New Vespa dealer in Florida!

About three weeks ago, a new store in the Scooter Superstore chain opened in Gainesville, Florida! That means I can have dealer service done right where I live! Hooray!

Address: 203 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609

Phone: (352) 373-3436

Look for the blue sign that says Vespa Piaggio. I stopped in yesterday and met Todd and Robert, the manager and (so far) sole employee. Both were very nice and enthusiastic about scooters. Their Web site is not so great, but the store is one of the nicest I have seen anywhere. (No, they are not paying me to say this! But they did give me a free T-shirt.)

I'd also like to give a shout out to Freedom Power Sports in Kennesaw, Georgia. They did a "second first service" on my scooter on July 22, after I had put 500-plus miles on her in three days. Chip was my mechanic, and I really liked the style and customer care there. They didn't give me any freebies (except a cold bottle of water, which I really appreciated), so this is just a customer recommendation.

I've seen mechanics' bays in several different motorcycle shops, and theirs was rather awe-inspiring. Clean, well-lighted, lots of big power lifts, and happy mechanics. Happy customers too, from what I could see.

Home from a 1,300-mile road trip

Just got back today from my ride from Florida to Chattanooga, Tennessee. That's my Vespa LX 150 on the sidewalk across the street from the Choo Choo hotel, headquarters for AmeriVespa 2008.

I will be posting some details about the trip as soon as I have some time!

More photos here.

Norrie Kerr's Web site

http://www.norrie-kerr.co.uk/

This will give you an idea what he's like, but without the charming
Scots accent, unfortunately.

Listening to Norrie Kerr

I know next to nothing about scooter racing, but this man is one of
the all-time greats. This morning he spoke to a very appreciative
group of scooter enthusiasts at AmeriVespa -- and showed us a few
videos of some choice TV appearances he's made over the years.
Thoroughly enjoyable!

From Florida to Tennessee

Right now I'm in a coffee shop in Greenville, Georgia, on my way to Amerivespa in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The back roads in Georgia are sweet! More to come later ... There will be photos ...

Yes, I'm riding my 150cc Vespa LX!

Scooter how-to and safety tips

"Scooter School" is a program of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. You can download a useful booklet from their Web site (free):


...

Florida Scooter and Motorcycle License

A new state law requires riders to complete the Florida Rider Training Program before getting a motorcycle endorsement on a driver's license.

As of July 1, 2008, completion of this course is required for all motorcyclists who wish to obtain a motorcycle endorsement or motorcycle only license. Upon successful completion of the course, may be entitled to insurance premium discounts through participating insurance companies.

This makes it sound like "obtaining a motorcycle endorsement" is optional. That is NOT correct! See here:

If you wish to operate any two or three wheel motorcycle, whose engine is more than 50 cc, you are required to have a motorcycle endorsement on your driver license or a motorcycle-only license. (Source: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles)

So if you live in Florida, and you are riding anything bigger than 50cc, you need to go and take the course. That includes a lot of scooters (like my 150cc).

The Florida course is based on the famous MSF course. I went through that course and got the endorsement on my license. Taking the course is really worthwhile, in my opinion.

Amerivespa 2008 - July 24-27

The biggest U.S. rally for Vespas!


Pre-registration will close on Sunday, July 13.

The rally will kick off Thursday evening with a meet-and-greet event, according to the agenda.

There's an optional day-before ride on the famous Tail of the Dragon (318 curves in 11 miles). Yeah, I thought about it. No, I'm not doing it. My LX 150 could handle it, but I just get too freaked out by sheer drops off the side of a mountain, y'know?

The rally wraps up Sunday afternoon with a riverboat ride -- and a raffle!

U.S. Motorcycle Sales and Accidents, 1996-2005

Here is some information to consider when you want to discuss motorcycle safety:


Click to see a larger version of the chart.

Sources: Motorcycle Industry Council, U.S. New Unit Motorcycle Sales; U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Traffic Safety Facts 2006 Data -- Motorcycles (PDF file).

Motorcycle deaths in U.S.

Here's a large report with lots of statistics from Gannett News Service:

• In 1996, 5.6 motorcyclists were killed for every 10,000 registered motorcycles on the road. By 2006, the rate had risen to 7.3.
• About 42 percent of motorcycle riders killed in accidents between 2002 and 2006 were not wearing helmets.
• In raw numbers, the annual death toll in motorcycle crashes rose from 2,116 in 1997 to 4,810 of 2006.

It really burns me up that this discussion focuses almost exclusively on helmets -- wearing them vs. not wearing them -- and NOT on the increasing popularity of motorcycle riding, with the associated increase in new riders (of all ages).

Someone who has been riding for less than six months is more likely to be involved in an accident than someone who has been riding (regularly) for six years. But those kinds of numbers are rarely even published, let alone discussed.

Let's look at that list again:

• Tell us HOW MANY NEW MOTORCYCLES were sold in 1996 vs. 2006, and the percent change: In 1996, 5.6 motorcyclists were killed for every 10,000 registered motorcycles on the road. By 2006, the rate had risen to 7.3.
• Why not talk about how 58 percent of motorcycle riders killed in accidents between 2002 and 2006 WERE wearing helmets? Their helmets did not save them. About 42 percent of motorcycle riders killed in accidents between 2002 and 2006 were not wearing helmets.
• Again, you need to talk about the INCREASED NUMBER OF RIDERS: In raw numbers, the annual death toll in motorcycle crashes rose from 2,116 in 1997 to 4,810 of 2006.

Safety is hugely important on motorcycles and scooters, but a helmet doesn't make you SAFER (I always wear a helmet, by the way) -- you are safer if you ride safely. You are safer if you ride on a road with no other vehicles on it. You're safer if you don't take corners too fast.

Heck, you're safer if you ride with your eyes open, not closed!