tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82227406330966894322024-02-07T08:09:45.899+02:00The Posers Scooter ClubNot just a scooter but a Vespa. Not just a Vespa but a way of life. VespizzateviJerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-88123774243432091062018-11-13T14:11:00.000+02:002018-11-13T14:12:48.831+02:00Enter the Electric<div style="text-align: center;">
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My biggest problem with electric cars and bikes is that the
range is appalling but things are changing fast in terms of the electric
motorbike since I sometime ago I posted about the <a href="http://poserscooterclub.blogspot.com/2017/01/vespa-elettrica.html" target="_blank">Vespa Elettrica</a> and the <a href="http://poserscooterclub.blogspot.com/2015/09/bmw-c-evolution-2016.html" target="_blank">BMW CEvolution</a>, and now this…<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Harley Davidson LiveWire<br />
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<b>Electrifying isn’t it</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Okay let’s start at the baseline the <b>Vespa Elettrica</b>, it has the
style but I am not convinced at the performance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Max Range: 100km (oh and then there is 200km Hybrid version,
the Vespa Elettrica X)<br />
Power: 4kW<br />
Top Speed: 45kph<br />
Note: Should be available in South Africa 2019. Piaggio did produce the 3
wheeler in a hybrid form in 2010 but it was not successful. Will the Elettrica
make a difference or will it be too expensive?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Govecs GO! S1.2</b></div>
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Max Range: 70km <br />
Power: 3kW<br />
Top Speed: 45kph<br />
Note: A protagonist German brand that is making waves in Europe<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Gogoro 2 Delight</b></div>
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Max Range: 109km <br />
Power: 6.4kW<br />
Top Speed: 88kph<br />
Note: With the tons of Chinese scoots already here in South Africa, I am sure
this Taiwanese will land shortly although I am not sure about the style<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Honda PCX Electric</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Max Range: ??km <br />
Power: ??kW<br />
Top Speed: 96kph<br />
Note: Exports from Japan started 2018 but will South Africa be on the list<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>BMW C Evolution</b></div>
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Max Range: 160km <br />
Power: 35kW<br />
Top Speed: 128kph<br />
Note: I’m praying that the C Evolution will come to South Africa as I want one,
pretty please.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIa00ZOzv681suoLDasJPLsqC8yODmgO0jOyDJe6MMt_fbS4ve2HfdYBjZx3-CMaZLumdM3VHihrFMyLhxgQMiVpv3Zh-v8Y78hR5wGJu0Zi88MFdyVXCPOatEov6pif-7d4GfWkvb3tD/s1600/Johammer-J1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIa00ZOzv681suoLDasJPLsqC8yODmgO0jOyDJe6MMt_fbS4ve2HfdYBjZx3-CMaZLumdM3VHihrFMyLhxgQMiVpv3Zh-v8Y78hR5wGJu0Zi88MFdyVXCPOatEov6pif-7d4GfWkvb3tD/s1600/Johammer-J1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Johammer J1 200</b></div>
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Max Range: 200km <br />
Power: 16kW<br />
Top Speed: 120kph<br />
Note: Very odd indeed <o:p></o:p></div>
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And now to leave the scoots behind and move into the realm
of the electric beasts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8D7Kd0qNbHZ-X7EsRPDBo5bqBcTIEs_rP0BsTkYvyUqyR8rhh4cCNBFtToAxOy2EE22XT1Af3isgQyV3zoXCWZOxuksVZw7-2LtyjU2cjZlrJ7GAOKQFyhMC2PgIkpmTVK8vfW8LwHjD/s1600/rmk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8D7Kd0qNbHZ-X7EsRPDBo5bqBcTIEs_rP0BsTkYvyUqyR8rhh4cCNBFtToAxOy2EE22XT1Af3isgQyV3zoXCWZOxuksVZw7-2LtyjU2cjZlrJ7GAOKQFyhMC2PgIkpmTVK8vfW8LwHjD/s1600/rmk.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>RMK E2</b></div>
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Max Range: 200-300km <br />
Power: 50kW<br />
Top Speed: 160kph<br />
Note: Like the movie this Finnish version of the Tron speedster not my on any
of my favourite lists<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Energica Ego</b></div>
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Max Range: 149km <br />
Power: 107kW<br />
Top Speed: 240kph<br />
Note: What all Vespa's dream of - the Italian electric gigolo.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Evoke Urban S</b></div>
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Max Range: 200km <br />
Power: 19kW<br />
Top Speed: 130kph<br />
Note: The Chinese super electric contender<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLz-hTLzM8PbkWvH_4Jm31qu4W0P9oRkkq-KHk0ODFAOQshdHy6yS0bw2UUbbjJajMiuPHvmB2erSrRyaAl8nU2FwQKWPxwYKxBnbTdLE9FyqwSlSRJaaw_ZqKGOd0E88Z40_GkdhyphenhyphenGRdi/s1600/zero-sr-2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLz-hTLzM8PbkWvH_4Jm31qu4W0P9oRkkq-KHk0ODFAOQshdHy6yS0bw2UUbbjJajMiuPHvmB2erSrRyaAl8nU2FwQKWPxwYKxBnbTdLE9FyqwSlSRJaaw_ZqKGOd0E88Z40_GkdhyphenhyphenGRdi/s1600/zero-sr-2019.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Zero SR</b></div>
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Max Range: 359km <br />
Power: 52kW<br />
Top Speed: 164kph<br />
Note: The current king of the hill in terms of range<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Lightning LS-218</b></div>
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Max Range: 160km <br />
Power: 149kW<br />
Top Speed: 350kph<br />
Note: Performance of note as the Lightning is the fastest production electric
bike<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Victory Empulse TT</b></div>
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Max Range: 225km <br />
Power: 40kW<br />
Top Speed: 160kph<br />
Note: The Hog Ruler contender<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Lito Sora</b></div>
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Max Range: 193km <br />
Power: ??kW<br />
Top Speed: 193kph<br />
Note: Café racer meets electric avenue<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdh2-BbUFVW4ehCiv2DUYS0OhDOe3CxE3_r2t8dGyz-_pYomrAurjrE-hJdUoJHh8YucY_ZWase4liEYxLQEmr53v1AAo1gQ8HpfnXwnMoY1ZUW9dzO97H7aD3h2r4MUqPQ-tW1-SL_zj/s1600/Harly-Davidson-LimeWire-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdh2-BbUFVW4ehCiv2DUYS0OhDOe3CxE3_r2t8dGyz-_pYomrAurjrE-hJdUoJHh8YucY_ZWase4liEYxLQEmr53v1AAo1gQ8HpfnXwnMoY1ZUW9dzO97H7aD3h2r4MUqPQ-tW1-SL_zj/s1600/Harly-Davidson-LimeWire-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Harley Davidson Livewire</b></span><br />
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Max Range: 100km <br />
Power: 55kW<br />
Top Speed: 152kph<br />
Note: Still to go on sale in the States but will be an interesting ride pity
about the sound (see video above)<br />
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<!--[endif]--></span>Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-54334290542093144772018-01-26T07:11:00.003+02:002018-01-26T07:12:12.023+02:00Holistic Medicine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSSVSWx8L4TeicFt7V690092HyFLyAFuQS0EPCiFZ_Xf3-U6vHX1BfZ0eD1nJDq6lGS2rD9BKgL2wgSuezoxMrnxa4VmiorXI_VG1N1fcm704ecdCsbaXjKbql_YyClvm54oi7Up4n_qB/s1600/ride-ur-bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="960" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSSVSWx8L4TeicFt7V690092HyFLyAFuQS0EPCiFZ_Xf3-U6vHX1BfZ0eD1nJDq6lGS2rD9BKgL2wgSuezoxMrnxa4VmiorXI_VG1N1fcm704ecdCsbaXjKbql_YyClvm54oi7Up4n_qB/s400/ride-ur-bike.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-31774716177539374332017-02-23T18:39:00.000+02:002017-02-23T18:39:04.047+02:00Being Happy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx643gVJwmhRlAUVAC2eN2EvUb3hSRyMqgdGNNuckhCAdHC4ouFDKnpaCKJURlT_hZy_vglDuxOtsg3FAr1aDyekgjjerZK7dTgevgMA6F1Br8CIWgVgsQqYfGhu__TS10WGOlzNNGwQGF/s1600/vespa-love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx643gVJwmhRlAUVAC2eN2EvUb3hSRyMqgdGNNuckhCAdHC4ouFDKnpaCKJURlT_hZy_vglDuxOtsg3FAr1aDyekgjjerZK7dTgevgMA6F1Br8CIWgVgsQqYfGhu__TS10WGOlzNNGwQGF/s400/vespa-love.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Okay bite me, but this photograph above to me is what Vespa love means. Being happy doesn't mean you have it all. It means being thankful to the Lord for all you have. </div>
<br />Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-49573822469722201902017-01-23T13:12:00.002+02:002017-01-23T13:15:53.278+02:00Vespa Elettrica <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWBFALBD_yyTCYtpmI-qpufHeWygiXQh_5LPmHto4gKWyTsscSHkVcyLqbQ3rnbrl-Qk-qgzwgDgT3jJTRikQcVKCmjvCQnJ5o-7YkeCpEWeHukNJt2_HmVdwogKoHRR1JrO0K0qPGT75/s1600/vespa_elettrica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWBFALBD_yyTCYtpmI-qpufHeWygiXQh_5LPmHto4gKWyTsscSHkVcyLqbQ3rnbrl-Qk-qgzwgDgT3jJTRikQcVKCmjvCQnJ5o-7YkeCpEWeHukNJt2_HmVdwogKoHRR1JrO0K0qPGT75/s400/vespa_elettrica.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Wow, my first post of 2017 and sadly no posts during 2016. Well I have been very busy last year and I think it is about time I rejuvenate this little blog of ours again. I have been following with interest the evolution of the electric scooter for some time now and even wrote the article <a href="http://poserscooterclub.blogspot.co.za/2015/09/bmw-c-evolution-2016.html" target="_blank">BMW C Evolution 2016</a> way back in 2015. Sadly as far as I know it has not reach the sunny shores of South Africa yet.<br />
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At the Eicma motocycle show in Milan in November 2016, Piaggio unveiled their electric scooter project, the Vespa Elettrica. Not much is known about this e-Vespa, but it is expected to be available in Europe about the middle of 2017.<br />
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So watch this space, as I bring you more on scooters in Africa and don’t hold your breath for an electric scooter here any time soon.
Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-43447037215361445392015-11-19T22:31:00.000+02:002015-11-20T10:31:52.313+02:00The Spirit of 69<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J-vRyJ8z8C8" width="400"></iframe></div>
Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-3897567772059128342015-11-14T07:32:00.001+02:002015-11-20T10:32:13.248+02:00I wish, I wishAh, Christmas time is nearly upon us once again. The shopping malls are starting to play Boney M and decorations are being strung up. So are you on the naughty or good Santa lists this year. So with Christmas just around the corner we can start trying to bend Santa's ear to what we would like to find under the tree or inside a pair of stockings.<br />
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Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-23943703249298118322015-11-11T12:21:00.001+02:002015-11-11T12:21:04.321+02:00Scooter Bungee JumpYes here it is, the world's first scooter bungee jump. Social Sym, a local Sym scooter, became the first scooter to take this leap of faith off the Orlando Towers in Soweto, Johannesburg.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/145240267?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe> </div>
Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-65740179147513240422015-10-19T16:14:00.001+02:002015-10-20T12:39:34.525+02:00Super Maxi Scooters 20162016, Scooters have come a long way since the Motoped chugged onto the motorcycle scene in 1915. After the Second World War Piaggio set the standard for scooters with their Vespa which it held for over 40 years. In 1986 Honda raised the bar when they introduced the first touring scooter, the Honda CN250 Helix, Fusion, or Spazio was the first of the maxi scooters and the world hasn’t looked back since.<br />
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My posts <a href="http://poserscooterclub.blogspot.co.za/2013/12/vespa-2014.html" target="_blank">Vespa 2014</a>, <a href="http://poserscooterclub.blogspot.co.za/2012/11/affordable-scooters-2013.html" target="_blank">Affordable Scooters 2013</a>, and <a href="http://poserscooterclub.blogspot.co.za/2011/12/vespa-2012.html" target="_blank">Vespa 2012</a> have been immensely popular so in keeping with the trend, in this post we are going to look at the super maxi scooters that are currently available and or are going to be in 2016 as a buyer’s guide. I have been riding the Piaggio Vespa GTS300 Super for just under 2 years so I am going to use it as my baseline. In 2016 the Vespa has many formidable contenders to its throne as more and more good maxi scooters are released onto the South African market. Yes I still would love to test ride most of the contenders and write review articles about them but for now, let the Game of Thrones begin. <br />
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(Please note prices are subject to change due to the exchange rate and are in ZAR. Fuel consumption are deduced from real life usesage and not in test conditions. See www.fuelly.com )
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOwpVcQX3b9Y5ouZUWgZ0Ugc3dvEuxEN6j5N4pMFZf7k0oSZetsI3NMuTa5fggq6J9Xx20M9ouStkk61BCUH-FcUh2Pi39Fn1VJBJC2qPVPoL1kRlaRZL_VJkNI4CZsaKDxvUyJUcG0BS/s1600/c5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOwpVcQX3b9Y5ouZUWgZ0Ugc3dvEuxEN6j5N4pMFZf7k0oSZetsI3NMuTa5fggq6J9Xx20M9ouStkk61BCUH-FcUh2Pi39Fn1VJBJC2qPVPoL1kRlaRZL_VJkNI4CZsaKDxvUyJUcG0BS/s320/c5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Gomoto C5 300</b><br />
Retail Price: R 20,999<br />
Engine: 300 cc<br />
Dry Weight: 119 kg<br />
Max Power: 12 kw<br />
Top Speed: 125 km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: 9 l<br />
Ave Fuel Cons.: 19 km/l<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0KJH6qJyut4-q2jk5Z3kP8D8RALqAS0FFVkhAD20mgmjuAiZYweuJaNXVa4sUPzfe_sUDZf3Pv0PNKSZr_yZX3HCdjf9DGXFpkkc-EznjVlAQNAsj28A8zWxeMARGxDWRx3p9hXY15lq/s1600/Powerflite-300_default.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0KJH6qJyut4-q2jk5Z3kP8D8RALqAS0FFVkhAD20mgmjuAiZYweuJaNXVa4sUPzfe_sUDZf3Pv0PNKSZr_yZX3HCdjf9DGXFpkkc-EznjVlAQNAsj28A8zWxeMARGxDWRx3p9hXY15lq/s320/Powerflite-300_default.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Big Boy Powerflite 300</b><br />
Retail Price: R 21,950<br />
Engine: 276 cc<br />
Dry Weight: 157 kg <br />
Max Power: 12 kw<br />
Top Speed: 125 km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: 9 l<br />
Ave Fuel Cons.: 19 km/l<br />
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Both the C5 and Powerflite are very similar and does not quite fit into the maxi scooter category if it wasn’t for their engine size as they are not quite in the league of touring scooters. Although I have never ridden any of the two, I have read some damming reviews on their build quality but I am adding them into this article as their price makes them very competitive. I just wish I can compare the numbers that have been sold to date.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvuIfUB6S1BOfTiF_UBmHRm2ZylvKcx745LGSTU6udbPrxUxm3CFqdhL1BQsd6y0F_pMXpF3aIRlJsyU1igB4nNBUKXFFW6L16xpIZPzWAjReqFy8xkWajNrK0ZBb_3MqNZtLwMUllIz0/s1600/sym-citycom-300i-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvuIfUB6S1BOfTiF_UBmHRm2ZylvKcx745LGSTU6udbPrxUxm3CFqdhL1BQsd6y0F_pMXpF3aIRlJsyU1igB4nNBUKXFFW6L16xpIZPzWAjReqFy8xkWajNrK0ZBb_3MqNZtLwMUllIz0/s320/sym-citycom-300i-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Sym Citycom 300i</b><br />
Retail Price: R 39,995<br />
Engine: 278 cc<br />
Dry Weight: 167 kg<br />
Max Power: 20 kw<br />
Top Speed: 134 km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: 10 l<br />
Ave Fuel Cons.: 25 km/l<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3FdKyhgNT7i0QLsPXpNpCVKQ3H5d6xSmFnwdMhdex4Pc6ZnXeXyzj8q1DwqZ0EeuOBkQotHenXa0xsU3OQ_390RuI-VlOU4bFzuCTj1ROl-taGgD86cXSEYunSuFy9ZLKhyphenhyphengDuUMqvOY/s1600/kynco+people.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3FdKyhgNT7i0QLsPXpNpCVKQ3H5d6xSmFnwdMhdex4Pc6ZnXeXyzj8q1DwqZ0EeuOBkQotHenXa0xsU3OQ_390RuI-VlOU4bFzuCTj1ROl-taGgD86cXSEYunSuFy9ZLKhyphenhyphengDuUMqvOY/s320/kynco+people.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Kynco People GTi</b><br />
Retail Price: R 48,500<br />
Engine: 298 cc;<br />
Dry Weight: 165 kg<br />
Max Power: 21 kw<br />
Top Speed: 136 km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: 9 l<br />
Ave Fuel Cons.: 25 km/l<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q9r4YBHPOepdAa8sbm3yAZ-7JEqCro3-H-XyAnDqQjd3Bc3nS0qWHCw502rEADI0nfdZDlJRnIVjiX_U-phj18WD2yVppv9ep1wTdKuKBvgt-rMO4tjOclFDmIoaIU063Y6LqdDt9KKH/s1600/New+GTS+300i+ABS-Black+%2528Side%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q9r4YBHPOepdAa8sbm3yAZ-7JEqCro3-H-XyAnDqQjd3Bc3nS0qWHCw502rEADI0nfdZDlJRnIVjiX_U-phj18WD2yVppv9ep1wTdKuKBvgt-rMO4tjOclFDmIoaIU063Y6LqdDt9KKH/s320/New+GTS+300i+ABS-Black+%2528Side%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Sym GTS Evo 300i</b><br />
Retail Price: R 49,995<br />
Engine: 263 cc<br />
Dry Weight: 190 kg<br />
Max Power: 17 kw<br />
Top Speed: 128 km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: 12 l<br />
Ave Fuel Cons.: 27 km/l<br />
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<b>Kynco Downtown 300i</b><br />
Retail Price: R 53,500<br />
Engine: 298 cc<br />
Dry Weight: 166 kg<br />
Max Power: 22 kw<br />
Top Speed: 144 km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: 12 l<br />
Ave Fuel Cons.: 23 km/l<br />
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Comparing to the Chinese scooters, the Taiwanese built Syms and Kyncos are competent, utilitarian entry level maxi scooters although also not quite in the maxi scooter class.<br />
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<b>Now we get into the real super maxi scooters.</b><br />
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<b>Kymco Xciting 500Ri ABS</b><br />
Retail Price: R 67,500<br />
Engine: 498 cc<br />
Dry Weight: 200 kg<br />
Max Power: 28 kw<br />
Top Speed: 152 km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: 12 l<br />
Ave Fuel Cons.: 24 km/l<br />
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<b>Honda NC750D Integrat</b><br />
Retail Price: R 84,990<br />
Engine: 745 cc<br />
Dry Weight: 219 kg<br />
Max Power: 40 kw<br />
Top Speed: 166 km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: 14 l<br />
Ave Fuel Cons.: 28 km/l<br />
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The Honda is an interesting hybrid motorcycle / scooter, one that I am keen on test riding in the near future.<br />
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<b>Sym MaxSym 600i ABS</b><br />
Retail Price: R 84,995<br />
Engine: 565 cc<br />
Dry Weight: 237 kg<br />
Max Power: 30 kw<br />
Top Speed: 160 km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: 14 l<br />
Ave Fuel Cons.: 19 km/l<br />
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<b>Vespa GTS 300 Super and Super Sport</b><br />
Retail Price: R 99,950 and R 109,950<br />
Engine: 278 cc<br />
Dry Weight: 148 kg<br />
Max Power: 38 kw<br />
Top Speed: 140 km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: 9 l<br />
Ave Fuel Cons.: 26 km/l<br />
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<b>Yamaha TMax 530 ABS</b><br />
Retail Price: R 105,000<br />
Engine: 530 cc<br />
Dry Weight: 210 kg<br />
Max Power: 34 kw<br />
Top Speed: 177 km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: 15 l<br />
Ave Fuel Cons.: 24 km/l<br />
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The TMax is on top of many lists and is a strong contender to the throne running a close second to the much more pricier BMWs.<br />
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<b>Gilera Fuco 500 LT ABS</b><br />
Retail Price: R 119,000<br />
Engine: 492 cc<br />
Dry Weight: 216 kg<br />
Max Power: 40 kw<br />
Top Speed: 145 km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: 12 l<br />
Ave Fuel Consumption: 21 km/l<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l41pYI7IzoV2yEi5AOvKa4rLdLSr5E7U-WWhyphenhyphenMPb80Wm1A9JEru9AI6nlfjHK9nTFsA65ffSrKqzKfPmS7_2orw_0LfLYYcc7NibaMTKKRGrjVj_5mSTmYTUlIkBEyi0Wll7vbMBRB1D/s1600/2013-Suzuki-Burgman650-Executive-ABS5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l41pYI7IzoV2yEi5AOvKa4rLdLSr5E7U-WWhyphenhyphenMPb80Wm1A9JEru9AI6nlfjHK9nTFsA65ffSrKqzKfPmS7_2orw_0LfLYYcc7NibaMTKKRGrjVj_5mSTmYTUlIkBEyi0Wll7vbMBRB1D/s320/2013-Suzuki-Burgman650-Executive-ABS5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive ABS</b><br />
Retail Price: R 122,000<br />
Engine: 638 cc<br />
Dry Weight: 238 kg<br />
Max Power: 40 kw<br />
Top Speed: km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: 15 l<br />
Ave Fuel Cons.: km/l<br />
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Underrated, the Bergman has been with us for a long time as Maxi Scooters go. I have been told that I must forget all preconceptions when it comes to the Bergman as it runs with the best. Well I need that test ride then.<br />
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<b>BMW C600 Sport and C650 GT</b><br />
Retail Price: R 125,000 and R 135,000<br />
Engine: 647 cc<br />
Dry Weight: 237 kg<br />
Max Power: 44 kw<br />
Top Speed: 175 km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: 15 l<br />
Ave Fuel Cons.: 21 km/l<br />
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In my books the BMW C650 GT is currently the leading contender for sitting on the Throne of Super Maxi Scooters although the price is a little too steep. It is slightly heavier than the TMax, its closest competitor to the Throne.<br />
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<b>Gilera GP800</b><br />
Retail Price: R 130,000<br />
Engine: 839 cc<br />
Dry Weight: 235 kg<br />
Max Power: kw<br />
Top Speed: 210 km/h<br />
Fuel Capacity: ?l<br />
Ave Fuel Cons.: ?km/l<br />
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The last super maxi scooter on my 2016 list is the GP800, still the fastest of scooters with its classic Italian styling.Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-31550510781631448522015-09-12T11:01:00.000+02:002015-11-12T11:08:40.650+02:00BMW C Evolution 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The big question will the BMW C Evolution electric scooter ever join its stable mates the BMW C600 Sport and the C650 GT here on the South African showroom floor in 2016?
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When we think about BMW scooters, the first thing that comes to mind to the BMW C1, yes the one with the roof, which was introduced to the market in 2000 but didn’t sell very well. With so much safety features going for the C1, why did it fail? I personally know a Vespa rider who used to have a BMW C1 and sold it for the Vespa. He stated that it was underpowered, overweight, top heavy, and it was like a big sail in the wind which he had to constantly fight. A big plus is that they held their re-sale values well.<br />
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Ten years later BMW brought us the awesome BMW C600 Sport and the BMW C650 GT scooters but at a premium price over R100,000; too much of deterrent to everyday scooterists. So where would this electric scooter fit in? Certainly it will cheaper to run but will it be affordable to buy and maintain?
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About the same time as the bigger BMW scooters were launched, BMW showed the world it C1 electrification concept, the BMW C1-E which later paved the way for the BMW C Evolution which is based on the C600 chassis. <br />
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With only a top speed of 120km/h and a range of 100 kilometres, the quiet BMW C Evolution is made for the urban commute but not the open road. With better battery technology, in the near future, hopefully the range will increase to allow it to be taken on the open roads. On the plus side, it takes only 3 hours to get the batteries fully charged up.
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Electric scooters are the way forward with organic fuel costs sky rocketing, that even scooter riders are starting to feel the pinch. Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-65202653758031873812015-06-30T13:31:00.001+02:002015-06-30T13:33:52.516+02:00Warning!Wow, half the year is gone already and I haven't even posted anything. Oh better start rectifying this. Anyway this post below is from our embedded Poser in Mozambique.
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Forget to let you guys on this stickers that I found deep down in the engine bay of my beloved Vespa. Was drying things after a good wash, and came across this sticker. Mmmm…interesting.
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<b>Warning!
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Floor mats will scratch your floor. Top cases are huge and offensive but you might want them anyway. Don’t expect Harley riders to return a wave. Don’t ride with flip flops or sandals on your feet. But riding with flip flops or sandals on your feet is still safer than riding with flip flops or sandals on your feet combined with white socks. Stop asking what oil to use. It is in the manual. You may mentioned something about the Wooden Vespa as soon as Justin Bieber enters puberty. Which is to say never. Read the original post before you add your own post. And before you post, consider just walking away.
Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-88300716795803839762014-09-17T21:06:00.000+02:002014-09-17T21:06:00.176+02:00Euroyeyé XX and the Scooter CruzadaEvery first weekend of August in Gijó, Spain, for the last 20 years in scooter enthusiasts get together for Euroyeyé, a weekend of live bands playing mod and 60s music, 60s cult movies, and as you guessed it the Scooter Cruzada, one of the most iconic classic scooter rallies in Europe.<br />
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Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-86971374528290087952014-09-05T12:04:00.000+02:002014-09-05T12:04:00.711+02:00Dakar Vespa Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While doing research on the 1980 Paris-Dakar Rally, I came across the <a href="http://www.vespa-challenge.com/" target="_blank">Vespa Dakar Challenge</a> and it instantly went onto my wish list as it reminded me of our own Poser adventures of the Breedsneck Pass Bootcamp in the mud, the Sani Pass Adventure in the snow, and the Baviaanskloof Expedition in the wilderness, that I want more. <br />
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This group our adventurers did the Vespa Dakar Challenge in 2012 and will be doing it again this month, 30 Vespas are leaving Barcelona on the 21 September 2014, so please follow their 20 day adventure, 4000km to Dakar across Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal. In the shadow of the high peaks of the Atlas Mountains, through royal cities, from to oasis to oasis through the Mauritanian desert dunes, to finally arriving at the legendary sub Saharan city of Dakar. These adventurers are not professional factory riders, Paris-Dakar racers, nor freaks, but ordinary people who have one thing in common, a passion for Vespa and adventure in the purest form. I agree, like our poser adventures of the past this what it is all about, now I want in.<br />
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<br />Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-38690857613122038322014-09-03T23:21:00.000+02:002014-09-03T23:21:00.168+02:00The Dakar Rally by Vespa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Dakar Rally is probably one of the most punishing off road motor races of all time if not the most dangerous. It started way back in 1979 from Paris to Dakar then later in 2009 the continent was changed from Europe-Africa to South America because of terrorist intimidations. In the motorcycle category, most people are aware of the dominance of the KTM off road bikes but few even know that this race had already being conquered by the Vespa.<br />
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Way back in 1980, 4 Vespa PX200 entered the 2nd Paris-Dakar Rally, although only 2 reached the finish line. Okay that was before the KTM came to power but that was a 2 out of 4 finish which was a 50% compare that to the overall stats 79 out of 211 vehicles crossed the finished line making that only 37%. Yes mad but reliable so there you go to all those BMW and KTM riders out there. <br />
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<br />Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-13701955213328157092014-08-31T10:18:00.000+02:002014-09-03T10:19:08.556+02:00Antur Fawr Cymraeg<div style="text-align: center;">
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Yes the adventure bug bites again, this time it is the Antur Fawr Cymraeg or the Great Welsh Adventure. Thanks to Tim Fielding making this video about their adventure in Wales this past May with Jaques Renault's Pianos on the Beach as backing music.</div>Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-53322851712320050182014-08-09T14:25:00.000+02:002014-09-19T14:25:39.942+02:00Sani Epilogue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Jerome -</i> We woke up at the end of a epic week at Camelroc Guest Farm after crossing over Lesotho the day before as if the last few days were just a dream. But we were sore and tired.</div>
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<i>Magda - </i> Although I had slept extremely well every night during and after the trip, colleagues commented that I simply looked exhausted. Mentally I also strangely felt a bit like a deflated party balloon. I wondered if this was being experienced only by me and decided to phone Charlie to hear her whole family was quite ill and recovering in bed post the Sani-expedition. Marlene was living it up in the Cape with her sister with good helpings of pasta and red wine. Jerome was as usual blogging with fervour and disseminating the trip information he had gathered into various facebook, photobucket , twitter and e-mail accounts. </div>
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Life had moved on and away from Sani. As the days post Sani lengthened I felt my energy levels soar and return back to normal. Only then did I start registering what we actually had accomplished. Vespa , friends, family and colleagues all wanted to hear about the great adventure. E-mails from far and wide started coming in saying well done. I realized we had done something quite unique and admirable.</div>
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<i>Jerome -</i> Now who do you call the Posers and who has the bigger balls...</div>
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<i>Magda - </i>Ag how wonderful, now we have done the impossible! What a
feeling! Must say us three chicks had
the biggest balls , Jerome naturally has balls already so it his doesn't count! </div>
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Ha-Ha!!! Charlie's was made of titanium for sure! Marlene thank you for a
wonderful trip-you are the greatest! I take my hat off to Charlie who refused
to give up and after falling not once, not twice, but three times she was still
ready to try again, unfortunately her bike's ratkas had taken on some damage from some previous
flying activities. Charlie by the way wore wings, which you will see when
Marlene posts the pics. Hell if that 300 of mine wasn't so heavy i would have
made it all the way, she was just to heavy at 151kg for me to control on ice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just wanted to recommend to all that the Duro
HF03 tire, it is a 60% road and 40% off road tire. What an awesome tire, I was
tearing up the top of Lesotho with it. What fun!!!!! Can't wait to do it again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Special thanks to Marlene's husband who was so supportive
and loaded and off loaded and strapped and unstrapped and has amazing 4x4
skills + also to Gys -what a great bunch! <o:p></o:p></div>
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After we did Sani the big ball story stuck and Paulo phoned
me up one day telling me he is going to buy me those blue balls that the Bulls
supporters favour so much and which they tend to suspend form towing hooks.
Paulo made me promise if he buys me a pair then I have to hook it uder the seat
of my Vespa. LOL! I think i'll be embarrassed to open my seat and there they
dangle!!!! A promise is a promise and I am still waiting for my balls. If I
ever get them, I will post you guys a pic! Paulo recently said he has seen a
pair of miniature blue balls which he might get. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Great Sani Pass Adventure made it into the Woema, SA
Bike, and the Offroad Adventure magazines in the months that followed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-48509706076164012292014-08-08T14:09:00.000+02:002014-09-19T14:11:34.312+02:00Vespas take on the Roof of Africa<i>Magda - </i>I highly recommend the highest pub in Africa, the Gluhwein are warm, the beers cold and the food hearty.
The accommodation at Sani Top Chalets was fundamentally very basic. A few beds in a house and no running water as the water had frozen in the pipes.
Flushing the toilets were done by dunking a bucket in a water filled drum. Not knowing where the water had come from I took a chance to brush teeth with it and tried my very best to not swallow a drop. The beautiful winter tale outside was worth giving up a few luxuries for.<br />
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Sharing the house with us were 3 x intrepid Jehova witnesses on BMW bikes. One of them had made it to the top with his bike and apparently had a spectacular fall right in front of the house by way of some sort of bad ass introduction. The other two had to abandon their steeds on the last bends due to nightfall and the minor irritation that they could not, try as they might succeed in getting them up the slippery slopes.<br />
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Tip: Don’t go to bed with socks damp from perspiration. Woke up at 4 am with frozen toes. Yikes!
The next morning after a quick breakfast Marlene, Tinus, Gys and myself went down to rescue the 2 stranded BMW bikes. With a BMW rider saddled on we wrestled with the sheer weight and bulky size of the bikes up the steep slippery slopes. Tinus and the other BMW rider were steadying the bike on either side whilst pushing it and I made up the rear steadying and pushing. With the assistance of one of the 4x4’s and a towing rope as well we managed to get those two bikes up and out. Needless to say afterwards I was quite a sight. The spinning backwheels had beaten me with mud from toe to top, I had black raccoon eyes from sleeping with makeup on and my hair was standing at a rakish angle. Thank God for beanies, lipgloss and sunglasses!<br />
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As we travelled deeper into Lesotho we kept a concerned eye out for the 3 x intrepid BMW bikers, which made for witnessing some awesomely spectacular falls. Later one of them named Terence wrote me a mail and said he had in total fallen 7 times. For some people 7 is obviously NOT a lucky number. OUCH and hats off!<br />
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As soon as we dropped below the snow line Jerome said let’s roll.Gys also offloaded his BMW and we had a wonderful time riding over the roof of Africa.<br />
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After Jerome flew through a pothole as big as a bathtub he and Marlene decided to load up again. By this time I was having a ball and was dead intent on carrying on. Gys and I chose to continue and I proceeded to have the sweetest ride EVER, side stepping potholes, driving then on and then off road, passing through muddy and icy patches at times as we climbed back up in altitude and dipped down again.<br />
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Gys must have covered about twice the distance as I did, as he would shoot off and ahead only to rejoin again some odd 10 minutes later, this became a pattern as we rode on. I saw Gys coming and disappearing on the horizon.<br />
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Later Jerome informed me that I had driven the highest pass in Lesotho alone on my Vespa. As darkness approached we had to stop and load up and proceeded to drive past Afri-Ski and Oxbow Lodge in darkness, racing towards the border as we weren’t sure what time they closed it. Camelroc guest lodge was the best ever, great accommodation at a great price to the weary bunch of us. By then we all desperately needed to wash! The electric blanket on the bed made me feel like royalty and having roughed it the previous two nights we all truly appreciated such luxurious digs.Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-17078237084633656642014-08-07T13:50:00.000+02:002014-09-19T13:51:22.131+02:00Sani Pass on Vespas Winter 2011<i>Magda -</i> The 7th of August dawned with clear blue skies and the most beautiful sunshine.<br />
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<i>Jerome -</i> This is what we have come for, the <b><a href="http://jeromes1day.blogspot.com/2011/08/sani-pasd.html">Sani Pass</a></b>. Four Vespas: Marlene on the PX 150, myself on the ET4, Charlie on the PX200 and Magda on the GTS 300; all eager to conquer the pass in the middle of winter.<br />
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<i>Magda - </i>Buoyed we set off into Underberg to fuel up beasts and machines.
At the foot of Sani Pass lay our first obstacle-the no nonsense, all business Lesotho border control. Excitedly and with hearts in mouths and Vespas skulking on the trailers we presented our passports in family format.<br />
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With the snow capped peaks towering above us, would our dream end now and here? The sun glinted off the silver nr 7 on my Vespa and blessed us with the right to proceed on our passage.
Around the first bend we hastily offloaded our steeds and donned various riding paraphernalia.
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Charlie’s battle gear consisting of the biggest pair of wings I have ever seen. Marlene passed out little miniature bottles of Jagermeister and Bugs. Jerome strapped on his camera and I packed 2L of juice.</div>
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After Thinus deflated our tyres, we sharing ice cold juice and Jagermeister, which flushed our excited faces. We fun filled blue eyes and wide brilliant smiles matching the snow. News filtered down that the pass was blocked higher up by a snowed in grader, a broken down minibus and 4x4’s that had been forced to spend the previous night on the pass itself.<br />
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The 4x4 traffic jam before the block made Sandton at 5 look tame. The thought of returning to Underberg riled us. Up we HAD to go, a paid for bed, warm food and the highest pub in Africa was to be had by the victorious.<br />
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Joy and elation as the first stuck 4x4 that slept over on the pass came creeping cold and cat-footed down past us with huge icicles suspended like whiskers from the fenders - we knew the way to the top was open and there was no stopping us now, we could taste the blood warm gluhwein swilling in our mouths, hear the log fire roaring and feel the ice cold beers pressing against our sweaty palms!<br />
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Fortified with Dutch courage we set off on the monumentous task of conquering Sani Pass with Vespas. Behind us and in front of us numerous 4x4 all terrain vehicles and serious off road motor bikers followed suit.<br />
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I could just imagine what they must have been thinking at the sight of such a motley group attempting the same thing with a tenth of the horsepower and one sporting wings. I am sure there was a few WTF’s expressed accompanied with a few sniggers.
So you think you can dance.....
VESPA gives you wings.<br />
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An epic battle followed. I recollect the ascent as being easy at the bottom and gradually becoming more taxing and difficult as we proceeded and almost becoming impossible near the top. Over rocks and stones, riverbeds, twists and turns and ruts, mud and slush and treacherous ice we travelled.<br />
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Charlie got stuck on a steep incline which had me running back to help, shouting to children to come help push. With 4 pairs of willing hands on the back seat, a mighty heave and a fight with the gears and a push and off Charlie goes-wings flapping in the breeze.<br />
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Through snow and in between stuck 4x4’s we made our winding way, ever climbing higher and higher, steeper and steeper. Stopping and starting, pushing and pulling, picking each other up after falls. Focused and driven my mind created surprisingly vivid mental snapshots of it all.....
The lone elderly cyclist determinedly pushing his bicycle all the way to the top after the chain snapped halfway up.<br />
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Marlene’s red 1979 Mathilda sure footed and being driven with enormous skill and years of bike riding experience under the belt-beautiful to behold. I envisioned seeing Marlene, 40yrs on, bent with age on the stoep of some retirement village somewhere pointing a gnarled finger to a photo album, regaling the grandchildren with tales of “The Great Sani Pass Adventure” and fondly saying “Those were the days”.<br />
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After losing grip 4 metres into the ice line and feeling my bike spinning round almost 180’ I managed to stay upright as I brought the scooter under control. I found myself facing the cliff edge with its sheer drop. My heart pounded and I uttered a choice expletive starting with Gordon Ramsey’s favourite letter of the alphabet.<br />
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The snow boots I had on gave good grip and I was firmly planted wide legged over the scooter, the scooter however wasn’t and it proceeded to faint from under me in one of those classic slow motion- almost lady like- movie scenes. I just couldn’t keep 151kg from going down and managed to step off and away to the side to safety as she dropped. I bent down and turned the key off in the ignition to protect the engine and stop any loss of oil.<br />
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Marlene and Jerome came running over to the rescue and together we lifted and turned the bike round. I was relieved to find only minor sticker damage. I had recently traded in and up for this new black 300 Vespa and it was scarcely a few months old. I decided to not attempt the last few icy bends due to the ice and the certain possibility of causing far greater damage.<br />
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As I headed down I saw Charlie approaching on her blue PX and I shouted a warning that this was no place for two wheels. My words were hardly out when Charlie went down quite hard and quite spectacularly onto her right side, almost immediately her left hand shot out straight up in the air and she shouted out loud to the shocked onlookers “I’m okay!”. That’s Charlie for you-what a trooper.<br />
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Later I heard Charlie had fallen 3 times that day. Due to gearbox damage from a previous flying incident (which is altogether another story) and loss of oil she had to call it a day only a few bends from the top.<br />
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Jerome and Marlene helped each other through the last few bends, sometimes walking and pushing through the slippery cocktail of snow and mud and ice. Hats off!
She ain’t heavy, she’s my sista! That's what friends are for.
Charlie and my bike were loaded and Thinus led the 4x4’s up through the last bends displaying impressive 4x4 knowledge and skill. Sani top chalets and the highest pub in Africa beckoned to us.<br />
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Marlene and Jerome summits </div>
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Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-78422208356780957662014-08-06T12:47:00.000+02:002014-09-19T12:51:54.149+02:00Swearworthy Cold<i>Magda - </i>The 24hrs before D-day held no promises-it was icy cold and sleeting.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Golden Gate Highlands National Park</span></div>
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<i>Jerome -</i> Magda and I wanted an early start as we were only halfway to Underburg but the two Posers as they were now called, Paulo and Martin wanted to have a lazy start with a good breakfast before they head back to Johannesburg. This is where the Bar One story was born as I said to them that just a Bar One chocolate bar would suffice as breakfast.<br />
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<i>Jerome -</i> The cold was setting in fast and through the Golden Gate Highlands National Park we came across a horrific accident due to black ice that we decided to contact the Support Team and meet them rather at Harrismith. Read my account here on <a href="http://jeromes1day.blogspot.com/2011/08/black-ice-and-death.html" target="_blank">Black Ice and Death</a><br />
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Thinus and Martin loading Magda and my Vespas onto the support trailers in Harrismith as sleet begins to fall.</div>
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Marlene and Magda supervise the loading of our Vespas</div>
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<i>Magda -</i> That night we trudged from eatery to eatery in the rain in Underberg looking for a place willing to feed 18 souls. Once inside the “The Grind Cafe” with its pub “The Woolly Bugger”, things started looking up and with good food, attentive staff and a few drinks to warm the vital organs and keep the cold at bay we all enjoyed a lovely evening.<br />
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Charlie</div>
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Colette showing us how to make 12 cups of coffee out of 1 liter kettle water</div>
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Dudley</div>
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Gys</div>
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Magda</div>
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Marlene</div>
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Matthew</div>
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Petro and Angie</div>
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Thinus</div>
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Tiffany</div>
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<i>Magda -</i> Climbing into bed that night at the backpackers lodge the admonishing warnings of family and friends ---don’t do it---crazy---dangerous---ran in ever faster circles inside my head, biting each others’ tails like serpents rolling down a hill. I pulled my buff up against them and the smoke filled room, popped a sleeping tablet and bunked down uncertain as to what the day would bring.Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-70442991228774374842014-08-05T12:05:00.000+02:002014-09-19T12:07:56.082+02:00What Happens in Clarens?<i>Jerome - </i>What happens in Clarens stays in Clarens as Day 1 of <b>The Great Sani Pass Adventure</b> begins with a long ride down to Clarens. Magda and I decided to ride down to Sani Pass while the others would leave the next day with the support vehicles. The plan was that we would meet up along the way to Underburg somewhere either at Escort or somewhere there abouts. You can read my full account of the day here.<br />
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Jerome, Paulo, Magda, Martin</div>
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<i>Jerome - </i>It is after this first leg that the name Posers was born. Paulo and Martin decided to join us for the down leg to Underburg but that night in Clarens they changed their minds and decided to turn back earlier. Now I wonder if it was the cold or the lack of balls, uhmmm.<br />
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Paulo with a device to measure uhmmm... </div>
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<i>Magda -</i> The big balls story actually started off in Clarens on the way to Sani, but Paulo, myself, Martin and Jerome made a pact that what happens in Clarens stays in Clarens. All I can say is that Jerome nearly ended up with Elsa, the owner of the pub in Clarens, Paulo was laughing so much he was continually crying with tears streaming down his face and Martin had us all in stitches again as soon as we recovered and caught breath again.
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<br />Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-38124536296679747442014-08-04T23:14:00.000+02:002014-09-19T12:08:48.528+02:00Vespas in the Mud<i>Jerome</i> - Within 2 months our dreams of conquering Sani Pass had become a solid reality with the target date set in just over 3 months’ time, training began in earnest.<br />
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Left to Right: Marlene PX150, Jerome ET4 150, Magda GTS250ie, and Charlie GTS250ie</div>
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Charlie and Jerome the Vespa Ninjas</div>
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<i> Magda </i>- Preparation for Sani took place at Breedsneck Pass near Hartebeespoortdam. Marlene felt that the terrain would make good practice ground for the rocky inclines of Sani and she was right. Just getting to Breedsneck Pass itself was challenging in itself as the back route on a farm road to there was quite muddy.<br />
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<i>Jerome - </i>Muddy wasn’t the right word for it as it has been raining for weeks leading up to today and there was more mud than Glastonbury. <a href="http://jeromes1day.blogspot.com/2011/04/sophia-in-mud-with-me.html" target="_blank">Sophia in the mud with me</a>.<br />
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Mud Glorious mud.</div>
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<i>Jerome -</i> Is this mud ever going to end? But thankfully it did end as the mud was replaced with rocks. The end of the rocks couldn't have come any sooner as the road started climbing up over the Magaliesberg Mountains at the Breedsneck Pass. </div>
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Jerome on the Rocks</div>
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Dudley and our Support Vehicle</div>
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Marlene, Charlie, Magda, and Jerome at the top of Breedsneck Pass</div>
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Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-87228800282049834072014-08-03T10:16:00.000+02:002014-09-19T10:26:06.717+02:00The Sani Pass Dream<i>Jerome - </i>It is just about 3 years to the day since <b>The Great Sani Pass Adventure</b> happened over the 5 day long weekend of 5 to 9 of August 2011. Yes this was not a dream, we did ride up Sani Pass in the middle of winter and over the Roof of Africa on Vespas. Our original post written by Magda, <a href="http://poserscooterclub.blogspot.com/2011/12/awesome-sani-pass-vespa-scooter.html" target="_blank">The awesome Sani pass Vespa scooter adventure 2011</a>, is having issues so I am re-working the post in six smaller posts along with extracts from my blog <a href="http://jeromes1day.blogspot.com/2011/08/long-way-down.html" target="_blank">One Day in the Life of Jerome</a>’s and from Marlene’s Woema magazine articles, Bike in jou Taal. <br />
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Magda looking good as usual</div>
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<i>Magda - </i>I first met Marlene at the 2nd Scooter rally in Hartbeespoort. She looked an interesting unassuming girl and I was immediately drawn to her as a friend. It was there that Marlene unfolded her plans to conquer Sani Pass on her 1979 Vespa. With the ruckus of scooters playing soccer and racing in the background everything seemed right and possible. Without really appreciating what I was getting myself into I signed up for what would be the adventure of a lifetime. <br />
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Magda on her GTS250 and Marlene on her PX150</div>
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<i>Jerome - </i>Although the Dream was already floating around in our heads as Sani Pass was on my bucket list and as for Marlene, she had just done Die Hel pass on her 1979 Vespa PX150 and Sani Pass was her next target. So on 20 February 2011 at a Scooter Rally in Hartes the Sani Dream became a reality.Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-39725215204755137302014-07-29T21:12:00.000+02:002014-07-30T07:46:34.052+02:00Vespa GTS 350<div>
Rumours started surfacing in 2013 about a Vespa GTS 350, with some rumours even going so far to consider a change from the GTS to either GTR 350 Rally or even GTX 350. But where did all this start? In the scooter world, Vespa fans fall into two groups, the nostalgic groups who are mad for the original geared Vespas of pre 1984 models and the more modern group of the automatic Vespas. It is this last group that are looking for a better, faster, and yet still reliable Vespa to compete against the onslaught of the Maxi Scooters.
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Piaggio,
the manufacturers of the Vespa already have bigger, more powerful scooter
engines, in the sizes of 400, 500, and 850cc in their other brands such as the
Aprilia, Derbi, Gilera, Scarabeo, and Piaggio scooters, so why not the Vespa.
In the past these larger cc engines were too big for the Vespa frame even when
they made the frame bigger in the natural evolution of the Vespa from the smaller ET4 to the larger GTS300. But late in 2012 a 350cc engine appeared in the Piaggio Beverly
BV350 which is only 6mm longer than the current 300cc in the Vespas.</div>
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The reviews of the Piaggio Beverly BV350 in the last two
years have all been very positive, so why has Paolo Nesti, Vice President
Engine Development and Calculations at Piaggio in Italy denied all the rumours
of a Vespa 350. Could there be something wrong with the 350cc motor, as I am
yet to find any bad reviews. The BV350 is reported to pack the power of a 400cc
into a smaller package, enough to fit into the current Vespa GTS frame. The ABS
and ASR anti-lock braking and anti-skid control of the BV350 are now being
incorporated into the latest Vespas coming off the production line. Other than
the extra power, the BV350 comes with a newer multi-plate wet clutch which is promising
to be more efficient than the current Vespa centrifugal clutches.</div>
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Will we see Piaggio bring out the Vespa 350 in 2015?</div>
Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-62407169268896055372014-07-21T19:08:00.000+02:002014-07-21T19:55:20.961+02:00Veni, Vedi, and Vici<br />
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Camp fire stories abound about some Vespas resting amongst the rocks in the Fish River Canyon. Above is a Vespa called Vidi standing proudly today, a stark reminder of Julius Caesar’s words “Veni, vidi, vici” translated from Latin “Ï came, I saw, I conquered”. This is a story about 3 Vespas who became an inspiration to all Vespas!<br />
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Way before the Posers started making epic Vespa journeys,
the <a href="http://ctvespaclub.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Cape Town Vespa Club</a> took on the 2nd largest canyon in the world and the biggest in the southern hemishere, the Fish River Canyon in 1968. I was only an ankle
biter when 3 proud Vespas, Veni, Vedi, and Vici, did the Fish River Canyon
Expedition. This is the story of 3 legends which although ended in tragedy,
their names remain forever engraved in all little Vespas with big hearts that
are setting out on their own adventure.</div>
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To read the full story, click here <a href="http://www.fishrivercanyon1968vespaexpedition.com/" target="_blank">1968 Cape Town Vespa ClubFish River Canyon Expedition</a>. Six friends Tony Beckley, Terry Davidson, Peter
Derichs, Aubrey Jackson, Johnnie Johnson, and Graham Nell began with a dream of
being the first to put down tyre tracks inside the second largest canyon in the
world.<br />
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Three Vespas, painted in the colours of a leopard (Vici a 125cc Vespa), giraffe (Vidi a 125cc Vespa),
and a zebra (Veni a 150cc Vespa), set off from Cape Town, north to what was then South West Africa
or now Namibia.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KE2NsB5fc7huhqY1iTR78sYWzYDtC5D_5UXXKp4y9LQKGthkTHJBbZxVOhxpnFlQG3Qn47U3mNp4tUnepDApTKgP9_zVQ6uPQkyVEPyYzPuznlTKisXNXaKOgC7H6cQKyRNGnBQTYx-P/s1600/veni-vidi-vici-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KE2NsB5fc7huhqY1iTR78sYWzYDtC5D_5UXXKp4y9LQKGthkTHJBbZxVOhxpnFlQG3Qn47U3mNp4tUnepDApTKgP9_zVQ6uPQkyVEPyYzPuznlTKisXNXaKOgC7H6cQKyRNGnBQTYx-P/s1600/veni-vidi-vici-02.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></a><br />
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Once there they lowered the scooters down into the canyon
via a winch. Sadly one Vespa Veni was lost when she fell about 30m and was too
badly damaged. Never losing hope the expedition continued. It was a struggle at
the bottom, with the 2 remaining Vespas making slow progress.</div>
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While crossing the river on an inflatable raft, the raft got
a puncture and sunk, Vici was lost. The expedition continued slowly with Vidi,
the sole remaining Vespa until it too was abandoned due to mechanical problems
which the team could not repair.</div>
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Although the 3 Vespas did not return from the Fish River
Canyon, they did succeed in their task of becoming the first and most likely
only vehicles to lay tracks inside the canyon. And changed the hearts of many aspiring adventurers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjRxdkeFPeudGhwwx4JtR4HnKj_BncPMbejU-ca2G4h0ZldEtbdfRlh4esgwmx3xXgdaTxpaAIurhyphenhyphendCZRnKmm1IV8Uc4DKPIpql4A2N9KL98JUXdQA_lwLe7vkMsdEYVIsug1M-AbRVQ/s1600/recording-1st-tyre-tracks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjRxdkeFPeudGhwwx4JtR4HnKj_BncPMbejU-ca2G4h0ZldEtbdfRlh4esgwmx3xXgdaTxpaAIurhyphenhyphendCZRnKmm1IV8Uc4DKPIpql4A2N9KL98JUXdQA_lwLe7vkMsdEYVIsug1M-AbRVQ/s1600/recording-1st-tyre-tracks.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-47156178099179264912014-07-15T18:05:00.000+02:002014-07-16T08:54:49.050+02:00LML Star Euro 150 Automatic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcS2vw-RNZv3zNVPDTnbszgL9SUaVc9Esp4LLYeNJ94g6yHNRaogo8TuUU1QKny6D-w3BBhPx8xg2Raj78SKgcNMvxmXinF5NS3lh7a3l3ph6HcFm2sWg-E85rR5JSLjK7dZGaeHdrJdH/s1600/lml3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcS2vw-RNZv3zNVPDTnbszgL9SUaVc9Esp4LLYeNJ94g6yHNRaogo8TuUU1QKny6D-w3BBhPx8xg2Raj78SKgcNMvxmXinF5NS3lh7a3l3ph6HcFm2sWg-E85rR5JSLjK7dZGaeHdrJdH/s1600/lml3.png" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was excited last year when <a href="http://poserscooterclub.blogspot.com/2013/01/lmls-new-baby.html" target="_blank">LML launched an automatic scooter at Milan</a> and now after a year I am a little concerned with LML's choice of placing their new Star Euro 150 Automatic or Gearless solely for men. Are they saying men only ride automatic scooters? If so then who rides the geared Vespas? I am sure my Vesparado friends will object to not being men, so would all the lady Vespa riders that I know of. </div>
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LML state that the automatic scooter is the 2nd fastest segment in the 2 wheel category of their domestic market. To them the automatic scooter clientele comprises mostly of college students, women and older people and very few real men hence the change of marketing tack from the below type of advertisement to the shocking adverts shown above.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintQKZpX2ZwxWfDEAQLnFMUylsvZ9tvcAKIDLcT11u-fg56e_XSiUvcuqEZP-FRJWCHl0_dPMmJ7ryPbfkFyWgfVSlFXRcJL1jteCMg-6yh7Rskoc2VkETfvRmvUBWyEiXyJf2JnmSbSQh/s1600/lml5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintQKZpX2ZwxWfDEAQLnFMUylsvZ9tvcAKIDLcT11u-fg56e_XSiUvcuqEZP-FRJWCHl0_dPMmJ7ryPbfkFyWgfVSlFXRcJL1jteCMg-6yh7Rskoc2VkETfvRmvUBWyEiXyJf2JnmSbSQh/s1600/lml5.png" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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I wonder if we are going to see the LML Star Euro 150 Automatic in South Africa any time soon. Although the power is less than its main rival, the Vespa LX150, it fits neatly among the other Chinese contenders of the <a href="http://poserscooterclub.blogspot.com/2012/11/affordable-scooters-2013.html" target="_blank">Big Boy, Gomoto, Jonway, Motomia and Zest 150 scooters</a>. Will the Indian rebel be more popular than the Chinese flood and become a true rival to the Vespa LX150?</div>
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<br />Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222740633096689432.post-77524900394428105722014-07-10T02:08:00.000+02:002014-07-10T02:08:00.791+02:00The Solo ScooteristFollowing the footsteps of <a href="http://poserscooterclub.blogspot.com/2012/09/giorgio-bettinelli-mh-way.html" target="_blank">Giorgio Bettinelli</a>, Michael Strauss the Solo Scooterist decided to journey his way through Africa on Victoria a Vespa GTS300 Super Sport.
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Michael and Victoria left from Johannesburg, South Africa in May 2014 and headed out for Italy and are now half way
up into Africa. You can follow them at on <a href="http://soloscooterist.com/" target="_blank">The Solo Scooterist</a> blog as they record their adventures.<br />
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<br />Jerome Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289726069545031798noreply@blogger.com0