GTS 300 review ala Los Angeles

Above picture gleaned from the LA Times Up to Speed blog.

The LA Times moto blog has a review up of the Vespa GTS 300. Here's a quote:
""Fast" isn’t the first adjective I’d use for a Vespa. Classic? Of course. Adorable? Truly. But with its new GTS 300 Super, Vespa has come up with a bike that doubles as a can of whoop ass. "

After riding the machine myself, I'd have to agree! It is a torquey beast! You can read more about the GTS 300 review, here.

First Friday alert!

Lifted from the Madtoto.com forums:

"The infamous Slimm will be showing his amazing photography at First Fridays on April 3rd at Midwestern Music (behind Grinders & Crossroads, corner of 19th and Locust, 1830 Locust).Also that night, another local photographer,Angela Lupton ,will be showing her work and the Gaslights will be providing musical entertainment. www.thegaslights.comWould love to see some scooters down there. I'm not quite up and running yet, but hope to be soon thanks to the wonderful Crusader Tom and the rest of the bunch. You can also get a second dose of the Gaslights and more artwork on Saturday when my friend Jenni "Mac" McSpadden is exhibiting her artwork at the Brick and the Gaslights are playing at the Czar Bar.My PSA for the day!"

First Fridays is always an interesting time and the above will probably be no different. A little art, a little drink, and a few scooters always makes for a fun start to the weekend.

For the original post, check here. For more on First Fridays, click here.

New Scoots arriving and SOON!

Currently scheduled for April the 8th, we have the following candies arriving to satisfy your sweet-tooth:

• BV250 BLUE
• BV500 BLACK
• FLY150 GREY
• FLY150 WHITE
• FLY50 BLUE
• FLY50 WHITE
• GTS300 WHITE
• GTS300 BLACK
• GTV250 GREEN
• LX150 BLACK
• LX150 SIENNA
• MP3500 BLACK
• S 150 BLACK
• S 150 ORANGE
• S 50 WHITE

Mmmm, molto gustosa!

I'm pretty excited to finally get my mitts on a GTS 300 Super. The white one will be setup for Demo riding as well as the Demon Black MP3 500 and the blue BV250 Tourer. I'm really excited about the Vespa S 50, unfortunately, we won't have one for demoing. If you're not familar with that machine, it has a 4-valve 50cc motor which is supposed to be the fastest 50cc ever made!

Looking at the above list, it's obvious that we have a lot of bikes arriving at once. Piaggio was supposed to send us the bikes in two shipments: one in Feb and one this month. I guess late is better than never! However, with that many bikes arriving, I'm going to ask for your help in spreading the word that the new inventory is finally here at Vespa of Kansas City. Yeah, I'm not too proud to beg! Tell all your jealous non-Vespa riding friends! Tell your family members! Heck, look in the mirror and tell yourself: There's scoots a plenty!

MP3 Hybrid Price and Date

This is considered "file under rumorsville until I read the official press release from Piaggio, but Engadget.com posted it up, so I can post it here.

141MPG, regenerative braking, yadda yadda. Click here for the post.

Munich custom scooter show 2009

Photo via S.I.P. website.

Feb 7th was the Munich custom show! The last time the show was held there were over 1500 enthusiasts in attendance to check out all the performance, protection and bling pieces for their scoots. That and to party! This year was supposedly just as successful.

S.I.P. has a video up on their website that you check out.

If you rather look at photos, check out pics on Flickr.

Gas Saver

Upon reading the title, you may think I'm talking about your scooter, but I'm actually talking about THIS.

It's pretty much a gas card from Shell that doesn't require a credit app, fees, yada yada and it will (until May) save you five cents on every gallon you spend. After the intro period you start saving two cents. May not be much, but savings are savings.

Of course, actual credit cards like the AMEX Blue or AAA Visa will save you five percent on fuel, but for those of us who don't want to open up a new credit account just to save on gas we're already buying, I find it to be a nice offer.

The Economic Stimulus Bill

Aparently, the good ole folks at the AMA have succeeded in getting a motorcycle provision added in the new economic stimulus bill! What this means to you is that if you're looking to buy a new scoot this year, the tax of said scoot will be tax deductible! And it's a deduction off the top line!!!

For example:

You've been wanting that MP3 500 since you first laid your jealous eyes on it.

MP3 500 ie = $8899
Tax = 7.525% or $669.65

Amount you can deduct off the top of your 2009 tax return...
$669.65.

I know its redundant, but I figured it'd be easier to read that way. Anway, it's awesome news if you're looking for a new scoot or wanting to trade-up! Spread the word!

Japanese Customs

You obviously see and read a lot about Vespas here at the Vespa KC Scooter Blog, but occassionaly we find some pretty funny/interesting/scary scooter content that is not-so-Vespa. This site has been around as well as the scooters showcased in it, but 2strokebuzz.com recently posted about it and brought it back to my attention. So, for those who aren't in the know... Allow us to enlighten you on what degree of customization a scooter can see in the land of the rising sun.

This weekend is gonna be a scorcher!

Today and tomorrow should bring some relief from this long cold spell we call Winter! In the 70s today and super warm tomorrow, you might as well admit to everyone that you're gonna call-in sick to go scooter riding.

Here are just two of many things to do this weekend:

FIRST FRIDAYS. Its First Fridays in the Crossroads and it's actually warm! Lots of gallery openings and things to do! Conquer the cabin fever and get out for a change. Local scoot rider and photog awesome Patrick Adams is going to be at Eljay's Coffee House (River Market District) for the opening of J. Meirottos photo show. Check out Adams' site for more.


SCION OPEN rail jam. Tomorrow at the Kansas City Power and Light LIVE venue, Scion is hosting an open snowboard rail jam! Yeah, in the middle of downtown! It's gonna be pretty crazy with with 68 tons of snow being dumped on a 1 and 1/2 story tall hill with 107 foot long rails reaching from the LIVE catwalk down to the stage! People in the know are saying that this is the biggest snowboard event to happen in the Midwest (definitely in Kansas City), and if you're looking to get your X-games fix in for this year, you may not find anything better! More info here.

New Pre-Spring fianancing lovelies!

Piaggio and Vespa are offering everyone some special treats before the big Spring scooter season starts off this year with a 6 month NO/NO/NO promotion. If you're looking to purchase a new scoot before everyone else starts making them a rarity, you can get one financed interest free, payment free, and with no money down! This promo ends when the month does the same, so come in and trade-up this year! Or, add another funbox to your fleet of fabo- fashonistas.

Click this link for more info!

Piaggio Site update

Earlier, the Vespausa.com website got a fresh new facelift and just recently, Piaggiousa.com recieved similar treatment. Check them out if haven't yet and experience the fresh!

The weather tomorrow...

...is gonna be rockin'! We fully expect to see you on the roads! No ifs, no buts!

Be safe!

And yeah, the above picture of Heroes star Hayden P. has nothing to do with this post other than she's a super cute girl on a super Vespa. Hey, it grabbed your attention didn't it?

Vespa + ADIDAS

Get yours now before they run out! Nuff Said.

New York IMS = GTS 300

During the New York leg of the International Motorcycle Show, Piaggio is officially unveiling the Vespa GTS 300! It's not as if Vespa fans didn't know about this months and months ago, but it wasn't an official scoot. Still isn't, that is until the 16th!

According to Piaggio, the GTS300 is the "Fastest Vespa Ever" and a couple of publications out of the UK agree. We'll let you know after ours arrive in the showroom next month!

Clarkson.. On a scooter.. AGAIN!

I just found this on 2strokebuzz.com:

"Top Gear tours Vietnam on scooters, 1000 miles in 8 days"

If you recall our earlier post about Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, he's pretty resistant to scooters, so this link to the episode is guaranteed to be interesting! This challenge starts off with Clarkson, the Hamster, and that other guy getting $50 million each to buy a set of wheels. Now, it's $50 million in Vietnam's currency, which they soon realize, doesn't exactly get you much! Click on the above link for the FULL episode!


Added note:
I'm watching this right now, and there are scooters EVERYWHERE!!!

Jimmy's Scoot sells for Muchos Dineros

Jimmy Cooper's famous Lambretta Li from the movie Quadrophenia was on auction recently and the winning bid? 35,000 pounds! That's $51016 in U.S. smackers! While it is a lot of money for a scoot, some would argue that the Lambretta itself is priceless.

You can read the story for yourself, here.

The image of Jimmy's scoot getting hit by a post truck was lifted from quadrophenia.net

Free Extended Warranties

Piaggio is once again extending the Free Extended Warranty offer for all new 2007, 2008 and 2009 Vespa and Piaggio scooters purchased in the now. The offer originally started and ended in November, then was extended into the chilly month of December. Now, it's January's turn to share in the goodness.



This promotion isn't listed on the VespaUSA.com site as of yet, but believe me, it's valid! Call the shop or buy a scooter for more details!

GTV 250 review: 4 out of 5 stars

In Feburary's Motor Cyclist magazine, there's a (very funny) review of a Vespa GTV 250 (see page 44). Michelle Sylvester, the author, apparently bought the scooter after years of riding as a pillion on other's bikes, and despite the horrors of getting pooped on by random birds, loves it.

Check out the Feburary Issue, on stands now.

New Vespa USA site!

Looks like the USA arm of Vespa and Piaggio finally recieved the web-overhaul that the UK and Italy sites recieved last year!

It's pretty nice. It's attractive, has a rolling ticker of Vespa News, has a community link and you no longer have to click five times to find a price!

Welcome to the modern! Click here to experience the site yourself!

New scooters

To go with the news of the free extended warranty, we just recieved six new scooters! They're still crated, so sorry.. No pictures.

The potential holiday presents are:

• piaggio fly 150 in excalibur grey
• piaggio fly 150 in optic white
• vespa gts 250 in cortina grey
• vespa gts 250 in midnight blue
• vespa lx150 in cortina grey
• vespa lx 150 in dragon red

Get 'em while they're hot!

Vespa Warranty Extension

Great news for you folks out there who are on the fence about buying a new Vespa scooter before the year's end!

Piaggio is offering a free extended warranty through the month of December. And folks, that's regardless of whatever scooter you purchase. Be it an LX50, a Fly or even an MP3 500, you're covered for three years! Nice stuff!

I'd give you a link to follow, but it really is as simple as it sounds. So, help yourself, help the economy and take advantage of the special! Buy more stuff!

Vespa scooters, adidas, and pop

Sometimes when you're doing something, such as watching TV or a movie, and you see a scooter - even if for a brief second - you get this super warm feeling of "awesome" inside.

Well, the new ADIDAS originals commercial has a good two seconds of "awesome" in it. It's an ad for the new clothing line that is more casual-retro centered versus it's sport wear catalogues. The commercial also features a ton of pop and hip hop stars/legends in it such as Russel Simmons, DMC, N.E.R.D, Katy Perry, Estelle and of course, athletes like David Beckham and more.

You've may have seen the commercial before, but if you're out and about on the net to share it with friends, it's the 60-second version that you want if you're looking for Vespa scooter goodness! You can follow a direct YouTube link by clicking here. And for those who are inquiring about the music, it's the Pilooski edit of Frankie Valli's "Beggin". That video is here.

This, of course, isn't the first commercial by ADIDAS to feature scooters...

HyS on Engadget

Browsing through one of my favorite blogs today, Engadget, to find that Piaggio had made an "official" claim to the upcoming hybrid HyS engine MPG estimates...

You ready?

141MPG.

Yeah... I said the same dang thing.

For more of the same info that's already been posted here (the actual MPG being the exception), follow the link for the story.

Vespa... Sidecar?

Sorry for the teaser title folks, but given that the info in regards to that title is pretty much teaser stuff, you'll have to forgive me for the following is all I'm working with:

BEHOLD!

Teaser pic for the teaser post about a prototype Vespa sidecar that Piaggio unvieled this week at the EICMA. Amongst other things in the works for next year, Piaggio used the opportunity to show some neat design work with this "prototype" of an actual Piaggio side-car. If I remember correctly, the last Piaggio sidecar to grace a Vespa was way back in the mid seventies, so this is actually kind of neat. Really neat actually.

The EICMA show goes on till the 9th, so expect more cool stuff. If you want to follow it daily, check out the official website, or keep checking back here for more Piaggio and Vespa related goodness!

New stuff for the Blog!

Looking at the blog's traffic, it seems that there are a lot of you who read on the regular, but you have no idea when new info is going to appear. Well, this morning, I took a couple of steps to make it a little easier to find out when the new deliciousness appears on your fav KC scooter blog!

Take a look at the sidebar to the left and you'll see a couple of new things:

• A reader's block
• A blog subscription block

The reader's block isn't anything like writer's block. No, instead, this handy tool will allow you to set yourself as a "reader" and then see who else also reads the blog! Nice stuff. It'll also help me fine tune this web-based machine to my reader's interests since I won't be running blind anymore.

The subscription block is just that: Want to be updated when the new stuff appears, just subscribe. Really easy!