Top Five of the 90s
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Thinking about my sad role as the only idiot to have attended all fourteen Slaughterhouse rallies, and having a little free time since I barely lifted a finger to help this year (Thanks Kathy!), i started thinking about how rallies have changed. I don’t want to get all misty-eyed or retro or elitist, and I definitely enjoy the current scene, scooters, and people just the way they are. I just thought it’d be fun to come up with a list of five things I miss from the early 90s, and five things I don’t.
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U.S. “GTS300″ snafu explained
I reported earlier today that Vespa GTS300S scooters were starting to appear in the U.S., which is weird, because they’re not on the site yet, and dealers were strangely insisting they were really 250cc models. Turns out it wasn’t anything sneaky, it was just typical Piaggio weirdness. Piaggio sent over a new U.S.-only model, the GTS 250ie Super, that had been accidentally misbadged as the GTS 300 Super. The 300cc (278, but who’s counting?) engine has not been EPA/DOT approved. This mislabeling occurred on “fewer than 100 scooters” according to a PiaggioUSA letter to dealers. The 250 Super is basically a regular GTS 250 with the louvered right cowl, a different seat, and a new instrument panel. The VINs allegedly confirm that they are in fact 250cc models. 20 years from now, wizened Vespa nerds will cherish the opportunity to warn newbies not to buy an old 1998 2008 Vespa 300 Sport without checking the VIN first.
Oh, and why aren’t they listed on the site? “Don’t get me started on PiaggioUSA,” said one dealer I contacted.
New PGOs (and future Genuines?)
The PGO I’ME 125 that we mentioned in June is now listed on PGO’s english site, as well as the Ligero 125, which appears to be a Euro-friendly BuBu 125 in Genuine’s Buddy International colors. (Interestingly, it seems PGO has never offered a 150cc BuBu on their site). Also new: the Black Magic 50, with a Buddy/BuBu rear end and an X2 front end (it’s called the “Young BuBu” on their Taiwanese site, and is also offered in what appears to be an electric version). The Hot 50 isn’t labeled as “new,” but I don’t remember it from before. The G-Max (Genuine Blur) Evo (4-valve version) is now listed on the Taiwanese site as 150 and 200cc models, and the 200cc model gets the fancy new digital speedometer that we’ve all been lusting for at Modern Buddy (Speaking of speedos, check out the the I’ME’s handsome cluster).
I’ve been assembling a long list of questions for Genuine, this news just gave me ten more. The way scooters have been selling, it’s a safe bet we’ll see some new Genuine models soon.
Ask Dr. Buzz
#17: Choosing a scooter on a budget
Today’s question for Dr. Buzz and his panel of experts comes from From Erica P. from up in Wisco:
I am looking for a 150cc scooter, but have a very limited budget of 2,000.00 including T/T/L. I would be using it for small trips within 15 miles of my house. My selections are very obviously limited, and I have been looking at the Vento models, but don’t have any information on their quality. In fact, I can find no information on reviews for scooters in this size and price range. You seem to be very knowledgeable on the topic, could you suggest any models that would fit my specs?
Archive: Slaughterhouse 4 soccer

Thats Norm and me and I’m embarassed to admit I can’t remember the other dude’s name right now, “playing soccer” at Lane Tech High School after Slaughterhouse 4 (1998), as originally seen on our original website in 2000. Rally Soccer was sort of a tradition back then, with the various options and rules outlined here.
Scooter News
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The “Master Yoda” riding positionThe Master Yoda Riding Position, via Midlife Rider’s easier-to-read summary, via Greencountry on Modern Buddy. Good stuff.
“Why Italy’s troubles are worst”A weirdly-translated screed echoing my feelings about Alitalia, Piaggio, and Italian industry in general: “Never a period of Italian history resembled so closely the decadence of Roman Empyre.” It’s not...
Chinese Nuclear MopedsNoZone magazine’s 100 Year Forecast is pretty right-on, funny, and well-designed.
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The video of the century of todayGuy on Moped Ramps Through Window. Goodtimes
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Best. Video. Ever.Must-watch: Seattle’s King5 News’ report about Portland scooterists. Funny and well-researched, cinematically shot, edited, and narrated, and even the Roman Holiday reference seems tasteful. But, aren’t...
SFGate advice to beginnersSFgate’s short-but-sweet primer for new scooterists and motorcyclists.
The birth of a PiaggioUSA PR blitzPiaggioUSA is awesome, according to a story written by a PR guy who’s written other stories about Piaggio for several PR magazines. This story will be be re-written (with a few token quotes from the local Vespa dealer)...
Will Hoge writes about his scooter accidentNashville musician Will Hoge was struck by a van on his way home from a recording session earlier this week. The officer’s description of the accident upset a lot of scooterists, and Hoges’ blog post is a beautifully-written...
British WoodiesWe just got an email announcing Veloce’s new book British Woodies (ahem!), which reminds me we haven’t reviewed the last two books they kindly sent us. So keep an eye out for reviews of Veloce’s new-ish...
Top Five of the 90sThinking about my sad role as the only idiot to have attended all fourteen Slaughterhouse rallies, and having a little free time since I barely lifted a finger to help this year (Thanks Kathy!), i started thinking about...
Colaninno to helm AlitaliaPiaggio SpA chairman Roberto Colaninno, will head a new privatized Alitalia, and the weird Italian business cycle of salvation, success, abandonment, failure, government intervention, more failure, more government intervention...











