TheScooterScoop » Product Plugs

Vespa, built for jumping?

Steve Guzman — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:35:48 +0000

I was talking to a friend of mine about scooter gymkhana and he was saying how he won’t jump a Vespa. Dirt bike? Sure! Vespa? No way. I wanted to prove to him it was no problem and then I ran into this video. Maybe the Canadian Scooter Corporation has convinced me that I’m wrong… and if not, I still thought their video was pretty cool.

EntroSys eliminates need to shower after a long, hot ride to work

Steve Guzman — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:09:00 +0000

If yer the kinda guy who’s ok with riding around with a scooter skirt (and who isn’t), then you’ll probably be just fine riding around with a vacuum hose blowin’ up yer jacket. EntroSys is betting on it with this new luggage rack mounted air conditioning system.

So now it looks like you’ve got a couple of options for not catching heat stroke on long rides in 105+ degree weather. You can drink a crap-ton of water and wear ventilated gear, being sure to pull over every half hour or so to replenish your liquids or you can spring for one of these things and a camel back.

Of course REAL men just sweat it out in a wife beater and flip-flops with nothing to protect their granite-like skulls but an American Flag bandanna and some loud-ass pipes!

Thanks to a little site called engadget for the scoop. ;)

Paper mache helmet?

Steve Guzman — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:23:00 +0000

That’s what I thought when I first saw it. It seems every European helmet manufacturer has at least one helmet that illustrates their sense of humor. This piece from the Andrea Cardone collezione, is just one of an assortment of new ski and motorcycle helmets made to match their leather bags.

Looks like the themes are flags, pool balls and girl print clippings. Could this mean the return of 8-Ball jackets?

The coolest way to keep your pants up

Steve Guzman — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:11:00 +0000

As long as we’re on the subject of tires, 1MinD1 has a selection of reuse belts made from an assortment of bicycle tires. You may disagree, but I think they are way chic! 1MinD1 also makes necklaces and earrings out of tires and inner tubes. If it looks like something you’d like go check out their site over HERE> and let me know if you figure out how to place an order.

Oh… and whatever you do, don’t get caught with your pants down like THIS sad sap (off topic, relatively safe for work, and damn embarrassing for the loud mouth thug).

White tires?

Steve Guzman — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:25:00 +0000

I have been daydreaming about customizing a “ghost” scooter… white EVERYthing that can possibly be white. I realize there are some things that can’t be white, but I could powder coat the engine… maybe the pipe. Here’s my problem, I can’t find all white tires.

I’m looking for some 16″s. The Innova / Desser distributor in the USA isn’t carrying them any more. They had a bunch of colors. Schwalbe makes the Fat Frank in white, but only for bicycles. Same thing with Zaffiro and a few others at this store. Pirelli had some off roads.

Do you have any suggestions? Maybe someone who can do a short run of white tires?

The Sachs Madass 125 has landed!

Steve Guzman — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:54:00 +0000

Just got word that the long overdue Sachs Madass 125s are now on showroom floors! You might recall, back-in-the-days, that we reviewed the Madass 50, distributed by Tomberlin. With so much potential and so little performance our next question was “how can get one with a larger engine?”

Well, prior to today, the answer was always “cram a bigger GY6 in there”. Now the answer is, go to your local Cobra Powersports dealer and lay down your $2699 (MSRP… about $101 more than the Symba 101cc) . I’d like to feel what sort of difference there is between the 125cc and the old 50cc version. While I locate my local dealer why don’t you browse over this press release:

August 10, 2009 – Kennesaw, GA – While it’s true that every Sachs motorcycle and scooter is innovative by definition, it’s also true that in the history of Sachs Bikes this may be the most unique design ever released by the historic German company. The Sachs MadAss 125 is an urban light-weight motorcycle designed to rock the perception of what a motorcycle should look like and ride like.

The MadAss has an exclusive Sachs engineered frame design that is the whole key to how the bike handles so well. The banana swing arm, the rear mono shock, and main frame all run parallel to each other. This allows jolts from the rear wheel to be sent forward into the front suspension, and not up into the rider. Fuel is carried in the frame, and together you get an incredibly light and nimble machine weighing just 209 lbs. Other design features include twin 55 watt headlights, dual disc brakes, low profile tubeless tires on 16″ alloy rims, and 43 mm front forks.

The MadAss is being sold in the U.S. exclusively by Peirspeed Powersports Dealers. Bill Peirce, President of Peirspeed said, “The first shipment of 2010 Sachs MadAss 125’s are now available on dealer showrooms. We’re excited that the demand for the MadAss 125 has remained high ever since dealers started taking pre-orders a year ago. And despite tough economic times, dealers are reporting brisk sales.”

The 2010 Sachs MadAss 125 has been available in a small number of Peirspeed dealerships starting the first of August 2009. More Peirspeed dealers are expected to receive their first shipments within 60 days.

“The MadAss is something that appeals to a group of riders that want to stand out in a crowd and draw attention everywhere they go,” added Mr. Peirce. “Consumers are looking for fuel efficient alternative transportation like scooters and small displacement motorcycles. This SACHS product gives the customer a choice beyond the traditional.”

“MadAss 125 riders are reporting 85 to 110 MPG’s,” adds Peirce. ‘And while most riders buy a MadAss because of the design, it’s a nice bonus to get such great gas mileage.”

Peirspeed dealer Bill Weslow, owner of Moto-Scoot in Milwaukee says, “The MadAss is a bike that sets itself, and the rider apart from the crowd.” Mr. Weslow adds, “People stop and ask MadAss owners about their bike every time they ride it. This gives MadAss owners a real pride of ownership, and the satisfaction of knowing they made the right choice.”

Specifications:
Engine: Air-cooled single cylinder 4-stroke
Performance: 11 BHP @ 7,500 RPM
Transmission: 4-Speed
Front Brake: Hydraulic disc, 260mm
Rear Brake: Hydraulic disc, 215mm
Tires (Front): 90/90-16 M/C 48J
Tires (Rear): 120/80-16 M/C 48J
Weight: 209 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 1.22 gallons
Colors: Black, Graphite, Yellow and Silver

MSRP: $2,699 (MSRP excludes tax, prep, and delivery fees. Pricing may change at any time without notification)

About Peirspeed

The Peirspeed brand is owned by Cobra Powersports. Cobra Powersports has a long history of providing top quality scooters and ATVs. Products include SACHS Bikes, Peirspeed scooters, and TGB ATVs.

About SACHS Bikes

SACHS was founded by Carl Marschütz in 1886 in Germany. Today SACHS produces several 50cc to 400cc scooters, motorcycles and mopeds.

Anyone out there see one in person yet?

Presto change-o – A man’s shirt into a cute little Vespa dress

Steve Guzman — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:29:00 +0000

AllTheNumbers has a cute little number in her Etsy shop. She describes like so:

This cute dress had a former life as a man’s button-up, but is much happier now in its newer incarnation. Instead of spending the day at the office, this dress can now go to school, climb a tree, go rollerskating – much more fun!

The shirt retains its buttons on the front and has pleats in the front and back. There is a linen scooetr from the fabric designer Echino appliqued on the bottom with cream thread, over a colorful patch of linen. Color of patch may vary. Specify if you are trying to match something. Lined on top in the front and back.

She’s got three in stock and she can make them in a variety of colors… just $42 + $3S&H

Latest in scooter rider safety gear

Steve Guzman — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:08:00 +0000

AHAHAHA! I just had to post one more from TNCRS. I don’t know why but this thing just cracks me up. At least the rider wouldn’t have to worry about nuscenses like rain, pollen, bee stings , dumptruck debris, awkward social situations or venerial diseses. Thanks again for sharing S.A.!

Click the title link to see what this REALLY is.

Gearing up for Spring – Protect your nose, sinuses and lungs

Steve Guzman — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:44:00 +0000

We received a comment tonight from Eric who asked if filtered-air helmets are available in the US yet. He was tired of choking on smoke during his daily commute. Since we hadn’t seen them ’round these parts we suggested that he check out Respro. We’ve heard good things about their filter masks. Later, a few minutes of digging around the Respro site revealed this new item, the Urban Commuting City Mask.

This is something I will HAVE to get. Mother nature and her band of sinister cedar trees are KILLING me this season. When I ride around town it’s like I did some pollen snooters and my sinuses are closed for business, rendering me a slack-jawed, mouth-breather until my overdose of allergy meds kick in.

Now, what’s so cool about THIS City Mask is that it’s coated in Scotchlite white! So, it gives you a sort of storm trooper look and it glows a bright white when hit by intense light (like headlights) adding to your “rider safety quotient”.

So multiple thumbs-up all around for the Respro City anti-pollution mask in Scotchlite. Interested yet? Here’s the benefits list from their website:

Filters out exhaust emissions
Fits without fuss and fully adjustable
Durable and washable
Ensures correct fit for adults
Releases heat and water vapour

And the features:

Activated charcoal filter
Velcro fastening
Made from Neoprene
Two sizes

You can even customize it with other filter packs and valve packs to vary the filter level and air transfer speed. I’m not sure how it fits for full face helmets, but we’ll let you know. Oh, another thing. This mask looks better than some of the others, though I would definitely ride around with this option or this other option too. While yer at it, get one for the bike too. Hrm… why the fascination with gas masks now? Wait… Am I revealing some sort of fetish? I gotta go.

Gearing up for Spring – A helmet for you hot heads

Steve Guzman — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:00:00 +0000

(image source rakuten.co.jp, where I also found a crazy orange helmet from Osbe and other stuff you can’t get in the USA)

You remember Nexx? The helmet company from Portugal that we were so excited about back in 2007? Well, guess who’s now available in the USA… THAT’S RIGHT! Nexx has landed! The helmet I was referring to in the title was what you see in the collage, the Nexx X60 Air (in Orange). Check out those huge screen vents on the sides! I haven’t had a chance to ride with one yet, but it seems that besides looking cool they’d actually keep you pretty cool too.

The Nexx X60 Air is ECE/22-06 and DOT approved. It weighs 2.3 lbs, has a washable lining and a flip down eye shield.

And yes, while open face helmets are fashionable they are usually not the safest choice. If you feel like an experienced, safe and confident rider and you like to talk to the people you’re riding with all the while looking rather dashing, then Nexx might have a lid for you. Ask your local dealer if they have them on order.

***UPDATE 1/8/09***
Casey comment on this post saying “that’s some serious vent-age”, which made me think. Vintage? Who made the first motorbike helmet? The answer is University of Southern California (USC) Professor C. F. “Red” Lombard back in 1953 and I looked like this:

Just 4 years later the Snell Memorial Foundation was established to create helmet performance standards. Thank goodness.