If it’s actually true that GM boss Bob Lutz owns and rides a Vectrix electric scooter, I see a reflection of his excessive disposable income, rather than an expression of his commitment to earth-friendly transportation. (This is a guy who called global warming “a crock of shit” this time last year.)
Category: Manufacturers
The Cute Lepers’ “So Screwed Up” video
Cute Vespa P-series-laden video for The Cute Lepers’ “So Screwed Up.” Nice work. Dude’s clearly got a Sting/Quadrophenia fetish, and I heart the ‘stache and the mildly-attractive chicks that aren’t trying too hard, which is way better than hot chicks that are trying too hard. (Thanks for the link, Steve!)
Adolf and Benito, EU-capitalist version
The Scooter Scoop reports Vespa and Adidas have teamed up for some co-branded apparel and shoes.
The last time Adidas teamed up (unofficially) with Vespa, we got the greatest commercial of all time:
The gear looks pretty sweet, though not too “outside the box.” What we need now is for Piaggio and Adidas to sponsor a Serie-A team, anyone, THAT would be the greatest soccer jersey since PGO sponsored Akademisk Boldklub of Denmark. (And of course, these.)
Top Gear in Vietnam
Top Gear tours Vietnam on scooters, 1000 miles in 8 days, Before you watch it, read this. Thanks, Mike in TX!
Colin Doyle leads CWC at -10°
Colin’s got a 24° lead on his closest competitor, and he sent in this great video, thanks Colin! You’re looking good, will Minnesota’s 17-year CWC winning streak continue? We also love that Colin was riding a Honda Ruckus 50, you don’t need a Barcalounger to win this thing!
UPDATE: Rye set up a flickr pool here.
Sym to manufacture MIT RoboScooter
Remember that cool MIT electric folding RoboScooter from a year ago? The one that was rumored to be headed for production last spring? Turns out MIT has partnered with SYM and another Taiwanese partner, and they unveiled working prototypes at EICMA this month. SYM plans to manufacture it by the second half of 2009, with a MSRP under US$2000.
(Thanks POCphil!)
Andretti test 1: 2sb crashes the Andretti
I’ve mentioned a few times that PowerSportsFactory has given us a Benelli/Andretti 150XT for a long-term test. I also bought a used Blur around the same time to replace the one stolen at the MotoGP race in Indianapolis, and thanks to a few minor snafus in both transactions, a busy schedule, and a little bad luck, I finally obtained plates and titles for both bikes yesterday. Yesterday it was 46°F and sunny, probably the last decent riding day we’ll see until Spring in Chicago, so it would have made sense to pick up the Andretti that’s been blocking a hallway inside my office for weeks now. But what fun is that? I decided to ride it home in the 34° sleet today instead.
Continue reading “Andretti test 1: 2sb crashes the Andretti”
Like Kymco?
Another likely winner from EICMA: The new Kymco Like 125 and 50. 12″ wheels, free matched topbox, spacious floorboards, front-and-rear discs, and it looks like a cross between a Vespa LX and a Yamaha C3. What’s not to “Like?” Some of Kymco’s recent Chinese-import bikes are a bit disappointing compared to the quality of their Taiwan-made product, hopefully the Like reminds us why we like Kymco. If you’re not counting, that was four “Like” puns. This bike is due out in mid-2009, no word on U.S. availability.
Buddy Black Jack on Genuine site
Genuine’s added official Black Jack photos and specs to their site. Looks great. Note: it’s two words. Black. Jack. No, I’m not going to go back and fix my old posts.
LML Star Deluxe at EICMA
Here’s the LML Star Deluxe at EICMA. Someone Italian, read this and explain the Stella implications.? Purple!?
SH300i vs MP3 400
Honda’s SH300i vs. Piaggio’s MP3 400 fight it out on the streets of Aberdeen.
Colannino consortium to buy Alitalia
Looks like Piaggio Chairman/CEO Roberto Colaninno will end up running Alitalia after all. The Italian government approved the €427 million deal on Thursday. The purchase required changes in Italian bankruptcy laws, angering the airline’s creditors and competitors as well as some customers and taxpayers.
Lambretta International, eh?
Motorsport Craze/Konker Motors of Langley, B.C. is now Lambretta Canada. They’ll be the national importer of rebadged-Adly “new Lambrettas.” Despite the “International” in their name, it’s surprising to see Lambretta International LLC using the Lambretta trademark outside the U.S., they’ve licensed the brand from Scooters India Limited, but there are several companies worldwide that will surely argue their claim to the name is just as legitimate.
Yoshimura scooter exhausts
If NCY and LeoVince pipes aren’t enough to impress your lame sportbike-riding friends, slap a new Yoshimura exhaust on your Zuma or T-Max. Or just enjoy your scooter and stop worrying that Pops Yoshimura is laughing at you from the grave.
The other Blur
Damon on a Lammy in 1994. Click the images for super-hi-res readable scans. I can kill hours a day at that site. LOVE it.