April 19, 2006
Vespa goes Hybrid.
On my beloved Vespa p200e I can ride around town for almost 2 weeks on a $3.00 tank of gas. That's beyond cheap, I don't even think about gas half the time. In fact, I have to get fuel so infrequently, that when I do have to actually pull into a station it's a huuuge bother. And my scooter is from 1979, so it doesn't even get optimal gas milage for a new 2 stroke motor, like the ones in the new Stellas that get around 90 mpg.
I just read an article about Piaggio, Vespa's parent company, testing 2 hybrid versions from their line of new scooters in Milan. A hybrid Vespa LX 50, and Piaggio X8 125. They are even saying that you can switch to lower speed "electric only" running, and emit practically ZERO emissions. Making the scooters viable for interior riding. Especially practical if you live in a giant penthouse loft.
i want two of em! one for me, and one for...um, oh fuck it, i can't think of anything clever.
Posted by: rp at April 19, 2006 8:07 PMDid you have a motorcycle or scooter growing up? I guess what I'm asking is when did you learn to ride one?
Posted by: mary k at April 20, 2006 2:32 PMmary:
No, my parents are the type that would assume I'd kill myself on a motorized cycle of any sort. Though I did once ride a moped for 10 minutes when I was like 12.
my first scooter was a "twist and go" scooter I got about 6 years ago. (twist and go referring to it being a single speed, lower speed scooter, you just turn the throttle and it go's, no gears to shift) It was stolen out of the front lawn of our house in Grant Park.
It was easy to learn to ride, even Adri got good at riding it. It is, however, easy to get hit and/or killed while riding a scooter in Atlanta if you are not VERY cautious. The general rule is "assume the other people do';t see you" because for the most part they don't.
Before getting a higher speed scooter with multiple gears I would recommend a motorcycle safety course.
Posted by: clunky at April 20, 2006 2:54 PMMy first ride was an 84’ Honda 250cm. This was after years of my parents denying my brother and I any motorized transportation. My s-dad just announced “we’re going to Lawrence, KS to pick it up“. It was cool. Cops loved write'n me tickets.
Posted by: MachinistScott at April 21, 2006 3:01 AM
