Scootmoto

Hey, I’d really like to thank everyone that’s ordered 2strokebuzz t-shirts via Scootmoto. Sales have been great (we’ve already sold out of a few sizes) and we’re all caught up on shipping and it seems like things are going smoothly (now that I know I have to sign the customs forms for canadian orders).

Scootmoto isn’t much right now, it doesn’t even have a logo, which is the true measure of corporate success. But like I’ve said, I have big plans for it, and I’m a fan of slow, sustainable growth. I’ve been working on the idea and researching the market for a long time, so I’m going to go back and hit up some of the people that said they were interested. If you have something you’d be interested in selling at the scootmoto store, please drop me a line at illnoise@2strokebuzz.com. If you’re a shop and you’re interested in a wholesale account, or in help sourcing and manufacturing merchandise for your store, let me know, too. I think there’s a hole in the market for grass-roots scooter merchandise, and I’d love to help people with good ideas get their plans in motion, and I’d love to help scooter shops find interesting, original stuff to sell to their accessory-hungry customers.

Thanks again, customers, for your support.

Smart Money, it isn’t.

Oh, we were wrong about the Buddy, it sucks. So says America’s Scooter Authority, Smart Money. In other Smart Money news, the Honda Accord sucks when you compare it to a Land Rover, a Porsche Cayenne, an Audi A6, and a Unimog.

Motogiro America underway

When Brooke posted about Motogiro’s American debut a few months ago. It sounded like a tradition-steeped dream-come-true vintage weekend. Now that it’s here, with Ducati, Guzzi, and VespaUSA as official sponsors, it looks like an upscale marketing binge targeted at the heated-garage crowd.

I’m figuring VespaUSA surely dropped a lot more coin on this than Amerivespa. Jealous much, Bryan?

Joey, do you like Gladiator movies?

Sfidatela? WTF?

“This is How We Roll in India”

Texting from a Bajaj on the freeway, feet on the tank. Note the “mandals,” India’s a few years behind our flip-flop trend. Thanks for the link, Dana!

“Taser slows down shirtless scooter theft suspect”

Oh how I wish there was video.

Amerivespa pregistration closes Sunday

Amerivespa 2008 pre-registration will close this Sunday (July 13, 2008) at midnight. The first 250 registrants (very close to that number already) will get a free Corazzo Milano messenger bag ($79 value!). Register now, see you in Chattanooga!

Buddy: Out Vespa-ing Vespa?

The LA Times finally said today what we’ve all been thinking: The Buddy is kicking the Vespa’s ass lately. Sure, Vespas are more glamorous, and have a 60-year history at the top of the scooter industry, but Vespa abandoned their ideals of economy and utility long ago, and Genuine has totally stolen their thunder by knowing the American market. Genuine found a cheap-but-reliable alternative (the PGO Bu Bu), priced it right, totally nailed the rebranding and marketing, and (most importantly) built a quality network of dealers and riders that instantly fell in love with the product and spread the word with fairly minimal advertising required.

Sure, they were also in the right place at the right time, but unlike many of the current players in the U.S. scooter market, Genuine (well, Scooterworks) has been prospering for years by knowing the market and their customers, and they’ll surely be one of the few that remain successful after this boom ends. If half the “new Stella” rumors I’ve heard are true, they’re just getting started.

Scooter injuries rise along with sales

Good story from the Green Bay Press Gazette about the scooter boom and the associated risks, with some actual facts and figures instead of the usual boilerplate:

In 2002, the Wisconsin DOT issued 3,648 new license plates for scooters. Last year, 9,015 plates were issued.

I bet this year’s registrations are more than double the 2007 numbers already, and it’s July. They also point out that nearly all reported scooter accidents result in injury, which is a bit obvious and ignores unreported accidents, but it’s good to know.

Red light spells danger

Some interesting tips on how traffic sensors work from Oklahoma City traffic engineer Stuart Chai. I’ve never once had a problem with traffic lights, but judging by forum posts and all the products available to trigger the sensors, some people do. According to Stuart, if your scooter isn’t triggering a sensor, something’s wrong with the sensor, not your bike, and you should notify local authorities.

(If you actually ‘got’ the headline reference, this is for you.)

Scootin’ For A Cure

Linda and Karen are riding 6000 miles across America to catch a Cure concert at the Meadowlands. No, wait, I read it wrong, it’s for cancer awareness! They have a blog too. You can donate here.

DOT-approved flip-flops T-shirt

After months in the works, new 2strokebuzz t-shirts are finally here! Share your love for the hottest scootering footwear of The Great Scooter Boom of 2008 with a 2strokebuzz “DOT-approved flip-flops” t-shirt featuring artwork by Rod Hunting based on an idea stolen from Silent Ron.
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Blur 3000km service

I had a Big Merchandise Announcement to make today, but instead I stayed up until 2am writing this step-by-step guide to changing the oil in your Genuine Blur 150. All 23 Blur owners in North America are totally thanking me right now. I tried to make it a little funny, so you might want to read it anyway, just to make fun of how little I know about changing the oil in a Genuine Blur 150. But stay tuned, we’ve got new t-shirts going on sale very soon.

Happy 4th from 2strokebuzz

Sharp Teeth! Video! Explosions!

Consumer Reports’ scooter tips

Consumer Reports goes against the overwhelming tide of “scooters are great” stories to publish a concise list of things people should think about before being swept up in the hype. The only thing missing is a general caution to research your vehicle in depth before buying, it’s likley Consumer Reports readers know better than to buy a $999 Chinese scooter, but getting the word out about the vast differences in quality and the questionable ethics of most Chinese importers sure wouldn’t hurt.

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