Twist & Gone this weekend: Nashville, IN

Did I ever mention that I find slow races boring? Tolerable if it is done in one winner-take-all heat, but repeated heats of people riding slow, especially on modern scooters, is boring. I've been to rallies where everyone sat around and cheered or an hour while people rode in a slow line over, and over, and over. Yawn! I was plugging for mini drag races for Amerivespa 2009, but no one was buying it. Sure, drags can be dangerous, but they should only be attempted by people who are properly attired, have scooter skills (real skills) and do it in a controlled environment.

So I was thrilled to hear that some Indianapolis-area scooterists were arranging their own drag races called Twist & Gone. These races take place this weekend on May 1st at the Brown County Dragway in Nashvlle, Indiana. 

Scoot! is a sponsor of the rally. Unfortunately, we can't attend. Josh is currently in Korea for a wedding and I am trying to close out the current issue. I am eager to hear how it goes.

Read an article on it in the Brown County Democrat.


Here are the categories:

Class 1
4 Stroke Scooters
1a. 72cc Pro. Displacement must not be more than 72cc, no power adders.
1b. 100cc Unlimited. Displacement must not be more than 100cc.
1c. 170cc Pro. Displacement must not be more than 170cc, no power adders.
1d. 235 Unlimited. Displacement must not be more than 235cc.
1e. 250cc + Unlimited Maxiscooter.
Class 2
2 Stroke Scooters
2a. 99cc Pro. Displacement must not be more than 99cc, no power adders.
2b. 100cc + Pro. Displacement of 100cc or more, no power adders.
2c. 2 Stroke Unlimited, scooters only.
Class 3
Sprinter
3a. Unlimited Sprinter. 2 or 4 stroke scooter engines only please.
Class 4
Exhibition (Free with paid registration)
4a. King of the Hill. Any scooter that can pass tech can enter. All race entries get free admission to this class. If you plan on running Class 4 only the registration fee still applies.
The winner of this class gets the BIG trophy!

The event is sponsored by NASRA the North American Scooter Racing Association. If you are in the Midwest & want to race, check them out.

Blog entry soundtrack: "I Never Came" by Queens of the Stone Age

No Reason to Stay Home this Weekend

I remember when scooter rallies were few and far in between. Scooterists would be lucky if there were one or two rallies each year within trucking distance. Now that there are so many scooterists the US, and many more rallies, there is hardly an excuse to stay home on the weekend (unless you are working on your scoot!)

This weekend is one of those jam-packed scootering weekends. Here are some events that you may consider:

Classico Moto Italia
San Jose, CA
Vespa Club Los Gatos puts on their famous scooter rally. What is this # 17? Who knows, but if you remember the first one, you are old.  This is a typical rally in the old style. Expect an award showwith choice bikes and a long ride on Sunday.

Pittsburgh Vintage Scooter Club City Rally 10
Pittsburgh, PA

The club's 10th anniversary rally; pulling out all the stops. Saturday night has a gig with ska band The Pietasters.

May Day 2010
Eugene, OR

Oregon clubs really know how to put on a shindig. Top Dead Center is no exception. Their May Day rally is all the typical things you would expect from a rally, but like you would have done it when you were in your 20's and weren't worried about getting up for work on Monday, the corns on your feet and an upside-down mortgage---ya know, fun!

Blog entry soundtrack: "World Leader Pretend" by R.E.M.

Scooters in New Film "Exit Through the Gift Shop"

Just saw the new street art documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop which was an interesting and funny film about the world of street art, more specifically about the way that street art can be co-opted by society and transformed by money. There are a few shots of street artists using scooters to transport themselves in France and England. One shot even has the infamous and blurred-face Banksy holding a helmet. Perhaps he's a scooterist?
Here's a preview:

GoGo Girls Fashion Show

Arriving at First Kick/ SF Moto for fashion show.



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More Scootouring photos

Forgot to add these... Checkout the custom dog tags they made for the event!

Snapshots from Scootouring

Just a few pictures that I took at Scootouring. What a blast! Read more about it in the next issue of Scoot!.

Scootouring Saturday 2

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Scootouring Saturday

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Got nothing to do on 4/17...Why not make history?

From our friends at Scooter Therapy:

When: Saturday, April 17th, 2010
When: 1-2pm
Where: Scooter Therapy. 12 N. Few Street, Madison

We are organizing an event to get into the Guinness Book of World Records! The current record for longest parade of mopeds is 674 riders. UW Madison can easily beat this number as we have the highest mopeds per capita in the world! We are going to blow them away in magnitude and length (two aspects). We plan to start at Scooter Therapy, Inc, 12 N Few Street. After everyone gets a number to pin on their shirt back, we proceed East on East Johnson Street to First, right on First to East Washington. There we pull into the Fiore Shopping Center parking lot, regroup, then proceed West on East Washington towards the Capitol for the filming. After passing the film people, we will head back to Scooter Therapy for the bike show results, and hopefully give away a new Genuine Roughhouse moped to a lucky participant. Our sponsors will be at the event along with media coverage and approval from Guinness Book of World Records.

Randy Knudson of Scooter Therapy has confirmed that if the UW Madison students break the world record, there will be a raffle for a FREE NEW MOPED from Scooter Therapy. You have take part in the record breaking ride in order to be eligible for the raffle.

Invite EVERYBODY you know to this event and make it HUGE!

Costumes and decorations are encouraged.
If you need any information please feel free to call (800) 411-1543 from 9-6 m-f and 10-3 on Saturday.
We would like to get started numbering and such early, so there is no big rush toward start time. This is a first time attempt for us to try this, and we do not really know what kind of turnout will happen. But rain or shine it goes on. There will be eight classes for the People's Choice Bike Awards. Eight Trophies, Best of Show, most miles Traveled, Duct Tape and Zip Tie special, Most Radical, And more. Lots of giveaway items.

Scooter Therapy Inc. and the Genuine Scooter Company hope you can attend and have a great time helping us secure the World Record!

Check it out on Facebook

Where will Scoot! be next weekend? SCOOTOURING

Fingers are crossed that next weekend is blue skies and warm temperatures, for I just got out my camping gear for the Burgundy Topz' Scootouring camping rally.

 The Topz are one club that knows how to do it right and if you are in the Sacramento area (or within driving distance like we are) then get thee to the rally! I'm so excited, I just bought a new hat for the occasion!

WKRP on TV

From what I have heard this year's WKRP was not to be missed. Did I hear chatter of 400 scooters in attendance? The local news did a spot on the rally which you can see below. Scoot! pal Bob Hollis was even given some screen time.

Ugly glass scooters

Seen in a shop window in San Francisco. Probably expensive, but luckily I am not that addicted to scooter collectables.











There should be a discount for the lammy with the bent legshields & headset.

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Brainwash your daughters

Either you try to turn her into a scooterist, or you turn her into a Barbie fan... this tote bag does both.







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Wine shop scooter sign

Found in San Francisco. Cute!




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Sneak Peek: Issue #56 reviews La Vita

Check out the new La Vita next to a VBB. Review in issue # 56 of Scoot! Magazine.

Fuel-Injected Vespas Announced

Press Release from Piaggio/Vespa USA:

NEW YORK, April 1, 2010 – Italian manufacturer Piaggio, recognized for ground-breaking technology and legendary style, has equipped its 2011 Vespa S 150, LX 150 and LXV 150 models with new 150cc electronic fuel-injected engines that are even more miserly at the gas pump than the previous generation.  Consuming 15 percent less fuel than its predecessor, the new powerplant wrings up to 85 miles out of each gallon of gas, all the while delivering an endless supply of fun and riding thrills.  In addition, the new engine design also provides stronger, smoother acceleration in stop-and-go traffic, an especially important performance trait for metro commuters.

Green Isn’t a Trend – It’s a Commitment
While fuel price peaks and valleys have introduced thousands of consumers to the benefits of scooter ownership, choosing to swap some driving miles for riding miles isn’t just a trend when gas costs spike.  For environmentally conscious consumers, it’s a lifelong commitment.  The addition of the new 150cc injected engine family within the popular mid-range category adds even more reasons for consumers devoted to reducing fuel consumption, carbon emissions and congestion to make the switch to two wheels.

The electronic fuel injection system on the new 150cc injected engine ensures the air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber is optimized at all times and allows the single cylinder unit to pick up more smoothly and progressively from lower engine speeds.  As a result, riders enjoy strong and smooth power delivery, especially in the relentless stop-start conditions of urban riding.  The benefits of the new engines can also be appreciated on longer journeys where extended stretches of roadway come into play.  And, owners who want a fast getaway will notice improved cold-starts, thanks to fuel injection.

Strong, clean and well-mannered at any speed, the 150cc i.e. equipped Vespa models are capable of zooming up to 60 mph. The unique, steel unibody Vespa frame provides greater rigidity and a more stable ride, while the superior trailing link suspension is designed to better handle potholes and other hazardous conditions. The front-disc braking system allows riders to safely make sudden stops on a dime, which is great for cities where traffic rules the road.

 “Vespas are one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to contribute toward a cleaner, greener transportation landscape, and our new fuel-injected 150cc engine range makes it even simpler,” said Paolo Timoni, CEO of Piaggio USA. “Mid-scooters like the Vespa S 150 i.e., LX 150 i.e. and LXV 150 i.e. are tailor-made for confident urban commuting, and a 15 percent increase in fuel-efficiency is yet another great reason to add a scooter  to your garage this Spring.”
Vespa has been and continues to be synonymous with fuel-efficiency and performance in North America and Europe. The new 150cc i.e. family upgrades the most popular models into a powerful league of their own, without compromising the long list of premium features.  The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for Vespa 150 i.e. models starts at $4,399 for the 2011 Vespa S 150 i.e. For more information, visit www.vespausa.com.

Scoot! Issue #55 April 2010 En Route

Dealers should be receiving their copies of Scoot! this week, with bookstores and subscribers not far behind. The new issues features:

• Project Ruckus: Part 2
• How to lift a scooter safely
• Scoot! City: New Orleans
• Reviews: KYMCO Like 50 & Yamaha Vino Classic 50
• NASRA Preview
• Rally Reviews, Reader's Rides, Scooter Collector and more!

If you are a subscriber who does not receive your issue by April 16th, let us know.

"Crazy" teacher Embarks on Scooter Journey

 Photo by Andy Burriss

I was amused by this article from the South Carolina Herald Online that revealed the plans of a high school teacher who is about to embark on a 600-mile ride to raise money for  the St. Jude's Children's Hospital. I found it funny on several levels; that a 600-mile ride would be classified at "crazy," that he has arrange for 2 automobile escorts; that he is undertaking this trip with minimal scootering experience (well, that may be unwise), and that the ride is called "Moped to Memphis" when he is on a scooter.

Regardless, its a fun story and I wish him well in raising funds for a good cause. A happy and safe journey to him!

La Vita is in the house

We just received a La Vita to test. Cool!




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Scoot Cop in Union Square

I know why I snapped this photo of a NYPD cop sitting on a scooter in the middle of Union Square. It looked as if they were about to shoot a video & he was waiting around.
But one lady who walked by stopped to snap a bunch of pictures and giggled a bit. Ah the plight of a scooter cop.




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First scooter of the trip

Seen at W 27 & 5th ave.



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Spring Rides + Specials at Rockridge Two Wheels

An enthusiastic entreaty to get riding from Rockridge Two Wheels in California.

Vespa Walnut Creek and Rockridge Two Wheels Present
Riding Season 2010 is Here At Last!
Jeeze it's been a long wet winter, now the sun is out and we're ready to ride!

This year we are going to try things a little different. We are going to hold our shop rides on the first Saturday every month and alternate between stores. That way people can plan ahead and we can see more of our Oakland/Berkeley friends!

Starting Saturday April 3rd at 11 am we will hold our first ride of 2010 at Vespa Walnut Creek! May 1st at 11 AM will be our first ride originating from Rockridge Two Wheels!

The June 5th ride will be a combination of both shops meeting up and taking a long and beautiful ride down to Sunol and beyond if ya like! You don't wanna miss that one, it's a fantastic ride! More info later.

The events calendar on the website will be updated frequently, and we strongly suggest joining our Facebook pages to get current updates on ride information, routes, weather, and whatever. There is talk of doing a few informal Sunday rides too and they will announced on our Facebook pages only. If you're not sure what Facebook is, or not a member, you can always ring the shop in WC for updates.

Rides are based on the capabilities of the 150cc engine, smaller engines may struggle on the hills and faster portions of the rides. Suggestions for routes or events are always appreciated, just drop us an email or post on Facebook.

And as always...ALL SCOOTERS WELCOME!!

For the month of April our Service Department will be offering 50% off a new set of tires and a FREE Spring Spruce Up for your scoot!

Spring Spruce Up includes:

• battery check and charge
• brake check
• carburetor adjustment (scooters only)
• safety inspection

Going to New York

I'll be in Manhattan all next week. Hope to meet up with some NYC scooterists for a drink. Will try to update the blog as much as possible. 

Cheers!

At Stella event at SF Scooter Centre

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While I was in Vegas...

I really was working, really! I sold subscriptions and shirts and answered questions and stuff. I also got away from the Scoot! booth long enough to actually talk scooter with scooter people. One of whom was the very nice and generous-with-his time Hank Norush who took the Build-Off credo to heart with his amazing custom Vespa. He took some time from his windy, Saturday and shared how his bike came together.

Sorry for the wind noise, but it became quite blustery out there just as some rain drops began to fall...

Wonder Con 2010: Peter S. Beagle

Just got the Comic Con magazine that promotes Wonder Con and saw that Peter S. Beagle will be at the show. His books, The Last Unicorn
, and A Fine and Private Place are mainstays with fantasy readers, but it is I See By My Outfit
which details his journey across the US on a Heinkel in 1963 that interested me most.

I met Mr. Beagle a few years ago at one of the last Mile High Mayhems, where he was signing his book. I then ran into him at Comic Con last year. If you like scooter road trip stories, pick it up. And if you are in San Fransisco over Easter weekend, look him up a Wonder Con.

Grab

Posteritati Cult Film Poster Sale

If your scooter memorabilia collection includes film posters, then listen up because NYC's Posteritati is having a "Cult Film" poster sale. Get 20% off when you use the code CULT at checkout. It's a sweet deal that might bring this highly desirable scene card from Roman Holiday to your home:

At $175 it is out of my budget, but for $140,I am feeling a bit more interested. Sale goes through the month of March, but get them now before all the scooter posters are gone! Check out all of their scooter-related posters here (although not all of them may be included in the sale)

Cannonball Run Reg is Open

Scooter Cannonball Registration is now open. If you are considering entering to do the ride, got to the website and look over the registration requirements. Deadline is July 31st.

New Strawberry Shortcake Scooter Toy

You may recall that Hasbro put out a Strawberry Shortcake scooter a while ago. They have revisited the theme with a new Delivery Scooter which has a three-wheel scooter with a trailer and a bunch of sweets that Strawberry Shortcake can sell.

Get it at Target for $16.99

Cool New Barbies

If you collect the large die-cast Vespa scooter models, you might want a cute doll to dress it up. I once made a whole music video using 11-inch dolls (Barbie sized) on scooters. Fun!

Mattel has come out with some great new Barbie dolls that would go great on one of those scooters. I fell in love with their new Italy Barbie, but passed it up at $29.99 at Toys R Us.

I was thinking it would be a great way to recreate the cover of Scoot! Issue # 28 which had a girl on a Vespa 98:

If you collect 80's style scooters you might like the new 80's line of Barbies which rock out with Joan Jett (could this be the first openly gay Barbie doll? Yay!):

Cyndi Lauper:

And Debbie Harry:

 If you have a 50's style scooter toy that is crying out for a lovely lady, try the Hard Rock Barbie, which is a rockabilly gal with tattoos and a stand-up bass:

 Finally, if you want to go with an early '60s theme, try this Mad Men set. The men look way cooler than any Ken doll ever has:

If you have some cool doll/scooter toy combos, send me some pics!

Vespa Shopper tote

The savvy folks at Retro To Go posted about this Addias "Vespa Shopper."
According to the Addidas UK site (I couldn't locate it on the US version) the bag is:

features an allover print of infamous Italian scooters, with a Trefoil link on the back and a hanging zip pocket inside. Dimension - 39/31 x 42 x 7 cm

While Retro To Go isn't a scooter-centric site, they often feature scooter-related items. You should follow them, or visit their site often. 

New Scoot? Tax Deduction!

Our friends at the American Motorcycle Association sent out a press release to remind folks that some new motorcycle/scooter purchases in 2009 qualify for a tax deduction:


Don't forget to claim federal tax deduction if you bought a new on-highway motorcycle in 2009

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is reminding riders that they may be eligible for a federal tax deduction on their 2009 taxes if they bought a new motorcycle last year.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act -- a landmark $787 billion economic stimulus package that President Barack Obama signed into law in February 2009 -- provides a deduction for state and local sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase of qualified new vehicles from Feb. 17 through Dec. 31, 2009. Qualified new vehicles include street and dual-sport motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, cars, light trucks and motor homes.

"At first, Congress was not going to include motorcycles in this bill, but the AMA and the association's members, along with Harley-Davidson and others, persuaded our elected representatives to go back to the drawing board and fix that oversight," said AMA Vice President for Government Relations Ed Moreland. "Congress responded, and now motorcyclists who purchased a new bike last year can enjoy the same tax savings as those who opted for four-wheeled transportation."

Eligible vehicles must have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 8,500 pounds or less, and cost less than $49,500. Individuals can take the full deduction if they make less than $125,000, or $250,000 for joint filers. The deduction is phased out for taxpayers with income between $125,000 and $135,000 ($250,000 to $260,000 for a joint return). Individuals don't have to itemize to claim the deduction.

To illustrate the impact of the tax deduction, consider the case of a new motorcycle purchase of $10,500. For a 7.5 percent sales tax rate, the tax would be $787.50. The purchaser takes this deduction on the federal income tax form, reducing their taxable income by $787.50. Sales and excise taxes vary by state, so the actual savings will depend on the taxpayer's state and tax rate.

To read the Internal Revenue Service "Questions and Answers" about the deduction, go to IRS.gov or www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=211310,00.html.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.

Deadline for Scoot Art Issue Questionnaires

Today is the deadline to submit your completed questionnaire for our upcoming Scooter Art issue.

Deadlines:
Questionnaire: March 12th, 2010 [end of business]
Artwork: March 18th, 2010
Notification of inclusion: March 21st, 2010
Issue street date: May 15, 2010

If you are an artist that uses scooters in your art or as your canvas contact me to be included in our Scooter Art issue.

Squirrel on scooter...

Thanks to Sara for sharing this funny commercial:

Maisto Harley Topper Toy

Thanks to Jon for letting me know about this new scooter toy. It is a simplified Harley Topper. He found it at RiteAid for $5 but you can probably find it at hobby shops and toy stores, too. I'll check target this weekend.

Image from EDiecast.

[ammended]

Never heard of the Topper? You can read about it here:

Talbots Scarf Tying Deck

I bought a scarf at Talbots and got a cute packet of cards that gives multiple ways to tie a scarf. The card which details making a halter top (?!) has a gal on a scooter. Her doxie dog is jumping with a checkered flag. Cute but not advisable riding gear. Will post better pic.



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Final call for scooter artists!

 

Our last Scooter Art issue...

I'm closing on on the next Scooter Art issue in which we publish works from artists that use scooters as their muse, in their work or as their canvas. Paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, jewelry...whatcha got? If you are interested in contributing and seeing your work in Scoot!, contact me. Select "Interested in Contributing" on the form.

Scootin' Dog

This cute chihuahua took a break from raffle at High Rollers Weekend. His owners won a pair of saddlebags from Scoot! that were packed with all sorts of swag form multiple sponsors.



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