Speaking of EICMA, Piaggio is expected to show the Piaggio GT 850. Crazy. Apparently it’s based on Piaggio’s 839.3 cc V-twin automatic engine, though we’re still not clear why Gilera calls it an “800” (GP800) and Piaggio (GT 850) and Aprilia (Mana 850) call it “850.”
Month: October 2008
Kymco Downtown 300i
With EICMA 2008 three weeks away, the new scooter announcements are trickling in. Kymco has unveiled their new Downtown 300i, a welcome competitor in the underrated 300cc category. It features a somewhat sportier design than the XCiting (which is actually also available as a 300i in some markets), with fuel injection, front-and-rear discs, and a 4-valve liquid-cooled engine. Optional ABS brakes will be available, and we bet they’re not this kind.
Blackjack and Eco: more info
An update to the rumors we posted last week: Genuine has photos of the new Buddy Blackjack 150 and Eco 125 on their site. And we have a little more information to talk about.
Continue reading “Blackjack and Eco: more info”
2SB helicopter news
78 years ago today, the first Italian helicopter, looking like a sketch from DaVinci’s notebook, broke the last of three current helicopter flight records. How does that relate to us? That primitive chopper was designed by Corradino D’Ascanio, who joined Piaggio two years later, and went on to design the world’s most famous and innovative motorscooter.
Piaggio Aero lives on, though it was divided from Piaggio & Co. in 1964. Just last week, Tata Motors of India acquired a one-third share of the company from the Ferrari/Di Mase families and Mubadala Development Co.
Sym electric concepts
Some pretty cool electric scooter designs from Sym, including an electric Mio that’s a pretty neat update from the original design.
Win a what, now?
Vespa Kansas City Crossroads is giving away a Vespa, and clearly has their finger on the pulse of scootering. The practice of using a photo of a vintage Vespa to promote new Vespas is pretty annoying, but this is very likely the first Vespa ad in history to feature a Lambretta. Incredible. (Thanks for the link, Bob!)
Genuine 2009 rumors
The Genuine dealer meeting/rodeo in Wisconsin has come and gone, and our usual spies didn’t come through with much info, luckily a few people on Modern Buddy have been doing detective work. Sadly, unless Genuine is keeping some big secrets, there’s no 4-valve Blur 200 (or mayonnaise-cooled Stella 250 2-stroke 5-speed) to report, but there are a few interesting new twists.
Continue reading “Genuine 2009 rumors”
“Casque décoré par 19 cristaux Swarovski”
I’ll give it props for being anti-Troy-Lee, but this has to be one of the ugliest helmets ever. Yes, those are rhinestones. Swarovski rhinestones. Come on, helmet people. Also, their logo looks like “CPA,” so this helmet will identify you as a tasteless certified public accountant.
Scooters predict the election
Here are two spreads from the PowerSports Business 2008 Market Data Book — a mere two pages apart — that speak volumes about the current American state of mind:
Sales are through the roof for the well-travelled, egalitarian, humble, urbane scooter. The hillbilly-slut’s showoff JetSki? Not doing so well. Draw your own conclusions.
“Art of the Ride” at Motoworks
Hey, sorry about the last-minuteness, but our local Vespa/MC dealer Motoworks Chicago is having an art show with a reception thingy after work today (Friday). The show will be around for a couple months, if you can’t make the opening:
Friday 10/10 5pm-10:30pm Motoworks presents: “Art of the Ride” Show runs October 10, 2008- December 10, 2008
Art and motorcycles, is that possible? Well, thanks to local artist Mark Nelson, it is! Motoworks Chicago is proud to host this event.
The purpose of this show, according to Nelson, “is to expose the public to more art in neighborhood establishments – and since this business is motorcycles, it was the perfect opportunity to create a site-specific art show about motorcycles. From an artist’s angle, I wanted to communicate to the general public the feeling behind the exhilaration of the ride. To fellow riders, I wanted to communicate the universal understanding and appreciation of the ride.”
The project started out with drawings in pastel chalk. Mark then came here to Motoworks and photographed the mechanics at work. He, wanted to follow in the footsteps of Diego Rivera – a world-renown, historical Mexican muralist, focusing on the actual laborer working his trade.
So please join us at Motoworks Chicago as we present: “Art of the Ride,” a one person show of etchings, pastel drawings, and paintings by an artist who has been living and working in the city of Chicago for 25 years. The art presented here both celebrates the act of riding as well as Nelson’s use of social sarcasm.
An Opening Reception with English Ale is scheduled for: October 10, 2008, 5:00PM – 10:30PM at Motoworks Chicago, 1901 South Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60608. For more info: call Motoworks at 312-738-4269.
gringolandiastudio.com
motoworkschicago.com
(Thanks for the info, Mike!)
I finally caved in and set up a Twitter account… but I have an ACTUAL PURPOSE for it! I’ll use it to post scootering tips and I’ll also post quick bursts about rumors and upcoming stories. So, if you’re into that, we’re simply “2strokebuzz.” If you prefer not to join Twitter (you’re smart), you can still read the posts or subscribe to an RSS feed here.
I found those Lambretta parts…
…and your nunchucks: North Wales postman dumped 3,000 packages in woods:
A POSTMAN hid thousands of packages in woods and delayed many more because he “couldn’t be bothered” delivering them. (…) Scores of customers complained they had not received items including a set of nunchucks, parts for a Lambretta scooter, craft items, sports wear, DVDs and children’s clothing.
A likely excuse, scooter shop! Anyway, when the trial’s over, he’ll have no problem finding employment losing mail in Chicago.
2009 Amerivespa date announced
Amerivespa 2009 in San Jose, CA will be held Fourth of July weekend, July 2-5. 2009.
Vespa, Piaggio rentals at EagleRider
International motorcycle rental chain EagleRider is adding Vespa and Piaggio scooters to its rental lineup in Las Vegas, Orlando, Los Angeles, and San Francisco this month. Just a press release rehash, but good to know (and good for PiaggioUSA sales figures, we bet).
Lean Diesel
Very cool (and customizable) scooter artwork from LeanDiesel.co.uk. I hope it’s not insulting to call his work “Jamie Hewlett-ish.” Lee also does the “Into the Sunset” illustrations in Scootering magazine.