2003 Scooter Update
Making The Scene
 One
of Kozmo.com’s most memorable traits of their short-lived legacy was seeing
bright orange scooters all over town bringing snacks and videos to online
Seattleites with a zest for convenience.
And while Kozmo is gone today, scootering in Puget Sound is building steadily. An interesting piece ran in the September 22nd
issue of the Seattle times, noting the various ways people have changed their
habits to adapt to the traffic. But the Times neglected to point out that many
people have switched to scooters as a mode of transportation for skirting
through rush hour traffic and snagging up precious parking where cars can’t
slip in.
Many things have changed since our last update on scootering in Puget Sound
. There are more clubs, more models, more dealers and
more riders. Because of the economic crunch and mounting traffic factors in the
region, we may well be on our way to seeing scooter ownership levels of the
early 80’s when a street like University Way was wall to wall scoots. But
there’s another reason people are discovering scooting – IT’S FUN!!!!
Your Choice: Big or Retro
 New
"retro" styled scooters abound. Vespa has reentered the U.S. Market in
the last 18 months with outstanding results. Victor Voris of Big People Scooters
reports sales of more than 200 units on the new 50 and 150cc models. Both Yamaha
and Honda have introduced stylish retro models, the Vino (above/right)
and Metropoliton respectively which are selling steadily out the doors at
University Honda and other franchises.
One of the biggest breakthroughs this year in scootering
was the release of super scooters from Honda and Aprilia (see separate feature).
Honda's 600cc Silver Wing and Aprilias 500cc Atlantic are every bit as fun as
smaller scooters, but put you on the freeway and into a confident passing mode
on command. Each of these scoots will hit close to 100 miles per hour and have
plenty of storage under their seats: making them great for around town errands,
or an overnight trip anywhere in Washington or beyond.
Other lines making their mark with new models in Puget
Sound are Kymco, Derbi and the return of Bajaj.
One brand that hit the market big, and recently left with
a bang was Italjet. The sleek Dragster and euro-styled models arrived in
the U.S. three years ago but disappeared from showroom floors last spring when the
company’s importer- a BMW dealership out of New York- failed to provide needed
parts for warranty and service repairs.
Clubbing
The creation of a Vespa Club of Seattle two years ago
marked Piaggios re-entry in U.S. Vespa sales. Today the club is going strong
with 48 regular members and a plethora of guests arriving at the annual Scooter
Insanity event each summer in July. The club meets the first Tuesday of each
month at the Fairview Grill in Seattle.
There are a number of other Italian groups and gatherings
locally. Clubs like The Flying Monkeys, R-Gang and the Belledonnas put on events
like Festering Oktober Scoot, a Spring Opener ride and a donut run - which is
simply a crawl from one donut shop to the next. Events in Portland and Vancouver
draw a number of owners over the state line for good times too.
 In
the world of plastic the Northwest Scooter Enthusiasts (at right in Chinook
Pass) continue to maintain a monthly ride schedule and regular meetings at
the Latona Tavern the first Wednesday of each month at 7pm. The group consists
primarily of super and maxi scoot owners who are riding Silver Wings, Atlantics and an
occasional Helix. While the monthly Sunday rides are open to larger cc’s
scoots only, the summer weeknight rides are all within the city of Seattle and
all scoots are welcome. A new South Sound based plastic scoot group has formed
as well.
Dealer Me In
In the last two years the number of dealerships carrying a
wide array of scooters has grown. Interbay Scooters has opened up along Seattle’s
15th Avenue NW and carries the entire line of Kymco. Moto
International recently became an Aprilia dealer and carries the entire line of
Aprilia scooters and motorcycles. Maharaja Motors in Lake City has brought in
the entire line of Bajaj and Peugot offerings and now sports its own
dealership name of Scooters of Seattle. The Ducati dealership in Seattle also
continues to stock scooters, currently from Derbi and Malaguti.
Look for a Vespa boutique downtown in Seattle in the not
too distant future and a number of Piaggio models showing up at Georgetown’s
Big People Scooters- which currently stocks and services Vespa.
PT/Fall 02
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