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Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

Grand Rapids Scooter Asks Can E-Bikes Displace Cars?

Electric bicycles could offer cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in countries like China.

The 21st-century equivalent of the cavalry has come charging in to rescue cities in China and South Asia in their battles against air pollution and global warming. And it's also beginning to help out on the traffic-choked streets in London, New York, São Paulo and Los Angeles.

This is the electric bicycle, or "e-bike," a technology that blends the simplicity and mobility of a traditional bicycle with the speed of a moped or motorized scooter, but without the internal combustion engine.
Transportation experts say e-bikes -- along with electric cars, light-rail trains and more pedestrian-friendly cities -- could become one of the primary drivers of cleaner air and reduced global greenhouse emissions across much of the urbanized world, with China, India and Southeast Asia leading the fight to clear the air.
"The bicycle is an enormously efficient vehicle," said Ed Benjamin, managing director of eCycleElectric, a consulting firm to the light electric vehicle industry with offices in the United States, China and Taiwan. "The rolling resistance is minimal. They cost very little in terms of materials and the energy needed to build them compared to other vehicles. They don't require gasoline and can be parked almost anywhere."
"The problem," Benjamin added, "is we could say a bicycle is only good for healthy, strong people who are willing to get out in the weather. And there are large populations around the world that don't fall into that category."
Still, e-bikes -- defined as two-wheeled vehicles equipped with a traditional bicycle drivetrain but enhanced with an electric motor capable of propelling a bike as fast as 20 mph -- have solved the mobility problem for hundreds of millions around the world.
In China alone, more than 100 million e-bikes have been sold over the past decade, accounting for "the single largest adoption of alternative fuel vehicles in history," said Christopher Cherry, a University of Tennessee engineering professor and leading scholar on e-bikes.
In addition to being light and relatively inexpensive, e-bikes are also more climate-friendly than other modes of transportation, including gasoline- or diesel-powered cars and buses, and even electric passenger vehicles. In fact, carbon dioxide emissions for a Chinese e-bike are about one-tenth of what is emitted by a conventional electric car, when factoring in the electricity source needed to power the car's much larger batteries, according to research published recently by Cherry and colleague Shuguang Ji.
Yet despite their many positive attributes, e-bikes have been slow to win favor with consumers outside Asia, and they represent a tiny fraction of total U.S. bicycle sales. In the United States last year, official tallies show e-bike sales of 80,000 units, according to data compiled by Electric Bikes Worldwide Reports. That compares to 30 million e-bikes sold last year in China, 1.4 million in India, 400,000 in Europe and 300,000 to 350,000 in Japan.
Pedal-prone people grow older
While no two countries or regions have the same set of factors driving the adoption of e-bikes, most share a few things in common -- namely urban congestion, a lack of sufficient parking for cars and a cultural acceptance of two-wheeled vehicles as a viable form of daily transportation.
Throughout much of Europe, where the modern bicycle was invented in Germany around 1818, "the population is generally getting older and less mobile, but these are people who have ridden bicycles their entire lives," said Benjamin. "So the idea of being able to go longer distance at faster speeds, but still doing it on a bike, has broad appeal."
China's e-bike explosion dates to the mid-1990s, when large cities like Beijing and Shanghai adopted strict anti-pollution measures to alleviate some of the world's worst urban air quality. The country has its own cultural bond to two-wheeled transit.
In the 1860s, bicycles ridden mostly by foreign businessmen, students and missionaries began plying the streets of China's port cities, eventually spreading to interior cities and provincial capitals. But only after 1949, with the founding of the People's Republic of China, did bicycling see the kind of explosion that made for the popular image of Chinese thoroughfares jammed curb to curb with bikes.
According to bicycle historian Amir Moghaddass Esfehani, China's Communist Party leaders embraced the bicycle industry by merging small manufacturers into national firms, giving the industry preferential allowances of rationed materials and providing subsidies to Chinese workers to purchase bikes.
Cherry, the University of Tennessee engineering professor, said that while traditional bicycles remain part of the transportation mix, Chinese consumers have embraced the e-bike with revolutionary zeal. On recent trips to cities like Shanghai and Beijing, Cherry said, thoroughfares that used to carry a mix pedestrians and bicycles have become "veritable rivers of e-bikes."
'As clean as it gets'?
That transition, experts say, has netted huge benefits for China's urban air quality and has helped rein in greenhouse gas emissions from the country's transportation sector.
Recent research published by Cherry and colleagues in the journal Environmental Science & Technology identified e-bikes as the least-polluting form of motorized transportation in China, with significantly lower emissions of fine particulates (PM 2.5) and greenhouse gases than even conventional electric vehicles (EVs), when accounting for the source of electricity used to charge the cars' larger batteries.
While China's electricity sector is not uniform -- with some regions relying more on hydropower than on fossil fuels -- it remains, on the whole, dominated by coal plants that emit millions of tons of pollutants per year.
According to Cherry's recent study comparing vehicle emissions in 34 Chinese cities, carbon dioxide emissions from both internal combustion vehicles and EVs were an order of magnitude higher than those for e-bikes, which average just 250 watts and can be charged overnight using a standard wall plug. Conventional vehicle emissions came directly from tailpipes, while those associated with EVs come from power plant smokestacks, often located outside cities.
The result, he said, is that some urban areas are experiencing cleaner air conditions because the emissions-free electric vehicles are moving pollutants from city streets to power plants, but that the country's overall pollution budget remains unchanged or even slightly higher due to the additional generation by coal plants.
"Hands down, electric bikes are about as clean as it gets in terms of addressing these primary pollutants," he said.
To be sure, there are some downsides. Critics have noted that 95-plus percent of e-bike motors produced in China today rely on lead-acid batteries, which until recently were discarded as trash when they wore out, according to Benjamin. A gradual shift toward lithium-ion batteries, combined with an aggressive campaign by Chinese government officials to encourage battery recycling, has helped, but concerns about lead pollution persist in some areas.
And in some Chinese cities, where e-bike riders are vying for lane space with cars, traditional bikes and pedestrians, sometimes there are disastrous results. According to Chinese government data, the death toll from accidents involving e-bikes reached more than 3,600 in 2009, compared with 2,500 in 2007.
While some cities -- including Beijing and Shenzhen -- have responded to public safety concerns with e-bike bans, most have been poorly enforced or scrapped after the measures had little effect on e-bike ridership, Benjamin said.
Last March, the Chinese national government began enforcing decade-old standards requiring that e-bikes weigh no more than 40 kilograms (88 pounds) with top speeds of no more than 20 kilometers per hour (12.4 mph). Any e-bikes that exceeded those limits would be deemed substandard and be subject to confiscation.
U.S. consumers catch on, but slowly
In the United States, where e-bikes have captured a tiny niche within the larger bicycle industry, the challenge is convincing bicycle purists about e-bikes and converting users from strictly recreational riders into commuters for work or personal business.
Larry Pizzi, president of Chatsworth, Calif.-based Currie Technologies, the largest e-bike distributor in the United States, said the e-bike industry saw a sizable boost in 2008, when gasoline prices in the United States soared to nearly $4 per gallon. That trend repeated itself in 2011 as gas prices soared again, and could happen again this summer if pump prices go up.
"I think there is a growing interest, particularly among urban dwellers, that is directly linked to the cost of gasoline," Pizzi said. At the same time, he said, urbanites are seeking more convenient ways to navigate city streets and sidewalks without the hassle and cost of parking a motorcycle or full-size vehicle.
Benjamin said urban planners and developers are increasingly discussing how to efficiently move people to their workplaces, shopping districts, parks and other places that are within commuting distance but are not walkable due to terrain, weather or other obstacles.
"This is what transportation planners now call the 'first-kilometer vehicle,'" Benjamin said. "We used to drive those kinds of distances, and we touted the idea of 'inexpensive automobile transportation.' But those three words don't fit together anymore."
Not surprisingly, experts say the early adopters of e-bikes in the United States are people living in high-density areas such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, as well as in bicycle-friendly cities with hilly terrain such as San Francisco and Seattle.
E-bikes are also being deployed by police departments -- Los Angeles has police officers on 26 e-bikes -- and on traffic-choked college campuses such as the University of Tennessee, where Cherry and his associates have piloted a program to get students and faculty out of their cars and onto motorized bikes.
Pizzi said the U.S. market for e-bikes also includes many older Generation Xers and Baby Boomers who seek a recreational bicycle for short trips and mild exercise. "Their initial intent is to buy the e-bike to have fun recreationally, but what inevitably happens is they seed how easy and practical it is to use it for other things," Pizzi said. "They begin to use it for neighborhood transportation."
Cost remains a factor for e-bike adopters in the United States. An entry-level e-bike sold by Currie Technologies -- with most of its components coming from China -- runs around $1,000, roughly three times more than a conventional bicycle of equal quality, Pizzi said. Higher-end e-bikes, such as those used by the Los Angeles Police Department, can fetch as much as $5,000 per unit.
Even so, "almost every nation in the world has been exploring the idea of electric bikes," said Benjamin. And as Chinese production continues to scale up, with exports to as many as 200 countries last year, there's little reason to think the technology won't take hold elsewhere, including the United States.



Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

Scooters make a comeback in the battle for the cost effective commute Grand Rapids Michigan

SCOOTERS were the must-have fashion accessory for the 1960s mod and now they are making a comeback in Grand Rapids Michigan as drivers ditch the car.
Rocketing fuel prices and gridlocked city centre is leading to an increase in motorbike sales – nationally by 15.3 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2011.

​            Rocketing fuel prices and gridlocked city centre is leading to an increase in motorbike sales – nationally by 15.3 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2011.

The figures from the MCI – the Motorcycle Industry Association – show for BS, TA and some BA postcodes that there’s been an increase of 2.8 per cent in 50-125cc but a 12 per cent increase in scooters.
There are a range of implications on cost too for those taking to a bike or scooter with parking often free or cheaper, no insurance is needed in Michigan and some new scooters do up to 146mpg and emissions are lower.
Steve Kenward, CEO of the MCI, said: “Rising parking charge and high fuel costs point to two wheel motor vehicles as an obvious solution for those seeking sustainable personal transport, with some new scooters and mopeds doing up to 146mpg.”
In Michigan you are not required to carry insurance on a moped.  This can save you hundreds of dollars a year alone.  The registration for a moped in Michigan is only $15.00 and it is good for 3 years! 
Parts for the 49cc moped scooters are very inexpensive and readily available as well.  www.GRScooterParts.com is a great source for Michigan residence to find moped scooter parts, accessories, big bore kits, belts, tires, etc.  You can have the items shipped to your door or order by phone to pick up locally. Grand Rapids Scooter (616) 666-3803
It would be a good idea for someone returning to the road after a gap of a few years to go back and do their CBT again and urges not to skimp on proper motorcycling gear.
Karen Cole, director of Motorcycle Safety at the MCI, says: “Anyone returning to biking after a gap of a few years will notice the huge advance in clothing technology.
“The days of arriving at work all sweaty in leather are a thing of the past. There are some fantastic breathable, waterproof and lightweight fabrics which can be slipped over ordinary clothes really easily.
“In terms of safety we’d advice anyone returning to motorcycling after a long break redo their CBT, which is usually only a day. I’d also advise them to look at some of the post test courses, for example BikeSafe or the Enhanced Rider Scheme which cater specifically for returners.
“If you follow all the safety advice, you’ll have a great time – as mopeding is tremendous fun.”
Various courses are available including schemes such as BikeSafe, which is run by police forces across the country, and Get On which gives information to new would-be scooter riders and offers a free riding trial of a motorbike, moped or scooter.
There is a great rider safety information e-book put out by the MSF that covers how to ride in groups, safety appearal, how to ride in the power position and much more.  You can view or download the entire book here...(with OUT putting in any of your information). http://grandrapidsscooter.blogspot.com/p/free-73-pg-moped-scooter-rider-safety.html
Motorbikes are sometimes seen as a soft target by thieves so it makes sense to fit extra security devices – approved by your insurer - to make it as hard as possible for them to steal yours.
And doing this can also have insurance benefits as many insurers will give you around 10% off your premium for adding things such as immobilisers, heavy duty locks and ground anchors.
If possible you should also keep you bike in a locked garage overnight as this will also make it more difficult for thieves to steal.


 Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

Dominos Introduces Talking Scooter Moped By Fox News

If loud pipes save lives what do you do if your bike doesn’t make any noise?
Give it a voice.
That’s what the Domino’s Pizza franchise in Amsterdam has done to one of its electric delivery scooters…literally.
In a move that’s part protective and part promotional, the “Safe Sound’ scooter plays an amplified recording of someone making a fake engine noise to warn other motorists and pedestrians that it is approaching, with the words “Domino’s” and “Pizza” peppered in for a laugh.
So far, just one of the scooters is portaging pies between the canals, but a company rep says if it proves popular more of these conversation starters will be hitting the road soon.


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/04/20/domino-talking-pizza-delivery-scooter-hits-streets-amsterdam/#ixzz1svSyySlT 

 Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

Moped Suitcase Hits The Market! from: electronicsweekly.com

I can't believe someone makes... Motorised luggage

We've covered super soaraway luggage before - see I can't believe someone makes... Luggage scooters - so this one caught my eye last week. Taking things to a whole new level is motorised storage. Easy Rider was never so cool!

I saw this in The Week (sourced from Stuff Magazine) and the Boxx motorised ride-on suitcase will set you back $3,995! There are headlights, too! And if you want to spend a bit more, there is optional heat seating...

For your thousands of dollars you get a piece of kit that speeds up to 35mph (not legally, along airport terminal corridors remember!) and can cover a range of 80 miles apparently. (It's officially classified as a 'Moped'.)

According to the makers, the features of the system include:

Vehicle Footprint = 1 meter
Vehicle Weight = 120 lbs
Wheels and Tires = Standard 10 inch with extra low profile oem tires
Aerodynamic Design. 3X lower drag coefficent than average
Lighting = Oversized all LED dot lighting system with hazzards
Onboard Storage = Two cargo bays. Room for two bags. Secured
Mechanical footpeg emergency brake
Fluids Free Vehicle
58 front / 42 rear vehicle weight distribution
Performance: 2 to 1 power to weight ratio
monocoque / unibody design

Amenities

Integrated kickstand
Front and rear carry handles
Oversized handle bar grips
Indoor / outdoor storage
External multicolor vehicle status indicator
Glove, pocket item bin
Front / Rear coiled suspension
All aluminium construction
40 degree surface grade capable
Road capable performance
Superior comfort ergonomics
Audio Alerts
90 days Labour, 1 year parts warranty
Upgradable 3 year full coverage warranty
Optional Heated Seat (Cold Weather Package)

Passport? Check. Toothbrush? Check. Let's fire this baby up.... In fact forget the airport, the thought comes to me, you could potentially drive to your holiday destination itself, on your luggage!...

 Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

Safety First! Grand Rapids Scooter Emphasis On Safety & Proper Riding Appearal

PhD researcher Ross Blackman at QUT's Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety - Queensland (CARRS-Q) has studied the safety of motorized two-wheelers, comparing the safety of motorbikes, scooters and mopeds, which has never been done before.
He said mopeds were often referred to as scooters, but differed from their larger cousins in engine size and maximum speed. Mopeds were limited to 50cc engines and a maximum speed of 50 kph, and could be ridden on Queensland roads with a car licence, whereas scooters had a larger engine size and faster maximum speed and required a motorcycle licence.
Mr. Blackman's research found in Queensland, moped registration increased 15-fold from 2001 to 2009, while motorcycle registrations, which included scooters, doubled over the same period.
He said the increase in moped and scooter use was driven largely by the demand for economical and convenient transport for commuting, which raised new road safety considerations.
"Moped crashes appear to occur at a higher rate per registered vehicle and per kilometre travelled than motorcycle crashes," Mr. Blackman said.
"Approximately one per cent of reported scooter and moped crashes resulted in a fatality, while 3.4 per cent of reported motorcycle crashes resulted in a death.
"However, 45 per cent of reported moped crashes still resulted in hospitalisation, so we need to acknowledge those serious injury concerns."
Mr Blackman said the difference in crash severity was related to the circumstances the vehicles were used in.
"Scooter and moped crashes happen more frequently in lower speed zones and on weekdays compared to crashes involving motorcycles, whose riders were more prone to risky riding behaviour, especially while riding recreationally," he said.
"And there is an apparent difference in safety between moped and scooter riders. Crash and survey data indicate scooter riders exhibit safer riding behaviour, greater knowledge of safety issues and superior riding skills.

"This is probably due to a combination of factors, including that scooter riders tend to be older and more experienced. They also hold a motorcycle licence and are therefore likely to have undertaken rider training, unlike moped riders.
"Scooter riders also exhibit safer behaviour than motorcycle riders, despite both groups meeting the same licensing requirements. This suggests a difference in attitude which sees motorcycle riders taking more risks on the road."
Mr. Blackman said moped riders should be encouraged to learn better riding skills and cover up with appropriate clothing.
"Continued efforts are required to encourage use of protective clothing among all riders, particularly moped riders who are significantly more likely to ride while wearing non-protective clothes, such as short-sleeved shirts, skirts and open shoes."
Interesting findings:

• Approximately 36 per cent of crashed moped riders are female, compared with 7 per cent of motorcycle riders and 22 per cent of scooter riders.
• The median age of crashed riders was 32 years for moped riders, 39 years for scooter riders and 35 years for motorcyclists.
• 13 per cent of moped crashes occurred on wet roads, compared with 6 per cent and 8 per cent of scooter and motorcycle crashes, respectively. This suggests inferior riding skills among moped riders.
• 29 per cent of moped crashes were single-vehicle crashes, compared with 21 per cent of scooter crashes and 34 per cent of motorcycle crashes.

Ride Safe and Ride On Michigan!


Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

Helmet law voided for people over 21

By Ian Kullgren|Originally Published: 04/16/12 11:02pm |Modified: 04/18/12 12:00am |9

---

As warmer weather rolls in, student motorcyclists will be able to feel the wind rushing through their hair for the first time.

A new law, effective last week, allows motorcyclists to ride without helmets, ending the nearly 50-year-long safety requirement.

But there are some ground rules. The law, signed by Gov. Rick Snyder last Thursday, only lifts the mandatory helmet requirement for motorcyclists who are over 21 years old. It also requires them to have two years’ experience (or pass certain state safety courses) and to carry more health insurance.

Lawmakers have been clear that the law only affects motorcycle riders — moped riders still are required to wear helmets if they are under the age of 19.

Advocates of the law say it is designed to give qualified riders more freedom.

“The intent is they’ve gotten a couple years’ experience,” Snyder spokesman Terry Stanton said.

Political science freshman John Rizqallah, who owns a motorcycle, said he agrees with the law’s purpose but plans to continue riding with a helmet even after he turns 21 in September.

“I’m going to keep my helmet on; I’m not trying to die,” Rizqallah said. “I don’t believe in trying to control people’s lives, … they’re not endangering anyone else’s lives by not wearing a helmet.”

A 2007 study by the Office of Highway Safety Planning estimated a repeal of the helmet requirement would result in a nearly 26 percent increase in motorcycle accident deaths and about a 17 percent increase in incapacitating injuries, adding about $129 million in economic costs.

The law requires riders must carry at least $20,000 in medical insurance. A legal update from the Michigan State Police issued on Friday said the law does not require riders to carry proof of the extra insurance.

Some argue consumers still will pay more to cover increased injuries. Under Michigan’s no-fault insurance policy, injured motorcycle drivers can collect money for accidents involving another car, Insurance Institute of Michigan spokeswoman Lori Conarton said.

She said this effectively will drive up costs for all consumers in the insurance pools, although it’s not clear how much.

“Other states that have repealed their helmet laws have increased injuries and deaths,” Conarton said. “That will drive up what everybody pays for insurance.”

Both MSU and East Lansing police have motorcycle patrols, although officers still will be required to wear them as part of department policy. “Personally, I would not go without a helmet,” said MSU police Sgt. Shaun Mills, head of the unit. “It’s a safety issue, to me it’s obvious.”

East Lansing police also will be required to wear helmets, Capt. Kim Johnson said.

Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SEGrand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

Considering A Moped Scooter Due To High Gas Prices... You're Not Alone!

by WVEC

WVEC

Posted on March 26, 2012 at 4:36 PM

NORFOLK -- As gas prices go up, interest in vehicles that save gas goes up, too.
While the Motorcycle Industry Council forecasts modest declines in new motorcycle sales through 2012, it's expecting strong sales of fuel-efficient scooters/mopeds. Those sales rose 11.8 percent in 2011. Dual-purpose bike sales were up 14.2 percent as well.
Cycle World in Virginia Beach has seen early signs of drivers switching to scooters. Sales manager Roy Ford says nearly two dozen scooters have been sold so far this year. He says that's a sharp increase from previous years since those sales usually don't pick up until warmer weather.
He says the company ordered twice the number of scooters it had in last year's inventory in anticipation of higher gas prices.
In 2008, scooters sold out in most parts of the country when gas hit $4 per gallon.
Ford says now's the time to buy if you're considering purchasing a scooter so you don't end up on a several-months-long waiting list like consumers did in 2008.

Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

Take a ride in this great story of an epic moped scooter ride...

SEIZING THE WEEKEND

(The story originally appeared in Vol 3, No 2 of the now defunct Scooter Canada magazine).

Colorful fall leaves and two curious deer welcomed us, as my brother and I arrived at a friend’s cottage near Haliburton, Ontario for a weekend of scootering. Despite the beautiful scene, the mood remained somber, as my brother Ben and I had just ridden double for 325kms on my less than spacious Honda CBR125. The near freezing weather, incessant rainfall and our lack of rain gear hadn’t made the trip any more comfortable. Chilled to the bone, we stumbled inside to thaw.

Several hours and quite a few cups of coffee later, the four of us headed outside to unload our scooters. Donny Orr (second place finisher in the 2007 Mad Bastard Rally might I add) had been so kind as to trailer our scooters to the cottage. Normally I would have jumped at the chance to embark on a long ride at a leisurely 60km/hr, but in this case I had serious doubts about the integrity of my machine.

My 1983 Yamaha Beluga 80 had been registered for road use just two days earlier, after spending a cool 16 years in a Kitchener shed. Where in not for the nonchalant nature of the safety inspection (which didn’t even include removing the scooter from the back of my truck), I doubt this scooter would have been seeing road use any time soon. My brother Ben’s scooter wasn’t much more confidence inspiring. As he proudly extols, his 1983 Honda Mascot hasn’t seen any sort of maintenance in years. The fact that he has over 40,000kms on that scooter is mind-boggling.

Rounding out the quartet of scooters was Donny’s 2005 Honda Ruckus and Brian’s borrowed 1986 Elite 150. We unloaded our scooters from Donny’s pickup truck and trailer and moved them into the garage. Despite Donny’s infectious enthusiasm, we weren’t in the mood to ride so we headed inside for the night.

The next morning we prepared for our epic fall ride by gorging on ‘Better than Bacon’, an interesting substitute for bacon that is ready in the microwave in about 8 seconds. I was a bit suspicious of any food that is ready in less time that it takes to pour yourself a cup of coffee, but it stemmed our hunger and so we headed out for little scooting.

With a hot mug of coffee in my cupholder and the throttle wide open, we headed 20kms into Haliburton at a pace rarely exceeding 55km/hr. We stirred things up in town with a lot of honking and then meandered another 10kms to a local waterfall for some scenic photos. As we departed from the waterfall, my understanding was that we were heading back. As it turned out, Donny knew a very long way back.

The kilometers rolled past as we scootered along unfamiliar roads for about two hours in the brisk fall air. Despite my dropping core temperature, I was thrilled that my jalopy scooter was running like a champ. Sure it drops to 25kms/hr up any sort of an incline, but my Beluga seemed happy to grind away at that pace all day long. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Donny’s Ruckus.

Somewhere around the 120km point in our ride, Ben and I noticed our group of four had shrunk to two. We turned around and soon found our missing two members huddled around the Ruckus. Brian, who had been riding the Ruckus, said it felt like the rear brake had locked up as he was climbing a large hill. Donny tried to re-start the Ruckus with the kickstarter when he realized the worst, the motor was hard seized. The Ruckus’s motor had been bored out to nearly 60cc earlier that year and ever since it had a tendency to use a little oil. Apparently Donny had not been entirely diligent with checking the oil, because I pulled out the dipstick and it was bone dry.

With the mood deflated, Brian and Donny rode double on the Elite 150 to get Donny’s pickup truck. They soon returned and we loaded up the Ruckus and headed to the cottage. A late dinner was prepared and the evening trickled by as we watched old VHS movies. Around 11pm, Donny realized that he had brought along a copy of Quadrophenia, a cult classic movie from 1979 about scooters by rock band The Who. The rest of us had never heard of the movie, but it was a scooter weekend so we popped it in. In the two hours that followed, we learned about the legendary seaside battles between the Mods and Rockers in the UK. Based in the 60’s, Quadrophenia is packed with vintage Lambretta’s and Vespa’s that are adorned with a slew of mirrors, flags and chrome accessories. That movie made me more proud than ever to be a scooter rider.

As the movie ended, we were stoked to ride so we headed out to the garage to see if we could get the Ruckus’s motor unseized. After filling it up with oil and a few jumps on the kickstarter, we got the piston to budge. A few more kicks and the engine was turning over freely. We flicked the key on and 58cc’s of 4-stroke power roared to life. It was 1:30 AM and the mood was electric.

The four of us rode out of the garage and into the cool night air. There was a low fog rolling out of the woods and several deer were standing on the narrow gravel road. We could ride almost right up to the deer that were blinded by our headlights. We tore down that winding gravel road around the lake at a foolish pace. Twisty turns were taken at irrational speeds and small rolling hills gave us that weightless feeling in our stomachs. For close to two hours, our blend of 2-stroke and 4-stroke exhausts filled the quaint forest.

Despite a paint removing incident where Brian failed to keep the Elite 150 rubber side down, we all had one of the most epic rides of our lives. The starry night, camaraderie of friends and joy of scootering combined to create an unforgettable experience.

- Dan Durston


Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

Grand Rapids Scooter STATE OF SCOOTER SCENE 2012 : SALES UP 11.8%

STATE OF SCOOTER SCENE 2012 : SALES UP 11.8%

 - Scooter Sales Rise Nicely in 2011

 

The 2011 results are in from the USA based Motorcycle Industry Council and scooter sales finished 2011 up 11.8%. This rise in sales is a welcome bit of good news after pretty grim recession results from 2009 and 2010.

 

USA Scooter sales had been marching higher most every year from 2002 to 2008, with actual sales increasing from about 70,000 scooters up to around 200,000 in the peak year of 2008.
That all changed with the 2009 recession and subsequent lower fuel prices that combined to trigger a pancaking of the scooter market. 2009 sales were a staggering 59% lower than 2008, which led to a huge clog in showrooms as dealers had stocked up for another year like 2008.
Dusty showroom scooters were in everywhere 2010 except in buyers hands, as sales dropped 9.5% further despite the widely available discounts on surplus scoots. 2009 and 2010 combined sold less scooters than 2008. The motorcycling industry in general was hit hard by the recession, but no other segment suffered as hard as scooters.

The pendulum always swings a bit wider with scooters, and thankfully for 2011 it swung the other way. The motorcycling industry in general was stagnant with a 0.3% decline last year, but scooters enjoyed a healthy 11.8% rise. Total sales were still a far cry from the 2006 - 2008 glory days, but over 70,000 scooters found homes last year.

For the first time in several years, the future really does look bright. Dealer inventory from the 2009 collapse is mostly cleared out, the economy might be recovering and even if it doesn’t, gas prices and austerity measures are going to push more people onto scooters in 2012. We could easily see double digit growth again and the scooter market return to six figure sales in 2012. We won’t crack the 2008 record, but we should see a nice increase again which will hopefully be the start of a new era of growth.



Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

Sunday Sale 4-15-2012 Today!!! The rain has stopped West Michigan... Come Test Drive One Of These Moped Scooters Today!

SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE LAZER MOPED:
ONE YEAR 3000 MILE FACTORY WARRANTY !
EPA AND DOT APPROVED FOR ALL 50 STATES !
MSO / CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN AND 17 DIGIT VIN NUMBER
49.5 CC OVERHEAD CAM MOTOR  
EASY OIL CHANGES EVERY 1200 MILES LESS THAN ONE QUART OF OIL TAKES 5 MINUTES TO DO !
ELECTRIC START OR PEDAL START (2 WAYS TO START HER )
FULL SOLID STATE FAIL SAFE CDI IGNITION
PEDALS LIKE A REGULAR BICYCLE OR TURN ON KEY AND PUSH BUTTON TO START
49CC REGULAR GAS 4 STROKE ENGINE
FULL AUTOMATIC TWIST THROTTLE AND GO OPERATION
17 INCH ALUMINUM WHEELS FOR TALLER / BIGGER RIDERS
FRONT HYDRAULIC DISK BRAKE / REAR DRUM
DUAL REAR ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS
ALL HEAVY DUTY STEEL FRAME 
( ALL STEEL CONSTRUCTION )
DUAL FRONT HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION
REMOVABLE BUDDIE SEAT INCLUDED
2 RACKS FOR CARRYING GROCERIES
REAR FOOT PEGS INCLUDED
SEAT HEIGHT 31 INCHES
HANDLEBAR HEIGHT 44 INCHES
APPROX 72 INCHES LONG
SPEEDOMETER , TACHOMETER , GAUGE LIGHTS
ALL TURN SIGNALS , HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ,HORN
KEY LOCKING GAS TANK OVER ONE GALLON
GAS MILEAGE UP TO OVER 100 MPG !!
SPEED UP TO 35 MPH

The Supremo 50cc scooter. This monster of a 50cc scooter is built to
last and go fast. The Supremo has a 4 stroke engine,
CVT belt drive automatic transmission, 12" alloy wheels,

electric/kick start, front ABS disk brakes, rear disk
brakes, chrome gearcase cover and dual rear shocks.

Anti-theft Locking steering wheel, locking storageFront and Rear Disc BrakesCompression Ratio 10.5:1
Dry Weight 220 lbs
Engine 49.5cc, air cooled, 4 stroke
Front Suspension Telescopic front fork
Rear suspension dual rear shocks
Fuel Capacity 1.5 gallons
Instruments Speedometer, fuel guage, hi-beam, odometer
Max Power 4.9/7500 rpm
Max Torque 3.0N.m/6000rpm
Maximum Load 400 lbs
Heavy duty dual rear shocks
Scooter Dimensions 71 x 29 x 41 in
Start Electric start / kick start
Storage Under seat, glove compartment
Tires 120/70 x 12 Kenda
Transmission CVT Automatic
Trunk Included
Wheelbase 1300mm
Wheels Alloy rims
Expansion chamber exhaust

The sun is coming out West Michigan...

 Come Test Drive These Scooters

Today!

Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

Supremo Moped Scooters @GRScooter

Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SEGrand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

The Amore 50 By Znen Brought To You Exclusively In Michigan By Grand Rapids Scooter (Amore 50 Moped Scooter Detail Page)

Znen Amore 50 (AKA Aurora 50)
 Model # ZNQT-E 
Review From Grand Rapids Scooter

     The Znen Built ZNQT-E  Amore 50 is simply the best built scooter moped in its class and style on the market today.   All of the Znen built scooter mopeds come with a 1 year bumper to bumper warranty (excluding consumables), chrome gearcase covers, alloy wheels and front antilock disk brakes. The Znen made products also all come with stainless steel hardware, halogen headlights, Deni carbs, metal braided brake lines,  12% thicker gaskets and dual piston front disk brakes. Our direct supplier has these moped scooters extensively monitored right at the factory by an American consulting firm to ensure top quality parts are used and to make sure parts are shipped in the same container as the scooters.  This insures that we will have instant availability of any parts you may need right away. Our American consultants also test ride a random number of these moped scooters as they come off the assembly line to assure we are shipped only the highest quality scooters. .In addition to being built by Znen, which already adds a ton of value to this model, this Amore 50 has the exact body, features and hardware as the Amore 150!  It's the roomiest, motorcycle like 50cc moped scooter I've ever ridden on and the best built and designed as well. The Motorino Amore 50cc gas scooter is fully automatic, has dual piston ABS front disk brakes for awesome stopping power

and 10" alloy wheels. This 50cc Znen built scooter has halogen

headlights for easy night time driving, electric/kick start, stainless

steel hardware, metal braided brake lines, chrome gearcase cover, chrome exhaust, and a huge trunk for extra storage.  They also all come with a two stage paint job and clear coat which is by far the best finish I've seen on a moped scooter in this price range.  You can come see and test drive one of these exceptional scoots exclusively at Grand Rapids Scooter in West Michigan.  We are proud to be Michigan's exclusive authorized dealer of Znen manufactured moped scooters and will put our name behind this Amore 50 Scooter proudly as well. 

Specifications

Engine/Drive Train
Displacement: 49cc, 4-Stroke
Horsepower: 2.9 hp
Max Torque [n.m/(r/min)]: 2.2/6000
Cooling System: Air Cooled
Transmission: Automatic
Drive: Belt
Starter: Electric / Kick Start
Ignition: 12 V 7AH
Top Speed: 40 MPH (Depending on Riders Weight and Road Conditions)
Chasis / Suspension / Brakes
Front Suspension: Telescopic
Rear Suspension: Telescopic, Oil Damped
Front Brakes: Disk
Rear Brakes: Single drum
Front Tires: 3.5-10"
Rear Tires: 3.5-10"
Controls / Safety
Lighting: Headlights, Turn Signals, Tail Lights, Brake Lights
Controls: Horn, Headlight Switch, Front Back Signals, Instrument
Panel, Keyed Ignition, Kick Start, Kill Switch
Capacities / Dimensions
Weight Capacity: 330 Lbs
Net Weight: 214 Lbs
Fuel Capacity: 1.3 gal
Ground Clearance: Na
Length: 75"
Width: 35"
Height: 43"
Seat Height: 28"
Free:  Tool Kit
Government Certifications: EPA Approved, DOT Approved, California CARB Approved
Warranty: 12 Months

All riders under 16 should ride with adult supervision. All riders should take a safety course. Atvs, dirt bikes, go karts, scooters
and mopeds can be hazardous to operate. For your safety, always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Never
engage in stunt or extreme riding. Riding and alcohol/drugs don't mix. Avoid excessive speeds. Be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Remember, Atv, dirt bike, go kart, scooter and moped riding is more fun when you play by the rules.
For safety precautions, all vehicles must be assembled, inspected and maintained by a certified technician for warranty to be
valid. Be sure to check and tighten all nuts and bolts prior to use. Also, be sure to check for appropriate engine fluid levels to
ensure your vehicle is operating under the recommended conditions prior to use. 

Come Test Drive An Znen Amore 50 Today!
*

Grand Rapids Scooter
*

(616) 666-3803

Manufacturers Description

The  Amore retro 50cc scooter has solid construction using stainless steel nuts and bolts and is fully automatic.
Night driving is a breeze with halogen headlights. This retro 50cc scooter has a Deni carb (joint venture with Kehien), chrome engine cover, metal braided brake lines, and comes with a free trunk.

What riders are saying about the Amore 50

Chris & Roger ‎

The guys at GR Scooter were extremely helpful and a great resource while my wife and I were shopping for a couple mopeds to tool around on. After we weighed all the info and shopped at every place in town we could find, we decided on two Znen Amore Scooters from GR Scooter. We always knew we wanted a couple quality scoots that we could could enjoy for years to come but thought we'd have to spring for a Vespa or Honda to get it. I would recommend you try these Znen Manufactured Scoots before you go spend $2500 on a Vespa. We love ours! We got two of them for about the price of one Vespa and I think the Amore is built and deigned even better.

Grand Rapids Scooter

533 GRIGGS ST SE

GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49507

GrandRapidsScooter@gmail.com

(616) 666-3803

Walk around of Znen Amore 50

  Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

Moped Scooter Safety Tips... Keeping Our Customers Safe Is Our #1 Priority!

Five Moped Safety Tips that Could Save Your Life

You always have to be aware of yourself in a moped. It moves faster than a bicycle but provides less protection than a motorcycle. Here are some tips to keep you safe.
1) Safety Equipment: First and foremost is protection. Helmets that are DOT approved are best and proper clothing is paramount. Avoid sandals, shorts and short sleeves. Emphasize your protection with gloves, a riding jacket made from a tough material. Some riders even buy motocross armor (similar to what dirt bike racers wear) for their moped rides.
2) Traffic Laws: Obey all traffic laws. Don�t try to run a red light even if it is one of those actuated by the weight of a vehicle, be patient, if you have to, dismount and touch the sidewalk actuator, but whatever you do, don�t let impatience get the better of you in certain situations. Especially on high traffic roads, there is bound to be someone coming to hit the signal. Keep on the right side of the road unless you are making a left turn, most laws require the moped rider to be within three feet of the right line, this is a good standard to follow.
3) Be Observant: Keep an eye on your surroundings. You are virtually invisible to the other drivers, especially those who are on their phones or in some other way distracted. A benefit to a moped rider is they can dip off onto the sidewalk if necessary to avoid a collision. Make sure you have both mirrors and they are angled so you can see the most possible area behind you. Cars behind you are more dangerous than the ones next to you.
4) Safe Riding Practices: It is always good to employ safe riding practices when on your moped. Ride defensively. Don�t be too aggressive because you are after all smaller than the others sharing the road. You don�t want to try to go head to head against a truck or car. Night riding is not advisable but if necessary, wear bright colored clothing, reflective strips on your jacket and your helmet and keep your headlight in good working order.
5) In Case of an Accident: Always make sure you speak with the police officer on the scene, unless you are severely injured. Some hospitals will refuse treatment if you are found to be at fault, and it is very likely the person in the car with whom you had an accident will not be honest in the events that occurred to avoid being sued or found at fault. Make sure the officer has your side of the accident on record.
  Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

The Amore 50 Manufactured Specially by Znen Is Here!

Take a look around this High Quality Scooter Moped W/Out The High Price Tag!

 Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

Weekly Safety Tip #1 Grand Rapids Scooter Moped Scooters Safety First!

Eye Protection

Riding with bare eyes is a gamble. Your eyes are precious, and it does not take much to injure them. An object hitting the eye at only four miles per hour may cause permanent damage.  Proper eye protection means an approved shield on your helmet, a pair of goggles, or shatterproof glasses. Settling for less just isn’t worth the risk. It’s also a matter of comfort, since wind quickly dries out the eyes. Make sure your eye protection is clean and unscratched. If you use a tinted lens or shield

for riding in the bright sunlight, take a clear one along as well, in case you are riding after dark or in low light conditions.

 Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803

More Pics Amore 50 from Znen Manufacturer... You can see the quality!

To see all pictures click the post title on the right side of this page.

First Shipment Arriving Friday!

C ZNEN-Aurora Scooter

Certificate: EEC, EPA, DOT

Specifications
ZN50QT-E3 50CC Scooter

Appearance dimensions	1891×872×1090 mm
Net weight	91 kgs
Max load	150kgs
Max speed	45 km/h 25 km/h
Displacement	49.6 ml
Max power	2.23 kw/7500 r/min 1.25 kw/7000 r/min
Max torque	3.10 N.m/5500 r/min 2.20 kw/5000 r/min
Wheelbase	1250 mm
Tyre size	F:3.50-10 R: 3.50-10
Brake mode	Disc/Drum
Brake operation	F: Hand R :Hand
Engine NO.	BN139QMB

	Unique Selling Points of C ZNEN-Aurora
Vehicle parts	Selling points	Pictures
Electroplating	Most parts of the vehicle are chrome plated, which makes the vehicle attractive and brilliant in appearance.
Rear back cushion	This type of scooter is designed with a back cushion, which ensures the comfort and safety of passengers.
Rear parking brake system	Designed with rear braking system, this vehicle is characterized by safe braking and easy start.
Handle sleeve	38mm large handle sleeve enables riders to grab on handlebars comfortably.
Aluminum pedal mat	The vehicle is equipped with aluminum pedal mats, which greatly promotes vehicle grade.
Fairing	The exterior appearance of our self-developed fairing is coherent with the structural design of the whole vehicle.
Windscreen	Oversized windscreen is optional.

Zhongneng Industry Group Company is a quality conscious motor scooter manufacturer in China. Our major products are 50CC scooters, 125CC scooters, and 150CC scooters. With our consistent focus on quality and service, we are able to provide high quality scooters to our customers.

  Grand Rapids Scooter
"Importing High Performing, Reliable and Affordable Moped Scooters To West Michigan"
533 Griggs ST SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 666-3803