We haven’t dragged out Sean Stevens’ scooter pumpkin for a few years, so here it is. Sean carved this baby in 2000, back when 2sb was new to the web.
Month: October 2006
Well, I’ll be FC-ed.
After unveiling the FC-aquel hydrogen-fuel-cell prototype last week, Yamaha is hinting that an earlier direct-methanol-fuel-cell (DMFC) prototype, The FC-me (oof!) is being readied for mass production. (via Core77)
Piaggio to return to Indian scooter market?
In the vaguest story ever, Financial Express India reports that Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd., Piaggio’s Indian subsidary, who currently makes only three-wheelers and light commercial vehicles, is considering re-entering the scooter market.
“Always travel with a chauffeur”
Lewis Lazare on the new Moët ad campaign:
Each execution portrays a rather off-the-wall scenario that still manages to convey a certain charm. In one ad, a fetchingly elegant and beaming woman attired in a smashing evening gown is perched on the back of a Vespa along with a case of Moet. Her date in the scooter’s driving seat is eyeing her with a big smile, as if to suggest “look what I got for the holidays!” The tongue-in-cheek copy reminds readers to “always travel with a chauffeur.”
“Look what I got for the holidays! A drunk debutante bouncing around on the back of my bike.” Great. Moët clearly didn’t get the memo that Vespas are no longer luxury items. It’s 2006! They’re utilitarian eco-friendly transportation for everyone!
Yamaha R1 v Porsche v Jet
Ok, so it’s Russian and the parameters are sketchy, but it is kind of cool to see which is fastest: a Yamaha R1, a Porsche, or what is purported to be an F-16.
Is Italjet back?
“Scooteristi” posted a comment on our interview with P2Motors to let us know that Italjet’s site had a new Dragster on display. Italjet’s site had been down for a while, but lo and behold yesterday when I checked, it was live and totally re-done, with a new Dragster, a new scooter called “Jack,” and a few oogly dirtbikes and ATVs. The link is dead at the moment, but maybe they actually are up to something!
Hayden wins MotoGP
I’m not a huge MotoGP fan, nor am I a huge Nicky Hayden fan, but it was cool to see Valentino Rossi dethroned by an American. Rye was actually in Valencia for the final race, hopefully he’ll let me repost his story when he gets back.
Overzip?
Motoring.co.za reviews Piaggio’s new Zip 100. The Zip 50 is hugely popular in Europe and Piaggio’s most affordable scooter, but is the new 100cc engine too big for the bike? (We’ll have a comment from Brooke within the hour with a resounding “no!,” and some whining about how it’s not available here.)
Twisted Wheel remembered
The historic Mod and proto-northern-soul club, The Twisted Wheel gets a lovely writeup in the Manchester Evening News.
High Rollers 2007 hotel info
One of America’s greatest scooter rallies, The Las Vegas High Rollers Rally will be held February 22-26, 2007 (remember, it was moved to the weekend after its usual date, thanks to the NBA All-Star Game). Organizers expect The Gold Coast Casino to be nearly half-occupied by american and british (and new this year, french) scooterists, and most of the weekend’s events will be held there. They suggest booking your room before November 20th to guarantee the discounted rate (and availability.) To book, call 702-367-7111 or visit goldcoastcasino.com. The High Rollers Rally discount code is “HIG0222.”
Scooter Jacket Survey
David Wang and a group of students from the University of Washington in Seattle have prepared a Scooter Jacket Survey for a class, with the goal of using the collected data to design and prototype the ultimate scooter jacket, and to hopefully bring it to market. The survey takes about ten minutes, unless you spend another ten minutes adding your ridiculously specific demands in the comments section. 2sb wishes them the best of luck, hopefully they’ll come up with something close to the scooter jacket we’ve all dreamed of.
PGO to Europe
Motoblog reports that PGO is targeting Europe with their 125 and 125 evo (4-valve) G-Max models. I wasn’t aware there was a 4-valve 125, so I’m not sure if their info is correct, or if I’m translating it properly, but check out those european-market graphics (scroll down under those oogly MZ beasts)
Get well soon, POC Renae
Renae from Pride of Cleveland Scooters lost two toes in a scooter crash last weekend. POC Phil was with her at the time of the accident, his vivid account is on the BBS. In short, a customer’s Genuine Buddy she was returning went wobbly at about 35mph, Phil suspects the bike’s large aftermarket windscreen was to blame. She lost control and slid along a Jersey barrier with the bike’s weight on her right foot. The friction of the pavement wore through her tennis shoes, skin, and bones so deeply that her two smallest toes needed to be amputated. Luckily she was out of the hospital in 48 hours and is doing fairly well, aside from being short two toes. Just another reminder to wear proper riding gear, and to make sure accessories don’t impede safety or handling. Get well soon, Renae! I’ll try to resist the temptation to call you Bunny Lebowski from now on.
Scoot Away on Britney’s Vespa!
Piaggio CEO Sabelli resigns
CEO Rocco Sabelli unexpectedly resigned from Piaggio & C. SpA today for “personal reasons.” Sabelli had been with Piaggio since 1993. Piaggio chairman Roberto Colannino will replace him, pending board approval on November 13.