Wheels 2009 - The Photos

This past weekend was the annual Wheels show in downtown Lancaster. I was wondering if there would be any scooter presence this year, but just as I arrived, I saw Ryan and Lauren pulling in with their friend Mike. All three were riding Hondas. A new aquaintence, Vinny, was also there with a red Stella. I pulled my new white Vespa up next to them to make a respectable representation for scooters.

Ryan and Mike showed their Honda Ruckuses, both of which have been heavily modified. Ryan's midnight blue one was sporting a new set of handlebars since I last saw it, but looking pretty finished. Mike's is still a work in progress, looking for that balance of customization vs. complying with PennDOT's arcane rule book.

You really need to know the configuration of a stock Ruckus to appreciate how much work has gone into these. Mike's guages and lights have all been fabricated into the box under the handlebars. And that box has been given a custom airbrucsh/spray paint job by Derek Cochran. Photos cannot capture the eye-assaulting shade of pink on the rims. But it works well with the white, and it's echoed in the outline of the graffiti.

Compared to the boys, Lauren's Metropolitan is the essence of classic style. But don't be fooled; a lot of work went into this also. Honda doesn't make them look like turquoise '57 Chevys. That's a custom paint job on an '02 (which is where the brown seat, floor and grips come from). Note the paint on the swing arm and exhaust covers, for an extra splash of color. A cavernous wicker basket has been added to the back and the wire basket in the leg shield has been wrapped in that same wicker. On top of the new paint has been added brand new chrome badges from '09. The result is a tastefully refurbished Metro that could be confused for factory new.

The scooters attracted the attention of Mayor Gray and his wife, who stopped to talk to Mike, Lauren and Ryan about their own scooters. The Mayor also mentioned the free scooter parking around the ramp of the Prince Street Garage. He hinted that maybe the rule about registering before using isn't being so closely watched... but you didn't hear it from me ;-). He did say that he hopes to create more official scooter parking around town, but can only do so if he can show the existing spaces are being used: so get to the Prince Street Garage! And remember that the scooterist's friend in City Hall is up for re-election this year, so register to vote.

To wrap up, here are some more photos taken around the festival. Remember, you can click on any of the photos above or below to view them larger.

Spotted Around Town

A Honda Big Ruckus.


-- Post From My iPhone

editted to add: I caught what seems to be the same scooter with my better camera on Saturday, over by Long's Park.

A Ruckus in Annapolis

I rode the big bike down to Annapolis, MD on Saturday. Annapolis is an old town with narrow streets and limited parking; a perfect scooter town. Most of the scooters were of the cheap asian variety. There must be an agressive Fly dealer in town, because there were a number of them around, including as a display prop in a dress shop. What was most interesting were the Honda Ruckuses.

Take this one for instance. A set of BMW roundels? Poser! We all know you're a Honda. Actually, BMW has dabbled in scooters before and is rumoured to be working on an entry into the maxi-scooter market. Apperently this owner wasn't willing to wait. I did like his storage net under the seat, giving it some useful (if not secure) storage area.

Then there was this guy. Cheer up, dude, you got a sweet ride! (Maybe he was bummed he forgot his riding gear.) Double, stacked LED headlights, are just the start of the many modifications to this flat black scoot. Click on the pics for larger views.

Ruckus Café Racer

It figures that when I'm out without my good camera I would run into this. A Honda Ruckus doing its best imitation of a café racer. At a café, no less. Cell phone photos will have to suffice.

This pair of scoots belongs to Ryan and Lauren, whom I met at Marion Court. Ryan says that bought this 50cc Honda Ruckus new in November, and has put a lot of work and many miles on it since.

Why do I call it a café racer? Well, the handlebars are upside down in a clubman style. It appears stripped down (although a Ruckus is pretty bare to start; he probably added more parts than he took off). And the bar-end mirror. The only things forgivably out of place are the highway pegs. Let's face it: the Ruckus is too small for a traditional café racer riding position. Scooters are cruisers, and these pegs are a nod to that, as well as they get the feet out away from the guage on the floorboard. (Don't forget to click on the pictures to expand them.)

Ryan said that he and his friends all bought scooters around the same time. Four or five Ruckuses (Ruckii?). He said they have a lot of fun riding them around the City. I agree: riding a small cc scoot in Lancaster is a blast. But something tells me that Ryan is having more fun than usual.

Big Scooter Day

It seems that every day I see a new scooter around town. Lately I've noticed a Zuma that commutes on Columbia Avenue opposite me. But today I saw more scooters than ever. At one point I passed 3 before I passed another car. I saw what looked like a black Vino I hadn't seen before. I saw 2 Ruckuses (Ruckii?), including this red one very close to my house. And a client even rode one in to my office. The scooter boom is on!

2008 Hondas

Honda appears to be the most popular, in Lancaster, of what I consider the major brands of scooters. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we have 2 Honda dealers in town: Ephrata Cycle and Sports and Lancaster Honda. Honda makes few changes for America in 2008.

Their base model, and the scooter I see most around town remains the Metropolitan. A 50cc model with some storage and styling reminiscent of a Vespa (but in plastic intead of metal), this is the perfect scooter for getting around town. High mileage and low cost are its strengths. For 2008, Honda offers some new colors, including a Gothic (black and gray) and Monza (red on red).

If you like the low displacement, but plan to get out into the country or just want something more masculine, check out the Ruckus. It almost looks like a mini-bike. There is no lockable storage, but there are some interesting hop-up accessories available.

It appears as if Honda has dropped the Elite 80 (80cc) and the Helix (244cc) for 2008. These scooters sport a look like what designers in the 1980’s thought the year 2000 would look like. Also gone: the Reflex. Maybe you can find a good deal on an older model of one of these bikes.

That leaves a huge gap in engine sizes until you get all the way up to the Silver Wing at 582cc. This is a maxi-scooter. At over $8,000, it’s competition is the Suzuki Burgman and motorcycles. Power and luxury are what you are paying for. This is not a grocery-getter. This thing’s big enough for touring.

The reasons to buy a Honda are their reliability, value, and the convenience of 2 local dealers. For value and “green-ness” the Metropolitan is the stand-out model.

Long's Park Art Fest

It's Memorial Day Weekend, and that means the Long's Park Arts & Crafts Festival. This annual event is one of the top art festivals in the country, the best in the Northeast. And it's within scootering distance for us! I rode there each of the last 2 days. I parked for free in the special area they had dedicated for motorcycles.

One of the exhibitors knows the value of a scooter for getting around. He brought his Honda Ruckus (pictured above) with him. Judging from the Tennessee plates, I'm betting it was Rey Alfonso.

This year's festival featured Iron Hill Brewery selling beer and wine inside the festival. Iron Hill is opening this fall in College Row on Harrisburg Pike. They had a beer tasting event on Sunday. If you like sweet wine-like beers, this will be the place for you.

Off-Road Scootin'

If you have a Honda Ruckus or a Yamaha C3 like me, you might enjoy riding to Shenk's Ferry Wildflower Preserve. I passed through there on Saturday. I'm glad my scooter has fat tires! It's a park featuring some hilly dirt roads. The roads are meant to be driven, but I wouldn't recommend it for thin wheels. I felt like I was riding a dirt mini-bike more than a scooter.