I love seeing these videos every year. If anything its an easy article for local papers especially here in Florida. Gas is up = Scooter Sales are up = Vespa history etc...
I get a kick out of seeing our dealers on the news. One of the things local shops have to do to stay alive is become media savy and send press releases to local papers and tv stations.
So far most stores I talk to tell me that the year is going better than 2009 and 2010. Much like a pyramid the Chinese price driven units tend to sell bettter since they are at the bottom of the list so most of the sales are based on price. Still the average store I've spoken to reported getting close to 2008 numbers. Some are even doing better than 2008 because of a decrease in local competition.
The Wall Street Journal today stated that "Crude oil futures prices were trading higher, but down from session highs above $101 a barrel Friday" At $100 a barrel do not expect gas to go down below $3.80. In most of the country this is the new norm and if it stays high more than likely we will see $4 gas all year long.
Something to think about as you do your stocking for the season at the Scooter Store. Stay tuned to the news an ExxonMobil refinery in Joliet, Ill., is having mechanical problems. Let's see what that does.
MRP has more GENUINE SCOOTER PARTS THAN ANYONE. Hands down. We have all the Genuine Scooter parts for Hyosung, TNG, QJ, Vento, Diamo, Italjet United Motors, Benelli, Malaguti, and we are adding more and more for TGB, ETON, and ADLY. All of these parts come in genuine OEM packaging that reads very clearly made by SYM or made by TGB. So don't accept generic fly by night parts guys who don't sell OEM parts. Ask for real OEM parts from your OEM suppliers!
http://www.mrp-speed.com The One Stop Shop with more OEM scooter parts than any distributor in North America.
We have new Carbon and Nylon Sliders arriving at MRP.
We were the first to start importing sliders back in 2005 with the introduction of Dr Pulley, Adige, and in 2010 the SN rollers/sliders to the US markets. Since then more people have tried these than ever before and they have become more popular. Most 2 stroke tunners in Europe still prefer the traditional round roller and many industry experts disagree on which works better. If you go to any Malossi or Polini race in Europe they will tell you straight up rollers are better, but in certain circles riders swear by sliders. Whatever the preference we are here to meet the needs of our clients. Then there's the FRINGE side of the business. Many people love cylindrical sliders found in TURBO KIT SRL Variators also distributed by J. Costa well we got those as well.
Our new lower introductory prices are going to help promote the new lines.
New Adige SR Carbon 15 X 12 made in Italy MSRP $19.99
New Scooter Ninja Sliders Nylon Taiwan 15 X 12 MSRP $19.99
New Cylindrical TK Sliders for JOG 15 X 12 TK / J. Costa Variators MSRP $29.99
Both are excellent versions with different angles for higher rpms. Both the Adige and SN sliding roller weights eliminate abnormal wear, prevent reduction gear ratio deterioration, prolong the useful life of the transmission, and have the availability to adjust reduction gear ratios as well as driving performance.
These sliders tend to wear our evenly and automatically, they adjust by themselves in order to move further outward in a movable drive pulley half and to make the vehicle reach a higher maximum vehicle speed.
TK Cylindrical Sliders Work only with J Costa and TK Variators sold in sets of 8 or 12 depending on Variator they are meant for.
Adige and SN are sold in packs of 6
We recommend starting performance upgrades by changing the variator roller weights before engaging in any performance upgrades.
Heavier roller weights= A slower take off speed with more acceleration and a higher top speed.
Lighter roller weights = A faster take off speed with less acceleration and lower top speed.
SN® “MRS – MAXIMUM Ratio System” roller weights are a genuine revolution in the roller weight field. The nylon fiber rollers feature a unique shape that dramatically reduces wear and subsequent deviation of scooter performance.
Expect better performance from your scooter, period. No matter what stage you are in upgrading your scooter, simply add SN SLIDER weights and you will see more speed and power in your bike! Over 20% longer lasting than traditional rollers of composite material.
SN Sliders weights are the most advanced weights available. These sliding rollers perform better than standard round weights by allowing the variator to open farther for higher top speeds, and last longer with less performance material loss. The weights have several unique features such as their material containing nylon for better performance.
Made ofnylon material
Low Friction/Low Wear/High temperature resistance
Aluminum compatible works with aftermarket KOSO, Malossi, Polini, NCY, MRP, POSH, DELTA, as well as SN and OEM Variators
Fastest roller weights available
The shape allows the roller to travel greater distances into the front pulley variator angle along the roller tunnel and enables the user to modify the low CVT ratio by +3% and high CVT ratio by +7%. The result is that the rider can expect enhanced speed and acceleration.
SN® HRS rollers are available from 49cc to 800cc CVT combos. Contact your local dealer about an SN HRS UPGRADE TODAY!
We test new products before we sell them on our in-house dyno. In this video we talk about some of the products we import and distribute to our wholesale dealer base of carbon based rollers, nylon sliders, carbon sliders, cylindrical sliders, and their components. We import brands such as Polini, Dr Pulley, Malossi, Scooter Ninja, Top Racing, Koso, XT1, Adige Sliders, Italkit, TK Variators / Rollers - Turbo Kit and more. To find a dealer or to see our current product range visit http://www.mrp-speed.com
Also check out SN Variators and SN Clutches for even more performance!
SCOOTER NINJA OFFERS YOU THE BEST VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY AND THE BEST PERFORMANCE
Sliding roller weights eliminate abnormal wear, prevent reduction gear ratio Deterioration, prolong the useful life of the transmission, and have the availability to adjust reduction gear ratios as well as driving performance. Sliding Roller Weights are also adapted to compensate wear automatically, to adjust by itself to move further outward in a movable drive pulley half and to make the vehicle reach a higher maximum vehicle speed.
The Adige and SN sliders apply to the following models:
All JOG 50cc 2-stroke 1PE40QMB Minarelli based YAMAHA clones and Yamaha engines.
Including: Eton, CPI, Vento, Benelli, Andretti, Diamo, Baccio, MODCYCLES, and more!
Aprilia
Scarabeo 100
SR50
Fly Scooters
Pico 50
Keeway
Venus 50
Kymco
Super 8 50
Lambretta
DUE50
UNO50
Peace
TPGS-803 50
Schwinn
Campus 50
Hope 50
Laguna 50
TGB
Key West 50
Laser R5 50
TN'G
Venice 50 / LX 50
Yamaha
Vino 50 2T
Zuma 50 02-05
Zuma 50 08+
Zuma 50 95-01
Someone emailed me today about the Rise of US scooter sales video my experiences from 2000-2007 and how much they loved it. One of the best reviews I've done when looking back at the US trends and how the industry handled the start of the decade. Back when I made this video and I predicted sales of over 200,000 scooters in North America. I was off by a year thanks to the Chinese saturation of the US market in 2008 which lead to the great fall of 2009. It amazes me how many industry insiders quote this video or have seen it. One brand new store owner at the dealer show this year didn't even know it was me, but he was quoting my own video back to me which was awesome. It truly made me feel like I had done more than just try to sell someone something like I had informed them about what the reality of the business was like worldwide.
It took a bunch of time to put together, but you'll notice it had 7 years worth of travels and industry insight from visiting Hanoi, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo there are even pictures in where I'm riding a Vectrix in Rome. The boom and bust comment was right on the money as well, but off by two more years. Half the pictures came from the Malaguti and SYM importation days between 2000-2005. The comment on the Ruckus/Zoomer clubs was also on the money since now every company is jumping on that bandwagon even as the trends fades in Japan where Scooter Customization is no longer what it used to be.
I would like to see what happens with the recovery of 2011 and make a wrap up of the following 5 years.
If the market truly recovers this year as it should or at least stabilize in numbers it would make an interesting video. I hope to call it "The Road out of the Recession, or how I learned to stop worrying and love the boom and bust cycle of the US Scooter Industry" or it could be more of an documentary like Michael Moore and call it "Fahrenheit 49cc!"
Featuring charts, videos, behind the scene pictures of what it looked like as we loaded/unloaded warehouses full of parts and banks help foreclose on $10 million dollar scooter companies to purposely make a claim on the 90% SBA loan guarantees.
As bankers gave easy money and helped refinance companies only later to help close them. How Chase bank called only to pull out of negotiating on Malaguti, the dirty shenanigans as industry insiders lost control of their companies to investors thanks to GE sending them back bikes. As the Chinese OEMs pulled the plug on importers and pushed back in, as stores closed, and 2009-2010 the years of consolidation. How the Car Recovery Act allowed dealers to send back financed bikes to Vehicle distributors for no reason bankrupting companies like United Motors.
The rise of the TRIKES! An entire new segment of the Chinese scooter market pushing in! The rise of CF MOTO and new Chinese OEMs. I might throw in a little Mario Andretti in there just to keep it interesting on how many people use penny stocks and investors to make a quick buck in powersports.
Then again, only a few crazy scooter enthusiasts would watch it. As a veteran of several scooter wars I noticed we tend to forget the past only to repeat it.
Just goes to show how difficult it is to match scooter parts when dealing with China. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAKwbqTsA5s
This same part is found in the PDF manuals under 4 part numbers. The company QJ in China has sold it to several private label importers around the world, including TNG, Vento, Yamati all under different part numbers. Its so complicated even the factory can't remember all the numbers they gave the part so MRP comes in and we solve the problem! http://www.mrp-speed.com is the place to get these hard to find Chinese parts. http://www.martinracingdealer.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=Manuals.htm Visit our repair manual section to get real OEM part repair manuals for these brands: http://www.martinracingdealer.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=Manuals.htm SPEEDOMETE ASSEMBLY QJ- 150T-8 This item has several secondary numbers since it is an OEM TNG, YAMAHA, VENTO, Xtreme 150cc GY6 Parts including: QJ-70000J4FT00B EURO JET 150cc QJ-70000J4F00B YAMATI QJ-70000J4FT00B POWERSPORTS FACTORY PSF Speedometer Complete Assembly QJ-70000J4FT00B Yamati 150cc MODEL QJ150T-8 VORTEX 150cc MADE BY QJ JCK(Q61-01)-QJ150T-8 ARN 150cc Keeway CATALOG CODE:JCK(Q16-06)-QJ150T-8A-1A engines QJ MANUFACTURED UNITS SUCH AS VENTO, QJ, YAMATI, STRADA, ANDRETTI, SOME TNG CMSI MODELS AND OTHER PRIVATE LABEL KEEWAY AND OTHERS MADE BY QJ CHINA
As a Media Guest the Scooter Maven is scheduled to attend to cover the event for the industry. It's a great event that does bring mainstream media attention to scooters and like always leads to a really good time.
The last time I was in New Orleans I was helping rebuild houses with the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. A great time for everyone involved. We got to gut some houses, sleep in Churches, and just live it up back in 2007.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4UEUJYbmvQ
It will be nice to tour the city and see the changes since Katrina.
New Orleans has lots to offer. I have some fond memories of the city from Anne Rices house, to the Superbowl parties and later on to rebuilding after Katrina. It will be interesting to Scoot Around town and visit some Jazz clubs or try some of the restaurants that have rebuilt.
One way to bring about more scooter sales and motorcycle use in the US is by focusing on an Energy Tax. Maybe the MIC should just publicly call out for a gas tax and more regulation to get rid of all these swings in prices. By imposing higher taxes on energy use we can raise revenues and at the same time increase the push towards alternatives. It's pretty clear the current Administration wants gas to be higher, but instead of the speculators making all the money I think it should go to the treasury to help us out of the mess we are in.
Great article and it makes a solid point: "The only way to bring both the labor market and the oil market into equilibrium is likely to be through a further increase in the real oil price," the Goldman economists write. "This would presumably increase oil supply by making exploration and production more attractive, and reduce oil demand by increasing energy efficiency."
Then again this will all lead to an increase in sales and isn't that what we want. Sustainable sales? Not the roller coaster ride of boom and bust the industry has experienced the last 3 years.
Sliders from MRP 23X18 Adige and Scooter Ninja
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcS26NRD0Xg
New Sliders from MRP 23X18 Adige and Scooter Ninja
We've added some great new items to the mrp website http://www.mrp-speed.com we like them all but were just going to go over them real quick.
MRP carries a full range of sliders 23 X 18 from different brands, round, cylindrical and sliders in nylon and carbon. http://www.mrp-speed.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjKL33NYGKA
Martin Racing Performance is a distributor and manufacturer of parts for scooters, ATVs, and Motorcycles. We've had 10 years worth of experience with CVT systems from OEM manufacturers we've represented to new brands we've tested and picked up over the years.
These sliding rollers perform better than standard round weights by allowing the variator to open farther for higher top speeds, and last longer with less performance material loss. The weights have several unique features such as their material containing nylon for better performance. Made ofnylon material Low Friction/Low Wear/High temperature resistance Aluminum compatible works with aftermarket KOSO, Malossi, Polini, NCY, MRP, POSH, DELTA, STAGE 6, ADIGE, DR PULLEY by UNION MATERIALS as well as SN and OEM Variators Fastest roller weights available The shape allows the roller to travel greater distances into the front pulley variator angle along the roller tunnel and enables the user to modify the low CVT ratio by +3% and high CVT ratio by +7%. The result is that the rider can expect enhanced speed and acceleration. SN? HRS rollers are available from 49cc to 800cc CVT combos. Contact your local dealer about an SN HRS UPGRADE TODAY! Also check out SN Variators and SN Clutches for even more performance!
We test new products before we sell them on our in-house dyno. In this video we talk about some of the products we import and distribute to our wholesale dealer base of carbon based rollers, nylon sliders, carbon sliders, cylindrical sliders, and their components. We import brands such as Polini, Dr Pulley, Malossi, Scooter Ninja, Top Racing, Koso, XT1, Adige Sliders, Italkit, TK Variators / Rollers - Turbo Kit and more. To find a dealer or to see our current product range visit http://www.mrp-speed.com
Cylindrical Sliders are the ones found in Variators like TK or J Costa. These are pretty neat and we stock these variators as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-3Qb7jXLXg
June 20th, 2011 is Ride to Work day. This is something I have to do more often.
If you're anything like me you might find it hard to ride every single day to work, I tend to use my car more than I'd like to, but its good to show solidarity with the industry and daily riders as well. So I encourage all the dealers to support this cause. If you never heard of them they are a 501 c4 non-profit organization, advocating and supporting the use of motorcycles and scooters for transportation. Add their info to your website and dealer page, support the creation of more motorcycle parking you will find it makes a difference.
Over the years campaigns and Ride to Work have helped change many cities. My Alma mater the University of Florida is a great case in point. While I was studying there we hardly had sufficient scooter and motorcycle parking now all the extra parking spaces ten years later have helped steer more people into riding. Try finding a spot for your car it takes two hours, if you drive a scooter its five minutes. In turn more shops opened and people who ride have an easier time. It's a circle. So support the causes that support you the store, the rider, and the industry in general. This is one cause we should all rally around.
We have a ton of rollers, cylindrical sliders, sliders you name it. It can be confusing. So just to show you we have a variety of rollers in stock. MRP carries over ten different brands of roller weights from TOP RACING, SCOOTER NINJA, SPEED FORZA, MALOSSI, TURBO KIT SRL SPAIN, POLINI, DOPPLER, Dr Pulley, CB, ADIGE, GIANELLI, AND OUR BRAND MRP. http://www.mrp-speed.com For more info on all our rollers, sliders, cylindrical sliders make sure to visit our website and contact one of our dealers.
Disk Brakes and Rotors Wear make sure to check them and stock them for your store!
Having over 130 brake rotors in stock Martin Racing Performance has more brake rotors in stock than any scooter parts distributor in the USA. Were fielding calls from SYM, TNG, TGB dealers and more desperately looking for Disk Brakes for their scooters. Fear no more we are adding more each week both stock for generic Chinese units as well as high quality premier OEM disks from NG Disk Brakes, and private label that are made in MRP packaging by NCY Taiwan, DTS Taiwan and more! We also offer select brakes from Grimecca and other European makers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjEcbaDbosM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcbUB4oAwJ8
Most dealers don't stock brake calipers or rotors. This is a mistake since they wear out like any other item. If you ride your scooter in a city like Denver or New York where you are exposed to rain, snow, and traffic you will have wear and tear on this like any other part. So when inspecting your tires check the rotors. A new set of pads will not do you any good if the complete brake rotors is starting to wear out. When brakes wear, they wear together creating a series of grooves and ridges in both the pads and on the rotor. If fresh pads are mated to a worn rotor, these deformations in the rotor will decrease the contact surface area of the brake pads and decrease performance. So replace them and check them constantly.
From Original QJ to GY6 Racing Brakes we have them!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvHNngbXZsU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH6ZDhSH1Uw
GRIMECCA SCOOTER DISK BRAKES AND NG DISK BRAKES http://www.mrp-speed.com We have a wide selection of scooter disk brakes from Grimecca that work on Aprilia, Beta, Benelli, Malaguti, Italjet all OEM sizes for these Italian made models. We also offer the full range of NG DISKs from Spain. http://www.mrp-speed.com
Found this awesome video online from a custom builder. He put a Honda Helix clone engine into a QJ made Benelli 50cc scooter. Pretty fracking sweet (so say we all!) yes, its the most awesome ultimate Chinese Benelli Amalgam I have ever seen.
Now I think this would bring more people to the scooter scene the GY6 conversions have been now a thing is the past, maybe we should see more 250cc CN conversions for the Honda Ruckus or ZUma. You can buy a VIP or Fashion by CF Moto for cheap, take out a quality liquid cooled engine and splack it into a Benelli or Ruckus for an awesome ride. The 150cc engines are neat, but we were playing with the GY6 back in 2004 here at MRP. It's been 7 years now since MRP started selling GY6 parts. Its time to bring it up a notch since its now 2011 and CN250 CF Moto 250cc engines are easier to buy. The bigger engines will bring about more people to the scene in the USA.
TK ZOOMER RUCKUS PERFORMANCE UPGRADE EXHAUST MADE IN SPAIN TKC-M4T82-N FOR 50cc RUCKUS 4T This Exhaust has the most awesome feel to it, you couldn't ask for anything better looking than this stylish TK finish.
Honda ZOOMER Performance Muffler available now!
http://youtu.be/zxJ8bwn1EPA
