When scooter news breaks, we put it under a tarp in the garage.
A few good news stories that got lost in the fog of the last week:
Well, I did it. I bought a Genuine Blur. If you’ve noticed a lack of posts, it’s because I’ve been riding, working, and Slaughterhousing. There’s a lot to talk about, hopefully we’ll catch up in the next day or two. In the meantime, I’ll be on the Blur Forum.
an uncredited-but-frightening photo, posted on ScooterScene
The UK Scooter-Scene forum is reporting a possible safety issue regarding a Vespa GTS250 exhaust gasket. According to the post, some GTS250 riders are reporting the gasket degrades over time and can fail, releasing excessive heat that can damage the rear brake hydraulic pipe, throttle cable, or gas line, causing a loss of brakes, locked-up throttle, or even the risk of a gas fire or explosion. Piaggio UK has been notified of the problem, and is looking into it. It’s unclear how common the problem is, or if it’s an issue with all GTS250s internationally. It could even be a hoax or a freak occurence, but until more information surfaces, GTS250 riders may want to keep an eye on their pipes and look for signs of damage (louder pipe, excessive heat), and also make sure they’re properly registered with your dealer in case there’s a recall. Thanks for the tip, Nitro.
Niall King’s Vespa Smallframes site is an oldie but goodie, with tech info and photos of Vespa’s smallframe scooters, and a good amount of info on Asian-market models. It also features a downloadable font “Primavera,” a Mac or Windows version of the 70s Piaggio logo font (sort of a stylized Clarendon Bold Extended, if you’re a type nerd).
Rocco’s Ristorante and Pizzeria in Walnut Creek, CA claims to have the original Vespa from “La Dolce Vita.” There’s a picture in the slide show, anyone care to speculate on its authenticity?
In a surprise last-minute announcement–days before the rally–Motoplex/Old Town Motocycle Shoppe has told us they’ll be giving away a Piaggio Typhoon in the Slaughterhouse raffle this Saturday night at the Cobra Lounge. Big thanks to Dan and Derrick at Motoplex for the scooter!
This my first review of a scooter in more than ten years of writing 2strokebuzz. My first scooter was a vintage Vespa and have pretty much stuck to what I know. I’ve taken a few spins on various modern scooters, and have been impressed by some, and not by others. The Blur impressed me.
Continue reading “The Blur 150: Modern scooters aren’t rubbish”
The Business Standard of India reports a joint venture has been formed by Kinetic Communication and Ducati Energia to manufacture “flywheel magnetos, CDI, ignition system, regulators and ECU for two and three-wheelers.” The venture will be called “Ducati Energia India,” and will be based in Pune. Kinetic is currently developing and manufacturing the former Italjet line of scooters. If only they could work Lucas into this deal, they’d pretty much dominate motorcycle electrics for a thousand years.
The Toronto Star reviews the Piaggio BV500.
From HindustanTimes.com:
MEMBERS OF the All-India Central Council of Trade Union (AICCTU) have warned that the responsibility for any attempt of group self-immolation by the employees of the closed LML Limited would lie on the Chief Minister, Labour Ministry and owners of the LML Limited. The warning was issued in a letter written by AICCTU state president Hari Singh to the Chief Minister and Secretary, Labour Ministry. He said about 5,000 employees and their family members were in deep financial trouble due to the lockout declared by the LML Limited from March 7, 2006.
“Self-Immolation?” As in this? Is that properly translated? Are LML workers seriously threatining suicide-by-fire if the plant doesn’t reopen? I’m no expert in Indian culture or Indian business methods, but that sounds bad.
We’ve been telling you this for months: The few Stellas left on showroom floors are the last ones we’ll ever see. Despite yesterday’s glimmer of hope for LML, the Stella has officially been deleted from Genuine’s lineup (though parts and accessories are available). The updated site features Genuine’s current all-PGO lineup: The Black Cat and Buddy, and the brand-new Blur and Rattler.
Moneycontrol India reports:
…Daelim, [LML’s] South Korean partner, might buy into the Lucknow-based company. Sources say talks between the two companies have been on for about four months now.
LML management had no comment.
While you’re waiting for 2sb’s Genuine Blur review (3/4 finished! it’s epic!), The Hindu Business Line is drooling all over the Kinetic Blaze, the Indian version of the Italjet Millennium. Still no clues towards a U.S. importer, despite Kinetic’s claims the Velocifero would be here by the end of the year.
Photos of the “Jet Powered Honda Metropolitian” have been circulating for months, but Engadget’s piece is the only one I’ve seen that actually tracked the guy down and got the story.
The celebrity news just keeps coming today. British chef and well-known scooterist Jamie Oliver crushes a Vespa in a fat suit in commercials for his new TV show. As an obese scooterist, I am not amused.
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