NEW YORK, November 19, 2008 – Italian manufacturer Piaggio, renowned for
revolutionary ideas in personal transportation, announces the debut of the
2009 Vespa S 50.  This all-new addition to the company’s iconic scooter
portfolio blends all the premium Vespa product benefits, such as Italian
styling and the unique single-steel chassis, with a newly engineered
four-stroke, four-valve SOHC engine.  To develop the most powerful 50cc
four-stroke available today, Vespa engineers minimized weight and maximized
the power curve, creating a performance character that to-date has been
exclusively associated with two-stroke technology.  The new engine variant
not only gives the Vespa S 50 a distinct performance edge in the 50cc
category, but offers all the environmental benefits of modern four-stroke
design.

Clean, Lean, and Ready to Twist and Go

All Vespa scooters retailed in the North American market have been equipped
with fuel-efficient, clean-running four-stroke engines since 2001, but the
new Vespa S 50 engine pushes the weight, power and efficiency equation to a
new benchmark.  Handily out-accelerating every other scooter in the 50cc
category, including two-stroke equipped competitors, the Vespa S 50 is the
scooter to own when performance, not size, matters.  To boost output even
more, engineers shaved weight wherever possible, including lightening the
valve clearance adjustment mechanism for reduced inertia and improved
rocker/valve action.  The result is higher engine speeds and more power.  At
the same time, the four-valve head improves air/fuel flow, which means
optimized combustion, reduced fuel consumption and lower than ever
emissions.

Like all Vespas, the S 50 features a ‘twist and go’ continuously variable
transmission (CVT) which transforms all that improved horsepower into smooth
and easy acceleration and riding from start to finish.

Original Vespa Lines, Progressive Features

When you are the original, it’s easy to continue classic family lines.  The
Vespa S 50 has the same pedigree as the first Vespa prototype built by
Piaggio in 1946, with all the core values that have defined the brand ever
since: eco-friendly engineering, elegance, passion, individualism, and
integrity.

The Vespa’s high-strength steel body acts as the scooter’s structural frame,
a chassis design solution unique in the world of scooter production.  In
addition to superior strength, the frame is exceptionally rigid, resulting
in excellent road holding and precision control.  The scooter’s low center
of gravity also makes riding it supremely simple.

Equipped with an advanced front disc/rear drum brake system, the Vespa S 50
offers confident stopping power.  The advanced mixed-type braking system
includes a front 7.8″ diameter disc with hydraulic linkage and a dual
opposed piston hydraulic caliper.  The back has a 4.3″ diameter drum with
mechanical linkage. The 11” front and 10” rear wheels with light alloy rims
add to the Vespa S 50’s excellent stability.  A wide arc front halogen
headlight ensures great visibility at all times.

The 2008 Vespa S 50 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of
$3,199.  Available colors include Dragon Red, Shiny Black, Taormina Orange
and Montebianco.  For more information on the Vespa S 50 and the entire
Vespa model line visit www.vespausa.com.

From the Wired Blog:

Italian scooter-maker Piaggio has unveiled a plug-in hybrid three-wheeler it says will get up to 141 mpg and could be on the road as early as next year.

The gas-electric version of Piaggio’s funky but fun MP3 scooter uses a parallel hybrid system much like that in the Toyota Prius but advances the technology by adding an electrical cord. Although Toyota, General Motors and several other automakers are developing cars that can be charged from a wall socket, Piaggio’s timeline, if met, would make it the first in the world to mass-produce a plug-in hybrid.

The MP3 Hybrid that Piaggio rolled out at the big international motorcycle expo in Milan, Italy,  combines a 125-cc gasoline engine with an electric motor in an easy-to-ride three-wheeler that reportedly could do zero to 60 in around 5 seconds.

Wired Blog

NEW YORK, NY – November 13, 2008 - Piaggio Group Americas, Inc., importer of the iconic Vespa scooter brand, continues to accelerate ahead of the personal transportation curve with the debut of its new consumer web site, scheduled to go live Friday, November 14.  Functional, fun and fast, the new web site – just like Vespa scooters – connects with users by delivering an entertaining interactive experience, a shared sense of community and a wealth of practical reasons to ride.  Every element of the new site, from the latest product news to user-generated favorite riding routes, has been designed to educate and engage visitors while giving them plenty of fun reasons to return.

“The Vespa brand appeals to both the emotional and rational side of the brain, and the new www.VespaUSA.com site offers a world of content that speaks to both,” said Paolo Timoni, President and CEO, Piaggio Group Americas, Inc.  “With more consumers than ever considering a scooter as a personal transportation option, we have created a one-stop resource center that provides all the tools, information and inspiration any consumer needs to join the nation’s rapidly growing scooter community.”

Whether in the scooter market for the first or fifth time, www.VespaUSA.com will help riders maximize the fun and function of ownership.  Content highlights include:

• A  Google Maps-based ‘Community Rides’ tool that helps scooter commuters or tourers uncover, share, rate, download and comment on new riding routes.  Post a new discovery or vote on an existing excursion.  Mapped rides can also be updated, saved and resubmitted.  Shortcuts to popular destinations, scenic weekend rides, regional routes that avoid local traffic snarls or multi-state adventures are all archived and available in one convenient location.
• No other scooter brand has Vespa’s rich history.  To fully understand the romance that fuels consumer passion for Vespa, a new interactive ‘History & Heritage’ section traces the evolution of the world’s iconic scooter, including the legendary campaigns, calendars, advertisements – even songs – that were and are synonymous with significant model introductions.
• How do you get 43 mpg from a luxury SUV? Easy – just swap 50% of your automotive driving miles for Vespa riding miles.  VespaUSA.com continues the company’s mission to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil by focusing on immediate solutions for minimizing the carbon footprint.  A new ‘Vespa vs. Auto MPG’ fuel savings calculator in the Vespanomics section invites visitors to see how fast they can supercharge their car or SUV’s fuel economy average by adding a Vespa to the fleet.

Two-Way Traffic to Local Vespa Experts

With more active clubs, forums and groups devoted to the brand than any other scooter manufacturer in the world, Vespa placed a premium on accessibility and ease of use.  Navigation is fast and direct, thanks to liberal use of icons and images.  Information, such as how to join the scooter scene or which product meets a special need, can be quickly found.  And, for consumers ready to shop, a new dealer locator section makes short work of identifying a local dealer, complete with easily mapped directions, e-mail addresses and a “contact me” feature.

Designed to Get Personal

London and New York based design firm Last Exit was charged with creating the new www.VespaUSA.com, integrating the global spirit of the brand while focusing on the unique needs and preferences of the American consumer.  With U.S. scooter sales at record highs, one web site challenge was to meet the needs of the rapidly growing base of potential new riders while building strong relationships with Vespa’s ultra-loyal owner community.  As a result, the new site is chock-full of tools that invite visitors to learn – and play.  From sections that answer consumer questions on licensing and ownership benefits and an e-newsletter, to a toolbox full of Vespa images, video, news, graphics and community links to share, both new and veteran Vespa enthusiasts find a rewarding experience.

This article from NPR explores the increase in thefts and scooter accidents. Complete with interviews from scooter dealers, shop owners and everyday scooterists. It’s nice to see our beloved machines get a little more of the national attention they deserve.

NPR Story

I guess I’ve always assumed that a scooter was a motor vehicle like any other and never thought of moving someone else’s car… Now, I know how I feel when someone looks at my scooter funny. I’d never thought about what I would do to the unfortunate soul who layed hands on the rusty beast. I remember years ago a scene in front of a bar when a close friend of mine found a stranger sitting on his motorcycle… Not a pretty sight. Pay the $38.00.

The fact that motorcycles and scooters are getting more popular thanks to enormous hikes in fuel prices is no surprise to anyone, least to gasoline companies. French oil company, Total, has taken note and has started looking towards these motorcycles as a real “market”.

Total have recently opened a gas pump designed for motorcycles in the Paris suburbs (L’Isle Adam) . Cars aren’t welcome (and will not fit), and the pump has all sorts of stuff designed for bikers.

Read more at TopSpeed.com

Scooters are ‘wimpy’? You’ve obviously never experienced the beauty of a fully restored Lambretta SX200 in all of it’s power and glory… Maybe they’re talking about modern scooters.

Some great quotes throughout the article only confirm my original supposition:

“Scooters may look like a kid-toy version of a Harley…”

What? Where? Which scooter make or model are you referring to? I can’t think of one that looks anthing like a Harley…

“But these vehicles are more than just a glorified moped. The Vespa GTS 250, for example, can reach speeds of 76 mph.”

Umm… Yes.

Here’s the deal. A scooter is not a toy. Yes, there are some scooters out there geared toward younger or smaller riders, but these machines are just as dangerous as any other motorized vehicle on the road today. There is a reason that there are motorcycle and scooter laws in every state. There is a reason that licenses are required to ride a scooter larger than 50cc’s in almost every state. There are safety courses available to teach new riders all about the pros and cons of owning, riding, and enjoying scooters.

Luckily, someone beat me to the punch on commenting on this article. I’m not sure I could have voiced my opinions in such a non-condescending tone. Please, Staff Writer Person, go back to writing those common sense manuals and stay away from glorified mopeds.

An article on MSN Money points out some things to consider if you’re thinking of buying a scooter. Sure, the price of fuel is a major factor, but is it as big as you think? What’s the break-even point? How about licensing, safety, insurance, service, reliability and security?