August 13, 2008
Scooters' popularity concern for some
With gas prices on the rise and no real hope of them coming down, consumers are looking for alternative modes of transportation to conserve fuel and money.
According to the Consumer Reports blog, the sale of scooters was up about 24 percent for the first few months of 2008. Yamaha scooter sales to date are up 65 percent over last year and Vespa set an all-time sales record in May, selling 2,758 scooters compared to 1,675 in June 2007.
Mike Lemmons, owner of Gas Buster Scooters on Poplar Street, said he has sold 130 scooters in the last six weeks. He has an inventory of 70 and 500 on order right now.
"(Gas) has put a crunch on all the families," he said. Buyers now pay for one gallon of gasoline, which reportedly, lasts between 100 and 125 miles depending on the size of the scooter, he said.
The scooters are categorized by the size of their engines. Scooters with an engine size of 50 cubic centimeters or less are designed for in-town use considering their speed limit is not to exceed 30 MPH.
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Police educate scooterists
A recent increase in gas prices has spurred a rise in the number of alternative vehicles on Minnesota's roadways.
International Falls Police Sgt. Willi Kostiuk said that officers are attempting to educate people about the laws regarding motorized bikes, also known as scooters, before they begin writing citations to violators of those laws.
Kostiuk said the laws are intended to help keep people safe.
"We want to work with everybody and education is the best way," he said.
The driving of scooters, which are less than 50 cubic centimeters or less, on roadways is governed by a number of state rules. Without compliance, operators can be issued citations, explained Kostiuk.
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Scooters Easy To Steal, Lock Them Up
DENVER ― One woman is warning other scooter owners to lock up their vehicles because she learned it doesn't take much for thieves to steal the small bikes that have become more popular as gas prices rise. The theft was caught on video cameras set up by her husband after previous thefts.
Janet Colfelt said her husband discovered the scooter was gone Saturday morning.
The security video showed two men walking up to the scooter, picking it up as a truck pulls up. The men throw the scooter in the back and drive off.
Colfelt thought the cameras and lights out front of their home were enough of a deterrent. Now she knows to buy a lock.
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Scooter Polluters
As gas prices rise, so has the sale of scooters. Seattle sales of the trendy two-wheelers have risen almost 40 percent since last year. Scooters get great gas mileage and help reduce greenhouse gasses. But they may not be so good for the environment. KUOW's Joshua McNichols has more.
IF YOU WANT TO BUY A SCOOTER, YOU MIGHT GO SEE ALEX SARGEANT. HE OWNS THE SCOOTER GALLERY IN SEATTLE.
SARGEANT: "It's somewhat of a retro style, it comes with a nice color-matched trunk. It's a two-toned retro-design with lots of chrome, a chrome headlight surround."
McNICHOLS: "And it's pink. You gotta love a pink scooter."
SARGEANT: "It's actually raspberry in color. Raspberry and cream."
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August 12, 2008
Ultra Motor Introduces New Electric Bike to U.S. Market
SAN FRANCISCO -- Ultra Motor today announced the availability of its new A2BTM electric bike.
Developed and manufactured by an international team of expert designers and engineers, the A2B is a state-of-the-art electric bike built specifically for urban transport across the American city landscape.
Increasing challenges are making urban transportation more costly and time-consuming: the Texas Transportation Institute reports that gridlock costs the average peak period traveler almost 40 hours a year in travel delay and wastes an annual 2.9 billion gallons of gasoline, which has climbed to more than $4.00 a gallon.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that nearly half of all trips are less than three miles. The A2B is a clean, gasoline-free transportation alternative for the thousands of short trips Americans take every day.
"The A2B is unparalleled in performance, comfort and style," said Chris Deyo, CEO of Ultra Motor USA. "Whether it is a commuter who wants their journey to be fast and hassle-free, a college student looking to get across campus or an active senior looking to combine exercise with convenience, this is the ideal transportation method."
Unique Combination: Performance, Utility, Design
The A2B is built from the tires up for superior performance and comfort in a sleek design. It is powered by a proprietary motor that is highly efficient, producing more "torque" or force to enable riders to accelerate faster and climb hills more easily than other electric bikes. The lithium-ion batteries stored inside the frame provide more energy per pound than any other power source, and recharge just like a laptop computer. Ideal for city roads, the A2B has full suspension like a mountain bike, an upright, relaxed sitting position, and an oversized seat for extra comfort.
The A2B combines functions of an electric bicycle and a scooter - the construction is the design. The manufacturing material and surfaces, such as the welding and motor, enhance the A2B's industrial appeal in withstanding the demands of an urban commute. The colors and finishes underline the stylish appearance, while the brown leather seat and grips provide a touch of classical bike design.
Ready, Set, Ride!
No driver's license is necessary, just charge the A2B, unplug it, turn the throttle and enjoy the ride. The A2B can travel at speeds up to 20 miles per hour, without pedaling. Or, if riders feel like some exercise, they can use the pedals to increase their speed and distance. The A2B travels 20 miles on a single charge and riders can use a secondary battery to travel up to 40 miles without re-charging.
For commuters and "short trippers," the A2B is designed to carry the goods - computers, groceries, flowers or gear. Baskets and side bags are available separately for purchase.
Smart Transport in September
The A2B will be available nationwide through authorized dealers beginning in September. For more information on the A2B or other Ultra Motor Light Electric Vehicles, visit www.ultramotor.com/usa.
About Ultra Motor
Ultra Motor is a leading force in the innovation of personal mobility. With state-of-the-art technology manufactured in Taiwan and a design team in Germany, Ultra Motor is paving the way with emissions-free smart transport solutions for the global urban market. The company's global headquarters are in London, and its US operation is based in San Francisco, California.
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Vespa scooter given added zest
Getting out of the driver's seat and on to a scooter is becoming more popular as drivers try to beat the jams and cut costs.
Vespa is at the forefront of classic looking scooters, and its new limited-edition Zafferano brings impossibly cool Italian urban chic to British streets.
It comes in exclusive hot orange paint, has plenty of retro detailing and the graphics are unique to this model.
The bike also features the signature rectangular headlight synonymous with the rest of the recently revised range. Two engine sizes are available - 50cc and 125cc. The former model comes with a sports seat, while the latter uses a more comfortable touring option.
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Revved up on scooters
PITTSTON TWP. -- Despite the stormy forecast Sunday, a group of members from the newly formed Scooter Club of NEPA took to the road for the club's fourth bi-monthly leisure run.
Scooter owner Robert Martin of Falls decided to form the club about three months ago when he started noticing how many scooters he shared the road with. "I see them everywhere," he said. "I thought it would be great if we could organize these people."
Martin said the club, which has about 25 members, mostly from Luzerne and Lackawanna counties, doesn't charge dues. Weather permitting, they usually meet every other Sunday at 1 p.m in the parking lot of the Pittston Plaza. "It's amazing to pull up in the parking lot and see all these people on scooters," he said.
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Solving Beijing's smog woes, one scooter at a time
Australian powersports company VMoto has recently announced that it will build hybrid and electric scoots in its Nanjing factory, and market them to the Chinese market later this year.
In the face of near-apocalyptic reports of smog and congestion in Beijing in the run-up to the Olympics, the world focus has shifted to the problem of transport in China. And with VMoto's success in Spain and the Middle East, the company is poised to make strides in an economy in dire need of a transport revolution.
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August 11, 2008
Scooter riders zoom into savings
Each weekday morning, Steve Conley leaves his home north of Wilmington, fires up his gas-powered scooter and takes off -- well, sort of takes off. His scooter only goes about 35 miles per hour.
Conley heads down Veale Road to Shipley Road, then onto Weldin. From there, he scoots to Talley Road, down Miller and turns onto Baynard Boulevard. Baynard turns into Washington Street, where he parks his scooter at a bike rack and heads into work at DuPont.
His commute is six miles each way.
His weekly gas bill? Less than $4.
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Scooter crazy
Tom Mort is one person who is not busy checking his gas mileage this summer.
The reason? This longtime motorcycle rider doesn't have to with his Suzuki Burgman 650 scooter he owns.
"We take the scooter out when it's nice because of the mileage," he said. "It's very good if you ride (55 mph or less), you do very well. I just don't use that much to have to check it. It's not like a car."
Mort is one of many people riding a motorcycle or scooter and saving gas at a time when the rest of Michiana's motorists are thrilled to see gas prices finally drop below $3.80 after being more than $4 much of the summer.
Posted by Frank at 11:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Scooter Sales Rise With Gas Prices
With gas prices as high as they are, more people are ditching their SUVs and scooping up scooters.
Dave Galik bought his first Vespa this summer.
"I wanted something to save gas money, something to get good gas mileage with."
And he's done that, putting just $10 a week in the tank - blowing away the mileage on his jeep.
"I'm probably saving about 40 dollars a week in gasoline," Galik estimates.
He wasn't the only scooter owner happy to share stats at the Rockerbox Ride Saturday, where anything on two wheels was welcome. Riders took off from a Vespa dealership, where soaring gas prices have sales soaring.
Posted by Frank at 11:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Save on your daily commute - scoot!
The rise in gas prices has me looking elsewhere. I have decided it's time to think smart. Something fun, fast, and possibly two wheels? Yes, scooters!
Scooters have been a European staple for daily commuting and even weekend getaways. Men in suits, Moms in the daily hurry, and young adults zipping to and from the places that make life great.
So why not me? I am Girl vs. Wild, and it's time to save some dinaro and start having a daily commuting scooter adventure!
Atomic Brown Scooter Shop, Oklahoma City's family-owned scooter dealer located on North Western Avenue, is where my latest adventure has taken me, and better yet I didn't have to drive far to get there.
Steve and Pam Hudson, owners' of Atomic Brown Scooter Shop have been selling and educating Oklahoma City on the fun, fast, and fuel efficient advantages of riding scooters since June of 2004.
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Scooping up scooters
CEDAR FALLS --- Nobody expects the world to start traveling on two wheels. But, many commuters are discovering the advantage of owning a scooter.
The draw is high gas mileage in the era of $4-per-gallon fuel, according to scooter dealers in the Cedar Valley, who say sales of little motorized two-wheelers have more than doubled in the last year.
Scooter sales increased 23.6 percent, year-on-year, in the first quarter, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council, a trade association.
According to published reports, Vespa USA, the U.S. arm of perhaps the world's best-known scooter manufacturer, said its sales in May were 105 percent higher than the same point in 2007.
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Petition Calls for More Scooter Parking Spaces
From farming to driving, Arkansans are looking for ways to save on fuel costs and many are turning to gas saving scooters. But there could be a catch....parking
Scooter owners from across the country are complaining about the lack of parking spaces. Two-wheeled drivers are having to park farther away in parking spots intended for much larger cars.
Now, the Vespa Company, which makes a popular scooter, is demanding "parking for all".
The company's online petition challenges local governments to think small when it comes to parking.
"If we had more scooters in smaller places, more parking for everyone, and it encourages people to ride scooters and motorcycles," Vespa Scooter Dealer, Leonard Zechiedrich said.
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August 10, 2008
The Vespatition
The scooter craze is spreading throughout NWA. Fewer scooter parking spots has led to the Vespatition. It's a petition set up for users to sign up online. The company will then send a petition to the City Mayor's office in your area, asking for more Vespa-Scooter parking spots in the area. Supporters say their plan would convert a regular parking spot, into up to 6 spots for Vespas. Think of it as parking numerous scooters in the place of one car.
Owner of Vespa Ozarks, Leonard Zeichiedrich says, "People need to realize it actually gets on the Mayor's desk. They may look at it, or they may look at it, but if we have more asking for those situations, then it will be better."
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August 9, 2008
Which scooter?
This will depend on what you're planning to do with it, and what kind of licence you have or are hoping to get. Engine size is the first consideration: if you need something for a short urban commute, say five miles or less, then a 50cc scooter will cost less than a railway season ticket to buy and insure, then reward you with 100mpg or better and minimal annual servicing bills.
Its top speed will be restricted to 30mph so it's no good for faster A-roads; some people will prefer the extra power of a 125cc as a 50cc machine often can't keep up with traffic even in town, where you're consigned to the gutter like a cyclist, which can be intimidating.
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August 8, 2008
Bankers on bikes
CAMDEN -- When three local bankers scoot through downtown Camden, they encounter a flurry of reactions ranging from impressed smiles to outbursts of laughter. Admittedly a bit self-conscious at the start, these professionals are now realizing huge savings at the pump, ultimately giving them the last laugh.
Camden National Bank Vice President and Director of Marketing Gino Bona admitted he feels a bit comical, especially when he is riding along on his scooter dressed in a business suit and helmet.
"When school let out, I had a handful of occasions right away riding around town," Bona said. "I've had high school kids just bust out laughing."
Scooter rider and Camden National Bank Senior Credit Analyst Mike Clark said, "I just tap the horn a few times. You've gotta have fun with it, you can't take yourself too seriously."
For the most part, people are curious about the miniature motorized bikes.
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Scooting right past the gas station
Baker County Library Clerk Lindy Cloyd started a trend five years ago -- long before the mere mention of gas prices elicited frustrated groans and heavy sighs.
With airlines starting to charge $7 for blankets and pillows in just the past week to offset fuel costs, Americans continue to search desperately for alternatives.
When Cloyd faced some car troubles nearly a decade ago, she decided to scrap the vehicle altogether and replace it with a 49 cc Yamaha Veno scooter from Oregon Trail Yamaha in Baker City.
When she realized she'd be riding the scooter often, Cloyd upgraded to a 125 cc model she bought in Salem.
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August 7, 2008
High gas prices have people turning to scooters
Hop on a scooter and you make a bold statement: You're stylish, you care for the planet, a rebel in our SUV-loving society. Until gas started closing in on the $4 a gallon mark,though, most Americans took little note. Now, the ultra-efficient two-wheelers are swiftly catching on.
Don and Heather Chiusa, 30-somethings living in Spring Hill, Tenn., have adopted an unexpected hobby in a time of soaringgasoline prices.
Eating up Tennessee asphalt, they've discovered, is far more fun when journeying on gas-sipping scooters.
"They get you to work, but they're not like cars," Don Chiusa says. "They're more like Jet Skis -- you're investing in something fun."
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Scooters zoom out of dealer showrooms
Scooters may be the runts of the road, but high-priced gas is making them kings of the showroom.
Dealers are periodically running short, and manufacturers say they're trying, sometimes in vain, to produce more scooters.
"There's no way we could have planned for almost doubling our sales," says Kevin Foley, spokesman for maker Yamaha.
While scooters made up about 15% of all street-licensable motorcycles in 2007, their U.S. sales zoomed 66% in the first half of the year, highest of any segment in the motorcycle market, the Motorcycle Industry Council says. Some scooter makers say sales boomed when gas hit $4 a gallon: Piaggio Group Americas, which makes Vespa, saw sales rise 174% in July compared with a year ago.
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Scooter purchases climb as buyers face high gas prices
John Mihaljevic is not concerned with $4-per-gallon gas. He's been saving money at the pump all summer.
Several months ago, Mihaljevic, 45, of Collinsville decided to leave his Jeep Wrangler in park, and he purchased a 2007 Yamaha Majesty, a 400cc motor scooter, from Collinsville Yamaha.
Mihaljevic used to own a Vespa, an Italian motor scooter, and as gas prices soared toward $4 this summer, he decided it was time to purchase a scooter.Mihaljevic rides his scooter every day to his job as manager at Collinsville's Imo's Pizza, and he also takes it on longer trips to De Soto, Mo., to visit his dad.
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Differences between a motor scooter and motorcycle
In Illinois, scooters of 150cc or more have the same classification as motorcycles and require a Class M driver's license to operate. Scooters of 149cc or less can be operated with a Class L license.
Although scooters of 150cc or more are included in motorcycle registration and fatality statistics in Illinois, there are some distinct differences between scooters, including high-power scooters, and motorcycles.
1. The engine for a scooter is at the rear while engines in motorcycles are up front, between a rider's legs.
2. Motorcycle riders use foot pegs while scooter riders have a floor board.
3. Most scooters have automatic transmissions, while motorcycles usually have multiple gears.
4. Scooters typically weigh less than a standard motorcyle.
Source: http://www.vespaatlanta.com/faqs.html
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Pininfarina CEO dies in scooter accident
TURIN -- Andrea Pininfarina, CEO of Italian design and contract manufacturer Pininfarina, died Thursday morning in a road accident near Turin.
Pininfarina, 51, died after a car collided with the Vespa motorcycle scooter he was riding to the company's design and r&d center in Cambiano.
Pininfarina's death comes at a time when the family-controlled company is in the midst of a crucial restructuring. Andrea Pininfarina has been Pininfarina's CEO since June 2001. He was also appointed chairman in May 2006.
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Scooter fans head for the Piece Hall
VESPA and Lambretta fans revved their engines at the first Piece Hall Scooter Rally.
Organised in conjunction with the Yorkshire Scooter Alliance, the event attracted more than 35 scooter owners and bike fans.
Phoenix Radio provided sounds of the 60s for the event which Ruth Taylor, Piece Hall events officer, said they hoped would become a yearly fixture.
"We hope this will be an annual event for people to come and show off their bikes. It was a real Quadrophenia style atmosphere with the mods and so on," she said.
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Trade Minister Kim Goes to Work on Scooter
A high-ranking Korean trade negotiator Tuesday went to work on a motor scooter in his efforts to join a nationwide energy conservation campaign.
Wearing casual white cotton pants, a blue T-shirt and a helmet, Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon drove his scooter to his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade downtown from his home in eastern Seoul in the morning.
"The scooter has brought me here just in 20 minutes, less than half the 45 minutes spent in my car every morning," Kim told reporters. "I feel very good as the air was fresh and it's even money-saving."
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August 6, 2008
Around the U.S. on a scooter
LAKEWOOD -- Alix Bryan left Lakewood Tuesday morning on the homestretch of tracing a 22,000 mile Peace sign on the continental United States.
Today marks day 94 of her journey that has taken 6 months of scooter riding over the past year. From Cleveland it's on to Pittsburgh and then to Washington, D.C.
When she arrives in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 8, 2008, Bryan will have created the largest Peace sign in history.
"We must know what the word means before we can acquire it," Bryan says, "and lasting peace must always come first from the individual."
Proving that women can safely travel alone and that little scooters can do big things, a Patriot's Exhibition Advancing Community and Environmentalism (P.E.A.C.E.) on a Scooter is focused on promoting peace rather than specifically opposing war.
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Colorado zipping along in scooter sales
High gas prices are leading some Coloradans to change the way they get around town.
Our state ranks 9th in the nation in scooter sales and you are sure to see more of them as you drive around town in your car. Nationally, scooter sales are up 15% in the first quarter of 2008.
At $4 a gallon, gas prices were just too much so Krista Metzler and her husband bought scooters for their "drive" to work. "I figure we've already saved close to $400 in the 7 weeks we've had the scooters, " says Metzler.
The Metzlers bought their scooters at RPM Motorsports. The 2008 models are nearly gone and the company is getting plenty of deposit money for 2009 models. Jeff Hernandez of RPM Motorsports says the increase in scooter sales is huge. "We've had a 20-percent increase in scooter sales this year alone compared to last year."
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Move a scooter in Seattle, get a fine
SEATTLE - The Seattle City Council has voted to impose a $38 fine on anyone caught moving someone else's scooter on the street.
The measure passed unanimously Monday. It was proposed after scooter owners complained that motorists were moving the scooters from parking spots on Seattle streets to make room for cars, making the scooters vulnerable to damage and parking tickets.
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August 5, 2008
Scooter sales soaring
HACKENSACK, N.J. - Call it scooter mania.
Skyrocketing gas prices and warm weather have triggered a buying frenzy of highly fuel-efficient scooters that has emptied most dealers and increased sales of scooter insurance policies.
What's drawing customers to the two-wheel side is their high gas mileage: Small-engine scooters - those with 50 cubic centimeters - can get up to 100 miles per gallon; larger ones - 650cc - get 50 to 70 miles per gallon.
Paramus, N.J., resident Joe Tramontana, 48, drives his new Vespa to his job in Tenafly and uses it to take his 12-year-old daughter to her day camp, rather than his Nissan Armada. The Armada was costing him $120 a week to fill the tank; the Vespa, $7 every couple of weeks.
"They're a lot of fun to ride, and the gas prices are ridiculous," he said.
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Scooter use increases in Morgan County
For some, they are a statement about a way of life -- for some, they are about gas savings.
And gosh darn it, they're just plain fun. More and more scooters can be seen on the roads of Morgan County, and they're usually driven by people with big smiles on their faces.
Madisonian Ishmael Bowman bought his first scooter--a 1978 Vespa Piaggio 150--in 1982. At the time he was living in Westport, CT, a bedroom community of New York City.
"Westport was a sort of summer town, the crowds were heavy," remembers Bowman. "At night time, near the restaurants, there was no parking, but bicycles and Vespas were ideal."
After moving from New York, Bowman--a self-employed private investor--stored his Vespa for a while. But he has been riding it again recently, and he's part of a growing local trend.
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Toyota thinks small with Winglet scooter
Toyota is thinking small--really small.
The Japanese automaker has developed the Winglet, a two-wheeled scooter that rivals the Segway.
The Winglet, which Toyota calls a "personal transport assistance robot," comes in three sizes--small, medium and large. The maximum cruising speed is 3.6 mph.
Eagle-eyed visitors to the Tokyo motor show last October would have spotted a pair of Winglets tucked on the back of the Hi-CT concept car. At that time, Toyota executives weren't saying much about the Winglet.
Now, Toyota says the small version of the Winglet, which stands just 18 inches tall, is designed to be ridden hands free. The medium version stands nearly 27 inches tall, while the large version (which most closely resembles a Segway) stands 44.5 inches tall.
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High gas prices spur local scooter sales
No, Tarrant County hasn't been invaded by scooter-driving Europeans.
These are homegrown Texans discovering the joys of getting as much as 90 miles per gallon on their daily commutes like counterparts in Italian urban centers. And if it feels like reliving La Dolce Vita, all the better.
Vespa Fort Worth, which was cleaned out for two weeks at one point this summer, had just two models left in its showroom at 1111 University Drive late last week and deposits for 40 scooters on order.
"In 25 years in the business, I've never been sold out of every piece of equipment," said general manager Robert Brock, 47, who commutes 120 miles daily on a 500cc model from Aubrey in Denton County. "I average 63 miles to the gallon."
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Southwest Floridians trading into two-wheelers
Four-wheel gas guzzler or two-wheel gas-sipper?
As some Southwest Floridians trade in their two-ton trucks for 200-pound scooters and small motorcycles to pay less at the pump, Naples shops are gearing up for fuel-frugal buyers.
While the number of registered cars and trucks has dropped a negligible 0.3 percent in Collier County since Jan. 1, registered motorcycles increased 4 percent to 9,787 by July 1, according to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles statistics.
"We've had a whole year's business so far this year," said Motor Toys owner George Burt, who deals new and used gas scooters from his Naples store.
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More fuel-efficient scooters are hitting the road
Move over, Toyota Prius. There's a new mpg king in town.
As gas prices continue to weigh on people's minds and pocketbooks, many have found an alternative to their car or truck: the motor scooter.
Bigger than a moped and smaller than a motorcycle, motor scooters typically have step-through frames and full bodywork, and most get between 50 and 90 miles per gallon.
Nationally, fuel-conscious commuters have started to take notice, as sales of motor scooters, which include brands like Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Piaggio, rose 66 percent in the first half of 2008 compared with the same period last year.
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Boom in sales of the frugal scooter
The weather is keeping most people in their cars, but this will be the summer of the scooter if inquiries are anything to go by, dealers here say.
"I think it will really take off just before Christmas. Although we are not selling many right now, we're getting four or five inquiries a day, says Derek Mead at Gisborne Honda."
"Gisborne is a 'five-minute town' -you can get anywhere in five minutes, and a scooter will do 60 to 70 kilometres a litre.
"One of our customers works next to us in Hammer Hardware, and lives by the hospital. She spends eight dollars a month on fuel - perhaps nine dollars with the price rises."
Over at CGM Motorcycles, Phil Summerfield is astonished they are selling scooters in winter.
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Peugeot cuts UK scooter prices
PEUGEOT reckons it has the solution for thrifty city workers bitten by the credit crunch, a price drop by up to £1,100 on its range of scooters.
With escalating fuel prices only adding to the pinch, scooter sales in the UK rocketed by nearly 10 per cent last month.
Peugeot is hoping it can direct this influx of two-wheeled interest its way with a £1,100 price slash on its big-wheeled Geopolis 250 (£2,999); a £600 cut on the Satelis 500 maxi-scooter (£3,999); and a further £300 price drop on the Satelis 125 (£2,799).
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August 4, 2008
Eager commuters hop on scooters
For commuters sick of high gas prices, the phrase "140 miles a gallon" can be quite a come-on.
Salesman Danny Hoag repeated those words over and over Saturday morning to shoppers who stopped by Scooterz Inc. in Raleigh to run their fingers over the shiny two-wheelers that are becoming a sought-after alternative to cars.
The 140 mpg stat Hoag gave is an extreme. One new scooter owner reported fuel mileage closer to 95. But with gas prices just backing away from $4 a gallon, 100 mpg and 70 mpg -- Hoag's estimates for other makes -- sound almost as sweet.
Some local dealers say scooters are such a hot ride these days that they can't keep the two-wheelers in stock.
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Scooters an alternative to high gas prices
Lee's Summit Councilman Nick Swearngin wanted to do something about high gas prices, so he switched from driving a Hummer to something a little smaller - a scooter.
"It's a blast to drive," he said. "I have a lot of fun on it."
He said when he first started riding it, he felt a little silly.
"The first two weeks I had that scooter, I honestly would see people laugh and sneer," Swearngin said. "Now, people pull up next to me and roll down their windows and ask how much it cost and what the gas mileage is like."
Posted by Frank at 9:26 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Drivers 'scooting' ahead of gas prices
Rising gas prices aren't a pressing concern for Wilkes-Barre resident Joe Blizman. For years, he enjoyed the 30 miles per gallon his Dodge Neon achieved.
He also liked the convenience of guiding the small car into tight city parking spots.
Still, Blizman felt there might be something better; something that got better gas mileage and was even easier to park.
Blizman found the solution last year when he purchased a 50cc Piaggio scooter with a 1.9-gallon gas tank and 90 mpg fuel economy.
"I figured it would be great for getting me around town," he said.
More people are agreeing with Blizman, as high gas prices are forcing some to park their four-wheeled behemoths in favor of something smaller and more efficient.
Posted by Frank at 9:26 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Scooter drivers have rights
Sioux Falls is a great small city. We have the benefits and recreation of big city life but the charm and hospitality of country living. I believed in this wholeheartedly right up to the point when I bought a scooter. Yep, that's right, until I bought my awesome scooter.
Let me explain.
I want to do my part for the environment and save some money where I can. Plus, I enjoy the freedom of riding a scooter, so I bought one. I take myself back and fourth to work and drop my daughter off at day care in the mornings.
Posted by Frank at 9:23 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 3, 2008
Regulations Rattle Some Scooter Owners
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A record number of middle Tennessee residents are buying motorized scooters to save money, but some are confused by the state's scooter rules.
Some dealers are reporting back orders on scooters that will take months to fill, but should non-scooter drivers care?
Most new scooter owners are doing it to save money, but if they don't comply with the law, they could face financial ruin.
David McPeak said he loves his Vespa. He said it's a fun way to travel, plus it gets 110 miles per gallon.
"It's nice to just be able to jump on the scooter, run down to Wal-Mart, to the Kroger's, to the pharmacy or wherever you might need to go on pennies instead of dollars," he said.
Posted by Frank at 1:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Principal making house calls on a scooter
FEDERAL WAY - Damon Hunter climbed off his scooter and rang the doorbell of Dennis Good's house.
The seventh-grader answered and looked up at the 6-foot-4-inch tall principal of Saghalie Middle School in Federal Way.
"Wow, Mr. Hunter," the 12-year-old exclaimed. "Am I in trouble?"
No, no, Hunter said, as Dennis' mom came to the door. Dennis, whether joking or not, and his mom, Colene Good, had advance warning the principal was coming.
He'd sent an automated voice message to parents, telling him he was coming to visit the homes of his students at Saghalie.
Posted by Frank at 1:06 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 2, 2008
Vespa LX150 scooter
About a month ago we promised to get our hands on some scooters for evaluation. We've just added a couple of Vespas to our test fleet, a 50cc LX50 and a 150cc LX150. The LX50 model cost us $3,299, the LX150 $4,399. After some buzzing around ("Vespa" means wasp in Italian) in the immediate vicinity, it became clear that most of us prefer the 150. Though the 50cc model doesn't require a motorcycle license, it's limited to only 30 mph and feels sluggish. In order to ride legally and confidently on highways, you'd need a 250cc scooter.
The other day I ferried the LX150 home on a trailer so I could ride it in more urban and suburban settings than the rural roads around our test track. I immediately felt very trendy. Spurred on by record high gas prices, the Vespa has become a fashion statement in my neck of the woods in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Mind you, I'm not a two-wheeler novice: I used to own a Triumph motorcycle. It took a bit of a mindset adjustment to ride the Vespa, but I'm happy to announce that my ego remained intact. Luckily, everything else also remained intact despite a few nerve-racking moments in rush-hour traffic and a sudden booming thunderstorm. Riding in the rain is very stressful and fatiguing due to the reduced grip, impaired visibility, and the already oblivious motorists around you.
Posted by Frank at 11:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Big ol' choppers...and lil' scooters
LEWISTON - This $4 plus a gallon gas has everyone searching for the cheapest way to travel.
And that means scooters and motorcycles are becoming increasingly hard to keep in stock. One Valley business that normally sells big bikes, says it's responding to customers. Lewiston's Harley Davidson General Manager Matt Thomasson says the need for a fuel efficient ride is overwhelming, so he brought in a new product.
"We are now a Vespa dealer, and we're going to be an Aprilla dealer too," said Thomasson. "We have Vespa scooters here now, and we have a bunch more on the way. So they're coming in."
Thomasson says he's seeing more two-wheel hungry customers than ever.
"We've definitely seen an increase in motorcycle sales, as the price of gas has gone up. It's good for us but bad for everybody else."
Posted by Frank at 11:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Britain's youngest Mod
DON'T blink or you may miss Billie Lynch whizzing through East London--just a flash of bright red zooming past.
This latter-day 'Billie Whiz' is probably Britain's youngest Mod, a 'born again' Quadrophenia fan just turned 16.
She passed her Driving Test last Wednesday (July 30) to ride a motor scooter, just a day after her 16th birthday... after a few hours getting to grips with her dad's bright red Vespa at East London's Cardrome training centre.
"I was really nervous, really shaking, and sick before the test," she admitted.
"But they were really nice and took me through it carefully and passed me."
Posted by Frank at 11:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Vespa takes sting out of carbon
Canada's first-ever national carbon-neutral driving program is indeed creating a buzz across Canada.
Launched last month by Toronto-based Canadian Scooter Corp. (Vespa Canada), the company and its partners Environmental Defence (www.environmentaldefence.ca) and the Carbon Reduction Fund (carbonreductionfund.org) have introduced a new program to offset the estimated carbon emissions created by the production and distribution of all new Vespa scooters sold in Canada.
Included are three "green-themed" EnviroVespas in the colours Sun (yellow), Sky (blue) and Grass (green).
Posted by Frank at 11:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 1, 2008
Buying a scooter
The case for buying a scooter is becoming compelling for more and more people. We've covered many of the reasons before: commuting times are reduced substantially in many cases; scooters are less affected by traffic conditions; you're not constrained by public transport timetables; parking is usually free and far easier than with a car; and of course there are very low running costs compared with a car.
The recent massive hikes in fuel prices have brought that last reason into sharp focus, along with the expansion of city congestion charges: two-wheelers go free, saving you £8 a day in London before any other costs are taken into consideration. In addition, a scooter will give 70-120mpg in urban riding.
Posted by Frank at 3:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
High gas prices lead to scooters in tough spot
With gas prices flirting close to $4 a gallon, many people are riding scooters that get up to 100 miles per gallon. But those who travel beyond town limits onto Route 1 in the Cape Region are finding they don't have a good place to ride.
With a top speed of about 35 mph, scooters are perfect for urban riding. When it comes to taking on Route 1, it's another story.
The busy Cape Region roadway has become a no-man's land for the popular mode of transportation. Scooters can be seen every day, zooming along in the restricted shared lane, but that's a problem: By law, scooters are prohibited from the lane.
The lane is for use by buses, bicycles and vehicles making right-hand turns only - not scooters. Yet, some dealers who sell them tell their customers to use the lane.
Scooter drivers are being told by police they must drive in the right traffic lane with vehicles. That's the current law, but that's also a problem: By law, scooters are not allowed to exceed 25 mph.
Posted by Frank at 2:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
City Mulls Scooter Parking
HARRISONBURG - An increasing number of motor scooter riders has spurred the city to look into how to meet their parking needs in downtown.
Jessica Chase, program manager for Downtown Parking Services, expects to present the findings of her study to the city's Parking Advisory Committee in a couple of months.
Chase said downtown officials have noticed a marked increase in scooter traffic around Court Square. Whether it's due to more motorists being concerned about the environment or high gas prices - or a combination of the two - isn't known. The bottom line, though, is that their growing numbers have made dedicated parking space for scooters a priority.
Scooter owners park their vehicles in different places, including on sidewalks, Chase said, which often blocks pedestrian traffic and hinders street cleaning.
Posted by Frank at 11:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
US beckons Indian scooter makers?
Given the way scooters have taken off in the US, thanks to the burgeoning price of fuel and Yankees shunning large V8 guzzlers to drive down to the supermarkets, this is an opportunity that the Indian two-wheeler industry should think about exploiting. And soon!
The answer to the question is there an opportunity therefore for our homegrown scooter makers like Bajaj Auto and Kinetic Motor Company to think about a second foray into the US is an emphatic "Yes' . Kinetic used to sell its Luna mopeds and if one recollects it also sold a consignment of its Pride scooterette but at that point in time the performance loving Yankee soccer moms preferred the huge SUVs and pick-ups making these the wrong products at that time.
Posted by Frank at 10:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Toyota unveils scooter for shoppers
Car manufacturer Toyota has unveiled a motorised stand-up-and-ride scooter designed to help people flit around shopping malls and airports.
The Winglet, named for supposedly helping people move as though they had grown wings, is similar to a Segway, except it is slower, going up to 3.7 mph, about the same speed as pedestrians. Segways can reach 12.5 mph.
The machine is designed to respond almost intuitively, moving forward when the rider leans to the front, and turning when they sway to the right or left, similar to skiing. One of three models comes with a protruding handle that can be grabbed and used like a steering wheel.
Posted by Frank at 9:46 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Scooter Club to host first meeting Aug. 9 in Kirksville
KIRKSVILLE -- The first meeting of a newly formed scooter club is scheduled for Aug. 9.
The Little Scooters Club will meet from 3-4 p.m. at Country Kitchen in Kirksville, according to club president Charles Cooper.
"We want to get these little scooters together, have some rides and have some fun," Cooper said.
He said all money raised from membership dues will be donated to a needy family at the end of the year.
Posted by Frank at 8:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Corona man to ride by scooter to Texas for cancer awareness
Paul Khosrowpour sped from his Corona home Wednesday evening on his motorized scooter for a grueling 24-hour ride to Texas that he hopes will raise awareness about cancer and the need for more research.
Khosrowpour's destination is Austin, Texas, where he will meet up with family members and attend a memorial service for his brother-in-law Don Catterson, who died of the disease. He is making the 1,336-mile journey on a 550-pound Suzuki scooter covered in decals promoting his message.
For Khosrowpour, 59, the 24-hour bike trip, "ScooteRun 4 Cancer" is a way to test his physical and emotional strength, giving him a taste of some of what his brother-in-law might have gone through while he was fighting cancer.
Posted by Frank at 3:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
