TheScooterScoop

IMG_2330.JPG
Originally uploaded by GregoryH

GregoryH shares this photo of a p-series kiddie ride. This was shot in Barcelona, so I doubt that there’s one in your city. Whoever figures out a way to mount their scooter on one of those motion platforms might have a way to pay for their gas while they are parked at work.

vespa
Originally uploaded by brazov1971

Perfect for someone who is torn on getting that classic Vespa or getting the classic car. This pair is about as hip as it gets. You know what would be real cool? If you could walk across the platform and control the steering from the car.

Anyway, thanks to brazov1971 for sharing!

i polmoni del futuro
Originally uploaded by oreundici

This photo entitled “i polmoni del futuro”, or “lungs of the future” was shot in Italy. Maybe this is how riders in LA will need to travel if smog levels don’t drop. I don’t know exactly whats going on in this shot, but how often do you see a scooterist with a pair of air tanks on his back? Gratzi to oreundici for sharing!

(There she is G-Oil! Not to be confused with Olive Oil, who is Popeye’s “goil” as he would say.)

Found this over at the Kneeslider (see title link) who caught it on the Popular Mechanics site. Seems a new company, Green Earth Technologies, has come up with a way to render motor oil from beef tallow (rendered bovine fat). Sure, it’s not perfect… it’s not like it is made from dirty diapers, but it IS better than standard motor oil. Why is that exactly? Well because when you have to dispose of the used oil, all you have to do is mix it with their product “Disposoil” and pour it down your sink’s disposal. The broken down oil is then available for consumption by other microorganisms.

It’s American Petroleum Institute certification should be issued shortly… now awaiting word on a 2-stroke version. MMMMM! The smell of burning beef fat… like a 2-wheeled BBQ.

Here’s their site.

***UPDATE***
Hey! An anonymous posted found Green 2-stroke oil in the Marine section of their site, HERE. Does anyone else put Marine oil in their 2-stroke scooter?

Half the problem with oil is disposal and that’s not a big deal with 2-stroke. They’re is nothing to dispose of. So, the only real benefit is less oil dependence and it’s biodegradable if you spill a little. Still no word if you’ll smell like a rolling beef stroganoff OR if they have plans for a Pork Tallow version in the future.

Some company was showing off an exterior airbag system (as well as a laundry basket of dirty clothes in the background?). The idea is that pedestrians (scooterists?) that get smacked by a car will have a better chance of avoiding a trip to the ER.

Also on the “lesser known” tour was Dunlop’s Enasave 97. Not sure if they have plans for scooter tires, but a set for your car will help reduce CO2 and oil dependency (they are made 97% petroleum free). Looks for these to hit stores in Japan in Q1, 2008.

Another item brought to our attention (Arigato to Aki for these) is the Toyota concept car with a Sony / Toyota developed micro-segway sorta gadget. You’d be better off watching this video to understand what I mean. It’s a scooter, just not the type we usually see around these parts.

One last thing that Aki brought up was some new Harley Davidson financing in Japan. It seems they now allow SUPER long term financing… by that I mean TWELVE years. That’s $35/mo with 2 additional $150 payments each year. Usually, a car loan in Japan is around the same length as a loan in the USA, around 5 years.

(Thanks again to Skorji for the shot!)
Not to be confused with Yamaha’s 2004 Tokyo Boat Show special exhibition model BOAT called the Luxair, the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show’s special exhibition model luxury model cruiser scooter is much cooler. I just wanted to show you a couple of photos of this concept. If you want to read about it’s hybrid drive, you should click on the title link.

Another couple of shots from Juergen Specht can be seen here and here and here.