Scooter news and reviews, published by Frank Giovinazzi

April 29, 2008

Dawn of the scooter age

Normally a perfect storm calls for a good roof over your head. But not for this weather-ready commuter. I’m parking my V-8 pickup truck, hopefully for most of the rest of the summer. I plan to pay about $8 a week for gas — not far off from what I paid to fill up back in high school — riding a motor scooter.

Actually, this summer will mark my third full year of riding a scooter to work. And when I say three full years, I mean full, since I ride as often as I can for about nine months out of the year on a 150-cubic-centimeter bike that does 60 mph on a good day.

I know I look like a goof: big alien-head helmet and a too-short two-wheeled ride that sounds like a pair of hedge clippers. But more and more, I’m not alone.

Faced with the prospect of $60 to fill up at the pump and forecasters at AAA predicting even higher, Richmonders increasingly are parking their cars in favor of pedaling their bikes — or revving up motorized two-wheel mopeds, scooters and motorcycles.

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April 27, 2008

Charlotte scooter sales skyrocket with rising gas prices

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Tired of outrageous fill ups? It seems more drivers are trading in four wheels for two.

Sales at Vespa of Charlotte in South End are up a whopping 365 percent over last year. Owner Steve Speers says something popular in Europe for years is finally catching on here.

“The rest of the world relies on scootering as their first choice of transportation because of the gas savings,” Speers says.

Riding a scooter to work is now businessman Dean Prevette’s first choice. His other vehicle sits at home most of the time. And here is why.

“My Lincoln Navigator gets about 12 miles to the gallon. It costs me $80 to fill up,” says Prevette.

But with his Vespa, he pays about $10 to fill up and that lasts as long as a week and a half.

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Gas prices drive N. Carolina scooter sales

ASHEVILLE – Area scooter dealers are seeing dramatic sales increases as more commuters look for relief from the pain of $3.50 per gallon gas prices.

Scooters and mopeds that can wring 80 to 100 miles out of each gallon are rolling out the door at Swannanoa Scooter Sales. “Europeans and Asians have been doing this for years, because they’ve always had the higher gas prices,” said the store’s Jody Williams. “It’s just now catching on in America.”

Scott Loeffler, owner of Asheville E Scooters on Patton Avenue, has seen interest in mopeds and scooters skyrocketing, starting around Christmas. “The first question is, ‘How many miles to the gallon do they get?’” he said.

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The Piaggio MP3 isn't your mom's old scooter

Women roll down their windows and stare. Strange men get out of their cars at railroad crossings, walk over and ask, "What IS that?"

It's an MP3 from Piaggio, but it's unlike the Vespa or any other scooter the Italian company has rolled out before.

With two wheels in front and one in the rear, it's like a backward tricycle — but a fuel-injected tricycle that can go 75 to 100 mph, depending on how many cc's you order.

When Canell, 60, became the first person in the Triad to buy the MP3 last spring, she opted for the smallest model, a 250 cc, which she estimates gets 62 miles per gallon.

That's less powerful than the 800 cc Suzuki she normally rides, and Canell notes that when on the scooter, she doesn't get the customary fraternal wave from passing motorcyclists, who don't consider scooters legit.

But after Canell rode the MP3 on Tail of the Dragon, a curvy, 11-mile stretch of biker Nirvana on Tennessee's U.S. 129, she no longer cares who looks down their visors at her black-cherry Piaggio. How was it?

"Oh, wow," she said. "It's a lot more stable, you can turn on a dime, and on the wet pavement, you don't feel your bike squirming under you."

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Mississippi Scooter Sales Up Dramatically

A Jackson motor scooter dealer says his sales are up over 240% for this year over last year, as people try to beat the high cost of gasoline.

Jerry Farris of Capitol Sports Center says people really like getting 100 miles per gallon on a scooter that will run 65 miles per hour.

Leland Speed at North Jackson Honda says his sales are up too, but not double.

His Honda scooters can be driven on the interstate highways and will run over 70 miles per hour, but the ones that will go anywhere get about 60 miles per gallon and sell for just over $5,000.

The smaller scooters can sell for as little as $2,400.

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April 24, 2008

Scooter Sales Soar Along With Gas Prices

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- These aren't your father's motor scooters.

For drivers looking for relief from gas prices at $3.50 per gallon, today's scooters offer high miles per gallon and highway speeds. As a result, scooter sales are at an all-time high -- having tripled in the past year.

Most scooters get between 65 and 90 miles per gallon, which trumps even the most fuel-efficient hybrid cars.

"They're thinking these hybrid cars were great, getting up to 30 miles to the gallon," said Josh Alleman, who sells scooters for Scooter Vita of the Triad.

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Gas prices spur spike in scooter, bike sales

Soaring gas prices have more people finding alternate means of commuting, such as biking.

The national average for a gallon of regular gas is $3.51. In Richmond, the price isn't much lower at $3.49.

In the last couple weeks, one Carytown bike shop has seen a spike in sales. A nearby scooter dealer says the demand is so high that there's a scooter shortage.

Whether it's two wheels - or just one - those who chose them over a car say you can't beat the savings. More people are steering toward cheaper transportation.

Agee's bike shop manager David Oakley says sales have spiked at the Carytown store because of prices at the pump.

"If they can spend $200 to $300 on a bicycle and get fit, and save a couple hundred dollars a year by commuting one or two days a week, and get the benefits of fitness - it's kind of a win-win situation," Oakley said.

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Scooters roar in popularity

Scooters are in high demand as consumers look for ways to reduce the pain of rising gas prices, local retailers say.

As the price at the pump reached $1.20 a litre this week, scooters such as Vespa, Piaggio and PGO are in high demand across the city.

One scooter owner told Ottawa Good Time Centre general manager Jason Thoms she was almost embarrassed to fill up her gas tank since it only cost her $3.50 while other drivers fuelling their vehicles were shelling out $50 or more.

"More and more families have one family vehicle, like a minivan, and a scooter so the husband or whoever can get to work," Thoms said.

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Travelers Go Small To Save Big At Gas Pump

SAN DIEGO -- For many drivers, filling up the gas tank and looking at the number staring back at them makes them want to scream.

With many people spending as much as $100 for gas every week, some have found a way to spend $5 a week on gas.

"Just commuting back and forth from work I went from about $50 a week to about $6 a week," said Jessica Pyle.

Pyle recently purchased her first Vespa, a gas-powered scooter originally from Italy.

Michael Kosakowski of Vespa of San Diego said, "I looked at it and said, 'It looks like a wasp.' And that's Vespa in Italian."

These days, experts said there are more Vespas, Smart cars, electric vehicles and hybrids on the road.

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April 23, 2008

Aussie parking costs boost scooter appeal

SCOOTERS remain the choice of the economically and environmentally conscious, even though sales have slowed across the nation.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries motorcycle manager Ray Newland said scooter sales were down 3.4 per cent in the first quarter compared with last year's record numbers while Queensland was down 1.3 per cent.

He said the FCAI's new method of reporting sales could explain the drop and that there may have been little or no real decline.

Industry sources said sales also may have been affected by an increase in second-hand scooters on the market.

Major Brisbane scooter retailer Joe D'Ercole said scooter sales had soared for several years as petrol prices, environmental issues, traffic congestion and parking costs escalated.

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Don't pollute, scoot!

When you think "electric" and "scooter" together, you think of something shrink-wrapped, made in China and bought at a toy store. Well, the Vectrix is none of that. It goes 62 mph, has a claimed range of 68 miles and accelerates faster than most of the cars around you at the stoplight. That it is clean is only a bonus.

Plus, you get all the benefits of scooterdom: squirt-and-shoot traffic snaking, park-it-anywhere convenience and a price fit for a college senior majoring in philosophy. The Vectrix is powered by a low-mounted, 3.7-kW, 125-volt NiMH battery pack that re-charges to 80 or 90 percent of capacity in two hours. Three hours is usually enough for a full charge, four if you start from flat empty. When you twist the throttle forward to brake, the regen slows the bike--you almost never need the brakes. The batteries make it pretty heavy for a scooter, so slow-speed maneuvers require some care, but there's a reverse gear (if you twist the throttle forward at a stop, it backs up) to help you park it.

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As gas prices soar, so do scooter sales

GREENSBORO -- As gas prices continue to soar, more and more North Carolinians are putting their gas guzzling cars and SUVs in park and hopping on a gas sipping scooter.

Scott Morgan, general manager of Scooter Vita in Greensboro, has seen his sales triple over the last year and knows exactly why. The scooters he sells have tiny gas tanks but get 60 to 80 miles to the gallon.

And while they may not look too intimidating, some can top out at speeds at over 100 miles-per-hour.

That’s hardly a speed that Morgan needs to reach on his commute to work everyday to and from Summerfield, but the switch is certainly helping his budget.

“It's cost me $10 a week versus driving my truck, which has been costing $90 to $100 to fill up," said Morgan.

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April 22, 2008

A scooter is NOT a motorcycle

Maybe this is a case of over-analyzing a situation, or judging a situation to be worse than it actually is, but see if this strikes you as being potentially dangerous for riders and non-riders alike:

Soon, by the end of May at the very latest, Basic Rider Courses (BRC) offered by the state Department of Transportation at various sites across Connecticut will begin teaching motor scooter operation in tandem with the time-tested motorcycle-riding lessons.

Students will have the option of learning to ride either a motorcycle or a scooter. As in the past, anyone who passes the BRC will be exempt from having to take the road test administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles that adds an "M" endorsement to a driver license.

It's the "M" that permits the license holder to legally operate a motorcycle or scooter and is currently only obtainable two ways — by passing a BRC class, which currently requires mastering clutch and shift levers as well as brake operation on a motorcycle, or by going to the DMV and successfully demonstrating proficiency as a rider.

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April 21, 2008

Scooter Sales Up Due To Rising Gas Prices

Here in the Tar Heel state, more and more people appear to be turning to scooters to get around.

The Associated Press said scooter sales are up 46 percent over the past five years. Some of the newer scooter models can get as much as 72 miles per gallon.

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April 20, 2008

Cycles go green at the Boston Marathon

Winning the Boston Marathon, not only did you have to run faster than ten thousand other people, for two hours you had to put up with the noise and exhaust of the motorcycles carrying race officials and cameramen.

For the first time Monday, the eight cycles leading the race this year will be pollution free and electric powered. Made by Vectrix Corp., a Rhode Island company whose main operations are in New Bedford.

Peter Hughes, Chief Technology Officer of Vectrix: "It's a good opportunity to show people why this vehicle is important and why it can be an in-the-city commuter solution. Which is no polluting, no emissions coming out of this vehicle. I think that's very important for the runners."

Technically, this isn't a motorcycle, but a maxi scooter. It's no Vespa. It can do 62 miles an hour top speed. After you plug it in and charge it up for three hours, it can go 55 miles. Work on the Vectrix began in 1997. Among many patents on the Vectrix is how applying the brakes re-charge the battery

The debut of the Vectrix cycles on Monday at the Marathon comes as the company, which so far has sold mainly in Germany and Italy, sends out the first 500 cycles to dealers on the East Coast and California. The retail price? $11,000.

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Your chance to win a scooter

A tiny tank of juice lasts for yonks and traffic jams are no obstacle for this economical mode of transport.

Scootering Pty Ltd opened its doors at Cremorne and North Manly in late-2006 and, in its first year, supplied more than 520 scooters to customers on the lower North Shore and the northern beaches.

The company operates a centralised high-class service and pre-delivery setup workshop from its North Manly premises and employees 16 people providing technical, sales and administrational support.

Scootering is now the largest retailer of its kind in Sydney and has more than 200 scooters including every model and colour of Peugeot, Sachs and TGB in stock at any one time, ready for immediate delivery.

The range is supplied by Stoney Creek Power Sports, one of the leading scooter importers in Australia, and has excellent backup in spares and support.

Scootering has now opened its third store at 477 Pittwater Rd, Brookvale, handy to Warringah Mall. It is managed by Daniel Costi and he has special launch offers on selected scooters.

Check out all the details at www.scootering.net.au

Manly Daily readers have a chance to win one of their new scooters. To be in the running, write on the back of an envelope where the newest store is located, add your name, address, daytime contact phone number, and send to Scooter giveaway, PO Box 6062, Parramatta Business Centre, NSW 2150. Entries close on Friday, May 9. The judge's decision is final. Winner will be contacted by phone.

Any personal information you provide will be used for this competition alone, will not be provided to any third party and will be destroyed following this competition. Full terms and conditions below.

Posted by Frank at 12:11 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Scooter fans set to slay dragon

VINTAGE-SCOOTER enthusiasts across Nuneaton and north Warwickshire will be taking part in their annual ride this weekend to raise money for two good causes.

Members of the Treakle Town Scooter Club will be going on their St George's Day Slaying the Dragon Ride Out on Sunday.

They are expecting at least 150 riders - members and people from other scooter clubs - to set off from The Boot pub in Ansley - on their classic Lambrettas and Vespas.

This year, the third annual event, will see members raising funds for the George Eliot Hospital's special care baby unit and the Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary in Oaston Road.

Gordon Tovey, one of the club's founder members, said: "Last year we had 150 scoot-ers. We're expecting more this year.

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Fuel prices drive scooter sales

Businessman Jeff Gregory doesn't drive his fuel-efficient Honda Civic anymore; he's found transportation that's easier on his wallet.

The marketing specialist bought his second motorized scooter in eight months Thursday, upgrading to a more powerful Vespa model that still gets 72 mpg. He lives in Charlotte but often drives a scooter to the Triangle, where most of his marketing clients are, he said.

"Do the math. I filled up (my old scooter) the other day and it was $4.58," he said.

As gas prices reach record highs in Charlotte and people look for ways to save, motorized scooters are all the rage.

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April 19, 2008

First time electric scooter rider

My first scooter ride began disastrously.

I timidly pulled back on the throttle. The scooter rocketed into a left turn and a split second later I hit the curb. The driver in the car behind me eyed me cautiously as I repositioned myself atop the scooter.

I took a deep breath, comfortably placing my feet back on the scooter and sitting with my back straight. My posture was good; if I closed my eyes I could imagine sitting this way at a formal banquet.

Thankfully, I didn’t close my eyes. If I had, I might have crashed again. Instead, I kept my eyes wide open as I gently pulled back on the throttle again and focused on steering the $3,000 Zapino scooter along Fremont’s busy streets.

Further down the road was John Stueve, scooter enthusiast and co-owner of Sound Speed Scooters. Stueve rode an EVT 168, a scooter with a classic retro look.

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Gas prices boost scooter sales

There's nothing like near record gasoline prices to get people thinking about alternatives.

Gasoline prices came within a penny of the all time record high for the Twin Cities on Thursday, with some now paying $3.45 per gallon. Click here for the lowest gas prices in Twin Cities

And the people who run Scooterville Minnesota are seeing the result: more customers. Lots of them.

Owner Bob Hedstrom says business normally speeds up this time of year. But in February, it jumped three hundred percent for scooters that get anywhere from 50 to 115 miles per gallon.

"More and more people are coming in and they're asking .. about what kind fuel economy .. do each of the different models get," he said.

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Dutch to ease Segway ban

AMSTERDAM -- The Netherlands is to relax its ban on the Segway motorised scooter, a two-wheeled, gyroscopically-balanced machine of which U.S. President George W. Bush is a fan.

"The general use of the Segway will be allowed on bicycle paths and roads under the condition that a maximum speed of 25 km per hour will be kept to," the Dutch government said in a statement.

The electric scooter is currently banned on public streets in the Netherlands and many other European countries have placed restrictions on the use of the machine because of safety fears.

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April 18, 2008

70-90 miles per gallon? 'Nuff said

You may have spotted them in your review mirror or in front of Starbucks.

With prices for crude oil increasing — it was recently well over $100 per barrel — some people in Tampa are opting for a cheaper means of transportation: the scooter.

Charlie Urbizu, 57, owner of Charlie's Scooter Depot, says he has seen about a 50 percent increase in customers in the past six months.

"I get really happy when I see the price of the pump go up," he said, laughing.

Urbizu, who drives a Triton Vento scooter from his home in Carrollwood to his shop on N Florida Avenue, opened the store two years ago after a trip to Europe.

"That's where I got the idea," he said. "Italy is all full of scooters."

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Tired Of High Gas Prices? Scoot It!

MINNEAPOLIS -- Gas prices at nearly all metro area gas stations are over $3.30 a gallon. Most of vehicles now cost $50 for a fill-up, another mode of transportation costs about $3.

While most individuals and businesses are having a hard time coping with these prices one business is boasting sales up by 250 percent over the last year.

Bob Hedstrom's Minneapolis store Scooterville is struggling to keep up with demand as customers brag to their friends about their gas mileage. The scooters, whose prices start at $1,800, get 100 miles to the gallon.

The cheapest scooter to operate is the one with the smallest engine. It only goes 30 miles per hour and it uses a moped plate. That means riders don't need a motorcycle license to operate it, just a regular drivers license will do.

Scooters with moped plates can also park at bike racks, thereby saving on parking.

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Segway tries social networking

Segway is hoping to take a page out of Nike's playbook with a new social networking site designed to help product users of its self-balancing electric scooter interact and build a Segway experience.

Called Segway Social, the new community site allows Segway PT owners to create groups, arrange meetings, and share photos and news. While it is geared to owners, Segway hopes to use the site to attract potential buyers by having current users of its devices show off their finer points.

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April 16, 2008

Here's a couple of scooting gas misers

Meet the Brunsons. Bobby and Kathie.

If you don’t know them, chances are you’ve probably seen them cruising around town on their little red and white Metropolitan Honda motor scooters.

With gas at a record $3.35 a gallon now, the Brunsons’ gas-guzzling 1999 Ford F-150 quadcab truck and four-door Ford Focus are spending more time parked under the carport. When the husband and wife team head to work at the Eastern New Mexico University campus, where they are both employed, and even when they go to Wal-Mart, they put on their helmets and motorscoot across town.

The Brunsons estimate they are saving about $100 in gas a month.

“We bought these scooters in 2005, when gas got up to $2.75 a gallon,” said Bobby, the textbook manager at ENMU’s Barnes & Noble Bookstore. “My thought was ‘It’s highway robbery to put that much gas into my truck!’” He estimates that it cost about $100 just to fill up his truck one time.

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Book Gives the Scoot on Modern Mods

SCOOTER Lifestyle, a new book by freelance journalist Ian ‘Iggy’ Grainger, aims to lift the lid on the life of the modern Mod.

Grainger, a self-confessed ‘scooterist’ has spent the past 25 years riding scooters and attending rallies and his book is an attempt to explain scooter lifestyle to the rest of car-driving Britain.

It’s published by Veloce at £19.99 and contains over 200 colour photos of scooters, rallies, people, places and custom scooters; it charts the history of the scooter scene over the past 25 years and focuses on the modern scene where up to 10,000 scooter riders converge on the Isle of Wight every August bank holiday.

Grainger says: “Most people wrongly assume that every scooter owner is a Mod and their scooter will be embellished with a myriad of lights and mirrors, its Parka-wearing owner will only listen to a combination of R&B and northern soul and he’ll be at war with any ‘Greasers’ he happens to come across.

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Cop glides the paths on a Segway

HIGHLAND — Say this about the Segway stand-up scooter: It kind of sneaks up on you.

Its appeal was immediate when Officer Anthony Kalimeras had a chance to ride one for three hours in Washington, D.C., last year, and he brought his enthusiasm for the Segway back to work with him. A couple of months ago, Lloyd became the first police agency in Ulster County to buy what the brochures call a "self-balancing electric transportation device."

"It really helps you get around town," he recalled, after wheeling up at the Hudson Valley Rail Trail yesterday.

If its earliest predictions and fans had been correct back in 2001, you wouldn't need a description of a Segway. You'd have one in your garage. But its over-hyped launch never got off the ground, making the Segway an object of curiosity and surprise.

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April 15, 2008

Gas prices fuel Indiana scooter store

VALPARAISO -- With the price of gas hovering around $3.40 a gallon, the time seemed right for Scott Heuring to offer drivers a cheaper option.

So on St. Patrick's Day, Heuring, who also owns a Ford dealership in Rensselaer, opened Get Scootin' on Lincolnway in downtown Valparaiso.

He sells Taiwan-made Genuine scooters. The Buddy model gets 100 miles per gallon; the starting price for a scooter is $1,899.

"It just seemed like a good opportunity," said Heuring, of Valparaiso, who runs the shop with his wife, Mindy, and employee Mike Urbans.

Heuring said gasoline costs and growing environmental concerns pushed his decision to open what he said is the only business in the region dedicated solely to the sale and service of scooters.

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April 12, 2008

Bikesure Woos Scooter Clubs

Bikesure is targeting scooter clubs with its new Clubrider scheme - especially clubs whose members ride modified Vespas and Lambrettas. Clubrider aims to offer rider clubs a wide range of services, products and discounts usually only available to the larger owners' clubs, such as discounts for members, dedicated phone lines and marketing support.

"Clubrider can be an especially important benefit for clubs with members who modify their scooters," says Paul Hammond of Bikesure. "Many riders who have modified scooters have problems getting them covered. Insurers either don't want to know, or they put them on a classic policy but won't include cover for the modifications. Bikesure is happy to cover modified scooters, even on a like-for-like basis. So if you make a claim, the modifications are fully covered.

"Club members will be able to insure their modified scooters through Clubrider, and get a discount into the bargain."

Clubrider means that riders' clubs of whatever size will be able to enjoy many 'big club' benefits, even if they only have a dozen members. It also offers clubs an extra source of income, since Bikesure is willing to pay introducer fees to them for every policy taken out by their members, subject to terms and conditions.

Clubrider Benefits
Scooter clubs signing up to Clubrider can negotiate discounts of up to 15% for their members' scooter insurance. On top of that, Bikesure can offer members scooter-related benefits including agreed values, unlimited mileage for classics, free legal cover, a low-cost policy for helmet & leathers cover and up to 365-day European cover.

As part of the Adrian Flux Insurance Group, Bikesure is also able to give members a discount on a whole range of other insurance products including car, caravan and home insurance.

Clubs can join Clubrider for free. To find out more about Clubrider contact Paul Hammond on 01553 845516 or by email paul.hammond@bikesure.co.uk

Bikesure has a huge range of specialist policies for the motorcycle enthusiast, including cheap bike insurance schemes for performance and custom bikes, scooters, trikes, quads and bug riders. For details freephone the Bikesure quote line on 0800 089 2000, email the company at bikesure@adrianflux.co.uk or visit www.bikesure.co.uk

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Norwich Is The ‘New Rome’

Norwich, the city famous for Delia Smith and Colman’s mustard has been dubbed the UK’s answer to Rome after being named Britain’s ‘Scooter Capital’ by Bennetts, the nation’s favourite bike insurer. With almost one in 20 Norwich residents owning or riding a scooter, it’s still some way behind the Italian capital where one in six take to a moped, although it seems Norfolk’s scooter commuters are hot on the Italian’s designer heels and are predicted to overtake them by the year 2020.

Based on actual policyholder data from Bennetts, Norwich raced past the competition, with twice as many scooters as nearest rivals Portsmouth and Leicester and four times more than Bristol and Newcastle. Surprisingly London didn’t even make the top ten, with Liverpool, Cardiff, Sheffield, Birmingham and Glasgow bringing up the rear. Jersey has the least scooters nationally, with policyholders on the island in single figures.

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April 11, 2008

Vespa's punchy new scooter keeps up with traffic

In a perfect world, there would be peace, gasoline would still cost two bits a gallon, mortgages would be illegal, and every person who got behind the wheel of an automobile would be a skilled and courteous driver. Motorcycles would have the right of way on city streets, and I’d be six inches taller, have a full head of hair, and weigh about 30 pounds less.

But life is full of imperfections. And if you’re on the large side and still like the idea of thrifty and economical two-wheeled transportation, but find yourself on the outside looking in because most scooters are just too underpowered and flimsy, perhaps Vespa’s LX 150 is the answer.

It looks like a conventional scooter—albeit with a decidedly retro flavour—but lurking beneath that sheet-metal space-frame is a 150 cc single-cylinder engine that delivers some 11.7 horsepower at 7,750 revolutions per minute, and almost eight-and-a-half foot-pounds of torque at 6,000 rpm.

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KYMCO Debuts Myroad 700i Touring Scooter at Tokyo Motor Show

KYMCO, the largest manufacturer of powered two-wheelers (PTWs) and all terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Taiwan, once again proved that it can ride at the head of the pack with the world`s best by premiering several new models at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007 in Japan.

The 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007, one of the largest and most important trade fairs for wheeled vehicles in the world, was held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City for 17 days from October 26 through November 11 in 2007.

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Vespa brings new mode of transport to Toledo

TOLEDO -- If you're tired of all the pain at the pump these days, there's now another mode of transportation in our area. A new Vespa shop is now open in Toledo.

Imagine getting 60 to 90 miles to the gallon for your vehicle. Well, think no more. This new riding option might be riding the wave of the future.

The co-owner of the new Vespa shop describes her peppy product as a solid, sturdy ride. And if you want more than pep, how about this...great gas mileage. Three to five times the amount compared to your average car!

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Drunk mum arrested on mobility scooter

A YOUNG mum faces a lengthy ban after being caught drink driving — on an electric disability scooter.

Police were stunned when they spotted the Greenock woman driving the four-wheel motability vehicle through the town centre at midnight.

When they stopped Patricia McHugh, who has committed two previous drink driving offences, they found carrier bags full of lager cans draped over the handlebars.

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April 9, 2008

Vectrix Maxi electric scooter

So with petrol sitting pretty at over £5 a gallon, what does it cost to ride green?

Obviously electricity isn’t free (unless you plug in to one of the free charge points across London) but charging a Vectrix is surprisingly cheap, in fact, it will cost you less than the price of boiling a kettle for a cup of tea. I’d certainly need more than a cup of tea if I was going to cycle 60 miles, which is about how far you’ll get on a full charge.

In theory you’ve got a range of nearly 70 miles but in practice this figure is fairly negotiable. Wring the throttle and your range plummets on the clever computerised LCD screen. Alternatively, spare the disc brakes and twist the throttle backwards as you slow down and the regenerative braking system actually charges the battery on the move.

The Vectrix plugs into any standard three-point socket so access to a power source is never difficult. Even if you live on the 15th floor of a block of flats there are currently over 120 free charge points across London, and every NCP car park now boasts a charge point.

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April 8, 2008

Locals find alternatives to soaring gas prices

Over the weekend, the national average gas price per gallon once again reached a record high.

So an increasing number of Austinites are finding ways to avoid the pumps altogether.

One business seeing increases is Alien Scooters in South Austin.

"It's a very conscious choice for almost all these people," Alien Scooters owner Ann McSpadden said.

Her business has seen a 30 percent spike in sales over the last year.

"The winds of change talk pretty loud in this industry," McSpadden said. "We've seen a major increase of people wanting something that doesn't burn gas."

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The Scooter, Transformed

If you live in a crowded area, don't have far to go to work, or just like to ride them, scooter can be a lifesaver. However, their small size and light weight can can also make them prime targets for theft. The new XO Move Scooter was designed to deter such thefts and it may very well do that.

The idea behind the XO is to make it more secure when parked. To accomplish this, the operator can literally "fold" the XO into itself and lock it. Obviously, if they don't plan on driving it away, it won't do much except annoy them when they get it to wherever they are going, but most of the time if they have to think twice they won't go for it.

Posted by Frank at 9:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

A Segway Sidewalk Tour

As our four-man squad of Segways glided through Guilford on a recent sunny day, kids stared from car windows, and people walking on the green turned to watch.

We streamed along the sidewalks, passing gardens colored with the first blooms of spring, ducking beneath low tree branches and sidling past a man with a wheelbarrow. We snaked over the green, splitting off and racing over the web of paths.

The ride was courtesy of Shoreline Segway, a division of R.E.A.D. Amusements — which is Rich Petrillo; his wife, Eileen; and their sons, Adam and Devlin. Their shop on River Street in Guilford sells and rents costumes, inflatable rides, games and other party gear. They started Shoreline Segway last year and now have a fleet of eight machines for tours of the historic town. Rich Petrillo says he has been talking to representatives of Riverfront Recapture and may offer tours along the Connecticut River in Hartford this summer.

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April 7, 2008

Armadillo Scooter Wear – New Spring Summer Collection

Armadillo Scooter Wear is designed by scooter riders for scooter riders. Fed up with the dominance of courier chic, the founders set about creating a range of modish scooter wear that combines urban style with cutting edge fabrics to keep riders dry, warm and impact protected.

With a choice of classic 60’s styled parkas to the technical hoody it is easy to shake off that pizza boy image. And to ensure that scooter riders have clothing to match the changing seasons, Armadillo Scooter Wear is extending its collection with the launch of the Spring/Summer range.

The new Spring/Summer 08 collection boasts the men’s Soft Shell Hoody and Classic Macintosh alongside the women’s Funnel Neck Jacket and Scarlett Macintosh. Not only does Armadillo bring the much-loved classic mac into the 21st century, but by reflecting mainstream fashion trends, riders can ensure they look good both on and off their scooter.

The women’s Funnel Neck Fitted Jacket is 100% waterproof and breathable. Its lightweight quality makes it the ideal companion for the unpredictable spring weather. The wonderfully bright scarlet material ensures high visibility as well as fitting easily with this year’s colourful spring/summer collections. And for men who don’t like to think too much about what to put on, the Soft Shell Hoody is sure to be this seasons key wardrobe staple. Windproof, waterproof and fully breathable, this summer’s throwover will quickly become any riders ‘old favourite’.

Exclusive to the UK scooter market, the Armadillo jackets, trousers and gloves contain ‘Intelligent’ CE approved d3o™ protection, incorporated as removable d3o™ components in high impact areas including the elbows, shoulders, and knees. d3o™ is a material containing intelligent molecules, which flow freely under normal conditions, making the material soft and flexible for maximum freedom and comfort, but which lock together on shock, providing great protection on impact.

Armadillo. Scooter wear without compromise.

About Armadillo Scooter Wear
Armadillo Scooter Wear was launched in June 2007 and is headed up by Rupert Findlay and Tim Hebden.
Armadillo Scooter Wear was born out of a passion for riding scooters, wanting to wear protective clothing, but not wanting to look like a courier or a biker. Their mission is to provide contemporary clothing for scooter riders; using cutting edge fabrics and innovative detailing we aim to bring the scooter clothing market into the 21st century.

Complete Range 08
• Men’s Soft Shell Hoody
• Women’s funnel neck Jacket
• Men’s Classic Macintosh
• Women’s Scarlett Macintosh
• Mens Parka
• Ladies Parka
• Unisex CAMOVISION jacket
• Mens Waterproof trousers
• Ladies Waterproof trousers
• Winter Gloves
• All weather Gloves

Fabric specifications
• d3o™ – ‘Intelligent’ CE approved impact protection
• Windproof
• Waterproof to 10,000mm
• Thinsulate 6000mm 3M warmth without bulk
• Breathable Tech 3 fabric – patented

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Aprilia Adds Two New Scarabeo Scooters

With more than 750,000 Aprilia Scarabeo scooters sold during the last 15 years, this model line is a household word among style and value-conscious Europeans.

Now, in addition to the Scarabeo 500 i.e., Aprilia has added two new Scarabeo models to its portfolio, the Scarabeo 100 and 200. Whether they have a taste for the "big bike" cruising qualities of a large 500cc scooter or prefer a smaller machine, American riders will find the right size within this popular Italian family.

Ready for any challenge, whether it involves in-town errands, cross-town commutes or out-of-town distance rides, these "automatic motorcycles" are the definition of authentic style, performance, premium quality and unparalleled value.

Posted by Frank at 1:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

EagleRider Now Offers Scooter Rentals in Myrtle Beach

LOS ANGELES, CA -- EagleRider, the world's largest motorcycle rental and touring company, is excited to announce the grand opening of its first location in South Carolina. EagleRider of Myrtle Beach is located in the heart of downtown Myrtle Beach on the main road in and out of town.

The new location is less than three miles from the Myrtle Beach International Airport and less than one from the Atlantic Ocean. Myrtle Beach is nestled along the South Carolina Coast in the north eastern corner of the Palmetto state.

Myrtle Beach, one of the top rated beach destinations in the country, is also known for being a golf and vacation setting with more than 100 golf courses and hundreds of hotels along the Atlantic Ocean. In Myrtle Beach you can relax on the beach, hit the links, or spend the day shopping and dining. EagleRider of Myrtle Beach will provide self-guided motorcycle tours including planned restaurants, hotels, and attractions along the way.

William Rock Burch, owner of EagleRider Myrtle Beach is no stranger to the rental industry. Rock has more than 15 years of experience in car rental and currently is the President and co-owner of U-Save Car & Truck Rental. U-Save has three locations in the Myrtle Beach area and one in Greer, SC. Rock is also a motorcycle enthusiast. He bought his first Harley-Davidson in 2000 and the rest is history.

"It is truly exciting to open the first EagleRider motorcycle rental franchise in South Carolina. EagleRider is the world's largest motorcycle rental company. We are proud to be able to offer Harley-Davidson and Scooter rentals to the many residents and over 14 million tourists who visit Myrtle Beach each year. With three annual bike rallies and Myrtle Beach being a thriving golf and beach destination, EagleRider is a perfect fit for the Grand Strand and South Carolina. Now a visiting golfer will be able to play 18 holes in the morning, rent a Harley at EagleRider and cruise Ocean Boulevard that night. It's an awesome feeling to be able to rent someone a dream," said Rock Burch, owner of EagleRider Myrtle Beach.

About EagleRider

EagleRider pioneered the Harley-Davidson rental concept in 1992 and today operates the world's largest motorcycle rental and powersport rental fleet from premier manufacturers such as Harley-Davidson, Honda, BMW, and Polaris. EagleRider's expansion of its franchise rental facilities targets global tourist destinations and currently offers adventure travel enthusiasts the opportunity to experience their dream vacation from rental facilities in the USA, United Kingdom, Austria, Australia, Spain, France, Ireland, Mexico, Costa Rica, and New Zealand www.eaglerider.com.

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TVS launches electric scooter

Bangalore -- TVS Motor Company launched its first electric scooter, Scooty Teenz Electric, here today.

Run on the Valve-Regulated-Lead-Acid (VRLA) battery, the vehicle is powered by a 800 watt motor and can carry up to 130 kg of load.

It can deliver an average range of 40 km per nine hours of battery charge. The maximum speed the vehicle can clock is 40 kmph.

Addressing a press conference, TVS general manager (marketing) S Srinivas said the electric vehicle's target segment is teenage girls who use vehicles to travel short distances ranging between 15-25 km per day.

The vehicle has been released in three colours -- red, black and lilac -- and has motif-based graphics that appeal to feminine tastes.

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Vespadition rolls forward

Peter Ramstine was born in New Zealand. He first came to America as a teenager, but he spent much of his young adulthood exploring the world, making his way as a chef in such exotic locales as Thailand, Fiji and, appropriately enough, the Cook Islands.

Four years ago, he met a girl, moved to Virginia and got a job in Washington, D.C., feeding members of the government. After the relationship ended, he relocated to Pennsylvania, injured his arm, went through multiple surgeries and basically lived off his savings. A year of that and Ramstine began brainstorming ideas to get out of the house again. It then dawned on him to combine his three greatest passions: traveling, scootering and volunteerism.

On April 1, he left Thousand Oaks on a 2007 GTS 250 Vespa, embarking on what he is calling the “Vespadition.” His goal is to visit 49 United States, stopping in at least one city in every state to help those communities in various forms, whether in a homeless shelter, a children’s hospital or in the still hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast, rebuilding homes.

Posted by Frank at 1:52 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Enjoying spring on a scooter

There I was, riding my small 125 cc scooter on a lonely back road along the Virgin River in southern Nevada. A guy in leather riding what I assumed was a Harley-Davidson "hog" came into view.

I felt - and probably looked - like one of the characters in the movie "Dumb and Dumber" on the silver scooter, zooming at a maximum speed of about 60 mph. I couldn't resist waving at the real motorcyclist as if we were somehow cohorts in our back-roads adventures.

Much to my pleasure and surprise, he waved back, making me feel, for a moment, part of the motorcycling fraternity that takes long tours across the United States.

Until that day, the thought of taking a motorcycle tour never held much appeal. Being whipped by wind, having my body exposed to the whims of truck drivers on the interstate and enduring the inevitable rain or even snowstorm did not seem appealing.

Posted by Frank at 1:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Scooter Riders Ask City for Help

We spend a lot of time at the Seattlest newsroom talking about the problems bicycle riders in this city have and how the city should make it easier for us since we reduce congestion and emissions at the same time. Now we realize we’ve been ignoring the good our our two-wheeled motorized brethren (and sistern) on scooters.

According to the PI, Vince Rowley and Eric Pravitz are regular scooter riders who want the City Council to Seattle more scooter friendly:

Tuesday evening, they're likely to ask officials at a City Council committee session to crack down and make it easier to get around on smaller vehicles such as the ones they drive.

Apparently, Rowley and Pravitz think the law that says each two-wheeled vehicle in a metered stall has to have a parking sticker is unfairly punitive. Back in the day when coin-op meters ruled the streets, they say, as long as the stall was paid for, every scooter was covered. They also plan to ask the city to crack down on car drivers who move their light-weight rides and then take the parking spot (not to mention the parking sticker). The two men say that scooters’ lower emissions make the changes worthwhile.

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Scooters Catch a Break on NYC Congestion Pricing

Under the proposed congestion pricing plan for vehicles entering Manhattan, motorcycles and scooters would only pay $4 to pass through Manhattan below 60th Street, versus the $8 suggested for cars.

Posted by Frank at 1:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 2, 2008

Gas prices fueling demand for scooters

Danielle Sherman didn't hesitate when asked why she was shopping for a motor scooter.

"Gas prices!" exclaimed the University of Utah Medical Center employee, whose husband Todd is a student at the U.

The climbing price of fuel has more Wasatch Front residents seeking alternatives to car travel. Motor scooters, first invented in Germany in the late 1800s and a staple form of transportation in Europe since after World War II, are getting a closer look.

While Salt Lake City's streets certainly don't resemble Rome, London or Paris where scooters are as common as cars, more of them can be seen these days.

Jonathan Schlee, owner of Eco Moto in Salt Lake City, said the growth in his business has more than doubled. His store went from selling fewer than 200 scooters in 2006 to 500 in 2007. He expects to sell 800 this year.

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Scooter drives man to acts of kindness

Riding a scooter, a man from New Zealand set off from Thousand Oaks on Tuesday aiming to visit the capital city of each U.S. state except Hawaii, and Canada's eight provinces.

Peter Ramstine also plans to perform acts of kindness and volunteerism wherever he goes on his 40,000-mile expedition on a Vespa scooter.

"It's not about me. It's about the ride. It's about volunteering," Ramstine said as he loaded up his scooter for the first leg of his journey from Thousand Oaks to Los Angeles, where he was planning to spend today volunteering at a nonprofit magazine before heading out to Phoenix on Thursday.

Although he began his journey on April 1, the "Vespadition," as he calls it, is no laughing matter for Ramstine, 37, who also goes by the name Matua in the language of New Zealand's Maori native people.

Posted by Frank at 10:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

2008 Scarabeo 500: Category Leading Features and a Taste for Touring

The Scarabeo 500 i.e. returns in 2008 as the true “automatic motorcycle” in Aprilia’s scooter family. An elegant, technically advanced machine, the Scarabeo 500 i.e. combines all the advantages of a traditional motorcycle – such as safety, performance and riding thrills – with the easy riding character of a scooter.

Like all Aprilia’s, the Scarabeo 500 i.e. is weight-optimized and as a result is the lightest 500cc scooter in its class. The scooter also features one of the very best power to weight ratios in the market, which means lively acceleration, fast and safe passing capability and intuitively easy control.

Classic Scarabeo features include a big 16” front and 14” inch rear tire for excellent stability, a powerful integral braking system, timeless Italian design with premium materials throughout and excellent fuel economy with low emissions.

Load carrying capacity plays a fundamental role when consumers choose a scooter, and the Scarabeo 500 i.e. is a champion when it comes to lugging “stuff.” Under-seat storage is large enough to hold a full-face helmet and other personal items. An additional lockable storage compartment is located in the back of the leg guard. An optional, lockable top box can also be added to the standard luggage rack. And, to help protect what riders bring with them, the Scarabeo 500 i.e. comes standard with an electronic anti-theft system – an industry first.

The 2008 Scarabeo 500 i.e. is available at Aprilia dealers with a suggested MSRP of $6,299. Color choices include Couture Blue and Shine Red.

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Scarabeo 100 Offers Same Great Family Values in a Smaller Size

For anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of scootering in a smaller size, the 2008 Aprilia Scarabeo 100 is the perfect answer. Despite its smaller displacement four-stroke engine, the Scarabeo 100 still delivers plenty of punch off the line, with great acceleration and performance for around-town jaunts.

The Scarabeo 100 also has all the premium features and conveniences that are a Scarabeo family standard. Even storage capacity is generous, with a standard top box large enough to hold a helmet or groceries. It’s the kind of convenience that will inspire you to ride your Scarabeo whenever possible.

Specific improvements over previous small Scarabeo models include a new light design that improves both appearance and function. At the rear, the all-new tail lights employ the latest High-Visibility LED technology, which greatly enhances rider and passenger safety. Accessing this new technology gave Aprilia designers a chance to rethink how the lights should fit into the Scarabeo's flowing lines, and now they contribute to the bike's classic look. The headlight is new too, with a shaped nacelle leading to a revised nose fairing for improved aerodynamics. The instruments have been fully redesigned to reflect the overall Scarabeo style, and are complete – something not always found on “entry level” scooters.

The advanced chassis is one of the main factors in the Scarabeo success story. A high strength tubular steel reinforced frame ensures pace-setting agility and unrivalled stability for a 100cc scooter. The hydraulic fork permits 80 mm of front wheel travel while the rear suspension, based on a robust, adjustable hydraulic monoshock, has a full 82 mm of wheel travel as well.

Great-looking new wheels offer improved handling thanks to their lighter weight and reduced rotational inertia. The Scarabeo 100 steers easily, yet holds its line in corners. The tires are larger as well, offering impeccable stability. More tire also means more grip for braking, so active safety is enhanced in this area as well. Excellent brakes are a key safety component of course, and the Scarabeo doesn't scrimp in this department. The front brake features a 220 mm disc and a caliper with two opposed pistons. The rear brake is a generous 140 mm durable drum for precise, controllable stopping.

The 2008 Scarabeo 100 is available at Aprilia dealers with a suggested MSRP of $2,699. Color choices include Unique Green and Shine Red.

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2008 Scarabeo 200 is a Joy Ride with Amazing Utility

The Scarabeo 200 is chock-full of great ideas. A flat platform provides added space for load carrying. A windshield fixed to the steering head channels air flow over the rider, guaranteeing turbulence-free travel and surprising weather protection, even at high speed.

Generous analog-digital instrumentation includes an on-board computer with handlebar controls. The system's many functions include outside air temperature display with ice warning for the hardiest of scooteristi. Even the center stand has been carefully designed to afford the best possible leverage—now every rider will find that lifting his or her Scarabeo on to its stand is a quick, strain-free experience.

The aluminum luggage rack provides the perfect surface for fitting a secure and handy top box (an optional dealer installed accessory). True to Aprilia quality, the Scarabeo 200 features tasteful use of chrome and “big bike” features like direction indicators integrated in the handlebars. These and many other clever details combine to make the Scarabeo a scooter that celebrates Italian style and ingenuity without sacrificing an iota of utility and convenience.

Class-Leading Performance

The heart of the Scarabeo 200 is an advanced single cylinder four stroke engine, designed by Aprilia exclusively for the Scarabeo. It is lightweight, eco-friendly and packs an impressive 19 hp at 8250 rpm, with generous torque (12.5 lb./ft at 7500 rpm).

That makes the Scarabeo 200 the most powerful scooter in its class. All this power is available without sacrificing fuel consumption or low emissions, the Scarabeo runs both fast and clean. One of the ways Aprilia achieved this dynamic package is by optimizing valve timing in the same way engineers tune the company’s high performance racing engines. As a result, engineers were able to combine high peak power and good midrange punch with low emissions.

Designed for Safety and Comfort

The new Scarabeo 200 is designed to maintain all the unique features that make the Scarabeo a showroom success around the world, without losing sight of the easy rideability, advanced performance and safety that characterize all Aprilia products. These defining values are engineered into the very soul of the new Scarabeo, making it agile, extremely safety-conscious and more than able to deliver thrilling motorcycle style handling where road conditions permit.

An exceptionally rigid and robust new high strength steel frame and carefully setup suspension deliver maximum feel and a super-smooth ride. The front fork is a 35mm hydraulic unit. At the rear, the engine and transmission assembly acts as swingarm, with the assistance of an aluminum reaction arm. Simple, lightweight, yet effective, this solution incorporates shock absorbers that let you adjust preload to four different settings to adapt the bike to varying loads and riding styles.

The refined wheels are fitted with 16" high-wall tubeless tires (100/80 at the front, 120/80 at the rear). This combination is not only perfect for negotiating the hazards of city roads but also makes the new Scarabeo amazingly stable and intuitive to ride for expert and novice riders alike.

Superb brakes are an Aprilia hallmark, and the new Scarabeo 200 is no exception. The front wheel features a 260 mm disc and a floating caliper with three parallel pistons, while the rear wheel is equipped with a 220 mm disc and two piston calipers. The front and rear wheels are linked by a new integral braking system that distributes braking force between the two wheels and guarantees ultra-short, worry-free stopping distances.

The Scarabeo 200 is available at Aprilia dealerships nationwide for $3599. Color choices include Couture Blue and Shine Red.