April 18, 2006
Is Everybody In the Scooter Business?
These electic scooters were parked in front of a garden center? For $795, you get what you pay for -- I wouldn't buy one, but I'm taqking it as a sign that scooters are becoming more and more a part of everyday American life.
Posted by Frank at 11:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 17, 2006
Vespa's Hybrid Scooter Prototypes
Vespa is developing a pair of hybird scooters, based on 50cc and 125cc models, and has delivered a working pair to the city of Milan.
The hybrid Vespas work in a manner similar to current hybrid cars -- an electric motor assists the gas engine for extra acceleration and the batteries are recharged through regenerative braking.
An additional feature is that the Vespa hybrids can operate in electric-only mode.
Check out AutoOrbis for a more technical explanation; if you want to read a poorly translated English version of the Italian story, click here.
Posted by Frank at 5:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 13, 2006
Rhode Island Passes 50cc Scooter Law
Rhode Island has just passed a law consistent with most states, allowing people to ride 50cc and smaller scooters without a motorcycle license.
Last year, the state has instituted a universal motorcycle license for all scooter riders, but scooter dealers on Block Island sued the state.
While a judge ruled the state was correct in their interpretation of the law, he also urged the legislature to institute a rule similar to the rest of the country, where sub-50cc bikes can be ridden without a special license.
via AP.
Posted by Frank at 5:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 4, 2006
Scooter Sales Triple in Manitoba
According to this story, scooter registrations have tripled in the last two years in Manitoba. The article gives credit to rising gas prices, which is understandable to a degree -- but maybe scooters are just catching on?
Curiously, a car dealer who's seen soft sales has also opened an unnamed Italian scooter franchise.
Posted by Frank at 1:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
SNL Actor to Star in Daredevil Movie
Andy Samberg, a Saturday Night Live emsemble player, is planning to star in a rowdy comedy "Hot Rod."
Samberg will star as an accident-prone daredevil who plans to jump the Snake River on a moped to emulate his hero Evel Knievel.
It's going to suck but it gives us a chance to print an Evel Knievel pic.
Posted by Frank at 1:52 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Scooterist Takes Three Shots in the Back Rather Than Give Up His Ride
Well here's a tough sonofabitch. A Rochester man, accosted by wannabe scooter thieves, refused to give up his bike and started to drive away when one of his assailants shot him in the back. He's in teh hospital but his injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Posted by Frank at 1:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
WKRP Rally Photo Album
Scooter Dave has a gallery of pics posted on his site from this past weekend's WKRP Rally in Cincinnati. No noobs or naked fat guys on scooters, so it's safe for work. Sigh.
Posted by Frank at 1:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Get a Vesa Brochure Via Snail Mail
Just got a package in the mail that included 4-color brochures for Vespa and Piaggio. Great for immediate potential buyers or scooter porn afficionados.
Check out Vespa.com.
Posted by Frank at 12:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
