Small Displacement Hybrid Racing Revealed

MotoGPmatters.com (aka KropotinThinks) reported on the efforts of KTM (warning: poor, resource-burdening flash site) to implement a Kinetic Energy Recovery System on their 125 cc Grand Prix machines. Kropotkin cites a report by the Spanish motorcycle website Motosolo describing a system used last fall in the race at Valencia and again during testing this winter at the same circuit. The system uses a capacitor rather than a battery to store energy during braking and can reintroduce approximately 2.5 HP for use when needed. It may be surprising to find efficiency enhancing technology applied to a class of machines that is already known for being relatively more fuel efficient efficient than other forms of transport but that 2.5 HP could really come in handy when tenths of seconds count.

While exciting new hybrid and electric scooters and concept vehicles have been reported here in the past, they have their challenges and barriers to widespread implementation. One of the biggest problems for both all electric plug-ins and hybrids like the Toyota Prius is the cost, weight and disposal of large toxic chemical-laden batteries. The use of a smaller energy storage unit like a capacitor could be a strategy to not store so much energy where one could drive for extended periods of time without combustion, but to assist a motor at specific points in vehicle use. The energy that normally would be wasted as heat during braking could be harnessed to turn near useless engine applications such as a small four-stroke engine that can’t get out of it’s own way in traffic into a useful machine. Where tenths of seconds count in racing, they may be even more important when that cab driver decides his lane position is more important than your life. The increase in efficiency may allow internal combustion engines to be designed smaller and less powerful knowing that some other stored energy could be used on-demand. One could even envision a 25cc four stroke with a capacitive KERS system that could navigate urban traffic and get 150 mpg!

Consumer Reports on scooters

A disappointing Consumer Reports’ video comparison of scooters accompanies a review in their February issue. Consumer Reports is a trustworthy source, and their findings are accurate, but you just can’t sum up the wide variety of scooters available right now in a 3:45 video. (Thanks for the tip, Matt.)

If you’re looking for a more detailed report, Nathaniel Salzman just updated his Buyers’ Guide, which features very good basic advice. 2sb’s “So You’re buying a Scooter?” doesn’t compare models at all, but there’s some good advice there. ScooterDiva has a good Buyers’ Guide with specs for current models from the top makers, but no hands-on info. Also: POC’s Phil Waters sent us a great writeup comparing many highway-legal scooters, we’ll post that soon.

CWC update, finally… Bob’s Vectrix leads

Well, another cold snap through the northeast last week brought us an almost entirely new top 5 in the Cold Weather Challenge Former leader Colin Doyle was knocked to third place by Bob Hedstrom of Scooterville in Minneapolis (-16°F!) on a Vectrix electric scooter, and on his heels, Tom from Omaha (-11°F), with a second entry, vowing to not let Minnesota take the CWC title. Colin’s down to third, then Luigi G. sits in 4th place at -7°F (with a long writeup in the comments.). Rounding out the top 5 is Stefan from Cleveland, at -6°F. Stefan is clearly delusional from the cold and demanding some Malört.

Say what you will about a Vectrix leading the CWC, I think it’s cool, and Bob’s got two 50cc bikes and two 30+-year-old Vespas nipping at his (cold) ankles, which I see as proof that ANYONE could win this thing.

Read through the comments, we have a lot more entries, and good stories, and try a cold ride, anyone who posts a ride under 32° (and/or the coldest ride in his/her state) gets a prize for participating!

Racer Redding Road Legal On A Piaggio Zip 50

One of the most dramatic events of 2008 British motorsport was the victory by Scott Redding in the 125cc Grand Prix race at Donnington Park. Redding’s win ended an over thirty year drought for Brits in the One-Two-Five class as he set the record for being the youngest Grand Prix winner at about fifteen and a half years of age. MotoGP.com posted a nice report on the Gloucester lad passing his Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) test. Scott can now drive himself around on a scooter. I am fairly sure 50ccs of unbridled 2-stroke fury will make him feel a bit like he’s moving in slow motion compared to his Aprilia RSW125. But maybe he can get some help tuning the bike from his Team BQR mechanics. Mr. Redding is pictured on MotoGP.com while astride a Piaggio Zip 50 scooter. Scott races for Blusens Aprilia. As Aprilia is under the Piaggio umbrella of companies, I hope they set him up nicely with the ‘ped for free.

S-No Excuses For Winter Scooter Retirement

Motoblog.it reports on the work at Riminimoto aimed at extending the use of scooters into the winter months. I’m not referring to Seattle San Diego winter. I mean the kind with snow. Riminimoto takes the simple if not original approach by replacing the front wheel with a ski and studs on the rear tire. The example scooter is the MBK Booster (aka Yamaha Zuma). Other examples show the use of the Honda Ruckus and the Honda EZ-Cub. All are likely candidates due to their faux-off road image that has endowed them with the engine configuration or tire profile that is amenable to the use of knobbie tires to accept ice screws. It doesn’t hurt that they are sufficiently masculine in appearance for hardy outdoor types to use.
Continue reading “S-No Excuses For Winter Scooter Retirement”

Man’s Labyrinth: Who Needs It?

Have no fear those sans inner ear! High and low tech solutions are here to save the day. The New Cafe Racer Society shares a self balancing scooter and Tokyo Times (via Gizmodo) brings us a way to not spill one’s noodles. I assume that the former will soon make it’s way into a BMW production model motorcycle and the later will work just as well when trying to carry a pint of beer.

Become A Fan of 2SB, If You’re In To That Kind of Thing.

This 2strokebuzz.com contributing author was highly resistant to social networking sites. It wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine how Facebook could degenerate into the next myspace with horrible backgrounds and unavoidable embedded music. But a networking site that allowed 2SB to have it’s own fan site can’t be all that bad. If you are a fan of the ‘blog’ and are on Facebook, show your affection and Bryan will probably be touched, or possibly disgusted (Your guess is as good as mine.). If you’re not ‘on Facebook’, you’re not missing all that much except the possibility of finding that one girl from high school that you always wished you had asked out on a date.

Good Ol’ Norwegian Hosts

From Deadlicious via The New Cafe Racer Society, we are reminded of the good manners possessed by our Scandihoovian brethren. I wonder if some tourism savvy municipality could resurrect such a program in the USA. It would create much needed jobs for out of work scooterists. In these hard times, there may not be enough graphic design jobs to go around.

Indian Scooter Maker Bought By Indian Tractor Maker

The Central Chronical reports that Kinetic Motors has been purchased by automotive giant, Mahindra & Mahindra.  More commonly known for their utility vehicles, M & M thinks that scooters and small displacement motorcycles are the way to go and there’s a still plenty of untapped market in India.  In the last few years, Kinetic has been linked with a possible new entry into the U.S. market under yet another incarnation of the Italjet marque.  The new company will be name Mahindra Kinetic Scooters & Motorcycles Limitied. Following the 2strokebuzz lead, M & M have their own football club.  Will we see even more rugged, tractor-like, scooters on the market?  Or just an Indian premier football league team moped?