Following last month’s strike at the LML factory that produces the Stella, thousands of contract workers at Hero Honda’s Gurgaon plant called a strike today, demanding more reasonable benefits from the plant that produces 6,200 motorcycles a day. A strike at Honda Motorcycles and Scooters of India several months ago resulted in highly-publicized police beatings and national outrage, and many labor actions have followed, including last week’s strikes at the State Bank of India and a Bangalore Toyota plant. China, if you’re reading, this is your future.
Pardon the nostalgia
The first issue of 2strokebuzz came out just about 11 years ago, and we’ve been online for almost six years. The first year or so of 2strokebuzz.com wasn’t technically a blog, but we started blogging in October, 2001, and most of those posts are still in our archive (though we lost a few in various server crashes, and some dates were lost). So if you’re feeling nostalgic, or you’re just jonesing for more 2sb (it happens!) check the bottom of the sidebar to see what was happening in 2strokebuzz’s past.
Piaggio activity in Persian Gulf region?
Harley invades China, ignores Harley riders.
Today, Harley opened their first dealership in China (per-capita income: US$1,200). From the BusinessWeek story:
A handful of Hogs have been on Chinese highways for the better part of a decade, piloted by the likes of Qin Huan. He is a longtime Harley owner, and founder of the Beijing Chrome Horse Motor Club. His group today provides service for Harleys, but Foley says the club won’t be an authorized repair shop.
That treatment has angered Qin, who thinks the company is being narrow-minded when it comes to loyal customers. “I believe Harley is more about culture than business,” he says. “Without the culture it stands for, Harley loses its meaning.”
Sound familiar to any US scooter shops that were around in 1998? (Thanks, Lu$ for the link, and Brooke for the analysis.)
“Mini Skini” throws Canadians for a loop
Speaking of scooter pranks, another April Fools’ joke slipped past us while we were at the WKRP rally: Mini of Canada announced the “Mini Skini,” (more images)a scooter version of the BMW Mini. Many Canadian news agencies and Mini fans were fooled, despite the “dual airbags” and “all-wheel-drive.” A full-size mockup was created and photographed, a lot of effort for a one-day prank. (The mighty Scooter Scoop, once again, scooped us.)
Bajaj announces LPG/CNG-powered scooters, fights Chinese imitators
On the heels of the hybrid Vespa prank comes news regarding a real “green” scooter: Bajaj Auto announced today plans are underway to bring a liquid-propane/compressed-natural-gas-powered scooter to the market next year. Bajaj rival Kinetic plans to release two electric scooter models in 2007 (presumably after they get those Dragster 180s on line). Bajaj might look for design inspiration from China’s Chongqing Union Auto Co., who are already selling Bajaj-branded CNG-powered three-wheelers, without permission. Bajaj has promised to challenge Gaongqing, but trademark infringement justice is hard to come by in China.
DOT Certification information
Please take some time to skim this FAQ from the NHTSA site about DOT Certification of Motorcycles and Scooters. It’s interesting to note that:
- Few people realize this: Manufacturers do NOT submit a sample machine (or helmet) for testing, it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to manufacture, test, and label the bike (or helmet) to conform to DOT specs. DOT has absolutely no involvement in the process. This makes one wonder how many of the scooters out there bragging to be “Street Legal” really are.
- It’s well known that many manufacturers sell their bikes as “mini-bikes” or “off-road use only” bikes to avoid DOT compliance, but reading some of the letters attached, it seems the DOT actually ENCOURAGES this for some reason. Despite their own rules describing “off road” bikes, they’ve told at least some manufacturers of potentially street-ridden minibikes to not bother trying to meet their standards.
The document also links to a search engine of companies that have compliance records with the DOT (search in “Part 566”).
Breaky is alive!
Got Vina’s Honda CB350 running today just in time to hook up with the remnants of the Chicago Scootercycle ride. Goodtimes. Riding that makes me wonder why I bother with scooters. If you live in Illinois, don’t forget to update your license plate stickers (oops). Photo courtesy of silent-ron.kicks-ass.org
Lunabase
Proof that the Lambretta Luna is the next big thing for scooter collectors: Lunabase is a well-designed, up-to-date, comprehensive British site celebrating the underappreciated Lambretta Luna range–Lui, Vega, and Cometa–designed by Bertone in the seventies. The site features technical info, brochures, a mailing list, and even an owners club. You’ll be coveting a Luna in no time.
Vintage 2strokebuzz!
If you were reading 2strokebuzz online way back at the turn of the millenium, you’ll be happy to know that you can see our earliest online version (from before the word “blog” was invented). Relive the early days of the animated gearshift and read all the classics, including the first MASS race, Vina’s ride to the clown cemetery, Rally Soccer, Matt Howie’s Fashion Forecast and Ryan Bastianelli’s (now Silent Ron’s) $100,000 “Can of Corn” Lambretta, and more! Don’t forget, our print issues, dating back to 1995, are also available to download. Ten years goes by so fast.
2strokebuzz Archives
Once we got all the old posts imported, the sidebar archive lists were getting unwieldy, so we’ve moved them to their own page that can always be found under in the sidebar. We’ve also redirected some bad links, so other than a few cosmetic changes and finishing the links page, everything should be nailed-down now. Thanks again for your support as we wrangle 2sb back into a lean, mean, blogging machine.
Teenager’s terror over scooter kidnap ordeal
I’d think after my third scooterjacking, i’d pretty much be ready to give up riding in Croydon.
Incriminators Scooter Club: Sean’s Tech Section
This might be old news, but the Incriminators SC of North Caroline have redesigned their site, and Sean Steven’s always-handy Tech Section, with his comprehensive (anal) plug-chop instructions, is working again.
Rhode Island redefines scooters, revises law
The Rhode Island General Assembly passed new legislation today that redefines moped and scooter vehicle classes and allows anyone with a regular driver’s license to pilot a under-50cc/under-4.9hp “scooter.” The law appears designed to please local rental services and dealers, especially those selling glass-pistoned Chinese scooters in gas-station parking lots. (thanks, Scooter Scoop)
Reminder- two weekend rides!
Looks like a good weekend for riding, 2sb might even show up for once:
- Saturday: Chicago Scooterist Motorcycle ride. Leaves from Pontiac (1531 N Damen Ave) at noon. For scooterists with motorcycles (or very fast, reliable scooters). Invite your motorcyclist friends. Route includes stop at Big Basin Saloon, a riverside biker/boater bar. (off I-55 so you can take the interstate back into the city if you wish.)
- Sunday, 11:30am Nitro’s Top Notch Burger Run, leaves from Rancho Nitro, (3120 N Elston) at 11:30. Inner-city ride, everyone welcome.