Motorcycle.com recently announced its picks for the best motorcycles of 2011. The best motorcycles are carefully selected after riding the bikes that made it to dealerships within the past year. And it was no surprise to see that the Genuine Stella 4-Stroke was selected the best scooter of 2011- Congratulations!

From Genuine:

“Stella has been available since 2002, and just this year officially introduced the 2012 Four Stroke variant which is indeed a milestone. It no longer has a “monocoque” chassis and had to undergo a total chassis re-design to accept the brilliant new motor which was designed 100% in India, with love! The two-year, unlimited mile warranty with full roadside assistance sets this scooter apart from others, together with the 4-speed “twist-grip” shifting that creates such fabulous economy!”

The post And the best scooter of 2011 is… first appeared on scootcats.

Lambretta: This is Not an Imitation!

MILAN, August 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ —

With reference to the statement sent on 2^nd August 2011 by Lambretta SA (company in liquidation) to the press agencies worldwide, the companies Motom Electronics Group S.p.a. (MEG) and Clag International Ltd (CLAG) jointly specify as follows:

1) The trademark Lambretta was sold in 1972 by the Innocenti family, founder of the brand, to an Indian company called “Scooters India Ltd” (SIL).

2) In 2006, SIL granted a license for the use of the trademark Lambretta to an English company called Fine White Line Ltd. (FWL).

3) In 2010, FWL granted sub licenses for the use of the trademark Lambretta to MEG and CLAG for Class 12 products (engine power vehicles).

MEG and CLAG therefore use the trademark Lambretta by virtue of license agreements which allow them to sell, in most countries of the world, scooters with the trademark Lambretta.

Despite the legitimacy of the use of the mark Lambretta by MEG and CLAG, the “Lambretta Consortium”  for several years has been trying to revoke the rights of the original Lambretta trademark, owned by SIL, alleging that the trademark had not been put to genuine use, with the purpose of prevailing with subsequent registrations of the trademark Lambretta made by the Consortium.

The Court in Milan (Italy) with three decisions (decision n. 8912/2010 of the 7.7.2010; injunction of 26.11.2008; injunction of 30.5.2011) has established that the trademark Lambretta owned by the Company SIL is valid and cannot be revoked and decided that so far there are no reasons to consider terminated the sub-license contract for the use of the trademark Lambretta.

Defeated in the Italian courts, the Lambretta Consortium is seeking to stop the industrial and commercial activities of MEG and CLAG, by taking actions around the world aimed at preventing suppliers and distributors of the legitimate sub-licensees from continuing the collaboration with MEG and CLAG.

At present the Lambretta Consortium is issuing press releases worldwide. In addition, the Lambretta Consortium filed an application to the OAMI, the European trademark and patent office, in order to register under the name of its holding company, Lambretta Srl, the intellectual property of the industrial models of a scooter designed and previously registered by CLAG.

These actions will be pursued before via MEG and CLAG’s lawyers.

MEG and CLAG, confident of their rights, wish to inform their clients and suppliers that they continue with their industrial and commercial network, the re-launch around the world of the mythical brand Lambretta, of which they confirm to be legitimate sub-licensees.

Motom Electronics Group S.p.a.

Clag International Ltd

SOURCE:  Clag International Ltd

Also see related posts:

Lambretta Consortium takes action against LN125/LS125

Lambretta Brand in the US?

The post Motom and Clag reply to Lambretta Consortium with a Press Release first appeared on scootcats.

Lambretta Consortium (LC) is taking action against the sales and distribution of LN 125 /LS 125.  On their website, the LC is asking all importers/distributors engaged in the LN 125 /LS 125 to immediately cease and desist from distributing, marketing, offering for sale, advertising, ordering any product bearing the trademark LAMBRETTA. The consortium explains that the sub-licenses issued to Motom and Clag were terminated due to contract breaches and that any scooters commercialized and distributed by these companies (specifically the LN 125 and LS 125) cannot carry the LAMBRETTA trademark.

The following press release was issued by Lambretta SA on August 2, 2011:

Lambretta Initiates Biggest Anti-counterfeit Operation in History

DUBLIN, August 2, 2011 /PR Newswire/-

International scooter icon Lambretta Consortium headquartered in Milan, Italy is initiating one of the largest trademark counter-infringement operations in recent history, by preventing the unlicensed LN125 and LS125 scooters entering the world market under the name Lambretta. In a joint international operation with its legal force, customs and police authorities, the consortium is taking international action to protect its brand rights.

The operation is directed against two former licensees; Ireland based Clag International and Italy based Motom Electronics Group Spa.

Additonally, actions are taken against the Taiwanese LN125 / LS125 scooter manufacturers Her Chee Industrial Co Ltd. acting under the name ‘Adly’ and Gamax Moto Corporation.

Finally, Lambretta is taking protective measures against the expanding network of importers and distributors in Europe, Asia, Oceania and America. Even trusted distributors and reputed magazines are involved, not being aware of the illegal character of the introduction of the new LN125 / LS125 scooter models. Cease and desist letters have been sent to all known distributors, to make them fully aware of the implications of their illegal activities.

Lambretta has issued official statements on its global websites (http://www.lambretta.com) to warn the public not to issue pre-payments to the local distributors. Moreover, a list is published on the website of all distributors that are involved in these fraudulent acts.

The consortium together with its lawyers and the authorities have uncovered worrying facts about the infringing activities. Shell companies and trusts like ‘DBM Lambretta International Srl’ and professional appearing websites like http://www.lambrettaoriginale.com, http://www.lambretta-italia.it andhttp://www.lambrettamotorcycles.com with changing owners, have been used in an attempt to hide activities and networks from Lambretta.

Lambretta emphasizes that the only legitimate organization to enter scooter licensing agreements on behalf of Lambretta Consortium is Lambretta Distribution ltd. based in Althorp, United Kingdom.

More information :

Lambretta Licensing Ltd. Ireland
Mr Steven Wilch
+44-160-477-1239

Also see related posts:

Lambretta Brand in the US?

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Until recently, scooters were not that popular in the USA. But somehow your grandma could always associate Vespas with Italy. Have you ever wondered how?

It is all because of the 1953, William Wyler movie, Roman Holiday. The award winning movie starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, was a big hit throughout the world in the 50s. In fact, the actors riding through the streets of Rome on a Vespa caused not only the gluing of the words Vespa and Italy together in millions of minds, but it also resulted in more than 100,000 Vespa sales.

If you haven’t seen the movie, watch the trailer here.

The post Audrey Hepburn & Gregory Peck on Vespa first appeared on scootcats.

Marc Graells Ballve proposes an alternative solution against scooter thefts. Why use a padlock or chain to lock up your scooter, when you can have an anti-theft solution proved to be effective by nature’s very own natural selection process?

Graells’ solution is inspired by the armadillo armor formed by plates. By simply, covering your scooter with his design, the so-called “Protect 486”, you will ensure it is no longer accessible by thieves – unless, the thieves choose to lift up your scooter together with its cover, load it on a truck and vanish…

The post Armadillo inspired scooter protection first appeared on scootcats.

Do you like riding in style? Check out these luxury designer scooter helmets from Ferrari, Lagerfeld and TAG Heuer.

#1 Ferrari Helmet

Available at the online Ferrari store for 681.50 USD.

#2 TAG Heuer Steve McQueen Helmet

The limited edition helmet is priced at 650 USD.

#3 Karl Lagerfeld- Les Ateliers Ruby Helmet

The Ruby helmet is available for 1800 USD at the Les Ateliers Ruby web store.

Low Clearance Helmet Sale, Watch Your Head!

The post Designer Helmets first appeared on scootcats.

Whether you are chased by a dog, or you encounter a deer while scooting the mountains, if you don’t know what to do, these encounters can result in serious collisions.  Many experts say that the best approach to survive such a collision is to safely avoid hitting the animal. The California Motorcycle Handbook adds: “If you are in traffic, however, remain in your lane. Hitting something small is less dangerous to you than hitting something big—like a car.”

Here are some basic tips you might find useful.

Tips to avoid hitting a deer

• If you encounter a deer on the road, be extremely cautious passing it. Slow down and be prepared to stop.
• Watch for deer crossing signs. If it is a deer inhabited area, slow down, cover your brakes and watch the sides of the road. Slowing down will decrease your braking distance and will give you more time to react.
• Deer are most active at dusk and dawn, so be extra cautious at those times.

• Deer travel in groups, so if you see one, probably there are more, slow down and be prepared.

• If a deer freezes seeing your headlight, flashing your headlight may break the spell.
• Note that, if you swerve to avoid the deer, you might hit something else instead, such as an incoming vehicle or a tree.

What to do if you are chased by a  dog

If you are chased by a dog, start by slowing down and approach the animal slowly. As you approach it, accelerate away and leave the animal behind.

The post Tips on animal encounters first appeared on scootcats.

BMW Motorrad Concept Vehicle BMW E-Scooter. Innovative development study with electric drive.

Space is becoming increasingly scarce in the major conurbation centres and traffic density is growing continuously. Political and social conditions are changing. All these factors coalesce in increasing demands in terms of private transportation. The concept vehicle BMW E-Scooter with electric drive provides an innovative look at changing urban mobility needs.

While the currently available, purely electrically-powered scooters have been almost exclusively used inside towns and cities to date due to their perform- ance and range, which makes them suitable for short distances only, the concept vehicle BMW E-Scooter offers a much broader spectrum of use.

High range and excellent performance figures.

Since it was conceived as a future-oriented vehicle for commuting between urban areas and the city centre, therefore attracting funding from the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development, there were two main requirements for its development: dynamic figures comparable to those of a maxi scooter with a combustion engine and a high range in realistic conditions of use.

The concept vehicle BMW E-Scooter provides the necessary sustained output and maximum speed for safe and reliable overtaking on urban motorways and also when carrying two people. It is also easily capable of managing hill starts on steep slopes with a pillion passenger.

The development study also has the necessary maximum output to be able to achieve acceleration figures within the important 0 – 60 km/h range, which are at the level of current maxi scooters powered by a 600 cc combustion engine.

The high storage capacity of the battery allows a daily driving range of over 100 kilometres. In this way, the BMW E-Scooter concept vehicle provides a long-term, zero-emissions urban and suburban travel option which is suitable for everyday use.

Fast charging at conventional power sockets.

The E-Scooter concept vehicle’s battery is charged at regular household power sockets as found in Europe, the USA, Canada and Japan, so no special charging station is required. When the battery is completely flat, the charging period is less than three hours. However, practical experience has shown that the battery rarely runs out completely, so charging times are generally shorter.

Frame.

Unlike existing maxi scooters with combustion engines, the concept vehicle does not have a main frame. Instead, the aluminium battery casing — which also contains the electronic system required for battery cell monitoring — takes over the function of the frame. The steering head support is connected to it, as is the rear frame and the left-hand mounted single swing arm with directly hinged, horizontally installed shock absorber.

Electric machine, power electronics and charging device.

Due to its high output, the BMW Motorrad development study has no hub motor with direct drive or planetary gearbox. Instead, the high-performance electric machine is mounted behind the battery casing. The secondary drive consists of a toothed belt from the electric machine to the belt pulley mounted coaxially on the swinging fork pivot with drive pinion. From here, power transmission occurs via roller chain to the rear wheel. When the E-Scooter is decelerated in trailing throttle or when braking, the energy re- leased is recuperated, thereby increasing the vehicle’s range by between 10 and 20 per cent depending on driving profile.

The electrical components required for the electric drive are installed on the top of the battery casing. The external battery electronics system perma- nently collects and monitors data such as the temperature and voltage of the battery cells, both during travel and while charging. The power electronics acts as a control system and controls the electric machine. The charging device includes a charge cable which allows the battery to be recharged at a conventional household power socket. In addition to the other components like an ISO insulation monitor, high-voltage indicator and a high-voltage distributor, a DC-DC converter is included. It is required to change high voltage to low voltage power to supply the 12 volt vehicle supply and especially for the control units.

Cooling system.

During travel, the electric machine and power electronics are liquid-cooled, as is the charging device during charging. An electric coolant pump ensures coolant circulation through the radiator. While a coolant is commonly used for the battery in electrically powered cars, the E-Scooter concept vehicle uses an air cooling system in order to save space.

Safety.

BMW Motorrad is one of the very few motorcycle manufacturers to be able to draw on its own experience and expertise in the automobile field in the development of electrically powered vehicles. Synergies are derived from the development of the BMW E-Scooter concept vehicle not just in the ready availability of technical components but also in the area of high voltage engineering and the associated safety requirements. Here for the first time, standards established by the leading automobile manufacturers relating to high voltage safety (> 60 volt) and functional reliability are being applied to a two-wheel vehicle with electric drive. (Source: BMW Group)

Watch the videos below to see the BMW E-Scooter in action.

Also see related posts:

BMW’s Concept C in Paris

No Comment… BMW’s Scooter Concept C Video

The post BMW Motorrad Concept Vehicle BMW E-Scooter first appeared on scootcats.

Have you seen Vespa Daniela? This amazing handcrafted wooden Vespa was built by Carlos Alberto, a carpenter from Portugal. The whole process of building the Vespa Daniela is available on Carpintaria Carlos Alberto’s website.

The post Portuguese Carpenter’s Wooden Vespa first appeared on scootcats.

Love is my message!

Did you know that in the early 1980’s Michael Jackson did a bunch of scooter commercials for the Japanese Suzuki Love scooters?

See for yourself…

The post Michael Jackson’s Japanese scooter commercials first appeared on scootcats.