Official Lambretta website

So, if you haven't noticed, the official Lambretta website, at lambretta.com, has recently gotten a facelift and a whole bunch of content. With it's simple, yet somewhat elegant design, it comes across as very straightforward and elemental.

I really like the "History" section, especially the section "Models", which lists all Lambretta models. Added bonus is that it does not only just list them with a picture, but if you click on the thumbnail, it will open a new page with a wealth of information on the specified model. For example, it gives you a small tidbit of model info, then goes into the model specs, ID details of each year that model was produced, the frame numbers by year, the different color schemes it came in, chromed parts, nickel parts, burnished parts, polished parts, and maintenance data.

OTHER STUFF
It's also interesting to see the different merchandise that the Lambretta name is now attached to, as well. Did you know they now make bicycles? I didn't know that. They look pretty nice, but I don't enough about cycling to determine whether or not they are really good or bad.

On the other hand, I do know about watches, and they seem to also make some really nice watches, now. They also make mod-styled clothing, footwear, helmets, eyewear, bags and a fragrance. Each one of these different Lambretta "collections", btw, have their own website (except for the bags and the fragrance) - so click on their links, above, to check them out.

Interesting opening statement on their index page, though. Check it out, below, and see if you can read something between the lines. IMHO, it seems like it is saying something like "here is the new Lambretta, and if you don't like it, just know that it is an officially approved Lambretta product". On one hand, I don't really like the warning tone of the message. If I don't like it, I don't have to like it, even though I am an old Lambretta enthusiast. On the other hand, I understand that they are trying to head off some negative feedback from those who won't like that it is plastic and a TnG. Of coarse, this is directed at "buyers", which I assume are those who would distribute it. But, it could mean everyone in general, as well. Like I said, interesting....

Here is that statement on their index / home page:

"Official Statement

Lambretta enthusiasts will undoubted be encouraged by the news of the introduction into the market of the new Lambretta LS and LN models as reported. Buyers must however be very careful that they are indeed witnessing the launch of a true, authentic and legitimate Lambretta, approved by the Lambretta Consortium, who are the owners of the Lambretta brand.

The two new models, the Lambretta LS and LN, have been produced by two companies, CLAG International Limited and Motom Electronics Spa respectively. Both these models are currently unlicensed for the global market as a full inspection of their authenticity or quality has not yet been conducted by the Lambretta Consortium and because contractual issues still remain to be resolved. While it is hoped that approval of both models will occur in the near future, buyers and distributors must take care to ensure approval from the Lambretta Consortium is obtained before entering into any financial arrangements to acquire or distribute these models. We obviously cannot afford to allow unlicensed scooter models in the market.

Please be assured that the Lambretta Consortium will do all it can to bring you a genuine, high quality, Lambretta scooter in the best traditions of the Lambretta heritage as soon as it can. We are endeavouring to clarify the situation on both models with both parties in the very near future and hope to issue a statement which ratifies both models. If you require further clarification or information please contact info@lambrettadistribution.com or visit www.lambretta.com.

Lambretta Consortium"

Big Scooter exhibit at the Peterson Auto Museum!

Below are several Press Releases from the Peterson Automotive Museum, in Los Angeles, CA. There will be a year-long scooter exhibit that will highlight the history of scooters, showing different models throughout the last century. Many of these models have come from local scooter collections (including mine!).

There will also be a Scooters & Supercars Day at the Peterson, on July 9th. This will be a show of scooters and cars. To be a part of the show, you will be able to join one of three L.A. county rides going there that morning. Details for the rides, below the press releases from the Peterson.

For Immediate Release: Contact: Chris Brown, cbrown@petersen.org, 323-964-6320

SCOOTERS AND SUPERCARS DAY
Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the 3rd Level Petersen Parking Structure

In conjunction with its summer feature exhibitions “Supercars: When Too Much Is Almost Enough” (3/5/11-10/16/11) and “Scooters” (6/18/11-2/5/12), the Petersen Automotive Museum is hosting "Scooters and Supercars Day." The highlight of Scooters and Supercars Day will be the public super car and scooter show. Only at the Petersen will you see vehicles by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Vespa, and Honda all proudly parked next to one another! Guest of Honor Steve Saleen will speak about his racing and manufacturing endeavors and technical how-to sessions with Griot’s Garage, The Official Car Care Product Provider of the Petersen Automotive Museum throughout the day will have you polishing your vehicle of choice like never before.

You can PRE-REGISTER your scooter for the show. Price will be $15 pre-registered, $20 the day of the show. To pre-register, go to this link, fill out the form, and either call, e-mail or fax your info to the Peterson (info on how to do that is at that link).

For the SHOW, please aim to arrive between 9-10 a.m. to ensure everyone is in place and the area is safe for pedestrians when the museum opens at 10 a.m. I am aware of some folks traveling long distances that morning, so just do your best to arrive as early as possible, we won’t turn anyone away.

Because the show area is open to pedestrians, we ask that you not move your vehicle once you arrive until the “official” end of the show at approximately 2:00pm. But the museum is open until 6pm, so feel free to stay all afternoon.

The show will be held on the THIRD LEVEL of the museum’s parking structure. The entrance to the parking structure is on Fairfax just south of Wilshire. If you are taking the 10 freeway here, exit Fairfax, go north for a couple miles (past Olympic/San Vicente) and the entrance will be on your right just north of the 8th St stoplight. Our address is 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Scooters: there is a 3 or 4 foot gap around the parking gate, if you feel like you can slip through, do so. If not, simply push the button on the parking machine and take a ticket. You will all receive an exit ticket if needed. Then proceed to the THIRD LEVEL of the parking structure.

Staff will direct you where to park. The third level is covered so the show will be in the cool(er) shade. Once you have parked your vehicle, proceed to the Petersen booth (bright red table cloth) to check-in and/or pay registration (if not pre-paid) and receive your admission wristband(s) and information kit for the day. With your admission wristband on you will be able to explore the museum car show and exhibits throughout the day! Johnny Rockets at the Petersen will be fully staffed for a quick and tasty lunch; you can even order to-go and bring it out to the show area. At 11:30, Steve Saleen will be speaking about his S7 supercar and racecars, winners of multiple Grand Am and Le Mans-series races in the early 2000s as well as his involvement in the Ford GT project. Be sure to catch his talk! The Auto Gallery will have a display of their vehicles as well and Griot’s Garage Car Care Products will be offering car and scooter detailing clinics for free all day.

This is a non-judged show, but you may choose to participate in the “People’s Choice” contest, a category for both scooters and cars. Just pick up an identification sign from the Petersen Booth. Car show participants and the general public can vote for “People’s Choice” at the Petersen booth until 1:30pm. The winner will be announced shortly thereafter. The lucky winners in each category will receive a special Griot’s Garage detailing package from the Museum Store.

We will accept registrations day-of, but earlier is always better, no one like lines!

UPDATED:
RIDES TO THE SCOOTERS AND SUPERCARS DAY:

There will be three scooter rides leaving for the "Scooters and Supercars Day" on July 9th. Pre – registration is $15 per vehicle and includes free parking for the vehicle and admission for two to the museum and all it's exhibits. To pre-register, fill out the form at this link and send it in with your payment. There is contact info at that link if you prefer to give your payment details over the phone.

One ride will be leaving from Kai Sushi Sports Bar, in Torrance, at 9am. Kai Sushi Sports Bar is located at 24215 Crenshaw Boulevard (cross street Lomita Blvd), Torrance, CA 90505, (310) 325-7979. There is a ride that will be going to meet-up with this one in Torrance. That will leave from the CVS Drugstore parking lot in Lakewood at 8:15am. The CVS is located at the intersection of Del Amo and Paramount Blvds, in Lakewood.

Another ride will be leaving from the Trails Cafe, near Griffith Park, at 9am. The Trails Cafe is located at 2333 Fern Dell Drive, Los Angeles, California 90068, (323) 871-2102.

The third will be leaving from the Cock 'n' Bull Pub at 9:30am. The Cock 'n' Bull is at 2947 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405, (310) 399-9696.

EXHIBIT INFORMATION:
"SCOOTERS: SIZE DOESN'T ALWAYS MATTER"
OPENING JUNE 18, 2011, AT THE PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM

Scooters form around the world will be on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum

(LOS ANGELES, May 10, 2011) The Petersen Automotive Museum’s latest exhibition Scooters: Size Doesn’t Always Matter will take museum visitors through a fascinating chronological tour of motor scooter development beginning with the simple Autoped of the mid-1910s to the alternative power vehicles of today.

Over 90 vehicles will be on display in this colorful and quirky exhibit of miniscule motoring. The exhibition opens June 18, 2011, and runs through May 28, 2012.

Smaller, more affordable, and easier to maneuver than motorcycles, motor scooters offer an efficient and stylish means to run quick errands and travel short distances. Scooters will show how this genre of motor bike has evolved from simple tube frames with motors to the sophisticated, comfortable, aerodynamic vehicles of today. The exhibit will also illustrate how scooters have been adapted to business and industrial uses, how they have been utilized by the movie and television industry, and how Southern California was once a major scooter manufacturing hub.

Wild or tame, foreign or domestic, old or new, scooters continue to offer a viable and economical alternative to other more traditional vehicles in our motoring landscape and provide a desirable means for free spirited motorists to boldly express themselves without saying a word.

1958 Rumi Prototype: scooter and photo courtesy of Mario Artavia

1955 Allstate, sold by Sears, manufactured by Vespa

1962 Fuji Rabbit, Ferrari F-40, Ferrari F-50

PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM

The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity. The Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles. Admission prices are $10 for general admission adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for active military and students with ID, and $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Museum members and children under five are admitted free. Covered parking is available for $2 per half hour with an $8 maximum for Museum visitors. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. For general Museum information, call 323/930-CARS or visit the Museum’s Web site at: www.petersen.org.

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New Scooter-Center catalog

The Scooter-Center has just updated their parts catalog for 2011. They always have some fun and innovative stuff, just like SIP. Check out all their new and regular offerings at the following, interactive link: http://issuu.com/scooter-center.com/docs/vespa-update-2011

Goodbye Scoot! magazine, hello, Scoot! Club.

This just in from the editor(s) of Scoot! Magazine:

A New Chapter for Scoot! Magazine...hello, Scoot! Club!

by Scoot! Magazine on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 12:11am

From the Editor

[An expanded version of this notice runs in issue #60]

Scoot! Magazine's 60th issue is 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. Over the next 7 years, we made many improvements, but now it is time for yet another change at Scoot!.

It is with this great enthusiasm that we announce the debut of Scoot! Club, an all-new member organization for scooter enthusiasts. Scoot! Club aims to bring scooterists together by providing an overarching club with membership benefits, support for the scootering lifestyle, and unique interactive opportunities. Scoot! Club membership entitles members to special discounts at various scooter-related 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. 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. 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 our goals. You should know that this is not a flippant decision. 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. In the link above 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.

While this change may be uncomfortable, and I'm sure that we will experience some growing pains, I think that 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"

BMW's New Scooter!

So, after seeing this scooter in prototype form in one way or another for a little while now, here are some pics and the official BMW newsletter link about it's unveiling. Interesting two-tone wheel, imho. What do you think...???

Lambretta Club of Los Angeles Winter Ride 2011 • HMP©2011

On Sunday, January 16th, 2011, the Lambretta Club of Los Angeles had it's Winter 2011 Ride. Good number of Lambrettas and Servetas came out. Here is a nice video, created by Honest Mike, of the ride:



For pics of the ride, click on this link to see them.

The next ride for the Lambretta Club of Los Angeles is set for April 17, 2011. For details, visit their website at www.lambrettaclubla.com.

Vespa Announces New Eco-Smart Engine Family

THIS JUST IN FROM VESPA USA:

Just in time for Earth Day, Vespa unveils its new 150cc electronic fuel-injected engine family.

Recognized for ground-breaking technology and legendary style, the 2011 Vespa S 150, LX 150 and LXV 150 models sip 15 percent less fuel and don’t compromise your speed!



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VESPA ANNOUNCES NEW 150cc i.e. ECO-SMART ENGINE FAMILY

2011 Vespa S, LX and LXV 150 models sip 15 percent less fuel than prior generation

NEW YORK, April 1, 2010 – Italian manufacturer Piaggio, recognized for ground-breaking technology and legendary style, has equipped its 2011 Vespa S 150, LX 150 and LXV 150 models with new 150cc electronic fuel-injected engines that are even more miserly at the gas pump than the previous generation. Consuming 15 percent less fuel than its predecessor, the new powerplant wrings up to 85 miles out of each gallon of gas, all the while delivering an endless supply of fun and riding thrills. In addition, the new engine design also provides stronger, smoother acceleration in stop-and-go traffic, an especially important performance trait for metro commuters.

Green Isn’t a Trend – It’s a Commitment
While fuel price peaks and valleys have introduced thousands of consumers to the benefits of scooter ownership, choosing to swap some driving miles for riding miles isn’t just a trend when gas costs spike. For environmentally conscious consumers, it’s a lifelong commitment. The addition of the new 150cc injected engine family within the popular mid-range category adds even more reasons for consumers devoted to reducing fuel consumption, carbon emissions and congestion to make the switch to two wheels.

The electronic fuel injection system on the new 150cc injected engine ensures the air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber is optimized at all times and allows the single cylinder unit to pick up more smoothly and progressively from lower engine speeds. As a result, riders enjoy strong and smooth power delivery, especially in the relentless stop-start conditions of urban riding. The benefits of the new engines can also be appreciated on longer journeys where extended stretches of roadway come into play. And, owners who want a fast getaway will notice improved cold-starts, thanks to fuel injection.

Strong, clean and well-mannered at any speed, the 150cc i.e. equipped Vespa models are capable of zooming up to 60 mph. The unique, steel unibody Vespa frame provides greater rigidity and a more stable ride, while the superior trailing link suspension is designed to better handle potholes and other hazardous conditions. The front-disc braking system allows riders to safely make sudden stops on a dime, which is great for cities where traffic rules the road.

“Vespas are one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to contribute toward a cleaner, greener transportation landscape, and our new fuel-injected 150cc engine range makes it even simpler,” said Paolo Timoni, CEO of Piaggio USA. “Mid-scooters like the Vespa S 150 i.e., LX 150 i.e. and LXV 150 i.e. are tailor-made for confident urban commuting, and a 15 percent increase in fuel-efficiency is yet another great reason to add a scooter to your garage this Spring.”

Vespa has been and continues to be synonymous with fuel-efficiency and performance in North America and Europe. The new 150cc i.e. family upgrades the most popular models into a powerful league of their own, without compromising the long list of premium features. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for Vespa 150 i.e. models starts at $4,399 for the 2011 Vespa S 150 i.e. For more information, visit www.vespausa.com.

About The Piaggio Group
Established in 1884 by Rinaldo Piaggio, and based out of Pontedera in Pisa, Italy; the Piaggio Group is one of the world’s top manufacturers of two-wheel motor vehicles. With more than 7,000 employees, an annual production of more than 610,000 vehicles in 2009, five R&D centers, seven production facilities in Europe and Asia and operations in more than 50 countries - the Piaggio Group has a consolidated leadership in the European two-wheeler market. The company produces scooters, motorcycles and mopeds in the 50cc to 1,200cc displacement range, marketed under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera, Derbi, Aprilia, Scarabeo and Moto Guzzi brands. The Group also manufactures three- and four-wheel light transportation vehicles for the Ape, Porter and Quargo ranges.

Ride for Kids 2010

I've been contacted by Cicely Salatino at Honda HQ in Torrance about their upcoming Ride for Kids that will happening on May 2nd. This benefits the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Great cause and good ride. Here are the details, given to me by Mrs. Salatino:

"The ride starts at the Honda campus (1919 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90501) at 10am, and registration opens at 8am. I know some of your riders trailer their scooters in, and you can definitely do that for this ride. The tough part is that they line the bikes up in the parking lot as you arrive, so if you want to ride with your group you need to arrive together. Those that trailer their scooters can come straight to Honda and get set up in the car parking area. Most groups plan a meeting spot and then arrive together, usually closer to 9am. But as I mentioned the later you arrive the farther back you'll be in the line so I recommend getting there as early as possible.

As soon as you arrive on campus you'll be asked to sign an AMA waiver and receive a wristband. Then you'll have to walk over to the registration tent to register and turn in any donations. The minimum donation is $35 per motorcycle/scooter and you'll receive a ride pin in addition to being able to participate in the ride. They have pretty cool premiums if you raise more money. It takes $50 to get a ride shirt and then they have hats & vests & jackets, etc.. For every $300 in donations you bring you receive a raffle ticket for a drawing to win a new Honda motorcycle.

After registration your group will also want to register their donations with your club. They keep track of all the different clubs that participate, and the top three clubs receive recognition at the post-ride celebration. Last year the top fund-raiser, Scotty's Riders Club, raised $57,000 and the second place club raised $13,000.

There's food (bagels, bread, pastries) and coffee available in the morning and the Victor McLaglen group does a cool stunt show. Then at 9:45am everyone suits up and gets ready to start. I think this year we head down Torrance Blvd. to Catalina, then the Esplanade, then up to PV Blvd, around the peninsula, and straight down Western back to Honda.

The ride ends around 11:30am, and after parking everyone heads back to the tent for a free lunch (from Subway this year) and the celebration. They introduce some of the kids (brain tumor survivors), announce the top fund-raisers, and draw the winning raffle ticket. It ends by around 1pm.

This is one of 40 rides they coordinate across the country every year. The funds raised go to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, which raises money for research grants, family support, and college scholarships for children affected by brain tumors. It's a wonderful cause and the spirit at the event is just amazing.

If anyone under 18 wants to participate as a rider or passenger a legal guardian MUST be there to sign the consent form. They don't have to ride with the guardian, we just need the release signed.

Let me know if you need any more info as well. Check out the facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/rideforkids
Website: http://www.pbtfus.org/rideforkids/calendar/2010/losangeles.html

Thanks!

Cicely Salatino
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501

Vespa Shop Night at the Addidas Store!

The Addidas ORIGINALS Store in South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, is releasing a Vespa/Addidas collaboration line on April 1st. THEY HAVE MADE A COUPON AVAILABLE TO ALL READERS OF THE SOCAL SCOOTER NEWSLETTER for a 15% merchandise discount for a "Vespa Shop Night", the evening of April 1st [click here for the coupon]. There will be a DJ spinning, and refreshments provided, as well. Although the party is in the evening, you may go into the store any time that day to use the discount coupon. Below is a sneak peek of some of the Vespa/Addidas items:







I, for one am eying those shoes and jacket. It'd be cool to see what else they will have...

Win a pink Vespa & Diamonds while supporting a worthy cause!

‘V’ is for Victory over Breast Cancer Fertility Challenges at MyVision.org

A pink Vespa, diamonds and Visionary Girls get the (fund-raising) party started

LOS ANGELES – Nov. 12, 2009 – The change of the calendar from October to November doesn’t mean breast cancer research and education comes to a stop. To the contrary: at My Vision, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit agency devoted to preserving the fertility of young women affected by cancer, the fight continues in high gear with a special charity auction of a pink Vespa LX 50, accessorized by a V-shaped diamond necklace. Anyone can bid starting Nov. 12 through Dec. 3, 2009, by visiting www.MyVision.org/Vespa.

One-hundred percent of the online auction proceeds will support My Vision’s unique work. Breast cancer is the leading cancer affecting women in the age 18 to 45 reproductive years. Chemotherapy, surgery and other cancer treatments can make it extremely difficult for a woman to ever have children and can even cause sterility.

“Women have just two to six weeks to consider their fertility options prior to treatment,” said Alice Crisci, founder of My Vision. “And sadly, only 10 percent of oncologists discuss fertility options with their patients. My hope is to give all women a chance to preserve their eggs before undergoing cancer treatment.”

Crisci was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 at the age of 31. Knowing she wanted to be a mother, she immediately sought answers to her infertility concerns and found very few medical or financial resources to help. Prior to her double mastectomy, she decided to have one round of in vitro fertilization done at the Southern California Reproductive Center. After retrieving 31 eggs, Alice’s doctors where able to preserve 14 frozen embryos with donor sperm from the California Cryobank (CCB) and 11 frozen eggs. Undergoing the fertility process and subsequent cancer treatments inspired Alice to start My Vision.

“At My Vision the letter “V” symbolizes vitality, vision and victory against the disease,” said Crisci. “It also represents Venus the goddess of love, beauty and fertility; so I decided to choose five inspiring breast cancer survivors who personify these characteristics to be our Visionary Girls.”

The Visionary Girls, all of whom were diagnosed with breast cancer in their late 20s to early 40s, are lending their energy to launch the auction and will also star in the 2010 My Vision calendar. Like breast cancer survivors around the world, they come from every walk of life. Lisa Hochberg is a Wharton Business School graduate, business consultant and karaoke lover; Christine Romer is an avid golfer and MBA candidate at Pepperdine University; Sylvie Forrest is a french actress, award-winning sculptor, trained precious jewelry maker, and speaks four languages; Amanda Cassel is a real estate analyst and supporter of Western/Eastern integrated medicine; Ito Maya is a Japanese interpreter; and Alice Crisci is an entrepreneur who frequently lectures and speaks about business topics. Uniting them is a cancer diagnosis that threatened their chances of becoming mothers. My Vision’s mission is to share their success stories with the thousands of women who face similar challenges to motherhood.

The “V” auction begins Nov. 12, 2009, and runs through 3 p.m. EST on Dec. 3, 2009. In addition to the pink Vespa LX 50 and the V-shaped diamond necklace, the winning bidder also receives an autographed, framed photo of all the Visionary Girls. More details can be found on My Vision’s Web site atwww.MyVision.org/Vespa or on Vespa USA’s Web site at www.VespaUSA.com.

About My Vision

My Vision is a breast cancer awareness project of community partners. The charity educates women touched by breast cancer during their reproductive years about the risk chemo poses to their fertility as well as the fertility preservation options available to patients prior to treatment. Founded by Alice Crisci a few weeks after her own cancer diagnosis, My Vision is a nonprofit organization that relies on the support of private donors to help protect the vision of each young woman's future when she is diagnosed with breast cancer or learns she carries the breast cancer gene. For more information visit their Web site at www.MyVision.org.

About the Piaggio Group

Established in 1884 by Rinaldo Piaggio, and based in Pontedera (Pisa), Italy, the Piaggio Group is one of the world’s top manufacturers of two-wheel motor vehicles. With more than 7,000 employees, an annual production of more than 708,000 vehicles in 2007, five R&D centers, seven production facilities in Europe and Asia, and operations in more than 50 countries, the Piaggio Group has a consolidated leadership in the European two-wheeler market. The company produces scooters, motorcycles and mopeds in the 50cc to 1,200 cc displacement range, marketed under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera, Derbi, Aprilia, Scarabeo and Moto Guzzi brands. The Group also manufactures three- and four-wheel light transportation vehicles for the Ape, Porter and Quargo ranges.

###

Media Contact:

For Vespa USA

Elke Martin

770.649.0880 x 305

emartin@brandwaregroup.com

South Bay SC in a NY Times article!!

Well, two weeks and two different articles where the South Bay Scooter Club was mentioned in the month of October. The newest article came out in the October 22 printing of the famed New York Times!! It appeared on Page F12 of the Automobile section. An overall article about scootering, the South Bay SC had a quick mention, and some cool photos of the club were shown, to highlight the article, written by Dexter Ford. To check it out online, click this link. The article also appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, at this link, though it does not have the accompanying photos online.

South Bay Scooter Club featured in Beach Magazine!

The South Bay Scooter Club has been featured in an article in the Easy Reader's "Beach" Magazine this week. If you live in the South Bay, you can pick one up at any newstand (included inside the Easy Reader), or download the PDF version here. The article and accompanying photos are on pages 26 & 27.

Vespa supports fight against breast cancer!

This just in from Vespa USA:

Vespa Pink Campaign Supports Fight Against Breast Cancer

A partnership with Lifetime Networks helps boost fund-raising horsepower for
a diverse group of non-profit agencies passionate about changing breast
cancer statistics

NEW YORK – Sept. 9, 2009 – The next time you see a distinctively pink Vespa
zooming by, it might just be one of the Vespa LX 50 scooters that more than
a dozen non-profit agencies devoted to battling breast cancer are adding to
their autumn Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives. Through a partnership with
Lifetime Networks’ 15th annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
campaign, “Stop Breast Cancer for Life: The Power of 15,” Vespa USA
(www.vespausa.com), is bringing a boost of extra horsepower to each of the
participating agencies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Month programs by donating a
limited-edition pink Vespa. Each agency, from internationally known
organizations like The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Dr. Susan
Love Research Foundation to the Breast Cancer Network of Strength, My Vision
Foundation, BreastCancer.org and the Prevent Cancer Foundation, is creating
its own unique Vespa-fueled fund-raising initiative, from online auctions to
special events and membership incentives.

“In today’s economy, people are being more and more selective about how they
donate, which means we are always considering creative ways to connect with
new audiences,” said Dr. Susan Love, President of the Dr. Susan Love
Research Foundation. “While the color pink is now universally associated
with breast cancer awareness, simply being aware is not enough. Our mission
is to move breast cancer beyond a cure and we are doing it by recruiting one
million women nationwide to sign up and be part of our Army of Women
initiative. We welcome Vespa to our arsenal and plan to use our pink Vespa
to ignite all women to reach out and recruit every woman in their life to
sign up and be part of the movement to find the cause and prevent breast
cancer once and for all.”

The Vespa Pink Campaign invites all current and future scooter fans to
actively participate in one or all the Breast Cancer Awareness Month
programs. The agencies adding a pink Vespa to their October fund-raising
initiatives are: Breast Cancer Network of Strength, The Breast Cancer
Research Foundation, BreastCancer.org, Bright Pink, Cup With Love, Dr. Susan
Love Research Foundation, The Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G.
Komen for the Cure, My Vision Foundation, Nueva Vida, Prevent Cancer
Foundation, SHARE and the Young Survival Coalition.

Since its post-World War II debut in Italy, Vespa has been a symbol of
freedom – a perfect match for the organizations whose mission it is to help
the millions of women and men touched by the disease to prevent, manage and
survive its indiscriminate reach. Prior to the launch of October’s Vespa
Pink Campaign, Vespa USA dealers already ordered 1,000 limited-edition pink
Vespa LX 50s, some of which were purchased by local supporters of breast
cancer-related causes. Vespa aims to build on the popularity of the retail
models by offering the donated scooters as a platform for catching the eyes
– and donation dollars – of even more supporters.

“There are so many unique needs in the fight against breast cancer, and
we’re happy to play a small part in helping these agencies get the word out
about their special work,” said Paolo Timoni, President and CEO of Piaggio
Group Americas. “For instance, Nueva Vida’s efforts focus on the Latina
community, Breast Cancer Network of Strength provides information from a
survivor’s perspective and the Young Survival coalition is devoted to
education and supporting young women affected by breast cancer – these
organizations and their missions are as diverse as the people who ride
Vespas.”

Here is the current list of charity events and activities that feature a
pink Vespa LX 50:

• Breast Cancer Network of Strength www.networkofstrength.org will host an
event on October 6 at the Hard Rock Café in Chicago, IL;

• BreastCancer.org will host an event in Philadelphia November 14 with
Fuelthecure.net;

• The Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s www.bcrfcure.org auction,
including the pink Vespa LX 50, goes live on charitybuzz.com September 29
and ends October 22, 2009;

• Bright Pink www.BeBrightPink.org will list its pink Vespa on eBay during
the month of October with eBay’s Giving Works;

• Cup with Love www.cupwithlove.org will conduct a raffle from October 1 –
31, 2009

• Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation www.dslrf.org will launch a social
media contest titled “How Would You Recruit an Army of Women?,” October
through November, 2009;

• The Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
www.komennyc.org will offer the Vespa as a reward incentive to fundraisers
who exceed their Komen NYC
Race for the Cure pledge goals between September 14 and October 31;

• My Vision Foundation www.myvision.org make a minimum $100 donation through
October for a chance to win the pink Vespa LX 50;

• Nueva Vida www.nueva-vida.org will conduct a raffle from September 23
through October 31;

• Prevent Cancer Foundation www.preventcancer.org Sign up for “Screen Your
Boobs” alerts through October and participants are automatically entered to
win the pink Vespa;

• SHARE’s www.sharecancersupport.org sixth annual “A Second Helping of Life”
tasting and live auction event features leading female chefs and chance to
bid on the pink Vespa LX 50. The event is scheduled for September 21, 2009
from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Chelsea Piers in New York City. Tickets can be
purchased by calling (212) 719-0364, ext. 239;

• Young Survival Coalition www.youngsurvival.org Through November 16, become
a “fan” on the Young Survival Coalition’s Facebook page and you can have a
chance to win the pink Vespa LX 50;

Vespa USA will announce the final details concerning each of the charities’
pink Vespa fundraising initiatives during the middle of September.
Information about the charities and their programs can also be found on the
Vespa USA Web site (www.VespaUSA.com).

For 15 years, Lifetime’s Stop Breast Cancer for Life initiative has been
dedicated to offering women the most up-to-date, comprehensive information
about breast cancer. Lifetime has also collected more than 24 million
petition signatures on myLifetime.com, and for 13 years has fought to urge
Congress to pass the bipartisan Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act. The
bi-partisan bill would end the practice of “drive-through mastectomies,”
which refers to the practice where women are sometimes forced to leave the
hospital just hours after invasive breast surgery.

Breast cancer affects everyone. This year alone, 192,370 new cases of
invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States.
It is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 15 to 54, and almost
half of all Vespa riders are women. A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer
every three minutes and the disease claims a life every 13 minutes. These
women are mothers, sisters, wives – but breast cancers also directly touches
men. Every year almost 2,000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer and 440
will die.

About The Piaggio Group:

Established in 1884 by Rinaldo Piaggio and based in Pontedera (Pisa), Italy,
the Piaggio Group is one of the world’s top manufacturers of two-wheel motor
vehicles. With more than 7,000 employees, an annual production of more than
650,000 vehicles in 2008, five R&D centers, seven production facilities in
Europe and Asia, and operations in more than 50 countries, the Piaggio Group
has a consolidated leadership in the European two-wheeler market. The
company produces scooters, motorcycles and mopeds in the 50cc to 1,200 cc
displacement range, marketed under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera, Derbi,
Aprilia, Scarabeo and Moto Guzzi brands. The Group also manufactures three-
and four-wheel light transportation vehicles for the Ape, Porter and Quargo
ranges. For more information about Piaggio USA, visit: www.piaggiousa.com.


###

Contact:
Elke Martin
For Vespa USA
770.649.0880
emartin@brandwarepr.com

Upcoming Summer Rallies & Events!

Haven't done an update for quite some time, but here is the latest info of upcoming SoCal Scooter Events & Rallies (taken form the SoCal Scooter weekly newsletter; sign up for it, here):

SCOOTER EVENT CALENDAR:

TASTE OF ITALY – JUNE 27, 2009
Downtown Los Angeles, CA

The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA) is hosting the "Taste of Italy", a wine and food festival at the historic Pico House off the Plaza on Olvera Street in LA, 424 North Main Street, L.A., CA 90012.

Set in Los Angeles' historic Little Italy, there will be authentic Italian cuisine, fine wine and live music. Admission is $25 per person (the admission price gets you a chance to win two round trip tickets to Italy!). If you have anybody that is too young to drink, they can still buy a ticket to the raffle if they like. Scooters can park on Sanchez Street right next to the Pico House.

The event was planned to involve the community in the planning of the new museum which will be located at the northwest end of Olvera Street. Why there? You'll have to come and find out!

The event is from 5pm-9pm. Please plan to join us for our first Taste of Italy!

Info: (213) 485-8432, or visit www.italianhall.org

CLUB IMPACT 25TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY – JUNE 27, 2009
Hollywood, CA

Club Impact invites everyone to their 25th Anniversary party, Saturday, June 27th, 2009. It is happening at Kung Pao Kitty , 6445 Holywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, (323) 465-0110.

No entry fee at the door - only a $10 fee for the club give-away package. There will be a slide show, DJs/Music and lots of libations.

For more info, go to their website:
http://www.clubimpact.us/events.html.

SUPER SUNDAY SCOOTER EVENT– JUNE 28, 2009
SGV, CA

What's up Everyone...The Super Series Continues Volume 2 for 2009...Super Sunday is scheduled for June 28th, 2009...

Same Meeting Location...The Hat, Temple City, 5505 Rosemead Blvd., Temple City, CA 91780.

The Time: 8:30 a.m, leaving at 9:15 a.m

The Destination: ALWAYS unknown

Expectant Fun Rating: 10+

Get your bikes Ready for a Great Season to come!

SOUL MOTION SCOOTER FEST – JUNE 28, 2009
Long Beach, CA

A sound spread on Pine Avenue so funk-tastic, you’d be inert to miss it — that, and you couldn’t witness a scooter rally with FREE scooter parking and bike valet!

DJ Dennis Owens of The Good Foot spins 60s selects, The New Fidelity brings mod pop power, Boogaloo Assassins play a Latin-salsa-soul mix, followed by two sweets from Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records label: ALO (Animal Liberation Orchetra) and Money Mark, the sound machine Cuban-fusion keyboardist who put the Beastie Boys back on the map in the 90s.

Intersection of Pine & Broadway Ave., in downtown Long Beach. Part of the City of Long Beach's Summer and Music program. See the website for details.

L.A. RIDE TO AMERIVESPA – JULY 1, 2009
North Hollywood, CA

We are going to get a group going to ride up to Amerivespa in Los Gatos, CA. We will meet at NoHo Scooters at 9 AM on Wednesday July 1st. Ride will leave at 10 AM sharp. The ride up will be 125 friendly, but we must do some freeway on the way back due to the extra time it would take to ride highway 1 back. My wife will be driving the backup truck with trailer, so there will be room for some smaller bikes.

The days ride will have us stopping at Vespa Santa Barbara before riding up to San Luis Obispo for the night. We will be staying at the Travelodge at 345 Marsh St in SLO. We will rise early and ride up to the coast through Big Sur and Carmel on highway 1.

We will group up whereever the Sunday (July 5th) ride ends up, and head back to SLO down on 101 (150cc and above only). We will stay at the same Travelodge. This will be for freeway legal bikes only. The following morning we will ride back to NoHo.

A few rules.
-If your bike is not running right, don't try to bring it on the ride. We don't to fill all the space in the backup truck with scooters that should not be there.

-This ride is open to all scooters that can maintain 60-65 MPH on flat ground. We don't want to wait for those who choose to ride slow.

-This ride is open to modern and vintage scooters 125cc and above that can maintain 60-65 MPH. No whiners allowed.

-Bring proper riding gear. This includes something to keep you warm. It can get cold along the coast and in the Bay Area.

-Bring money for food, gas, hotel, etc. Don't be a mooch.

-Make sure your scoot is legal. This means current tags, registration, and working lights. We dont want to attract the police.

-Maintain a pack while on the freeway.

Please contact me if interested.
Mike Frankovich
NoHo Scooters, 818-761-3647.

AMERIVESPA – JULY 2-6, 2009
Torrance, CA

ITINERARY:
THURSDAY, JULY 2ND 2009

Meet - TBD
Moto Amore, 448 E. Santa Clara Street (& 10th Street), San Jose CA 95112, Phone: (408) 295-3004

Breakfast will be provided. Registration will also be available. Early Bird Ride to Mount Hamilton Ride. Departs @ - TBD

There will be two rides available with varying ride distances: Beginner and Advanced.

Meet & Greet - Agenda Lounge, 399 S. 1st Street, San Jose CA 95113, Phone: (408) 287-3991. Meet @ - TBD. Bands. DJ. Music. Registration will be available.

Come-out and meet your your fellow scooterists and other local DJs, as we kick-off AmeriVespa 2009 by spinning scooter tunes.

Scoot! Magazine will also be holding a Raffle for a scooter and other fun scooter schwag!

FRIDAY, JULY 3RD 2009
Meet @ - TBD. Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Los Gatos Saratoga Road, Los Gatos CA 95032, Phone: (408) 354-3300

Breakfast and Registration will be available. San Juan Bautista (Long Ride). Ride Departs @ 8:30AM

Vespa Club Los Gatos will lead a main ride to San Juan Bautista, a long ride through the valley not to be missed! A brown bag lunch will be provided in San Juan Bautista.

Various other rides will also be available; details TBD

Vespa Club of America - Annual Meeting. Meet @ 6pm. Location - TBD

Scooter Music Night - Hosted by Secret Society SC
American Legion Hall, 1344 Dell Avenue, Campbell CA 95008, Phone: (408) 379-6420, Music starts @ 8p/9p

Come out and to various DJs and bands, as they spin and play scooter friendly music into the night!

Scoot! Magazine will be holding a Raffle for a scooter and other fun scooter schwag!

SATURDAY, JULY 4TH 2009
Meet @ - TBD. Los Gatos Lodge. Breakfast and Registration will be available. Ride Departs @ 10AM

Vespa Club Los Gatos will lead the ride through some of the best twisties and backroads we know! This ride is not to be missed!

Saturday Day Show: Saratoga Springs, 22801 Big Basin Way, Saratoga CA 95070 408. Phone: (408) 867-3016. Visitor Entrance @ 11AM. Events start @ 12PM

Vendors! Lunch BBQ provided! Gymkhana! Slow Race! Drag Race! Miss Vespa USA Contest! Scooter Build-Off! Workshops! MSF Tutorial!

Dinner @ TBD
Concourse Awards with Evening Activities.
Scoot! Magazine will be holding a Raffle for a scooter and other fun scooter schwag! A ride will be led to a local fireworks display, to celebrate the Fourth of July!

Afterwards, join local scooterists for a Scooter Drive-In Movie at a local venue.

SUNDAY, JULY 5TH 2009
Meet @ TBD Los Gatos Lodge. Breakfast will be available. Ride to the Coast Ride. Departs @ - TBD. Farewell BBQ Lunch Location - TBD

Last Chance Raffle for a scooter and other scooter schwag, held by Scoot! Magazine.

Return ride to San Jose

MONDAY, JULY 6TH 2009
Meet @ TBD. Cardinal Lounge 3197 Meridian Avenue, San Jose CA 95124 408. Phone: (408) 269-7891
Still in town? Not ready to start your Monday? Meet-up for a late breakfast, with Vespa Club Los Gatos, for one last hurrah and leaded coffee to ease your hang-over.

*** Schedule Is Subject To Change ***
**More details will be posted as they are confirmed.**.

http://www.amerivespa.org.

SOUTH BAY SC MONTHLY RIDE – SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2009
Torrance, CA

ATTENTION: DIFFERENT DATE AND MEETING PLACE THIS MONTH!

NOTE THAT WE WILL BE MEETING ON SUNDAY, JULY 5TH, NOT ON SATURDAY, SO THAT EVERYONE CAN ENJOY THEIR 4TH OF JULY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Meet at 12:30am at SOUTH BAY VESPA, 18425 HAWTHORNE BLVD., TORRANCE, CA 90504; Ride leaves at 1pm-ish. RAIN CANCELS.

We will be riding out to some of our favorite routes in PV, then ending the ride at one of our old South Bay SC hangouts, UTRO's Bar & Grill in San Pedro. Come ride, grub and check out the two Vespas behind the bar at UTRO's.

Come on out for the longest-running, regular ride in SoCal: the South Bay Scooter Club's Monthly Ride! All scooters welcome.

http://www.southbayscooterclub.com

SCOOT INVASION IV – JULY 10-12, 2009
Santa Monica, CA

WESTSIDE SCOOTER CLUB Presents Scoot Invasion IV– 10 year anniversary rally. “Classic & vintage scooters only” - July 10th -12th 2009

July 10th – Friday – meet and greet coastal -night ride
8:30 meet up @ 90 west Lounge, 12740 Culver Blvd., Ste H, Los Angeles, CA 90066 - (310) 821-4000

9pm ride leave & ends at Cock N Bull for Soul Invasion – Weekender –night #1

July 11th – Saturday – westside’s signature canyone ride

11am meet up @ cock n bull pub, 2947 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 - (310) 399-9696

4-6PM: brennans’ pub – happy hour, 4089 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey, CA 90292 - (310) 821-6622

8:30 pm sat night – night ride. meet up @ cock n bull pub, 2947 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 - (310) 399-9696
9pm ride leaves & ends at Faisdodo for soul invasion weekender –night #2

july12- Sunday – Beverly hills ride –Reservoir stop
11am meet up @ TOMMYS BURGER, 1900 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405

Ride ends : Bar Melody, 9132 S Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045 (entrance in the rear)

3pm- until party ,food, drinks Raffle, Scooter contest and djs , dancing - Scoot Banquet & Soul Weekender – night # 3 closing party

FOR MORE INFO: WWW.WESTSIDESCOOTERCLUB.COM
INFO@WESTSIDESCOOTERCLUB.COM

SOUTH BAY SC MONTHLY RIDE – AUGUST 1, 2009
Torrance, CA

Come on out for the longest-running, regular ride in SoCal: the South Bay Scooter Club's Monthly Ride! All scooters welcome.

Meet at 12:30am at Claim Jumper restaurant in Torrance (corner of Lomita and Crenshaw Blvds); Ride leaves at 1pm-ish. RAIN CANCELS.

http://www.southbayscooterclub.com

SAN FRANCISCO CLASSIC – AUGUST 7-9, 2009
San Francisco, CA

The much anticipated return of the San Francisco Classic. More information to be posted at: http://www.sanfranciscoclassic.com.

SWERVE N CURVE "X" (#10) – AUGUST 21-23, 2009
Torrance, CA

Yup, this year will be The BIG "X" --- Swerve N Curve #10!!!
Mark the date on your calendar, NOW, and plan on being there. We are planning on making it the biggest Swerve N Curve EVER!

It’s all about fun and sun by the beaches of south and westside Los Angeles.

Here is a tentative itinerary (subject to change):

FRIDAY, AUG 21:
7:30pm: “Meet ‘N’ Greet” at TBD.
9pm: Leave for Beach Night Ride #1 in the South Bay
10pm: Return to TBD

SATURDAY, AUG 22:
11am: Meet at Claim Jumper restaurant, in Torrance (corner of Crenshaw & Lomita Blvd’s)
12noon: Ride leaves for the famous “Swerve N Curve” route around Palos Verdes.

(Westside/”Northern” riders, meet at the Cock N Bull Pub in Santa Monica at 9:30am; Ride leaves at 10:30am to meet the rest of the group at Claim Jumper in Torrance)

We will end the ride at TBD; Rally Packs will be available for sale.

Evening ride/festivities:
8pm: Meet at the Cock N Bull Pub in Santa Monica.

9pm: Ride leaves for Beach Night Ride #2 on the Westside (Special “Canals Ride”” through Venice and the Marina). Italian scooters only for this ride, please.

10pm: Arrive for the SWERVE N CURVE DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA! at BAR MELODY, 9132 Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester, CA 90405, (310) 670-1994. Doors open at 9PM. Those with rally packs get 1/2 off cover of $4. Regular admission $4 before 11pm, $8 afterwards. Ladies FREE before 10:30pm. FULL BAR / All ages. Special DJ’s playing Reggae, Soul, Brit Pop, Ska & Mod all night long for your listening pleasure: Jesse Trejo (WSSC), Jason Lawless (Ram Jam Club), Ted Morris (Ram Jam Club, Trojan Lounge), Kristin Storli (WSSC/Bar Italia), and Sean Needham (WSSC). FREE scooter parking; Rally packs will be available for sale.

SUNDAY, AUG 23:
11am: Meet at the Cock N Bull Pub in Santa Monica.
12noon: Ride leaves for ride along the beaches in the South Bay.

We will end the ride at TBD

Wheelie contest and scooter awards to follow. Raffle????

Itinerary is subject to change, so please keep checking the South Bay & Westside websites.

PLEASE GAS UP BEFORE ALL RIDES!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please visit the following websites:
http://www.southbayscooterclub.com
http://www.westsidescootclub.com/

Contacts:
Mario: 310-770-9819 – info@southbayscooterclub.com
Marv: 310-480-6225 – info@westsidescootclub.com

CONCORDIA 2009 – AUGUST 29, 2009
Long Beach, CA

The Concords have put together another jumping party at DiPiazzas in Long Beach on August 29. Doors open at 7pm, bands go on at 8pm. We have great DJs spinning Ska, Mod, Northern Soul and Reggae. We have four bands lined up: The Commotions, Kingston a Go-Go, The New Fidelity and The Suppressors. $10 cover. 21 and over. During the day The Long Beach Classic Scooter Club will be having their monthly classic scooter only ride which will end at DiPiazzas.

WESTSIDE SCOOT & QUE – SEPTEMBER 13, 2009
Marina Del Rey, CA

After many years of hiding and requests, the Westside are bringing back the old WSSC Scoot & Que. In year's past, they were at Westside Justin's and Chris Griffith's homes. This time, they are going to have it at a beachfront property in Marina Del Rey, courtesy of Westside Peter. The front yard of the property is the sand. Great location to swim, layout and hang! This is a vintage & classic scooter event only, please. Beach attire suggested. More info to come.

ENDLESS SUMMER #9 – SEPT. 18-20, 2009
Santa Barbara, CA

Endless Summer Rally "Revolution #9", will be on September 18 through 20, 2009.

Friday, Sept. 18th:
5PM - Meet N Greet @ Vespa Santa Barbara. Speedy night time ride. Experienced riders only.

Saturday, Sept. 19th:
9AM - Meet @ Vespa Santa Barbara; Schmooze a little while, buy your rally packs & raffle tickets.
11AM - Ride leaves TBD, followed by a BBQ and some TBD night time fun!

Sunday, Sept. 20th:
10AM - Meet @ Vespa Santa Barbara; Ride & lunch TBD.

The New Vespa GTS 300 is here!

Piaggio Group USA Introduces the New 2009 Vespa GTS 300 Super

Fastest Vespa ever zooms into maxi scooter category with timeless Italian style and craftsmanship

NEW YORK, January 16, 2009 – Italian manufacturer Piaggio, renowned for revolutionary ideas in personal transportation, announces the U.S. debut of the 2009 Vespa GTS 300 Super, the newest evolution of its best-selling mid-size scooter, the GTS 250. Sporting a new high-displacement engine and a collection of racing-inspired components and exterior treatments that complement its high-performance character, the GTS 300 Super has been designed to set pulse points pounding whether in motion or at rest.

As the fastest Vespa in the company’s U.S. product portfolio, the new GTS 300 Super is always ready to stir up excitement. New styling elements that signal its sporty intentions include an eye-catching side grille on the rear engine panel, two-tone alloy wheel rims, a racing red suspension cover on the front spring and a black-rimmed headlight. A new front shield features a stylish chrome air intake, reinforcing its sporty personality and stylish stance.

“The GTS 300 Super doesn’t just stand out in the crowd – it gets you out of the crowd,” says Paolo Timoni, President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas. “Whether you need to accelerate away from traffic or take advantage of parking spaces that others only dream about fitting in, the GTS 300 Super does it with Vespa’s unique mix of Italian attitude and style.”

Vespas have always been the preferred scooters for those who want to send a message about the importance of personal choice, freedom and authenticity. The company has produced over 17 million scooters since its debut in 1946 and the brand has been immortalized by artists and individualists through the decades.

Nerves of Steel, Born to Perform

Like all Vespa scooters, the GTS 300 Super features the company’s exclusive steel frame design. This unique feature has set Vespa apart from other two wheelers ever since the first model debuted in 1946. By using a steel unibody versus a welded plastic-covered tube frame, every Vespa delivers superior torsional rigidity – up to 250% more than other scooters. The result is a machine that’s not only a thrill to look at, but one that provides exceptional precision in handling and response.

Underneath the tough steel exterior of the GTS 300 Super is a 278cc four-stroke single cylinder, liquid-cooled, electronic injection engine. Boasting a high level of torque and few revolutions per minute, the GTS 300 Super provides peak flexibility and maximum acceleration - making it an exceptional choice for city commuters. The twist-and-go continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) allows smooth and easy operation for hassle-free navigation through even the toughest stop-and-go traffic.

Twelve-inch wheels insure a stable ride over pot-hole scarred streets and double-disc brakes allow riders to stop quickly, with confidence. Like all Vespas, the GTS 300 Super sips fuel. Its carbon footprint is pint-size and it exceeds strict U.S. CARB emission standards. And, while owners save fuel and the environment, the scooter’s slim stance also helps reduce congestion – it will happily share one full-size SUV parking space with six of its scooter siblings.

Despite its streamlined stance, the GTS 300 Super is big on cargo capacity. Plentiful under-seat storage space is sufficient for storing helmets, groceries - you name it! And, a broad range of accessories, such as a rear top case and soft luggage, add to the scooter’s functionality.

The 2009 Vespa GTS 300 Super is available at U.S. Vespa retailers starting in March. Color choices include Shiny Black or Optic White. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $6,199.

About The Piaggio Group:

Established in 1884 by Rinaldo Piaggio and based in Pontedera (Pisa, Italy), the Piaggio Group is one of the world’s top manufacturers of two-wheel motor vehicles. With over 7,000 employees, an annual production of more than 708,000 vehicles in 2007, 5 R&D centers, 7 production facilities in Europe and Asia, and operations in over 50 countries, the Piaggio Group has a consolidated leadership in the European two-wheeler market.

The company produces scooters, motorcycles and mopeds in the 50cc to 1,200 cc displacement range, marketed under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera, Derbi, Aprilia, Scarabeo and Moto Guzzi brands. The Group also manufactures three- and four-wheel light transportation vehicles for the Ape, Porter and Quargo ranges.

Contact:
Anne Szczesny
Brandware PR for Piaggio Group Americas
770.649.0880, Ext. 303
annes@brandwarepr.com

Rucksters follow-up

OK, real quick: Manny Del Toro (aka, "goatlover") informed me of an upcoming Rucksters ride that was coming up this past Sunday. So, I hopped on my Vespa Rally 200 and cruised to one of the satellite meeting spots, which was a few blocks from my house, a Starbucks in Lakewood. When I got there, I pulled up next to all the other scooters that were there and was asked if I was riding with them. I said yes, and they explained the reason they asked is because sometimes other scooterists see them and just pull up to talk. I assured them I had come for their ride and they welcomed me. It was a bit awkward, but a few of them came up and started talking to me about my Vespa. I in turn started finding out about their scooters and especially the mods that were available and that they had all done. Quite amazing stuff and very inventive, I might add.

While we in the vintage scooter community take pride in "sleepers" and "racers" that only alter the outward appearance of our scooters a little bit, while tuning the heck out of them internally, these guys took pride in customizing their machines so that they did not look like your typical floor model at all. I found out about kits that can extend the length of a scooter, mountings that let the engine and back wheel assembly move waaay back, in varying degrees. Then there were the wide rim kits for the back tire, engine upgrades, engine swaps, etc. Motorcycle forks, grips, Chines engine cowls, etc. were all freely used. The thing is, the way the Honda Ruckus is built, with basically a steel tubing system that you just attach parts to, you can modify and attach just about anything you want, whether it be LED lights, alarm systems, racks and other accessories, carbon fiber bits and pieces, etc. Some of them even had GPS nav systems wired into their batteries! Reminded me of the original Lambretta models, with the bare frame tubing showing through, except now with modern tech on board.

"1947 Lambretta Model A" above, and new Ruckus below

After meeting at Starbucks, we cruised to the main meeting spot, which was "The Hat" in Rosemead. There, our 11 scooters came together with another 18 or so scooters, and more were joining up as we parked. That's when I got to really see a lot of the customization capabilities of these scooterists and their machines. Some of the riders even told me they had a Vespa or two as well. One had just bought a Lammie from Dean. Another had a P200, and so on. But the scoots they were riding today were all moded out. Check out these pics of some of the mods on these scooters:

To see all the other pics I shot, click here. I couldn't go on the long ride they were planning (my kid was sick @ home and had to get back), so I saw them off as they gassed up and took off for Phillipe's in downtown L.A., then Griffith Park, then the coast and beyond. Sounded like another full day of riding for them. Bet they had fun! Here's a video clip I shot from my digital camera as they took off:

MVI_8023.AVI

As I said in my last post, we in the vintage community could learn a lot from these guys, as some of them have taken matters into their own hands and are now manufacturing their own accessories for their rides. Why not? Overall, nice group. And, even though I was on another type of scooter, they were very welcoming and invited me back. After seeing their energy and inventive ways they can modify scooters, I probably will be back... Again, why not? What Honest Mike shouted to me at the end of the above video comes to mind: "Riders ride!"

Rucksters!

OK, so this is not usually part of what us vintage riders call the "scooter scene", but it can't be avoided that the "younger" generation are not running out and buying and riding vintage Italian scooters. There are some exceptions, of coarse, but for the most part 20-somethings are usually absent from many vintage scooter rides.

So, I pose the question: Why is this? 20-somethings are definitely involved in the vintage car scene, as well as the vintage motorcycle scene. Just the other day, I was fueling up my Vespa Rally 200 and ran into a guy, who couldn't have been more than 25, riding a vintage Norton. He told me how there are a bunch of college-aged guys, who have formed some riding clubs, based around riding vintage british and euro motorcycles these days.

Enter this 50cc scooter subculture that I have stumbled upon, through some info from some Ruckus riders who have joined us on a couple of South Bay SC rides (big shout out to Manny Del Toro for a lot of the pointers to this info and rides). This much younger demographic has discovered and embraced customizing and racing out 50cc+ scooters. A large group of them have focused their efforts around the Honda Ruckus that most of us vintage riders usually consider as being, #1: too slow, and #2: too ugly. But these younger riders have totally embraced these "modern" scooters with the customization skills and energy that a lot of us older riders attacked the scooter scene with back in the 1980's. Granted, they don't have the historical affects and culture behind them that the 80's mods did, such as the history of the 60's mod culture, style of dress, music, etc., but they do have the new street-style culture and they are making it their own with regard to "their" scooter scene.

And, I've been told that they get some serious numbers at monthly and big rides that they put on. It certainly seems so from the few videos I've been able to check out. Take, for example, the following vid. They've got a really good number of scoots on this impromptu ride, and it seems they ride ALL DAY, even into the early evening. And, check out all the crazy mods on these scooters. Fat tire conversions, neon, expansion chambers, etc., etc. And they are done with some good workmanship, as well as showmanship (they are very professionally presented):

Here's another one, of a smaller ride, but it highlights some other nice mods:

And, talk about having an entrepreneurial spirit, some of them decided in the beginning of November to put together a Ruckus Scooter Girl calendar (back story here). They got on it and, wham, they've done it! Check out the behind the scenes video of a pretty professional set of photo shoots for the calendar (heck, it even looks like they had a make-up artist or stylist on staff during the shoots):

Pretty damn interesting... Of coarse, I love my vintage Italian scooters, and still feel that they are the best scooters ever made. I've always loved manual transmissions on anything I drive (I've owned a couple of trucks, several sedans, lots of convertibles, and some muscle cars, and they've ALL had manual trannys. My current car is STILL a manual.). SO, scooters with gears, I feel, are definitely more fun to drive. But, the energy of this younger set of scooter riders definitely reminds me of when I was their age, and younger. I just wish some more of them could get turned on to vintage Italian scoots. I could just imagine the crazy machines they would build. It would upset A LOT of purists, but it'd be very interesting to see... I'm sure the kandy color combos and modern accessories would boggle the mind, but it would be fun to see.

Coming back to my original question, though, of where the next generation of vintage aficionados will come from, how are these younger folks supposed to become vintage scooter lovers if they are treated with disdain and rejection by current vintage riders because of what they are riding now? Or are these specific young riders set to be the "Sports Motorcycle" riders and the vintage riders the "Harley-Davidson" riders of the scooter world? Bottom line is the younger vintage scooter riders will not have the mod/punk/ska scene/culture from the 80's to fuel part of their love for these scooters (cuz some of them were just being born in the 80's), so if us older riders don't nurture that in some way with them now, or in a few years, the scene is bound to die out for sure, perhaps resembling the Cushman scooter lovers who are all now in their 70's and 80's, riding them at Shriner's conventions as a novelty...

Meanwhile, I guess I'll just be another fat, old dude, on an even older scooter, and wave to these guys when I see 'em, or lead some of them again on another fun South Bay SC ride whenever they feel like it.