Singapore scooter “fleet manager” Ban Hock Hin Co. manufactures some pretty interesting scooter conversions for Asian businesses. I thought this was an LML Porta-Potty but alas, it’s not. I’ve got no doubt they could make a few dozen toilets on wheels for you.
LML lockout continues, future uncertain
Indian scooter manufacturer Lohia Machines Ltd (LML) continues to fight financial and labor woes, as a lockout starting May 7–following strikes and protests–continues amid complaints from the workers’ union that interim payments are not being distributed properly. (It also appears they’ve blown off their web hosting bill). It’s unclear if LML has produced any scooters at all since the beginning of the year. While the Indian business press has frequently reported on potential investors and buyers, nothing has come of these rumors to date.
With demand for small motorcycles and modern automatic scooters on the rise (in India and worldwide), the Honda Eterno, Bajaj Chetak, and LML Star together accounted for only 16% of Indian scooter production in 2006, including 95,000 Eternos, and a combined 70,000 Stars and Chetaks. The Chetak presumably outsold the Star in the Indian market, so LML could certainly benefit from the Chetak’s recent demise (not to mention the demise of the Vespa PX150). Another sales boost comes from the hot, but relatively small, market for the Stella and Belladonna (both LML-manufactured variations of the Star) in the USA and New Zealand, respectively.
As it stands, most US Stella dealers are running very low on stock, and Genuine’s large backorder is–at best–months away (LML surely has domestic obligations, and Belgian, British, and other international dealers are promising a 2006 model). Sadly, it may never come, unfortunate considering US demand has never been higher. Genuine’s deal with PGO (manufacturers of their Buddy 50, 125, and Black Kat, along with other models likely to be announced soon) should reduce the shock on Genuine, their dealers, and scooterists, and Belladonna has introduced a Vino knockoff to their lineup. But those with their hearts set on a Stella would be wise to act fast and settle for whatever color they can get (some colors appear to be sold out nationwide), or place an order for what, if it comes, will likely be the last batch of metal-bodied 2-stroke geared scooters to ever see American soil.
Ghost Rider
Does this look incredibly cool or incredibly stupid? I can’t tell anymore, especially when Nick Cage is involved.
Peter Moore’s US scooter shop tour
Girlbike reports that Vroom with a View author Peter Moore is on a booksigning tour for the next week, stopping at Scomo (VA), Scooters Originali (NJ), Vespa New Orleans, and Erico Motorsports (Denver) in the next few days.
Scooter Bunny T-shirt
If you, like Zach, want to recreate the famous photo of me mowing my lawn, and unlike Zach, you want to do it right, you’re gonna need Project Porkchop’s “Scooter Bunny” shirt. Lucky for you, it’s on sale for only $9.99.
Radio Panic
Britpop internet radio station Radio Panic is awesome in theory, but doesn’t seem to work in Safari (thanks for the link, Jennifer). Hmm, I always thought Bloc Party was just pretending to be British…
“You can probably see that we’re pretty tough”
Another of Chicago’s greatest moments in televised scooter crashes: Wild Chicago’s segment on DeathScoot 2000 (Slaughterhouse VI), YouTubed for your pleasure, just this minute, by Chad. Ignoring the fact that every voiceover describes the exact opposite of what is being pictured, it’s still a classic. Goodtimes!
“Tracy! are you OK?”
I heard about this when it happened a couple years ago, and never thought I’d get the chance to see it, but thanks to the dual magic of Tivo and Youtube, here it is: With mere seconds of instruction and an unbuckled half-helmet, WLS Channel 7 meteorologist Tracy Butler crashes a Vespa, during a PR piece with Vespa of Chicago’s Sam Tomaino. God bless you, Vespaway. Now if only I could find Les Nessman’s Vespa crash on WKRP…
What Would Ganesh Ride?
Speaking of Big Ass Motors, I love their BBS ad. Oh, the lengths people will go to to sell 2004 Chetaks. Shame, really, they’re lovely bikes.
Big Ass, Yamaha Vox featured in Moto-Champ
Ryetronics Ryan stopped by yesterday to show me his copy of Moto Champ Magazine, which he picked up at Mitsuwa. (They never have it when I go there, dangit). The “Mini Bike in America” section features a story about ScooterBBS admin “SE” and his shop Big Ass Motors. (click on picture for larger image), and the cover features a Japanese hoochie girl posing with the Yamaha VOX. Being completely unable to read Japanese, I can’t tell you anything about Big Ass Motors, or if the VOX pictured was the prototype or if it’s actually in production, but I can tell you they have a lot of cool bikes in Japan we’ll never see here.
Riders vs. Cagers: Is this the real battle?
Another insightful and eloquent essay from Scooter in the Sticks about the nature of traffic angst.
Galewood 2K6:
Swine o’ the Times
“I give you Chicago. It is not London and Harvard. It is not Paris and buttermilk. It is American in every chitling and sparerib. It is alive from snout to tail.�
– H. L. Mencken.
I shouldn’t even have to post this, if you read 2strokebuzz, you know about Galewood. It’s all about scooters and bacon. It’s our neighborhood. It’s our rally. It’s our birthdays. It’s this weekend. Same deal as usual (though this year we’re adding a Bouncy Castle and a three-wheel ATV.) You know the drill. This will be the last Galewood Rally, so don’t miss it. Read on if you need more info. All are welcome.
Continue reading “Galewood 2K6:
Swine o’ the Times”
Vespa PR
Ever wonder why just about every news story about scooters follows the same formula and focuses on the Vespa rather than other scooters? CooperKatz is doing their job well. (Is that the Adobe Acrobat guy moonlighting in the background of that page?) They’re the people that coordinate Vespa’s events, shop openings, and media relations, including the official blog.
Los Gatos, CA motorcyclist nearly killed by booby-trap
Further proof that you can never be too careful on a motorcycle or scooter. Horrible. (Thanks for the warning, Max)
Houston Scooter Battalion postcards
ADR of the Houston Scooter Battalion is targeting all the new scooters on the streets of Houston with his HSB postcards. A great idea, we used to do that back in the day, and met a few good friends that way, but back then it was rare to see an unfamiliar scooter on the streets of Chicago. Maybe it’s time to print up some new 2sb cards and spread the gospel.