Reader Request

Fedor writes:
“Just curious what your advice would be. I'm interested in buying a scooter within the next three months or so. I wanted to know (in your opinion) what the best choice (price wise, and style) would be for a newbie. I like the look of Vespas, but they are rather expensive, and hard to find repairs and parts for (or so I've been led to believe). I plan on taking the safety course, so as to get my license right away. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.”

Dear Fedor,

It’s true that Vespas are expensive. But keep in mind that they are all metal, not plastic. That has an up-side and a down-side. The upside is of course strength and durability. But the other side is that if you do crash and bend it, because of the moncoque construction, it’s pretty much totaled. Insurance is your friend in that case.

Service is a problem if you aren’t going to fix it yourself; the nearest dealer is in Mechanicsburg. But parts aren’t too hard to find, even for classic versions. There are places that specialize in Vespa parts, like the Scooterworks. Once you’re in the Vespa scene, you’ll develop a network of contacts. I have also heard the rumor that dealers have a hard time getting parts in a timely manner from Italy, but I can’t say whether that is true or not. I know these things can get blown out of proportion by a few bad anecdotes. My advice? Be patient and don’t sell your car. To really get the scoop, read http://www.modernvespa.com/ while your making up your mind.

And if you are interested in fixing a Vespa yourself, there is a local club that might be able to help you learn. They meet regularly to wrench together. I’ve met them and they are a laid back, friendly group. I didn’t ask permission to post their contact information here, put if one of you is reading this, leave a comment.

If you like the look of a Vespa but just don’t want to pay for a Vespa, there are alternatives. The Honda Metro and the Yamaha Vino are 50cc scooters styled after a Vespa. Both companies are well known for their quality and are backed by extensive dealer networks, with locations in Lancaster County. The Yamaha Vino also comes in a 150cc model that will do almost 60mph when broken in. If you are going to get your license right away, I would hold off buying until you do, and look hard at the Vino 150 at B&B Yamaha.

There is also the Genuine Buddy 150. It has the same problem as a Vespa of having no local dealer, but going to a dealer in Sellersville or Philly might be worth it. There are plenty of satisfied owners out there and it has a cool retro look, especially if you get the whitewalls.

Vespas are synonymous with scooters. Therefore, many companies make look-a-likes. You should have no problem finding something to satisfy you. Check out the Scooter Links on the right side of this page for forums that will have plenty of stories about Vespas, Buddys, Metros and Vinos.

P.S. You don't need a bike to take the MSF course. It helps to have one to practice on between lessons, but you don't have to have one. I didn't, and passed easily. Having that lisence will make it easier to get a test ride before purchase.

Bradford Motors

I've been riding the scooter a lot lately so it was time to put another gallon of gas in it. As I pulled into the Turkey Hill by the F&M campus, I noticed 2 other scooters already at the pump. And another one pulled in behind me. What's even odder is that it turned out that all 3 had been purchased at Bradford Motors in Mount Joy.


The ones above were owned by two friends. One had purchased his about a week ago. He had convinced his friend to get one that he had just picked up that night (the white one). Both were very excited about their aquisitions.

The yellow scooter to the right was owned by a neighborhood man. He got it about a year ago. It's a 150cc, and he was also very happy with it.

I asked if Bradford Motors (about whom I could find nothing on the internet or in the phone book)* serviced the scooters they sell. The owner of the yellow scooter said that they do titling and lisencing of the scooters there and they are hoping to get into service. He also said that the turn signal assembly on his had to be replaced last year, but he was able to find the parts readily on the internet and fixed it himself.

All of us agreed that we expect to see even more scooters in Lancaster soon. It looks as if the Mayor will be able to put a check mark beside at least one item on his strategic plan.

*Edited 5-20-08 to note that it's actually Bradfield Motors. Whoops.

Ephrata First Sunday Ride-In

I know this is short notice, but tomorrow is the First Sunday ride in at the Ephrata American Legion Post. I was cleaning off my camera and realized that I forgot to post pictures from last month. As you can see, scooters are welcome.

Here's an Eagles fan showing his Suzuki Burgman to some sportbikers.

Some members of the Three Mile Island Scooter Cub made it up to Ephrata. Above, in the background, you can get a small feel for the scale of this event. It's like an impromptu bike show every month. By the way, did you know these images expand if you click on them?

This is a Honda Big Ruckus. It's 250cc, and they only made them for a short time. I don't think the world was ready for them.

View Larger Map
Here's how to get there. I haven't decided whether to ride my scooter or my motorcycle towmorrow. Both are kind of rare on the street, so either could draw attention.

Talkin' Scooters

I've had more people ask me about scooters this week than I have in ages. I guess gas has finally hit that point: the point where people think about changing their behavior. People are giving scooters and motorcycles a second thought. There are 2 more guys at my office that just started riding fixed-up old motorcycles under 500cc. Today I had a coworker tell me, "Last year when you showed up with a scooter, I thought 'what is Gerry doing?' But now I think you're the smartest guy here."

Nolmi Emailed me last weekend asking for advice on purchasing a cheap scooter. Maybe she saw something like these at Horsepower Enterprises, LLC at the corner of N. Prince St. and W. McGovern Ave.:

They sure look sporty, don't they? And 150cc for only $1,999! But keep in mind that these are machines. Vehicles, not toys. They're going to need maintenance and oil changes. Ask yourself this: if something breaks, where am I going to get it fixed? Even if somebody says they will support them, where are they going to get parts? Does the manufacturer have a supply network that will get peices to you in a timely manner? That sporty scooter won't be saving you any gas if it's in the garage waiting on parts.

I'm not saying these particular scooters are no good. I don't know anything about them. But as the scooter market heats up in the USA, there will be an influx of Asian products hoping to find a niche. And some of them will be crap. There is a tradition of producing generic scooters and shipping them to the USA to be re-badged. You can find Schwinns (which are not the Schwinn you remember from your childhood: the name was sold) and Lambrettas (same story). There are horror stories on the intranet from people who bought a $700 scooter at Pep Boys that fell apart on the ride home. Some scooter distributers are only interested in selling scooters to dealers. They sell them 4 or 5 units, and a hardware store is a suddenly in the scooter business. But will they be in that same business 3 years from now? Where will you find your friendly neighborhood Xingyue dealer then?

As I was looking at the scooters above, I met Rich the Italian plumber. He was out riding for fun on this Honda Reflex Sport. This bike is closer to $5,500. Of course it's 250cc, also. But it's solid. And it's backed by Honda's network of dealers. Rich had many of the same reasons for buying Japanese that I did. Honda makes some $2,000 scooters too, and they can be had used for less than that.

Besides the big three Japanese brands (Kawasaki doesn't send any scooters to the USA), there is Genuine Scooter Company. Genuine is an American company with headquarters in Chicago. I think their scooters are made in Korea, but they are gaining a reputation. Time will tell if they turn out to be a long-term trusted name. There is also, of course, Piaggio and Vespa. But like Genuine, they don't have dealers in Lancaster.

Speaking of Vespa, Rich told me about a local scooter club that rides and restores Vespas. I knew about them last year, but could never find them. But I have the details now and will be checking them out. Vespas are their own culture, about which I know very little.

Gas Tax

There is some discussion among presidential candidates about giving the federal gas tax a summer vacation. This would be a mistake. America doesn't need to lower the gas tax. If anything it should be raised. Eliminating the gas tax will just reinforce peoples' behavior, saying it's alright to keep driving big cars everywhere and that U.S. citizens are entitled to cheap gas. It's partially that attitude that has made America that world's largest consumer of oil and the largest contributer to CO2 emissions, the leading cause of global warming. Americans need to change our behavior.

If you want to do something with taxes, eliminate all tax breaks on the oil companies. Eliminate all subsidies to oil companies for research. That's where the waste is. They are pocketing that money, not building new refineries, and not pioneering new energy sources. All while raking in record profits.

And if you don't like expensive gas... well, get used to it. It's going to get much worse. Instead of complaining and protesting, you'd be better off putting that energy into getting a more efficient vehicle. Because changing your mode of transportation isn't cheap either, even if it's a scooter. A reliable one is going to cost $2,000. And don't forget about a helmet and gear. But, divide that cost by the amount you paid for your last tank of gas. Now make that tank $5/gallon and do the math again.

You don't need to get rid of your car. Just don't use it every time you leave your house. You'll be surprised how much easier and fun it gets.

Great Green America Fest '08

This weekend is the Great Green America Fest at Mount Hope Winery, Saturday and Sunday MAy 3 & 4, 11am to 8pm. Linky!

Read my account on last year's festival.

Smart Car

How cute is this? Spotted this morning at Central Market:

If everyone had one, I bet 20 people could park next to Market. They would all be able to park head-in. And we'd all be safe as bumper cars.

Adorable. And the inside is really sporty! It was drawing quite a lot of looky-lous. And, to my amusement, some glares from Volvo and SUV drivers who were looking greedily at the remaining parking space it left. Darn it! It's like half a car, but it's taking up a whole space! It's not fair! Ha-ha. It's time to re-think how we lay out parking. There should be more spaces designed for alternative vehicles like motorbikes and these new Smart Cars.