17 May

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Video: First hand account. Safety gear works.

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Fair warning, there is some NSFW language in this video.

For some people, riding safety is a sensitive subject. While I understand that people want to make their own choices in regards to the risks they take, the benefits of wearing protective riding gear are pretty compelling. In this video, Lance Campeau recounts his own experience of dumping his two-wheeler and how his dorky, uncomfortable safety gear saved him from serious injury. Everybody has their own level of protection that they ride with, whether it’s ATGATT or ABATE, but I think that Lance’s story here illustrates a deeper reality of road safety that goes beyond what you plan for. It’s the riding equivalent of the Mike Tyson quote: “Everybody has a plan until they get hit in the face.” When it comes to riding safety, there’s always that unknown factor. I know that for me personally, I’m not wearing safety gear because I have doubts about my own riding abilities, but rather for all those unknown factors — that patch of oil or gravel, or that car that didn’t see me.

How about you? Do you suit up? Or are you more of a “que sera sera” kind of rider?

[Via: Scooter Diva]

Filed Under: Best of the Web, Safety, Video

17 May

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The Genuine Stella is back in black

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Alright all you AC/DC fans, if you’ve been longing for a Stella 4T as dark as your soul, Genuine has just announced that they’re bringing black back to the lineup. Most scooters don’t see significant mechanical or design evolutions very often, so varying the color offerings is a easy way to keep things fresh. With the Stella now a 50-state four stroke engine, it only makes sense to bring back one of the classic colors. Who’s into it? Leave us your color preferences in the comments!

[Source: Genuine Scooter Company]

Filed Under: Genuine Scooter Company, Official News, SF Feature

14 May

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Video: Me and My Buddy

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There aren’t a lot of great scooter videos out there. But every once in a while, someone makes something that starts to get at the simple joy of riding. I think this is one of those videos. It doesn’t balk at the hazards, but it captures some of that magic that we scooter riders experience in exchange for all our “vigilance”, as the narrator puts it. It’s that simple joy of riding, where it’s just you and the machine taking in the world around you.

[Source: Vimeo]

Filed Under: Best of the Web, Genuine Scooter Company, The Joy of Scooters, Video

11 May

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Scooter, moped and more racing at ThunderDrome 2012

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Grass roots racing has a glorious history in this country. It’s where NASCAR started, but it’s also where thousands of people each week still get together and race wheel to wheel for nothing more than bragging rights and the post-adrenaline endorphin high. It’s the heart and soul of On Any Sunday and it’s good to know events like Thunderdrome are keeping that spirit alive today for fans of small bikes like mopeds and scooters. With two races scheduled for 2012 (June 30 and September 15) to be held at Detroit’s Dorais Velodrome, Thunderdrome looks like it’s going to be a riot. Race classes include moped, scooter, minibike, gokart, motard, mountain bike, street bike and sub classes throughout. Racing the Velodrome’s tight, high-banked oval should keep the racing action intense, even if the speeds aren’t. But perhaps the best part of events like Thunderdrome is that the barrier for entry is fantastically low. Own a bicycle? You can race. Have an old moped that runs? Get it ready! Take it really seriously, or just show up and have a good time. We’re going to do our darnedest to make sure ScooterFile is on-site for the mayhem. See you there?

[Source: Thunderdrome]

[Via: Hell For Leather]

Filed Under: Events