When scooter news breaks, we put it under a tarp in the garage.
After the scooterball posting, I have been exposed to another type of inflatable bike enclosure. This one, however, seems to be a lot more practical. It’s ideal for parking your pride and joy up over the cold months, where riding isn’t an option.
You can find out more about them on their website
Here are some ways to keep your thighs dry in the coming months. (Yup, it’s a slow news day.)
If this wide range of available scooter aprons is not proof that scooters are as popular as they’ve ever been, I don’t know what is. In other cruddy weather news, the Cold Weather Challenge ended yesterday, we’ll post the results when Ryan makes it official.
Piaggio is selling an alarm system custom-made for the Vespa GT and GTS. It plugs directly into the wiring loom without soldering, though if you’re a GT or GTS owner, I just lost your attention at “wiring loom” and you already blackberried the boutique to come pick up your bike to have one installed.
British manufacturer Reevu claims their motorcycle helmets—with a rear-view-mirror system integrated within—will be available this year, for about US$400, less than many “regular” motorcycle helmets. The helmets reportedly meet worldwide safety standards. It’s a great idea, if it works well, though just about anything would beat the hell out of a wobbly-ass vintage scooter mirror.
“The Serie Speciale model was made in 2002 to celebrate the end of a 25 year run of the Vespa PX200. Only 400 Serie Speciale Vespa PX200s were made and the aim of this site to log the owners and history of each one!” The Vespa PX200 Serie Speciale Owners Register, aside from being the best source for information on the Speciale model, has a lot of useful general PX200 info as well.
The Lambretta Club of America site has a great photo gallery, including this Gallery of vintage scooter magazine covers. Thanks for the link, Matty.
Piaggio Group Americas ran a full-page ad in today’s New York Times
featuring an appeal from president Paolo Timoni to the mayors of American cities:
Continue reading “Piaggio NYT ad targets U.S. mayors”
Another link I’ve been saving for months and can’t remember who originally sent it:
This little book assumes that the United States has been invaded by enemy soldiers on motorcycles and that we have to fight and harass them by guerrilla tactics.
Might come in handy if the Mods-and-Rockers war ever flares up again, but beware! These tips could also be used against us.
If American Scooterist’s special GS issue whetted your appetite for all things GS 160-related, visit the handsome and useful Vespa Village.
Another reason to move to England: The British Department for Transport’s THINK! safety campaign features a chilling TV spot and an extensive print campaign to remind motorists to keep an eye out for motorcycles. (Thanks, Girlbike)
The Las Vegas rally is underway, which can mean only one thing: the new American Scooterist is out! #48/49 is very special, it’s a 52-page double issue celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Vespa GS. It features an in-depth look at the various GS models from around the world, personal memories from original GS owners, and even complete rebuild directions. As part of the hard-working American Scooterist team, I really strongly suggest you join VCOA today, or at the very least, order it from the VCOA club store.
Peg Perego unveiled a new rechargeable-battery-powered Vespa Granturismo at the American International Toy Fair in NYC this week. We’ll keep an eye out and let you know when we see them for sale. Last night Milena backed her Chicco Vespa into a door and busted out the rear right turn signal, so she’s going to have to learn to ride more responsibly if she wants a GT. Thanks for the link, Vespaquest (See, I’m stealing links already!)
I’ve been waiting ages to post this, even though I can’t remember who sent it to me, and probably everyone’s already seen it. Here’s an NSU Lambretta LD paper model you can print out and assemble. I assume it’s from an old German magazine. If you assemble it, send us a photo!
To end all those “it feels like…” arguments once and for all, here’s an english translation of Scooter Center Köln‘s test of fourteen exhausts, complete with dyno results, tested on a Malossi-kitted PX200 in 1999.
Veloce Publishing was kind enough to send a review copy of Andrea and David Sparrow’s Lambretta LI Series Scooters (order from Amazon)
