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posted by Bob | August 09, 2010 | link
I've generally been inclined toward some level of adventure, and when time allows I like to include a scooter into the mix. A family vacation to the Lake Michigan shore had been in the plans for quite awhile, but my schedule did not allow for a full week away in July during the peak of the season for Scooterville. That's where a recently traded in Kymco and a ferry boat combined to save the day.
The trade-in was a 2006 Kymco People 250 with just shy of 20,000 kilometers on the odometer.
It had been purchased at Scooterville and well maintained by a customer in rural northern Wisconsin. This spring, he felt the urge to go bigger and traded it on a new Kymco Xciting 500.
My challenge was to catch up with my wife, kids, and dog who had packed up the wagon and headed down the road on a Thursday, a couple days ahead of me. My work schedule kept me in town through Saturday to display bikes for Scooterville and Mill City Motorcycles at the annual Bearded Lady Motorcycle Freak Show.
A thirteen hour ride was not in the cards. Especially after spending the day in full July sunshine. A little research and fond recollection of a project we took on a few years back yielded a solution. In 2004 we participated in a torture test of sorts with the folks at Minnesota Motorcycle Monthly. The ultimate goal was to run a 250cc scooter for 24 consecutive hours, and the subject was a Kymco People 250. With this fresh trade in front of me, I was reminded of the challenge from 6 years prior and I started thinking about documenting the performance capabilities of a higher mileage scooter.
A web search revealed a car (and motorcycle) ferry that offered an overnight excursion. Problems solved. All I needed was flawless performance by the scooter and reasonable support from the weather. I got both! Aside from a short stretch of rain in each direction, the weather was perfect. And the scooter? It was nothing short of amazing! On the return trip I covered the stretch from Green Bay, WI to St. Paul, MN in four hours. The average speed on the return leg, including two fuel stops, was just under 70 mph. Fuel economy was in the mid 50s (mpg).
We look forward to another 24 hour run this fall with the folks at MMM. This time on a scooter with 25,000 kms.
When you're looking for a scooter don't forget about the capabilities and versatility of the 250cc line-up from Kymco.
A little catching up..... Part One:
posted by Bob | May 28, 2010 | link
Between facebook and twitter, adding the Hyosung line to our product selection, tending to the Scooterville gardens, and general day to day matters, the website blog can get a bit neglected.
There's lots of scooter news to dish out. The first big arrival of the season comes from Vespa. A big technological advance has been added to their 150cc line-up. The LX, S, and LXV models are all equiped with electronic fuel injection. We still have a few of the 2009 carbureted models in select colors available with an instant $ 500 rebate.
The long anticipated wait for the Stella four stroke is nearly over! We expect the arrival of the first models in the second week of June. Production numbers are very limited and our initial allocation is only one of each color. We are taking deposits. For those who still want the sight, sound, and smell of the 2 stroke Stella, we are down to three models remaining in stock.
It's beginning to melt!!
posted by Bob | March 01, 2010 | link
Okay. The Winter Olympics are over. Outdoor major league baseball will return to the Twin Cities in just over a month. It's time to melt some snow! The sun is getting high enough in the sky to the job, but our snow cover is fairly universal. Here's how you can help: Go clear a patch of bare ground in a sunny spot in your yard. See how fast the snow around it will melt. White relects and dark absorbs the sun. Get out there and do your part!
I've been reading on some blogs and chat groups of some local riders getting their scooters out for some afternoon excursions. For those of you getting tempted, please watch out for icy and sandy patches in the roadways.
It's Cabin Fever time again.
posted by Bob | January 13, 2010 | link
We first tried it four years ago. It can get pretty lonely around a scooter shop in the dead of winter. We get used to having lots of people around most of the year. Our past riding season was extended nicely by the beautiful weather in November and even extended into early December. Then the door slammed shut. Snow. Then cold. Then more snow. Then ice. Topped off by a prolonged cold snap. So, in honor of recent tradition and to sooth our sanity we are happy to announce Cabin Fever V!
For those of you have partaken in the past, it will be some-what similar. Tech tips, snacks & refreshments, plenty of fellow scooterists to aquaint or reaquaint with. As always we will be serving up a huge platter of great deals on a wide variety of scooters, accessories, jackets, clothing, helmets, and pretty much everything we have to offer.
The fun starts on Friday, January 22nd from 11-6 and on Saturday, the 23rd from 9 until 4PM. Tell your friends. This is absolutely the best time to buy a scooter!
What did we do before Wikipedia?
Cabin fever is an idiomatic term for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in, in a small space, with nothing to do, for an extended period . Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, forgetfulness, laughter, and excessive sleeping, distrust of anyone they are with, and an urge to go outside even in the (less miserable) rain, snow or dark.
Holiday Hours.
posted by Bob | December 19, 2009 | link
Season's Greetings to you all!! With the Christmas and New Year's holidays falling on the beginning of a weekend this year, Scooterville will be closed for operations on the next two Saturdays.
Holiday hours are as follows:
Thursday, December 24th. 11AM - 1 PM
closed December 25th-28th.
Thursday, December 31st 11AM - 3PM
closed January 1st-4th.
Shopportunities!
posted by Bob | December 01, 2009 | link
Holliday shopping season is upon us and Scooterville is teaming up with our suppliers to put a new scooter front and center on your holiday wish list.
Vespa has a spiced up deal on their LX150 and S150. Through the end of the year we are offering an instant $ 500 rebate on remaining inventory of 2009 models. Colors are limited. Stop in to see what we have available.
Genuine Scooter Company, once again, is out in front with the best deal going with their "Dressed for the Holidays" promotion. On top of the best deal you can get on a Buddy, Stella, Rattler or Roughouse, Genuine will provide a free accessory package! Remember, this is only while supplies last.
Along with our ever popular Gift Certificates we are trying something new this year. Scooterville is introducing our Holiday Gift Registry! If there's a particular helmet, jacket, glove, book, or accessory you want, come on in and get your item in the correct size and color registered. Any registered item will recieve 20% off at purchase. (Sorry, scooters not included).
Winterization clinic: New date added!!
posted by Bob | November 02, 2009 | link
Due to an overwhelming response to our winterizing clinics we have added another Saturday. It will be another 1 PM class on November 21st. That class is filling rapidly, The Nov 14th session is full. A few spots remain on Wed., Nov 11th.
Just after experiencing the nicest September in memory, the winds of October roared in with cool temperatures and more than our fair share of cold rain to go along with it. While many of us in the hardcore rider element hauled out our cold weather gear, several of our winter storage customers rode in for the last time in 2009 and left their scooters in the capable hands of our service department. We will keep their battery maintained, give them a fresh oil change and, once the days start getting longer and the tulips pop from the soil, we'll send them out with a freshly tuned scooter. Just a few spots remain for storage on a first come basis.
We field a bunch of phone calls this time of year regarding the winterizing techniques for scooters. Last year we decided to host free clinics for our customers to show them the proper way to get it done. The seminars were a big hit so we've decided to do it again this year.
On Wednesday, Nov. 11th at 6PM and again on Saturday, Nov. 14th at 1PM we will host as many as we can for a hands on demonstration. Call to save a spot. 612-331-7266. Each clinic lasts about 90 minutes. Refreshments will be served.
For those unable to join us, we recorded last years' clinic and the videos are avilable to view on youtube. Just type Scooterville into the subject line, or click on the following links: Part One. Part Two.
Rally Time. Excellent!
posted by Bob | August 12, 2009 | link
Each August the annual scooter rally sneaks up, and before you know it, it's over. I can't tell you how many times customers stop into the shop the following week and ask, "When is the rally this year?"
Well, it's rally time again. The fine folks who organize the rally have been at it for three years now and must be commended for their effort and their organizational skills. They have a dedicated website and four days of well planned events.
Scooter folk often assume the rally runs through Scooterville. Although we have been active sponsors for eight years, the hard work that is required to pull this off comes from a group of dedicated volunteers. The names have changed over the years but the spirit of scootering that
makes it happen remains constant.
One of the big events during the rally weekend is the Saturday night raffle drawing. In past years we have partnered with Genuine Scooters for a scooter that is provided for the raffle. This year we wanted to try something new. We put our heads together with the great minds of our number one scooter parts supplier, Scooterworks, and came up with a great new idea for the raffle. Scooterville and Scooterworks will team up for a $1000.00 spending spree. Any available item from the Scooterworks Direct catalog will be free game to the winner!
The fun begins Thursday evening, August 13th, and concludes on Sunday the 16th. Check out the Rattle My Bones website for details.
Stop by Scooterville for special rally pricing on select models. Rally sale prices are good through August 22nd.
