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Spotted in Maputo

It was another of those late nights in Maputo. I was chaperoning some colleagues from Johannesburg who wanted to experience some of the Maputo night life, and were eager to get in as many places as possible - before the daybreak. We had just called for the last round at Mundo's Restaurant, they quickly brought us our drinks and the bill, and continued to clean down and lock up the place for the night.

Where to next I wondered. The faint sounds of laughter and percussion made their way down the street to where were were sitting on the veranda. Sign of a place that still had the magic of the night in close proximity - we had to go and investigate. Putting down our empty glasses, we lifted ourselves out of the bar stools and began to walk on (somewhat) rubbery legs in the direction of where these sounds came. Walking briskly over cracked concrete pavements, meandering tree roots and the odd water puddle, we managed to locate the source of the sound and discovered a vibrant bar called Dolce Vita.

This place oozed with coolness. Its many patrons sat at neat white square table deep in conversation, gesticulation and laughter. The house music was playing loudly whilst this scene spilled over onto the street. We decided to head for the bar, when, sitting there before me, a most unexpected sight, stood a red Vespa 150 LX! I had finally seen a modern Vespa in Mozambique.

Okay okay, it was NOT the elusive Mozambican Vespa, but it was a beautiful Vespa none-the-less. I quickly checked the speedo and discovered that she had all of 44.7km on her clock. I'm willing to take a bet that many an inebriated patron, in a moment of weakness, has attempted to drive such a beautiful ride home!
(Posted by Paulo)
Dolce Vita
Café, Sushi Restaurant, Jazz Club, Free Wi-Fi
Avenida Julius Nyerere, 822, Maputo, Mozambique

Merry Christmas

It has been a long and eventful year for the Posers. So we would like at this time to wish all our readers an awesome Christmas and a much better 2013.

Vespa Goes Green

The letters LX stands for the Roman numeral 60, marking the 60th anniversary when the Vespa LX model was first launched in 2006 and after 66 years of selling over 17 million scooters, Vepsa has come a long way with its latest rendition, the Vespa LX 150 with the new 3 valve motor. Just short of an electric motor, the Vespa LX 150 3v is the greenest scooter yet to come out of Piaggio.

Piaggio has brought the old 150cc engine into the 21st century but adding a 3 valve head and advanced fuel injection system thereby improving fuel efficiency by a claimed 30%. By going green, Piaggio has not sacrificed performance and have increased the power output and top speed upwards. Not to forget service intervals have increased to 10,000km, wow.

This timeless classic has moved into the next generation, way ahead of competition. The best thing is that the Vespa LX 150 3 valve has just being launched in South Africa, so get yourself over to your nearest Vespa dealer.

Cape Town
44 Bloem Street, 012 426 4546
Caltex Centre, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, 021 425 7944

Durban
33 Churchill Street, Windemere, 031 312 9579

Johannesburg
3rd Street, Wynburg, 011 440 7649
Design Quarter, Fourways, 011 465 0512

Affordable Scooters 2013

How many times has someone asked me what scooter should they buy knowing full well that at over R50,000 the Vespa is well out their budget. This led me to the problem, what scooter should I recommend them?

I always believed that a Vespa lasts a life time but just before 50,000km my Vespa ET4 150 needed a new engine. Okay you might argue that my Vespa has been to places that most bikers would cringe but Vespa is Life. Anyway looking at most of the imports from China whose prices start at about R5,000 which is a 10th of an entry level Vespa, the Vespa LX150, the imports are very plastic and feel like they about to fall apart let alone make it long distance. There was a time when Japanese cars were once so inferior to the US and European cars that no one wanted them but now look at them, they are top of the pile. I do believe China's automobiles are where Japan was thirty years ago but they will take much faster to catch up and then we'll see who is on top of the pile.

One of the founders of the VLV (Viva La Vespa) Club once said to me that he was happy that the Vespa was beyond the reach of the normal people as they needed to keep the plebs out. Oh dear, I do recall that Vespa started out as an affordable ride for the people. Have Vespa lost the plot? I don't think so. The Vespa is built to last but the cost of making a Vespa is strangling. To keep the Vespa competitive, Piaggio has built factories in the East and recently reopened one in India. They are trying but still have a long way to go to keep them competitive.

With fuel going up and up, and toll gates being erected so fast, that commuting to work every day on a scooter is starting out weigh the dangers. So for now, if a Vespa is beyond your reach, here are a few affordable choices to help you decide. I am only going to list the 150cc models upwards as I will be using Vespa as the baseline model and although they do have a 125cc model, none are brought into South Africa. (Please note prices are subject to change and are in ZAR). A lot of the brands use similar engines and bodies which makes it difficult to choose the right model to buy.

Big Boy Pulse 150cc
Retail Price: R 8,450
Warranty: 24,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.0kw Max Speed: 80km/h
Service Interval: 3,000km/6 months

Zest Z150-1
Retail Price: R 8,450
Warranty: 40,000km/2 year (Extended 60,000km/3 year)
Max Power: 7.2kw Max Speed: 95km/h
Service Interval: 2,500km

Gomoto Citti SI 150cc
Retail Price: R 8,499
Warranty: 10,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.3kw Max Speed: 90km/h
Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months

Gomoto Yesterday 150cc
Retail Price: R 8,999
Warranty: 10,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.3kw Max Speed: 90km/h
Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months





            Motomia Capri 150cc
             Retail Price: R 8,999
             Warranty: 20,000km/2 year
             Max Power: 7.3kw Max Speed: 90km/h
             Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months




            

               Motomia Milano 150cc
               Retail Price: R 8,999
               Warranty: 20,000km/2 year
               Max Power: 7.3kw Max Speed: 90km/h
               Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months








Jonway Veterano 150cc
Retail Price: R 8,999
Warranty: 10,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.68kw Max Speed: 90km/h
Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months

Gomoto Nippi 150cc
Retail Price: R 9,399
Warranty: 10,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.2kw Max Speed: 90km/h
Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months

Big Boy Revival 150cc
Retail Price: R 9,450
Warranty: 24,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.68kw Max Speed: 95km/h
Service Interval: 3,000km /6 months

Big Boy Sportflite 150cc
Retail Price: R 9,450
Warranty: 24,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.68kw Max Speed: 90km/h
Service Interval: 3,000km /6 months

                 Motomia Java 150cc
                 Retail Price: R 9,499
                 Warranty: 20,000km/2 year
                 Max Power: 9.2kw Max Speed: 90km/h
                 Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months

Gomoto Urban 150cc
Retail Price: R 9,999
Warranty: 10,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.3kw Max Speed: 95km/h
Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months

    Motomia Java 170cc
    Retail Price: R 9,999
    Warranty: 20,000km/2 year
    Max Power: 10.5kw Max Speed: 90km/h
    Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months

Big Boy Sportflite F35 150cc
Retail Price: R 10,250
Warranty: 24,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.68kw Max Speed: 90km/h
Service Interval: 3,000km /6 months

Big Boy Retro LTD Edition 150cc
Retail Price: R 10,450
Warranty: 24,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.68kw Max Speed: 95km/h
Service Interval: 3,000km /6 months

Big Boy Revival E5 150cc
Retail Price: R 10,450
Warranty: 24,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.68kw Max Speed: 95km/h
Service Interval: 3,000km /6 months

Big Boy Sportflite F35 GP Racing Edition 150cc
Retail Price: R 10,450
Warranty: 24,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.68kw Max Speed: 95km/h
Service Interval: 3,000km /6 months

Big Boy Sportflite T32-SP 150cc
Retail Price: R 10,450
Warranty: 24,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.68kw Max Speed: 95km/h
Service Interval: 3,000km /6 months

Big Boy Yeti 150cc
Retail Price: R 10,450
Warranty: 24,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.68kw Max Speed: 95km/h
Service Interval: 3,000km /6 months

Jonway El Ninjo 150cc
Retail Price: R10,499
Warranty: 10,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.68kw Max Speed: 95km/h
Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months

               Jonway Galaktika 150cc
               Retail Price: R10,499
               Warranty: 10,000km/2 year
               Max Power: 7.68kw Max Speed: 95km/h
              Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months

Gomoto Naked Ballistic 150cc
Retail Price: R10,999
Warranty: 10,000km/2 year
Max Power: 7.68kw Max Speed: 90km/h
Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months

Sym Symply 150cc
Retail Price: R12,500
Warranty: 2 year
Max Power: 7.68kw Max Speed: km/h
Service Interval: unknown

Jonway Master 250cc
Retail Price: R18,999
Warranty: 10,000km/2 year
Max Power: 10kw Max Speed: 95km/h
Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months

Jonway Master 300cc
Retail Price: R21,999
Warranty: 10,000km/2 year
Max Power: 12kw Max Speed: 95km/h
Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months

Big Boy Powerflite 300cc
Retail Price: R 24,950
Warranty: 24,000km/2 year
Max Power: 12.9kw Max Speed: 125km/h
Service Interval: 3,000km /6 months

Gomoto C5 300cc
Retail Price: R24,999
Warranty: 10,000km/2 year
Max Power: 12kw Max Speed: 125km/h
Service Interval: 2,000km/6 months

   Sym Citycom 300i
   Retail Price: R34,500
   Warranty: 2 year
   Max Power: 15.1kw Max Speed: 128km/h
   Service Interval: Unknown

Sym GTS 300i EVO
Retail Price: R39,500
Warranty: 2 year
Max Power: Unknown Max Speed: 140km/h
Service Interval: Unknown

Vespa LX150 3-Valve
Retail Price: R52,950
Warranty: 1 year unlimited kms
Max Power: 9.5kw Max Speed: Unknown
Service Interval: 10,000km




So what scooter will I recommend? A Vespa is my first choice but if you want affordable then it is not easy to decide. I think next year, I will have to test ride the Vespa competition and write some overviews on each so you can decide. Remember Vespa is for Life.

Full of Beans

One of the latest mobile food units seen puttering around Johannesburg is the Mobean 1. The company, Full of Beans, was launched by Brazilian Marcio in 2007 when he saw a gap in the market for an upmarket food vending unit.

The Mobean 1 took 9 months of restoration after deciding on the lowest carbon footprint unit early in 2011 and now this is what we have, the cute Mobean 1. It started life as a Piaggio APE but instead of the old 2 stroke motor, a new 4 stroke 395cc Biodiesel engine was sourced from India. Although I am not 100% sure the make of the engine, I think it is the Greaves Cotton GL-400.

We at the Posers Scooter Club wish Marcio all the best on his new venture. See Facebook page, Full of Beans Mobile Coffee Service.

Vespa Accessories

I haven't posted in a while due to health issues and Poser Paulo has been bugging me when am I going to post again. So I have to take the plunge again. Some time ago Poser Magda asked us what was the weirdest or strangest thing we ever carried on our Vespa? Well today as my jump back onto the Vespa and to get our women posers posting as well, I am going to ask what accessories for your Vespa would you want to see in your Christmas stocking.

A Dizzy Ride Through the Streets of Maputo

I had just arrived in Maputo CBD after a long City Express bus ride that had commenced in neighboring Nelspruit at 3:00am that same morning. Had I a crystal ball in my possession that could have foretold of the sleep deprivation, long hours crossing the border and the nine hours required to cover the 188km, I would have opted for another plan of action. Alas, I have no such crystal ball in my possession, and here I find myself climbing off the bus into the city's busy streets.

It is almost lunch time, and the already busy city traffic starts to speed up and to multiply. People are rushing off to make their final pre-lunch appointments. Smoking light delivery vehicles are snaking their way across the busy lanes of Eduardo Mondlane. Overladen people transporters commonly known as "chapas" are going about their start-stop business, interrupting traffic and paying little attention to established road rules and simple common courtesy. Amongst this colourful backdrop of cars and trucks and busses and motorcycles and pedestrians, are little yellow and green tut-tut taxis weaving their way through gaps in the traffic flux, as they hurriedly try to get to their destination.

Standing just outside the gates of the City Express terminal, I'm in two minds. I need to go to see my bank manager at my branch at the Praça dos Trabalhadores, AND I need to drop off my bags at my friend Rui's office. The thought of emerging from a bank (into a busy African street) with a bag full of dirty laundry, could be mistaken for something else by certain unsavory members of our street society! Now, the challenge at hand was caused by the bank and Rui's office being in opposite ends of the city. What vehicle was nimble enough and cheap enough to cover this distance BEFORE lunch time rush-hour and without costing me an arm and a leg? I hailed for a tut-tut.

I must admit that I had never been in something like this and curiosity had also played its hand in my decision. Almost immediately, a green and yellow tut-tut pulled up alongside the pavement. I gave the driver my intended route, he said Mzn 200.00 (R 57.14) for the lot, and we had a deal. The cheap vinyl side cover was unbuttoned, I stepped inside with my bags, the torn vinyl was re-buttoned (perhaps so that I wouldn't fall out or exit the taxi running without paying the bill?), the driver cranked to life the tiny two-stroke motor, clanked the gearbox into first gear, and we were off!

No great acceleration that would make into Top Gear, but once on the road and into the mix of traffic, its agility and composure would most certainly make Jeremy Clarkson raise an eyebrow. The driver was using all the gears at his disposal to ring the maximum speed out of the tut-tut. We were having no problems keeping up with the traffic. The little two stroke revved and vibrated happily away under my seat as we bounced around the potholed streets of the city. I leaned over and enquired if the three wheeled configuration caused him any problems with regards to stability. He said "não". Come to think about it, I cannot recall ever seeing an upturned tut-tut…EVER! I began to notice the great number of tut-tuts sharing the same piece of real estate, and soon I was having brief 15 second conversations with passengers of other tut-tuts that were temporarily parked alongside. People from all walks of life - tourists, businessmen, domestic workers coming back with the fresh bread for lunch, students with their books and satchels in hand - the list was endless.

All too soon, were had dropped off my bags and after cursing and muttering about traffic police corruption in Maputo, we were pulling up alongside the bank. He gave me his cell number should I need for him to pick me up again, and after a farewell nod, was off in a cloud of dust and bluish two-stroke oil. He was already in top gear as he quickly rounded the nearby corner…another passenger to collect.
(Posted by Paulo)

Long Live the Kings

Although not Vespas but the spirit of Giorgio Bettinelli is there. You don't need much, what you need is obviously a good bike, and that is where Vespa comes in. Most importantly of course are good friends to share the journey with. You don’t cross the mountain. The mountain lets you through.

http://long-live-the-kings.blogspot.fr/

The Stone Merchants of Moatize

It is truly amazing what people will do and what measures will be taken in order to survive in this great world. What you do to put food on your table and ensure the continuation of life? The other day, I was driving along on the main road, wishing that I was on my Vespa, when a perculiar type of cart caught my attention. I was passing an area called 'Pedrera' (a misspelled 'predreira', meaning quarry) that is the working area for quite a few destitute people that make their meagre income from breaking granite rock into gravel sized pieces. All day, under the scorching sun, with only a hessian bag sprung up between four thin poles for shade, these people sit along the side of an embankment, and break down the rock using their bare hands and small chipping hammers! Then, they carry the gravel down the embankment and create heaps approximately 1m3, on the verge of the main road, and wait to make a sale. How much you may ask? "oh, about R 115.00 per m3"! The question is how long and what energy is required to break down a m3 of granite! Still, these 'stone merchants' are in business because the local quarry is not the most reliable and the concrete has to be supplied. I digress, the cart.

Amazing simple in design, robust in construction, easy to maintain – sounds like the attributes for another vehicle that I'm fond of. The 'merchants' tell me that they will wheel the cart and its contents another kilometre down the road to the informal market, where they hope to get a better selling price for their product. They see me pull out the camera and they immediately pose for the shot. I look at their faces. They are smiling. I look at their bodies and their worn out clothing. I reflect on the hardships of their work, let out a silent "phew", and promise to make them a copy of the picture before getting back on the road once again.

(Posted by Paulo)

Giorgio Bettinelli, Mh Way

Owning a Vespa doesn't end there. Like Africa, a Vespa creeps into your soul and doesn't let go. Eventually the wanderlust takes over, you hanker for riding the long road to nowhere slowly and dream of becoming like the legend Giorgio Bettinelli.

It is probably easier to list the countries; Giorgio did not visit raking up over a million kilometers from Rome to Saigon, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, from Melbourne to Cape Town, Chile to Tasmania and around the whole of China. Sailing over deserts with no roads and along jungle paths, crossing the Equator 9 times with no major incident except one close call with death. Somewhere in the Congo, Giorgio was stopped by guerrillas, judged and sentenced to death as a government spy. But that didn't stop Giorgio.

It is when you finally put your feet up that life tends to catch up. Sadly after putting his feet up for 4 years in Jinghong, China, on the banks of the Mekong River with his beautiful wife Yapei, Giorgio departed for the windy road in the sky. Yes at a young age of 53 on 16 September 2008 after 16 years of travelling around the world on a Vespa with a guitar and a backpack, he was called to ride up there on a Vespa.

If anyone would like to give me a present, how about any of Giorgio’s 5 books:

• In Vespa Da Roma a Saigon (On a Vespa from Rome to Saigon)
• In Vespa oltre l'orizzonte (On a Vespa beyond the horizon)
• Brum Brum (Any Vespa lover would know this sound)
• Rhapsody In Black In Vespa dall’Angola allo Yemen (On a Vespa from Angola to Yemen)
• La Cina in Vespa (China on a Vespa)

We members of the Posers Scooter Club sure do dream and long for the spirit of Giorgio Bettinelli as we yearn for the open road on our Vespa.

When asked what he did if his Vespa ever broke down, he replied "You wait. Someone comes, someone helps. A car, a truck, a camel, a day. Someone comes, someone helps."

Buon Viaggio Giorgio Bettinelli (1955-2008), Brum Brum

Iron Butt Award on a Vespa

Finally, we have further proof that nothing is too difficult or beyond the reach of the humble Vespa. The idea of the 'Iron Butt Award' is, in principal, to cover a distance of 1000miles (or 1600km for us 'metric' bunch) within a 24 hour period. If you work that out, taking into account roads conditions, traffic, fuel stops and the like, you have to maintain a steady rate of knots in order to achieve it. In fact, without any stops, which would be impossible, you would still need to maintain an average of 66.66km/h!

The issue of 'saddle burn' or the numbness in your lower extremities is another chapter all on its own! Luckily... a soothing product is apparently available in the US market.

I'm happy to relay to you that this has been done, several times, on a Vespa! Take this chap below, in the United States, for instance. He set out on his GT200 one cold morning at 3.24am and returned 18hours and 40 minutes later, having covered a total distance of 1031.4miles (or 1650.24km)!

We congratulate the tenacity and will power of these 'hard core' Vespistas that set out to continuously push the limits of common perception of the humble Vespa. Yeah!

(Posted by Paulo)