So I was asked today in an interview what did I think is the best scooter music video, really a random question. I don't know how that can even get printed in a magazine.
I told her the best scooter video I have seen in the USA since Len Steal My Sunshing ( which features a bunch of MuZ scooters made by CPI Taiwan ) was Mumford and Sons. Yes, I know odd choice, but its a great band and a truly original video. Check it out.
Scooters constantly appear in videos in Spain and MTV Italy ( love watching their artist zip around on Vespa's) But in the USA its odd. We don't have that scooter culture in the mainstream so its more of a bonus when you see an Artist running around on Indian scooter like a Hero or European brand we don't normally see. Its an oddity like driving in LA and seeing a Malaguti or an Italjet. They are treasures for the scooterists out there.
Speaking of Tank, not a day goes by we dont get a call about a Tank Scooter Part. MRP has some Tank parts, and years later dealers and consumers still have plenty of issues with them. I highly doubt anyone much less the stores are making NHTSA complaints on the units. Dealers barely have time to run a shop the last thing they have time to do is help in a complex recall or information session with the NHTSA. There are plenty of brands on the market with problems now so nobody will remember a brand from pre-crisis times.
Regarding Tank, I always called it when I would talk to dealers and I would hear the company selling parts at the same as in China cost that they couldn't be real and a company couldn't sustain this type of sales system. Not that it mattered the evidence in the quality of goods is right here.
"While NHTSA believes that none of the 5X5/SA-08 helmets are currently being offered for sale in the U.S., there may be some motorcyclists who are continuing to use them," the agency noted. = This isn't true. The helmets were so cheap many dealers still have them or they were given away.
Almost every helmet imported by the Chinese Scooter Companies fails to meet DOT standards, there is no inspection its just a sticker. I say this to people all the time and they don't get because honestly the small dealer doesn't care and the consumer wants the cheapest helmet possible.
We need a system more like in Europe where there are serious inspections, fines, and people don't have voluntary recalls they get shut down. This whole self-regulation thing really doesn't work in a market that is price driven as the China Scooter market in the USA.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) June 14 urged motorcyclists not to wear the 5X5 brand, SA-08 model motorcycle helmet because it fails to meet the head protection requirements of the federal safety standard for helmets.
As many as 14,000 5X5/SA-08 helmets were imported and sold by Tank Sports Inc. of California, which declared bankruptcy without completing a recall requested by NHTSA, the agency reported.
"While NHTSA believes that none of the 5X5/SA-08 helmets are currently being offered for sale in the U.S., there may be some motorcyclists who are continuing to use them," the agency noted.
According to the agency, the helmets failed to meet the penetration protection requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard 218 when the products were subjected to federal testing. Both the outer shell and the inner liner in three out of four helmets were penetrated in safety tests conducted by NHTSA.
NHTSA said it has received no consumer complaints regarding the 5X5/SA-08 model and is not aware of any deaths or injuries involving the helmets. However, the agency advises motorcyclists to discard these helmets immediately and not to use them while riding.
We've been adding a bunch of cool NCY Performance parts to our website http://www.martinracingdealer.com for the Honda Ruckus and Yamaha BW 125. We have more stuff arriving in the next few weeks so if you need NCY Performance parts make sure to check out our wholesale stash of NCY parts.
New Arrivals at MRP for the Quads and Scooters by Malossi. Only MRP has the full Malossi range of parts in stock for your mini quad and scooter!
Check out these new arrivals
DELTA CLUTCH adjust..YAMAHA- JOG- MINARELLI
Racing clutches and bells increase both power and speed
The advantages offered by the Delta Clutch compared with standard ones are huge, even for lightly moded scooters. This amazing product allows for sophisticated tune-ups for a wide range of engine revs, with as many as 36 settings. The Delta Clutch comes equipped with a sport set-up, however, coupled with a range of optional accessories it can be adjusted for a wide range of uses. The Delta Clutch is adaptable for competition, city and sporting use. To make this possible Malossi offers two addition spring sets, for road and race use. In addition to the Delta Clutch, for any performance enhanced scooter, we recommend the Malossi Wing Clutch Bell for improved heat dispersion. Technical Specifications: 107mm in diameter Fully adjustable from city to race use 1.6mm diameter spring wire Computer Balanced to within 3/10 of a gram Three shoe design for enhanced gripping Improves acceleration 36 possible settings http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/m-319987--800005F2-1178919601.jsp
P 166.0104 POLINI KIT YAMAHA CY 50 MINAR.VERS.25 POLINI 70cc Sport- CPI Euro 1 item number P1660104 Cylinder -POLINI 70cc Sport- CPI Euro 1 The POLINI 70cc SPORT is a perfect allround cylinder kit. Nice workmanship, huge port areas and a high quality finish mark this cylinder kit standing out from the crowd. You can use it plug & play (the only necessary modification then is to fit a bigger main jet or you can tune it further. With every other modification like bigger carbs or different kind of exhausts the power increases further. The POLINI SPORT is a good starting point to built anything from a decent tourer to a nice street racer. Either way you will be very pleased by the power delivery. The delivery contains a complete cylinder kit including gaskets and all the small parts. OEM Polini: 166.0104 CPI : POPKORN 2003 YAMAHA : JOG R 50 Euro 2
The highest quality Variator we have ever offered for the Eton Beamer, Jog R, Eton Beamer II, B08, CPI Oliver, Vino, Zuma, BW and more. Yamaha Scooter 50cc Minarelli Engine. The Doppler S3R variator is a true technological revelation. Doppler has employed all its know how in automatic transmission variation systems. It incorporates a wide operating range and very importantly, high quality stability which is essential to the optimal performance of the transmission and power of the engine. Doppler?s engineering department has obtained such results by developing the torque correcting thrust springs in conjunction with the variator. The progression of the spring?s pressure matches perfectly the effort produced by the centrifugal weights, allowing complete operating stability of the variator. Therefore, once the variator has been correctly set up, it delivers optimal transmission performance which in turn ensures the best acceleration that your vehicle can produce. Complies with current regulations.* 00732 DOPPLER (CGN) 148691 324327# VARIATOR S3R
AIR FANS CHROME ACCESSORIES SILVER YAMAHA BW?S 96-01 KMX-148080 00732 DOPPLER (CGN)148080317853#BWS 96-01 AIR FAN CHROME KMX-148080 OEM No. 317853 - Chromed - 148080 TAGS: Parts for Yamaha Scooters, mod accessories, mod scooter parts, chrome yamaha parts, parts for scooters. http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/kmx-148080--80003B75-1299203063.jsp
DOPPLER ALUMINIUM AIR CHAMBER KMX-148251 Air chamber - Red - OEM No. 335009 ANODIZED RED CHAMBER 148251 Crankcase vent and oil catch can solves all your venting problems. Oftentimes, scooters and ATV's are run full throttle for extended periods under heavy load. This causes alot of pressure to be built up in the crankcase, which results in a heavy oil vapor escaping out the vent, or anywhere else it can find, like through your seals. This can blow enough oil out that you could run out of oil before you think to check the level. Adds another vent outlet by replacing your oil dipstick. Attaches to your existing line also. Works with any engine. ALUMINIUM AIR CHAMBER Crankcase vent oil catch can.
YAMAHA BW?S 98-01 FRONT & UNIVERSAL REAR. Parts for Yamaha Scooters, parts for Yamaha BW's, parts for mod scooters. Perfect for Freestylers. Machined from aluminium and then anodised, these ergonomic Foot Rests possess a slip resistant surface. Adhesion allows you to imagine all sorts of figures. For security, they can be easily removed and replaced with anodised plugs for use on public highways. 00732 DOPPLER (CGN) 148047 458160# BWS FRONT FOOT RESTS SILVER KMX-148047 http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/kmx-148047--80003B5B-1299196935.jsp
LED OPTICS PARTS FOR SCOOTERS.
AIR FILTER WITH LED LIGHTS. THE LATEST CRAZE IN SCOOTER PARTS IN EUROPE THIS IS THE NEW TUN'R CONE-SHAPED / CYLINDER-SHAPED AIR FILTERS 00732 DOPPLER (CGN) RIGHT AND BENT FIXATION AT 45? 028-35 148725 459808# AIR FIL CONE-SHAPE 45 BENT SIL 5 RD DIOD 45? Bent Silver 5 Red Diodes OEM No. 459808 148725 JOG, MINARELLI, PIAGGIO UNITS http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/kmx-148725--800043FB-1305488532.jsp
Here at MRP we are constantly adding new high performance scooter parts to our roster. This week we've gotten more Honda Ruckus upgrades check it out!
Don't let your store be left behind. Stock up with the most popular Honda Ruckus upgrades from MRP.
Wholesale parts, more parts than anyone in the USA.
carburetor kit 26mm - Honda Ruckus Item Nr.: 25350 OEM-Nr.: 1712A-GEZ-0260 4250362487810 Upgrade Parts for Ruckus. Ruckus carburetor kit 26mm. Carb comes with intake manifold, air filter and throttle cable. 90 main jet, 38 slow jet size. Note: Ruckus Zoomer US models only. http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/25350--80004CE5-1334950237.jsp
Honda Ruckus Sidestand. Side stand Buzzetti Honda Zoomer, Ruckus 22238 RP-22238 0300-0023 Filling the only real void on the Honda Ruckus, this Buzzetti Sidestand is the perfect first aftermarket purchase for the Ruckus owner. Really easy to install, and even more easy to use. Buzzetti Sidestand - Parts for Honda Ruckus Zoomer. Buzzetti side stand for Honda Ruckus / Zoomer. RP-22238 Made in Italy Here we have a great LOW priced scooter side stand for your Honda RUCKUS / ZOOMER 50cc , High Quality form a wold leader in after market accessories for your scooter. easy to install with minimal wight ..comes with all hardware needed and mounting instructions Side Stands belong on every motor scooter. Instead of having to struggle to get you scooter on the center stand, get a sporty tilt when parking your ride. Scooter girls will appreciate this, cause you don?t have to fight to get your scooter up on the center stand. a high-end, chrome plated aluminum side stand. Get your bike looking awesome parked at the sidewalk, leaned over on its side stand. http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/22238--8000474B-1312566322.jsp
Excellent quality CNC milled and chromed NCY side stand for your Honda Zoomer Honda Ruckus. Provides you strong support and makes you look cooler when parking and leaning over. Item Nr.: 25437 OEM-Nr.: 5053A-GEZ-N010 EAN/UPC: 4250362488008 A high-end, chrome plated aluminum side stand for the Ruckus. It won't look like any other Ruckus around. High quality part CNC. http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/25437--80004CBC-1332801674.jsp
In case you missed it there was an awesome article on scooters on NPR today.
I didn't see any wacking by the police but its believable. Still, Vietnam is probably one of the best places on earth in my opinion. There is little crime, you feel safe going out at night, and if you do get in a scooter accident its like at 10 mph.
Traveling with Panetta places reporters in an elite sphere, unlike any they are likely to encounter in their normal lives. There's no waiting to board a commercial plane — we come and go on a dedicated Air Force jumbo jet that leaves whenever Panetta is ready.
But weirdest of all are the motorcades that take us to and from airports.
In my brief stint on the defense beat, we have seen European efficiency — the Belgians simply stop freeway traffic for the SECDEF — and the military no-nonsense approach — the Army escort from the Kabul airport drove at breakneck speed, and all passengers wore body armor and helmets. But the Vietnamese police escort from the Hanoi air field set a new standard for ruthlessness.
As the press van careened between the city's many motor scooters, a police car drove along side shouting "Get out of the way!" over a loudspeaker. To make sure local drivers got the message, the officer riding shotgun waved a baton out the window. Anyone too slow to move out of the way (some may not have heard the warning because Hanoi scooterists like to text and talk while driving) got a whack on the back. Wham!
It was a surefire way to get traffic moving, but it also made many of us uneasy. We know they do this to protect a senior U.S. official, but some of us felt personally responsible for the bruises these citizens would carry home with them. Would they blame the van labeled "Press" for their corporal punishment?
So good news Adly Taiwan has a new importer for their scooters.
So the Scooter War in America continues.
Only way to find credit is in Asia for American banks leave little choice for our dealers. Word is GE is making thing tighter again for the distribution side. Only well capitalized companies like Kymco should be doing ok, where private importers will likely be forced to seek more capital to keep importing in the coming years. Given that gasoline prices didnt rise the way we hoped for this is no surprise.
Not all is lost, as we continue the battle for lower prices in 2012 we've noticed a couple of things. I often speak to dealers and they say things like were a dealer for NST, TNG, United Motors, and they forget their talking to the guy that is still counting United Motors Global parts two years after acquiring them. Even Hyosung doesn't have any new scooters so any new scooters out there are from 2009 or 2010, but we have plenty of parts.
The best news we've heard is that Adly has a new importer and they will likely be working with MRP on support. Thats great since we've helped a ton of dealers out since were the only guys with a cache of ADLY ATV parts.
Bad news rumor is the factory that was making LaVita 150cc designed by CPI in China might have closed. So there goes another promising brand. Maybe, Im wrong but this is how news travels. We didn't hear NST was gone until later and usually we find out about something when we're getting calls to buy or sell the parts.
Let's play by the book. Sounds like Hammerhead has most of this under control but given that Adly didn't have parts for their ATVs for a long time we've recently started selling them.
Just this week along I heard from two or three new ZNEN Motor Dealers who are now importers as well. I can't keep track of how many people are using the same EPA certificates anymore private labeling ZNEN bikes as their own in-house brand but eventually this will come to an end. Back in 2007 a dozen or so dealers disappeared when customs and EPA came knocking for companies using the same EPA certificates. Agent of records and importers are two different things and we don't seem to get it in this industry. The strive to sell cheaper and cheaper only leads to a few things.
1. More forced labor in China where employees at motorcycle factories dont get paid or are owed months of salaries therefore can never quit and find a new job ( not uncommon)
2. A skewed Motorcycle Sector ( this is a reality ) where everyone is buying mainland Chinese product which is sold for less than actual production cost ( see number 1 ) therefore the factories rely on the kickback every year for being an exporter not from the income of actual sales ( hence why all the European OEMs stopped making stuff ( Looking at you Piaggio, Derbi, Malaguti )
3. More US dealers acting as importers who eventually loose their business in an EPA / Customs raid.
= Buyer Beware. One of our larger clients just did this. My advice to them was to stick with a well capitalized brand that is here for the long haul like Kymco or Keeway. Factory owned or direct subsidiary partnerships are the only way to go if you want long term sales.
So history has a way of repeating itself. We've seen the Adly importers change already four or five times in 10 years. We've seen the trend that ZNEN is going after. Anyone remember Vento? I remember meeting with them and they were going to take us all to Nirvana with their QJ direct idea. Jonway did the same for a long time. If you allow dealers to buy from the factory and the merchandise gets impounded dont expect any accountability from the agent in the USA.
Stocking Dealer locator http://www.martinracingdealer.com/locator/index.phpOr you can visit http://www.cyclegear.com and order one online today. Great for custom scoots, safety and to be seen when you're on the road. Get an LED upgrade for your GY6 Scooter Are you driving a Diamo? CFMOTO? TNG? Linhai? Malaguti Italy? Does your local shop not know what these names mean? Well then visit one of our dealers and have them give us a call. We are the only scooter parts distributor in the USA that is solely dealer direct and we are happy to send any potential online inquiries to stocking stores. So any consumers looking for Daelim parts will have to go to a store with an MRP account or have their store buy from another dealer that has an account with us. We also sell top name scooter brands like SN Duro Innova Kenda Bridgestone Gates Powerlink Manualshttp://www.martinracingdealer.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=Manuals.htmStocking Dealer locator http://www.martinracingdealer.com/locator/index.phpMRP distributes OEM parts for TNG (CMSI) select models of CF Moto Daelim Motors Korea ( parts should appear on website by mid July) Malaguti of Italy (www.Malaguti.com) Keeway Southeast (Keeway Vento QJ Andretti Yamati models) CPI Taiwan Powersports Factory Brands PSF Diamo Cubik (matches OEM Vento part numbers) as well as QJ and ZNEN (who manufacture bikes for a variety of scooter importers) such as FlyScooters Lance BMS Qlink models that were ZNEN corresponding to matching TNG parts.
Friday, June 1, 2012
It's been a while now since we published anything from our friend Quincy in Taiwan. His latest report on sales in Taiwan should be no surprise to anyone that follows whats happening in Formosa.
Retail prices for a 125cc scooter with electronic fuel-injection (EFI) system (to meet the more stringent standard) often surpass NT$60,000 (US$2,000), compared to about NT$40,000 (US$1,333) before. The high prices hampered many potential purchases and forced PTW makers to push lower-price, entry-level fifth-stage models.
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LED OPTICS PARTS FOR SCOOTERS.
