Piaggio recalls X9500, BV500
Piaggio has officially recalled 2,428 2006-08 BV500 and 2005-07 X9 500 scooters to repair a fuel pump hose issue:
The hose connecting the fuel filter to the fuel pump may come loose, causing a drop or loss of fuel pressure to the engine. These parts are located inside the fuel tank so no signs of a fuel leak will be visible from the outside. Dealers will replace the fuel hoses on affected scooters. Potentially 2,428 scooters are included in the recall.
(Here’s another story, from Dealernews)
Chicago Mods vs Rockers 5 photos

No rally season is complete without a Mods vs Rockers rally, seems like every city has one now, but Chicago’s (run by Ton-Up Chicago) gets bigger and better every year. I couldn’t make it this time, but Jordan sent a bunch of great photos:
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SYM vs. Lance

Last week, Carter Brothers, SYM’s US importer accused Lance Powersports of buying SYM’s Fiddle II scooters from SYM’s Chinese supplier via a third party with the intention of selling them in the USA as the “Vienna” 50 and 125. (Are there any European-sounding “V” words left to name a scooter? Yes! But that’s another story!) Of course SYM demanded they not sell the scooters here and… well… let’s try something new. Instead of posting snarky commentary in which 2sb takes sides and gets in trouble and has to apologize profusely for being right, let’s just post their dueling press releases, which are far more entertaining than anything we could come up with, anyway. Enjoy:
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Test ride: SYM Citycom 300i

SYM USA lent 2strokebuzz the new Citycom 300i for a few days. Ron Brockman and I rode it for a couple days each, mostly on urban interstates and city streets.
I’ve always felt that the sweet spot for scooters is in the 125-200cc range. 50cc bikes have always seemed like a letdown, and Barcaloungers like the Honda Helix (at a whopping 250cc) and its descendants (pushing towards 1000cc these days) were just not interesting to me. Obviously, different people have different tastes and needs, and it’s great to see such a wide range of scooters available these days, but to get around the city and the occasional longer ride, 150 cubic centimeters was always sufficient for me.
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MP3 Hybrid: In production?

We just learned the MP3 Hybrid is now rolling off the assembly line and will retail in Europe for under €10,000 ($US14,125). Earlier today, Piaggio presented MP3s to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and other officials and released some new photos (below).
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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?
Scooter News
Dean Kamen is at it againThis Dean Kamen Scooter Thingy is making headlines worldwide. I hate to give the guy more buzz after the whole “It/Ginger/Segway” joke* but you might be interested.
Dispatch from the Hodge RepublicJust got an email from Rob Hodge. If you don’t know Rob, you’ve never really experienced scootering. Rob’s sort of a scootering mad scientist, with emphasis on the “mad,” and comically tactless,...
Best Buy to sell electric 2-wheelersBest Buy is entering the electric scooter business. Testing has started in Portland, OR, and will spread along the west coast with the Brammo Enertia, with models from Currie Technologies and Ultra Motors to follow.
Piaggio recalls X9500, BV500Piaggio has officially recalled 2,428 2006-08 BV500 and 2005-07 X9 500 scooters to repair a fuel pump hose issue: The hose connecting the fuel filter to the fuel pump may come loose, causing a drop or loss of fuel pressure...
Gasoline Rally photosMore rally photos from Jordan, of the Gasoline Rally in Indianapolis last weekend! The rally included a ride on the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway track!
A Cheap Electric Scooter?Wired reports that Austin-TX-based KLD Technologies plan to launch a electric scooter in the price range of a Vespa sometime next year. We’re confused how an all-electric scooter that’s the same price as a high-end...
Bajaj considers new “sport” scooter.Despite the 2005 demise of the mighty Bajaj Chetak, with Rahul Bajaj stating “Holding on to anything from the past is a sign of weakness,” we were almost certain there’d be a full-on retro Bajaj Chetak out by now....
Chicago Mods vs Rockers 5 photosNo rally season is complete without a Mods vs Rockers rally, seems like every city has one now, but Chicago’s (run by Ton-Up Chicago) gets bigger and better every year. I couldn’t make it this time, but Jordan...
New French Cabinet Minister Shows True LeadershipIn some delayed spring cleaning, French president Nicolas Sarkozy has made some changes in his cabinet and the nephew of former president Francois Mitterrand is now the new Minister of Culture and Communication. From what...
Vespa’s Vietnam plant starts productionPiaggio’s Vespa manufacturing plant in Vietnam started production yesterday. Vietnamese-built Vespas will be sold in Vietnam and exported to the Asian market, at about $1500 less than the Italian-made version.
Reckless Hearts on tourJust realized local faves the Reckless Hearts are on tour, if you’re in Atlanta, Chapel Hill, Virginia Beach, DC, or Brooklyn, check ‘em out, and tell Ian we said hi. Debut album, “Get Up And Run”...
SYM vs. LanceLast week, Carter Brothers, SYM’s US importer accused Lance Powersports of buying SYM’s Fiddle II scooters from SYM’s Chinese supplier via a third party with the intention of selling them in the USA as...
State of the BuzzHi all, As you might have figured out, I was out of town for two weeks and it’s been slow around here. We’ve got a lot coming up soon though: NEXX X30 helmet review I’ve actually been riding the Andretti!...
Los Vesparados, Minneapolis, Tomorrow 6/13/09In the fine 2StrokeBuzz tradition of hiding news under a tarp in the garage, check it out: Los Vesparados Art Show. Thanks, Matt.
Flag Day RunChicagoans: Hang out with some Shriners on Sunday and do some good for the community: The Medinah Motor Corps is hosting a Flag Day Open House and Hospital Tour Sunday at the Medinah Shrine Center, 550 Shriners Drive, Addison...


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