Book Review: Two-up by Scooter to Australia
 Ever wonder what it would be like to travel the world on a scooter? Well, imagine traveling the world on a scooter in 1956 when scooters sported eight-inch wheels and had all of 1.5 horsepower! Believe it or not, this is the journey that filmmaker Michael Marriott and his wife, Nita, struck out on riding "Two-up" from London to northern Australia. If you think that the modern motorbike adventurers are amazing, then you have to read this report about "Two-up."
Click the headline above to read the full book review of Two-up by Scooter to Australia. |
Born to be . . . Fuel-Efficient
 The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that people are finally starting to buy scooters to avoid high gas prices:
Link to Wall Street Journal article with breaking news!
HELLO!!! |
Upcoming Minn-Max Group Rides
I just received word from Adam of the Minn-Max group up north. Adam forwarded the club's plans for major group rides this season. BTR members should consider hooking up with Minn-Max on one or more of their rides. Here is Adam's e-mail:
We have locked down the dates of our three destination rides for 2008.
SAT MAR 31 - Luncheon
SAT JUN 19 - Picnic
SAT SEP 13 - Luncheon
For our purposes we define a destination ride as one where a place and time are announced in advance to meet up for a meal and fellowship with fellow Minn-Max'rs. However, the route to and from the location is completely up to the individual. Folks are free to link-up with fellow riders or to ride solo to the event.
The details of where the meet-up location is will be added as we draw closer to the ride itself. That said, it is likely that the first ride will be either northwest or northeast of Minneapolis/Saint Paul, the second could be anywhere though southeast seem probable, and the third is planned for Mankato, Minnesota. It would be great if any of your group join us for these events. They would be most welcome.
Be well, ride safe, and keep on scoot'n!
- Adam -
founder and facilitator for Minn-Max, Minnesota Maxiscooter Riders
www.maxiscooters.org
Skills a little rusty?
 So, are your scooter riding skills a little rusty after all this snow? If so, you should play Scooter Ace a few times. And no, lane splitting is not legal in Iowa.
The game requires ShockWave player, which is a free download. {If you are using an Intel Mac, your browser needs to be running in Rosetta mode, which causes my Mac Mini to crash sometimes.} As you think about knocking the snow off of your scooter and disconnecting that battery tender, remember a few of these safety tips: |
- Potholes: Watch out for the potholes! You have to look in your lane and the other guys lane as well -- someone may veer into your lane to avoid a chug hole, so watch out.
- Intersections: Intersections are going to be particularly dangerous until all of the salt and sand get swept up or washed away. Take corners gingerly for awhile.
- Shadows: Fine layers of moisture will freeze overnight. Sometimes when the rest of the road is perfect, you will still find a fine layer of ice in the shadows. Be extra careful when riding through shadows until the weather warms a bit more.
- Your equipment: Is all of you equipment, including your head, ready to ride? Run through Ron's checklist to make sure the bike is ready, and check your own mental preparedness before heading out for the first time. Remember that may drivers don't expect to see two-wheeled travelers until the summer months, so you must be ready to ride defensively.
- Inquisitive Cagers: With $4 gas around the corner, expect everybody and their mother to start wanting to know your gas mileage and everything else about your bike. Keep your eyes on the road, and answer questions in the parking lot.
Most of all, BE SAFE and HAVE FUN!!!
Scooters: Red Eyes, White Walls, Blue Smoke - A book review by Ron Nath
  Ron Nath put together a great review of the recent book, Scooters: Red Eyes, White Walls & Blue Smoke. Click on this link or the headline of this story to read the full review. Also, don't forget to check out the other reviews on the Book & DVD Review page.
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Classic Motor Scooter Swap Meet - 2008
 Have ever heard of the Salsbury scooter? Did you know that the Cushman scooter lead to the creation of the first Vespa? Is vintage better than modern?
Well, if you don't know or aren't sure, you need to click on the headline above or on this link to read about the 17th Annual Classic Motor Scooter Swap Meeting held February 22-23, 2008, in Ames, Iowa and find out for yourself. Make sure you click on the pictures in the article, too! |
US Scooter Sales Stable, Motorcycle Sales Decline
The LA Times recently reported that overall US sales of new motorbikes declined in 2007, the first such sales decline in 14 years. Susan Carpenter, Bumpy Road Ahead for Industry? Los Angeles Times (Jan. 23, 2008). Harley-Davidson saw its profit shrink by 26.3% in the last quarter of 2007, with U.S. sales down 14.2% in the same period. Harley-Davidson Q4 profit skids 26.3% on weak U.S. sales, USA Today (Jan. 25, 2008). Harley's stock value has fallen more than 20% since the first of the year, and the stock is now trading near a 52-week low. Harley's overseas sales have increased in the past year but not enough to buoy the sagging U.S. sales numbers or the company's sales prospects going forward.
Not all of the news is bad, however. New scooter and dual-sport bike sales saw no decline last year. In fact, dual-sport bikes saw increases in sales not paralleled since 1989, and U.S. Vespa sales increased by a whopping 18%. That presents an interesting dichotomy when compared to the slumping dirt bike, cruiser and sport bike sales seen in the current US marketplace.
Faced with a home mortgage meltdown, tightening credit, and a less than certain job market, US consumers are
