Scootering Ad deadlines - Correction

Contrary to what's printed on page 3 of the July issue of Scootering magazine (Andy got it wrong!), the correct deadline for free adverts (For Sales, Wanted, Club events etc) is Wednesday 1 July, whilst the deadline for paid adverts is Thursday 2 July. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

Riders protest at new test fiasco

A MAG (Motorcycle Action Group) press release received recently states:
Bikers from all over Britain took part in national protests against recent changes to the motorcycle test over the weekend of 9-10 May. Five hundred riders supported Yorkshire MAG's protest on Saturday at the fiasco which the new motorcycle test represents. The riders gathered at Squires Cafe in Sherburn in Elmet for a police-escorted ride through the centre of Leeds, returning to the cafe for lunch and speeches.

Two hundred riders gathered in Dundee and drove across the Tay Bridge to show their resentment over the test, which was introduced at the end of April.
MAG president Ian Mutch was interviewed in Leeds by the BBC's Look North programme. Speaking of the new test, Mutch emphasised that road safety was mostly about sensible attitudes and hazard recognition, 'performing circus acts to meet the agendas of road safety boffins was of questionable merit.'

Shortly before the introduction of the new test MAG organised a last minute Westminster debate with the intention of gaining a further delay to provide further opportunity for more test centres to come on line.

Despite the efforts of MAG member and Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik and Welsh MP
Mark Williams the test was introduced at the end of April.

There have been a number of crashes during wet weather on purpose built Tarmac test areas. The braking test is meant to be run in dry or wet weather, bikes take longer to stop on wet roads but the test demands they stop in the same space, wet or dry.

Only 50 of the new off-road test areas were operational on the first day of the test, compared to more than 230 motorcycle test centres previously.

Large parts of Britain have no local test centre; parts of rural England, Scotland and much of Wales are so badly served that riders have to travel more than an hour to reach a test site, prompting fears that younger learners may be discouraged from training to take the test at all.

MAG General Secretary Nich Brown said: "We have been meeting the DSA every month to try and resolve the problems. They claim their hands are tied but we believe that riders are paying the price for what amounts to little more than an inept property development strategy that has gone horribly wrong."

Local MAG groups around the country are currently working with local authorities in an effort to identify further test centre locations, property prices and difficulty getting local planning permission are blamed for the lack of test sites. But according to Nich Brown: "We were told there would be nearly 100 sites originally, DSA scaled back their service but have doubled their prices – it's scandalous and is shaping-up to be a long-term disaster for biking and road safety."
For more information visit www.mag-uk.org

Helping Heroes

On Saturday 23 May 2009 members of the Paderborn (Germany) based A33 Scooter
Club, a club consisting of German and English enthusiasts, presented a cheque to
Mrs Sam Robsertson, Help for Heroes representative in Germany, for the sum
of €926.45.

A certificate of thanks was also presented to Herr Achim Thieme, of the Wintergarden, Sennelager, for his continued support of the scooter club’s charity events.

The monies were raised by holding a Northern Soul all night party and a charity rideout earlier this year which attracted scooter enthusiasts from all over Germany.

The A33 SC offer a special note of thanks to the Jetson’s Lambretta Club, Soul Stylist SC and Cloud 9 SC Paderborn for their constant support.

Fundraising for Heroes

Steve Power is a member of both the AFSC and LCGB and is currently raising awareness and cash for the Help for Heroes charity. Indeed you may have already seen him and his scooter and stall out and about at events this year at which he already raised £1500. He is also planning a charity scooter ride next year from the military base in Gibraltar back to his home to Newcastle. As you can see he has had the bodywork on his Vespa GTS wrapped, which was done by Creative FX who have offered to donate £10 to the charity for each person taking their Help for Heroes panel design. If you’d like to support Steve, either see him at an event or visit www.justgiving.com/gibraltar2uk

Classic Scooter Racing in the Netherlands

A Race Demo rather than flat out racing means the Lambretta Club Netherlands have been able to circumnavigate red tape and offer track time for scooterists for four years now. From 2008, they started organising the demo in cooperation with a Dutch classic racing society and an obligatory track insurance for the riders was introduced. In 2009 they are going to use a different circuit located near Rotterdam airport, which is cheaper, meaning they’ve managed to reduce the cost for the 2009 edition to €30 for 2 days of riding on the track. It is possible to camp on the site Friday and Saturday evening (camping is free of charge) and the obligatory track insurance costs € 20 per day, so the total cost for the participants will be € 50 for one day, and € 70 for 2 days on the track. Want to participate?

Please register before 1 August 2009 and registration forms can be obtained by email secretaris@lambrettaclub.nl and will be made available for download on their website www.lambrettaclub.nl

Lambretta TS1 raffle

Now it’s not often that such a scooter is offered as a raffle prize, and as a bonus all those that enter this great competition will be helping to raise money for charity at the same time.

The Above The Clouds Scooter Collective is simply a collective of scooter riders raising money to combat cancer. With scooterists from across the UK you will find them at most major events raising money by selling merchandise for example, or in this case raffling a scooter!

The machine in question is a 1965 Lambretta Golden Special fitted with a Mark Broadhurst TS1 engine that has a stage 2 touring tune. Yes, you read it right, a MB TS1 motor in a genuine Italian Lambretta. The spec includes;

MB TS1 stage 2 touring tuned.
MB 12v electronic with strengthened flywheel.
MB TS1 Kevlar engine cowl.
MB reworked and strengthened GP race crank.
Mikuni 35mm carb.
Boysen race reed valve.
Taffspeed TS1 pipe made for this engine.
Taffspeed rear shock.
Kawasaki adjustable front dampers.
SX200 gearbox.
Long range petrol tank.
Original Golden Special green seat.

The draw for this raffle will take place, thanks to VFM, on stage at the Ryde Ice Arena during the evening do on the Isle of Wight on Saturday 29 August 2009. Tickets are available for a measly £2.00 each and come in books of five so why not buy a tenner’s worth? You can purchase them online by paying through paypal: jimpiddington66@aol.com

You can also send a cheque, made out to Above the Clouds, to: J. Piddington, 6 Calthorpe Gardens, Sutton, Surrey SM1 3DF. Please add £1.20 to your total for recorded delivery.

Tickets will also be on sale at many events this year so keep an eye open for the Above The Clouds stall and if any scooter club members want to be a ticket agent and sell to the clubs in their area, please get in touch with Jim. He would also like to point out that, “This is a bona fide raffle in accordance with the gaming laws. No one under 16 can sell or buy a ticket and I’m afraid it’s only open to residents of the UK. All money raised, as usual, goes to Cancer Research UK.”

For more information drop Jim a line or email info@abovethecloudsscootercollective.co.uk

Isle of Elba Review

Unfortunately, due to margins between the design and printing process, some readers may find it difficult to read the Isle of Elba review in this month's Scootering. All we can do is apologise, assure you that the proof looked ok on paper and publish the review here on the website.

To read the full review >>

IoW Ferry news

Once again Agent Lamb has secured this year’s ferry crossing prices with Red Funnel in Southampton for the 2009 Isle of Wight scooter rally. The deal is 25 per cent off standard return rates for scooters, which in real money is £24 return and is available for travel between 27/08/09 and 01/09/09. This is only available for bookings made in advance and online at www.redfunnel.co.uk

Four-stroke LML scooters

Pictures are emerging on the internet of the four-stroke LML scooters we told you about back at the beginning of 2008 following Eddy Bullet’s visit to the factory in India. Still looking like the old Vespa PX and with a four-speed manual gearbox LML appear to have developed an engine using some original Vespa type parts (such as the gear selector) and if latest images are to be believed, fitted it into the monocoque frame using a tubular subframe.

Eddy Bullet tells us that the good news for lovers of two-strokes is that the current engine still meets regulations and so we are unlikely to see the new four-stroke motor until late 2010. That said, with any luck we’ll be bringing you a closer look at the new four-stroke motor in the very near future…

BGM USA

Spreading their wings further and out of Europe, Jet 200 Performance is now the official distributor of BGM products for Lambretta, Vespa and automatic scooters throughout North America.

Interested parties are invited to contact Jet 200 for more information regarding this German performance brand via www.jet200.com

John Weller dies

It is with regret that we bring you the news of the passing away of John Weller, the father and manager of Paul Weller.
Encouraging and supporting Paul from his days with the Jam, through the Style Council and also his solo career, it is probably true to say that Paul wouldn't be the success that he is today without the backing of his father over the past 20+ years. A unique set up by today's standards but one that worked very well for them. Paul has understandable cancelled his show in New York this Friday (24th) and our thoughts go out to Paul and the Weller family.
Newslink: www.paulweller.com

Beautiful Bella – and a famous one at that!

If you’ve fancied owning a Zundapp Bella, which to be honest is a quality scooter, but have a few extra quid to spare, then how about bidding for the one that featured on the cover of Oasis’ Be Here Now album?

Bonhams have this very scooter in one of their entertainment memorabilia auctions to be held in London in June and with obvious evidence of it’s fame as well as a Gallagher name on the logbook it’s sure to attract a few extra bidders than a common (but equally good) Bella.

For more info visit www.bonhams.com

Scarborough Rally - Stealth Camera Warning!

For those heading to Scarborough over the Easter weekend and travelling through Lincolnshire, beware that Police Stealth Speed Cameras will be out - hiding somewhere! In a bid to clamp down on speeding bikers, the Police introduced these 'undercover' cameras last year I think, if memory seves me right. Basically mobile speed cameras hidden in unmarked cars and tricks like that.

In fairness they do erect temporary warning notices like the red & yellow one seen here, and it was the appearance of this one whilst working at the office a few days before the Easter weekend which suggests they'll be out looking for speeding two-wheelers over the Bank holiday.
Ride Safe - Andy

BGM in the UK

MB Developments are pleased to announce that they are now sole licensed distributors for all Lambretta BGM products designed and manufactured by Scooter Center Koln.

BGM products include 80 and 120 watt electronic stator plates, fully adjustable rear shock absorbers, liquid cooled water pumps and some GP full circle race crankshafts, among others. Future products apparently include front adjustable shock absorbers and electronic flywheels.

These BGM products are available directly through MB Developments and www.lambrettaspares.com or from their new dedicated BGM website www.bgm.lambrettaspares.com or from any Lambretta dealer within the UK supplied by MBD. MB Developments are pleased to announce that they are now sole licensed distributors for all Lambretta BGM products designed and manufactured by Scooter Center Koln.

BGM products include 80 and 120 watt electronic stator plates, fully adjustable rear shock absorbers, liquid cooled water pumps and some GP full circle race crankshafts, among others. Future products apparently include front adjustable shock absorbers and electronic flywheels.

These BGM products are available directly through MB Developments and www.lambrettaspares.com or from their new dedicated BGM website www.bgm.lambrettaspares.com or from any Lambretta dealer within the UK supplied by MBD.

Daytime running lights

The European Commission (EC) has announced that dedicated Daytime Running Lights (DRL) will be introduced on all new cars from the year 2011 onwards. The following is a press release from FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations).

“FEMA's position on the issue is very clear: FEMA is in principle not opposed to dedicated DRL as long as it is strictly different from a motorcycle dipped-beam headlight.

“The adoption of dedicated DRL appears to be the ‘least worse’ solution in terms of road safety, even though European motorcyclists – along with pedestrians and cyclists – still have reservations regarding the fact that responsibility to watch out for other road users is further taken away from the car driver.

“All in all, FEMA is satisfied that the European Commission adopted the ‘precautionary principle’ regarding the use of automatic switch – which has not been made mandatory – as it previously did by not harmonising the use of dipped-beam headlights.

“FEMA is pleased by the fact that the European Commission took the point of view of motorcyclists into account.”

www.fema.ridersrights.org

The Latest Lambretta News

Exclusively in the forthcoming April 2009 edition of Scootering, Sticky brings you all the latest news and gossip surrounding the Lambretta brand name and trade mark. So if you want to know more about Lambretta clothing, the Chinese built Lambretta Pato scooter (it will cease to exist soon), and whether there's a new Lambretta scooter to look forward to or not, Scootering magazine is the ONLY place to have ALL the information.

• Quick-pre-order the April edition online now >>

March edition's 'electrics article'

Shortly after last month’s article was published we received an email from a diligent reader, Kev Pettitt, pointing out that the wiring diagram for the 3-wire loom was in fact incorrect.
On it the idiot light should be in parallel, not series. I blame it on a late night, lack of attention and my original diagram getting changed by the person I asked to tidy it up, and then I for whatever reason decided to work from that and not my usual loom. Idiot lights are now going to be stuck in my brain as appropriately named.

Apologies to anyone I may have confused with this. The switch component of the 3-wire loom has been corrected and an updated diagram appeared on the Scootering website soon after and is repeated here.

Nik.

The MOD years book gets a reprint

When The MOD years was first published in September 2005, it sold out online within 6 weeks. Now, finally, a reprint has been done - and we have new stock in at Scootering HQ - still at the same great price of just £6.99 inc P&P.

Possibly the most enduring expression of a youth culture, the Mod movement has spawned its own fashions, music and a lifestyle that refuses to go away. Mods homes in on the colourful history of the Mod and brings the story bang up-to-date, calling in on the various ‘mod revivals’ along the way. From the lovingly crafted scooters, to the bands who provided the soundtrack to millions of lives via the fashions and people who made - and still make - the Mod scene so vibrant, Mods tells the story like it really is.

NOTE: A reprint of this popular title is due in in stock from 23 March 2009. You may pre-order a copy today, and it will be posted out from the 23 March 2009.

• Order The MOD years secure online today!

Lambretta smallblock engine dyno shoot out

Last weekend Scootering organised a dyno shoot out featuring smallblock Lambretta engines and various tuning kits available.

The day was a great success with offerings such as the Casa 185 kit, GT kits, Suzuki 185 conversion, Imola and the new RB20 being amongst those represented. Needless to say the ONLY place you'll find ALL the specifications,video clip of a couple of the scooters warming up before the dyno shoot out!

The Specials Announce New Dates

The Specials have added a further live show to their reunion tour. The band will play a 7,000-capacity open air gig on May 24 at Leeds' Millennium Square this May. Tickets for the gig go on sale at 9am (GMT) on Thursday (February 26).

All 12 of the other dates on the band's previously announced tour have now sold out, although they have also recently confirmed festival dates in July at T In The Park in Scotland and another in Ireland.

 

Moving Shops

Scooter Essentials would like it to be known that contrary to recent rumours being passed around they are not closing down, only relocating. The move will take place at the end of March, with slight changes to the way the business operates. It is intended to offer a greater range of parts and accessories at more competitive prices with a bigger online shop. This, however, will not detract from the workshop facilities and scooter sales already on offer. Details will be placed in next month’s advert in Scootering. For more information contact Chris on 01538 382935.

London’s Scooter Emporium would like to inform customers past and present that they are to be closing their central London retail outlet and moving to a commercial unit from where they will continue to trade as a mail-order-only company. Their location next to the City of London has seen their daily trade change over the last year or so and as a result they have decided to move out of their expensive showroom in order to concentrate on the mail order spares and accessories side of the business which has increased dramatically since their purchase of Weston Scooter Parts. You can still contact Scooter Emporium on their same telephone number (0207 375 2277) and website (www.scooteremporium.com).

Scooter Sprinting 2009

Dave Betts of SES Tuning has set up 100mph Scooter as an umbrella organisation to give scooter sprinting a boost in 2009. He tells us they've “basically taken the scooter classes from Straightliners and tried to cater for the scooterist.”

The new classes are:
Street Scooter Class 1A – traditional up to 210cc
Street Scooter Class 1B – traditional up to 260cc
Street Scooter Class 2A – automatic up to 100cc
Street Scooter Class 2B – automatic up to 190cc
Competition Scooter Class 3 – Up to 260cc
Top Scooter Class 4 – unlimited cc

There will be eight rounds for 1⁄4 mile sprints:
15 March, Round 1, Santa Pod
19 April, Round 2, Elvington
24 May, Round 3, Elvington
21 June, Round 4, Elvington
5 July, Round 5, East Kirkby
9 August, Round 6, TBA
26-27 September, Round 7, Jurby, Isle of Man
10-11 October, Round 8, Santa Pod

Top Speed Days:
9-10 May, Round 1 Woodbridge, Judgement Day
15-16 Aug, Round 2 Elvington, Top Speed Day
12-13 Sept, Round 3 Woodbridge, British National Records
(TBA) Europe’s Fastest Scooter, Scooter Centre Koln, Germany

For more information, whether as a potential competitor, spectator or sponsor, please visit www.100mphscooter.com

Retro scooter – but what is it?

More images doing the rounds on the internet at the moment are these of an alleged new scooter to be produced in China or Taiwan for the USA market. Obviously based on the Vespa (a VBB model), even down to the single sided forks and front hub, we at Scootering tracked down Hammerhead (www.hammerheadoffroad.com), the American company behind this prototype who also sell auto scooters and quads manufactured in Asia.

Paul Burnett dropped us a line to confirm that these images are of a pre-production sample of a scooter they’re calling the Venti, and that he only sees minor changes being made on the hardware side. It is a tubular frame with a plastic ABS body and the first planned models will have a 150cc fuel injected auto four-stroke engine, “made by a manufacturer we have used for years in our go-kart line-up and has held up very well.”

The scooter has disc brakes front and rear 3.50 x 10 tyres on cast aluminum wheels that are not interchangeable between the front and rear. Paul tells us: “The suspension surprised me regarding the ride, I’m 422 kilos. The handling feels like my P series with its steeper steering rake. The seat height is similar, as this is not a typical Pacific Basin product, so it will fit the taller riders fine.”

And that’s pretty much it. Paul has promised us more information when he gets it. Until then the Venti will be shown to the public at the Indianapolis Motorcycle Expo at the end of February.

So readers, is this the scooter we’ve all been waiting for Piaggio to replace the Vespa PX with? Is retro the way forward? Is the Venti simply a Vespa copy with no identity of its own? Let us know your thoughts.

Terence Spencer: 1918 - 2009

A World War II pilot known for tipping the 'doodlebug' and legendary photographer for Time magazine, Terence 'Terry' Spencer is probably best known to Scootering readers for his photographic contribution to the Mods!
book by Richard Barnes.
His life read like a script for a far-fetched film, visiting places and experiencing things many of us can only dream about. For Time magazine he covered everything from the wars in the Congo and Vietnam to the Cuban
Missile Crisis, as well as spending a few months on tour with an 'up and coming band' in the 1960s called The Beatles.
Despite his age and illness, Terry gave Scootering Magazine an exclusive
interview last year (June 2008 issue of Scootering), allowing us to view and publish some previously unseen images of his time spent with Mods and Rockers in the 1960s. Both Richie and I had the pleasure of meeting Terry and his wife Leslie and wish we had enough space to publish ALL the tales they told!
Terence died from cancer at the age of 90 on 8 February 2009, a few hours after his wife had also passed away. They were survived by two daughters.

Andy

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article5688664.ece

80's Custom Scooters Wanted

On February 28th Burton Brewers Scooter Club are holding their free Custom Show and at the show they would like to put on a display of as many custom scooters first built in the 1980s as possible.
At present they have got My World, Sign Of The Snake and possibly Italian Stallion, Revenge, Temptation and Coca Cola Racer. They are after more though so if you would like to join the line up call 07899 717498 or visit http://www.burtonbrewers.co.uk

Parts fair date correction

The date for the Doncaster KW parts fair is FEBRUARY 22nd not April 22nd, as printed in this month’s Scootering.

Ron Cox

Ron Cox, the father of Nigel Cox, has passed away. Ron was a permanent fixture at Weston Scooter Parts and has probably assisted thousands of Lambretta owners worldwide in their quest for that missing or broken part. Scootering offers condolences to Nigel and family in this difficult time.

* If anybody who knew Ron would like funeral details or an address for cards please contact Gary 01507 529004 or gthomas@mortons.co.uk

Enter The Dragon

Taffspeed Limited is having a major change-around that includes major changes within the shop and some new faces behind the counter. To share all this with you they’re having another open day cum scooter jumble at their shop on Saturday 21 February from 10am.
The goodies may include their new (long awaited) Taffspeed exhaust, while some of the treasures excavated in order to regain some much-needed retailing and workshop space include scooters (such as Terry Frankland’s Gilera Runner), second-hand and NOS parts. (NOS Lambretta cylinder assemblies, NOS Vespa paint, 1980s PX copper plated anti-dive kit, carbs, the list is endless), trophies and memorabilia amassed over more than 25 years. While we’re here, Ian Frankland would like to confirm that while Dave Stone has left the business to set up Super Deluxe elsewhere in Newport, that he and Taffspeed intend to stick around for a quite a few more years yet before maybe retiring and passing on the day to day running of the business to the staff.
For more information contact Taffspeed on 01633 840450 or www.taffspeed.co.uk

Protest Against Increase in Motorcycle Tax

Government taxes greener bikes

For those who've not yet heard, the chancellor has plans to double road tax
for bikes in 2009, making it more expensive to tax a viable green alternative than for some cars.
Changes to the law mean cars emitting less than 100g of CO2 per kilometre
travelled would be exempt from paying Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax), while
motorcycles are still required to pay. Even more pollutring but low
emission cars will cost less to tax than a motorcycle, for a example a 1.6
diesel Peugeot 207 cost £35 to renew last year.
This was outlined by your Chancellor Alistair Darling in his first budget
of 2008, under the auspices of rewarding motorists for driving 'green'
vehicles. But despite this public boast, the rate of road tax paid by
motorcyclists is set to double in 2009, with the annual charge for a
typical 125cc commuter bike set to grow from £15 per year at present, to
£33.

Now I'm not a politician or a trained environmentalist, but I do know that
motorcycles and scooters tend to emit less CO2 and use less fuel than cars
(the average CO2 output from motorcycles is 110g/km apparently), and of
course us two-wheelers don't tend to sit stationary in traffic jams with
our engines running.
So why do those who ride greener two wheeled vehicles, use less road space
and do not contribute to congestion get penalised?
An online petition to Number 10 has been organised and runs until 11 April
2009 so there's a good starting point.

Why not get your local MP to raise the issue in the House of Commons as
well? After all, that's what MPs are elected and paid to do.
And if you're sitting at home thinking to yourself, 'I ride an old scooter
that's tax fre', well yes maybe it is, at the moment, but what if one day
you want to get a newer (post 1973) scooter for any reason?

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/motorcycle-tax/#detail

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!

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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