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.
Category: Lifestyle
Auto-Rickshaw Mud Flaps
If you’re riding a Bajaj, you need these, stat. (And here are more.)
Virginia enacts new licensing today
Starting today (July 1, 2008) the Commonwealth of Virginia requires riders to obtain a motorcycle license to operate any two-wheeled vehicle capable of more than 35mph. We now go live to Chelsea in Richmond to tell you all about it. Good news: the VA DMV is developing a scooter rider education class, which will debut in the fall.
Chicago city stickers expire today
It’s Chicago “Vehicle Sticker” day! If you live in the city, your old car stickers and motorcycle medallions expire on June 30, and must be updated today. All motorcycles and scooters are required to display the tag. Despite commonly being called “parking medallions,” they’re required whether or not you park on the street. Remember that motorcycle tags do allow you to park in any “neighborhood” parking zone. Generally, hardcore enforcement starts at the end of July, so if you haven’t yet, send Miguel Del Valle your $45. This year, the medallion has been redesigned, it’s smaller and looks more like a dog tag, tastefully anodized in orange to match Blurs, Buddys, and Stellas. Good call, Miguel.
New Florida law requires MSF class
A new Florida law takes effect tomorrow: New motorcyclists and scooterists are required to take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course before being granted a motorcycle license. Bravo.
In Utah, also starting in July, riders under 19 will need to get a 2-month learners’ permit before getting a full endorsement, and all riders will not be allowed to operate a motorcycle bigger than the one they passed their test. Both these rules are steps in the right direction, though a “tested displacement” limit seems a bit unrealistic even to supporters of stepped displacement licensing.
“A city built for cars”
An editorial from urban planning site Planetizen: “Scooting in a City Built for Cars.” )Thanks, Drew) I’m looking forward to some interesting comments on this one. I’ll start off negative by reiterating my cringing disdain for the word “Scooting,” but I’m sure many new scooterists are finding themselves in a similar situation.
More MPG math:
The New York Times’ always-great “Wheels” blog points out that “miles per gallon” perhaps isn’t the best metric, or at least shouldn’t be the only metric, of fuel savings. A higher MPG figure gives the false impression that the savings are proportional to the mileage. Obviously, a higher MPG rating is always better, but as the fuel efficiency increases, the savings start to level off. Their example is that replacing a low-mileage SUV with an average-mileage car makes a much bigger fuel cost difference than trading an average-mileage car for a hybrid car. Let’s do some math and see what that means for scooters.
Continue reading “More MPG math:”
#16: Throw a kit on that… whatever it is.
Today’s question for Dr. Buzz and his panel of experts comes from From Art E. of Fresno, CA:
Please help, I am stuck with a torn apart “Vino!” From what can tell the engine is a Linhai/Yamaha 49.5cc 2-stroke. I checked the engine number to verify it. I ordered an Athena 70cc big-bore kit and the “big-bore” piston has about 2-3mm of clearance in the stock cylinder! Also the Athena cylinder is about a half inch shorter than the stocker. The clutch variator has splines too small to fit on the crankshaft. Primary gears are wrong (the gear on the shaft has a nub on the end where the stocker does not). I have not measured the stock bore yet. What could be wrong? This is the “Minerelli”-style horizontal engine. Please help!
Continue reading “#16: Throw a kit on that… whatever it is.”
El Coucho, el video!
With PVSC’s “Band Camp” rally days away, it’s the perfect time to share this must-see time-lapse video of Alex Tasi constructing the famous “El Coucho” scooter:
(Thanks for the link, Mike Maddox!)
Modern Buddy crash data
EP Scoot tallied up the responses on the everlasting “Who’s Crashed” thread at Modern Buddy to come up with a Modern Buddy “Hurt Report” of sorts. It’s not entirely scientific, but the results are pretty interesting, especially because they confirm what most of us know but choose to ignore. Also interesting: the long-held suspicion that orange Buddies are more crash-prone holds true, though pink is surprisingly less crash-prone than black. Nice work.
Scooterfix down
In a snafu reminiscent of 2strokebuzz’ disappearance in 2005, the content of Crystal Waters’ Scooterfix (nee Girlbike) was lost in a server switch, hopefully she has an easier time restoring it than we did. (Details here.). Her two new sites, Scoot Green and Scoot Pink, were also down temporarily, but are now up and running, and her current top priority is fulfilling her Scooter Seat Covers orders. Our fingers are crossed that Scooterfix and its years of quality content will be back up soon, but it’s good to see Green and Pink going strong.
Mods vs Rockers 2008 Photos
GIVI graphic windshields
A neat idea for windscreens from GIVI, though something like that is only cool if you’re the only person in town with one, painting something yourself would be cooler.
Mods vs. Rockers 2008
Update: Scooterists are meeting at the Globe at 10:45am Saturday, to ride down to Delilah’s as a group.
I would tell you that Chicago scooter rally season kicks off this weekend with Mods vs. Rockers 2007 but the truth is, it’s been going on for a while already. I’m woefully behind on events posts and you already missed a Comic Book Release Party and the ModChicago’s Weekender (Sorry, mods!) But don’t miss the Motorcycle/Scooter/Hot Rod show at Delilahs from Noon-4pm on Saturday, and the Fish & Chips Dinner and Chicago Premiere of Brittown at the new Bottom Lounge on Saturday night.
Scoot Green and/or Pink
Crystal Waters has added two new sites to her Scooterfix (previously Girlbike) empire: Scoot Green is about financial opportunities in the powersports sector, and Scoot Pink is all about scooterists in the porn industry. Made you look.