Your kidding right?

As so many of us know gas prices have really taken a ride as of late. All of our scooters use premium so the lower number is the one I look at. The gas prices might go back down, but the era of cheap gas is gone. Suppliers can't refine enough to meet demand. The price per barrel of oil is $15 less then last summers record highs, but as of today we are close to record prices at the pump. The issue is heated and becomes far too political for a scooter guy like myself and this blog. All of this means Vespa's and Piaggio's are becoming more attractive alternatives.

The new MP3 got 162 miles on it's last tank which is 3.2 gallons, around 50mpg. And that tank was a lot of higher speeds and "spirited" riding. 60 mpg in normal driving would be easily attainable. Even most hybrids can't touch that. Vespa's LX150 normally gets around 65mpg and the GTS about the same. As the standard declaimer reads; "gas mileage is affected by, weight, conditions and driving habits", but 60mpg is the norm and easily achievable in normal use.

Scooters and Motorcycles consume less, polute less, cost less to operate and in the end more fun. The last thing I want to do is use this space to advance a political agenda but were talking common sense and better way to travel. For the Environment, for your bank account or pure enjoyment, take your pick!

Ride Safe, Enjoy life

LXV Style

The new MP3 has been hogging a lot of the attention as of late but we have not forgotten about the two wheelers. The 2007 LXV is in stock and hasn't been getting the attention it deserves. The handlebar, seat and paint job is perfect. Classic and Modern blended together. The riding position is different from the regular LX150, closer and more direct is the best I can say. Overall I think it's the best looking scooter we sell. Piaggio and Vespa have done a great job at using existing chassis and engines to form new designs. Using tried and true mechanical yet expanding options and overall appearances. One of the best examples is the LXV and GTV.

Thoughts on three wheels.

As most of you know the new MP3 has been well received by almost everyone that rides it, and the people that don't like have either never driven one, or they were expecting something else and it's just not their style, and that's fine. I have few thoughts and reflections after over 500mi of riding it myself. First, The MP3 is not a long distance cruiser, period. It's not because the engine is not willing or because the seat is not comfortable, it's because you just need more cc's to travel at sustained high speeds. I have taken the MP3 on longer trips in the country, 55-65 mph is stable and comfortable, speeds above that are attainable but your really revving the engine and just killing your gas mileage. High gas mileage is one of the biggest benefits a 250cc scooter has to offer. Many people have said just shove a bigger motor in it. It's really not that easy, consider the wheel sizes we are dealing with. This scooter does weigh 450lbs and with that weight comes a stable and predictable ride, crosswinds have little effect compared some other bikes, But with that amount of weight acceleration at high speeds is effected and this is the only downside I have found. The weight is centered low in the frame and all of that weight just melts away once your moving. If you want a highway cruiser check out the X9 or the BV500.
However you will not find another scooter or motorcycle that is as capable in adverse conditions, wet and slick roads are no match for this thing. In town or out on this scooter comes into it's own and is truly in a class by itself. The MP3's excellent grip and strong brakes are confidence inspiring, performance is not about all out speed or acceleration. Another feature that I just love is the storage, you can't appreciate the storage until you go without it for a day. After using this scooter this much I'm still torn between the MP3 and Vespa GTS for the my favorite scooter. The MP3 for the technology and attention getting, sometime near accident causing uniqueness or the GTS for it's performance and simplicity. It's a toss up, however I did ride the new Vespa LXV and had a ton a fun. I guess more time is needed to make a good decision. You should stop in and test ride all three, I could use your help deciding.

Ride Safe, Save Gas, enjoy life.