Targa Twin launch

Readers may remember that at the beginning of 2007 Scootering revealed details of the Lambretta Targa Twin engine concept that Italian Tino Saachi was behind. Well, at a recent parts fair just outside Milan Tino launched the engine for the general public, complete with a running version of it in a scooter for all to see and hear.
The engine was actually in the UK prior to the launch, scooter tuner and racer Charlie Edmonds working on its development for Tino. The scooter shown in Italy was actually one of Charlie’s. It has undergone numerous road tests (check out the videos online at YouTube) and we understand it is 99 per cent ready. Watch this space because as soon as the final tweaks have been completed Scootering magazine will be taking it for an exclusive test ride!

Wallplanner

Have you found it yet? Among these pages (Well, among the magazine pages!) somewhere should be your free pull-out wallplanner for 2009. A massive A2 in size it features the major scooter dates for the new year along with plenty of space for you to add your own important events. If you haven’t found the wall planner yet, our guess is that’s fallen out so first of all retrace your steps back to the newsagents! (And for you web-readers - you can buy a copy of Scootering January edition, with the wallplanner, secure online - post free.)

Recommended Listening - CD Review

IN December 2008's issue of Scootering we reviewed a 4 CD set titled A Complete Introduction to Northern Soul, stating how good it was and all for under £20. Well it turns out that the press release we received had the wrong price on it and that was in fact the trade price.
Please therefore don't go bending the ear of your friendly local record dealer (like Reggae Got Soul who pointed it out to us) but instead it is Universal Music who are to blame.

BLUR CONFIRM LONDON SHOW IN HYDE PARK

On 3 July 2009 Graham Coxon will join Alex James, Dave Rowntree and Damon
Albarn onstage for this first time since their Royal Festival Hall
performance in 2000 and perform live as Blur.

Tickets went on sale at 9am on Friday 12th December 2008 and are limited to six per person. For more information please visit www.Blur.co.uk

UPDATE: JULY 2ND DATE ADDED Due to massive demand the Friday 3rd July has SOLD OUT but don't be disappointed. A new date, Thursday 2nd July has been added!

The Special Reform - 2009 Tour

Here follows a press release from The Specials' management:

"...We are proud to announce that 2009 will see the live return of Coventry’s finest, The Specials.
One of the most important bands in the history of popular music and recognised as one of the greatest live bands the world has ever seen have been the subject of continuous rumours and demands for their reformation since their split in 1981.

"It would be impossible to overstate the importance of The Specials to the UK music scene. Despite a brief career, the Coventry band lit up the late 70’s like a comet, their melding of punk and ska creating the 2-tone sound that is still today is held up as an influence by bands across the world. Now, thirty years since the release of their debut single, ‘Gangsters’, The Specials will take to the road for a UK tour starting in April.

"Over two studio albums, The Specials scored eight top ten singles, including two number ones for the ‘Too Much Too Young’ live EP and the era defining ‘Ghost Town’, two Top 5 albums and spawned a retrospective list of compilation and live albums from official releases to much sought after bootlegs. The band were rightly regarded as the starting point of the ska scene that swept the UK through 1978 and, in many ways, were emblematic of their times, their songs dealing with the confusion of a country in industrial decline whilst struggling to come to terms with multi-culturalism and a new creed which became known as Thatcherism. Their re-emergence into a Britain teetering on the edge of recession and still plagued by the same divisions and problems that they so memorably highlighted in ‘Ghost Town’ could not seem more apt, the songs from ‘The Specials’ and ‘More Specials’ seeming as relevant today as they did 30 years ago.
“nothing ever change” Do Nothing – The Specials "

Live in 2009
22 April NEWCASTLE, Academy 0844 477 2000 *
23 April SHEFFIELD, Academy 0844 477 2000 *
25 April BIRMINGHAM, Academy 0844 477 2000 **
26 April BIRMINGHAM, Academy 0844 477 2000
28 April GLASGOW, Academy 08444 999 990
3 May MANCHESTER, Apollo 08444 777 677
6 May LONDON, Brixton Academy 0844 477 2000
7 May LONDON, Brixton Academy 0844 477 2000
Tickets go on sale 9am Thursday 11th December priced £32.50 in advance except London £35. "

We at Scootering understand a 'special' home town show in Coventry will also be announced soon. We also understand that founder member Jerry Dammers is not currently in the line up, although the relationship between all members is said to be strong and that "the door remains open to him."

2009 Scootering Calendar sells out.

Sorry all - we've sold OUT of the 2009 Scootering Calendar, but you can grab a copy from Amazon.co.uk: Scootering 2009 Calendar (Ambassador)

Lambretta Innovation Certificates of Originality

Due to production figures nearing the magic 100 mark, Lambretta Innovation are requesting that all owners of any frame or auto or motorcycle-engined scooter built by them get in touch so that they can fill in the gaps in their production records and an official owners database can be established. Once the database is established, certificates will be issued to all owners that will give each scooter an individual production number relative to its date of manufacture. Once the 100 produced milestone is attained and documented recognition by the ACU can be granted so that Lambretta Innovation scooters can be recognised as a British made product in their own right.

Information can be passed on by owners by contacting Frank either by telephone at the workshop on 01772 721714 or by email either through the website www.lambrettainnovation.co.uk or directly at lambrettainnovation@yahoo.co.uk 

Protest against motorcycle parking fees

The campaign is gathering momentum and the word is being spread; scooters and motorbikes don't cause congestion, they're part of the solution. Charging for parking in Westminster is another tax that should be opposed and riders in London are doing just that.

A series of protests have and are still being organised in the capital on various dates and others from around the UK are encouraged to lend support because the feeling is that if Westminster Council continue to charge to park in bays then surely others will follow. For more info, leaflets, petitions and forums visit www.notobikeparkingfees.com

Bike access to bus lanes

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is delighted by London Mayor Boris Johnson’s announcement that motorcycles are to be allowed to use bus lanes.

“This is great news after years of campaigning on this issue by MAG,” said MAG president and London resident Ian Mutch. He added. “I appreciate that some cycle bodies are concerned by this move but as a cyclist myself I am convinced that there will be no problem. It is far easier for a motorcyclist to give a cyclist room than it is for a taxi driver for example and when all bus lanes are open to motorcycles the situation will be clearer for everyone.”

Giorgio Bettinelli – RIP

Legendary Vespa traveller Giorgio Bettinelli died in China from a sudden illness on 16 September 2008 at the age of 53. He had lived there for four years, on the banks of the Mekong, with his wife Yapei.

Giorgio got his first Vespa in 1992 aged 37. Living in a village in Indonesia, a friend gave him an old Vespa which he promptly rode through the country. Upon returning to Italy he continued his Vespa adventures on a grander scale and it’s probably easier to list the countries where Bettinelli didn’t travel, rather than where he did.

Travelling upon a simple Vespa PX, with his guitar and backpack, Bettinelli did things that many of us dream of but never achieve in our lives. Surprisingly, he had little mechanical knowledge. When asked what he did if the Vespa ever broke down, he replied “You wait. Someone comes, someone helps. A car, a truck, a camel. An hour, a day. Someone comes, someone helps."

In his time Bettinelli made trips from Rome to Saigon (six months and 24,000km), Alaska to Patagonia (nine months and 36,000km), Melbourne to Cape Town (one year and 52,000km), Chile to Tasmania (three years, eight months and 144,000km).
He has written books about his trips, but unfortunately they are only available in Italian like ‘Brum, Brum; 254,000km on a Vespa’ in which he recalls his experiences riding through five continents.

It wasn’t until his later travels that he got some assistance from Piaggio, realising that such feats of endurance really did prove how reliable the Vespa PX was. That’s when I had the pleasure of meeting Giorgio for the first time, at one of the motorcycle shows in Milan. Approachable and friendly, he was happy to talk in his limited English (far better than my miniscule Italian) and promising that one day he’d have more earrings that I did!

In 2006, after settling in China, Bettenelli set off on his last trip on a Vespa GT around China which took 18 months and covered 39,000km. Speaking to people at Piaggio recently, I understand they are planning a tribute to him in their museum at the factory in Pontedera.

Giorgio Bettinelli – an inspiration to us all when it comes to sitting in the saddle and riding your scooter somewhere interesting.
www.giorgiobettinellifansclub.it

Rare accessories unearthed

Italian based restoration specialists, Rimini Lambretta Centre, have recently cleared out not one, but two old dealers. The lion's share of the material they've uncovered is dozens of original chrome accessories, something they are specialised in as their website testifies. They've let us know that among others, they have forkboot covers, horncover embellishers, sidepanel flashes and trims, comet flashes, shell embellishers and central in line wheel carriers... the list is endless! If original chrome accessories are your bag, then have a look at their website www.riminilambrettacentre.com or give them a call on 0039 0541 947492.

Most expensive Lambretta LI in the world?

Today (25 November 2008) at Bonhams in London the Lambretta Li Series ridden by 'Jimmy' (actor Phil Daniels) in the film Quadrophenia was sold at auction. Our spies in the auction room reveal the winning bid that secured the famous scooter was a whopping £30,000, to which purchase fees and tax (STC) have to be added.
Unless anyone knows different, we at Scootering believe it to be the most highly priced Series 3 Lambretta Li in the world to date. More details to follow...

Scooters Wanted for Chocolate Advert

We've just been contacted by a marketing company involved with an advertising campaign for Cadbury's Wispa bar. The theme of the campaign to celebrate its relaunch is called "For The Love Of Wispa" where people pledge themselves or items to appear in the advert which will appear nationally. Amongst other things, they are looking for people with vintage and 'mod' scooters who would like to appear in the ad with their prized possessions.

If you are interested then visit the related website http://www.fortheloveofwispa.com/ for details where you can pledge yourselves and your scooters for the advert, whether as an individual or a whole scooter club.

We'd also suggest you look at the 'terms & conditions' page too before signing up to make sure you are satisfied with the 'small print'.

Lambretta Innovation hubs

For those who haven’t seen this on the Scootering website yet or been contacted directly by Lambretta Innovation, below is a statement from them regarding a batch of bearings used briefly by them.

“If anyone who has purchased any Lambretta Innovation/PM Tuning billet hubs since December 07 would like to ring Frank at the Lambretta Innovation workshop he will send them out new SKF hub bearings free of charge. This is due to premature bearing wear being reported by some customers on a very small number of hubs. The bearings in question have been identified as part of a batch purchased from a reputable trade supplier we started using in December 2007. We will not be obtaining bearings from that source in the future. For further information call 01772 721714.”

Oasis Announce UK Stadium Tour for Summer 2009

OASIS will undertake their biggest ever tour of open air venues in the UK and Ireland next summer. It includes two dates at the iconic new Wembley Stadium as well as the promised homecoming shows over two nights in Manchester's Heaton Park and their first headline performance at Ireland's Slane Castle. The full details of the stadium tour are below: 

Saturday 06 June 2009 MANCHESTER, Heaton Park
Sunday 07 June 2009 MANCHESTER, Heaton Park
Wednesday 10 June 2009 SUNDERLAND, Stadium of Light
Friday 12 June 2009 CARDIFF, Millennium Stadium
Wednesday 17 June 2009 EDINBURGH, Murrayfield
Saturday 20 June 2009 DUBLIN, Slane Castle
Saturday 11 July 2009 LONDON, Wembley Stadium
Sunday 12 July 2009 LONDON, Wembley Stadium

Oasis will be joined on all the UK dates by special guests Kasabian and The Enemy.

Tickets for all shows will go on sale Friday the 24th October at 10.00am through Oasisinet, the Oasis  24-hr hotline, 0844 412 4638 and all usual ticket outlets.

Victims of Theft & Fraud

A new website has been launched for owners of motorcycles and scooters who are unlucky enough to have found themselves victims of theft and/or fraud.

www.motorbikecrime.com was created by the insurance industrys claims expert Phil Swift and Dr Ken German, the motor cycle industrys bike theft specialist as a what can we do now? helpline for the motorcycle and scooter owner.

The new helpline is aimed at owners who have had their machines stolen or taken by means of fraud. It also gives help and advice to those who have purchased motorcycles and scooters that are already on finance, as well as those declared as a Total loss.

Owners who have found their wheels have been clocked or cant understand why their insurance company is not paying out for their theft claim will also find the site useful. Stolen registration documents (V5s) are also listed should any worried owner think they may have been given one with their recently acquired machine.

For Sale - Jimmy's Scooter

Listed as 1967 Lambretta Li 150 as ridden by Phil Daniels in the 1979 film Quadrophenia this rather well known scooter it for sale by auction and the estimate is (wait for it), £20,000 to £25,000 (gasp!).

Tuesday 25 November at 2pm is an Entertainment Auction at Bonhams in Londons Knightsbridge (viewing from Sunday) where youll find this piece of cinematic history for sale amongst film posters, rock stars guitars etc. The last known owner was Kev Percival (former owner of Allstyles Scooters) and for a bit of history about this Lambretta since it's onscreen career, check out Scootering issue 116 (June 1995). For an auction catalogue call 01666 502200 or visit www.bonhams.com

The dl Book

Those who enjoyed the thorough article the other month by Laurent about the minor details regarding the Lambretta dl/ GP scooter, may be interested to learn that hes knowledgable about such things due to research he is conducting for a book about the dl/GP Lambretta. So if you worked for Innocenti or Lambretta Concessionaires, raced a GP or sold them as a dealer, were one of the first customers, or have anything to offer Laurent for his book as a scooterboy from the 70s or 80s, then please send him an email to dlgpbook@gmail.com

LI/ PM billet hubs - Please note:

Statement from Frank at Lambretta Innovation:

"If anyone who has purchased any Lambretta Innovation / PM tuning billet hubs since Dec 07 would like to ring Frank at the Lambretta Innovation workshop he will send them out new SKF hub bearings FOC (free of charge).
This is due to premature bearing wear being reported by some customers on a very small number of hubs . The bearings in question have been identified as part of a batch purchased from a reputable trade supplier we started using in Dec 2007. We will not be obtaining bearings from that source in the future."
Link: www.lambretta.innovation.co.uk

The end of the Vespa PX

As regular Scootering readers will know, we announced the demise of the Vespa PX range due to EU regulations on emissions back in 2007 and confirmed that the last PXs were produced in Italy during the Autumn of 2007 (MSC purchased as many as they could).
The BBC recently contacted me (Andy) as Scootering's editor, asking for a comment about this, the journalist himself owning a PX Vespa. That was just before the IoW rally in August. Over the Bank Holiday weekend, bored hacks from the UK's finest (or worst!) tabloids found this story, 'borrowed' part of what I told the BBC and rewrote the story using blatant inaccuracies suggesting that Sting rode a PX in Quadrophenia and that the EU banned the PX because it had gears and that automatic scooters are only to be made from now on.

I'd like to state now that Scootering has NOT spoken to the 'red tops' (IE Sun, Mirror, Star, Daily Record, Telegraph, UK News, Northampton Chronicle, Thaindian News, South Asian News, Motozine (Russia), Amongst others!!!) regarding these articles and has never heard of those people credited with writing the fiction that millions of gullible Brits presumably absorb and believe on a daily basis. Since the BBC interview The Independent have been in touch for a comment, which we've given. As have numerous radio stations but they usually email us at 8am asking for an interview within half an hour so they can take a running jump!
Andy

Ltd Edition Vespa

There are apparently only 200 of these Vespa Zafferano scooters being produced – they’ll be numbered as well by all accounts – and you can choose between either a 125cc (£2799) or 50cc (£2099) version of these uniquely coloured scooters. Based on the funky Vespa S, the panel stripes are also part of the package. Visit www.vespa.com or your local dealer for info.

The Art of Scooters out now!

Taking up a lot of my time this year has been the researching and writing of this ‘bookazine’ called the Art of Scooters that is due to be published in the UK on 28 August.

The subject of custom scooters from days gone by is often raised by readers and indeed is the subject of many a pub conversation at rallies. Was Spirit Walker really that breathtaking? Would Wake still win trophies today? Was Headhunter Mk1 or Mk2 the best? Is there such a thing as a decent Vespa chopper? What was the best street racer built?

Well hopefully, among the 132 pages here you will find some answers. You will also find over 140 custom scooters from around the UK as well as Europe, mainly drawn from the Scootering archives that began in 1985 and continue up to the present day. Sadly, a number of images have been lost, damaged or stolen over the years, so there’s a number of scooters we couldn’t include (Exile and a complete Dazzle for example), but nevertheless there are plenty to keep you gawping for days! We even take a look back at custom scooters from the 50s, 60s and 70s too.

So whether your thing be radical chops, engine transplants, accessorised Mod style scooters, fully muralled Lambrettas or classic P-range Vespas, they’re all in here and more.

Priced at £6.99, The Art of Scooters will be available from most branches of WH Smith. You can also buy a copy at the Isle of Wight Rally from Max Badges (and possibly other dealers) at the Smallbrook Stadium campsite, from various scooter dealers around the world and of course direct from us here at Scootering by calling 01507 529529 or by visiting Classic magazines >>

Andy

- To find out more about The Art of Scooters >>

- To purchase your copy of The Art of Scooters >>

2009 Scootering Calendar

Quick note to say we've got a nostalgic Scootering calendar on sale now! Features 12 classic scooterist sceens from our vast archive.

Calendar measurements are approximatly 9.5” deep x 13” wide - (Ambassador - landscape size) - printed on thick card paper and comes with a wire hanging loop and a card envelope should you wish to post the calendar on as a gift.

NOTE: Sorry all - we've sold OUT of the 2009 Scootering Calendar, but you can grab a copy from Amazon.co.uk:
Scootering 2009 Calendar (Ambassador)

VFM IOW Ferry Deal

VFM have once again struck a deal with Red Funnel Ferries regarding the Isle of Wight Rally. Sailing from Southampton. prices will start at £20 return for scooters (not cars or vans etc) which is approximately 1/3 of the standard price. When booking you need to  quote the code 'VFMSCOOT' to qualify for this discount.

Greenpeace electric

Greenpeace has taken a big step in reducing its own carbon footprint by purchasing a Vectrix electric maxi scooter. It will be based at their Central London offices and will be used to transport Greenpeace personnel and equipment to and from the Thames where their fleet of boats are based and also to run film and stills during ‘GP events’ in the capital.

Frank Hewetson, Actions Coordinator, Greenpeace, said. “The Vectrix is perfect for quick trips around Central London and for picking up tools and equipment too large for a pushbike but not big enough to justify using a car.”

Rather than plug into the National Grid, Greenpeace will power the Vectrix from 50 PhotoVoltaic solar panels on the roof of their building, which require just daylight, not direct sunlight to produce electricity. www.vectrix.co.uk

Bonhams Hendon sale

There’s a fine selection of scooters on offer at the sale of the collection of Professor Fritz Ehn, which will take place at RAF Hendon on 30 June.
The Austrian Professor collected an impressive array of motorcycles, scooters and bicycles, all of which were displayed in his museum near Vienna. However, when he decided to sell up, Professor Ehn went to auctioneers Bonhams – having known the company for some years, having bought many machines from them over the years – who have shipped the collection to Britain for sale.
One of the most unusual scooters is a complete and original HMW Conny. Designed to appeal to trendy females, the ‘Conny’ was named after the popular Austrian pop singer, Conny Froeboss. Offered for sale is a rare special edition that has been on display for over 25 years, thus remaining in comparatively unworn – if rather faded – condition. Estimate is £600-900.

More mainstream is a tidy Vespa 150GS, in original, undamaged and unmodified condition and with accessories. It has documentation and awaits restoration. Estimate is £2000-2500.

A full inventory of the scooters offered is:

1960 Rumi 125cc Formichino Sport (est £5000-6000), 1958 CZ 175cc Cezeta (est £3000-4000), 1958 Lambretta LD150 (est £1500-2000), 1961 Heinkel Tourist 103 A2 (est £800-1200), 1961 NSU 174cc Prima V de Luxe (est £1800-2200), 1953 Piaggio Vespa 125 (est £1800-2200), 1969 Garelli 50cc Capri Scooter (est £900-1100), 1963 KTM 50cc Ponny 1 Special de Luxe (est £100-200), 1956 Puch 123cc RL 125 Scooter (est £1000-1400), 1968 Puch 49cc RV50 (est £400-500), 1955 Zündapp 198cc Bella 201 (est £800-1200), 1956 Puch 123cc RL 125 Scooter (est £600-1000), c1953 Lohner 198cc L200 Superroller (est £2000-2500), 1959 Lohner 123cc L125 (est £1500-1800), 1961 Lohner 49cc Sissy Model 61 (est £500-700), 1957 Maicoletta 277cc
(est £2000-2500), 1958 Manet 98cc Scooter (est £800-1200).
James Robinson

For further details contact Bonhams motorcycle department 08700 273616. To see the full catalogue online, go to www.bonhams.com

Bikes in bus lanes

A recent press release from the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) says it welcomes “the confirmation by London’s new mayor, Boris Johnson that he plans to allow motorcycles and scooters into London’s bus lanes”.

Apparently during the monthly Mayor’s Question Time Brian Coleman, London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden, asked whether the mayor would ensure that motorcycles are allowed to use bus lanes. The BMF state that: “Boris Johnson confirmed that TfL (Transport or London) are happy to go ahead with this, and mentioned that previous studies in two London boroughs, as well as the experience of cities such as Bristol, showed that there were no ill-effects and that it would lead to no increase in road danger. The mayor hoped that the move would encourage modal shift.”

Brian Coleman responded: “Boris Johnson has read the evidence and made a decision based on fact rather than irrational prejudice. Although there are certain technical requirements that Transport for London must meet before the mayor rubber stamps this change, it is good news for all road-users that the wheels are in motion.”

For more info visit www.bmf.com

The world’s first Vision Zero motorcycle road

There now follows a press release from FEMA, the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations, who campaign on behalf of us, the riders, for our rights in Europe and they have some good news too…

“The motorcycle community has for a long time expressed serious concerns regarding the Vision Zero, the strategy in which road authorities have envisioned how to achieve zero deaths and zero serious injuries on the roads. The concerns are due to the vision depending primarily on bans and regulations instead of adaptation of the road environment to suit all road users – motorcyclists included.

“But even if motorcycles have been viewed upon as high-risk road vehicles with regard to accidents, they have been all but excluded from the Vision Zero document. The Vision Zero document has first and foremost given anti-motorcycle campaigners an opening to propose a ban on motorcycles as these, they claim, are not compatible with a Vision Zero. But today, with the opening of this motorcycle friendly road, these claims have been effectively quashed, the FEMA President Hans Petter Strifeldt stated.

“The Vision Zero Motorcycle Road is the brainchild of two passionate engineers at the regional Road Authorities, Jan Petter Lyng and Bjørn R Kirste, who have successfully designed the road exactly as the motorcyclists themselves recommend. It is not much that is needed to make a motorcycle friendly road with regard to preventing injuries in case of accidents: Crash barriers fitted with a sub-rail, forgiving side terrain, well thought out placing of signposts, cutting down sight-hindering vegetation – all in all small modifications and investments that are beneficial for all road users, including bicycles and cars. The price tag for modifying these 15 kilometres of road is estimated to be €630,000.

“The importance of this stretch of road in the middle of Norway cannot be overrated. It is the first Vision Zero motorcycle road, not only in Norway, not only in Europe, but in the world. As the representative for Europe’s road riding motorcyclists, FEMA will do what it can to promote this road to other nations’ road authorities as an example of what is possible to achieve with relatively small means, FEMA President Hans Petter Strifeldt concluded.”

www.fema.ridersrights.org

Paul Weller's New Single!

Weller's latest single and video can be viewed on MySpace here, Echoes Round The Sun featuring a 'super group' that is Weller, Steve Cradock and Gem Archer and Noel Gallagher from Oasis.

Warning - Lambretta front hubs!

We have been contacted by Lambretta Lee who has recently had a nasty incident with the front (drum brake) hub on his Lambretta Series 1, in that it broke whilst riding it. We have given this matter a brief mention in the June issue of Scootering (he contacted us at the last minute), but we would like to refer you to comments from himself and others on the LCGB internet forum where it seems that others too have suffered from similar hub failures.
After the Series 1 and Series 2, Innocenti modified the design of the front drum brake hubs for Series 3 models and beyond, possibly due to the weakness (around the locator, it has improved strengthening on later hubs) and the advice for anyone riding a Series 1 or 2 Lambretta scooter today is that they should use a Series 3 front hub.

Visit http://www.forums.ilambretta.com for more details and images of the hubs, both good and bad.

Vespa GTS300 Super - Launched!

Andy test rides the new Vespa 300.

On Tuesday 6 May, Scootering were invited out to Milan to be amongst the first to test ride the latest addition to the Vespa family, the GTS 300.
The new Vespa Super has an engine capacity of 278cc (as revealed exclusively in Scootering magazine a couple of months ago now) and the body has received a subtle makeover, equating to what Piaggio have referred to as the 'sports Vespa'.

To find out more you'll have to get the June 2008 issue of Scootering where we have a full test report, subscribers getting the chance to read the first review of the new Vespa in any UK publication from around 17 May .

Figure It Out

March heralded the release of two-wheeled sales figures for both the UK and Italian markets during 2007, some of which we thought you might find interesting.

All powered two-wheelers (UK)
1: Yamaha YBR 125 – 2272
2: Honda SCV 100 Lead – 2201
3: Suzuki GSXR 100 – 2196
4: Yamaha YZF R1 – 2106
5: Yamaha YZF R6 – 1984

Scooters over 50cc (UK)
1: Honda SCV 100 Lead – 2201
2: Vespa PX125 – 1041
3: Vespa LX 125 – 822
4: Yamaha Cygnus 125 – 733
5: Honda PES 125 – 677

Mopeds (UK)
Baotian BT49 – 1397
Piaggio Zip 50 – 1207
Peugeot Speedfight 50 – 1132
Piaggio NRG 50 – 1109
Vespa LX50 – 914

Scooters 126-350cc (UK)
1: Vespa GTS 250 – 541
2: Honda SH300 – 354
3: Piaggio MP3 250 – 247
4: Yamaha XMax 250 – 115
5: Aprilia Sport City – 96

Total sales 2007 (UK)
Scooters – 43,812 (inc 21,643 mopeds)
Motorcycles – 100,771 (inc 2919 mopeds)

And if you like to quote percentages, then UK scooter sales (over 50cc) for 2007 are up 16.1 per cent on 2006, with scooter sales as a whole up 9.1 per cent, motorcycles as a whole up 8.5 per cent, and the market as a whole up 8.6 per cent year on year.

Scooters over 50cc (Italy)
1: Honda SH150 – 21,856
2: Honda SH300 – 18,650
3: Honda SH125 – 16,035
4: Yamaha Xmax 250 – 11,454
5: Yamaha TMax 500 – 10,537
6: Piaggio Beverly 250 – 10,160
7: Suzuki Burgman 400 – 9356
8: Yamaha XCity 250 – 8198
9: Piaggio Liberty 125 – 7382
10: Kymco People S200 – 6446
11: Yamaha Majesty 400 – 6025
12: Vespa LX125 – 5923
13: Vespa GTS250 – 5481
14: Honda Silverwing 400 – 5176
15: Piaggio Beverly 500 – 4655
16: Kymco People S125 – 4625
17: Suzuki Burgman 200 – 4129
18: Aprilia Scarabeo 150 – 3870
19: Vespa PX150 – 3547
20: Kymco Dink Classic 200 – 3404
21: Aprilia Sport City – 3326

In the overall charts in Italy (over 50cc), the first motorbike to appear is the Honda Hornet at number eight with sales of 8974, as one of only nine motorbikes in all featuring in the Italian Top 30.
Total two-wheeler sales (over 50cc) in Italy for 2007 were 431,035. These are split into 278,751 scooters and 152,284 motorcycles, which are 1.69 per cent and 3.29 per cent respectively down on last year’s sales, the market combined down 2.26 per cent year on year.

With regard to scooter sales in particular, Honda boast 68,537 sales in 2007 with Piaggio (not including Gilera, Derbi or Aprilia) close behind with sales of 65,437.

Oh, and for those who don’t know (but still care!), the best selling scooters of the manufacturers in the Italian hit parade such as the Honda SH, Piaggio Beverly and Liberty, Kymco People and Aprilia Scarabeo are all ‘big-wheeled’ scooters – what we’d probably refer to unkindly in the UK as ‘pizza delivery bikes’. Different horses for different courses…

SCOOTER DEALERS BEWARE – CREDIT CARD SCAM IN OPERATION

We’ve been contacted by scooter dealers regarding attempted scams on their businesses, suggesting that that there are currently thieves targeting the scooter scene.
It starts with a man telephoning the dealer and ordering parts, spares, accessories, gifts or memorabilia. This order so far has been up to the sum of £200.

He then passes the phone over to his girlfriend or wife, as she will be paying the bill with ‘her’ credit or debit card. This card will eventually prove to be either stolen or cloned.

She gives you the card details, possibly including a home address (which will match that of the card holder) then ask that the goods be delivered to either a separate private address (one so far was in Southall, Middlesex) or even a hotel (which it turned out they had also scammed with a dodgy card)!

She may even ask that the goods be sent by next day delivery, even to arrive before midday, because her husband/ boyfriend is going away, possibly on business.

We therefore advise all dealers and businesses to be extra vigilant - especially when sending goods out to an address that is not that of the card holder.

If you are at all suspicious, do as the dealers that tipped us off did and contact the card company BEFORE you send out the goods.
And if you do discover someone is attempting to con you, let the police know as soon as possible. We don’t want these people in our scene.

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