Comments on: The disappointing new “new Lambretta”

By: dfisher

dfisher — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:00:14 +0000

I purchased a Lambretta UNO 150 back in July 2008. I ride it almost every day for my commute to work and back (14 miles each way) in San Antonio, TX and on every trip I can where I am by myself and i don’t have to carry much After 5 months and over 2000 miles I am very happy with the scooter. My only issues are with the km/hr speedometer and km odometer. My helmet fits fine under the seat so I guess I have a normal size head. I paid $2700 for it after shopping for 4 months and making several comparisons to Vespa & Kymco scooters. I borrowed a Vespa 150LX for a few weeks before I purchased and the dealer I bought it from also had Adly’s so I was able to ride other scooters. Side by side, the Lambretta UNO and Adly have the same shape but that is about it. They ride completelty different and have different engines, tires and wheels at the minimum. The UNO hits 55-60 mph easily and I have had it up to 70 mph with a good tailwind. I have been tracking fuel use religiously and have never got less than 74 mpg with a best of 82 mpg. Overall I get around 76 mpg driving mixed speeds of 35-55 to work and back each day. The UNO is lighter than the Vespa and I can feel the UNO being moved around more by the wind but I only got 60 mpg in the Vespa driving the same route at the same speed over two weeks. The UNO also has better acceleration than the Vespa and Adly. I bought the UNO over a Vespa because of the price, the appearance, two year warranty over a one year warranty and did I say the price. I wanted a Kymco Bet & Win but could not find one after they stopped making them. I did not want to wait until the newer Kymco Super 8 came out so I went for the UNO. Good thing because the dealers in San Antonio did not get any Super 8s until late October. Both the Vespa 150LX and the UNO have a rough ride. Never riding a motorcycle or scooter before I don’t know if this is normal for a scooter. I thought the Kymco Super 8 would have had a smoother ride with the larger tires/wheels but I’ll likely never know. Caring only about qualtiy for the price and not about the Lambretta history I recommend riding this scooter before you judge it as crap. The only problem I had with this scooter so far was with the emissions filter box where a hose runs off the muffler into the box to filter some of the emissions. the hose keeps falling off the box. The heat from the exhaust spilling out of the loose hose melted the emissions filter box. I took it back to the dealer and had a new box in place in less than 2 weeks with no cost. It appears as if parts are accessible and the warranty is honored so far.

By: No Dragsters, No Rollercraft, Few Surprises : 2strokebuzz

No Dragsters, No Rollercraft, Few Surprises : 2strokebuzz — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:00:53 +0000

[...] sad news goes beyond a good guy like Steve Guzman having to find a new job. It demonstrates again how difficult it will be for any non-fully established firm to ever create something new. It [...]

By: 2strokebuzz » Blog Archive » Ryan rides the Adly Lambretta

2strokebuzz » Blog Archive » Ryan rides the Adly Lambretta — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 15:57:41 +0000

[...] Ryan The Rhino, (who I don’t know, but he shares my birthday, likes TSOL, and knows Orin, so he’s probably OK, ha) got a chance to test ride the new Adly Lambretta (I still can’t bring myself to call it a “Lambretta” without qualification). Here are his comments from the original post (punctuation edited): OK, I finally got to test ride [the Lambretta Due 150] last week after some scheduling (and laziness on my part) and I have to say that I really liked it. The seat height is a lot taller than any of my scooters, and that took a little bit to get used to, but since it is taller you can lean a lot farther into turns without dragging the kick stand (which i do a lot on my scooters) and i did not get too crazy because it only had 21 miles on it when i started. (got it to 50 on a side street behind the new Lambretta office)â€¦ I did notice a lot more power than I expected (its a GY6 with a 4 valve head) I donâ€™t have any complaints (well, the kilometers are the primary numbers on the speedo but that is not that big of a dealâ€¦). The paint looks fantastic (I rode a red one) and I like the fact they did not go overboard with stripes or lettering, just one simple â€œLambrettaâ€? on it they did spend a few extra bucks for some upgrades (michelin tires, improved battery, upgrated wheels, better-quality paint, etc). The underseat storage would not quite fit my helmet but I have a big melon and wore my huge helmet (it does not fit any scooter i have been on). I did not test drive the 50 because, well, its a 50 (just a personal thing)â€¦ but the one with the funny front end looks pretty cool i have to say As for the price, that was the deciding factor for me, $2699 for the 150 (and I think about two grand for the 50). So the price is great, the scooter rides great, it looks greatâ€¦ So i have no complaints. [...]

By: RyantheRhino

RyantheRhino — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 01:08:43 +0000

ok…I finally got to test ride last week after some scheduling (and laziness on my part)….and I have to say that I really liked it.

The seat height is a lot taller than any of my scooters, and that took a little bit to get used to…but since it is taller…you can lean a lot farther into turns without dragging the kick stand (which i do a lot on my scooters) and i did not get too crazy because it only had 21 miles on it when i started. (got it to 50 on a side street behind the new Lambretta Office)…but I did notice a lot more power than I expected (its a GY6 with a 4 valve head)

I don’t have any complaints (well…the kilometers are the primary numbers on the speedo…but that is not that big of a deal)…the paint looks fantastic (i rode a red one) and I like the fact they did not go overboard with stripes or lettering…just one simple “lambretta” on it…they did spend a few extra bucks for some upgrades (michelin tires…improved battery…upgrated wheels…the better quality paint…etc)…the under seat storage would not quite fit my helmet…but I have a big melon and wore my huge helmet (it does not fit any scooter i have been on)…

I did not test drive the 50…because well…its a 50 (just a personal thing)…but the one with the funny front end looks pretty cool i have to say

as for the price…that was the deciding factor for me…2699 for the 150 (and i think about 2 grand for the 50).

so the price is great…the scooter rides great…it looks great…so i have no complaints :)

By: 2strokebuzz » Blog Archive » Adly Lambretta photo

2strokebuzz » Blog Archive » Adly Lambretta photo — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 14:42:32 +0000

[...] It looks like Lambretta International is re-doing their site and letting us watch. They’ve got their new logo on there, and that’s the Due50 (aka Adly Panther) in the foreground and the Uno150 (aka Adly Noble) in the background. Check quickly, they might pull it down if they see hits coming, and I can’t legally republish the photo here. I don’t know what Julie Christie is doing there, she must be lost. (FPO, by the way, means “For Position Only,” a designer term meaning that the image is just a placeholder for the final image). Here’s more info if you haven’t heard the story of the “New” “Lambretta.” [...]

By: illnoise

illnoise — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:20:00 +0000

Oh, and, of course we’d love to hear what you have to say about it after your test ride, and any other information you can gather about pricing and other differences between the Lambretta and the stock Adly.

Bryan

By: illnoise

illnoise — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:09:19 +0000

Grantedâ€¦right from the get-goâ€¦Lambretta is a classic nameâ€¦and so is Vespaâ€¦are there any similarities between the new Vespas and the vintage (besides the PXâ€¦that does not countâ€¦LOL)?

The new Vespas maintain, at the most basic level, the styling of the original Vespas. But more important than that, they are undeniably and literally the natural styling and design progression of the Vespa, from Paperino to handlebar to GS to Rally to P to Cosa to ET to LX to GT. They’re legitimate, made by the same company with a high reputation for 60 years. They have their faults, but they remain among the best scooters made, with a (mostly) metal body.

The ‘new’ “Lambretta” on the other hand, has no basis in the Lambretta design or history. Its quality is questionable (maybe “decent” at best), and it wasn’t even designed specifically to be a Lambretta. The “L-series,” while maybe not a legitimate heir, was at least deisgned and created by people who clearly understood the attraction of the Lambretta and felt a certain amount of love for it. The Adly “Lambrettas” are Lambrettas in name only, the actual scooter was surely an afterthought.

I think that difference is clear. If you buy a 2007 Ford Mustang, you’re getting a Ford Mustang. It’s not a 1968 Mustang, but it’s a Mustang, with however many years of heritage and Ford technology behind it. If some yahoo in Seattle paid whoever owns the Studebaker name a billion dollars and then started selling Kia Rios with Studebaker Avanti stickers on it, (at $10K more than the price of a Kia Rio, which is still available on the market) would you buy one and really believe it was a Avanti? I’m not saying the Kia Rio is a car without merit, but it’s not a Mustang, and it’s not worth $10K more if you put an Studebaker Avanti badge on it.

The only chance Khurana has to redeem themselves in my opinion is if they actually coerce SIL to commence production of their GP Lambrettas. If I knew that was going to happen, I would write these off as a cheap ploy to get a foothold in the market as they prepare the “real” Lambretta. But I honestly think there’s very little chance we’ll see a new SIL Lambretta (which, to be honest, weren’t the greatest Lambretta ever made, but they’re hells of better than rebadged Adlys and have at least *some* legitimacy to them.

i see both standpointsâ€¦but i would rather see more people on scooters than not on scooters.

I have ABSOLUTELY nothing against “modern” scooters. I own one and ride it far more than my vintage bikes. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I see nothing wrong with a modernized Lambretta. But that brand name deserves better. I don’t think putting stickers on an Adly makes it a Lambretta.

Khurana doesn’t give a shit, they’re apparently within the limits of the law and there are enough naive people out there that will probably buy them right up. Dealers will probably jump on them, falling for the “there’s a SIL GP on the way” line. But that doesn’t make it *right,* not by scooter standards. They’re destroying the reputation of a legendary marque and grubbing for cash, hurting the long-term success of the American scooter industry every bit as much as the Vietnamese chop shops and the people dumping disposable Chinese bikes on the market. If they have any interest in trying to defend themselves (or prove beyond a doubt that an SIL Lambretta is in the works), they’re free to contact me, but I have a feeling I won’t be hearing from them.

By: RyantheRhino

RyantheRhino — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 07:32:12 +0000

It appears that i will be able to test drive one of the new “Lambretta’s” this sunday…I have an “in” with certain people in the Puget Sound area that miiiiight have something to do with it…

and no…I am not going to be biased about it…just because i have an “in” does not mean I will like the thing…i think my phantom will totally kick its ass

I will be able to give my personal opinion on it…I have not heard of Adly until I read about it on this site…but do know a thing about Chinese scooters (I owned three…one was stolen)…own a Bajaj Legend…and have ridden everything else at least once…

Granted…right from the get-go…Lambretta is a classic name…and so is Vespa…are there any similarities between the new Vespas and the vintage (besides the PX…that does not count…LOL)?

I would love to see more vintage scooters on the road…but at the same time…I look at it from an everyday riders standpoint (and yes…i am an everyday rider…sun…rain…snow…and even ice a few times)…so being practical and reliable is important (ever try to ride a shifter when it is 20 degrees?)

i see both standpoints…but i would rather see more people on scooters than not on scooters.

If the person is up to it…I am also going to race my Phantom against the new 150 Lambretta…and mine is (nearly) stock.

By: 2strokebuzz » Blog Archive » Do the Khuranas own the Lambretta name?

2strokebuzz » Blog Archive » Do the Khuranas own the Lambretta name? — Thu, 31 May 2007 21:12:11 +0000

[...] In my post about Khurana’s “new” Lambrettas last week, I said: The Khuranas are selling bikes from a slightly-lower-tier maker, using one of the most beloved names in scooterdom. They almost certainly have no global rights to the Lambretta name, and even the American rights are questionable. (Note the logo on the bikes and the Lambretta USA site reads â€œLambretta International,â€? and the site reads â€œOfficial Factory Web Site of Lambretta,â€? which seems to be tempting international legal doom). [...]

By: Brooke

Brooke — Sat, 26 May 2007 17:48:54 +0000

Like Velveta? Ya, I noticed the mono-T spelling after I tried to look up if they were still making washing machines somewhere. Maybe Matt can tie up a relationship with his sewing machine connections.

By: illnoise

illnoise — Sat, 26 May 2007 14:48:22 +0000

It’s SERVETA with one T! I’ve had to make people who own them look at the badge before they believed me. I just got a new book from Veloce Publishing (review coming soon) that spells it with two Ts. Yes, I know, even the british importer spelled it wrong sometimes so you see it with two Ts in ads, but I’ve never seen a badge with two Ts.

By: Brooke

Brooke — Fri, 25 May 2007 04:47:16 +0000

Ya, they are very similar to other bikes. That 50 looks very much like the peugeot ludix. At least as much as the Blur looks like the jet force though. The more minarelli 2 strokes the better is my take on it. If that ludix lambretta clone actually had support and was 1899+tax I’d think it would sell even if it had Servetta badges on it! Hmmm, who owns the Servetta name?! Bb, get on it!

By: MarkH

MarkH — Fri, 25 May 2007 00:56:17 +0000

i would be surprised if they were actually developing anything – shocked really. if anything, maybe they are simply going to import some SIL GP200 2-strokes and sell them along side the Adlys? this actually has the potential to give them instant legitimacy – at least in the eyes of a prospective buyer. “see, we’ve been making lambrettas for a long time – we know what we’re doing. tell me sir/miss, what can i do to put you on a scooter today?”

ew – i just threw up a little

By: orino

orino — Thu, 24 May 2007 22:52:27 +0000

Those that know the name will cringe at the sight of these bikes, those that donâ€™t know it will simply wonder why they cost more than the other six bikes next to it that look the same

Bingo! So why do it? This whole “new Lambretta” thing is the scooter parallel to General Motors’ attempt to revive the Pontiac GTO. Those who know (and care) about the original GTO were gnashing their teeth and rending their garments because it was a modern Holden coupe instead of some retro-styled thing that looked like ‘65 or ‘66 GTO. The rest of the world asked, “what’s a Pontiac GTO?” GM sold fewer GTOs over its 4-year run than they thought they were going to sell annually.

By the same token, as you point out, most folks who know what a Lambretta is are goiing to be appalled at for a variety of reasons (Piaggio engine, among other things), while the rest of the world goes, “huh? It costs how much?” The market is going to be so limited that I can’t imagine a business case that would make any sense at all… and that, folks, is how the world works, much as we’d like to think otherwise. Ultimately, it’s all about the bottom line…

By: Modern Lambretta « shoes on powerlines

Modern Lambretta « shoes on powerlines — Thu, 24 May 2007 22:41:43 +0000

[...] However, there have been some rumblings and rumors about a modern Lambretta coming out, and I was kind of excited. I love how they updated the Vespa (from the ET to the LX to the new limited edition LXV) and I was optimistic about an updated Lambretta. Unfortauntely, it looks like the new Lambretta is nothing but a rebranded twist n’ go plastic poopy. There is a great article over at 2strokebuzz that details all the hype and rumors of the new Lammy, and it looks like it will turn out to be a disappointment. [...]