Random Scootering

by Stephen "Hell Cat" Heller
stephen@motorbyte.com
Issue #99—Winter 2008

Best Scooter I Rode in 2007
After much deliberation, here is my list of my favorite scooters from 2007. I did limit it to scooters I actually rode, so no Heinkel Tourist.

5. SYM HD200- For size power and overall quality, I think it is a great bike. I am looking forward to riding the HD250 in the new year.

4. Genuine Scooter’s Rattler 110- I had high hopes for this scooter; a 110cc 2-stroke! The ultimate hooligan scooter was a let down out of the box. Tweaked a bit, I’m sure it will be awesome. But out of the box, it could use a bit more.

3. Piaggio MP3- It’s hard to put this on the list, because it’s not really a scooter in my book. Great handling, interesting looks, well executed.

2. Kymco People 250s- Would be number 1, but it is not a pretty looking scooter. It has grown on me, especially after riding it. Great handling, great brakes, great acceleration. No major flaws.

1. Vespa GTS 250- It just slipped in there. It is older than the rest, but it was my first time on one. It doesn’t seem to be as zippy as the People S, but it makes up for that in style. Its size is getting on the big side, but still feels comfortable at all speeds.

Scoots I am looking forward to in 2008
Here’s my short list of scooters I’m ready to ride for 2008. I hope the road test editor remembers that “gift” he received from his scooter columnist when handing out road test assignments.

5. 500cc MP3- Tough looking, with double the displacement. What’s not to love?

4. A Hybrid scooter- It seems like everyone is talking about it. Who will be the first with one on the road? Whoever it is, I want to ride it.

3. SE Buddy 150- Not 200cc like I previously reported: 4-valves, 2-tone paint, and white walls. I can’t wait.

2. A fuel-injected Kymco- With their track record, I’m sure it will be very good. It will be nice to compare something to the GTS.

1. Vespa S- A modern take on the 1970’s Vespa 50 special; square headlight, sport seat, and it comes in white!

Winter Scooter Rally
Cabin Fever Rally, Jan 18-19. I know that the snow is just starting to fall, but you can always make plans for scooter get-togethers. Scooterville will be hosting the Cabin Fever Rally again this year at its new location by the Whisky Junction and the Cabooze. Details are still being worked on, but plan on a vintage scooter swap meet, tech sessions, give aways, and of course lots and lots of scooter talk. An invasion of parka clad scooter riders in the neighboring bars might be on the agenda, too!

Even further in the future, mark your calendar for the second weekend in August for the Rattle My Bones Scooter Rally. It is a week earlier than last year, and the same weekend as the Scooter Du rally in the past. Planning is underway. As always, more info and a message board can be found at www.rattlemybones.com.

Local Scooter Podcasts
Dave H., of www.justgottascoot.com, has been very judicious with his coverage of the scooter scene in Minneapolis and around the country. You can listen to his podcasts with the owners of local scooter shops, Bluecat Motors and Scooterville, talking about their shops and their background. You can also find a podcast with the organizers of the Twin Cities scooter rally and other movers and shakers in the scooter biz. I would check it out if you can’t get enough of scooters.

Correction
In the last issue of MMM, #98. We tested a SYM HD200. In the write up the dealer that loaned the SYM wasn’t acknowledged. So here’s a tip of the hat and a special thanks to Bluecat Motors, the only SYM dealer in metro area, for loan of the HD200.

M.M.M.