TheScooterScoop

(caution: fabricated stories and low brow humor approaching)
During my five day stay in Indianapolis covering the Indi Dealer Expo I noticed THREE common elements.

One was that the “off road” industry must be ON FIRE! There were more quadrunners and dirtbikes than you could shake a slim-jim at… one of those long ones too, not those little short ones that come in the can.

Two was that the generic Chinese scooter hasn’t gone anywhere. They still showed up in full force… You’ll get the idea when you watch the video.

The third common element was HELMETS! Enough to cover you and your momma while riding two up on one of each of the dirtbikes, quadrunners and chinese scooters on the floor. LOTS!

Here’s two helmets I did NOT see represented there… Maybe they’ll bring them out for EICMA at the end of the year.

First we have this little number from FLAMECO (better known for their BBQ grills). Guaranteed to grab the attention of even the most oblivious cell-phone conversing driver on the road.
PLUSES: Pretty stylish. Goes well with a flame job paint scheme. Attention grabbing. Great for winter rides.
MINUSES: Makes you look like a Snork from hell. Requires LP Gas refill every 15 miles. Hot as F*@K in the summer!

And now here’s something steaming hot and fresh from Unchi Helmet Inc. They’ve just dropped this number on us for 2007. It’s called the “熱いカール” which translates roughly into “The Carl which is Hot”. It sure makes Carl (seen here) look hot! I’ll take a number two!
PLUSES: A real hit with your Japanese colleagues. Quite a conversation piece. A big brown loaf of laughter.
MINUSES: Not DOT, EURO, EPA, EEC or CARB compliant. Offers about as much protection as your standard issue brain bucket. The appeal may be lost on your American or European colleagues. Doesn’t offer “wicking action”, pads not washable, tends to smell. May lead to unsavory activity at the end of the night while rally camping with your ‘friends’.