May 25, 2007
Motorcycle Foundation: Bikers and Drivers Have to Cooperate to Reduce Rider Deaths
Motorcycle Safety Foundation Provides Important Safety Messages in Light of NHTSA 2006 Preliminary Fatality and Injury Assessment
IRVINE, Calif. -- In response to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration release of the 2006 Preliminary Fatality and Injury Assessment, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is reminding all riders and motorists that they each have an important role in helping to reduce the number of motorcycle crashes on America’s roads and highways.
“The overwhelming number of motorcyclists who wind up in single-vehicle crash statistics are there because they aren’t following basic but important safety precautions when riding,” said Tim Buche, president of the MSF. “And fewer than half of all riders have taken any kind of formal training course. We also know that car drivers and other motorists are at fault a majority of the time in multiple-vehicle crashes that involve a motorcyclist. We have life-saving messages for everyone, whether they are behind the handlebars or behind a steering wheel.”
For motorcyclists, the MSF has five critical messages:
Get Trained and Licensed – Take an MSF RiderCourse and get licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Visit www.msf-usa.org, or call (800) 446-9227.
Wear Protective Gear – Wear proper protective riding gear – all the gear all the time – most importantly a helmet that meets Department of Transportation standards.
Ride Unimpaired – Never use alcohol or other drugs when riding.
Ride Within Your Limits – Don’t ride faster or longer than your abilities allow.
Be a Lifelong Learner – Regularly return for refresher rider training courses to brush up on skills and knowledge.
For car drivers and other motorists, the MSF says:
Look Out for Motorcyclists – Use your eyes and mirrors to see what’s around.
Don't Be Distracted – Hang up and drive, put down the food, the pet, the personal grooming gear, the MP3 player, and the reading material and save it for later.
Give Two-Wheelers Some Room – Don't tailgate or get too close.
Use Your Turn Signals – Signal your intentions. It's also the law.
Keep it in the Car – Don’t throw trash out the window, and secure cargo that can fall out on the road and become a deadly hazard.
“All of these are all doable, real-world actions that will cut down crashes and fatalities right now,” Buche said. “Above everything else, it’s about the human element, the attitude, the mind-set that motorcyclists and motorists have, and the choices they make out there on the road.”
Since 1973, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has set internationally recognized standards that promote the safety of motorcyclists with rider education courses, operator licensing tests, and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military, and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling. The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, BRP, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio/Vespa, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha. For RiderCourseSM locations, call 800.446.9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org.
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May 17, 2007
Bajaj Release Direct Injection Autorickshaw into the India Market
PERTH, Australia -- Orbital Corporation Limited and Bajaj Auto Ltd, India (Bajaj) today announced that Bajaj have started production of the Orbital equipped direct injection Autorickshaw.
Earlier this year Bajaj released a number of test vehicles into the local Pune market to complete the assessment and validation of this new product using real world operating conditions. The 2-stroke Direct Injection (DI) 3 wheeler received good response from the market due to the greatly improved fuel efficiency, superior performance and features like "self start". As a result of the positive feedback received Bajaj have started production of this new Autorickshaw. The new model will initially be released into the local Pune market, with a staged release of the DI vehicles to other identified cities of India.
"The positive feedback from our customers was a key part of the DI product confirmation testing," commented Bajaj's Managing Director, Mr. Rajiv Bajaj. "These first customers have enjoyed a 30% fuel economy improvement and experienced significantly improved driving characteristics."
"This product launch is a key step for Orbital DI technology with its entry into a new and growing market segment," said Orbital's CEO, Dr. Rod Houston. "The initial volume ramp up will be slow as Bajaj continue to develop the market pull for this product and manage the roll out to new dealers and cities in the coming months. Although the volumes will start out low this DI product will add to our royalty income and add to the systems sales revenue of Synerject."
"Bajaj also expanded their Orbital technology license in September 2006 to include CNG and LPG versions of this product which also offer Orbital good opportunities for growth as these products are now under development," added Rod Houston.
Source: Orbital Corporation Limited
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May 15, 2007
Vespa's suburban speedster
Last year Vespa launched the exquisitely retro GTV 250 to celebrate the company's 60th anniversary. This year the GT200 has been upgraded to the GTS250 with a powerful new engine.
Vespas might have originally been devised as a no nonsense and zero frills approach to transport for the depression stricken post WWII Italy, but there is nothing basic about the GTS.
The latest addition to the Vespa family sports a powerful 4stroke 4-valve liquid cooled engine with the largest displacement in the Vespa range.
Advanced technology of the electronic injection system with three-way catalytic converter, allows for reduced emissions and fuel consumption as well as progressive acceleration and responsive handling.
The exhaust, cylinder and piston have been designed to provide a smoother and quieter ride that suits the stylishly racy GTS. And to enhance performance.
The Vespa's natural riding position and ergonomics have always made the Vespa comfortable and the seat on the GTS has a new shape and material for an even better ride.
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May 14, 2007
London scooter fans love "rebellious" vintage Vespa
LONDON -- They can be pink, metallic-white or decorated with flags: the Vespa scooters outside Yasir Al-Turaihi's shop look fresh and hip - even though some are already 60 years old.
It was five years ago that the Iraqi-born mechanic and his brother invested in Londinivm Scooters, a Piaggio dealership in central London. Today overwhelmed by customers and another branch they opened a few months back, he feels that specialising in Vespas was the right choice.
"It's such an ageless classic," Al-Turaihi says. "People get excited about it, regardless of age and sex."
London scooter sales have risen 16-fold to 8,000 in 2005 from 500 in 1993, especially after the introduction of the congestion charge in 2003 from which two-wheelers are exempt.
In 2006, three of the Vespa models were listed among the top five favourites of the 133,077 scooters and mopeds registered, the British Motorcycle Industry Association said.
Posted by Frank at 10:54 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 10, 2007
Alleged drunken Vespa riding DJ case reskedded
The drink-driving case against Sydney radio personality Steve Price has been adjourned until later this month.
Price, 52, who hosts the drive-time spot on radio station 2UE, was charged with mid-range drink driving on April 14.
Police caught him riding a Vespa scooter at Neutral Bay, in Sydney's north, with his wife Wendy as a passenger.
Interviewed on the Nine Network and Southern Cross Broadcasting after the incident, Price said he had two beers and two glasses of red wine and returned a blood-alcohol reading of .08.
Posted by Frank at 12:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Coming soon, the magneto-scooter
Believe it or not, a man in Thrissur District of Kerala has developed a two-wheeler scooter that runs on magnetic power.
It takes just an ordinary battery to start the scooter and the rest is done by the inbuilt magnetic mechanism, which enables the scooter to run at a speed of 25 to 45 kilometers per hour. It's noise and pollution free.
"It doesn't cause any air or noise pollution. This kind of technology can be very useful for our country and this motivated me to create it," said the 27-year-old Naveen C, the inventor.
He holds a diploma in computers but could not pursue a career in electronic engineering due to personal problems.
But Naveen prepared his scooter using a 25-year-old Chetak two-wheeler scooter. He removed its petrol tank and fixed a magnetic mechanism. It took him seven years to prepare his dream scooter which cost around 20,000 rupees.
Naveen claims that the technology used in his scooter can be used in any vehicle with very little changes. The magnetic power reduces if the scooter is used for a long period. But it can be retrieved in no time.
The scooter named "7th" by Naveen, doesn't require recharging.
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More Commuters Turn to Motor Scooters as Gas Prices Rise
Piaggio President/CEO Available To Discuss 'Vespanomics' As One Solution
Piaggio is the Manufacturer the World Famous Vespa Scooter
NEW YORK -- With the official start of summer and the peak travel season just weeks away, gas prices are once again skyrocketing to record highs and consumers are again feeling the pain at the pump.
More Americans are beginning to utilize gas-sipping and eco- friendly motor scooters as a smart and safe option that could dramatically reduce gas consumption and bring substantial economic and environmental benefits to Americans and the communities in which they live.
According to a survey conducted by ICR on behalf of Piaggio Group Americas, 30% of U.S. consumers indicated that they would be extremely or somewhat likely to consider using a scooter for 35% of the mileage currently traveled by car, truck or SUV - yielding a willingness of consumers to convert 10% of mileage to a scooter. If Americans were to switch just 10% of their mileage to scooters, they would consume 14 million gallons less fuel per day.
-- It costs approximately $5 to fill the empty tank of a scooter.
-- Scooters tend to offer gas mileage of approximately 70 miles per gallon.
-- Over 70% of Americans are concerned with global warming, which points toward their receptiveness of alternative, environmentally-friendly forms of transportation.
-- In addition to their fuel savings, research has shown that theuse of motor scooters can also dramatically improve traffic congestion and produce significant time saving from urban commutes.
Who: Paolo Timoni, President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas
What: Mr. Timoni is the President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas, a leading manufacturer of scooters and motorcycles marketed under the Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio and Vespa brands. In his current position, Mr. Timoni has responsibility and oversight of all sales and marketing operations within North, South and Central America.
Source: Piaggio Group Americas
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May 8, 2007
I am Jackie Chan. I sell Segways.
Hong Kong - Jackie Chan fights villains on the big screen, raises money for charities and records the occasional album. One of his lesser-known jobs is Segway scooter dealer.
Chan and business partner Matt McGuire have been selling the vehicles in Asia for about 18 months.
The action star says he's interested in promoting the technology, not making big bucks, but McGuire says the dealership has earned a profit and he expects it to do well.
US inventor Dean Kamen predicted the two-wheeled, upright Segway scooter would make cars obsolete in congested cities when it was released in 2001
It hasn't but Chan still believes in it; he shipped the battery-powered scooters to Paris recently when he was in the French capital shooting Rush Hour 3 and arrived at the opening ceremony of an electronics fair in Hong Kong on one.
Chan said the scooter was misunderstood.
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Vietnamese scooter market becomes hotter and fiercer
Vietnam’s scooter market has been described as a delicious cake and motorbike manufacturers are trying to get as many pieces of the cake as possible.
Motorbike importers have been earning big money as Honda SH, @ and PS have been selling like hot cakes. Piaggio, after two years of reaping successes in Vietnam, has finally decided to make investment in the country. Meanwhile, local motorbike manufacturers are trying to launch new models consecutively in an attempt to dominate the market before the Italian giant enters ‘attack’ mode.
What the two biggest domestic manufacturers are most interested in are the first steps Piaggio has made to set up its assembling factories in Vietnam. The Italian manufacturer has announced that in the next three years production lines in Vietnam, India and Brazil will become operational with the total investment capital of $420mil.
If the announcement is true, it means that every production line will receive $140mil, and the figure will be a big challenge for domestic manufacturers. The reasons for the decision by Piaggio to set up a workshop in Vietnam are the high and stable economic growth rate, the demand for scooters being very big in Vietnam, while it does not take much money in investment.
Piaggio has made big leaps in the last two years. The 2006 total turnover of one of its distributors, Viet Y Motor, increased by 50% over 2005, much higher than the growth rate of 10% reported by local manufacturers.
Nguyen Xuan Chuan, former deputy minister of industry, also said at AutoExpo 2007 on April 12, 2007 that he had not expected that Piaggio could have recorded such rapid success.
The far-beyond expected growth rate gained by Piaggio in the last time has shown the big potential of Vietnam’s market. The statistics showed that in the first three months of the year, 33,800 motorbikes were imported, an increase of 123% over the same period of 2006.
Experts said that it was the right time for Piaggio to make investment in Vietnam. 90% of imports are luxury scooters, and as the average income of Vietnamese people has been increasing, the demand for scooters is increasingly high.
While Piaggio is happy with satisfactory sales in Vietnam, Honda Vietnam is trying to market a scooter model to compete with Piaggio, which proves to be very competitive thanks to softer price. A Click scooter is now selling at VND25.5mil ($1,593) only, which has helped the manufacturer sell 28,000 units in the first three months of launching.
Meanwhile, Yamaha is trying to upgrade Mio into two versions, Maximo and Ultimo. Smaller and cheaper by VND5mil/unit, Mio Maximo and Mio Ultimo are expected to see 40,000 units sold in the first launching.
The ambition to dominate the scooter market has prompted Honda Vietnam to launch a new product, Air Blade, slated for April 20. Bigger and stronger than Click, Air Blade is hoped to help Honda to penetrate the higher-grade market segment.
The details and parameters of Air Blade have not been revealed yet. However, analysts guess that it will be priced at VND30mil/unit. Air Blade is expected to be a rival for Yamaha’s Nouvo.
In the time to come, the market will witness fierce competition among the two models and imported products. Analysts said that Vietnam’s motorbike market is forecast to be saturated only in 15 years, and from now to that time, scooters will have enough time to ‘eat’ the market.
Posted by Frank at 4:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Piaggio to launch 55-56 new models this year
MILAN -- Piaggio SpA's chairman Roberto Colaninno said the motor bike and scooter firm will launch 55-56 new models this year, including 25-26 completely new products for the group's various brands.
Speaking at the annual shareholder meeting, he said the recently-launched three-wheel MP3 scooter is 'a big success', while in September, the Gilera brand will launch a scooter with an 800 cubic centimetre-sized engine, which will reach a speed of 200 kilometres per hour.
In India, he said production is expected to reach 160,000-170,000 units, up from 140,000 in 2006.
Posted by Frank at 4:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Vectrix looking to float an IPO
A British company that has developed an "emission free" electric scooter has appointed HSBC to undertake a strategic review which could lead to a flotation.
Vectrix, founded by inventor Andrew MacGowan, has appointed the investment bank to look at the best option for taking the business forward financially.
It is understood that no one option - including a trade sale or partial equity sale to a single investor - has been ruled out.
A flotation could see the company valued at up to £200m. It is thought any float would be made on London's Aim market.
However, the company could opt to put itself up for sale, attracting a trade buyer or a private equity investor looking to boost its green credentials.
Nic Hellyer, of HSBC's investment banking arm, is running the strategic review.
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Drunken mobility scooter driver jailed
Day-trippers had to jump out of the way after a drink-driver took a mobility scooter – top speed 6mph – and drove it along a packed seaside promenade.
Police who arrested Marcus Driver found he was more than twice the legal alcohol limit for driving.
He was also in breach of a ten-year Asbo imposed in 2005.
Driver, 23, was yesterday given a four-month prison sentence and banned from driving for 12 months by magistrates in Blandford, Dorset.
Driver, of Slough, Berkshire, who has 80 convictions dating back to when he was 14 and has never held a driving licence, took the scooter on Weymouth esplanade in Dorset in June 2005.
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May 7, 2007
A college student and his campus scooter shop
With summer approaching and the price of gasoline climbing to $3 a gallon, it is time to do what any good financial adviser would suggest: Diversify your portfolio.
In this case, that means modes of transportation.
It is forgivable to drive a Suburban (aptly dubbed the Mormon Assault Vehicle by some on campus) if you're hauling around a family of seven. It's probably necessary to have a super duty F-250 to transport construction material. And it's a good idea to have an H2 with super-sized tires and platinum-plated rims when picking up MC Hammer at the airport to take him to a gig at Harry O's.
The above vehicles are important parts of any transportation fleet, but for that beautiful May day when all you need is to pick up a gallon of milk, it would be nice not to burn gas at a rate only ExxonMobil shareholders would appreciate.
The optimum mode for cruising around Salt Lake City can be found at Eco Moto. U junior Jonathan Schlee owns the scooter and electric bike shop and has been "advancing transportation" since 2003. Eco Moto's original location was near the U on 1300 East, but Schlee moved the shop to State Street to accommodate the growing demand for the alternative transit.
"We sell fun," Schlee said. "People don't necessarily look forward to driving, but with a scooter, you look for an excuse to go out for a ride."
There are more than 350 scooters in stock at Eco Moto, ranging from the gas-powered and hybrid variety to solely electric.
The all-electric scooter called Vectrix -- which can only be found at Eco Moto -- has a 20-kilowatt motor and can reach 50 miles per hour in 6.5 seconds. Through regenerative braking, the Vectrix recaptures 50 percent of its energy, Schlee said. This enables the scooter to go 75 miles on one charge.
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Vectrix Electric Scooter Ready For Stateside Release
It’s been awhile since we’ve heard any news from the Vectrix camp. After releasing my video test-drive of the unit back in August, ambitious plans for a January ‘07 release in the United States fell short as attention was paid to launching the bike in Europe first.
Obviously, Europeans are much more likely to invest in scooters than their American counterparts.
Regardless, I received information today that initial deposits for the first shipments (coming this June) are now being accepted. For those that have yet to spy this piece of beautiful engineering, the Vectrix is an all-electric, emissions-free scooter that delivers serious performance. From their site,
“The Vectrix maxi-scooter is fun to ride and easy to operate. Its top speed of 62 mph (100 km/h) and fast acceleration make it safe and easy to zip in and out of traffic. The onboard charger plugs into any standard electrical outlet to quickly charge the batteries, which provide up to 70 miles (110 km) of travel on a single charge. A low center of gravity and stiff frame provide excellent handling, and the multi-function throttle allows riders to accelerate and slow down with a simple twist of the throttle.” Link.
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May 6, 2007
Vespa Festival in Da Lat
Vespa Festival, a typical event for classical Vespa lovers, was held on poetic Xuan Huong lake bank on April 29, attracting more than 400 participants with a great variety of Vespa from 21 provinces and cities nationwide.
The Vespa festival was held for the first time in Vietnam for those who like a kind of motorbikes originating from Italy. More than 400 Vespas, aged from 30 to 60, were decorated colourfully with flowers and cloth, becoming “typical mobile art works” on Da Lat city’s roads.
After the opening ceremony, members of 21 clubs from all over the country were marching around Xuan Huong Lake, creating a romantic and interesting image and attracting special attention of Da Lat city’s residents and tourists during the holidays on April 30 and May 1.
During the festival, the members of Vespa clubs marched to Langbian tourist site of Lac Duong district and Gougah waterfall resort in Duc Trong district to join cultural activities with ethnic locals, said Nguyen Vu Hoang, head of the organising board.
The organising board awarded four prizes called “Vespa Queens” for beautiful classical Vespas and eight prizes four graceful Vespas.
Posted by Frank at 10:23 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Scooter fans love "rebellious" vintage Vespa
LONDON -- They can be pink, metallic-white or decorated with flags: the Vespa scooters outside Yasir Al-Turaihi's shop look fresh and hip - even though some are already 60 years old.
It was five years ago that the Iraqi-born mechanic and his brother invested in Londinivm Scooters, a Piaggio dealership in central London. Today overwhelmed by customers and another branch they opened a few months back, he feels that specialising in Vespas was the right choice.
"It's such an ageless classic," Al-Turaihi says. "People get excited about it, regardless of age and sex."
London scooter sales have risen 16-fold to 8,000 in 2005 from 500 in 1993, especially after the introduction of the congestion charge in 2003 from which two-wheelers are exempt.
In 2006, three of the Vespa models were listed among the top five favourites of the 133,077 scooters and mopeds registered, the British Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) said.
More than 16 million Vespa scooters have been sold worldwide and selling a scooter valued at 2,500 pounds has been easy, Al-Turaihi says. Five to eight leave his shop every week.
In the winter scooter sales go down, but customers return for everything else from the Vespa brand.
"The good thing about the Vespa is that it comes with all sorts of accessories," Al-Turaihi says. "People come to ask about gloves, masks or windshields - really, you name it."
Posted by Frank at 10:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Vespa's suburban speedster
Last year Vespa launched the exquisitely retro GTV 250 to celebrate the company's 60th anniversary. This year the GT200 has been upgraded to the GTS250 with a powerful new engine.
Vespas might have originally been devised as a no nonsense and zero frills approach to transport for the depression stricken post WWII Italy, but there is nothing basic about the GTS.
The latest addition to the Vespa family sports a powerful 4stroke 4-valve liquid cooled engine with the largest displacement in the Vespa range.
Advanced technology of the electronic injection system with three-way catalytic converter, allows for reduced emissions and fuel consumption as well as progressive acceleration and responsive handling.
The exhaust, cylinder and piston have been designed to provide a smoother and quieter ride that suits the stylishly racy GTS. And to enhance performance.
Posted by Frank at 10:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Scooting around high gas prices
WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS -- The rising gas prices are driving people to cut down on their horsepower.
At Vespa Cleveland, in Warrensville Heights, the motor scooter business is booming.
Four machines were wheeled out the door in the last two days...each one averages about 60 miles to the gallon or better.
Tom Ferrara, who rode off on his new Vespa motorcycle today says, "Well, I'm trying to save money on gas. I see people in their homes for physical therapy. So I ride the bike and save money on gas."
The motor bikes are legal on interstates and can reach speeds of up to 90 miles-per-hour.
Posted by Frank at 10:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Piaggio says net profit nearly doubled in 2006
MILAN, Italy -- Italian scooter maker Piaggio & C. SpA said Friday that its net profit nearly doubled in 2006 as it booked good sales growth in markets like India and the U.S. and paid less in taxes than a year earlier.
In a statement, Milan-based Piaggio, the maker of the iconic Vespa scooter, said net profit for 2006 was €70 million (US$92 million), 85 percent higher than 2005's €37.9 million.
Piaggio, which has undergone a turnaround under Chairman Roberto Colannino, launched a successful initial public offering last summer.
Colannino, who also took the role of CEO in October, last month declared that the reorganization phase had been completed and that the company was now looking to grow, setting sights on Vietnam and Brazil in the next three years. Piaggio has already expanded into China and India.
Posted by Frank at 10:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Scooter squad -- bomb experts get Segway transporters
Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims on Thursday rolled out the latest addition to her department's fleet -- one of two newly purchased Segway Personal Transporters.
"After being elected sheriff, you'd think they would give me something with four wheels," Mims quipped as she glided up to a waiting line of reporters and photographers in front of the sheriff's headquarters in downtown Fresno.
The department has joined more than 150 police agencies around the world equipped with Segways -- self-balancing, battery-operated scooters invented by Dean Kamen and introduced to the public in 2001.
Mims -- who appeared relaxed as she moved the scooter this way and that and rode circles around the media -- said it only took her a few minutes to learn how to control the Segway.
The scooters, priced at $5,000 each, were obtained through a grant from the Department of Homeland Security, she said.
The scooters were ordered primarily for use by the department's Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, Mims said, but they will also be made available for special events where deputies can move quickly and silently through large crowds.
The bomb experts of the explosives unit are required to change into heavy protective clothing when checking out a suspected explosive device and usually must walk a long distance from a safe area to the danger zone, Mims said.
With their heavy outfits, the officers can be exhausted by the time they reach their target, she said.
Posted by Frank at 10:12 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 2, 2007
Piaggio BV 500 Test Drive
Originally, scooters were designed to be affordable, thrifty, and nimble city runabouts: cheap to buy and cheap to run. But as they’ve grown in popularity, they’ve also grown in size and morphed in terms of function and design. You know scooters are evolving when a model like the Piaggio BV 500 hits the market.
With some 40 horsepower on tap and an overall length of 2.2 metres, the BV 500 is one of the biggest scooters made by Piaggio—or anybody else, for that matter—and goes beyond the concept of simple A-to-B transport. This is a stylish, versatile, and high-performance (all things considered, of course) two-wheeler that wears the uniform of a scooter but behaves in many ways like a motorcycle. Similar in intent to the Honda Silver Wing or Suzuki Burgman, but with a more upright riding position, the BV 500 looks more, er, traditionally scooterish but is definitely aimed at buyers who want a little something more.
One of its most distinguishing features is its footwear. The BV 500 features a 16-inch wheel up front and 14-incher in the rear, which is considerably larger than the 10-inchers of most conventional scooters. Many full-sized cruiser motorcycles have 16-inch rubber (if considerably wider), including Honda’s VTX 1800, Harley-Davidson’s Softails, and others, and the larger tires give the BV 500 a completely different character.
For one thing, it has longer legs on the highway and is more stable at higher speeds. Freeway cruising is less adventurous with the BV 500 and, in fact, you can order hard rear side bags with it for extended touring. It also handles better than most of its smaller brethren and has a higher ground clearance. It’s still a scooter and not really designed for corner-carving, but it’s nice to have that extra bit of handling.
Posted by Frank at 9:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Vintage Vespa scooters parade Vietnam’s central highlands
The “Da Lat, the Destination for Vespa Lovers” festival kicked off in Da Lat on Sunday with a procession of nearly 400 vintage scooters from 20 Vespa clubs nationwide.
The festival, featuring a nighttime party with music, dancing, wine, and French food, will run until Tuesday.
After the opening ceremony, the scooters joined the the Ngau hung Vespa (Vespa’s Inspiration) procession around the Xuan Huong Lake in the heart of the famous resort city before parking along the banks for visitors to view and take photographs.
Most of the participating scooters were manufactured by Italian famous firm Piaggio before 1975. The event is showcasing four Vespa models: Acma, Standard, Super and Sprin.
Four of the participating Vespas were crowned “Queen Vespas.” Their owners come from Ho Chi Minh city, Can Tho city, Nha Trang and Da Lat.
The organizers also awarded the Duyen dang Viet Nam (Charming Vietnam) prizes to the eight most beautifully refurbished scooters.
Vespas first appeared in Dalat in the 1950s and since have been a part of the city’s culture ever since.
John Davis, a tourist from the United States, said he knew the festival through a friend and decided to travel to Da Lat to join the event.
“Unlike the Vespa festival in the US, many Vespas in Vietnam have their original components and engines,” he said. “Many Vietnamese consider collecting Vespas their hobby while many American Vespa owners like to change the original engines to make their scooters faster.”
The scooters are to be decorated with flowers for the Lang man Vespa (Romantic Vespa) parade Monday afternoon.
Posted by Frank at 8:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Vespa raffle drawing, May 3
CAMDEN -- Some lucky community member will soon be tooling around town in a brand new Vespa VX 50 motor scooter. And it may not be too late to win.
The Camden-Rockport Japan Exchange Program has been working hard to raffle off this new motor scooter as part of its efforts to raise money for its trip to Japan in June. Ten local 8th graders were chosen to travel to Japan to learn the customs and experience a foreign culture. The kids will stay briefly in Tokyo, sight-seeing and visting museums, temples and sites of interest, then travel to our sister city of Harakawa, where they will stay with host families in their homes.
The drawing for the Vespa will be Thursday May 3 at 3 p.m. You do NOT need to be present to win. Tickets will be available until that time at CRMS on Knowlton Street. For more information, contact Dee Kopesky, CRMS, 236-7805.
Posted by Frank at 8:46 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
