October 2008

Moto enthusiast Jay Leno surprised an appreciative audience at the 2009 national Piaggio Group Americas dealer meeting in Palm Springs, CA, introducing dealers  to 11 of the latest Vespa, Piaggio, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi products, including the all-new Vespa S 50 and Aprilia SMV 750 Dorsoduro.   A long-time and outspoken ambassador of motorcycling and a fan of the Piaggio brands, Leno took the opportunity to put on his test rider helmet.  He personally evaluated the Aprilia Mana 850 as well as the three-wheel Piaggio MP3 250 scooter, and also got the inside scoop on several future products that the Italian manufacturer previewed for attending dealers.  Leno’s video test impressions of the Aprilia and Piaggio can be found at JayLenosGarage.com, or click here for the Mana review and here for the MP3 250 review. Interested in a test ride of your own?  Log on to www.PiaggioUSA.com to find a dealer near you.

From AutoBlogGreen

Taiwanese scooter manufacture PGO, which has partnered up with RCV Engine Ltd. of the U.K. The two firms are working on rotary valve technology for scooters. So far, the rotary valve engines have really only made waves in the model aircraft industry, a market that RCV is very active in, but PGO believes the engines in the 125-150cc range could power its scooters.