Scoot Issue 60

D y n o Te s t : G e n u i n e B u d d y 1 5 0 v s Ve s p a L X 1 5 0

Test Ride:

KYMCO

Downtown 300i Triumph

Tigress Twin 250

www.ScootMagazine.com Issue 60 • February 2011

Yak Hack: Kayak Hauler

How To: Rally Sponsorship

Scoot! Magazine - Issue #60 - 2011

IN THIS ISSUE...

PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AND ADVERTISING Josh Rogers josh@scootmagazine.com

P REMIUM

SCOOTER REVIEWS

MANAGING EDITOR April Whitney april@scootmagazine.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Caroline Carr caroline@scootmagazine.com WEBMASTER Chris Orogvany COVER Cover photo by Teresa West, shot on location at the Evergreen Air & Space Museum in McMinnville, OR. CONTRIBUTORS Tracy Ball Mike Bobadilla Randall Bohl Bob Brown Giuliana Foresi Glen Galatan

Carl Hancock Jeff Herman Giorgio Serafino Tim Slagle Teresa West

Want to contact Scoot! Magazine?

Mail: P.O. Box 9605, San Jose, CA 95157 Letter to Editor: april@scootmagazine.com Delivery, account issues: info@scootmagazine.com www.scootmagazine.com

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SCOOT! MAGAZINE Issue #60 February 2011 (ISSN# 154513560) is published bi-monthly for $24.95 per year by Scoot!

Quarterly, LLC, 1902 Lafayette #H, Santa Clara, CA 95050.

Periodical postage paid at Santa Clara, CA, and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Scoot! Magazine, P.O. Box 9605, San Jose, CA 95157-0605. Phone: 408-294-4292 FAX 408-294-4291 email: info@scootmagazine.com. Visit us on the Web at www.scootmagazine.com.

All material copyright protected and may not be reproduced without prior written approval. Send requests for reproduction or re-use of material to Scoot! for consideration by the publisher and the author. Scoot! is not liable for any claims made by any of its advertisers. Individuals participating in activities advertised or described within this publication do so at their own risk: Scoot! assumes no responsibility or liability regarding the personal actions of its readers. We hope everyone will choose to ride safely at all times. ©2011 Scoot! Quarterly, LLC. All rights reserved.

KYMCO Downtown 300i

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FEATURES Rally Sponsorship Racing Preview Fun with Dynos Land-Speed Trials Kayak Sidehack Route 66 - Italian Style

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REGULAR Letters To The Editor 8 Editor’s Letter 10 Scootin’ News 12 Rally Reviews 14 Reader’s Rides Tracy Ball’s Tigress 18 Tony G’s Maico Mobil 34 Scooter Collector 30 Outfit of the Issue 32 Sights & Sounds 52 Cover Photo Contest 53 Product Reviews 54 Calendar 60 Tattoo Corner 61 Dealer Listings 62 Directory/Classified 64 Show Us Your Scoots!

68 Scoot! Swag 71 The Unlovables 72

Page 40

Page 46

Page 34 SPECIAL THANKS To these folks who helped make this issue come together, and who give of their time and effort to make this magazine possible. You rock!

Jeff Biafore Gary Castro Patrick Fitzgibbons Tony Garbarino Jeremy Hall

Laura Hughes Michael Milstead Frank Orozco Tony Simoni San Jose Vespa Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Letters To The Editor...

Dear Scoot!,

Dear Scoot!,

Thanks, Don Leonardo via email

David Dill via email

Let me start by saying how much I love your magazine. I look forward to every issue and read it cover to cover. I was very excited to see the write up about the Cannonball run. I have a buddy who actually rode it. I’m not disappointed in the story or the pictures but I was a little bothered that there was not one picture of the entire group. At least they could have each been recognized somewhere in the story. I’m sure there is something funny or interesting that happened to each of them. I’m hoping following issues might have more stories about the adventures of the mighty Cannonballers.

Don, I appreciate your feedback. The 2010 Cannonball article was something that I considered for quite some time. I’m not sure how long you have been reading Scoot!, but we have covered the Cannonball several times: in 2007, 2008, a preview of 2010 with some highlights, and then this year. So, when Oz proposed a new take on the Cannonball story, I took him up on it.

The challenge with a Cannonball report is that not only do you need someone who goes on the trip or at least follows it, you also need someone to interview everyone on the trip, and take photos. It is a time-intensive, expensive undertaking that we can’t afford. So, we have relied on past competitors to write the articles, and this year it was no different. Compound that by the fact that the deadline for receipt of the finished article was less than a month after the finish of the event. I’m amazed that Oz and Aaron were able to do the race, get back home, get back into normal life and then submit a finished article in time. Kudos to them!

That being said, I agree with you that it would have been great to have one big photo with all 22 competitors and their bikes in it. This will be a goal for the 2012 incarnation, which looks like it is shaping up to be a unique take on the Cannonball.

Happy scooting, -April

Dear Scoot!,

A few years back I took advantage of an offer that sent me a copy of every “classic” back issue. I am glad I took advantage of that because there are some really good articles in them. Alas, I do not have copies of the first three. Have you guys ever considered making these available online? I remember reading somewhere that the disks that held the digital copies had some how gotten destroyed or something along that lines. It could be made available through the online magazine service, Google books, or maybe Amazon, this is how I bought “The Same but Different”

by Peter Moore.

Thank you for producing a stellar magazine.

Zac Miller via email Zach, Those first three issues are collector’s items, indeed. I still have my copies that I bought from First Kick Scooters way back before I was even involved with Scoot!

We are currently in the process of converting out-of-stock back issues into digital versions. We’re going backwards and hope to someday have those issues available for online viewing, but there is no fast deadline for that to happen.

Happy scooting, -April

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The BIG problem with Scoot! magazine, as I see it, is that it should be biweekly instead of bimonthly!! Just kidding, folks. It arrived in my Post Office box just a few days ago and I am already reading it for the second time. This has got to stop!

Seriously, keep this magazine “rollin’.”

The article on the new Honda PCX 125 was another informative review.

HOWEVER, shame on you for trying to fool your readers. It seems that the photo of the PCX on page 44 is not of the same scooter as shown on pages 42 and 43.

What gives? Explain that one. LOL

David, Well, you caught us. We used two Honda-provided stock photos of the PCX to supplement my photo. It’s actually not uncommon. Honda can afford to have some caramel-macchiato drinking pro with fancy lights and one of those big white rolls of butcher paper come out and shoot their bikes. So, we used those photos to give readers a better look at the bike. However, I did stand in the middle of traffic, my very life in peril, while my model rode around the park a dozen times so that I could get that sweet action riding shot. So give me a little credit, eh?

Thanks for your request for more Scoot! While we can’t increase frequency, we will be upgrading our website to provide more frequent and timely news later this year.

Happy scooting, -April

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Letter From Scoot!...

Scootering in the New World Welcome to Scoot! Magazine’s 60th issue. An impressive feat, especially when you consider that for many years Scoot! was a quarterly. Josh and I (and Mike) took over in December of 2003 after we heard a rumor that the magazine would be sold. “Someone has to save Scoot!” we said. After a few nervous phone calls to relatives and friends asking for loans, Josh, Mike and I were the new owners. We knew it would be hard, that we’d have a lot to learn, and that our sheer love of scootering might not be everything we needed, but we wanted to give it a shot. Over the next seven years, we increased the frequency, changed some specs, went full-color, tested new features, dropped some others, and tried to make the best magazine that we could. Mike has since moved on, but Josh and I still love the heck out of this magazine and the community that supports it.

It is with this great enthusiasm that we announce a new chapter in the Scoot! story. This spring we will debut Scoot! Club, an all-new member organization for scooter enthusiasts. Scoot! Club is aimed at bringing scooterists together by providing an over rearching club with membership benefits, support for the scootering lifestyle, and unique interactive opportunities. Scoot! Club membership entitles members to special discounts at various scooterrelated businesses. Depending upon membership level, members will receive Scoot! Club items like patches, buttons, t-shirts and access to roadside assistance. The Scoot! Club will host and sponsor events.

Scoot! Magazine will also be part of that membership, albeit in a different form. Starting with the next issue, Scoot! will cease to be a print publication, but continue as a digital magazine.

It has been our dream to be a more integral component of the scootering community, but the economic realities of the past few years have made it hard to be in the magazine business. Many of our advertisers and dealers have seriously curtailed their business, or have gone out of business entirely.

While subscriptions hold steady, the real anchor of magazine finances, advertising, has not. In 2009 nearly 600 magazines closed their doors. Last year it was just under 300. We have struggled in this economy, and a few recent issues were held up until we were able to collect on just enough back due invoices to cover the printing. Scoot! operates on less than a shoestring budget. Neither Josh nor I collect a salary, and we both work second jobs to pay our bills. That means every hour we spend on the magazine is donated. As our list of goals grew, the finances of a magazine in a digital age didn’t seem to keep up. It is for this reason that we have decided to transition to an entirely digital magazine. The printing and shipping is roughly 80% of our budget. By eliminating the majority of these costs, we hope to have enough actual revenue to pursue some of those goals: host events, improve our coverage, pay our writers and photographers, and foster the scootering lifestyle. I know that this news will upset many of you. But you should know that this is not a flippant decision made without lots of deliberation and soul searching. As 2010 drew to a close, the choices that faced us were to either go digital or shutter the magazine completely. After some thought we came up with a third choice – to evolve the magazine and make it something bigger. Thus, Scoot! Club was born and the idea that we could actually achieve some of our greater goals was encouraging. On page 49 you’ll find more information on Scoot! Club. I hope that you will check it out, and consider joining. All current subscribers will automatically receive membership, and soon will receive letters describing the transition. Our current online version of the magazine will include more features and interactive elements that will bring Scoot! into the 21st century.

While this change may be uncomfortable, and I’m sure that we will experience some growing pains, I think the possibilities are exciting. I hope that you will join us in writing this next chapter in Scoot’s story.

Let’s ride!

April Whitney for the Scoot! Team

Managing Editor & Co-Publisher Read my blog: http://www.scootmagazine.com/blog.php Follow me on Twitter: @scootmagapril

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Scootin’ News

Cardo Introduces New Headset System The new Q2 MultiSet PRO is the newest bike-to-bike and passenger –torider headset from Cardo Systems, Inc. a company known for Bluetooth communication devices. In addition to providing improved signal range the set includes “noise canceling headphones and AGC technology which automatically adjusts microphone volume based the amount of ambient noise. A new advancement called Embedded Packet Loss Concealment lets the system compensate for lost audio in real time, giving riders the very clear conversations.” The system integrates with FM radio and MP3 players as well a cell phones. Riders can now accept or reject calls through voice commands, which eliminates the potential distraction caused by using control buttons. The MSRP was not available at press time. For more information, see cardosystems.com.

Scooter As Deals-of-the-Day The relatively new phenomenon of deal-of-the-day Internet sites like Groupon, LivingSocial and Gilt Group have found their way into the scooter world. Recently two sites offered Vespa scooters in special online sales. In December Gilt group, a limited-time discounter for luxury goods offered 2009 Vespa GTVs for $5,520 versus a reported $7,236 MSRP and 2010 LX 150 for $3,740 versus $4,736. In January, suchthedeal. com, a Portland, OR-based deal site offered five Vespa LX150s via Vespa Milwaukee. Offer price was $3,581 (tax & PDI included) versus a reported MSRP of $5,696. No word on how successful were the sales.

2010 Sales Not As Bad As Expected Recent news from Harley-Davidson and the Motorcycle Industry Council hint that 2010 sales declines were not as bad as previously expected.

While the motorcycle/scooter/ATV segment was down 17.4%, the scooter-only category was down just 9.4%. December sales showed a bit of a rebound with scooter sales up 20.2% over December 2009.

While these results are encouraging, it should be noted that the only scooter manufacturers who report sales to the MIC are Piaggio/Aprilia/ Vespa, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha, which leaves out several smaller scooter distributors.

Gas Prices Expected to Surge in 2011 According to the Energy Information Administration’s January 11th gasoline forecast estimates, the peak driving season of April–September (which coincides with scootering season) has “more than a 25 percent probability that the national average retail price for regular gasoline could exceed $3.50 per gallon in the June through September period in 2011 and an 8 to 10 percent probability that it could exceed $4.00 per gallon in August and September 2011. Time to get those scooters tuned up and ready to ride!

The Auto Moto Goes Topless In January, The Auto Moto.com Corporation announced a new version of their three-wheeled tilting scooter; “The Auto Moto Sport” which lacks the roof of its predecessor. The Sport comes with a removable top case, alarm system, and a built-in FM radio with MP3 connection. It has the same 150cc drive train as the roofed version. It is available for an MSRP of $3,800 in Red, Range, Silver, White or Black. The company is also said to be implementing a two-year warranty with roadside assistance, shortly.

Find out more at TheAutoMoto.com

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ISO: “Motorcycles at Work” In June the National Motorcycle Museum will host a new exhibition, Motorcycles at work which will “ chronicle a century of courier service, police, military action and more in which motorcycles have played an important role.” If you have a motorcycle (or scooter!) that has fulfilled a special role in business, or have pertinent memorabilia, and you would like to submit it for consideration, contact Mark Mederski at 614 551 0960, or mark@nationalmcmuseum.org. The museum is located in Anamos, IA. Find out more at nationalmcmuseum.org.

New Accessories from GIVI USA For 2011 GIVI has several new items available. The Monolock E370 ($169) in the smoke lens Tech series holds 32 liters and comes with universal mounting hardware and retails for $169. New accessories for the Honda PCX include the D322ST transparent windscreen which measures 59.4 x 44cm (H & W) 18.5 CM higher than the original ($95) ; also comes in a smoked version (D322S for $99); and the 323DT (plus D323KIT) extended transparent windscreen kit which measures 82 x 58cm, 41cm higher than the original ($187). giviusa.com Rider Insurance Celebrates 40 Years of Service Begun as a motorcycle insurance agency in 1971, Rider Insurance eventually went from selling other companies’ policies to, in 1977, providing its own policies as an insurance company. Rider Insurance is now celebrating its 40th anniversary. In that time it has expanded its coverage from just New Jersey to now serve motorcyclists in Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. For more information or to get a quote call 800-595-6393 or go to rider.com.

MRP Entering Electric Scooter Parts Business Martin Racing Performance recently announced that it is making the foray into electric motorized cycles. Company president Joel Martin said that he is currently working with Taiwanese suppliers, “One of our brands in Taiwan has significant resources and will be helping us work with all the new EV makers which long term will be the leaders in putting these on US roads, so we want to be the go to guys for those replacement parts.” He cited recent announcements from Smart, Mini, Honda and Piaggio, all of whom have expressed interest in manufacturing fully electric scooters. While the venture is in the early stages, MRP is planning a more comprehensive announcement at the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis in February. mrp-speed.com

Motorsport Scooters Moves In January, Motorsport Scooters (scooterswest. com) moved to a new location at 3955 Pacific Highway in San Diego. The phone number remains the same: 619-280-1718. The location is on a frontage road close to the San Diego Airport and has been fully remodeled. At press time, a grand opening party was scheduled for early February.

SENA Has Bluetooth Dialed-In While at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show we came upon the SENA booth and were impressed by the company’s new SMH10 Bluetooth helmet headset system. It incorporates a dial rather than control buttons.

The set is a multi-pair intercom for 4 persons with a range of up to 1/2 mile.

It has Bluetooth connectivity and control for MP3 players and cell phones.

Also integrates with GPS devices. The SMH10 has 12 hours of talk time with 10 days of stand-by time and can be used while charging. $219 for individual headset, $399 for dual pack. senabluetooth.com Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Tour di Mari 3 Seattle, Washington July 30 - August 1, 2010 Westenders SC Report by Bob Brown Riding Down to Brighton got off to a great start at Jack Block park on Friday afternoon with a delicious BBQ provided by our sponsor, Valley Scooters. Scooterists flowed in from all over the map to enjoy burgers and dogs, collect their rally packs, and admire each other’s vintage and modern scooters.

Later that evening, Westender Hairy LaPinch of Styling Studio led the swarm

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on a merry dash to the Tiger Lounge, where we rocked out to the tunes of three excellent Seattle Bands! Lounge/pop band Laguna got us going with their unique sound, which could be described as “Martin Denny meets Astrud Gilberto.” Next was MiniRex, a delightful quintet of pretty ladies that played a hard driving set of powerpop that left the crowd wanting more! Closing the night was Bandolier, who really rocked the house, and got the crowd on their feet!

On Saturday morning, we met up at one of West Seattle’s most popular dining and music establishments, the Skylark Cafe, for a great breakfast and then set out on the signature ride of the Tour di Mari rallies, the “Westenders Water Ride.”

Led by Westender Doc and Rusty the Wonder Dog, and ably assisted by a crack team of ride marshals, the route went along Puget Sound, Lake Washington, Lake Union, and almost as far north to Edmonds! The four-hour, 75 mile ride was definitely a hit with the 70+ scooterists who took part.

While the ride was underway, Westenders Top Chef GrumpyGus and his elite culinary team were hard at work at Woodland Park preparing the English BBQ. Since the theme of Tour di Mari 3 was a British/Mod/Swinging-‘60s-London theme,

GG was faced with the challenge of creating a menu that took classic English favorites, as well as other foods commonly found in cosmopolitan London, and incorporating them into a buffet dinner for 100+ diners!

While finishing touches were put on the buffet, rallygoers enjoyed an out standing performance by a Samoan dance troupe from Southwest Youth & Family Services. They performed a number of dances, chants, and shared stories of the Samoan culture. SWY&FS assists families in the West Seattle/White Center communities. A portion of the proceeds from Tour di Mari 3 were donated to help SWY&FS carry on its important work! After the performance, all lined up for dinner, and a wonderful feast was shared by all!

At long last, it was time for the raffle! Nearly $4,000 in prizes were given away in a drawing that took nearly an hour to finish! Next came the presentation of Special Awards, which had been crafted by Westender Rudy the Rat. The “Furthest Travelled” award went to Karen S., who made Tour di Mari 3 part of her west coast odyssey from her home in Del Mar, California, en route to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, on a Vespa GTS200! The “Best Scooter” trophy went to Tony Reid for his concoursperfect Vespa GS160, and the “I-Can’t-Believe-That-Thing-Still-Runs” trophy was awarded to Westender Corey S. and his incredibly war-weary P200, which appeared for all intents and purposes to be holding together pretty much from

force of habit and little else! After all the prizes were given away, it was time for the main event: the raffling of the Vespa P200E scooter. Since last fall, an expert team of restorers and preservationists led by Westender Stinky painstakingly restored this scooter and brought it back to its former glory.

A hush fell over the crowd as the winning ticket was drawn. As the numbers were read off, there were cheers or moans depending on whether one was no longer a contender or still “in the hunt.” RT boomed out the last number, and the lucky winner was Westender Jodie, aka “Red,” who ended up riding the scooter home!

On Sunday, 40+ scooterists gathered at Cafe Revo, where proprietor Sofia and her staff prepared a delightful brunch buffet. Afterwards, Westender Click led the riders on his delightful “Photographer’s Ride,” which took the swarm to many scenic Seattle spots, including the West Point lighthouse, Ballard Locks, Fisherman’s Terminal, and Queen Anne’s famous Kerry Park.

The Westenders Scooter Club thanks the Bjornsen family and Valley Scooters for their generous financial support that makes these rallies possible. Many thanks also to our sponsors for all the wonderful prizes, all the Westenders whose hard work made this weekend party possible, and most of all, YOU, our friends and fellow scooterists, who came out and made Tour di Mari 3 the best Westenders rally ever!

Find out more about the club at westenders.org.

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The Great Southwest Scooter Fiesta II Gilbert, Arizona October 2010 100 scooters Scooter Club of Metro Phoenix Report by Glen Galatan, photos by Randall Bohl The second “Great Southwest Scooter Fiesta” was held at Joe’s Farm Grill (a scooterfriendly restaurant featured in Scoot! #50) in Gilbert, AZ. Over 2,000 people passed through the event and over 100 scooters were on hand. The rally, a benefit for Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, adopted out 15 pets in just under four hours, a record for the mobile adoption van that was at the event.

The special guest was Kathryn Bulkley, Miss Arizona 2010 (also a contestant in the 2011 Miss America Pageant). Not only did Kathryn sign autographs and help adopt out pets, but was judge of our “Best Of” contests. Vendors set up booths that included: RideNow Chandler Vespa, Motocity, 2nd Avenue Scooters, TEAM Arizona, Pete and Mac’s Doggie Day Care, Arizona State University Art Museum, and many more.

Present at the event were members of the Tucson “Sky Island Riders,” The Arizona “Scarabs,” The “Scoodah” Scooter Club and the Prescott “Central Arizona Road Riders” (CARR) Club. The event would not be possible without the support of the other clubs!

If you would like more information about The Scooter Club Of Metro Phoenix, contact www.meetup.com/phoenix-scooter-club or phoenixscooterclub.com.

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Kitty Kitty, Meow!

The Owner Full Name: Tracy Ball Nickname: T-Ball City, State: Portland, Oregon Clubs: Cute Bunnies and Kitties Scooter Club, Vespa Club of America Other bikes owned: 1960 Vespa VBA 150 (aka “SKIRT”), 1965 Mobylette Moped AV42 (aka “FIFI”) What make /model bike is your dream collection missing: I have an unrequited crush for a über-rare Faka Commodore. But the Tigress has helped me work through that.

How long scootering? 10+ years How could the scooter scene improve: Not getting too wrapped up in Vintage vs. Modern, Vespa vs. Lambretta, Scooter vs. Moped. Boring! It’s all good.

Likes/dislikes about rallies: Love the camaraderie. Hate the hangovers.

Favorite route/place to ride: Any place warm and dry.

When not scootering, can be found: Trying to make money as a freelance advertising copywriter so I can afford my scooter habit. (Visit tracyrball.com) Also writing in my blog ScooterSwag.com about scooter collectibles and ephemera.

Scariest moment on a scooter: Strangely, it’s not been when I was hit by a car in Canada or when I went down on new, wet trolley tracks after we finally got the Tigress running. It was when I was riding my Vespa by myself in Eugene, Oregon, during a rally and two Gypsy Jokers (MC) boxed me in and started hassling me rocker-style. Fortunately there was a cop car right behind all of us. The police blared their siren, the motorcyclists took off at high speed, and the cops went right after them! I almost wet myself. This wasn’t even my first run in with the Gypsy Jokers. That’s another story though.

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The Bike:

“Kitty Kitty”

Year/Make/Model: 1964 Triumph Tigress Twin 250 cc, Mark 2 Background on Scooter: I put a “Want It” now ad on eBay and, lo and behold, an Australian responded. Lindsay Patience had just brought a crate of these beasts from New Zealand where they may have been used as postal carriers. For a year we e-mailed back and forth getting it together. Shipping it to Portland was quite the ordeal, of course. Then it just didn’t run right. I had assumed all along that I would have to have the engine rebuilt once it got here. Empire Classics had just gotten opened here in town and were the only British bike people willing to even look at it. It’s not really a scooter engine or a motorcycle engine. It’s more like a little sports car engine.

Inspiration: Derek Sweeting’s (Cocco Puff Daddy) Tigress. (Scoot! Magazine, Winter 2005.) It was the first time I saw a photo of one that wasn’t covered up by accessories and I thought the lines were so beautiful.

Paint: Embarrassingly it’s a silver off a late model Pontiac. I wanted it to look like a rocket ship.

Top speed: It should get up to 65 mph. I’ve been too afraid to get it up that high.

55 mph is as fast as I’ve gone according to my GPS. I’m a show-er, not a go-er.

Biggest challenge: Coming up with solutions, finding parts all over the Western world and pouring gallons of currency and love into this bike. Frankly, it’s been a nightmare. I’m hoping we’re through the worst of it.

Modifications: A bigger carb and better filter, 12v electrics, high output stator, halogen headlight, and a custom LED taillight from bulbsthatlast4ever.com Overall Cost: $9,000? (I don’t really want to know.)

Hardest Part of the Project: Saying goodbye to all the money I’ve spent on it.

And being patient between times it’s been in the shop.

Engine: 250cc four-stroke Twin.

Thanks to: Australian Lindsay for the scooter. Englishman and gentleman John for parts and sympathy. And above all, Americans Jim and Thaddeus at Empire Classics who never lost the faith.

Additional mods: Added auxiliary light with steering column-mounted switch, changed to 29” wide handlebar, H-D Screaming Eagle, Memphis Shader modified windshield.

PS: I would love to hear from other Triumph Tigress/BSA Sunbeam owners.

Especially in the States.

Visit: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/bsa_n_triumph_scooters

Time to build: If I’m honest? Four years.

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Kitty Kitty, Meow!

Royal Navy fighter pilots on their Triumph Tigresses at the Farnborough (UK) Air Show. Circa 1960.

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Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Now a Word From Our Sponsors...

Successful Sponsorships

By April Whitney

A scooter rally can be an expensive undertaking. Planning, staffing, and catering to your guests takes not only a lot of work, it also requires money. One way to help fund the rally is to seek sponsorship from scooter shops, manufacturers and local businesses. In exchange for promotional consideration business can offer you funds or products that will help offset the costs of hosting the rally. They key to securing meaningful sponsorship is in understanding the needs and capabilities of both your group and your sponsors. As someone who has been on both sides of rally sponsorship, I have unique experience with sponsorship. I have also spoken to several businesses that sponsor rallies. Several themes emerge on what makes successful, and less-than-successful sponsorship campaigns.

“awareness” in the scootering community, but those concepts are hard to quantify, and aren’t conclusive enough to convince a small business that is operating on a tight budget. Keep in mind that you are likely competing with lots of other requests.

How will you make it stand out, and convince the sponsor to choose yours over another request? Your request should include:

What Constitutes “Sponsorship” The most common form of rally sponsorship comes in the form of rally raffle donations. It’s easier for a company to give an in-kind donation that doesn’t require an outlay of cash. These requests can be fulfilled on a shorter timeline than other forms of sponsorship. Almost any aspect of the rally can be sponsored. Some examples include:

I receive lots of requests for raffle prizes with no mailing address included. This requires me to email the person back just to get the info, which delays me in processing the request.

Something that I see often is the promise to “acknowledge your company as we hand out the raffle prizes.” I’ve been to plenty of rallies and have bought tickets for plenty of raffles. Most people have their noses buried in their stream of tickets and don’t pay much attention to who donated the prizes. Several shops that I polled for this article said that they attended the rallies to which they donated prizes and saw first-hand that no acknowledgement was made, even though it was promised. That’s a sure way to turn off a sponsor to future participation. Some ways that you can help add value to your sponsorship opportunity:

Venue Rental • Food/Beverage • Printing • Trophy/Awards Patches/Souvenirs • Ride Support • Rally packs Sponsorship should be part of the rally planning right from the start. If you have a planning committee, make sure that some of the team are dedicated to sponsorship requests. If you are looking for sponsorship that directly affects the itinerary (such as venues) then these requests should be made as soon as possible. Venues book far in advance especially if your rally coincides with a holiday.

Timing One of the most important aspects of a successful campaign is the timing. If you send a request too far in advance, it may get misplaced. If you ask too late, your sponsors may not have enough time to organize, or may have already been tapped out by other requests.

At Scoot!, we most frequently sponsor with merchandise for rallies, free subscriptions or advertising space in exchange for promotional consideration. We offer a 25% discount on our advertising rates for clubs hosting rallies. Check out our advertising deadlines to help with the timing of your request. For raffle prizes, we prefer to receive requests 4-6 weeks in advance. Since we don’t have a “slow season” that timeframe is steady. Scooter shops have an ebb and flow of business depending upon the season. Keep that in mind when you submit your request.

Late spring and summer are busy for shops and rallies are plentiful, so lock in your sponsorship in the winter when business is slower.

As I mentioned above, venues book several months in advance. Whether they are the sponsorship target, or you are looking to another group to help pay for the venue, approach them early. Some companies have annual budgets that are on a certain calendar (fiscal year vs. calendar year) and a request that comes too late may fall on deaf ears if the budget is already tapped out.

What’s In It For Me? When approaching your sponsor, do it clearly and concisely in writing (a letter or email), and make sure that you have considered how your proposal benefits the potential sponsor. It’s easy to say that the company will get “publicity” or

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• Event description with dates • A clear request for what sponsorship entails • How your group will promote and recognize the sponsor • Deadlines for responses/receipt of products • Complete contact information for a specific sponsorship person

• Include sponsor logos & links on event web page (you have one of those, right?!)

• Include sponsor recognition on printed itinerary in rally packs • Offer sponsors free admission to all rally events/ free rally pack • Offer to send photos (especially of raffle winners with the prizes) to the sponsors • Offer to send sponsors patches/souvenirs after the event is over

When I was in a scooter club and worked on the sponsorship committee, I included a patch and itinerary from the previous rally with the request so that they had something tangible which showed how we acknowledged sponsors in the past.

You should make every effort to acknowledge each of your sponsors and drive your attendees’ business to them. You want to keep those sponsors in business, since they support the scene and may be a repeat sponsor for the next event.

Once the Event is Over Once the rally is over and you have caught up on sleep and laundry. Make sure to send a note of thanks to each sponsor. In the past, some clubs have sent me photos from the rally along with a card signed by the club members. Often, I’ll receive a package with a shirt or printed itinerary (especially great if our logo is on it!), and a patch. I actually save those patches and sometimes scan them for the magazine. I’m sure that I am not the only sponsor who appreciates these efforts and recalls them when the next crop of requests comes in next year. One unique thing that I request of all of the events that we sponsor is to have someone submit a rally report afterwards that we can include in the magazine. We can’t attend most of the rallies we sponsor, so a rally report helps us share these great events with our readers.

The crowd eagerly awaits the raffle.

Posting sponsor banners is an easy way to show appreciation.

Good Luck!

We all want to see the U.S. scooter scene thrive. Rallies are great ways to create and foster enthusiasm for our scootering passion. With some planning, careful strategy and a some effort you can forge successful partnerships that will make your event a success, and will make our sponsors glad that they participated.

For more resources including sample documents such as a sponsor request letters, media press release, and a rally program, go to ScootMagazine.com.

Thanks to David Smith of Texas, whose rally letter is co-opted and modified to serve my purposes.

This is the type of request letter that is likely to make its way to the top of my consideration list.

To the point and provides everything I need to make a decision quickly.

- April

ter rallies. We at d summer scoo an e, ng ri in sp az ’s ag ar M is ye ial Rally to be Dear Scoot! erkeley Memor has begun for th B y ng be ni us an B l pl e, ua ar ating attenh Ann As you are aw me we are estim planning our 5t ti y ad ng re ni al an e pl ar b th or Texas mon MegaScooterClu ops in all the maj 8-10. With a 3sh ly d Ju an on s ub rk cl Pa e , etc. l th ring Dallas/Ft. Worth t postcards to al held at Lake Sp d ou an nd io se on ill nt w A e n ople. W a raffle which n, Houston, Sa dance of 75+ pe ana, BBQ , and ople from Austi kh pe m gy aw , dr ic us to m ct e long rides, liv cities. We expe mping rally with ca y da the form 3is lly ra The e bike. tance could be in ffl is ra ss A 90 e. pa id es ov V pr 75 g goode to will include a 19 k/time, grab ba ndors would lik or ve w at r th ee nt lp lu he y vo , ts izes r an one of the even ffle giveaway pr We are asking fo ra of p or hi d/ rs an so ), on ny sp pa nations, from your com ots, gloves etc. of monetary do promo logo stuff lmets, jackets, bo s, he rd s, ca er st st po po , s, rs ies (i.e. sticke products, book scooter-related y an web site ts ha , ts ir like sh egaScooterClub M d. r te ou ia ec on pr n io ap it tly will be cogn Anything is grea ochure; and you u will receive re br yo lly p ra hi e rs th so of on r sp will get vendor ted on the back In exchange fo In addition you ; your logo prin . te ay si aw eb w ve gi ur e yo ffl e ra passes for the with a link to e the night of th tary admission ce en em im e pl th m co by o d ill received tw verbally thanke day show, and w ay rd Let me tu Sa r ou at space scooter market. g in ow gr d an please iastic entire rally. onsor the event, to a loyal, enthus sp e is ill rt w ve u ad yo If to t way July 1. r information.

This is a grea ld be received by with any furthe ou u sh yo s e on id ti ov na pr do n know if I ca preciated. ry 29th. Raffle u are greatly ap to me by Februa Yo go n. lo io at ur er yo id e id ns prov and co e for your time Thanks in advanc Tom Jones 123-987-6543 Daytime phone: 75100 megascooterclub Two Stroke, TX @ .

St om th rt te 30 oo 75 sc 86 l: : emai tention at be sent to my at Shipments can Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

23

Scooter Racing Preview

By April Whitney Photos by Dan Thompson and Jeremy Hall

In the past few years, the interest in racing smaller engine vehicles has grown. The popularity of Go-karts, minibikes, moped and, of course, scooters on the racetracks has made it easier for those with even a casual interest in track riding, to get the opportunity to ride. The vehicles usually race on outdoor go-kart tracks on the same weekends, using Saturday for practice runs and Sundays for racing in classes. Fees range from $25 for a day to $100 for the weekend, but are quite affordable for the fun and experience that one gets. As these series gain in popularity, more spectators come out to watch and the enthusiasm grows.

In addition to being a fun, inexpensive outlet for adults, scooter racing is also great fun for kids, especially teens that aren’t old enough to drive a car or motorcycle on city streets, but can race on the track. They can learn riding skills and ignite an interest in mechanics, in a safe, friendly environment. I’ve long thought that it would be a fun learning experience to get a high school auto shop class to transform inexpensive Chinese automatic scooters into a racing scooter and have the kids create their own mini race team.

Last year we profiled the Pacific Scooter Racing Association, which runs a series in the Pacific Northwest (Scoot! Magazine issue #54). But there are other regional groups operating their own series. Hopefully, as the popularity grows and more developing technology from Europe makes its way to our shores, we’ll see more scooter racing leagues emerge.

If you are interested, check out these regional racing associations.

Pacific Scooter Racing Association (PSRA) Area: Portland (OR), Seattle and Vancouver (BC) URL: pacificscooterracing.com Facebook: P.S.R.A. The PSRA is in its third year. The idea of scooter racing was bantered around in that area over a decade ago, but couldn’t get access to tracks. Finally the organizers found another racing circuit to partner with: the Oregon Super Bikers which cater to supermoto and mini-road racing. The Pacific NW has a large scootering community and the proximity of the three main PSRA cities makes it easy for the racers to get to the various tracks.

About 18 riders participated in the 2010 series, and the group expects attendance to grow as word gets out about the series.

Portland scooterists have local rides that take place at Pat’s Acres Racing Complex in Canby, OR, and the MAC Track in McMinnville, OR, with a possible new addition for 2011: a track day at Portland International Raceway, a full-sized car/motorcycle track that had invited the racers out for vintage bike days last year.

PSRA race days overlap with these local events, but also add days at Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA, and Greg Moore Raceway in Chilliwack, B.C., Canada.

At the time that I was interviewing for this article, the PSRA schedule wasn’t yet finalized, as the group plans its schedule so as to not conflict with local motorcycle racing. Go to the group’s website for current information.

Classes (dictated by how many scooters and what types show up) • Open moped class • Stock: (can have updated brakes, suspension, exhaust) 2- or 4-sroke, any engine size • Mod to 190cc: as long as the cylinder is made for that type of bike chasis.

(Typically150-177cc smallframes. No motorcycles or outrageous mods.)

• Mod open: 200+cc kitted stuff. The “run what ya brung” class.

Spectators are encouraged to attend; pit passes cost just $5. Lots of families come out and the rider ages from young to middle age. According to Patrick Fitzgibbons, one of the organizers and an owner of PTown Scooters, “You may be out there doing your best, and this person just passes you like you’re standing still. Chances are that she is a 9-year old girl. At the end of the day, if you are pissed at being beaten by a little girl, then you have bigger issues than a day at the track can fix.”

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American Scooter Racing Association (ASRA) Area: California URL: americanscooterracingassociation.com Facebook: A.S.R.A. E-mail: asra.info@yahoo.com ASRA is that granddaddy of US scooter racing. It began in 1989 with a group of scooterists who wanted to tune and test their vintage bikes. Many scooter racers credit ASRA with inspiring them to begin their local racing groups. The ASRA has been sporadically hosting events since then with some years leaner on participation and race days than others. In Scoot! Magazine #32 (Summer 2005) we profiled the group and a few of its riders. At that time it was experiencing a resurgence, but interest has waned. Last year, the Polini Cup race series brought out mopeds, mini bikes and such and got some enthusiasm going, but was cut short. So now, some ASRA veterans decided to revitalize the association.

Currently, the group is partnering with the Northern California Mini GP series to hold practice and racing days. The 2011 schedule is: March 19-20 Stockton Motorplex (Stockton, CA) April 23 Buttonwillow Kart Track (Buttonwillow, CA) March 13-15 Infineon Kart Track (Sonoma, CA)* July 9-10 Tom Dash Speedway (Atwater, CA) August 19-20 Buttonwillow Kart Track October 15-16 Stockton Motorplex * the Infineon weekend coincides with the AMA Sport Bike races ASRA participants come from all over California, but mostly from the Northern part of the state like San Francisco and Sacramento.

Both ASRA and PSRA are looking to hold an inter-association race weekend in the fall in Medford, OR, where PSRA and ASRA riders can compete against each other. It was still in the planning stages at the time of this article, so interested folks should check with either group later in the year.

Because the ASRA is trying to renew interest in the series they have made simple racing classes to maximize participatpion: Classes • Shifter: primarily vintage shifting bikes, however vintage automatic bikes like the Harley Topper or Fuji Rabbit would also race in this class. New PX and Bajaj shifting bikes belong here, too.

• Automatic: Modern automatics, regardless of engine size.

• Open: can be shifters against automatics, their “run what you brung” class.

Typical costs for ASRA events are $25 for practice days and $50 for race days, with $10 per additional class. Gary Castro, one of the organizers of this year’s events, says that they are encouraging people to come out to practice days whether or not they feel confident enough to race, since practice runs on the track are great for increasing general riding and cornering confidence. The group will even take novices out on guided laps to help get them acclimated to the track.

“They can do practice runs and just learn in a fun environment,” he says.

Mid-Atlantic Scooter Racing Commission Area: Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia URL: masrc.info Michael Milstead of Scootertronics in Maryland has been organizing the MASRC since 2009. He had been a fan of how European scooter racing was spuring the development of scooter technology, but didn’t see much going on in his area. He decided the only way to get scooter racing going was to start it himself. So he took some inexpensive, damaged scooters that were lying around his shop, tuned them up and started his team: the Scootertronic Racing Crew (SRC).

Last year about 14 people came out to race in the series, which works in conjunction with another group that races a variety of two-wheeled vehicles.

The most popular bikes were inexpensive Chinese bikes that have cheap, interchangeable parts. At press time the 2011 schedule was not finalized, but should be at the time this issue is out. Check the group’s website for updated information.

Races take place at: • Sandy Hook Speedway Maryland • New Jersey Motorsports park (in co-op with NJMiniGP) • BeaveRun Motorsports Complex, Big Beaver Borough, PA • Circleville Raceway Park, Circleville, OH Typically, track fees run $50-$100 per day, per class. Michael is also looking to do a racing camping weekend rally later in the year, which will be interesting for both riders and spectators.

Classes • 50cc street stock: stock street bikes • 70cc modified 2-stroke: • 150cc 4-stroke: stock • 150-190cc mod 4-stroke In previous years, the scooters raced the same day as go-karts, but this year the scooters will be on Saturday and go-karts on Sunday.

As participation increases, classes may evolve to closer mirror typical classes.

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North American Scooter Racing Association (NASRA) Area: Midwest (IN, OH) URL: USAscooterracing.com (This link should be working by February) Facebook: NASRA Last year we profiled the inaugural race of the North American Scooter Racing Association: Twist & Gone, a weekend drag race/rally/camp-out which ignited the scooter racing passion in the Midwest. With the great reception that T&G received, NASRA later started a Drag Race series. It started slowly with only two racers at the first event, but by the end of the series, five teams had showed up to test their skills. Popular race bikes are Genuine Buddys, Yamaha Zumas and generic Chinese scooters. Participants generally come from the Ohio-Indiana area, but interest is growing as events are added and promoted.

For 2011 NASRA is adding two additional series: Road Racing and Scootercross, which will add to the variety and appeal of scooter racing in the area. The Road Race series was still in the formation stages when I interviewed Jeremy Hall, NASRA organizer and owner of Enviromoto, a scooter parts dealer in Canby, IN. Classes were still in the formation stages, but the dates and locations of the five series events were set: Road Race Dates: May 21: Circleville, OH July 16: Circleville, OH Aug 6-7: Beaver Run Raceway (Big weekend event) Sept 25: Circleville, OH Oct 15: Circleville, OH (regular race plus endurance event) Fees: $25 for 1st class; $15 for additional class; $8 for spectators 12+ yrs old (under 12 is free)

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Scootercross is a three-race series that is a hybrid of motocross, obstacle course and dirt track riding. The track at Haspin Acres in Laurel, IN, has less stringent requirements than do road races, and is suitable for low-priced, entry-level scooters that can take a beating. Race dates are June 18, July 9 and August 20.

Classes are simple: 50cc, 70cc, 125cc+ to encourage participation. Two- and fourstroke scoots race together. Fees: $15 for access to all classes + camping; $15 for spectators to enter.

The Drag Race series returns with a five-race series held at Brown County Dragway in Morgantown, IN. This has two components: it is a bracketed race based on dial-in times predicated on practice runs; and a King of the Hill race with all riders competing against each other at once. Exciting!

Dates: June 12, July 10, Aug 14, Sept 11, Oct 9 Fees: $25 for the first class; $10 for the second.

For all NASRA points races, a $25 NASRA Membership is required to compete.

However, the Twist & Gone weekend is not part of the bracketed races, and is open to anyone who is not a NASRA member.

Twist & Gone is a weekend-long event that combines drag racing with general rally activities, camping, a swap meet and vendor row. There are lots of things to do besides race, so it’s a great way to casually expose people to racing. For 2011 it will be held on Saturday, May 14 (although the rally is all weekend) at Brown County Dragway. At the time of this article, the classes were being finalized, but I was told that vintage scooter and moped classes would be added. There will also be a King of the Hill race for all interested competitors.

Fees: $45 for first class (good for rider +1 guest; t-shirt & rally pack) $30 each additional class. Spectators pay $8 for ages 12+, includes entry to swap meet.

Let’s Go Racing!

Interested in giving it a try? Most races are on small, tight go-cart tracks that are approximately .6 to .9 miles long. Although it may seem that a large 300- or 650cc would blow away the competition, smaller, more nimble scooters can negotiate the courses better. Just because the courses are smaller and speeds slower than motorcycles, don’t think you can’t hurt yourself. Check out the scooter and rider requirements below: Racer requirements: • Full-face, DOT approved helmet • Leather gloves • Kevlar or leather jacket and pants (some accept textile with pads) • Boots that cover ankle (leather/Kevlar) • Back support is recommended but not required Scooter requirements: • Sound mechanical condition (bikes are inspected) • Sound tires (no cracks or bald tread) • Drain plug needs to be safety wired • Hydraulic fittings need to be safety wired • Working kill switch • Headlight glass & signal lights must be removed or well-taped Note: Each organization has its own rules, but if you meet these requirements, you should be able to race in any of the mentioned series.

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Fun with Dynamometers

By Scoot! Staff

In the last issue we premiered “Fun with Dynamometers,” a periodic look at scooter performance using a dynamometer to pinpoint the strengths of various scooter engines. In this installment of FwD, we compare the Vespa LX 150 and the Genuine Buddy 150 models. For this test both models are carbureted not fuel-injected.

Both bikes start out strong, but the Genuine Buddy (in red) presents more power from the get-go and builds peak power (of 6.98 hp) just under 25 mph. The Vespa (blue) doesn’t achieve the same power, producing 6.59 max power at just about 18 mph. The Buddy keeps its high, fairly even power up until 29 mph where it begins a prompt drop. The Vespa also loses peak power, but at a slower, more sustained rate.

At about 43 mph the lines meet and the Buddy continues its rapid descent, while the Vespa evens out, producing more power than the Buddy. But as we get to the end of the test, we see the Buddy make a slight comeback.

What does this mean? While the peak power between the two bikes may seem like not that much of a difference, the Buddy delivers in the 20-35 mph range which is a speed that scooterists will find typical in intersections and in general riding around town. Some of the most challenging traffic in-town situations will happen in this range and would benefit from the well of extra power.

Genuine Buddy 150

Carbureted Genuine Buddy 150 vs. Carbureted Vespa LX 150.

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The Vespa, while not producing as high an output or as sustained a level at its highest range, provides more even power throughout the cycle, and continues to deliver in the upper level of speed.

As we asked in the previous installment, “Can anyone make a complete judgment on an entire scooter based just on one dyno reading?” Of course not, but it is interesting to compare these popular bikes against each other with more concrete measurements than just how they “feel.”

The verdict? Strictly on the merits of this test, the Buddy seems to be the winner, since it delivers the power in the most typical range of use for the bike. In addition, it retails for $3,199 whereas the Vespa sold for about $4,299, a sizable difference.

What?

Did I hear you say that Vespa now offers the LX 150 i.e. and that you are actually more interested in how that bike performs? Well, we thought of that too and decided to do another test (you can see that we really do have fun with that dyno, eh?) and pit the carb version against the fuel-injected model.

In the second test, the carbureted Vespa LX 150 is represented by the blue line, the fuel injected Vespa LX 150 is in red. The power lines seem almost identical, just offset. The carbureted bike produces higher peak power at 6.98 hp whereas the fuel-injected model reaches 6.42 hp max. On the surface, the difference seems negligible. Yet, when you consider that the carbureted engine is tunable in a home garage with some simple jetting changes, it is possible to get a little more power out of that bike, which is not the case with the fuel-injected engine.

So, what’s the benefit of the fuel-injected model? Better emissions, fuel economy (about 10 mpg better) and reliability. If you could walk into a dealership and were offered both of these bikes at full retail, you would be looking at a $300 difference in favor of the carb version. Not much of a difference.

The verdict? Carb model slightly edges out the i.e. on power, but other benefits and negligible cost difference make the i.e. just as good a choice overall.

Got any ideas on other bikes or pairing we should hook-up to the dyno before we lose the privilege? Email april@scootmagazine.com.

Carbureted Vespa LX 150 vs. Fuel Injected Vespa LX 150.

Vespa LX 150

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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SCOOTER COLLECTOR

Did Santa bring you all the items on your scooter collector wish list, or did he just leave a carbonized spark plug in your stocking? I was lucky to get some cool collectibles under my tree.

Tech Deck Chocolate collector set This was a gift from my Scoot! business partner, Josh. He got it on eBay, so I thought it best not to appear rude and ask the price. It was a Toys R Us exclusive that was limited to 10,000. It contains four mini Chocolate (brand) skateboard decks that have motorcycle graphics, two of which are scooters. One is a red and white Lambretta, the other a green generic modern scooter. These decks are available individually (as reported in Scoot! issue #53), but this set starts your collection off at four and has space inside for an additional eight decks. I have not seen the Chocolate Vespa skate deck (see photo) represented in the Tech Deck line. If anyone knows if and where I can get one, let me know. I have plenty of room in my box!

Blythe Loves Littlest Pet Shop The people at Hasbro have tried to combine two cute properties into one über-cute boxed set. The re-born ‘70s Blythe doll mounts her purple, flower-power scooter with a sidecar that transports her cat, identified only as #1864 (one of the Littlest Pet Store animals).

The set comes will all sorts of small items that Blythe can shop for, and parents can later step on barefooted. #1864 even gets its own helmet. Not for children under 3-yearsold. $20.

Liv “School’s Out” Scooter Liv dolls look like more modest versions of Brat dolls. This boxed set contains just a scooter and helmet, no doll. The helmet looks like the old skateboard style. No full-face for this doll, according to the box she says, “There’s no better way to get a ‘wind blown’ look than a ride on my new scooter!” It has an interestingly shaped headlight, like a shield. The color scheme is white/silver/purple with stripes on the cowls. I like the chromey grab rail along the back of the seat. $20

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SCOOTER COLLECTOR

Whirl Balance Scooter Thanks to Frank Orozco for sharing this sweet scooter find. It’s a wooden scooter with rubber tires and handgrips and no pedals. It was created to help children aged 2-5 learn balance skills. The seat is height-adjustable and the wood is 100% birch from a FSC-certified forest that will probably last longer than some plastic. The sides look much like a vintage scooter. What’s not to like? $100 in stores or go to princelionheart.com.

Got a cool scooter collectible to share?

Send a description of your item and where you got it to: april@scootmagazine.com.

Please include a good quality photo so we can share it with other collectors. Also check my blog at scootmagazine.com for news and collectible updates.

Wooden Scooter Kit One of the cool scooter collectibles that my housemate Lori brought back from a recent trip to London was this wooden puzzle scooter. Four sheets of wood yield 60 puzzle pieces that can be assembled into a freestanding scooter. The packaging says that it should take two hours to complete. Made in China for UK company Professor Puzzle, professorpuzzle.com.

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Outfit of the Issue For this issue’s installment, we raided a local scooter shop to find a chic antidote to several cold, foggy, gray-sky days.

This bright outfit combines the Armadillo Women’s Trench Coast with Icon “Hella” boots and a snappy British flag cap. We used the model’s own jeans. Looks great on or off the scooter, and can be topped by your favorite wool scarf. Thanks to Vespa San Jose [www.sjvespa.com] for allowing us to take over their showroom, and to our gracious model, Laura Hughes.

Armadillo Woman’s Trench, $250, made of Nylon Taslon with PU coating and Teflon finish. Removable d3o impact pads in shoulder and elbow, cuff with thumb loop, MP3 pocket. XS-XL.

Hi Tech Ivy, $27.95 “British Flag” cap, men’s sizes S-Xl.

Icon Hella Boot, $140, cowhide leather, metal heel plate, internal ankle and insole padding.

Available in Black or Beretta (tan).

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Vital Industries, Lambretta cotton “scooter tote” bag, $10, Etsy.com.

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Tony G’s Classic - Part 2

If you saw Scoot! issue # 58 you got a chance to see a couple of Tony Garbarino’s classic scooters. At the time, we didn’t have room to feature his 1957 Maico Mobil, so we saved it for a future issue, and here it is.

The Mobil was introduced in 1950 by German manufacturer Maico, and advertised as an “auto with two wheels,” classified more as a motorcycle with protective bodywork rather than a scooter. Parked next to a Vespa Primavera or a Lambretta Starstream it actually looks closer to a car with its impressive dash and rear body that resembles a jet engine. According to Maico Mobil owners, the scooter is much easier to ride than one would suspect. Regardless, it has lots of metal surface area, which makes me wonder if it would be a great scooter to cover in magnets, like a fridge.

The Owner:

Full Name: Tony Garbarino City, State: Martinez, CA Other bikes owned (Get ready! – Editor): • 14 Vespas ranging from a 1947 model 98 to an ‘07 LX 150 (including 6 different GS models) • 8 Lambrettas ranging from 1949 A model to a ‘65 TV200 • 11 other scooters: including Peugeot, Piatti, TWN, NSU and 4 Maico models Scootering since: 1991 What/who got him into scootering? I found a 1950 Rod model in a barn while I was looking for some old cars.

Hobbies: Old wooded boats, Classic cars, Cuban cigars, Antiques What make/model bike is his dream collection missing: 1952 Terrot VSM1 Favorite route/place to ride: The road to Tomalas Bay from Marin When not scootering, you can be found: In the garage

The Bike:

Year/Make/Model: 1957 Maico Mobil Engine: 194cc Time to build: 3 years Top speed: N/A but the model is supposed to achieve 60 mph What was most challenging or most enjoyable about the project? Riding it.

Cool fact: This model sports a rare Faras scooter radio mounted to handlebars.

Tony’s bike was featured in Mike Webster’s book, “Classic Scooters.”

Awards the scooter has won: Best non Vespa/Lambretta, Amerivespa 2009

The 14-inch rear spare fits nicely in the tail.

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The dash has a gas intake, ignition and speedo. An ultra-rare Faras radio is mounted on the handlebars.

The easy-to-read speedometer in kms.

The red switch is the petcock; the gray pedal, the foot shifter.

Enough underseat storage for two valises.

The storage lid looks like a car hood.

The brake pedal resembles the shifter.

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The Maico Mobil logo incorporates a man riding a scooter.

Forget trying to gauge how close your front tire is to a car or curb.

The Mobil’s gas tank is located over the front wheel.

The foldable kickstarter is on the opposite side of a Vespa or Lambretta.

Engine access door.

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Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

The exhaust is long and thin, in order to make it all the way to the rear of the scooter.

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Motor-Scooter International Land-Speed Federation

Land Speed Trials Historic Route 66, Southern California • November 21, 2010 • Report by Josh Rogers, photos by Carl Hancock The premiere of the Scooter Land Speed trials were originally scheduled for the El Mirage “dry” lake bed. The Motor-Scooter International Land-Speed Federation (MSILSF) got word a couple of weeks before the event that the rains in Southern California in mid-October had turned the “dry” lake bed into a lake. It was unlikely that the bed would dry before 70 participants tried to propel their scooters across it as fast as possible. Rather than postponing the event, the MSILSF sprang into action to find a suitable back up plan. Their solution was an old section of Historic Route 66. While some of the participates might have got a kick out of running on an old piece of American highway, this change stopped any records in their tracks before motors were started. What was envisioned to be a record-setting event became more of an enthusiastic practice session.

Future MSILSF Events

Find out more information and enter at motorscooterlandspeedfederation.org.

MSILSF Euphoria: Salton Sea Endurance Rally, Brawley, CA March 25-26, 2011 First Annual European Motor-Scooter Land-Speed Trials, (Tentative) Autodromo Imola, Italy July 28-31, 2011 Second Annual U.S. Motor-Scooter Land-Speed Trials, (Venue TBA) September 16-19, 2011

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Typically such events are held in a place like the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah or El Mirage in Southern California. These vast expanses of ample flat terrain with nothing much to get in the way make it possible to achieve record speeds. It’s optimal running for an engine: it doesn’t have to produce more power to push uphill and it doesn’t over-rev going downhill. Ideally, there should be no wind or moisture on the ground. Since 1896 people have attempted land speed records at Bonneville. The runs are conducted out and back to ensure that the bike really does go that fast. Sadly for scooterists the Southern California Timing Association (the governing body of speed week at Bonneville) has a minimum tire size requirement of 15”, which eliminates most scooters. In addition, there are many very specific rules regarding bikes and gear. Thus, the MSILSF stepped in to create an event that would embrace scooters.

So what’s wrong with this stretch of Historic Route 66? Why were no records set? It boils down to three things: space, incline, and precipitation. When attempting land speed records one needs enough space to get up to maximum speed, in some cases more than a mile. This course was only 3/4 of a mile, which included the deceleration space.

As previously mentioned, it should be flat. This particular stretch was not.

While participants were told that when they were clocked they would be going down a 3% grade the MSILSF failed to mention that they started on an uphill grade. Compound this with a driving rain that lasted most of the morning, and the conditions were not even close to ideal for setting records.

For everyone involved it was a learning experience. Scooters did not come close to the speeds people thought they would achieve. In fact, in many cases the manufacturer stats for stock bikes are faster. The top speed for the day was a paltry 90 mph set on Scoot!’s own TMAX.

Not to be hard on the MSILSF. It was a great attempt to get involved with something they knew little about. The weather was against them and about half of the registered competitors did not show. It was a great opportunity for scooterists to go full throttle without worrying about getting a ticket. For the organizers, while it may not have achieved its original goal, the event brought out an enthusiastic

and committed group of riders, which was inspiring. For the diehards who braved the weather it was fun, wet, but fun. And fun is what scootering is all about.

We look forward to the 2011 event at a suitable location for some serious competition. Hopefully by adjusting the date, the weather will be more conducive to this kind of event. It’s a positive thing to see the organizer’s passion to provide this unusual, semi-competitive outlet. We wish them the best of luck in their future efforts.

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Scoot! Rides the KYMCO Downtown 300 Review by Scoot! Staff, photography by April Whitney (unless otherwise noted)

The KYMCO Downtown is positioned as an ultimate commuter vehicle. What does one expect from a “commuter vehicle?”

One could argue that power, comfort, carrying capacity, features and affordability, are all hallmarks of an ideal commuter scooter. It was with these factors in mind that we evaluated the Downtown.

Power The Downtown has a new, 298.9cc 4-valve electronic fuel-injected engine, which delivers smooth, consistent power even with a passenger. Scoot! is located in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley where expressways and freeways are the arteries that keep this car-centric area going. The Downtown handled the demanding acceleration of going from 0-45 mph from a standstill into a coursing expressway, stopping for one of the many stoplights, and then doing it all over again. The front and rear disc brakes helped keep pace with the rapid deceleration needed on the expressways and inner-city traffic. The sound of the Downtown’s engine isn’t inspiring, almost droning, but the exhaust has a low rumble that can still be heard by the surrounding cars. The Downtown had no problem cruising nicely up to 80 mph. This is all the more impressive when you take into account that the bike weighs in at 367 lbs.

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Comfort The Downtown has a well-padded seat, flat floorboards, comfortable grips, and cushiony suspension, but the most obvious thing about it is that it is tailor made for a shorter person. If you are tall (over 5’8”) or have long legs, the comfort of the scooter may not be so apparent. Although the 30.5” seat height isn’t the lowest that we have seen, April (5’6” and a 29” inseam) had her feet flat on the ground, and felt that the space between the seat and legshield was too tight. The feeling was echoed by our taller male testers, who considered the ride to be cramped. We experienced this same situation with the KYMCO Grand Vista a few years ago.

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Scoot! Rides the KYMCO Downtown 300 If you tried that bike and felt the geometry wasn’t to your liking, you will probably wfeel the same way about the Downtown. Another area where the smaller dimensions caused issues was with the placement of the mirrors, which seemed to get more of the driver in the frame than we wanted. Even with adjusting, it felt as if the mirrors should be a bit wider or mounted farther away from the rider.

The final quirk that seemed to bug April more than the others was the height of the floorboards in relation to the seat. Each time she took off from a stop, she felt as if she had to lift her legs higher than with most other bikes. During the ride, her feet felt higher than they needed to be, which also made steering feel odd. It was most apparent at slow speeds. When riding a motorcycle or scooter, steering isn’t done by turning the headset, but rather by applying pressure to the left or right side using the handlebars and feet to “lean” the bike. The geometry of the Downtown made this process feel a little awkward to her. Will it happen to you? It is up to your body dimensions and riding style. Our advise is to give it a thorough test ride before buying so that you get a feel for the ride and see if it suits you. That being said, we frequently receive emails from people requesting higher displacement scooters with lower seat heights. If you on the smaller end of the population and can handle the bulk of this heavy bike, this may fit the bill.

On a side note, our test model had a finicky side stand that needed some minding to ensure that it was fully engaged. Josh parked it using the sidestand and walked away, only to hear it fall over. That’s one expensive mistake, but it illustrates how this scooter’s weight can be a bit much for even itself. Luckily he knows the proper way to pick up a heavy bike.

Carrying Capacity If you are communing to work, you likely need to carry items that will make your day more productive: a backpack or bag, lunch, clothing, materials needed for the job, etc. The Downtown provides ample room in the illuminated underseat storage, which can hold two helmets and a bag. A small watertight compartment in the legshield can hold some small items, but also has a 12V accessory charger outlet, which means you can charge a mobile device while you ride. A top case is an option.

The Downtown also has a large gas tank, which holds 3.3 gallons of fuel. With an estimated 60 mpg, that will provide nearly 200 miles per tank.

Features A commuter vehicle should have more features than the typical boparound-town scooter and the Downtown doesn’t disappoint. One feature that we like is the tamper-resistant ignition. For a small 50cc scooter, someone can just pick it p and throw it into a pickup truck or minivan, but a larger scooter like this is open to ignition-busting. The plate that covers the ignition discourages tampering and can save you money from botched hotwiring. The onboard instrumentation has the obvious features but also includes a passing light, tachometer, trip meter, and a clock. The dual beam quartz Halogen headlights are bright enough to get a good view of the road and to stand out in traffic among automobiles.

Affordability Among similar scooters, the Downtown’s price of $5,999 is competitive, although 300cc isn’t a typical engine capacity, so we have to look to Piaggio products or the Suzuki Burgman 400 for a comparison. The great fuel economy and unusual two-year warranty add to the value of the bike.

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Let’s Not Forget Looks…

We usually start our reviews with the looks of a scooter and then dive in, but appearance isn’t usually the main focus of a commuter vehicle. The Downtown has a very modern, angular look, with a bird-like “beak” at the front and an upswept windscreen. From the front, the legshield looks to have been stripped away to reveal the bright headlights beneath. The rear lights are sleekly arranged on a wide rear end, which brings the lights high and together, making it easier for cars to notice braking and turn signals. While it comes in the standard white and silver colors, the burnt orange is the most striking.

Is It For You? The Downtown has a lot going for it, but two things against it: weight and geometry.

It seems that the ideal person is a strong, confident, smaller rider who wants to take off on long rides on higher-speed roads. Lanky folks who want a scooter for running errands around town could be better served with another scooter. At this price point, it’s not ideal for a new rider just wanting to dip a toe into the scootering world. The scooter has its eccentricities, so we suggest that you give it a thorough ride when considering it. But, if you are the right person for this bike you’ll be well served by this powerful, fuel-efficient scooter.

The scooter has a big, mildly noisy exhaust.

Photos courtesy KYMCO

This compartment closes but doesn’t truly lock. Charger plug is on the left.

Photo courtesy KYMCO

An adjustable brake and passing light on the left handlebar.

The upper foot position was uncomfortable to all of our testers.

Molded passenger footrests.

Imagine what you can fit in this lighted storage.

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Scoot! Rides the KYMCO Downtown 300

SPECIFICATIONS 2011 KYMCO Downtown 300i MSRP: $5,599 Engine: 289.9cc 4-stroke automatic Cooling: Liquid Ignition: Electric Carburetor: EFI Front suspension: Telescopic forks Rear suspension: Dual 5-position adjustable shocks Front brake: 260mm Disc Rear brake: 240mm Disc Front Tire: 120/80-14” Rear Tire: 150/70-13” Overall Length: 86.6” • Powerful engine • Ample storage • Impressive fuel economy for size

Overall Width: 31.8” Overall Height: 45.2” Seat Height: 30.5” Wheelbase: 60.8” Dry weight: 367 lbs.

Fuel capacity: 3.3 gallons Estimated MPG: 60mpg Colors: Pearl White, Silver, Burnt Orange Notes: Two-year factory warranty.

Instrumentation includes speedometer, odometer, tachometer, trip meter, clock, temperature- and fuel gauges. 12 Volt accessory outlet. kymcousa.com • Tricky sidestand • Cramped riding position • Mirror placement

The two closest competitors are the Burgman and GTS Super.

Suzuki Burgman 400 (2009 specs) Engine: 400cc 4-stroke liquid cooled DOHC, fuel-injected Weight: 474 lbs.

Front brake: Dual disc Rear brake: Disc Seat Height: 28” Wheelbase: 62.4” Price: $6,599 Warranty: 1 year

Vespa GTS 300 Super Engine: 278cc 4-stroke, 4-valve SOHC Weight: 326 lbs.

Front brake: 200mm disc Rear brake: 200mm disc Seat Height: 31.1” Wheelbase: 53.9” Price: $6,199 Warranty: 1 year

Can you tell the difference between a fully engaged sidestand or a scooter that can fall over? You’ll need to know that the one on the right is done correctly.

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The Yak Hack

By Jeff Herman

Weekends used to find me torn between obsessions. There are vintage Vespas that want mechanical attention, and riding to be done. On the other side of the garage, there are kayaks and paddles begging to taken to the coast for a dip. I was stuck between these stations one morning when the thought occurred to me.

“I bet I could carry a short kayak on a sidecar.” This passing thought eventually evolved (devolved) into the Yak Hack.

Any project requires research, and my first order of business was trying to assess what scooter would be most appropriate to handle a sidecar. My first choice was a P200, but I quickly realized that highway speeds with a kayak riding shotgun were beyond the P’s capabilities. I had one modern in my collection, a GT200 and it seemed the obvious choice, but the lack of a tachometer and the opportunity to up the engine power by 50cc eventually lead me to a GTS250. I sold my GT200 and bought the used GTS. We now had the power; we just needed to start working on the sidecar.

Sidecars on modern Vespas aren’t common, but in trying to sort out the idea I was put in touch with Bob Darden of the Texas Sidecar Company. In the states, they are the only outfit regularly putting hacks on Vespa scooters. Bob, an affable and enthusiastic character, was intrigued by the idea of running a kayak on a sidecar chassis and was up to the challenge.

The Texas Sidecar Company is located north of Dallas. A suitably short drive so that I could work with Bob and his staff on designing the rig first hand. However,

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if you are elsewhere in the lower 48 and are considering a standard sidecar, Bob’s mounting design is ingenious enough that someone with moderate mechanical ability could work through an installation themselves.

Critical to a solid and safe rig is finding structural support on the frame where attachment points for the sidecar can be made. There are three points of attachment, one forward of the center stand and two aft, on either side of the frame where the passenger foot-pegs attach. Steel hangers are internally mounted at these positions to accommodate the cross bars that attach the sidecar proper.

(See attached photos)

Unlike common designs where lean angle/toe-in is adjusted manually, enough time was spent in the initial planning stages to determine the correct length of the crossbars for the Vespa to remove this design variable, which again makes attaching a hack on your own a viable option. However, the custom kayak chassis was going to require an extra five inches of width, so the toe-in was adjusted by varying the shock length on the sidecar wheel.

The other factor of sidecars and modern Vespas - or sidecars and any PTW that has trailing link suspension, is dealing with the dreaded “speed wobble.” Early test runs with the sidecar revealed not just speed wobbles, but harmonic vibration in the front end that bordered on tank slapping chaos. Seriously, between 2035mph it was like riding a jackhammer. It quickly became apparent that a steering damper of some sort would have to be attached.

Again, modern Vespas and the design of their steering column don’t lend themselves to an easy solution here. I spent substantial time in researching the best way to fit a damper. West Coast Vespa guru Patrick Owens helped me spitball ideas for a fix. I looked at internal column options, tapered bearing, and more, but the only plausible solution would be an externally mounted damper that would require more custom fabrication. The best and most competent custom fabricators I knew of happened to be two of Houston’s most popular Harley Davidson mechanics, Jeff Skipski and Karsten Schlott. So, one Saturday in late summer, I found myself pulling my Vespa into the work bay at Mancuso Harley Davidson amid curious and amused stares.

I brought them a Shindy damper and we all pondered the best point of attachment. The front crossbar of the sidecar was determined to be the most logical spot, and, as a bonus, it wouldn’t require drilling new holes in the frame. Karsten and Skipski went to work and fabricated an elegant attachment to the Bitubo front shock, and a sturdy and rear attachment to the cross bar. I can’t say enough about the effort and eagerness of these two Harley mechanics in fabbing the custom attachments for the steering damper. For these guys it’s all about two wheels (well, three in this case) regardless of the brand logo and size of the displacement.

The damper worked like a dream and the rig was finally ready for some test runs. I loaded up the kayak on a hot September afternoon and zipped up my Corazzo Ventatta. I spent my early test runs in the neighborhood making sure the

kayak wasn’t getting too much lift from wind speed. Satisfied at the stability of the rig at less than 40mph, I started making test runs on local highways. Sure enough, I was getting the scoot up 60mph without a problem. The rig cruises at 7800 rpm with a top speed of around 66mph. Winds do become of an issue at freeway speeds, and I noted that anything in excess of 15mph on the kayak can make the whole thing fairly unstable. But, with an eye towards the weather conditions it is a steady and reliable outfit.

We were ready for our first big coastal trip by late fall. My first trip to the water with the rig was a 95-mile trip from South Houston to Follett’s Island. I have to say finally making a run to the coast to indulge my passions for both scoots and kayaks was simply fantastic. Truly, a great way to spend a day. The next big trip was a five-day Texas coastal tour from the upper Texas coast, all the way south towards the boarder and Padre Island, Texas.

I was a few months behind schedule and the big trip ended up getting cut short about halfway through due to a cold front with big winds coming down from the plains. Still we put close to 400 miles on the Yak Hack and scooted some beautiful coastal roads. (While stopping to paddle some scenic coastal waters too.)

Over the winter the sidecar was sans kayak, and has been relegated to being the grocery carrier, but as warm spring weekends begin peaking through the cold, I will certainly be headed south to the water. Padre Island is beckoning and I have the perfect rig for the trip.

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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The Yak Hack

Damper attachment.

Front crossbar and damper attached.

Front crossbar and hanger.

Rear crossbar and hanger.

Jeff Herman is the kayak editor for Gulf Coast Fisherman Magazine. He owns four vintage Vespas and one modern. A regular at rallies in the south, you can also find him on forums like Modern Vespa and Scoot Rally going by the nom de plume “Birdsnest.”

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Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

49

Getting Your Kicks on Route 66 (Italian Style)

By Mike Bobadilla, images courtesy of Giorgio Serafino and Giuliana Foresi

Ever since John Steinbeck named Route 66 the “Mother Road” in his novel, “The Grapes of Wrath,” millions of travelers have made the trek from Chicago to Santa Monica. Although Route 66 was de-commissioned in 1985, the Mother Road still beckons to wanderlust adventurers in search of the spirit of independence that it has come to symbolize.

On June 20, 2010 I caught up with Giorgio Serafino and Giuliana Foresi in Barstow, California. They had already completed 3,000+ miles from Chicago to Santa Monica on their Vespa 50 Special, named the “General Lee.” They were on their way to Las Vegas and then to Death Valley before returning home to Montecosaro, Italy.

They took a brief respite from their journey so I could get a glimpse on why these crazy Italians decided to ride Route 66 on the General Lee. We had exchanged emails and Facebook messages during their trip and I made it a point to catch them when they made it to the west coast.

I found out that the couple had been working on restoring their home in Italy over the past five years. They love to travel off the beaten path and their previous travels have included Thailand, Morocco, Brazil, Canada, and Cambodia (where they toured the jungles by motorcycle!). The General Lee had resided at the side of their house during their remodel. When the restoration was complete it was time to travel, but this time it was going to be by Vespa on Route 66. It certainly was going to be an adventure!

Giorgio said the General Lee was inspired by the “Dukes of Hazzard” movie. After restoring the Vespa to running status, he dutifully had the General Lee painted in the competition orange with the “01” numeral like the same named 1969 Dodge Charger that appeared in the movie.

Route 66 was a long awaited adventure for Giorgio and Giuliana. They traveled to Chicago in April, followed later by the General Lee. On May 7, they started at the beginning of Route 66 and continued until they reached Santa Monica on June 19.

They were still touring when I caught up with them.

My interview with Giorgio and Giuliana was an experience in and of itself. I speak little Italian and they spoke English/ Italian. We persevered and the following excerpts of our conversations are to the best of my recollection and interpretation.

MB: Why travel on a Vespa 50?

Giorgio: Traveling on the General Lee was part of the inspiration. It would be a true traveling experience that would make it exciting and adventurous.

After only two miles outside of Chicago the spark plug failed in Edwardville, Illinois. It was just the beginning of our adventure!

MB: What has been the best part of your trip?

Giorgio: The generosity and hospitality of the American people we have met has been memorable. “We love America!” We also met other travelers who were amazed when they saw us on the Vespa. We met six French Harley riders in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. They collected money and wanted to be a sponsor for our trip.

MB: Can you give an example?

Giorgio: We were given lodging in a house in Illinois. There were thunderstorms approaching.

We were getting work on our spark plug which fouled just a couple of miles into our trip. Amazing!!

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MB: What has been the worst part of your trip?

Giorgio: When we were in Los Angeles we stayed in a cheap motel. We were bitten all over by bed bugs! They felt like little needles.

MB: Where are you heading now?

Giorgio: We are going to Las Vegas to visit some friends and then go to Death Valley.

MB: Death Valley? No one rides through Death Valley in the summer!

Well, they did travel to Las Vegas and somehow survived their trip to Death Valley. They said there were no services, but found running water that never cooled down.

They do have the luck of the Italians with them. I was thoroughly enchanted by living vicariously through their descriptions of their travelogue. If you would like to see and read more about their travels, visit their web at terraeasfalto.it.

Giorgio and Giuliana are an inspirational couple. It’s only fitting that Giorgio shares the same name as the famed Vespa world traveler Giorgio Bettinelli, who passed away in September 2008. When they aren’t traveling the world they work as leather crafters saving enough money for their next adventure. They really do live “La Dolce Vita.” As of this writing they are preparing for their next trip on General Lee, heading to Southeast Asia via Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos.

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Sights & Sounds

Sing A Song

By Shawn Lee

Review by April Whitney

The insanely talented Shawn Lee has released a new album that focuses on ‘60s and ‘70s style grooves. Known for being an expert in period instruments, (he also created the Planet of the Breaks series) Lee’s keen ear and talented production skills has created a retro album that feels genuine without being precious or hokey. “It Takes Two” and “Swimming Pool” are new songs that could slip in undetected between period Motown platters in a DJ’s set. “Don’t Let That Feeling” has a space-age bounce that feels like a bluesy stroll on the moon.

The bumping “Christopher Walken on Sunshine” is humorous, and more fun than a rootbeer float. If you find yourself caught up in the new soul revival of Sharon Jones and the Dapp Kings, Mark Ronson, Amy Winehouse and Raphael Saadiq, then check out Shawn Lee’s work, especially Sing A Song.

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Get Scoot! Covered!

Attention Photographers:

Want to see your scooter photography on the cover of Scoot! Magazine? Enter our photography contest and your work may end up on the cover!

It takes a special photo to make the cover of Scoot! We want to see your photos that show how fun, smart and cool scootering can be. See if you’ve got what it takes to: Get Scoot! Covered...

Deadline: Photos must be received by February 28, 2011. Scoot! Magazine is not responsible for lost, misdirected or delayed packages.

How to submit: Digital files only. Please send a disc or drive with up to three different images to: Get Scoot! Covered, Scoot! Magazine, PO Box 9605, San Jose, CA 95157. Please include your full name, mailing address, email and phone number. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

File Requirements: Jpg or Tif images only.

Minimum size requirement is 9.25 inches wide by 11.50 inches tall.

Or 2775 pixels wide by 3450 pixels tall. Both must be 300 pixels/inch resolution.

Either RGB or CMYK mode will work.

Please make sure there is room for the Scoot! Masthead in upper left as well as no critical areas in lower left corner where Barcode places.

We will, of course, add the necessary headlines.

PRIZES First place: $100, a Scoot! t-shirt and your photo on the cover of a future issue of Scoot! Magazine Second place: A Scoot! t-shirt and your photo on the cover of a future issue of Scoot! Magazine Winners will be chosen by the Scoot! staff. Questions can be directed to april@ scootmagazine.com.

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Scorpion Fiore Women’s Line Review by April Whitney

The Scorpion Fiore is a flashy, fashionable warm-weather riding line. Characterized by black/white color scheme with floral accents, a rider who wears Fiore is looking to stand out without busting the bank.

Jacket

The Fiore jacket comes in white/black with either gold or pink embroidered accents. The outer shell is made of 600-dernier nylon. Vents over the collarbones and one across the back provide airflow. Impact protection is provided

by CE-approved shoulder and elbow armor that is vented for better airflow. A thin back pad is included, but I’d recommend upgrading to a more robust version. Although this jacket is suited for warm-weather riding a zip-out thermal liner provides an added level of warmth. Two exterior pockets and an interior pocket provide some storage. The high-contrast white/black color scheme will make the rider more visible that the typical black riding jacket, and two small strips of highvisibility material at the shoulder will reflect headlights. The overall design of the jacket, with its sporty color blocks, tab collar and embroidered skulls and flowers, provides a slim silhouette and a distinctive look.

Available in Sizes: S to XXL from $179.95 to $189.95.

Gloves

Made of a leather-textile combo, the glove has reinforced layers of leather in several sections for added protection, and a padded section on the outer heel.

Knuckles and finger joints are protected by molded plastic. The short gloves are cinched by a combination of wrist elastic and a hook-and-loop closure, which is bordered by a light mesh that allows for cooling. It is designed with several seams and multiple stitching lines that help with articulation and fit. Based on these features, the Fiore is a good choice for summer riding. Its color combo/ design scheme is where you will either be turned on or off. Available in white/ black with gold embroidery or black with pink or white embroidery, it has a tough gal look, maybe something that Leather Tuscadero (of Happy Days fame) may have worn, which might just make the sale for some.

Available in Sizes: XS-XXL for $59.95.

Helmet

The Fiore helmet takes the floral theme to the next level by making it the main design, rather than as an accent like on the gloves and jacket. Part of the company’s EXO-700 line, it is made of a fiberglass/Kevlar shell, with several vents in the front and rear. It comes with the clear no-fog faceshield, however other tints are available. Inside, the removable liner also sports the floral pattern. The helmet is lightweight and comfortable, but slightly loud. But for $230, it has a great amount of features and style. DOT and Snell M2005. scorpionusa.com

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Scooterlounge.com is proud to announce that our web store is now open!

We're selling New Old Stock and Rare parts from our secret stash.

When they’re gone, they’re gone!

www.scooterlounge.com Buyers Guide • Tech Info • Vintage Ads • Shop

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Power Commander V Review by Josh Rogers

Want to add a little power to your fuel-injected scooter? One quick, easy way to do it is by employing the Dynojet Power Commander V. This model is smaller than its predecessor and plugs inline with your bike’s stock fuel injection system.

Basically, it keeps track and adjusts your air/fuel mixture, ensuring that your bike runs at the optimum ratio: about 13%. Most scoots actually fluctuate quite a bit around that point, which is bad for prolonged runs at speed.

The Power Commander V uses OEM style connectors making installation easy and quick. As easy as it may be I recommend having a local shop take care of the installation, one that has a dynamometer. Once installed it takes a bit of tuning to optimize the settings. It allows a full range of fuel adjustment, as much as -100/+250% fuel change range (up from -100/+100%). Adjustments can be made either with a Windows-based computer (plugs easily into a computer’s USB port) or by using the faceplate mounted button adjusters.

No permanent changes are made to the bike’s system. Once the unit is removed the bike reverts to its stock settings.

It took about nine runs on the dyno to get it dialed in.

For us the actual result was about +6HP with our set-up which included a LeoVince pipe. It may not seem like a lot but proportionally it’s significant: the bike now has 38HP – a 15% increase. On the road it essentially results in more torque. In my book top speed on a scooter is not as important as acceleration. The Power Commander V is available for 2009 models and newer. Price $369.95 powercommander.com.

AGV Sport Telluride Glove Review by Josh Rogers

The AGV Telluride Glove is a stylish functioning high-quality winter glove that should last through multiple seasons. The overall construction of the glove is impressive with the seams well stitched and well placed. It is made of both leather and textile materials, the inside lined thinsulate. It is waterproof, yet still breathable.

I was surprised at how quick and effective they are at warming my hands. I’m unaccustomed to my hands being the warmest part of my body on a cold ride. A nice feeling!

Extra crash protection comes in the form of a reinforced palm, hard metal mesh armor with shock absorbing memory foam on the knuckles, and shock absorbing foam padding in the wrist area. A large reflective panel on the back of the hand has a dual purpose: to provide visibility and a small pocket in which you could carry toll money. The Telluride has a mid-sized size gauntlet that is effective yet not as big as some other winter gloves. At $64 they may seem expensive, but they are worth every penny and will be with you on many cold rides to come. motonation.com

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Armadillo Trousers Review by April Whitney

UK-based Armadillo makes a range of clothing that hearkens back to the traditional scooter style, but incorporates modern materials and safety features. Armadillo’s simple Trousers are made of Nylon Taslon and are windproof, waterproof, and breathable. The inside is lined with sections of a sleek fleecy material and a nylon mesh, which helps to keep the pair breathable. The Trousers have removable d30 impact protective pads in the hip and knee sections. While the pads are helpful in protecting one in an accident, I felt that the hip pad should be a little larger.

The snowboard-style pants are simple without much embellishment, which is my preference. Two front hip pockets are lined with fleece and closed via zipper. Two additional front exterior pockets are well placed over the knees for access when riding. Two rear pockets are ample enough for a sizable wallet. Long zippers on the outside of the legs make it easier to get in/out of the pants when wearing shoes. Available in black in sizes XS-XL. $195. To find a local dealer, go to martinracingdealer.com.

Armadillo Softshell Hoodie Review by April Whitney

The Softshell Hoodie is made of a multilayered stretchy fabric that resembles wetsuit material. It is also windproof, waterproof and breathable, but fairly light, so it is a great jacket for areas that have warmer rainy seasons. It has d30 armor in the elbow and shoulder, but the rest of the construction doesn’t seem to be abrasion-resistant.

The Hoodie is quite comfy to wear. Extendable cuffs with thumb loops keeps cuffs tucked into gloves.

Soft elastic at the bottom, keeps the jacket snug against hips. Exterior pockets are fleece-lined, but don’t have zipper or closure, so not a good solution for toting something expensive. Inside, an MP3 pocket keeps the music securely in the jacket with a port for headphones to pass thorough. An adjustable hood is useful when off the bike. As much as I like simple, plain designs, this jacket has no reflective components, so it won’t help you stand out on the street in a downpour.

It’s as comfy as a favorite thick sweatshirt, with a bit more impact protection, but not as much abrasion protection as a regular riding jacket at the same price. $185. To find a local dealer, go to martinracingdealer.com.

Shift Women’s Silhouette Jean Review by April Whitney

Admittedly, most scooterists (me included) don’t wear protective riding pants. Even though I wear a full-face helmet, armored jacket and boots, at best I wear a pair of jeans to protect my legs. Shift offers a product that may bridge the gap until we actually make the step to riding pants. The Shift Silhouette Jean is made of 12oz. denim infused with some spandex for a slim fit. 100% Kevlar panels reinforce the thigh, saddle, and knee/shin area, and provide some abrasion-resistance. The Silhouette is available in two finishes: Dark Indigo and Light Indigo, both of which have a ‘90s-style acid-wash look to them. There are a few small shift logos embroidered on the back waistband and rear pocket, but otherwise the jean looks simple enough to appeal to most ladies. At $120, the jean isn’t cheap, but is less expensive and more everyday than textile or leather riding pants. Sizes 0-12. shiftstreet.com

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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SIP Rev Counter/Speedo

Review by Tim Slagle (T-speed, Sacramento) As a scooterist I appreciate the simplicity of vintages scooters, but I also have that performance side of me that needs a tachometer. Yet, there is only room on the headset for one or the other. SIP seems to have figured it out with their new Rev Counter/Speedo. While it is called a Rev Counter it really is a display unit that replaces the stock speedometer. We received one for the Vespa P range but models are also available for the Vespa Rally-style headset and Series 3 Lambrettas. The gauge can be used on both AC and DC systems.

The SIP Rev Counter/Speedo connects to the existing Speedo cable and has two wires that connect to the existing light switch to power the unit. A 5’ long wire with a protective wrap is provided to attach a head temperature sensor washer under the spark plug. A small reset button can be mounted somewhere on the headset. The function(s) set up are similar to that of a bicycle odometer.

The instructions, which came via email, are specific to European bikes and the translation to English made them hard to follow. The stock hold-down bracket needed some slight altering to secure the gauge in the headset top. The test bike is wired AC, and despite my doubts as to the simplicity of the wiring, the unit works. When the bike was fired up, it lights up, the needle sweeps the total range then drops to the proper revs and then there are numbers.

With this gauge you get to view: RPM: analog, large dial similar to stock P200 dial. This is the main feature.

There is a small digital display area that can provide in either miles or kilometers.

The following information can be cycled through with the reset button: MPH: It can be calibrated to suit multiple tire circumferences.

RPM (Revolutions per minute): Can also be calibrated for different ignition and multiple cylinders

Tour Master Cold-Tex Glove Review by Josh Rogers

The Cold-Tex glove is an affordable winter glove. It is made of nylon with waterproof leather on the palm and thumb, and is less bulky than some other gloves that I have tried. The waterproof, breathable liner keeps hands dry without perspiration buildup, but can shift around. I had some difficulty putting them on when my hands were wet. The glove did a moderate job of keeping my hands warm but kept them dry even in driving rain. The large Velcro-closure gauntlet is great for going around the sleeve of a winter jacket.

The 3M Scotchlite™ reflective piping and Tour Master logo help increase nighttime visibility. Available in Black in Men’s sizes: XS-XXL and Ladies’ sizes: S-L. $40.

Find a local dealer at helmethouse.com.

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Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

CHT (Cylinder head temperature): takes a reading from a special washer (provided) placed under the spark plug.

Odometer: for mileage and also a trip meter.

Hourmeter: to provide the actual time the bike has been on in hours.

Average Speed All of these functions can be called up with a push of a reset button that you cycle through – like in any new vehicle. As the test bike was AC, it has no battery, so the unit must have an internal battery to retain the information – to my surprise. I was surprised by the sophistication of this unit. $170-178 depending upon model.

Available at sip-scootershop.com.

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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Whether your event is on the East Coast, West Coast or anywhere in between, the Scoot! Events Calendar is an excellent place to attract attendees, rally “hook-ups” and future spouses! Besides, it’s FREE! See you on the rally circuit!

FEBRUARY February 5, 2011 Polar Bear Run 2011 Indianapolis, Indiana 317-938-5021 AntisocialScooterClub.com February 5, 2011 Vespa Motorsport Grand Opening San Diego, California scooterwest.com/partybowl2011 February 24-27, 2011 High Rollers Weekend Las Vegas, Nevada highrollersweekend.com February 26, 2011 Scooter Build-Off Las Vegas, Nevada scooterbuildoff.com February 25-28, 2011 Cocoa Beach Scooter Rally Cocoa Beach, Florida Andrea: 973-672-6600 usscooteralliance.com MARCH March 10, 2010 Submission Deadline Scoot! Magazine #62 april@scootmagazine.com March 17, 2011 King Tut Putt San Diego, California carssuck.org March 27, 2011 Salton Sea Endurance Rally Brawley, California Alan: 619-852-6985 motorscooterlandspeedfederation.org APRIL April 1-3, 2011 Rockers vs Mods 5 Dallas, Texas P: 214-699-1545 rockersvsmods.com April 15, 2011 Greek Islands Scooter Rally Deposit Deadline scootgreece.com

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Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

April 17, 2011 Scootershop Swap & BBQ Orange, California 714-289-8394 scootershop.com April 29-May 1, 2011 High Desert Scooter Rally Colorado National Monument highdesertscooterist.lefora.com April 29-May 1, 2011 Classico Moto Italia Los Gatos, California vespaclublosgatos.com MAY May 7-15, 2011 Florida Epcon Tour Keith: motokid5000@yahoo.com totalruckus.com May 10, 2010 Submission Deadline Scoot! Magazine #63 april@scootmagazine.com May 13-15, 2011 Sleep Away Camp 8 Tampa Bay, Florida KieranWalsh1973@gmail.com tampa2stroke.com May 13-15, 2011 Dogwood Classic 8 Stanardsville, Virginia 7hillsscooterclub.com May 13-15, 2011 Scooter Block Party NYC nyscooterclub@gmail.com blockpartynyc.com May 14-15, 2011 WSSC Mods May Day Los Angeles, California westsidescooterclub.com May 19-22, 2011 ScootNM 2011 Albuquerque, New Mexico Richard: scootnm@gmail.com scootnm.com May 20-22, 2011 Mid Atlantic Scooter Rally New Holland, Pennsylvania midatlanticscoot.com

May 27-29, 2011 Hells Gate/RBSC National Rally Lewiston, Idaho lclonewoles@yahoo.com lclonewolves.coom royalbastardsscooterclub.com May 27-29, 2011 Hostile Takeover II Des Moines, Iowa Shawn: thecorp515@hotmail.com whatisthecorporation.com May 28, 2011 Fist Full of Sins III Los Angeles, California Jason: 323-877-2094 fistfullofsins.com May 29-June 11, 2011 Greek Islands Scooter Rally Greece scootgreece.com JUNE June 3-4, 2011 L.A. Mods vs Rockers Campout 6 Los Angeles, California modsvsrockers@gmail.com Myspace.com/bigwheellittlewheel June 10-12, 2011 Scoot Invasion V Los Angeles, California westsidescooterclub.com June 15-19, 2011 Scooter Rage 25 San Francisco, California Secretsociety.org June 16-19, 2011 Amerivespa New Orleans, Louisiana amerivespa.org

Hey Scooterists! Why isn’t your event in here? Is the information incomplete or inaccurate? Set us straight and get scooterists to come to your events! Send info via email to april@scootmagazine.com or jot it down and mail it to: Scoot! Magazine PO Box 9605 San Jose, CA 95157 Fax:408.294.4291

Josh’s Tattoo Corner Who said members of rival scooter gangs can’t work together? When Orphans Scooter Gang member Jamie decided that “Clyde,” a zombie riding a scooter tattoo was just the kind of dumb idea that seemed like a good idea, there was only one person to turn to…Wussy #1 and purveyor of bad ideas, Jesse Carr of Blackbird Tattoo in Portland, OR.

Meeting at the awesome “wait for the second half of the ride to get across the ferry” function at the 2007 Amerivespa in Seattle, this partnership has produced several awesome tattoos, so it only seemed natural that the two should conspire to join their common interests of scooters, zombies, and tattoos for this glorious piece of awesomeness.

Have a scooter-related tattoo that you want to show off?

Send us a photo of at least 300 dpi at actual size and include: who you are, what you do, where you live, why you got it, and who did it.

Send to josh@scootmagazine.com or postal mail it to Josh’s Tattoo Corner, Scoot! Magazine, PO Box 9605, San Jose, CA 95157

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

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DEALER DIRECTORY

Scoot! Magazine is available throughout the world. However, these shops receive magazines directly from us, so they have them in stock before anyone else. Support your local shop! Scoot!

Magazine is also available at select Barnes and Noble and Borders bookstores or through our web store. See page 71 for details.

AL AZ AZ AZ AZ AZ CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CO CO CO CO CT DC DE FL IA IL IN KS KY LA MA MA MA MD MD ME MN MO MO

Magic City Motorscooters, Birmingham • 205-595-7695 Encore Performance & Fabrication, Prescott • 928-778-7910 Powersports Outlet, Prescott • 928-778-7910 Scoot Around Sales and Rentals, Sedona 928-282-7529 Scooter Invasion, Tempe • 480-829-0800 Scoot Over, Tucson • 520-323-9090 On the Corner Music, Campbell • 408-871-0305 Renegade Classics, Cathedral City • 760-324-4909 Cool Scooters, Escondido • 760-796-4540 Garage Company, Los Angeles • 310-821-1793 Noho Scooters, North Hollywood • 818-761-3647 Rockridge Two Wheels, Oakland • 510-594-0789 Vespa Pomona, Pomona • 909-629-2132 Midtown Scooters, Sacramento • 916-803-7527 The Scooter Shop, Sacramento • 916-443-6860 Lambretta Works, San Diego • 619-528-1677 Motorsport Scooters, San Diego • 619-291-7611 First Kick Scooters, San Francisco • 415-861-6100 SF Scooter Centre, San Francisco • 415-558-9854 Moto Amore, San Jose • 408-295-3004 San Jose Motorsport, San Jose • 408-295-0205 Pacific Coast Powersports, Santa Clara • 408-280-7277 Revolution Moto, Santa Rosa • 707-523-2371 Vespa Sherman Oaks, Sherman Oaks • 818-906-0350 Battescooter, Sunnyvale • 408-734-2677 Vespa Walnut Creek, Walnut Creek • 925-938-0600 Sportique Scooters, Colorado Springs • 719-442-0048 Sportique Scooters, Denver • 303-477-8614 Sportique Scooters, Englewoood • 303-447-8614 Sportique Scooters, Pikes Peak • 719-442-0048 Scooter Centrale/Vespa of Hartford, Plainville • 860-747-2552 Modern Classics, Washington • 202-248-1926 All Wheels, Rehoboth Beach • 302-227-6807 Action Wheel Sports, St. Petersburg • 727-541-2453 KS Power LLC, Indianola • 515-309-1722 Scooterworks USA, Chicago • 773-271-4242 Speed City Cycles, Indianapolis • 317-917-3211 Subsconic Scooters, Lawrence • 785-749-0200 Vespa Lexington, Lexington • 859-523-8555 Vespa New Orleans, New Orleans • 504-595-6776 Vespa Boston, Boston • 617-254-4000 Scooters GO Green, South Boston • 617-269-0050 Metro West Scooters, Framingham • 508-620-1600 Moto Strada, Cockeysville • 410-666-8377 B&B Customs, Halethorpe • 410-737-8055 Stanley Scooters, Trenton • 207-667-4641 Scooterville Minnesota, Minneapolis • 612-331-7266 M&M Motorsports, Blue Springs • 816-220-2726 Ozark Powersports, Ozark • 417-581-9400

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Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

MO MT NC NC NE NM NY NY NY OH OH OK OK OR PA PA TN TN TX TX TX TX TX TX UT UT VA WA WA WA WA WA WI WIw WI WI

Maplewood Scooters, St. Charles • 636-724-1309 Scooterville Montana, Missoula • 406-721-9666 Vespa Charlotte, Charlotte • 704-373-7400 Scooternerds, Greensboro • 336-271-4774 Scooter Joe’s, Lincoln • 402-466-7744 Centaur Cycles, Santa Fe • 505-471-5481 The Buffalo Scooter Company, Buffalo 716-855-0490 Erie County Scooters, Cheektowaga • 716-656-8757 Ithaca Scooters & Cycle, Ithaca • 607-272-6996 Pride of Cleveland Scooters, Cleveland • 216-227-1964 Vespa Norwalk, Norwalk • 419-668-8233 Atomic Brown Scooter Shop, Oklahoma City • 405-605-3789 Vespa Tulsa, Tulsa • 918-346-6054 P-Town Scooters, Portland • 503-241-4745 Philadelphia Scooters, Philadelphia • 215-336-8255 MPG Motors Cycle, Sellersville • 215-257-8525 Scenic City Scooters, Chattanooga • 423-875-6445 East Side Scooters, Nashville • 615-473-7321 Urban Moto, Austin • 512-535-6144 Vespa Austin, Austin • 512-482-8377 Moxie Scooters, Colleyville • 817-788-5333 Scootersmith, Houston • 713-869-4885 Vespa Lewisville, Lewisville • 972-538-0700 The Motorcycle Shop, San Antonio • 210-654-0211 Scooter Lounge, Orem • 801-434-4536 Salt Lake Scooter Co, Salt Lake City • 801-699-2415 Scoot Richmond, Richmond • 877-SCOOT-25 Big People Scooters, Seattle • 206-763-0160 Scooter Gallery, Seattle • 206-547-7400 Vespa Seattle, Seattle • 206-284-7634 Northwest Motorscooters, Tacoma • 253-565-1117 Green Rides, Vancouver • 360-256-4212 Riverside Rides, De Pere • 920-347-0777 Scoot Jockeys, Lake Geneva • 800-323-0078 Scooter Therapy, Madison • 800-411-1543 Vespa Milwaukee, Milwaukee • 262-781-3336

CANADA BC The Scooter Hive, Vancouver • 604-708-5444 NS Vespa Halifax, Dartmouth • 902-404-3000 OVERSEAS Denmark Ricambi Denmark • peter@ricambi.dk England Scooterworks UK, 132 Lower Marsh, London, UK, SE1 7AE Germany SIP Scootershop, Graf-Zeppelin-Str. 9, D-86899 Landsberg am Lech Scooter Center Cologne, Ludwig-Erhard-Str. 1, D-50129 Bergheim-Glessen Japan Sugiura Vespa, 2-722 Araike, Tenpaku-ku 468-003, Nagoya New Zealand Scooter World Ltd, 302 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland No location listed in your area?

Call our National Distributor...

The Scoot! Classified section is a free service provided to San Diego--The Pharaohs SC meets 1st Sat. of the month. All scooter clubs throughout the world. Get recognition, new are welcome. Ph:619-255-1710 or E: grandpanate@cox.net members or just attract attention. Scooter clubs can submit San Luis Obispo--Pushstart MSC meets 1st Sun. of the their listings to april@scootmagazine.com month at noon, at Foster Freeze (Marsh/Nipomo). Ride National Clubs leaves at 1pm. Jim at 805-464-0503 or lambretta@thegrid.net Vespa Club of America--VCOA, PO Box 54825, Oklahoma Santa Barbara--The Vesparados meet every Wed. at 6PM City, OK 73154-1825 or go to www.vespaclubusa.org (until Daylight Saving Time) at the Santa Barbara Mission.

ARIZONA Check message board at vesparados.com Phoenix--Pharaohs SC, bi-weekly meetings and rides plus Santa Cruz--Connect with other local scooterists. Message annual rally. Contact Jennifer 480-699-2863 boards, tech help, scootering tips and more. scscoot.com Phoenix--Scarab SC has monthly rides and meetings; plus an annual rally. Go to phxscarabsc.com or E: scarabsc@ Santa Cruz--Vespa Club of Santa Cruz. All types of scooters are welcome. Usually ride the 2nd Sun. of each month. cox.net Go to vespaclubofsantacruz.com/ Phoenix--SQREAM (Scooter Queers Riding Everywhere and More) rides the 1st Sun. of each month. All are welcome! Santa Monica--The Westside Scooter club meets 2nd Sun. of the month @ Cock and Bull Pub. Ride leaves at 1pm. sqreamphoenix.com

Tucson--The Lords of Alvernon. All scooters welcome! myspace/lordsofalvernon CALIFORNIA Bakersfield--Unforgiven SC, unforgivensc.org or E: unforgivensc@hotmail.com Bakersfield--Rally Pilots S.C. meet 1st Sat. of every month for ride and food. Contact: Sean 661-330-4540 seanwilliams_viper21@yahoo.com, myspace.com/bakersfieldscooterclub Berkeley/Oakland--1st and Last Chance Scooter Club meets 3rd Thu. of the month at the Kona Club in Oakland.

See flcsc.com for details.

California (statewide)--California Cushman Club. Contact Doug Baldanzi, President. 408-246-7745 Costa Mesa--Hardpack SC, meet 1st Sun. of the month. hardpacksc.com Fresno--Bomb Squad Scooter Crew meets on the 1st Wed. of every month at the “Body in the Bog.” E: britun@attitude.com Fresno--Fresno Scooter Club meets @ HOT ROD Scooters every 3rd Sun. for BBQ, beers & support. All are welcome.

Ph: 559-213-1313 Hollywood--Reflections Scooter Society hosts rides every Fri. night. Meet at 8:00pm-ish. Sabor Y Cultura Cafe, 5625 Hollywood Blvd.

Humboldt--Slug Rockets Scooter Club. All scooters welcome.

Weekly culture, monthly rides! slugrockets.com Ph: 707-839-2371 Los Angeles--Join the Vespa Club of Los Angeles for special events & charity rides. For more info, please visit vespaclublosangeles.org Los Gatos--VCLG meets 1st Sun. of the month at the Los Gatos Coffee Company and rides at 10am, unless preempted by rain or scooter rally. vespaclublosgatos.com Long Beach--Long Beach Classic SC. Metal, manual-shift scooters only. Ride meets 11am the last Sat. of the month @ Frisco’s Carhops Restaurant. Ride leaves at noon. myspace.com/longbeachclassicscooters Merced--Razzi Della Banana SC hosts a ride every Sat. night at Sonic in Merced. All Scooters welcome! E: razzidellabanana@aol.com myspace.com/razzidellabanana Orange County--The Scooting Dogs SC meets 2nd Sat. of the month. E: scootingdogs@hotmail.com Orange County--The Motorcreeps SC meets the 3rd Sun. of the month in Long beach. E: vegasrec@aol.com or check out Motorcreeps on Yahoo! Groups.

Sacramento--The Burgundy Topz: 20 years and still going strong. E: burgundytopz.com or burgundytopz@gmail.com Sacramento--Royal Bastards Scooter Club meets Thu. at 7:00pm at The Limelight Bar & Card Room. We’re always looking for more Bastards.

E: rbscooterclub@yahoo.com or geocities.com/rbscooterclub San Clemente--San Clemente Scooter Club. scscooterclub. com or on Facebook

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Sarasota--SaraScoota Scooter Riders group: autos.groups. MARYLAND yahoo.com/group/SaraScoota-FLA/ Baltimore--The 1st and Last Chance SC, East Coast rides, Tampa--Tampa 2 Stroke SC covering the Tampa Bay Area. drinks, billiards, and repairs scoots weekly.

E: Mike at mike@flcsc.com or call 410-419-4231. tampa2stroke.com or E: kieranwalsh@mindspring.com

Multi-county--Shiftless Scooter Club: Volusia, Lake and Baltimore--Baltimore Bombers scooter club meets the 1st Marion Counties. All scooters welcome. pearlscoot@gmail. Wed. of each month 8pm at “Friends” in Fells Point.

Baltimorebombersc@yahoo.com or call 410-666-8377 com. Also on Facebook.

All motorscooters welcome.

GEORGIA Baltimore--The Oppressors Scooter Corp. E-mail Ginger at Atlanta--The Imperial SC welcomes riders of all makes of Ginger@working-class.com or visit www.working-class.com/ scooters. Imperialsc.com oppressors Atlanta--The Terminal SC is for scooterists in the metro area.

MASSACHUSETTS Find us at terminalsc.com/forums and forums.scootlanta.com Boston--Boston Stranglers SC meets Sun. at 8pm at the Common Ground, Harvard Ave. Allston. Contact Woody: Temecula--Cafe Moto Vespa Club meets monthly alternately Atlanta--Land Pirate Scoot Club (LPSC) Rides Sunday rain 617-364-7669 or visit www.bostonstranglers.com or shine.

All are welcomed.

Nobreaksplease@gmail.com in Fallbrook and Temecula. All scooters are welcome! cafemotovespaclub.blogspot.com Boston--North of Boston Scooters (NO-BS) For info, call El IDAHO Presidente at 978-828-5542 or E: notabomb@hotmail.com Torrance--The South Bay SC meets 1st Sat. of the month Boise--Minions of Boise. See our forum at mobsc.com at Claim Jumper restaurant in Torrance at 12:30pm. Ride Boise--Retro Active SC--retroactivescooterclub.com or Boston--Ladies Scooter Society of Boston leaves at 1pm. southbayscooterclub.com. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ladiescootersocietyofboston Rob 208-384-1919 E: info@southbayscooterclub.com Central Massachusetts--Diner City Scooter Club. Scooting ILLINOIS COLORADO Carbondale—Little Egypt Scooter Club. All riders welcome. Enthusiasts - www.dsquared.org/dcsc.html Aurora--Aurora Scooterist serves east Denver Metro area Find us on Facebook.

Statewide--Twisted Touring Scooter Club (250cc+), Highway, particularly Aurora. Predominantly 50cc Honda scoots, but open to all. Sign up at aurorascooterist.groupomatic.com Chicago--Los Corazones Negros, Chicago, meet every Tue. Distance, Overnights. www.twistedtouring.com at Club Foot, 1824 W. Augusta. Visit scooterjerks.com Statewide--Twist & Go Scooter Club (49cc +), Local, City, Colorado Springs--Peak SC, peaskscooterclub.com or peakSocial Events. www.twstngo.com sc@adelphia.net Ph: 719-227-1465.

Chicago--Jedi Knights S.C. Coruscant.Contact Rob at 773-328-8821 or occupant@shell0.elnet.com MICHIGAN Denver--Bottle Rocket SC meets every other Wed. brsc.org Chicago--Second to Last SC. E: Jack at benign@flash.net Ann Arbor--Jedi Knights Scooter Club, to feel the force check Denver--Shiftless Character SC meets every 3rd Sat. out our intergalactic communicator at www.jksc.org/forum or 22lsc.org Dan Strizek: madrussian@ricochet.com. scsquared.net Detroit--D*Tour Scooter Club now forming. For more info Chicago--Chicago Scooter Club: chicagoscooterclub.com Denver--Scarab SC rides last Sun. of every month. scarabsc. check out our website at www.dtour-sc.com com, E: denverscarabsc@gmail.com Quad Cities--Knuckle Draggers S. C. meets/rides weekly.

For info: autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Knuckle_Draggers. Detroit--The Rovers Vintage Scooter club meets weekly at Denver--SQREAM (Scooter Queers Riding Everywhere Riders in Iowa also welcome.

Berkley and Royal Oak pubs. Details as to the meeting place And More) rides once a month in the Denver area and up can be found on our site. www.rovers-usa.com into the mountains! The group is open to everyone. www. INDIANA SQREAM.net Indianapolis--Antisocial S.C. welcomes all makes, models, & MINNESOTA engine sizes to join us on the back roads of our fine state. Mankato--Substitutes SC is a club for all scooterists in the Denver--Mods and Knockers - An all-girl scooter club.

Mankato area. All makes and models are welcome. antisocialsc.com Fast Girls on Slow Bikes. Rides-when we feel like it. autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Mankato-Scooter-Club/ myspace.com/modsandknockers IOWA Des Moines--Road Rash SC is open to scooters of all sizes Minneapolis--All Mod Cons SC; all makes welcome. Mod Denver--ACE, est.1992, is Denver’s oldest scooter club. dance nights all year long. To get involved check www. makes and models. check us out at roadrash.lefora.com Monthly meetings at Detox or County Jail. myspace.com/ myspace.com/allmodconsscooterclub acescooterclub KANSAS Kansas City--UPSETTERS F.U.S.C.-K.C.’s oldest club is Minneapolis--Los Corazones Negros, Minneapolis holds Fort Collins--Killer Bees SC (serving Northern CO) Join the open to all makes of scooters; we’re a little more particular random meetings. See www.scooterjerks.com for more inswarm! autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/killerbees_scooterabout the people. Yahoo & myspace groups under upset- formation. club. Also on Facebook & Twitter tersfusc.

Minneapolis/St. Paul--Minn-Max, Minnesota Maxiscooter Grand Junction--BRK SC host monthly rides and the High Kansas City--the Debutantes K.C.S.C. - an all girl scooter Riders are a group of folks who enjoy riding together on tourDesert Scooter Rally. myspace.com/blueribbonkingssc, ing class scooters. More information can be found at: www. clique, flirting with disaster around Westport. highdesertscooterist.lefora.com or highdesertscooterist@ maxiscooters.org Contact- DebutantesS.C./myspace hotmail.com Kansas City--Vespa Club of Kansas City- Contact us at St. Paul--The Three Muscooteers meet Wed. for BBQ and Colorado--(statewide) “?” SC, an active riding group. then rides through St. Paul. Ph: 651-291-1454 vespa@vespakansascity.com or stop by the shop. fesore@aol.com Kansas City--KC Scooter Riders, We plan weekly rides and MISSOURI Colorado--Zuni Zombies-International club based in host ride events. Look for us on Facebook, or email us at Kansas City--Crusaders Scooter Corps - A vintage and Colorado with charters in New Zealand, Japan, Costa Rica, classic-styled traditional scooter club. www.crusaderssc.net KC_Scooter_Riders@yahoo.com Holland and the US. E: revcro@excite.com E: followersofurbanthe2@yahoo.com Greater Kansas City Area--K.C. United - the home of Greater CONNECTICUT Kansas City’s scootering community. crusaderssc.net/kcu- Kansas City--K.C. United - the home of Greater Kansas Hartford--Central CT and Western MA. groups.yahoo.com/ City’s scootering community. www.crusaderssc.net/kcunited. nited. E:rudeboy_dreams@yahoo.com group/CTScootRiders or E: rudeboy_dreams@yahoo.com E: velvetbrown@aol.com, Ph: 860-523-1102.

Leavenworth--Crusaders Scooter Corps a vintage & classicSt. Louis--St. Louis Scooter Forum: all-inclusive forum for the styled traditional scooter club. crusaderssc.net New Haven--Elm City Scooter Club meets Fri. nights at entire St. Louis scene. www.stlscooterforum.com E: followersofurbanthe2@yahoo.com Rudy’s at Elm & Howe downtown New Haven. Elm City Dave 203-467-8181.

Overland Park--Mad Toto SC meets every Sun. 1pm for infor- St. Louis--30 Days Scooter Gang: An all makes/models scooter gang dedicated to smaller displacement machines. mal rides at Scooter World, 7325 W. 79th St. Putnam (Quiet Corner)--Sun and Fun SC serves scooterists 30dayssg.com 913-649-4900 madtoto.com from Northeast CT, Central MA, and RI. 860.888.2097 or sunandfunscooterclub.com St. Louis--Mishifts S.C. Vintage club: stlscooterforum.com KENTUCKY Louisville--Louisville Scooter Group is open to any make/ DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Springfield--Vespa, Lambretta, Stella and other vintage model and rides every Tue. at 6pm. louisvillescooter.org or Washington DC--The Saints Scooter Club has regular rides scoots welcome. Weekly rides and dinner and drink meetlouisvillescootergroup@gmail.com and events check: saintssc.home.comcast.net/ for schedule. ings, rallies and scootering lifestyle Newport--XYL’S Ten Year Lates SC meet in Newport or Cov- autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/southendersscooterclub/ FLORIDA ington to ride the back roads and end up at the Comet. Join Central FL--Space Coast Scooter Crew welcomes all ages, Continued on Page 66... us!! tenyearlates.com makes/models. Scootercrew.org

Phoenix--Scooter Club of Metro Phoenix family-friendly open Santa Monica--Santa Monica Scooter Club hosts local scootto all scooters. Meets 3rd Fri. phoenixscooterclub@yahoo.com er events. Meets at Vespa of Santa Monica Ph: 310-434-9929 or www.3dman.com/SMSC/ Prescott--Scarab SC contact is Jim Chapman; Sierra Foothills--Andiamo Scoter Club: andiamoscooter@ E: chapmanracing@hotmail.com or call 928-775-8955 hotmail.com Tempe--ACES OF CLUBS, all mod scooter club. Contact Scooter Steve 480-282-0337 myspace.com/theacesofclubs Silicon Valley Scooterists--Join the South Bay Scooterist E: groups.yahoo.com/southbay_scooterist or meet us at Tucson--Go-Go Rillas S.C. ggrscooters.com Trial’s Pub Tue. at 9pm.

Tucson--Sky Island Riders modern & vintage scooters.

Monthly rides. skyislandriders.com

Lakeland--The Lakeland Scooter Club is open to all scooterists, Statewide--Kentuckiana Scooter Club, with districts all over all makes, models & engine sizes. LakelandScooterClub.com KY and IN. Events, rides, meet-ups, parades, rallies and more. www.kentuckianascooterclub.com Melbourne--East Central Florida SC is a new club looking for scooterists in our area. estcentflsc@aol.com LOUISIANA Call Scooterville Motorsports: 321-768-6565 New Orleans--Jedi Knights Dagobah chapter.

E: nola@jksc.org, visit jkscno.tripod.com Northern Florida--Electric Scooter Club now forming.

E: hummerscoot@yahoo.com or forsenuse.com New Orleans--Scoot New Orleans welcomes all makes, models and years. groups.yahoo.com/group/scootneworleans/ Orlando--High Endurance SC, Call Josh 407-898-3312 Southwest Louisiana--Scooters of Imperial Calcasieu. All Pensacola--Voidoid SC, call Eric 850-432-1200 or scooterists from Southwest Louisiana welcome. We ride E: elvis@easthillcd.com monthly. e: mrrmutt@yahoo.com or scootswla.wordpress.com

Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

MONTANA Cleveland--Scoot Cleveland forum: scootcleveland.com Missoula--Garden City S.C. is open to all riders and bikes. E: Cleveland--Cleveland Chapter of the Rovers Vintage Scooter gardencitysc@live.com Club meets every other Fri. rovers-usa.com NEBRASKA Dayton--The Gem City Rollers SC meets on the 15th of each State-wide--King Beez Scooter Club:kingbeez.net month at the South Park Tavern on Wayne Avenue. All riders NEVADA are welcome to join! gemcityrollersscooterclub.com Las Vegas--Scarab SC contact is Jason Jones; Wooster--Wooster Scooter Alliance: maxi scooter riders in E: barathos1@yahoo.com or call 702-650-9095 Wayne County area. All riders are welcome! groups.yahoo.

Reno--Bomb Squad Scooter Crew: Classic and Vintage com/group/woosterscooteralliance scooter enthusiasts. Contact Seth Fry 775-787-8930 or OKLAHOMA E: redlambretta@punkass.com Tulsa--Continental Kings SC, meet in season for Sun. rides Reno--Scoot Reno. Any scooter welcome! Rides twice a at Pie Hole Pizzeria. Contact Zach Matthews month. Sullivan_tim@yahoo.com or www.scootreno.org E: Mobboss@scoot.net NEW HAMPSHIRE Oklahoma City--Sputnik Scooter Club meets 2nd Sun. of the Manchester--The New Hampshire SC meets 1st & 3rd Tue. month. E: jd@merryweatherphoto.com or sputnikokc.com at 7:30pm at KC’s Ribshack in Manchester. nh-scooters.com Oklahoma City--Celebrating scooters, music and local city atNEW JERSEY tractions. Contact Matthew at okccuriosity@cox.net or Hoboken--Square Mile SC, E: MarkandLaura1997@aol.com okccuriosity.com Princeton--Princeton Area Scooter Club now forming. Focus OREGON on local weekend rides-if interested in joining or helping to Eugene--Top Dead Center. Meets every Wed. at 7:30. toporganize contact tnessas@yahoo.com or 609-273-1469 deadcentersc.com

Salt Lake City--Upstart SC does rides most weekends AUSTRALIA groups.yahoo.com/group/utahscooterscene, Scoot.net/chat Central Coast Scooter Club--Just celebrated our 3rd anniveror E: Larry@scoot.net sary in 2010 and we currently have 31 members. We ride mostly scooters from 150cc capacity and up. ccscooterclub.

Salt Lake City--SLC Scooter Rebels. com.au Contact: Hunter 801-633-9867 or slcrebels@gmail.com. scooterrebels.proboards.com Vespa Club of Australia--www.vespaclub.com.au VIRGINIA CANADA Charlottesville--Rivianna Scooter Club welcomes modern & Calgary AB--Apocalypse S.C. Rides Tue. night and Sun. vintage scooters. www.gonescootn.com morning April-Oct. Social events year round. apocalypsesc. com E: info@apocalypsesc.com Lynchburg--Chain of Fools SC meets monthly. E: Maureen nsubird@yahoo.com Edmonton--The Vespa Club of Edmonton welcomes all scoots. vespaclubofcanada.com or Norfolk--Seven Cities SC tidewater areas only scooter club. E: buzzin_hornet64@yahoo.com Vintage and most modern scoots. Sevencitiessc@yahoo.com Halifax NS--Halifax Scooter Council. E: justinrgrant@hotmail.

Richmond--7 Hills Scooter Club. Scooters range from vintage com or visit halifaxscootercouncil.com. to modern, customs, classics and racers. Open to all ages & backgrounds. 7hillssc.com Toronto ON--Toronto Vintage Scooter Club rides meets for poutine and pints; torontovintage.com or E: torontovintagWASHINGTON esc@gmail.com Burlington--S.O.S. Club (aka The Scooters of Skagit Club) meets 1st Sat. of the month. Richard 390-391-1669 or Vancouver BC--Vespa Club of Canada meets 1st Fri. and 3rd E: wellbygeorge@comcast.net Wed. at the Anza Club in Vancouver. E: president@vespaclubofcanada.com or vespaclubofcanada.com Bellingham--Scooters of Bellingham Club (S.O.B Club) meets last Sat. of the month. Tom 360-820-2471 or Victoria BC--Capital City Scooter Club(CCSC) Meet Mon. scootersofbellingham.org 7.30pm Ross Bay Pub. www.capitalcityscooterclub.com

Redbank--Jersey Shore SC E: JerseyShoreVespa@aol.com Portland--Oregon Scooter Club monthly rides held on 1st or geocities.com/ken_agip/JSVC.html Sun. of month. Ride leaves at noon sharp. Non-members Richland--The Bombastic SC meets the 1st Wed. of each welcome. www.oregonscooterclub.org Scotch Plains--Union County Scooter Group. month and does lots of riding in between. vespas.meetup.com/105/events/4984310/ Portland--Twist and Play SC, meets Tue. Contact Ian at E: bombastic@yahoo.com or check out bombasticsc.com or rich@parkerplants.com 503-287-4118 or twistnplay.com Seattle--The Emerald City Flying Monkeys meet every 4th NEW MEXICO Portland--Portland RuckStars specialize in Honda Ruckus, Wed. steve@damndirtyape.net or visit flying-monkeyss.com Santa Fe--The Outlaw Scooter Posse (O.S.P.) rides mostly but welcome all bikes 49cc and up. Twitter: @pdxRUCKin Santa Fe. For more info contact: scotty-g@hotmail.com Seattle--Los Gatos Gordos meet every 2nd Mon. of the STARS or Facebook: RuckStars Scooter Club month at the Honey Hole on Pike Street. All scooterists welNEW YORK PENNSYLVANIA come. losgatosgordos.com Buffalo--Hell’s Scooters SC “The club in the city with no pity” Harrisburg/Central Pennsylvania--Three Mile Island SC. All www.hellsscooters.com Seattle--Wussys meet every Thu. at the Comet Tavern 9pm. scoots and groupies welcome. tmisc.org Jeff: wussy02@hotmail.com or visit wussy.net Buffalo--The Sarcastic Bastards SC. Philadelphia--Hostile City SC Anyone with a street-scooter Contact Dee Von Hasseln at vespapixie@netzero.net or Seattle--Vespa Club of Seattle meets 2nd Tues. at 8pm at can join the club. hostilecitysc.org angelfire.com/retro2/buffaloscooters_ny/ the Lucky Dog Cafe 5828 Roosevelt Way NE. vespaclubofPittsburgh--Pittsburgh Vintage Scooter Club meets 2nd Sat. seattle.com Ithaca--Ithaca Scooter Commuters meet most Sun. around of the month. For info E: dj@steelcityscooters.com or 2:30 at the Gimme! Coffee at Cayuga St. & Cascadilla St. steelcityscooters.com Seattle--Westenders SC is Seattle’s mod-themed scooter ithacascooter.com club specializing in rides and fun! westenders.org RHODE ISLAND Long Island--Hornets LISC meets every dry Sun. at 9am at Death Or Glory Scooter Club, For info go to www.dogsc.com, Seattle--Vespa Club of Seattle meets 2nd Tues. at 8pm at the Bellmore RR. Café Venus. Vespaclubofseattle.info myspace.com/dogsc, or call OGRE at 401-440-9970 516-681-2666 or ranchodeangelo@hotmail.com Tacoma--Firkin S.C. meets 1st Sunday, 5pm at Joeseppi’s.

SOUTH CAROLINA Long Island--Long Island Shore S.C. All scooters are wel- Summerville--South Carolina Lazy Riders ride every Satur- firkinscooterclub.com or Jeff 253-472-1844 come. Lissc.com or minelli@optonline.net day with the goal of having a great meal autos.groups.yahoo.

Tri-Cities--Bombastic Scooter Club meets the 1st Wed. at 7pm. com/group/SClazyriders Long Island--Absolute SC, Sun., Mon. & Tue. rides. bombasticsc.com or myspace.combombasticscooterclub absolutescooterclub.com TENNESSEE WISCONSIN Chattanooga--Hill City United SC. Vintage/Metal Bodied/ Appleton--Appleton Area Scooter/Moped Group meets 1st New York--Jedi Knights SC, for info call 718-753-9491 or Shifting scooters welcome! E: HillCityUnited@yahoo.com and 3rd Sat. @ 1pm at Pierce Park. autos.groups.yahoo.

E: jedikeith@hotmail.com Memphis--Memphis Kings SC meets 1st Mon. of the month com/group/AASMG/ E: martyo2468@yahoo.com New York--The New York Scooter Club’s mission: share at Flying Saucer Draught Emporium at 6pm info, socialize & plan scooter events. NYScooterclub.com, tcbhatcher@mac.com or http://mkscooterclub.informe.com Lake Geneva--Steel Sister SC--all girl, all steel. Vintage or new machines. Contact Club President Lynette: steelsisternyscooterclub@gmail.com scooterclub@yahoo.com Nashville--Music City Misfits All scooters welcome.

Rochester--Negative Image SC, meets 6 pm Wed. at Open musiccitymisfits.com; musiccitymisfits@gmail.com Madison--The Pharaohs SC meet random Sun. at the Echo Face Sandwich Shop, 651 South Ave., ride leaves by 7 pm.

Tap and various Tue. at The Come Back Inn. Rob at TEXAS groups.yahoo.com/group/NISC Austin--Piston Broke SC meets each Sun. 1pm at Fran’s 608-209-2781 or creeper44@yahoo.com Syracuse--Holla’ Back Scooter Club is open to any woman Hamburgers. Pistonbrokesc.net Madison--The Defilers, Mad City meets daily at 1121 E Johnwho enjoys the scootin’ scene. E: 2tamales@verizon.net for Beaumont Area--Scooter Club Golden Triangle is open to all son after 5pm. E: wasp13usa@yahoo.com or call details scooterists, all makes and models. For meet-up info go to 847-533-3660 schick-dang!

White Plains--Sassinoro Scooter Society meets every Sun. scgt.wordpress.com Milwaukee--Scooter Rats SC for Milwaukee-area scooter at Sassinoro Caffe. Call Franco 914-993-0471 or Tino at Dallas--Get Bent SC meets at the Dubliner every Sun. 3pm. enthusiasts. askarat@scooterrats.com or scooterrats.com 914-287-0143 Bring your vintage scooter and join us for a pint!

Milwaukee--Section 8 Scooter Club: section8sc.com getbent-sc.com NORTH CAROLINA Milwaukee--Revenge S.C. of Milwaukee a classic 2-stroke Charlotte--Charlotte Scooter Cult. Events through the year.

Dallas--Ready Steady Go SC, an all-scoot club that rides once scooter club. myspace.com/revengescooterclub charlottescootercult.com a month to promote scooter riding readysteadygosc.com Charlotte--Charlotte Vespa Club is for Vespa, Piaggio & LamDallas/Fort Worth--DFWscooterist.com/forum is an online bretta (modern & vinage) owners and enthusiasts. community for scooter enthusiasts charlottevespaclub.com El Paso—Road Rattlers SC, Contact Jeff or Gloria, scooterOHIO mom16@sbcglobal.net Cincinnati--XYL’S Ten Year Lates SC meet every Wed., leave around 7pm & end up at the Comet in Northside. tenyear- Houston--United Scooter Riders of Texas: meetup.com/unitlates.com edscooterriders Cincinnati--Mighty Ohio Scooter Club now forming. An open Houston--Houston Scooter Battalion meets 1st Sun. of the club welcoming all scoots with 3 rules.1)Own a scoot 2)Ride month at Beer Island at 3pm; ride at 4pm. scooterbattalion.com a scoot 3)Promote fun and safe scootering.

San Antonio--Alamo Scoots is open to all scooters and meets Visit http://mightyohio.com/ every 1st Fri. at Presa Street Grill at 7pm. Also ride on Sun., Columbus--Columbus Cutters gather regularly throughout meet at La Tuna at 2pm. alamoscoots.com the year, and host our Scoot-A-Que Rally in September.

UTAH scootcolumbus.com Logan--Cache Valley S.C. meets 1st, 3rd & 5th Thu. at Cleveland--Pride Of Cleveland SC. All makes welcome. Greenline scooters. Contact: cvsc.president@gmail.com Meetings at 7 pm 1st Tue. at Pride Of Cleveland Scooters, Provo--Brigham’s Bees SC has regular rides/activities.

18636 Detroit Ave., Lakewood. P: 216-227-1964 brighamsbees.org

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Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

GERMANY Berlin--Morlocks Scooter Gang, Berlin Germany, more details: people.freenet.de/morlocks UNITED KINGDOM England--Modern World Scooter club meets each Thu. at the Wilson Hall Labour Club, Colley Gate, Cradley, Black Country.

Modernworldscooterclub.com England--South London Revival Scooter Club meet every Mon. at the Sun Pub, Carshalton, Surrey (10 miles south of London) For further details SouthLondonRevivalSC.co.uk CLASSIFIED LISTINGS Online Scooterists: make friends with the friendliest scooter magazine this side of the pond. Add us on Facebook and MySpace.

Warrior Clothing, England. Happy to send help to North American rallies. E: warrior.clothing@virgin.net or see www. warrior.co.uk Scooterdiva.com: Web site and forum for scooter women, by scooter women Piaggio And Innocenti Scooterists Association Network Society Come join our vintage Vespa and Lambretta (only!) scooter forum. www.paisans.org Rally Sponsorship Scoot! Magazine sponsors rallies throughout North America.

If you are interested in Scoot! sponsorship, Email your request to josh@scootmagazine.com or snail mail to P.O. Box 9605, San Jose, CA 95157 Zundapp Bella Enthusiasts Club: For anyone with an interest in these German scooters. We are based in the UK and publish a quarterly newsletter, “Bella News and Views.”. We have members worldwide. Further details can be found on our Club Website: www.bellascooters.co.uk, or e-mail me at: jeffcleaveley@scooters.ndo.co.uk SCOOTER STOLEN? Submit your stolen scooter listing to Scoot! and get the eyes of thousands of scooterists looking for it. For more information, contact April at april@scootmagazine.com

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Check out Dan Rosmarin of Hamilton, OH, on his new 2010 Honda SH 150i.

Nothing, not even a photo o can stop p, Bob Slote from enjoying his Lamb retta Seri on his ho es I metown s treets of Burlingam e, CA.

Dan Jansen of North Hudson, WI, represents on his 2006 Yamaha Vino 50 cc.

his 2009 g out on in tt e g ier to exhaust. is no barr at snow eoVince L th d s n w a o x h bo O, s DI boost s City, M a posh C of Kansa ts is s o a B o u b D ich David K. PS 50 wh uckus N Honda R

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Scoot! Magazine • February 2011

Ever wonder if you were dest ined to be a scooteris t? Seven years into his scooter addict ion, David Hem ke r of south-central M ichigan discov ered this photo of his gr andfather, Lee Omo, on a ‘55 Allstate th at was a weddi ng gift from his wife (D avid’s grandm ot her), Lucille. He had no idea that hi s grandfather had been a scooterist. Co incidentally, he is currently restor ing a ‘64 Allstate that is quite similar to the one in his family’s past.

Lisa Escaloni of Texas poses on her ‘02 Honda Reflex and shows that not even chemotherapy can take away her love of scootering. Keep on scootin’, Lisa!

pos strikes a pin-up pose Charleston, SC, resident Jenny Kor St. Jane Photography. on her ‘09 Honda Metro. Photo by

coots? scooter Us Your S w o h S to ur special t o y d Wan n a u , send tos of yo your picture l@ it m b u Share pho s o T apri readers. or TIF to G P J l with Scoot! a it ig e some olution d also includ e s a a high-res le in P . e scenario zine.com scootmaga , your scooter and th ear/make/ you ame, y info about your full n s a live. You h c u s where you d n the photo, a r, te o our sco model of y to to: il your pho a m gazine, o ls a n ca , Scoot! Ma ts o o c S r u o 157 Show Us Y ose, CA 95 J n a S , 5 0 P.O Box 96 Lindsey Merrett of Portsmouth, England, keeps the faith on his 1963 Lambretta Li150.

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Weekender Messenger Bag

$69

Classic Collector Issues!

Overnighter DJ Bag

$49

Continental Euro Bag

$49

Scoot! Office Hours 10am - 4pm PST US Shipping charges: First item, $2.95; each additional item, add $1.50 Canadian shipping charges: First item, $3.95; each additional item, add $1.50 There are no shipping charges for stickers, buttons or trading cards when ordered with other items. Overseas shipping charges vary - please call, email info@scootmagazine.com, or visit www.scootmagazine.com for details. All orders must be paid in US currency. Make checks payable to “Scoot! Quarterly, LLC.” Send item information and check/money order/credit card info to: Scoot! Magazine, P O Box 9605, San Jose, CA 95157. Please allow 3 weeks for shipping.

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