Scooter Flooded

If you happen to live on the East Coast you may have experienced this horrible weather we have had. All the rain that has come down has meant some bad days for riding and even worse flooding all up and down the East Coast causing many road closings. Fortunatly (depending how you look at it) I just got my scooter back all fixed up after our fall. I have been going crazy wanting to ride and watching all these bikes and scooters cruising around town. As this picture proves Philadelphia riders ride!

Helmet that hardens on impact.

Sticking to our safety theme I bring you the revolutionary new design in helmets. I think I will let the product description speak for itselef:

"It’s made with “intelligent molecules” that harden on impact. Sounds a bit iffy—don’t you want the thing to harden just slightly before impact? But apparently it works, because they’ve used the product in many test-falls and everyone is amazed at how well it protects the noggin (that, or the concussion is making them all really st00pid). The company also makes shoes and sports gear, but it seems to be available only in Europe for around $70."

-I do believe I have seen similar materials used on military vehicles and the occasional off-road hummer as shocks. Essentially its a metal mix that hardens rapidly. You do have to figure that a plastic shell would at least be requireed to secure the chin area and visor. This would mean however the perhaps helmets could become reusable.

Airbag Jacket Now Available

I have just received an email from the President of Impact Jackets informing me that their line of airbag jackets are now available for sale in the US.

IMPACT JACKETS provides personal airbag protection jackets for motorcycle riders and horse back riders. After the helmet, personal airbag protection jackets may be the most important safety innovation for motorcycle riders and horse back riders alike. What the industry has learned won't shock anyone. Having them is crucial and having them in the right place is even more important. Just about anything your body hits at high speed can cause serious injury or death. Your personal airbag protection jacket is what you need to reduce the risk of serious injury or death.

New: Strada RX260CE Liquid Cooled Scooter

Its official the new Strada RX260CE is on the way. I know PSF has been working on this scoot for some time now and have put in some real time and effort. I actually got the chance to see the proto-type RX260CE while touring the new facility a few months ago. It wasn't much to look at as it was just frame and engine but it did look impressive. This new model will be the second most powerful in the fleet, behind the SS300, but will be housed in a similar body style to the current RX150CE. With so much power in such a small scooter this should really prove to be a winner. Evidently they have invested 2.5 million dollars for R&D and production molds through their manufacturer Qianjiang Motorcycle Group of China so you can bet PSF is banking on it! Can't wait to see one in person and hopefully test ride it.

-No word yet on expected delivery.

PSF Steps Its Game Up

What can be more frustrating than being put on hold with really bad music or how about not being able to talk to anyone who has a clue, well if your needing to get answers from PSF you need not worry. PSF President Alan Leson recently announced their plans for an expanded and upgraded communications system with up to the minute inventory information. There new 35,000 square foot facility will be the first to be wired with multiple phone lines setup by department. In addition the facility will be setup with a state of the art inventory control system enabling them to be able to tell you on the spot about your part or scooter request. With 1,000-1,500 scooters on hand at any given time and the organization of the their new parts department it should be easy to get what you need when you need it (except yesterday I would assume). Personally I can say I have had very good luck getting help but this should be reassuring for those who don't live so close as help will be only a phone call away.

Vento set to invade Canada!

Vento is currently undergoing Transport Canada's approval process to import and sell Vento scooters in Canada. Supposedly only a limited number of models will be introduced initially. There is a chance however that they will be in stores by the end of the season (year?).

YAMATI Imposter Exposed

PSF has recently released a statement addressing the fraudulent use of the Yamati name. Apparently NDPowerSports is offering a scooter which is identical to the Vento Phantera GT5 but badged as a Yamati. You will notice that the picture used is taken directly from Vento's website. According to PSF these are not their scooters and this company is not an authorized dealer.
"Fraudulent use of the name YAMATI

Just wanted to inform the members of this forum that www.ndpowersports.com is selling scooters using the trademarked name YAMATI.

http://ndpowersports.com/elitecruiser250.htm

They are not our bikes!!! The use of the name is Illegal and will be addressed by our Attorneys.

Alan Leson"

Pictures from the wreck

Here are a couple of shots of my poor scooter after the crash:

Taking a spill

So today I managed to get my first fall out of the way. I laid the scooter down pretty good but was able to get right back up and starter her up. I must say I am actually somewhat relieved because as they say: There are two types of riders those that have gone down and those that are going to. I now know which type of rider I really am.

Unfortunatly for me I didn't get my summer protective gear yet but besides a few scrapes and sore shoulder Im none the worse for the experience. My helmet even managed to survive without a mark to tell. The scooter however experienced a decent amount of damage to some of the body panels which are easily replaceable. The scooter still runs fine but I am going to go a head and have it checked out anyways.

The lesson to be learned here is that at some point in time the inevitable will happen. When it does you want to make sure to be prepared and react accordingly. I did my best to keep the scooter up but in the end realized it best to just let it go. Im very glad that it happened as it did and nobody got hurt. Another quick point I would like to make is that this accident occured just around the corned from my house. Sometimes I think if Im riding to the store down the street that I don't need my helmet or gear but in the end I always put it on. Statistically you are much more likely to get into an accident within a few miles of your house.

So please ride safe and heads up at all times. It also helps to keep the scoot up too.