Is it time for you to take a fresh look at scooters? Check out the new Piaggio Carnaby.
With the growing (literally) problem of traffic in large cities and metropolitan areas, many are taking a fresh look at scooters as a viable form of transportation. Why? Simple, really. No, really... that's it: they are a simple way to get around. Not only do they pollute less than our cars and trucks, they even pollute less than most motorcycles. And, unlike your average motorcycle (which are getting nothing but larger these days) scooters are easy to maneuver, park and carry more stuff than motorcycles. So, take a look at this new quick little review of Piaggio's latest, the Carnaby. If you like playful music, '70's style flowers and colors and flash websites, you can view it here as well. Piaggio has been the dominant scooter force since their Vespa brand first introduced scootering to the U.S. after World War II, so you know that they have worked out the bugs, so to speak. I don't see the Carnaby listed yet on Piaggio's USA site, does anybody have knowledge of a timetable for bringing it over here?
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[Source: Be Sportier, thanks Ilya!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Scott 5:33PM (4/16/2007)
Hmm... Looks a lot like the Aprila SportCity 250, which is available now in the US, but with smaller engine displacements. See . This bike may never make it to the US, which is typical for Piaggio. If you wanted a 200cc engine, the BV200 might be a good one to check out.
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Scott 5:35PM (4/16/2007)
The SportCity page is http://www.apriliausa.com/modelli/scooter/modello.asp?id=117# and the BV200 is at http://www.piaggiousa.com/pScooters/BV200.cfm
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kert 1:31AM (4/17/2007)
again, this needs to be battery electric. getting a 50-mile range with a comparable performance to ICE version on a scooter is today technically easily achievable. And nobody is going to want a longer than 50 miles trip a day on it anyway.
Vespa needs to do that, quick. There are e-scooters, but from obscure brands built in too small volumes, suffering from spare parts supply problems and so on.
Vectrix is there, but its aiming at the very high end, competes with Yamaha TMAX or Honda Silver Wing. They need to aim at the very entry level.
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Galley 8:22AM (4/17/2007)
I love scooters, but here in South Carolina, any small scooter is labeled a "moped", thus becoming a vehicle for folks with DUIs. A paper "MOPED" tag means DUI.
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George Krpan 12:48AM (4/19/2007)
Whoa, that's a pretty poor commentary on the mentality of South Carolina. In Michigan the same is thought of people on bicycles.
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Steve Guzman 8:44AM (4/20/2007)
Actually the Aprilia SportCity 250 is scheduled to arrive in the USA in the next 2 or 3 weeks. I'll be doing a review of it if you'd like to see how it handles on our streets. www.TheScooterScoop.com
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