Special delivery

Apparently, you can't pay people to stay home sometimes. Bernard dropped off a few of his vintage scoots to be worked on today... In the snow! He's a special guy, if you couldn't tell by the Volkswagen pickup that happens to match his ski jacket. The bikes he dropped in our laps are amazing! You should sneak in and take a look at them while they're here!

It runs in the family

Here's a snapshot Viravone's ma & pa sent her from Laos.

In time for the holidays!

I came into the shop this morning to find these gifts hanging off our clothes tree, err, rack. The very Classic Piaggio wing logo blazes across the chest of three colors: purple, red, and sky blue. I'll leave it to Rev-up to post more about these nice beauties. Expect more pics and stuff, or just come by the shop and pick up a few for this gift-taking.. err, giving season!

Weblog optimization

If you haven't visited the blog in a while, you may be surprised by the amount of visible changes. Thanks to Rev-up on getting the blog updated. However, in the fight to make the blog more usable, we made it slower as far as the loading times were concerned. I made a change yesterday that should fix this problem. If you feel its still too slow or have any other concerns, let us know.

Price increases?

Found on ModernVespa.com, it seems an estimated price list on the Vintage Series Vespas is available. Its not anything I have been able to confirm yet, but since we're in the Midwest, I'm sure it'll be a number of days before we here any news. More interesting though is the word that all prices on next years bikes go up a bit, so if you've been on the fence about doing the do, go ahead and do it now.

"The prices in the U.S. are as follows: GT60 $7299 GTV $6799 LXV $5199 Also, if you're considering buying a Vespa soon, there will be a slight price increase in January on the standard models. It won't affect the vintage models listed above. The LX 150 is increased [$100] The GT 200 is increased from [$100]. The GTS 250 is increased from [$200]... Buy before year end and beat the price increase."

Thanks again to Vespa Pomona for this information. Also worth noting is that the prices quoted by Pomona are before freight, setup, and processing charges.

GT60 available in the US?

According to Vespa Pomona, they're already expecting an order of GT60s for arrival next month in their showroom! If the West coast is already receiving the first of their vintage series Vespas, our can't be far behind. I'm not going to disclose as to how many we ordered (because I don't know), but I do know we weren't allowed to order too many (they're limited editions afterall), so if you want one... Or two, give us a ring or stop by and drop your name on the list.

Get it while it's hot!!

Actually, it may be too late for that.

If you've been putting off riding during the month of November because you were afraid you may get caught in some sort of random snow storm on your way home... Well, that may happen this week. In fact, it may happen as soon as tomorrow. Not to say you shouldn't ride, but the always changing mr Weather.com says we can expect rain, lots of cold temps, and possibly an litte sleet tomorrow night. The fickle mr Weather.com also said that same thing for THIS afternoon a few days ago, but he does have a reputation of flaking out to uphold...

Check the weather report for yourself here.

Dress accordingly :)

EICMA goodies

Looks like Piaggio recently launched a site devoted to the new vehicles being shown at this year's EICMA in Milan (Nov 14-19, 2006). The page has information on the Vespa S concept (dubbed LXS), MP3 400, Carnaby, and a slew of other models, concept and not-so concept.

Check it out and start daydreaming.

The new 50 Spesh

A more revealing pick of the up & coming LX Sport. We're uncertain when we'll get this stateside if we'll get it at all; it's not even on the market in Europe yet. Notice the sporty slopeback seat & trimmed fairings. Looks like there may be a performance shock hiding in there also. The headset & tail-light are modeled after the original Vespa 50 Special . Our boy Sooty's drooling over it.

New issue of Scoot just in

Scoot #38 featuring the latest stateside scooter news/reviews, scooter products & rally reports.

& speaking of Viravone getting busy w a Chicco...

Vespas in Taiwan

... or how to waste one's precious daylight saving hours on a lazy Sunday. I can't say what's exactly happening but it looks like more fun than Viravone on a Chicco ;)

Scooter Shop Soul Saturdays Sensation Special!!!

For those who are thinking of walking into the shop today, we're cruizin' to the tunes of Motown, Verve, and if we're lucky, maybe a little Sun. What that means to you is that whilst it may seem we're all busy working on print ads, databases, and our West Coast swing, we are still here to help you. The kicker is, if we are practicing our swing steps, you may become a guinea pig for a song or two. Think of it as exercise, a break from the weekend chores, or simply dues paid to the club that gives you so much fun.

Bring your dancing shoes!

Format changes

Rev-Up and I* decided that the current format of the blog needed a little tweaking. So, in order to make the blog a little easier to read, we took the post cap off and now you can read the ENTIRE WEBLOG IN ITS TYPEFACED GLORY!!!

Just take a look: You can now scroll down and read all the posts from the most current to the not-most current. Good stuff. We are working on some other things as well and, as it seems, are breaking things instead of fixing them, so some of the page may look funny at times, but I promise, we'll get it all worked out for you readers of the good word soon!



*Actually it was Rev-Up's idea. I just wanted to sound important!!

2007 Piaggio Preview

From 2Stroke Buzz:
Recently "in Rome, Piaggio brass presented their new 2007 vehicles to Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and other government dignitaries, in advance of the official unveiling at the Milan Salone della Moto in two weeks. The lineup featured ... the 60th-anniversary Vespa GTV, and two never-seen-before scooters. The press release still sheds no light on the Vespa S, but I’m sticking to my theory that it’s an LX50-based tribute to the Vespa 50 Special (Note the square headlight, front fender, and horncast cover). I guess Europeans are sentimental about the 50 Special (what with the Lunapop song and all)..."

More photos at motorbox

More info at Scooter Scoop

Thanks 2SB

Don'tcha wish your girlfriend...

As mentioned in an earlier post, we have one of the special Vintage Red Vespa GTS bikes in stock and on the showroom. The story behind the VR is that each dealership that recieved a bike, recieved exactly ONE. No more. The color was used on the earlier P200 bikes from the 70s. It's not as firey as the Rossi Red that we've all come to know, but a bit more laid back and matured.

We've had a lot of customers looking at the bike, and the picture doesn' t do it justice; it's a real charmer. Our Vespa Mechanicca, Jason, loves it. If you're interested, I'd come in before Jason gets smart and stops taking pictures on it and buys it for himself.

I just ran 'cross this production pic from Pontedera

Rev ;)

For those of you who don't recognize (SCOTTY!) I've searched out piccies of the original P series red whence "Vintage Red" is derived:

This one's from our friends at University Scooters in Texas.

Rev ;)

Everybody loves the sunshine

Two days of 70 degree weather...

IN NOVEMBER!!

Can't ask for a better excuse to ride than that, eh? Surprisingly, we've been seeing a lot of traffic at the shop. With the new Vespa and Nolan helmets and a limited color GTS in the shop, we've been generating a lot of buzz.

Get it? Vespa? Buzz?

Anyway, stop on in to see the schwag!

Road Runner

The December '06 issue of Road Runner Motorcycle Cruising and Touring (gasp! Also known as just Road Runner) magazine has some preeeety good reading in it. The mag, if you've never snuck a glance or two, deals with great roads, great bikes, and the adventures that are had when you combine the two. Although it has motorcycling in the title, there are plenty of scoots throughout most issues (and why not? They are the original urban tourers, eh?) This December issue even features a decked out Piaggio BV500 burning through the curves of Lexington, Virginia. It should be available at your favorite bookstore right about now.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Whatever you decide to do tonight, be safe and have fun!

Our newest helmet arrivals

Introducing Vespa Soft Touch & Copter helmets

Handmade in Italy

The Vespa Soft Touch helmet is a classic, light jet helmet. It is handmade, accented with textured leather, sewn directly on the shell with a special patented system. The transparent peak is a new and exclusive design. “Soft touch” refers to the name of the painting process, which provides a smooth and matte finish.

Available in four color combinations (matte color plus leather detail): black/black, dark gray/black, silver/red, light blue/light blue.

The Vespa Copter pays tribute to Piaggio's aeronautical history with an eye catching, stylish helmet. Utilizing the same stitch & paint technology as the Soft Touch line, the copter features a flip down visor. Available in two different shell dimensions for small sizes (up to M) and large sizes in order to ensure the best safety standards as well as the best comfort for the rider.

Available in four colors: white/navy, silver/black, silver/red, black/black.

The Vespa helmets feature shells made of a thermoplastic material (polycarbonate). Inside is high-quality hypoallergic Terinda fabric (Dupont patented). The helmet has the classic steel side ring to hook it on the vehicle.

Oh yeah

I was thinking I should apologize to you avid readers for not writing this morning, but then again, why should I apologize for it being FREAKIN' AWESOME outside?!

Thats right ladies and gentleman, if you're not already in the know, we get an entire weekend of great riding weather. Rumor has it that we may see some temps in the 70s tomorrow. The way the weather has been the last few weeks, 70 degrees may feel like 90, so that'll be interesting. A word of caution, however: Watch out for other drivers when the temps change like they are doing this weekend. Kansas Citians seem to forget their on-road ettiquette whenever the temps change, thus more accidents and silly fender benders caused by people driving with their eyes closed or singing Kelly Clarkson songs with the windows rolled down.

See you on the road!

How Google can keep you dry.

Obviously, its a little wet today in KC, but not as wet as I thought it was going to be.

If you're like me, you probably woke up (reluctantly) and looked out the window to see dark skies and rain. I saw this and immediately though, "darn, I have to take the car to work now." Most unfortunate. However, when I walked out to the garage, I noticed that it really was only a slight drizzle, and no where near what I figure is to be too cold to jump on the scoot.

Long story short, I almost suckered myself into driving the car to work. The Weather Channel.com says its supposed to be in the mid 50s all day today, and seriously, I'm quite used to the "colder" weather of fall, and whereas a month ago I would have frozen to death, nowadays 40 degrees or warmer is like summer-heat on the bike. So, for those who did ride, call your non-riding friends who might have suckered themselves out of a enjoyable trip to work and... Give em grief :)

I think, because of KC's history of being really weather-awkward, I will start posting the next day's riding weather forecast. So, if you're at work, and want to have an idea if you can ride the next day and plan accordingly, at least you'll know what to expect. Of course, if I start doing this, I don't want to be blamed as the guy who keeps getting the weather wrong; I have no dreams of being a meteorologist.

Also, if you want to check the weather yourself, but happen to be away from a PC or TV, you can use your cellphone. Google SMS is a genius way to find info on anything via TXT Messaging! Its been around for a little bit, but nowadays its really, really easy to use! Just type in weather and then your zipcode. Send the txt msg to GOOGL or 46645 and wait a few seconds. For instance, right now, GOOGL SMS says:

Weather:
Overland Park, KS
56F, Overcast
Wind: E 5mph
Hum:97%
Th:43-56F, Chance
of Rain
F:38-56F, Chance of
Rain
Sa:41-63F, Mostly
Sunny


An entire 3-day forcast in the palm of your hand. Check out that site for more info, such as how to find the closest Chinese food joint or movie times. Its GENIUS!

11:18AM
Edit: Upon reading this post later, it occured to me that it looks like an advert for the Google SMS. This wasn't and advert, I just happen to really like using the SMS for stuff so I thought I'd share. Comes in handy when you're on the bike and in the middle of no where. Anyway, stay dry!
-Keef

Rain and Movies

Moto ame.
Or..
Piu pioggia.

Whether in Japanese or Italian, 'more rain' is not the type of weather that us riders enjoy. Especially when it's cold outside.

The wet doesn't stop the die-hards from donning their rain gear and riding anyway, and for those of you out there be careful and ride with some distance between the cagers, err.. cars. For the rest of us this Saturday, we're left with other options to keep us light and carefree. Movies anyone?

If you're going to out and see a movie, Chris and Vera give Infamous two thumbs up. Personally, I was a big fan of Capote, but I do plan on hitting the cinema sometime soon and giving it a taste. The other flick on my must see list is The Prestige. If you'd like to share a movie review, send and email my way.

If you're going to stay home and watch a movie, my favorites on a rainy day include Bullit, Faster, and Long Way Round. All are motorhead flicks, but the latter two are documentaries. Steve Mcqueen and the sinister blank-grilled mustang in Bullit should need no introduction, but if you're looking for one, just go out and buy it. Its an exciting classic! Another classic great, the original Italian Job , ranks up there along with Bullit as one of my favorite classic car films. Very funny, very well shot, and very much worth its price in popcorn and black tea.

Of course, I couldn't write about movies and not mention Quadrophenia. I haven't seen this scooter Mod-inspiring flick but Christopher owns a copy. He says its the "best thing since body augmentation," so go out there and find it!


Enjoy your day, dry or wet!
-Keef

Paperbound shwag

UPS was nice to us today.. Unless you're a firm believer in printing on post-consumer waste paper only. One step at a time I guess.

We have a few new brochures available for ya: Pirelli Tires, Vespa Limited Collection, and the latest Scooter World issue. If you want any of of these fine printed, and free, items, stop by the shop.

-Keef

Scooter Theives... Not really

Heh, this is funny stuff!

Apparently some smart guy thought it would be wise to try and steal a scooter from a police station. A station that has a locked gate that can only be opened via remote control. And has cameras throughout. Read it, its great!


via DML