Rumor: Ducati and Piaggio May Merge!

With the economy still in the toilet, Ducati and Piaggio both are still feeling the sting of lower sales of both bikes and licensed accessories - few people have enough money to buy anything. Add that to the rumors of a possible sale of the Piaggio Group of motorcycle and scooter manufacturers and you get this rumor: Ducati and Piaggio to merge. It is nowhere near confirmed, but it could mark a point where the Italian motorcycle industry can grow and may actually be able to compete with the Japanese (and British and American) on their terms. So, stay tuned and we will see if this comes to fruition or is forgotten by history.

http://tinyurl.com/ylaa5lv

http://tinyurl.com/yfc6oho

Tuesday Afternoon Moto News - Elias Fastest Again & Derbi GPR125

Toni Elias left the Moto2 test, which ended on Monday, as the fastest rider on the circuit again! Wet weather really slowed things down on the first and last days of the test, so Sunday's times were the fastest. Elias' Gresini Racing Moriwaki finished up third overall at the previous test, so it does seem that they found more power or handling somewhere! Most of the other riders at the top were also on top at the last test...however, some have improved greatly. For the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yhc8e4b

Derbi, builder of some of the most exciting small-displacement motorcycles on the road (though, mostly in Europe), has announced the new high-tech GPR 125 four-stroke machine. It is a very well designed and built motorcycle which was developed by Derbi and Piaggio. If you look closely at this bike, you will see some of the most innovative ideas ever executed for a motorcycle of this size. It is worth a look...and it would be a very cool machine to own just for fun!

http://tinyurl.com/yhkzjqu

Busy Tuesday Afternoon Moto News - Kim Newcombe, Piaggio and AMA/MCC

Kim Newcombe was an incredible racer; one which even the greats respected. In the documentary Love, Speed and Loss, his life is chronicled for all to see and it is worth seeing. This film was well-directed by Justin Pemberton and features racing footage from the 1970's when Newcombe was storming the Grand Prix tracks of the World Championship. All of the film is available online, so you have no excuse to not see it.

http://tinyurl.com/yehbaho

Piaggio USA has had to cut sales staff due to the lull in scooter sales in 2009. So, many top-level managers have now been sent to the unemployment line. Hopefully, they will be able to hire them back soon...at least we can hope, right? The economy has yet to fully recover and, given what has been done to the banks who caused this (we gave them money; thus, we rewarded what should have been punished - they will do it again), it is not going to improve much in the coming years. Sorry Piaggio...2010 should be a better year!

http://tinyurl.com/ydgcuf7

The AMA has awarded the Motorcycle Confedration of Canada (MCC) the MOTORCYCLE AWARD of EXCELLENCE (MAX) for Riders in the Category: Motorcycle Organization. The presentation of the award took place at the North American International Motorcycle Supershow on Saturday, January 16, 2010. This was for their work on the International Street Party at the International Women & Motorcycling Conference. One organization recognizing another...

http://tinyurl.com/y9d9uo8

Friday Afternoon Already - Moto News - Honda, Vespa and

A first ride of a new Honda cruiser - the 2010 Shadow Phantom - and lovely and menacing looking motorcycle from the 'nice people'. The Phantom is a bit smaller than many similar models, but it has a lot going for it. It's fit and finish is impeccable, its performance great for the displacement, and it does have that great long and low look. Check it out, it may be a good bike for you or someone you know...

http://tinyurl.com/yb5dtwr

Let's not leave out scooter fanatics. Here is a riding impression of the new 2010 Vespa GTS 300 Super. It is probably one of the best looking scooters on the market, and it has a very nice performance curve too. The Italians know how to build beautiful and well-sorted small-wheeled motorcycles - along with just about every other type of bike - and this new machine from Vespa, and Piaggio, could make you think of buying one of your own.

http://tinyurl.com/ycmjaca

Naza Group to Become Sole Malaysian Importer for Piaggio

Naza Group is a well-established motorcycle company in Malaysia - and, Piaggio Group is the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Europe. So, this is a big deal for the Asian nation. They will have full access to Piaggio's entire line of motorcycles: Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Gilera, Derbi and Vespa.

http://tinyurl.com/ylzp34a

Bad Economy Bites into International Motorcycle Show at Long Beach

It's true, there will be 9% fewer exhibitors due to the sour global economy. Piaggio group will not be there; Kymco, KTM and Buell (obvious) will also not show up for the event. Unfortunately, most of these companies are working to help their dealers and other connected companies to weather this recession, so there is little money to throw at a trade show presently. All understandable, but I hope that next year will be much, much better!

http://tinyurl.com/yh8avts

Jay Leno Livens Up Piaggio Group North American Dealer Meeting

That's right, Jay Leno was at the Piaggio dealer meeting this past October in Carlsbad, CA. Apparently, he kept the audience laughing while the 2010 model line was introduced. Of course, the real star of the show was the 2010 RSV-4 Factory and its little sister, the RSV-4R. Must have been a great event to attend...

http://tinyurl.com/yepq3ym

EICMA: Piaggio Reveals USB Scooter Concept

The USB stands for Urban Sport Bike and it is only a concept at this point. However, it does have a gasoline-electric hybrid drive train which puts out 147 lb/ft of torque! The top speed is only around 60 mph, but it actually should get 155 miles per gallon in this form! If they were to produce it, it would sell in every nation that they could send it to. It is likely, though, that production costs at this time would be rather high, so the sale price would probably reflect this and make it ultra-expensive. Still, it is nice to see that the technology is improving constantly.

http://tinyurl.com/yc5l95n

Canadian Scooter Corp Loses Piaggio Group Distribution

It is sad but true - the Canadian Scooter Corp has lost their exclusive distributor status with Piaggio Group. Piaggio maintains Vespa, Piaggio, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia motorcycle marques. They have decided to let Piaggio Group Americas handle Canada as well as the US, so that leaves only Derbi for Canadian Scooter Corp. It's not the best of news. Let's all hope that the Canadian company has something else coming along soon!

http://tinyurl.com/yamy6eu

Another Aprilia Mana Riding Review - 2009 Mana 850 GT

This is, of course, the GT version of the Mana. It gets the hard-sided panniers and a nice windscreen in addition to the standard automatic transmission and push-button shifting. If you have read the review of the Mana, you will find many different opinions on how it all works, but there is consensus on the fact that Piaggio (Aprilia's parent company) is working very hard on their new technology. The Mana GT is a very civilized touring mount, according to the reviewer, and it really does have a good place in the world of two-wheeled transport. We used to wonder if it would fit anywhere specifically, and now we know!

http://tinyurl.com/ygdkaz6

Piaggio Group Invests €12 Million into Moto Guzzi - With Some Stipulations

The European Investment Bank loaned Piaggio Group €150 million in December of last year, but they required that the funds also be used to create electric or hybrid motorcycles. So, if the €12 million comes from this loan, Moto Guzzi may be entering into the electric or hybrid world. Of course, we also heard that Azhar Hussain is working with a large European motorcycle manufacturer for his new Mavizen project - could this be related? In either case, it is good to know that Moto Guzzi will be releasing some new designs in 2011 - 2012...

http://tinyurl.com/yh8mbw9

Have Fun on a Scooter? Of Course!

They are more popular in the USA than they ever have been before; and scooter shops the nation over were running out of stock last year when petrol prices went up over US$4 a gallon. So, who is using them now? Would you be interested in using such a simple and efficient vehicle for your daily commute? Should you? Well, these questions have to be answered by you, but this entry is a nice piece on the American 'scooter craze'.

http://tinyurl.com/ygzc66t

Piaggio Group Will Sell Scooters in India, Again

Piaggio Group pulled out of selling scooter in India some time ago; now, they only sell light commercial vehicles. Starting in March of next year, though, Indian customers will be able to buy their favorite Vespa scooters. Shortly after that, they will be selling Gilera, Aprilia and Derbi motorcycles as well! Finally!

http://tinyurl.com/yzfunru

Italian Motorcycle Owner's Club Rally - 13 September 2009 in Sturbridge, Massachusetts

The 26th Annual Italian Motorcycle Owner's Club Rally will be held on Sunday, September 13th at the Hamilton Rod & Gun Club in Sturbridge, Mass.

This is America's largest and oldest all-Italian Motorcycle event. Vespa is the featured marque this year.

Admission still only $5 per person. Proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. And the weather forecast shows exactly 0% chance of precipitation!

Visit http://www.imocusa.com for more details. Or call Steven Rossi at (860) 873-2999.

Unique Pink Vespas to be Donated for Breast Cancer Awareness

Piaggio has joined with Lifetime Networks to support the 15th annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, "Stop Breast Cancer for Life: The Power of 15." Special edition pink Vespas will be donated to help get out the message and attract more people to the cause. What an excellent idea! The support within the motorcycle community for the fight against this disease has only become stronger and stronger...

http://tinyurl.com/lulyrj

EVERYONE - Please Help Keep Moto Guzzi's Mandello del Lario!

The Mandello del Lario Moto Guzzi factory is being closed by parent company Piaggio!

Please read the very short article and go sign the petition: http://tinyurl.com/m4ba7t

UK's Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show Get Long-Term Commitements

In the UK, one show that no motorcycle enthusiast would ever miss is the Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show (also called the 'NEC Bike Show'). The great news about this show is something that all such shows would love to have, 3-year manufacturer commitments to the show. BMW, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha have all signed on to just that; plus, Triumph and KTM have signed on for 2009 and, for the first time in 10 years, Husqvarna will be a participant.

Please see the article for more: http://tinyurl.com/ngm4rh

Consumer Reports Looks at Piaggio Scooters

I have been a fan on Consumer Reports since I was young and my father subscribed to it - I have been a subscriber now for some 12+ years. Not everything they publish is to be taken as gospel, but they are the only truly independent consumer research publication. However, for years I asked them to look into doing reviews of motorcycles or scooters. It seems that the increase in two-wheeled buyers has finally pushed them to start reporting on the industry (YEAH!).

This link will take you to the Piaggio entry in their blog: http://tinyurl.com/lnzyht

There are some 'related' articles listed at the bottom of the page which will take you to reviews of the Aprilia Mana, Can-Am Spyder and the Piaggio MP3.

Please visit the site and help encourage them to continue looking at this industry.

Speaking of Hybrid Motorcycles...Here's Piaggio's Answer

You may have heard about this if you have kept up with the reviews and articles in the motorcycle press about Piaggio's MP3 scooter. Back when Piaggio released the MP3 500, the company had stated they were working on a hybrid model to be released by 2010. It is honoring that statement...but, I found this article within an online magazine from Singapore (hopefully, a full review will be available soon):

http://tinyurl.com/leeu6o