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The moped and its bigger, flashier cousin, the scooter, are swarming out of Jimmy Carter's America and into George W. Bush's republic - a movement propelled by soaring gasoline prices surpassing those of the late 1970s and by legions of Americans who take seriously the call for oil independence. If the serious intent is mixed with a little fun from "moped gangs" who call themselves the Heck's Angels or the Hardly Davidsons, so much the merrier.

Though Gen-Xers and baby boomers are among those flinging a leg over these two-wheelers, the vehicles may owe their newfound cachet to their embrace by a younger set. Sometimes called "the millennials," they are said to embody a sense of social purpose, adopt a "team" approach to life, and rebel from their elders by hewing to the small-scale. It's an attitude with a simple message: Small-bore is cool.

If any two-wheeler inspires as much affection as Fiat's Cinquecento it's the Vespa, and with serendipitous timing Piaggio is about to launch a second retro version of the 61-year-old scooter.

Called the Vespa S, it's based on the existing 50cc and 125cc LX models with styling revamped for a 1970s look. The leaner handlebar area is distinguished by a square instead of round headlamp while the mudguards are cut back to reveal more of the suspension.

But the most effective change visually is the removal of the bulky plastic on the inside of the legshield, revealing the shape of the steel chassis spine typical of older Vespas.

In the true spirit of Italian vehicle manufacturers, Piaggio can't tell us prices or availability dates, but expect it to cost about £2,000 for the 50 and £2,500 for the 125, with showroom appearances in autumn or winter.

We'll be reporting on the Vespa S in about a month (the press launch date has suffered from maybe-next-week-itus, too) but if you fancy a Cinquecento-matching Vespa in the meantime there's always the 250GTV, out since last summer and styled in sympathy with the original 1946 Vespa, including a period mudguard-mounted headlight, exposed handlebars and sprung saddle. That's available now for £4,011. (Information provided by Telegraph.co.uk)

Piaggio has introduced a new great value top case, with fittings for its most popular scooters (the Typhoon, Zip and NRG) as well as some Gilera models (the Runner and Stalker). This 28-litre top case has been extensively researched to ensure that it is an appropriate size and shape for 50cc scooter, although it will also fit larger capacity versions of these models. The back of the case is recessed to allow for pillion passengers and it is large enough to accept a full face helmet, without being so big that it looks out of place on a scooter. It is produced in both painted and unpainted options, with model specific fitting kits (including carriers where required) available separately.

The unpainted version of the case sells for £44.99 in ‘natural’ black, while the painted styles (in Black, Dragon Red and Mistral Blue) retail for £64.99

Bike-specific fittings kits for the Zip and Typhoon scooters retail at £39.99 and include a rear carrier and mounting plate, while the NRG and Gilera Runner versions (which do not require a carrier) are £29.99.

Piaggio Group America is launching its largest campaign to date, supporting its Vespa brand in the U.S. The integrated campaign centers on a partnership with DreamWorks' and Paramount Pictures' "Transformers" major motion picture.

The campaign, tied with a national open house at Vespa dealerships, includes free movie tickets, an advertising campaign and a sweepstakes awarding a Vespa scooter.

Paolo Timoni, president/CEO of Piaggio Group Americas, says the effort is Piaggio's largest ever since the company returned to the U.S. market five years ago. It is also part of Piaggio's effort to grow the U.S. motor scooter market to a size similar to that of Europe and Asia.

Piaggio Group, part of Immsi S.p.A., leads the European two-wheeler market, per the company--and its Americas unit has some 300 dealers in the U.S. and over 20% share of the U.S. scooter market for Piaggio and Vespa scooters. Other Piaggio brands sold in the U.S. include Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Scarabeo. Full Story

Sleek and stylish Italian transports are revving up at Vespa Madison. Classic designs blended with the latest in modern technology deliver fuel-efficient motor scooters that are nothing short of chic.

With gasoline at more than $3 a gallon, these zippy little bikes are a great option for getting around town while conserving fuel. They can get 60 miles per gallon, sometimes more. Plus, with chrome detailing and leather seats, a Vespa is just plain cool. So if you've got a short commute between home, office and the grocery store, why not go for a joy ride?

"People like these because they're neat. What you're buying is fun," said owner Jeffery Dunn. "You can justify it with gas mileage and other things, but it's fun." Full Story

Iconic Italian images usually include women dressed in Gucci and heels zooming down cobblestone streets on their stylish scooters. But that much-romanticized vision is now gaining speed in the Great White North. Albeit, without the cobblestones. Or the Gucci.

Scooter sales in Canada have been booming recently, with nearly 10,000 new scooters sold last year, an increase from about 6,500 in 2004. Scooter fever has hit the United States as well, with an estimated 115,000 sold in 2006, while Yamaha reported last year that interest in scooters was increasingly important to their customers.

"The culture used to be much more well-defined because you'd only find a couple of crazy people on scooters, but now it's hit mainstream so you're getting every walk of life," says Dom Gemmell, one of the founders of the Toronto Moto Scooter Club, which is seeing three or four new people joining almost daily. Full Story

We mention scooters more and more often in these days of expensive gasoline, because for the right person, they can save some money when it comes time to fill up (We've also created a new "On Two Wheels" category for these type of posts). But, I have heard from numerous people that they just hate the way that most scooters look. Some people like the racy looks of modern sportbikes, some people like the retro designs from Italy, such as the Vespa. Of course, some people just don't care, as long as it's cheap and reliable.

For those of you who do care what your automatic transmission'ed four-stroke scooting machine looks like, why not take a moment to check on the sketches drawn up by an Italian man named Oberdan Bezzi at his scooter design blog, which is aptly named "Scooter Design". If your tastes lean more towards motorcycles and shifting for yourself, you can also check out his other site: "Motosketches", which we mentioned at Autoblog. I don't read Italian, so I just like to look at the pretty pictures. You?

India’s Bajaj Auto Ltd said on Thursday it would split its manufacturing and finance operations and its shares fell sharply on concerns about options for Germany’s Allianz to lift its stake in two insurance joint ventures.

Bajaj, India’s second-biggest motorcycle maker, said it was releasing details of the options agreed with Allianz when they set up insurance units together in 2001, after analysts’ valuations assigned to the joint ventures assumed substantial and material proportions.

Bajaj, which also makes scooters and three-wheeled motorized rickshaws, reported quarterly net profit fell 11 percent to 3.08 billion rupees ($75.5 million), as higher costs and tough competition compressed margins, and a top company official said cost pressures would continue in the next two quarters. Shares in Bajaj Auto initially rose 2.5 percent after the results but then fell more than 10 percent on concerns about the Allianz options, before closing down 6.7 percent at 2,500.30 rupees in a Mumbai market that rose 1.2 percent. Full Story

We've had enough warm days now to bring out the tulips and the lilacs, but where are the scooters? After my experience in Italy last summer, I expect to see swarms of the things. Rome, with four million people in the urban area, has half-a-million motorbikes and scooters. In Toronto, you barely see any.

Morey Chaplick wants to be Canada's scooter magnate. He's plunked down a sizable hunk of the cash he made in the video game business to build Canada's distributor of Italian-built Vespa scooters.

In spite of their stylishness and fuel economy, only 3,000 Vespas were sold in all of Canada last year. And this year, what are the curious coming to see at Vespa dealers? A three-wheeled scooter called the MP3 that Chaplick says he'd never buy because he likes two wheels. "It just goes to show, I really don't understand this business."

Vaughan: I'm disappointed. I'm the guy who says that Toronto should have 50,000 to 100,000 scooters immediately to cut traffic and pollution. I'm afraid it's not going to happen.

Chaplick: I don't think it's going to be in my lifetime, frankly.

Maybe I'm being a bit pessimistic. But the reality is that all I hear about is gasoline going up again this summer. It's about $1.24 in Vancouver right now. Here it was a buck-ten this morning.

The reality is that we're running out of this stuff and I think people are just starting to realize that global warming isn't some figment of our imagination. I think it's going to happen, but it happens slowly because it happens one scooter at a time. Full Story

It seems quite a few of the new Piaggio MP3 tilting three wheelers are getting out on the road now and several of their new owners are leaving their impressions here at The Kneeslider. From the sound of it, performance from the 250cc version is more than adequate for highway riding which seemed to be a sticking point for some potential buyers. Judging from new owner comments, you can put that concern out of your mind. Of course, if you’re used to a large displacement motorcycle, you’ll say it’s underpowered, but you’re probably not the person who is considering one of these in the first place.

I particularly liked the comments from Bill who took one out for a test ride and initially felt a bit unsure of himself but then quickly got the feel for it, pretty much the same as it would be for any completely different bike. He placed his order, too, which says a lot. Chris already has over 1800 miles on his and regularly rides the freeway. Full Story

Is it time for you to take a fresh look at scooters? Check out the new Piaggio Carnaby.

With the growing (literally) problem of traffic in large cities and metropolitan areas, many are taking a fresh look at scooters as a viable form of transportation. Why? Simple, really. No, really... that's it: they are a simple way to get around. Not only do they pollute less than our cars and trucks, they even pollute less than most motorcycles. And, unlike your average motorcycle (which are getting nothing but larger these days) scooters are easy to maneuver, park and carry more stuff than motorcycles. So, take a look at this new quick little review of Piaggio's latest, the Carnaby. If you like playful music, '70's style flowers and colors and flash websites, you can view it here as well. Piaggio has been the dominant scooter force since their Vespa brand first introduced scootering to the U.S. after World War II, so you know that they have worked out the bugs, so to speak. I don't see the Carnaby listed yet on Piaggio's USA site, does anybody have knowledge of a timetable for bringing it over here? Full Story

What's hip, saves commuter students tons of money and has two wheels? Motorized scooters, of course, and students who don't ride them could be spending hundreds more than they need to each year. "Scooters are considered bicycles when it comes to the parking policy," according to Christian Noll, AU transportation operations coordinator. This means scooter drivers don't have to purchase a parking permit.

"Individuals are welcome to drive scooters to campus," Noll said.

Transportation Services defines a scooter as a motorcycle with a platform for the feet and a step-through architecture, according to Noll. Step-through means the part between the driver's legs in front of the seat is lower than the seat. Scooters can be parked at or near bike racks on campus, while actual motorcycles require an annual permit that costs students $328, according to the Transportation Services Web site. The price for car permits is $856. Full Story

Director of Lam Dong province's Culture and Tourism Festivals Center, Nguyen Vu Hoang said the festival, held for the first time in Vietnam, not only aims at tourism development, but also to satisfy the passion of Vespa owners.

Vespas first appeared in the city in the 1950s, Hoang said, and since they, have been a part of the city's culture and traditions.

Talking with a Thanh Nien reporter, Hoang also unveiled a bevy of the festival's activities with great enthusiasm. To start the event off, there would be the Ngau hung Vespa (Vespa's Inspiration parade along the banks of the Xuan Huong Lake. The most mint of scooters is to be crowned "Queen Vespa", a feature highlight of the event. Full Story

In funny outfits, friends and strangers ride to raise money for a cancer patient

According to the odometer, it's more like 105 miles from Orlando to St. Augustine.

The journey starts in a nondescript strip-mall parking lot on East Colonial Drive, where a very distinctive bunch has gathered. "I just want to say think you," Nicolle Avery says to a group of 15 who look as if they are five months late for Halloween. "Kyle and his family rally appreciate this."

Few in the bunch know 28-year-old Kyle O'Connell. But on this day, he is the reason they have come.

These scooter enthusiasts, donning Mad Max-inspired outfits, are rallying for O'Connell, a Winter Park High School alum diagnosed two years ago with brain cancer. Through pledges-per-mile, they are raising money to help pay O'Connell's medical bills, which have been mounting since he lost Medicaid as his condition improved. Full Story

Piaggio FY results rise on intl expansion, broadly in line with expectations

Piaggio SpA said its full-year results rose from a year earlier, supported by stronger sales from its international expansion, broadly in line with analysts expectations. Net profit rose to 70.3 mln eur from 2005's 38.1 mln, operating profit to 114.2 mln from 94.3 mln and EBITDA to 204 mln from 184.8 mln. Sales rose 10.7 pct to 1.607 bln eur, the company said.

'Growth has continued on international markets, including in North America, where the group's sales rose 45 pct, and in India with light vehicles, where unit sales were up 37 pct,' it said. On sales, Piaggio said two-wheel products rose 8.7 pct in value terms and 6.3 pct in volume terms, while in light transport, sales were up 17.3 pct in value and up 32 pct in volumes. Full Story

SA motorcycles and quad sales for the first two months of 2007 were seven percent higher than in the corresponding period of 2006 – but nearly all of that growth was in the bikes as quad sales continued to slide. Figures from the Association of Motorcycle Importers and Distributors show 4954 new motorcycles were sold (up 15.5 percent over 2006) while quad sales were 2635 (six percent down). Scooters showed the biggest growth year-on-year (589, up 27.8 percent) followed road bikes with 951 sales – a 22.5 percent improvement on 2006. Full Story

February 13, 2007

Data from a new traffic model released today demonstrates that the nation's largest city could significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, a key factor in the global warming debate, and reduce fuel consumption while saving a great deal of time lost to congestion by simply incorporating more motor scooters into the commuting vehicle mix. The results of this study directly respond to growing concerns about traffic congestion in New York City. In his December 2006 sustainability speech, Mayor Michael Bloomberg discussed the City's growing congestion challenges and set a goal to reduce New York's emissions by 30 percent.

The traffic model, examining a central section of midtown Manhattan in New York City, was developed by transportation engineering and planning firm Sam Schwartz PLLC using Synchro/Sim Traffic 6.0 -- an industry-standard tool deployed by transportation engineers. Through modeling, the simulation incorporated scooters into the traffic mix in 10 percent increments -- examining the impact of moving from 100 percent cars (including small SUVs, vans, etc.), to 90 percent cars/10 percent scooters, to 80 percent cars/20 percent scooters, and so on. Full Story

Here's my prediction: you're looking at the next big thing in motorcycle helmets. I realize I'm going out on a limb here, because not everyone is into what could be called "Scooter Style" helmets, but they're becoming hugely popular in Europe and just about everywhere else in the world.

Clothing and gear that becomes popular in Europe usually takes about 2 years to hit it over here, thus my prediction. Examples? How about Birkenstocks? I toured Germany one summer back in the 1980's and there were grown men wearing white socks and Birkenstocks on every street. I thought it was about the dumbest-looking shoe I've ever seen, but guess what? They not only became popular here, their even uglier cousin (if that's possible), the Teva sandal, became even hotter. Full Story

Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Ltd today said it would make a foray into the domestic scooter market by the middle of this year. "We have created an additional one-lakh capacity for producing scooters, which we expect to launch in the market by July this year," the Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd (SMIPL) Managing Director, Satya Sheel.

Osamu Suzuki, Chairman and CEO of Suzuki Motor Corp, today announced that the Japanese giant would be making an investment of ¥ 20 billion (about Rs 730 crore) into its two-wheeler venture in India by 2010. Sheel said with additional capacity coming in, the company's total capacity would go up to 2-lakh units — one lakh each for scooters and motorcycles. He, however, declined to comment on the details of the scooter model but said, "It would definitely not be a 100 cc model."

While Bajaj Auto built its reputation selling scooters for the last few decades, it changed tracks to develop best-selling motorcycles later. Around that time, somewhere it lost its edge as a scooter-maker. Today Honda's Activa and TVS' Scooty Pep are among the best-selling scooters and though Bajaj tried hitting back with its Wave, it met with little success. Now, keen to regain its lost scooter market share, Bajaj has rolled out the all-new Kristal, the first model of a new range of scooters soon to arrive from the company.

A petite-looking, lady-friendly scooter with neat and friendly two-tone styling, the Kristal will also appeal to a wider audience. It has a modern front apron that leads into the scooter's angular and hawkish headlight nacelle. The speedometer cluster reads well and has a `smart-light' sensor that automatically illuminates dials when light conditions drop. A fuel gauge and low fuel warning light are standard and in a brilliant design effort, you can access the Kristal's fuel filler located below the handlebars without getting off the scooter. Full Story

This season the hottest thing on two wheels has three. Riders of a nervous disposition can opt for the latest offering from Italian scooter giant Piaggio: the MP3. On display at the London Motorcycle Show this week, it has two wheels at the front and one at the back and a special locking mechanism that stops it falling over when it's not moving.

For the moment in this country it's only on sale in London, explained Sean Stapleton of the Scooterden dealership. It will be launched in other cities later this year. Full Story

The Pune-based Kinetic Motor Co (KMCL) has lined up three launches this year with the first one hitting the market as early as April.

The first one to be rolled out will be the Euro brand of scooterrete, designed and developed by Italy-based Italjet. Euro is one of the seven models that the Kinetic group had bought from Italjet in 2004.

The Euro, powered by a 125-135 cc engine, will be priced higher than Honda Activa, Bajaj Wave and Hero Honda Pleasure, but will be cheaper than the company’s flagship and premium brand, the Blaze.

Sulaija Firodia Motwani, joint managing director, Kinetic Motors, said, "The Euro will be aimed at the luxury segment and will cater to familites and the executives alike. It will be a mix of class, comfort and power." Full Story

Final figures for new motorcycle and scooter registrations during 2006 have just been released, with 109,527 new bikes and scooters above 50cc registered - up just 1 per cent from 2005.

Two sectors showed the biggest rises in 2006, custom and sports-touring bikes, which suggests that the bike market is getting dependent on older riders.

Supersport bikes dropped by five per cent, and more worryingly, just five bikes, the CBR1000RR, the GSXR1000/600/750 and Yamaha YZF1000 R1 accounted for almost 10,000 sales, or about 40 per cent of the total Supersports sector. Full Story

WHERE THE HUGELY HYPED SEGWAY Human Transporter failed to catch on, Piaggio is hoping to succeed: luring commuters frustrated by climbing gas prices and gridlock to a vehicle that is friendlier to the environment, but easier to maneuver than a traditional two-wheeled scooter.

Piaggio's new offering is, in fact, a scooter--but one with two wheels in front instead of one. The wheels on Piaggio's tripod moped, called MP3, tilt in parallel tandem when the bike takes a turn or the rider leans to the side--so it takes a turn just like a two-wheeled bike. The 200cc bike tops out at around 75 miles per hour, and is highway legal. (See it in action on this video.) Full Story

Three-wheeled vehicles don't get the best press; just think Trotter Independent Trading's Reliant Regal van. But that could be about to change with the arrival of Piaggio's MP3, the bike that thinks it's a trike. Only instead of having the pair of wheels at the back, the Italians have chosen to double up at the front.

It's best not to take too close a look at what's there. Extra braking power there may be, but that doesn't negate the fact that, seen head on, the MP3 looks more like a moon buggy than a stylish accessory to city commuting

Once astride it, though, everything changes. Even though it is a mere 125cc machine (a 250cc engine is also available), I was taken aback by the feeling of riding a decent-sized bike. Never on the A2 have I felt less like the Susie-scooter filling in a truck sandwich. Full Story

India's second-biggest motorcycle maker, Bajaj Auto Ltd said on Tuesday that its quarterly net profit rose 24 per cent on increased sales.

Bajaj, which also makes scooters and dominates the market for three-wheeled motorised rickshaws, said net profit rose to Rs 345 crore ($78 million) in the fiscal third quarter to December 31, from Rs 279 crore reported a year earlier.

Bajaj Auto has launched a four-stroke 95cc un-geared scooter — Kristal — signaling its comeback into the scooter market. The ex-showroom price (Chennai) of Kristal is Rs. 35,417. Targeted at youngsters in the age group of 16-25, Kristal will come with the patented DTSi technology along with ExhausTec for a superior pick-up and mileage. The scooter will be available in red, black, blue and silver.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, S. Sridhar, Vice-President (Marketing and Sales), said Bajaj Auto was hoping to sell 10,000 Kristals a month within six months of its launch. Though the un-geared segment constituted only 10 per cent of the two-wheeler market, Bajaj Auto had chosen to enter this arena to `win over the youngsters.' Full Story

The figures for UK new motorcycle registrations during 2006 are in, and they show a mainly static new bike market across the British lsles.

109,527 new bikes and scooters above 50cc were registered last year, up just 1% from 2005. The sector which showed the highest rises were Custom bikes and Sports-Touring, which suggests that the bike market is getting dependent on older bikes - at least for new machine sales.

Supersport bikes dropped by 5%, ( possibly more than that if you subtract the 1700 unit sales of the CBR125 R, which the MCI list as a sportbike when it obviously is not )and more worryingly just five bikes, the CBR1000RR, the GSXR1000/600/750 and Yamaha YZF1000 R1 accounted for almost 10,000 sales - or about 40% of the total Supersports sector.

It can't be good that relatively few bikes dominate an entire sector - manufacturers and dealers get scared to offer genuinely new sportbike designs when the see very samey models mopping up most of the bulk sales.

Adventure Sports models fell by 9% last year, Trail/Enduro by 10% and Touring machines by 8%, but Roadsters and Scooters rose by 4% apiece. Small scooters and mopeds under 50cc stood at 23,550 units, down 5% year on year. Full Story

With a whopping seven million two=wheelers sold every year in India, the market is flooded with a variety of models. Evaulating and zeroing in on the ones that suit individual needs calls for expert guidance. Rishad Cooper with RACHNA TYAGI makes a shorelist of the best models from each segment. Full Story

Vespa seems to be the favorite transport vehicle in Italy. The Vespa is a line of motor scooters that was first manufactured in Pontedera, Italy in 1946 by Piaggio & Co, S.p.A

Piaggio continues to manufacture the Vespa today, although the Vespa was much more widely used in the 1950s and 60s, when it also became the adopted vehicle of choice for the UK youth-culture known as Mods. The classic Vespas had unibody chassis pressed from sheets of steel, with bodywork covering the legs for protection from rain and mud. The direct drive engine was covered completely by a steel cowling to appeal to a broader market of people, often turned off by the dirty/greasy stereotype often applied to motorcycles. Piaggio revolutionized the two-wheel industry with the Vespa and provided a model on which nearly every other scooter made since has been based.

Bajaj Auto on Monday reported a 26.35 percent growth in bike sales in December, including exports, at 1.87 lakh units against 1.48 lakh units in the same month last year.

The company reported a 21 percent increase in its total two wheeler sales at 187,179 units compare to 154,925 units in the year ago month, Bajaj Auto said in a statement. Bajaj Auto, which expects the tend to continue for some time, said it would launch a new hi-tech scooter, Bajaj Kristal DTS-i this month.