Friday, April 23, 2010

A 100% electric motorcycle I would actually want

It's the day after Earth Day, many people wore their t-shirts yesterday and posted on Facebook how they are for saving the Earth. This morning many of them got into their gas-guzzling SUVs to drive into work. Here's something for those SUV riders to help them save the Earth everyday.

I came across the Brammo Enertia all electric motorcycle in the May 2010 issue of AMA's American Motorcyclist. This bike actually looks like a motorcycle. While the Enertia won't be a total replacement for your car, SUV,  or your highway scooter/motorcycle (20-50 mile range per charge depending upon speed and conditions), it is something that most of us could definitely use for our daily commute. Check out their site for some interesting facts on both cost and carbon savings.  Currently sold at Best Buy in California and Oregon, I hope we will be seeing some Enertias on the road in Florida very soon.

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Thursday, April 22, 2010

Happy Earth Day! Ride a bike, save the planet.

Celebrate Earth Day by riding your bike. Scooters and motorcycles provide greater fuel economy, reduce congestion and wear and tear on our roads and bridges. Newer scooters are even more eco-friendly as many of them are now 4-stroke engines with catalytic converters.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Tampa Bay loses a Vespa dealer


Maybe it was the extreme cold winter or the economic recession has taken it's toll, but Vespa Tampa (actually located in St. Petersburg) has closed it's doors. It wasn't too long ago that gas was over $4 a gallon, and everyone was looking for scooters and small motorcycles to commute. It's a shame, Vespa Tampa's store in downtown St. Pete was a unique boutique type store.

It's been confirmed on ModernVespa.com that Vespa Clearwater (part of Universal Motors) is open for business with bikes and parts in stock. Hopefully with the weather turning the warmer, we'll start to see more happy faces out riding on scooters.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Testing my camera while riding

Last June I got a new camera, and I wanted to test out the quality if I hand held the camera while riding. Probably not the safest thing to do, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I tested this on a street in our community, so I new there would be little traffic. The camera worked pretty well, my next step is to try to mount it with a gorilla post for more extended riding. All of our videos to date have been shot on the Sanyo Xacti 2 waterproof camera.

Here's short clip of me and the beach. I may have gotten carried away with some of the iMovie sounds clips.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Vespa Air Filter Cleaning (How to)


Scooter Girl demonstrates how to clean the sponge type air filter used in Vespas. This video shows a Vespa LX150, and how to clean both the primary and secondary air filters.

Scooter Girl Euro Turn Signal Kit Installation on Vespa LX150

Scooter Girl demonstrates how to install the Vespa LX150 Euro Turn Signal Kit from Motorsport Scooters. This kit allows you to remove the stock turn signal pods, and convert your running lights into running lights and turn signals. Your scooter will regain the original European look.

Vespa - Rear Tire Change (How to)

In this video excerpt, Maureen demonstrates how to change the rear tire on a Vespa LX. The reassembly is available in "Part 2: A Florida Scooter Girl's Vespa LX 150 Maintenance Video".

To watch the full procedure, including the engine and gear box oil changes, please view "Part 1: A Florida Scooter Girl's Vespa LX 150 Maintenance Video".

Vespa LX 150 Engine Oil Change (How to)

In this video excerpt, Maureen demonstrates how to change the engine oil on a Vespa LX. To watch the full procedure, including removal of the wheel, please view "Part 1: A Florida Scooter Girl's Vespa LX 150 Maintenance Video".

Vespa LX 150 Gear Box 'hub' Oil Change (How to)


In this video excerpt, Maureen demonstrates how to change the hub (gear box) oil on a Vespa LX. To watch the full procedure, including removal of the wheel, please view "Part 1: A Florida Scooter Girl's Vespa LX 150 Maintenance Video".


Part 2: A Florida Scooter Girl's Vespa LX 150 Maintenance Video

Maureen wanted to learn how to do some of the Vespa maintenance. I told her why not make a video to share with other scooter riders who may want to learn as well. She thought it was a great idea. 

In this video, she demonstrates how to: change the rear tire; change the gear box oil; and change the engine oil. Part 1 shows the tire removal and part 2 shows the reassembly. We had a great time, and I hope you enjoy watching.

Part 1: A Florida Scooter Girl's Vespa LX 150 Maintenance Video

Maureen wanted to learn how to do some of the Vespa maintenance. I told her why not make a video to share with other scooter riders who may want to learn as well. She thought it was a great idea. 

In this video, she demonstrates how to: change the rear tire; change the gear box oil; and change the engine oil. Part 1 shows the tire removal and part 2 shows the reassembly. We had a great time, and I hope you enjoy watching.