TheScooterScoop

(Before with the 2008 PX in both the navigation on the left and in the box at the lower right. Caught this as a Google cached site HERE.)

I can always count on getting the Vespa scoop from my good friend… IN JAPAN, Aki Hasegawa. He noted that a few weeks ago the shiny old classic was right there on the front page of the it.Vespa.com site and now? She’s gone! Vanished with narry a trace. What is the meaning of this? Is it delayed? Canceled? We can only speculate. I have a hunch that it’s because their manufacturer is a bit tied up at the moment… producing Stellas. But, it’s just a hunch.

(After, the PX is GAWN! Not in the nav not in the box, just a little java button that doesn’t work)

Lorenzo sent us the scoop on some sweet tires for you snow riders out there… granted he sent it when there was still snow on the ground some weeks ago, so I apologize if this scoop is getting to you late.

It’s the Iceman Spiked scooter tire from Schwalbe in Germany. Here’s how it’s described:

With around 150 spikes, ICEMAN provides the safest grip on ice and snow. Also available without spikes, the serrated tread and S1A, winter tread compound offers great performance during the colder months. Note: Please abide by local laws regarding spike tires.

I don’t know about the laws surrounding spiked tires, so you’re on your own there. I do know however that they are available in the follow formats:

(click the image if this is too small for ya)

I know some riders out there who are SERIOUS all weather riders (hats off to you). If you’re looking for a set to help keep you on road while you’re waiting for the snow to melt then contact Klaus at Schwalbe North America at www.schwalbetires.com. Tell ‘em TheScooterScoop sent ya. I don’t think they’ll give ya anything, but it never hurts.

Thanks for the scoop Lorenzo!

I nearly fell out of my chair watching this video. Come on! Just the thought of a ‘Busa racing a Jog is just “GTFO” preposterous. It’s the NEW turtle versus hare. MUST WATCH! Thanks to Motoblog.it (title link) for catching THAT one.

Jog’s are known to make good sprinters.

PS> I caught a little comment from Jwoselder that says:

The driver on the little scooter right is me. It’s a self build frame with piaggio engine. The motorcycle is a Honda Blackbird 1100xx.
For 2/3 of the track I was on front, after that the motor overtook me with only a few meters at the end of the 200 meter track.

Ok, so it’s not really a Busa vs’ a Jog… but still a fun video. To see more of Joel’s sprinter vids go HERE.

Bouncing around the webisphere, I made a stop by the old Dragon’s place, when I found a post that said “A Hummer I’d actually own”. Thinking to myself, “well, the Dragon is a scooter fan and a steam punk fan… so this is either a Hummer Scooter or a Hummer made of riveted brass and wood.” Sure ‘nuf, it was Oberdan Bezzi’s interpretation of what would happen if you crossed the two. I really have to give Bezzi a pat on the back. You can always count on him to come up with something to tickle the imagination.

If executed, this could actually be a good PR move for GM. Now if they just had a platform they could start with… Hrm…

Ahhh HA! GM… teams up with Honda and POOF! ObiBoi’s dreams become reality. Now, who’s gonna be the first to put together a prototype? Anyone got a Big Ruckus and a hankerin’ for some fiberglass forming?

I think it’s alright, but not NEARLY as sexy as Bezzi’s concept for an electric Moto Guzzi. OUCH! That’s HOT!

(Photo provided by Kesha Brindell Photography)

w00t! I had a chance to spread the gospel recently through the top two podcasts in my subscription list. Dave M. at SCTRCST (pronounced “Scooter Cast”) got me in the booth for episode 46, their 1 year collector’s anniversary edition and David H. from Just Gotta Scoot was crazy enough to have us BACK on the show for episode 45.

Were secrets revealed? You’ll have to listen in to see for yourself! Many MANY thanks to Dave at SCTRCST and Dave at Just Gotta Scoot (quite a interesting phenomena, the whole “Dave” thing) for taking the time… NOT just to give me an outlet for Italjet, but for taking the time to make such an important contribution to the scooter community! I love how prolific you guys are. Keep it up my brothers! I’m tuned in. Here are the direct links to the shows SCTRCST and JUST GOTTA SCOOT

Dudel aka “scoopdaddy”, caught me at the right time this morning and hit me with a fresh dollop from Yamaha. What you see in the picture is a 2008 Yamaha Neo CVT. Obviously it’s a big-wheel (16″), and it an automatic (CVT) with 114cc under the seat, which isn’t going to win you any races, but over all it looks to be a pretty road worthy specimen. While the center support bracket does make this baby look more sporty, and may add to the stability by helping to eliminate flexing between the front and rear of the scooter, I personally like flat foot boards… they give you more options with what to do with your feet while you’re on a looooong ride. You know? Like sitting in your computer chair. If you had to keep both feet shoulder width apart and flat on the floor in front of you, you’d get a case of the “ants pants” in under an hour.

No word if Yamaha will be spreading the love outside of Brazil, but if your Portuguese is good you can click on the title link to peep the info. Thanks Dudel!

PS> Back in 2006 Yamaha had already introduced a 50cc scooter called the Neo’s, seen here and it’s still available. Why name a new model Neo CVT when you’ve got a completely different looking scooter called the Neo’s? Because your creative team in Brazil was still recovering from Carnival when the deadline hit… I suppose.