schedule.

To get an idea of what sessions will be held, check the conference schedule.

No Doubt tour merchandise

The band No Doubt may not be the rocksteady neo-ska band that they used to be, but they still remember their roots with nods to that past. I read on the Nucleus Gallery website that artist Kevin Dart has created a tour poster that was inspired by the ND song, Spiderweb, and has a 60's theme. You'll see a scooter in the lower right side. According to the blog, a poster and totebag (I want that!)will be available.

Arai takes JD Power Survey Again

The J.D. Power helmet satisfaction survey is available for 2009. Press release below.
+++++

Helmet Owners Increasingly Likely to Purchase Online

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 26 May 2009 — Arai ranks highest in satisfying motorcycle helmet owners for an 11th consecutive year, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction StudySM released today.

The study measures the overall satisfaction of motorcyclists with their new helmet in three key factors: ventilation, face shield, and design and styling; which consist of 11 attributes: quietness; ventilation/air flow; de-fogging; 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.

With a score of 830 on a 1,000-point scale, Arai ranks highest and performs particularly well in the ventilation and design and styling factors. Shoei follows with a score of 815 and performs well in face shield. Icon ranks third overall with a score of 806.

“Arai continues to improve in the areas critical to customer satisfaction, which has further differentiated it from other manufacturers,” said Tim Fox, research manager of the powersports practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “Arai’s focus on fit and comfort—the most important consideration when purchasing a motorcycle helmet—and its ability to cater to different types of riders have given the manufacturer a consistent edge in satisfying customers.”

Overall satisfaction with motorcycle helmets has increased to an average of 766 in 2009—up 5 points from 2008—the highest level since the study’s inception in 1999.

The study finds that while the percentage of helmet owners who conducted research online before buying has remained relatively steady from 2008 at 36 percent, the proportion of helmet owners who purchased their helmet online has increased—up to 17 percent in 2009 from 14 percent in 2008. Additionally, those who purchased more expensive helmets ($200 or more) are more likely to both research and purchase their helmet online. More than one-half of these helmet owners researched online prior to their purchase, and 22 percent of them made their purchase online.

The 2009 Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study is based on responses from more than 4,600 purchasers of new 2008 model-year motorcycles who provided information about their most recent helmet purchase experience and helmet use. The study was fielded in September and October 2008.

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 leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

Cheap Scooters...too good to be true?

The Scoot! staff has reminded readers over and over again to not be fooled by inexpensive scooters that can be found on the Internet, in auto parts stores or sold through retail chains not authorized to sell motor vehicles.

Here is a story about a Oregon woman who bought a $600 scooter from a liquidation service and discovered that the stated 90-day warranty would not be honored.

To be clear, I believe that if a company advertises a warranty, they should stand by it. A retailer should not be selling products that it is not authorized to sell, and it should be aware of how the manufacturer will service those warranty clams.

But it remains to be said that Americans are so blinded by the prospect of a "deal" that they will throw out all logic and common sense. We are so focused on buying things cheaply that we have no regard for quality manufacture, fair wages or fair mark-up that allows business to stay afloat.

I frequently receive calls from neophytes looking to get into scootering merely because of the cost savings (real or imagined). They are so easy to suspend disbelief in hopes of saving money that they are willing to make really dumb choices. One man called me looking for a restored vintage scooter and said he wanted my opinion on ordering from Asia. I asked why he didn't look closer to home since he lived near a major city on the East Coast. He said they were too expensive. YET he was willing to send thousands of dollars to a company in Asia that he had never heard of, and had no way of verifying. I asked him what he was going to do if it arrived damaged, or was a piece of crap. He had no idea, as he hadn't considered that option. He was probably too busy imagining himself riding down the street (with no helmet and in shorts, a t-shirt and flip-flops, no less) basking with pride over his savvy shopping skills.

I then asked him if he would buy a 50 year old car from an unknown restoration company in a foreign country, and have it arrive at his doorstep in a box that he would have to unpack himself. His answer, "Well, I guess not."

Obviously, the woman in Oregon was only thinking about her savings. What do you think the actual cost of manufacture is for a scooter that sells for $600. Does the manufacturer put $300 into making it? How much is a worker paid to assemble a $600 scooter? If you buy the scooter from a liquidator, where will you get tires or a replacement turn signal lens? If I went to Costco and saw some new no-name brand SUVs or minivans in the parking lot selling for $5,000 I would assume that they were crap. And I would wonder what government agency allows a mass market retailer to sell automobiles. The situation should have set-off buzzers and whistles well before she made the purchase.

Am I the only person who feels that America has shot itself in the foot (and the neck) by being a country of self-centered cheapskates?

This past week I saw a news story about a local Chrysler dealership that was auctioning off their remaining inventory before closing at the end of the month. None of the cars sold because those who showed up thought that the reductions weren't good enough. The news reported that one man offered $4,000 for a brand new SUV. Now, anyone with a brain can see the faulty logic and predatory nature in that man's offer. First, Chrysler would not allow the dealer to sell that cheaply. It would make it doubly hard for the remaining dealers to sell cars at regular price if word got out that someone bought the SUV for such a pittance. In addition, the dealer probably paid much more that $4,000 for the SUV.

Do you think the man who made that offer cared anything about the dealership, the people it employed, the plant that made the car and those who worked there? No, he was just a selfish person who wanted to take advantage of the misfortunes of the car dealership,and the local folks that worked there.

People wonder how our country has lost its way, and why manufacturing jobs are disappearing. Maybe the answer is right in our hearts and pocketbooks.

Blog entry soundtrack: "The Gates of Istanbul" Loreena McKennitt

Maine Scooterists Profiled

Maine newspaper, The Sun Journal recently profiled some local scooterists who have formed a club called, Idle Threats. If you are a vintage scooter enthusiast, you know well the story of some regular guys with an obsession; the lengths they go to so fuel that obsession and the friendship that arises from it.

It may be a familiar story, but I never tired of hearing it.

There is also a photo gallery by Amber Waterman which is fun to view.

Spotted on Flikr...

This carousel has a scooter as one of the rides. Not too keen on the paint scheme, but I think it will ring the bells of little girls.
-from oerendhard1's photostream

Fred Perry Limited Edition Vespa

Fred Perry is celebrating its 100th year with a blowout campaign that includes a limited edition Vespa LXV 150. The run is limited to 100 scooters for sale in the UK, USA, Japan and France starting in August. Th stock LXV sells for about $5,200. I haven't inquired about the Fred Perry price, but I can imagine it is much higher. The only changes seem to be the decorative striping and the Fred Perry laurels. If you are a Fred Perry fan who must have one of these scooters, contact Fred Perry Customer Service

The company is also releasing several commemorative products such as polos, sweaters and shoes with a "100" logo on them. Check out the festivities at Fred Perry- 100 Years.

Scooterist to be featured on A&E's "Tattoo Highway"

A&E juts launched a new reality TV show called Tattoo Highway where a tattoo crew crossed the country in a bus giving nearly 100 tattoos in just over a month. It turns out that one of the recipients was Tucson scooterist Bald John who heads Go-Go-Rilla scooters, and got his club logo tattooed on his back. It is a really awesome tatt which must have taken a lot of commitment to pursue. The Arizona Star carried a brief article on the tattoo.

Scoot! Photog in the News---NOT

Daniel Bergeron is an amazing photographer who has contributed to Scoot! several times in the past, most recently for our Carlos Alazraqui cover.

Now he is generating interest with some renegade art that combines his love of scooters with urban art.
Checkout this article in Trendhunter.

Also check out Daniel's other photographic work.

UPDATE: I sent a congrats email to Daniel and he had to break the news to me that he is not *THAT* Daniel Bergeron. There is another, and he is a photographer, and he uses scooters. So, disregard the info above. But still go ahead and go to *our* Daniel's site as he is still pretty awesome.

New Ride-On Scooter Toy for Kids

I saw this posted on a design blog and searched for it in the US to no avail. These kind of things make me want to order a child like Brangelina did. I can keep him in my room on a trundle and dress him in all the scooter clothes that I have purchased over the years...

I digress.

Manufacturer Moulin Roty is a French company and the blogs that I found were based in Australia, neither of which is close to the USA.

Since I don't have any kids and I doubt that Lori's cats could be taught to ride on these rather than claw them, I'll let my parental readers go out and try to track this delectable little scoot down.

Vespa/Wine Promo

For all of those folks who write a Letter to the Editor to complain to me about the mention of alcohol in Scoot! rally reports, here's something that should get you off my case for a while.

According to some press releases and articles on 'da web, Kris Wine is offering Vespa S50s as prizes in an upcoming contest. Personally, I don't care that they are combining wine and a scooter. I'm not dumb enough to think that it implies that I should drink-n-drive, but I do find it funny that the scooter has crazy wavy lines under it. If you drank a whole bottle of wine, you might ride that path unknowingly. :)

The other funny thing about the campaign is that this story calls the S50 "the fastest on the road." Never mind every other scooter that has a bigger-than-50cc engine.

Well, enough of making fun of the Kris Wine promotion. Keep an eye out for entry forms at you local wine seller (except in CA, TN, UT, Puerto Rico). Contest goes through August.

Vespa T-Shirt: The Cute Lepers

Not sure who the Cute Lepers are or what their music sounds like (I bet it is infectious! HA!) but they have a cool t-shirt with a scooter on it.

They also sell a "scooter club" patch.



Blog entry soundtrack: "The Killing Moon" by Echo & the Bunnymen

Glass Repair Vespa

GlasWeld, a Bend, Oregon company has just announced their Glass Repair Vespa (GRV) which professionals can use for mobile glass repair. The company has created a contained system that fits in the scooter's underseat storage compartment. A scooter wrap is available for branding & advertising.

The press release does not indicate which model is used, although the video shows an "S" model. More info to come as I have requested an interview, but the press release is below:

Glass repair services marketed and mobilized with new “GRV” while reducing fuel consumption and environmental impact

We have finalized our design for "Glass Repair Vespa (GRV)," a transportation solution for auto glass repair professionals. The GRV integrates the power of GlasWeld’s G3fusion Auto Glass Repair System and fuses it with economical, environmentally friendly transportation and increased brand visibility.

“We chose Vespa for our new GRV because of its reliability, longevity and commitment to environmental excellence,” said Mike Boyle, president of GlasWeld. “Because there are Vespa dealers all over the world, our customers can easily get needed parts and service.”

Vespa’s existing trunk has been customized into an integrated storage compartment for the G3fusion System. We've also designed a customized vehicle wrap that will showcase your brand, capabilities and contact information. High visibility combined with ease of use and low consumption will help save on hard costs like fuel, while raising brand awareness and increasing the scope of your service areas.

By using the eco-friendly GRV instead of an average car, fuel consumption can be reduced by approximately 58 percent and carbon dioxide emissions by close to 80%. By using the GRV, businesses can reduce oil consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, traffic congestion and take steps toward meeting sustainability goals.

“In the current marketplace, there is an untapped opportunity for glass service providers to connect with potential customers,” Boyle said. “We believe that the GRV helps to fill this gap, while leaving a light carbon footprint.”

Scooter Collector:

Wow! This is one cool scooter toy! I am not sure if I have $118 to spare for this cool Japanese vinyl toy. At a little over 5 inches it strikes me as a bit rich. Ah, California Lottery, why have you forsaken me?!?

Sorry for the big images, but I wanted you to see the details. Click on the images to see them on their own.

If you feel like plunking down some of your hard-earned cash on this soon-to-be-released Japanese vinyl toy, pre-order at Hobby or at Kid Nemo.

Sweet seat!

Monday Funny: Auto Air Freshener Costume

While fact-checking an upcoming article I found my way to the Little Trees website where I found this costume. Order now before the Halloween rush!

It also comes in Baby Size!

Vinyl Wall Decal

I found this online, but haven't ordered it so I am not sure as to how easy it is to install or how durable it is. The company is based in North Carolina and offers the decals in a range of colors, which leads me to believe that it may be made to order. Check it at www.dalidecals.com

The decal measures 22 x 30" and costs $40. It wouldn't work in my house, but it might be a nice addition to the Scoot! Magazine office.

Blog entry soundtrack: "Sea Lion Woman" by Feist

LML Reuntied with Geared Scooters

LML gave up the geared scooters for motorcycles saying that the Indian market had changed, but it looks like they have realized the error of their ways. Interesting that the scooter market has grown and motorcycles proved less lucrative.

From the Economic Times:

NEW DELHI: The beleaguered two wheeler company LML has launched its second geared scooter in the domestic market, on the back of a revival of
demand in domestic scooter market. LML has introduced a 4-stroke version of its NV brand of scooters in select market of Delhi and Ghaziabad.

Available in two variants, LML claims the 150 cc scooter delivers a fuel efficiency of 55 km/litre. It is available at an ex-showroom price of Rs 39,897 for the base version and Rs 40,800 for the deluxe variant in Delhi.

Kanpur-based LML re-entered the domestic market with its Vespa brand of geared scooters in April 2007 after an 18-month hiatus when it had to stop production due to fund crunch and labour problems.

LML currently has a limited presence in the domestic market and sells 1,500 units of its two-stroke scooter under the Vespa brand in Delhi, parts of Punjab and Haryana, every month. Operating under the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR), it is looking to expand its market to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Assam.

Bulk of its total production of 5,000 units per month are exported to Italy, UK, France, Nigeria, Sudan, Japan, Australia, South Korea and Egypt, under the Stella brand. LML has an installed capacity of 300,000 scooters and 240,000 motorcycles. The company has totally stopped motorcycle production.

The scooter market grew 9% to 11.45 lakh units last fiscal outperforming the two wheeler market which posted a marginally lower growth of 2.6% in the same period.

Ride to Work: Monday June 15

This year, international Ride to Work Day happens on Monday, June 15th. If you have never ridden your scooter to work, then this is the perfect time to join other who will be doing so. Since my workplace is about 50 miles away. I'll be riding to the train station instead of driving.

There are some ways that you can make Ride to Work day more fun, memorable and visible in the minds of your community:

* Host a Ride to Work stop: Just like Bike to Work day promoters do, sponsor a stop where motorcyclist/scooterists can stop by for some coffee or a snack. This is a great way for scooter shops and clubs to meet new riders, hand out materials, an create a media-friendly event to report.

* Meet up with riders for breakfast, lunch or dinner: If you know other participants nearby, why not meet earlier for breakfast at a local diner, or coordinate a lunch or after-work get together. Share your riding experiences and enjoy other riders' company.

You can also download fliers and handouts to giveaway from the official Ride to Work site.

If you Ride to Work for the first (or millionth) time, send me a photo from the day.

Blog entry soundtrack: "Up All Night" by Booomtown Rats

I love this flyer!

Spotted on Flikr from bagilla2000.

Also check out his other works:


and

Vespa paintings

Seen on SOHO. By Billy Russomano
Billyrussomano.com.



-- Post From My iPhone

N. 6 st. in Brooklyn

Abandoned scooter or just a rat bike with an owner who just doesn't care...



-- Post From My iPhone


UPDATE: Upon further inspection, this bike was really roached! The sparkplug wire was missing a cap, the tip of the plug was broken off. The crashbars were barely clinging to it as someone unsuccessfully tried to remove them. There was graffiti on the seat and it was covered in grime and rust. Almost made us want to take it home like a abandoned puppy, but you can't fit a P200 in carry-on luggage.

Prince St @ Lafayette

NYC



-- Post From My iPhone

News from ScootRS

Just got this email from Randall at ScootRS. Disc brake fans, rejoice!

In major Lambretta news, ScootRS have released their very nice high-pressure
die cast inboard disc brake. Every piece - apart from bearings and seals -
is made inhouse at ScootRS and it is the only one in the world made like the
Innocenti original (others are rough sand cast versions), except it comes
with a better vented disc. In white or silver.
£160/$239 (Individual parts are available too.)

A tidy hydraulic caliper to go with it, which requires no back plate
modification, is £46/$69.

On a related note, ScootRS are now including for free with all their Vespa
and Lambretta hydraulic disc brake kits a nice braided stainless steel hose,
a great upgrade. (Also available separately.) At the same time, the latest
version of their popular Lambretta hydraulic disc brake kit is nicely
restyled at both the caliper plate and the thottle support.

New machine-stamped Lambretta SX200 and LIS/TV panels are available at a
reasonable price now as well!
£46.95/$69.95

Finally, ScootRS have continued their series of high-end seat covers made
just like original, but half the price of Italian repros. The seat covers
feature thick rubber backing in joined sections, foam inserts, stainless
rivets, matching straps (dual seats only) and original style rear badges.
Unlike Italian repros, they also include a padded foam insert to keep you
comfy. Recent additions include:

Vespa GS150 VS5 dual seat cover
Vespa GS150 VS1-4 dual seat cover
£46/$69 (Also available in leather.)

Lambretta flag dual seat cover
Lambretta striped dual seat cover
Lambretta centre stripe dual seat cover
Lambretta sport dual seat cover
£39/$59 (Some also available in leather.)

For more info, go to ScootRS

Stella in NYC

Caught from my cab en route to Indian Food.


-- Post From My iPhone

In New York this week

Tonight I will arrive in New York for some meetings, so I'll be out of town for the rest of the week. Not sure if I will hook up with any scooterists as they may all be recovering from their rally this past weekend, which I am sorry to have missed.

I'll be mobile blogging and Twittering (@scootmagapril)from my iPhone so check back from some East Coast scooter possts.

Polini Cup this Weekend

I am pleased to say that scooter racing in the USA is not dead, it just took a nap and is now awakening. This weekend is the second weekend of the PoliniUSA Cup!

In addition to scooters, the races feature mopeds, gopeds, pocket bikes and carts.
Scoot! is sponsoring a rider in the scooter class, who took to top spot in last month's races. Go, Scott!

Our good friend Tony Simoni (who is known for his Chicken Wing exhausts and scooter tuning) has tuned and is racing a moped.

Find out more and watch past races and live action at PoliniTalkUSA