Love it!

Wonder why this didn't catch on???

Cool or Lame???

WHOA!!!

Is there anything Brangelina can't do?

Two years, ago Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie spent Thanksgiving in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam taking in the sights and enjoying some R&R. To get around, Pitt rented a Yamaha Nouvo scooter, with Jolie perched on the back. Of course, the paparazzi snapped away — and suddenly, free advertising for Yamaha turned into major sales.

“The image of the cool actor driving an automatic scooter changed consumers’ perceptions that previously associated the model with female drivers. Japanese renowned manufacturer Honda forayed into the market soon after, debuting a sporty-looking Air Blade model in April last year that domestic motorbike traders said was a breakthrough in design for automatic scooters. The Honda Air Blade enchanted consumers and the current available supplies of the model have yet to meet overwhelming public demand.”

Yamaha has since answered Honda’s introduction with a revamped Nouvo — but the race is on and other manufacturers like Piaggio and Kymco are adding to the competition.

Of course, high gas prices are probably a greater catalyst overall — but it’s pretty amazing what some celebrity photos will do for an entire market.

Pretty ...

Not what i was expecting when i clicked on "Playboy Scooter" ...

Pure Joy

Ah, the good old days ...

Marc Demoulin Photography

http://www.pbase.com/marcdemoulin

Does this make anyone else just slightly uncomfortable ?

Given the look on the rear guy's face, I'm pretty sure there is sex going on in this picture ... not that there's anything wrong with that ... haha!

Displaying the Airscoot, a motor scooter, which folds to fit under a kitchen sink. Date taken: September 1947 Photographer: Frank Scherschel

Nationwide Announces Holiday Contest for Riders

When the holiday spirit strikes do you include your motorcycle or scooter in the merriment? If so, Nationwide Insurance wants to know about it. Whether you've brought your favorite two-wheel ride inside and strung Grandma's favorite bubble lights on it, staged it right alongside ye olde mistletoe or participated in a holiday themed ride or parade, you can submit your pictures for the inaugural "Nationwide 'Tis the Season Contest." The top three submissions will each receive an insulated waterproof backpack and be announced the week of January 5. Submissions must be received by January 2, 2009, and will be judged on creativity by the motorcycle communications team at Nationwide. You can log on to view all "Nationwide 'Tis the Season Contest" entries at nationwideinsurancetistheseasonc.shutterfly.com/. Send your submission to bikes@nationwide.com. (Your email address will not be collected or shared).

Where's the Beef !?!?!

Federal Government Proposes 100% Tariff On European Motorcycles Under 500cc. U.S.T.R. Looks To Impose Huge Tax In Retaliation For Euro Refusal To Lift Imported American Beef Ban

In a move typical of current short-sighted federal government thinking, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative-the federal agency responsible for developing and recommending U.S. trade policy to the President-has proposed imposing a 100 percent tariff on all European motorcycles and scooters under 500cc engine displacement as part of a retaliation for the European Union's ongoing import ban on American beef from cattle that have been treated with growth hormones. EU officials haven't lifted the 20-year-old ban despite a World Trade organization order to end it, so the U.S. wants to impose $116.8 million in import duties to equal the amount of money it claims the U.S beef industry loses each year because of the ban.

U.S. trade officials are looking at a list of more than 100 European goods for the possible imposition of 100 percent import duties. Included on the hit list are motorcycles and scooters with engines displacing 51cc to 500cc, representing popular on- and off-highway machines from brands such as Aprilia, Beta, BMW, Fantic, Gas Gas, Husaberg, Husqvarna, KTM, Montesa, Piaggio, Scorpa, Sherco, TM and Vespa.

A cold dose of reality By VINCENT JACKSON

A little bit of cold weather doesn't keep Joe Bassetti from riding his motorcycle from his Vineland home to his job at the Showboat Casino-Hotel in Atlantic City.

Bassetti, 49, started using his 2007 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard instead of his 1997 Toyota pickup truck to travel to work in April 2007.

The switch saved him lots of money - gas prices were climbing and he was spending about $75 per week to commute.

But, the price was right when he rode the motorcycle - about $25 weekly.

The only two months he didn't ride it was January and February of this year, in the dead of winter. He has been riding his bike to work this month at a time when most people are turning up the heat in their cars.

"Naturally, I'm a little bit more beat up. It's more tiring to bike in the cold weather. I will go to bed earlier," said Bassetti, who is not only more tired at night, but he heads to bed earlier because he needs more time in the morning to get ready. "Immediately, I feel cold as soon as I leave the house."

With the rise in gas prices during the last two years, thousands of people have purchased scooters, mopeds and motorcycles to save money.

In this state, the number of yearly motorcycle registrations increased from 142,768 in September 2005 to 162,130 this past September, according to the Motor Vehicle Commission statistics.

But, when buying a two-wheel vehicle in the heat of the spring or summer, the cold and bad weather of winter may be far from the mind.

Several local motorcycle and scooters riders don't regret the purchase of their more fuel-efficient mode of transportation even though the cost of gas has dropped below $2 gallon for regular, but at some point, they plan to put their two-vehicles away for either all or some part of the winter.

Ben Petrovic, owner of Atlantic County Harley-Davidson of Galloway Township, estimates that 80 percent of riders stay off the roads in the late fall and winter.

But Bassetti is determined to ride as often as possible.

During this time of year, Bassetti makes adjustments to ride his motorcycle. It takes about five minutes longer to get ready in the mornings, and he is already rising at 4:30 a.m. to make it on time for his shift, which starts at 6 a.m.

The saddlebag on Bassetti's motorcycle holds his accessories. His helmet with a face shield has a liner in it for added warmth.

Bassetti has to make sure getting dressed to ride is last thing he does before leaves his home because his winter motorcycle apparel will make him sweat if he stays in the house too long, and then he will be even colder when he walks outside.

The bellman checks the Weather Channel before he falls a sleep at night. He checks it twice in the morning, once when out of the shower and again before he leaves his home. Even with the adjustments for cold-weather riding, Bassetti believes it was worth it to buy the motorcycle.

"I love motorcycling," said Bassetti, who dresses in layers in the fall as opposed to a heavy overcoat. "I'm hooked."

Petrovic said his store carries a full line of winter motorcycle apparel and cold weather riding gear. For winter apparel, he sells pants, gloves, jackets and shirts. For cold weather riding gear, there are devices that allow clothes and even the handle bar bags that cover the rider's hands to be heated from the bike's operation.

Similar to the polar bear club that jumps in the ocean at the start of the New Year because they love the ocean, there is a polar bear motorcycle-riding group. Last year, between 25 to 30 people came together to ride, Petrovic said. He knows people who don't own a car, only a motorcycle, but during the wintertime, that person need to hop a ride with a friend to travel to and from work or take public transportation if the weather is too bad, Petrovic said.

"Riding gear has become so sophisticated that the day of putting newspaper inside your leather jacket to keep the wind out is over," Petrovic said.

Despite the progress made in winter apparel and cold weather gear, some people don't like the cold. For them, the dropping temperatures of late fall or winter takes all the pleasure out of riding a two-wheeled vehicle, even for a short distance.

When the weather was warm, Michelle Carney-Ray of Egg Harbor Township, could be seen dressed in a suit as she rode her scooter to her job as assistant principal of the Fernwood Middle School.

Carney-Ray purchased her Piaggio BV500 in May. She's happy with the scooter, but she got a chilling dose of reality this fall.

"I didn't think I would be as cold as I was," said Carney-Ray, 37, who last rode her scooter two miles to school in November and added it will probably not come back out again until March. "I have no windshield."

Carney-Ray has an excuse for not anticipating how cold it could be riding in November. She says her husband, rides his motorcycle year round and that he "doesn't mind the cold as much as I do."

Betty Bentz of Fairton, Cumberland County, has a longer commute, which takes her home to working as a teacher at Veterans Memorial Intermediate School in Vineland. When riding in colder weather, Bentz, who rides with the Fire Base Nam Motorcycle Club, wears Under Armour cold gear on her upper half along with a sweatshirt and leather jacket. She also wears either stockings or Under Armour on her bottom half along with jeans and chaps.

Bentz's motorcycle ride from home to work takes between 20 and 30 minutes one way. She is probably done riding until the spring.

"Below 40 degrees, I don't ride. From being out when it gets colder, it's really tough," said Bentz, who purchased her Honda VTX1300R in January 2007. "It takes a long time to get warm when you get home."

2009 ScootMaryland Meet & Scoot

Make your plans now!!!

As I began this club in the middle of this past year it was kind of a play it by ear thing. For 2009 I think we can get things going by adding a little structure. To that end we'll declare an official riding season of April - October. So this means the first Meet and Scoot will be held at CVP Towson on Sunday April 12th at 4pm. Hope to see everyone there!

Please check out our Meetup.com page for more info and to RSVP.
www.Meetup.com/ScootMaryland

More rides to come, so become a member, and keep in touch!

And a special note to Jayne in Columbia. I'm set on making a Columbia ride happen this year and finally getting down there and meeting you guys. So get back to me with a ride route, and we'll make it happen!!!

one dollar!

Just a little happy note...

I took the scooter out for a little tune up just to shake the winter cobwebs off. I went and filled up the tank and paid only $1 to fill it!

Scooters may steal motorcycle show spotlight

The 28th annual International Motorcycle Show, rolling into the Long Beach Convention Center today, caters to the crowd that wants its bikes bigger, better and faster. But, in a nod to changing times, there's a new feature this year: a scooter pavilion.

The three-day event is putting a focus on riders who want to commute on two wheels -- new and returning riders who couldn't care less about the flash and power that have dominated the industry for the past decade.

The added pavilion corrals the growing number of scooters on the market, instead of leaving them scattered throughout the exhibit hall. And new riders also can get help at a more prominent welcome center that provides information about safety classes and local riding clubs.

2009 Vectrix Vx-1 Scooter Debuts

Vectrix Corporation (www.vectrix.com), the world leader in highway legal, all-electric, two-wheel Personal Electric Vehicles, today announced its 2009 Vx-1, a redesigned version of the Vectrix Personal Electric Vehicle with new graphics in four vibrant colors and a new line of accessories that make the Vx-1 accessible to a wider range of customers—particularly women.
Vectrix will unveil the 2009 Vx-1 at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show at Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, Calif., Dec. 5-7.

The 2009 Vx-1 will be available in dealerships by January 2009. The MSRP is $10,495.

“Vectrix appeals to men and women of all ages, and our new model and accessories make the Vx-1 available to more people who are looking for good clean fun,” said Mike Boyle, Vectrix CEO.

The Vx-1 will be available with new graphics in white/burgundy red, white/metallic silver, white/sapphire blue and white/acid green. The new 2009 accessories feature an optional seat that is significantly lower than the Vx-1 standard seat and shaped to give riders with a smaller frame the ability to place both feet on the ground at each stop.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Grauel!!!