Gas prices down... for now.

Yesterday on CNN.com, there was a story about how gas prices had been going down for the last few days. There was a story about gas shortages and panics in Southern states. And there was the news about oil's largest price increase ever. Record oil price increases, gasoline shortages, and falling gasoline prices... one of these things doesn't belong here.

Gas prices aren't low, but they are low compared to where they were. And they can't stay where they are. Oil prices and gasoline shortages (perceived or real) have to bring gas prices back up again. That's the way I see it, at least.

I was up at Trans Am Cycle the other day and they had some new Kymco scooters in stock. A salesman was telling a customer that scooters had been flying out the door over the summer, and they were finally getting some back in. The 08's were sold out. These were 09's. He said that if gas prices stayed low, they would probably sit on his floor for a while. But if gas got above some magic number (he wasn't sure what that number was), people would be in to buy up every scooter he had.

Well, read the writing on the wall. Gas prices will be going up. And scooters are in stock. There is still plenty of riding season left; with arguably the most beautiful scenery of the year. So get that scooter you've been thinking about and enjoy it.

Stella's friend: Death

Sometimes on the way to work, through the City, I pass this little sidewalk diorama and it make me wonder; are these bikes owned by one person? If so, they must have an great sense of style. Or are these the rides of a boyfriend and girlfriend?

I imagine the the young girlfriend struggling at her first job... convinced that her rocker boyfriend's band is going to make it, because "he's sooo talented!". Maybe he's a tatoo artist during the day.

Then I notice the Apple logo on the battery box of the bobber and think of a couple of hipsters that like to ride to the coffee shop and blog about politics.

Or maybe he's just a motorcycle mechanic who wanted his girlfriend to learn to ride, so they bought a scooter.

You can't buy that scooter (a Genuine Stella) in Lancaster... did they move here from somewhere else? Or did they do research online, find a Genuine dealer in Philly and bring it back from there?

Bikes have so much personality. Would a couple cars parked along the curb inspire this speculation?

Let's Get Small

I recently bought the September issue of Cycle World and the October issue of Rider magazines. Both of these motorcycle magazines had articles focusing on fuel efficiency. Rider’s cover article was a 9-bike shootout comparing which one had the best fuel-efficiency. For a motorcycle magazine to devote this much space to small bikes is pretty significant. (Although the bikes range in style significantly and that would be the bigger factor in choosing one to buy, the bike with the highest MPG was the Star V Star 250 at 77.0). That article was followed by 10 tips to get better fuel efficiency.

Cycle World’s cover story was a 14-bike Superbike shootout. But they also ran a story about best first bikes; it features a number of 250’s, including the Aprilia SportCity scooter. An editorial shares the story of Craig Vetter who is trying to modify a Honda Helix 250 to get over 100MPG at 75MPH into a 25MPH headwind. All this in a sport bike magazine?

It seems that America is starting to rediscover the practicality and fun of small bikes. People are starting to whisper that they are embarrassed that most motorcycles aren’t getting much better mileage than cars. The size inflation that led soccer moms to drive huge SUV’s happened to engines in motorcycles. During the 70’s gas crisis, a big bike was a 750cc. Now there are models over 2000cc. For comparison, my Chrysler PT Cruiser has a four-cylinder 2400cc engine.

Small bikes are starting to be touted as great commuter vehicles. But that is not a new concept. Take a look at this: a 1950 BSA Bantam. It was a part of Lancaster Museum of Art’s motorcycle exhibit during Barnstorming Weekend. The Bantam was introduced as a commuting bike for the British working class. It’s a 125cc.

The 1961 Arial Leader was more curious. It's a motorcycle, but this 250cc 2-stroke looks like a scooter with its leg protection, big screen, and bodywork.

So if you commute on a scooter or a small motorcycle, take heart! You are smart. You are continuing a well-established tradition that is coming back into vogue.

Wheels 2008

Wheels weekend grows a little each year. This year was helped by better-than-forecast weather. If anything it was too hot. Or maybe that was because the addition of scooters to the event! This line of Italian-styled goodness was courtesy of the SPB Scooter Club of Lancaster. Mostly made up of vintage Vespas, there was one modern GTS and a couple Stellas thrown in for good measure.

The SPB Scooter Club is an informal club dedicated to vintage and/or metal scooters, with the purpose of keeping them on the road in running condition. If you own one these beauties and it's not so beautiful, they'll help you bring it back to life. You do the work, they provide the expertise. Just drop by most any Wednesday night, in the alley between the 500 blocks of State and Race.

Tom of SPB was at Wheels, acting as the Skooru, answering questions. That is if you could hear him over the Elvis(es?) providing the afternoon's soundtrack. The Lancaster Parking Authority also had a table set up, signing up people for the free scooter parking around the spiral ramp of the Prince Street Garage. I heard somebody refer to the ramp as "the Guggenheim", which gave me a chuckle.

A Harley Davidson Topper showed up to prove that metal and vintage doesn't have to mean Vespa. It caused quite a stir because you don't see a lot of these, let alone being ridden.

Ride Report

Turn out was light, probably due to the many conflicting activities going on yesterday. It was cool to finally meet Rewdey after reading his comments. His 2-stroke Honda Elite from the ealy 90's proved to be a champ after some initial trouble.

The weather turned out to be beautiful after the threatening forecast. The theme was "small towns" and we went through a lot of them: Lancaster, New Holland, Terre Hill, Ephrata, Akron, Rothsville, Lititz, and East Petersburg. Passing through New Holland, we stopped at the Hollander Motel which had its sign welcoming "BUSA Scooter Rally" (BUSA is BurgmanUSA). At Terre Hill, the Smith family met us at the park with cold water, which was welcomed at that point. Thanks again!

We passed through so much of scenic Lancaster County; beautiful farms, bridges, streams... and I forgot to take pictures of them. I was too busy enjoying the ride. That's what it was about anyway... a relaxing ride on a beautiful day. We had so much fun that there is already talk of a fall foliage trip around the southern part of the County. Keep checking in for news on that.

Don't forget that today is the vintage car show downtown, including scooters. I believe the scooters are supposed to be in the parking lot of Lebzelter's, the country's oldest Goodyear dealer, at 300 N. Queen. Lebzelter's has been serving Lancaster since before the Civil War (established in 1854, a year before Penn State!). For their sake, I hope this "horseless carriage" thing doesn't turn out to be a fad.

Let's Ride!

The weather has cleared up considerably and the forecast is much more promising than it was yesterday. Only about a 30% chance of rain, and the radar looks pretty clear. So throw your rain suit under the seat and meet us today at the corner of Orange and Water streets between 10:30 and 11am. We're going to tour the small towns of northeast Lancaster. We'll be riding all the way out to Terre Hill. Your leaders will have 50cc scooters, so we'll be taking it slow for maximum fun. Anticipated length of ride: < 4 hours.

Brews and Bands

The Mayor's Office Of of Special Events (MOOSE), the people bringing you Wheels Weekend this weekend, will host a Brews and Bands event October 11 in Binns Park. The event will feature live bands and a variety of beers from local breweries. This will all take place under an inflatable dome. Tickets are available in advance for $35. Two seperate sessions are offered; 5 - 8pm and 9pm - Midnight.

I've added a link to MOOSE's website on the right, under Lancaster Links.

Hey! I scooped TenPints on a brewfest in our own back yard!

Suzuki To Expand Its U.S. Lineup?

There is a rumor that Suzuki will be bringing some of its smaller scooters to America soon. Right now, they only import the Burgman line in 400cc or above. But that line actually goes down to 125cc. It could also mean that America will see the SIXteen 125 and the Address 125.

This is exciting to me because Suzuki's technology is great. They are all fuel injected and the Burgmans are liquid-cooled all across the line. The Address 125 is cross-breed: a step-through 4-speed. This could challenge other scooter manufacturers to raise their game.

Honda is also expected to announce its new lineup this month. No word yet on whether that will include any new scooters. Now, if we could just get Kawasaki scooters...

Yamaha TMax Hits Lancaster

Here are some photos, taken at B&B Yamaha, of the Yamaha TMax. It is a 499cc scooter that blurs the line between scooters and sport bikes. Performance takes priority over storage on this scooter. It is not a new scooter to the Yamaha lineup, but it is new to America for '09.

It's the perfect thing to ride to the New Holland Fall Scooter Rally this weekend. Remember, if you aren't into the maxi-scooters, there is an alternative ride planned, and the Wheels event downtown this coming weekend.

Ephrata First Sunday, Spetember '09

I was up at the Ephrata First Sunday Ride-in today, and talked to a couple scooterists. I heard some things that contribute to my theory of critical mass. Apparently there is a someone starting a database of scooter riders in Lancaster. It’s not a conspiracy thing… I guess you could call it a potential member/mailing list. I have a feeling that this coming Wheels weekend will sort things out. Keep checking in here and I pass on what I find out. Right now details are vague, and I didn’t ask permission to publicize anything.

Back up at Ephrata, they had a contest this weekend. There was a scooter in the vintage category. I’ve seen this same one parked downtown once, outside a tattoo parlor. I don’t know whether it beat the Ducatis… personally, I like the café racer. You don’t have to be Italian to be vintage, but it helps.

Dude...Wanna start a club?

Here’s how I feel about clubs…

Just over 10 years ago, I was involved in another hobby, and was an officer in a club. We went to the equivalent of rallies, where multiple clubs would meet. The whole thing turned political; “you’re hanging out with that club too much, you should be representing us”; there was an expectation that you would go to every event. It turned into a huge obligation and the expectations sucked the fun out of the hobby. I quit the club, and shortly after, the hobby.

I like scooters. I enjoy playing around with this website. Part of the reason I started it was that if an active scooter scene arose in Lancaster, it would benefit me as well as the City. But I’m not interested in leading a club. I’d join, and I can do the internet stuff if needed, but somebody else is going to have to lead the effort.

The fact that Tom Toczek hasn’t really publicized his informal club suggests to me that he feels similarly. It’s fun, as long as it doesn’t get out of hand.

Whomever does take it on is going to have to deal with the issues of vintage vs. modern, maxi vs. mini, stock vs. hoppers, etc.. Plus the usual issues involved with formalizing events; liability, manpower, sponsors, etc. Do they have dues? Is it an organized non-profit organization? Does it have a charitable aspect? Money changes everything.

But there’s also what I referred to as “critical mass” in the previous post. There are enough scooterists around to support a club. The varied support skills exist, especially now with the addition of a scooter dealer looking to generate interest on this side of the river. The Mayor’s Office Of Special Events is including scooters in City events. The time is ripe. All it needs is for a leader to step up.

Another Vespa Dealer!

No, still not in Lancaster. This one is in Lebanon. Vespa Lebanon is on the grounds of Ebersole Truck Center. They sell American trucks and Italian scooters: nearly opposite ends of the vehicle spectrum. Yes, they are aware of the irony, thank you. Their address is 2014 West Cumberland Street, Lebanon. That's on Rt. 422. Telephone:717/274-8675. They are open weekdays until 7pm, so there is enough time to check them out after work. Their website isn't active yet, so for now they are rockin' a MySpace page.

They have been open only for about a month and are still stocking the accessories. But scooters are already flying out the door. The MP3's especially seem to be big sellers.

I heard about them when Janet, otherwise known as "Nettie" from the Three Mile Island Scooter Club, Emailed me about the new shop. She works there as a Sales Representative. She says that the Vespa shop is a scooters-only showroom operated by people who want to create an alternative to the "motorsports center". If you are looking for a scooter and you aren't interested in being up-sold to a liter-bike, this is the place for you. (Don't be fooled by the red motorcycle in the picture.... that's mine. Lebanon's a bit far on 50cc!)

Nettie says that they are looking to serve Lebanon, Lancaster, and Dauphin Counties. She asked me if I knew of any scooter clubs on the East side of the Susquehanna (York and TMISC serving the West side). I said I didn't know of any formal clubs, but I passed on what I know about the scene. I think that the density of scooterists is reaching a critical mass, and we are ready for a scooter club over here on the fallout side of the island. If you are interested in getting something organized, Email Nettie or myself.