News from Piaggio Dealer Meeting...

The Vespa LXS in Action.

Piaggio USA just had their dealer meeting and here are some highlights:

The LXS is finally on its way. It will have an MSRP of $4,099, it will be available in black, white or red. Unfortunately, the US version will not have a "touring" seat rather than the unusual and cool solo seat on European models. Luckily, the solo seat will be an accessory option.

The MP3 will now be available in 400- and the 500cc version (which is a rebadged Gilera Fuoco 500). Preliminary pricing places them at $8,200 and $8,600, respectively. The most obvious difference between the 400 and the original 250 (besides the engine) is the reduced storage under the seat. The concession is that the 400 now gets an accessory plug. Our sources that test rode both bikes say, "the 400 is marginally faster off the line with just a tad more power towards the top of the throttle. The 500 is significantly faster and stronger."

As for Aprilia, they are releasing a Scarabeo 200. Its MSRP will be around $3,800 and it has an appealing, re-designed headset. Otherwise, the bike retains its unique Scarabeo shape. It is reportedly, "a really nice ride."

The more rugged, rear end of the MP3 (a rebadged Fuoco)

R. Nichols Scooter Shirt

You may recall the R. Nichols scooter stationery that I included in a past installment of the Scooter Collector. He makes cute little paper cut-out-style illustrations which have a few scooters in them. Now, he has a t-shirt that features one of those illustrations. It is obviously girlie-girl, but totally cute. I expect to see some of these out on the rally circuit! You can buy it for $20.

Browse his site out for stationery items such as this scooter card. Look under the "Teeny Tinies" and "Riviera' categories.

Vectrix Not Meeting Sales Goals?

According to a small bit of news by Thompson Financial Services carried on Forbes.com Vectrix sales aren't meeting forecasted expectations. The article cites "quality issues in MAXI scooter production ramp-up and reworking of previously shipped bikes."

Since I haven't gotten the chance to ride a Vectrix, yet...anyone out there have one and want to report any issues with the bikes? We're getting a loaner, soon, and I'm eager to give it a thorough examination. I'd love to see the bike live up to the hype.

Old Timey Flashback: The Doodlebug

You don't hear about Doodle Bugs much, nowadays. The bikes were produced in the late 40s. But, people still own them, and collect them, and restore them, as evidenced by a recent gathering of Doodle Bug enthusiasts in Iowa. The Fort Dodge Messenger carries an article about the event.

The Doodle Bug looks like the typical early American scooter with the thin handlebars and barely-there front end. In contrast, the popular Vespa and Lambrettas that most people are accustomed to seeing have a solid front leg shield with provides some stability and protection. (I know, the early Lammy A-F models and the U model Vespa were short on front end action, too....)But the Doodle Bug does have some style flourishes at the back end.

Interested in finding more? Check out Don Jackson's site (where the photo above is from) for information on replacement parts and restoration of the Doodle Bug.

Old versus New

I've been struggling with the idea of old versus new scooters all year. I love my vintage scooters, but enjoy riding some of the new bikes I test. I can see how much pleasurable it is to ride 100 miles on a speedy, fast and reliable twist-n-go, but I am very aware of how they lack the feel the smell and beauty of vintage scooters. Yes, I Do like the smell of scooter exhaust...

So, this article that appears in the Other Paper from Columbus, Ohio brings it to head. Like any good reporter that looks past the obvious and trite, Richard Ades cuts to the chase and finds the underlying wound that is tearing at the scooter community. How do we reconcile old and new scooters?

Well, I don't quite have the answer, but I want you folks to read the article and let me know how you feel about the whole situation. I'm going to mull it over in my mind for the next few days and post something about it this weekend.

It's very troubling.

New Issue Preview

Now that our October issue is at the printers, I can give you a sneak peek at the what is on deck:
80s Flashback: a snapshot of the 80s US scootering scene complete with lots of cool photos.
10th Anniversary, Pt. 2: we wrap up our anniversary coverage with a Then & Now section and a revisit to our cover scoooterist from issue #1.
80s music: Catch up with the English Beat and Untouchables
Ask Hot Rod Al: The debut of our new Q & A column on scooter performance!
50cc Shoot Out: we put a handful of small bikes to a big test
don't forget our rally reports, product reviews, and other regular features!

The issue is set to be in the stores on September 15, a little longer for subscribers.
The photo above is a peek at the cover photo shoot. You'll love the cover and centerfold that we have!

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.

New Gwen Stefani Video with Scooters

All-around likable performer, Gwen Stefani, had included some scooters in her new video, "Now That You Got It" which features Damian Marley. The Jamaican theme has Stefani and her crew racing around the island on scooters. It makes me think about the olden days when No Doubt was playing scooter rallies.

New International Vespa Lifestyle Store

Piaggio has launched an online shopping destination for the Vespa brand. Vespa Shopping is a one-stop shop for Vespa fans, offering the lifestyle items that one sees in boutiques. Clothing, accessories, die-cast models, Vespa Technica books, and crazy-cool stuff such as the clock that looks light a fenderlight and a thermometer that is shaped like a speedo.

Since this is an international site, the prices are in Euros, which puts US buyers at a disadvantage because of the poor exchange rate. Yet, the site gives a good starting point for collectors. I'd suggest looking at it for ideas and then contacting your local Vespa dealer to see if they can get you the item at a better price.

Scooter Ceramic Tile

This ceramic tile from Chicago-based Circa Ceramics has a real retro feel with its chartreuse, polka-dotted background and P-Series Vespa graphic. At $25 it is a little pricey to use to tile your bathroom, but makes for a nice trivet or a coffee cup coaster for your desk. A cool gift for yourself or for a friend.

Vectrix Electric Scooter Arrives in US

At Scoot!, we have been talking about the Vectrix electric scooter for a couple of years. It's great to finally see it come to fruition with its release this week.

For those who ride scooters for their environmental benefits and low operating costs, the Vectrix is right up their alley. Its NiMH battery pack is said to last up to 10 years with an annual mileage of 5,000. It also has an on board charger that can plug into standard 110/220V outlets and charge in two hours. The bike retails for $11,000 which means the it will take quite some time to offset the price of gas. But, with it's peppy acceleration (0-50 in 6.8 seconds) and a range of 40-60 miles per charge it may prove to be fun enough to put way more than the estimated 5K on it each year.

Scoot! co-publisher Mike Zorn got a chance to ride a Vectrix in Italy at the Milan show and was impressed. We look forward to giving it a thorough review in an upcoming issue.

Upcoming Vectrix events and appearances include:
July 28-29: Concours d’Elegance, Newport Mansions in Newport, R.I.
August 9: Vectrix Test Ride Event with British Motor Car Distributors LTD (BMC) in San Francisco.
August 11-12: Vectrix Test Ride Event with The Green Car Company in Seattle.
August 18: Vectrix Store Grand Opening in Newport, R.I.
August 25: 35th Annual Electric Car Rally & Show in Palo Alto, Calif.
September 28-29: AltWheels Alternative Transportation & Energy Festival in Boston

Scooterboys Terrorize Londoners

And Americans thought US scooter rally rides were annoying....



Dreaded scooter riders take over Selsdon

This article from icSouthLondon.co.uk is interesting in that I wonder how much of their complaints come from genuine Scooter Boy bad behavior and how much comes from misunderstanding.

"Only last week I was driving my car and they surrounded me, I was afraid of knocking one of them over. Then, one drove in front, took his hands off the bars and pulled down his trousers and showed me his bottom. I never knew how disturbed and shocked you can be by these gangs of scooter riders, I was very frightened by the whole experience."

If I was a motorist presented with a crowd of scooter boys, I'd let them pass and get on their way rather than stress myself out trying to drive along with them. As for a mooning from a goofy scooterist, I wouldn't be frightened, more grossed-out.

Maybe the Scooter Boys of Seldon should try a PR campaign to ease some of the resident's fears. Some basic education and some common courtesy ground rules could go a long way.

Motorscooters a "new menace"

Australia's Yahoo!Xtra is carrying a story about how Australian drivers consider motorscooter drivers to be a "new menace" on city streets. Australian insurance company AAMI reports that scooters have sold 20% higher this year than last and motorcycle sales have increased 36%. That likely means lots of new riders. According to the news story:

"The research also showed 78 per cent of NSW car drivers in the survey said they had seen motorcyclists breaking the law and taking unnecessary risks on the roads."

and we can guess where most of the problems occur:

"Quoting figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, AAMI said almost half of the 120,827 scooters and motorcycles registered in NSW last year are located in Sydney."

I'm inclined to believe the reports. I've been to some scooter rallies where newbie riders and their inability to keep a straight line, nonexistent turn signals and general lack of etiquette have almost ruined my rally experience.

We all know that in a car vs. scooter altercation, the scooter always comes out worse. So, how can Sydney work to create a more amicable balance between scooter riders and cars? Since I have never been to Australia, let alone ridden there I can speak definitively, but it is likely due to education. In the US, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's "Scooter School" is a good start. It is only offered in a few locations and doesn't qualify for insurance discounts, but it makes a difference in getting scooter riders in road-worthy shape.

Another point that I think helps in traffic is (and I know I'll hear arguments about this) allowing lane splitting. I think lane splitting enables motorcycles and scooters that ability to improve traffic flow by allowing them to get through traffic quicker. That being said, I only lane split when traffic is at a stop or 5mph or less. I think it is too dangerous at higher speeds, and it can actually cause problems for car drivers who get surprised by a motorcycle zooming past them. But, when done right, lane splitting can lets riders take advantage of space between cars that is not used and allows them to bypass traffic. I have no idea what Australia's rules are on lane splitting, but if it is allowed, and cars/scooter drivers are given education about how it works then traffic and compliance could improve.

What do you think?

Ride to Work Day

Did you ride to work today? I did. Although my 5-mile commute isn't an endurance test, it did rain today (in California?!?) but I managed to miss it. Not only is it more fun to ride to work, it is a great way to conserve fuel, reduce emissions and take up less space overall. I even did some grocery shopping and loaded up a big canvas tote bag with goodies from Whole Foods for the week ahead. The oil change indicator on the SYM I am using is about to tell me that an oil change is imminent. I also need to learn how to add coolant as I am not used to new-fangled things such as water-cooling, disc brakes and gas gauges on a scooter! :)

I enjoyed the ride so much that instead of calling my chiropractor for an appointment, I just dropped by to say hello. If I had been in a car, I probably would have just called him from my cell.

Well, I'm rabling about things that aren't that significant, so let me just say that I am glad I rode to work today and hope you did, too.

Amerivespa: Seattle Here We Come!

The Scoot! crew is on the move! Josh is now in Taiwan and will be touring the SYM factory this week. Tomorrow I leave for a meandering trip to Seattle with a stop in Portland.On Thursday, Mike leaves with a bunch of Scoot! stuff in tow.

If you're going to be in Seattle for Amerivespa, please stop by our booth and introduce yourself. All 3 of us will be there and we'll have Scoot! swag for sale. But mostly we want to meet scooterists and chat scooters. We're donating a Qlink scooter for the raffle. Maybe you'll win it!

Since we'll be in Seattle this week, the Scoot! office is closed. All phone calls will be returned next week and orders processed once we get back.

Not sure what Amerivespa is? Well, checkout theAmerivespa website.

S.I.P's New Video Podcasts

S.I.P is one of the largest mail order sources for modern and vintage Vespa parts. They are also in the middle of the big scooter tuning movement in Germany. I just got word from Ralf at S.I.P that they have launched two new video podcasts that you can get for free over iTunes. For Vintage Vespa fans, there is a Vespa podcast and for modern scooter fans a Scooter podcast.

Subscribe via iTunes to get updates. Check out S.I.P for cool products.

New MotoKitty Skirt

For some, the Vespa GS is the epitome of Vespa style and beauty. Now, MotoKitty of Portland, OR has designed a skirt that pays tribute to it. According to MotoKitty owner, Cari Carter, "It's a nice a-line style skirt, with a little bit of swing to it."
The 95% cotton, 5% spandex "GS Skirt" comes in sizes S-XXL (0-16) and sells at her shop for $28. Shipping is $5.
Get it at MotoKitty...

Rock Your Scooter Trips

When I saw Lifepop's cool audio accessory bags for iPod and other MP3 players the first thing I thought was, "Cool! Perfect for scooter picnics and events!" The next thing I thought was, "How do I get one?" That being said I think these bags would be great for weekend scooter jaunts when you want some tunes at your destination, but you don't have a built-in stereo. They have several models which are both baggage and stereos at the same time.

The Groovemaster ($75)is a messenger bag with speakers and an MP3 player interface. It runs on 4 AA batteries. The Rocksteady Gym Bag ($130) is a bit steeper but a funky retro Adidas cool and comes in some flashy colors, but the black is my favorite.


The ChillOut ($50)is a combo cooler/AM&FM radio with aux hookups. This would be perfect for strapping to a rear rack/carrier and taking to the beach or park.

The auxiliary jacks for these bags work with iPods, Zunes and even PSP systems. So go forth and rock your scoot!

Scooter Gifts

Looking for some inexpensive gifts for a scooterist friend? Here two items that may fit the bill:


Some would call this a "whimsical" stamp since the scooter is a fanciful doodle of a scooter. It is available through Just Johnna an online rubber stamp company.



This money bank is a cool idea for a teen who is saving for her own scooter. With that red hair, it could have been me in high school! The site offers personalization, so you can get her name put on it. There is also a boy version, so no one needs to be left out. Both banks are from Kidoodles by Kim and sell for $14.95.

Scooter Atitude for Kids

Now, here's a shirt that I wish came in my size! This camo shirt for kids has a big, busy scooter graphic on it of a sassy lady on a Vespa. The shirt has shoulder snaps for easier on/off for the little ones. It is a product of ArmyKid a London children's boutique clothing company. ArmyKid's site has it in sizes from 0-11 years, but I doubt that the snaps come on the larger sizes. :) You can also order it in a long- and short-sleeve version. The ArmyKid website but I also found a les expensive, yet likely more limited variety version at Not on the High Street website. Either way, they are both in the UK and shipping charges may be cost-prohibitive. But, check it out for yourself.

You can also get the shirt in another style, although the photo doesn't make it look comfortable.