As anyone whose been to Europe knows, zippy little scooters have been a popular mode of transportation for decades. They are easy to ride, can get through tight streets and are fuel efficient. Although Italy's popular Vespas haven't been much of a presence on the American market for years, scooters are buzzing back into the States.
Already massively used in Europe, Kymco scooters are set to become the next big thing over here and Piaggio has introduced two new Vespa models made especially for the American market.
Sleek, stylish, attractive and moderately priced, scooters are perfect for warm weather and cruising around town. Right now, there is only one dealer selling Kymco bikes in Milwaukee, 1012 Motorwerx, 1012 E. Center St.
Vespa's public relations person Kathy Jammal confirms that Piaggio hopes to build on the success of a pair of Chicagoland Vespa dealers by opening a showroom in Milwaukee. However, the company is still searching for a location and an owner for its showroom, which is expects to open sometime this year.
Honda and a number of other manufacturers attempted to launch a wave of scootermania in the U.S. during the 1980s, but the bikes failed to catch on in cold weather locales like the upper Midwest.
But perhaps that's changing.
According to 1012 Motorwerx president Dave Salkin, sales of the Kymco scooters are progressing slowly but Milwaukeeans are catching on.
"May and June were slow months, but in July sales picked up quite a bit," he says. "And all of the feedback has been positive thus far."
"They're very popular with people age 30 and over, but in the fall we're going to promote it to students."
There are a few differences between the Kymco models and other scooters. "The wheels are larger and there's better handling and traction," Salkin notes. "They also have disc brakes and the look is retro and modern."
The scooters come in four different styles, with prices ranging from $2,000 up to $2,450. There is the People model, which comes in five different colors, the ZX-50, available in four colors, the Cobra, which comes in three colors that all include black, and finally the Cobra Cross, a black and yellow model.
Piaggio, whose scooters are also legendary accessories for Britain's mod movement, is hawking two models in the U.S. market, both of which come equipped with the automatic transmission spurned by Europeans and scooter purists. The 50cc ET2 and 150cc ET4 also have anti-pollution devices, the lack of which was the reason for Vespa's previous decline in America. The bikes, which also have front-wheel disc brakes, carry base prices of $2,950 and $3,950.
1012 Motorwerx arrived in Milwaukee last summer. They sell used motorcycles and new scooters, along with a wide range of accessories. 1012 also services most makes and models of motorbikes and can order parts for almost anything.
No special license is required to drive one of the scooters, except the Vespa ET4, which requires a motorcycle license. Drivers must be at least 16 years old.
To learn more about 1020 and Kymco scooters, stop by the store, call (414) 265-1012 or visit www.1012moto.com. Meanwhile, Vespa information can be found at www.piaggio.com.
Also, stay tuned for more information on the opening of Milwaukee's first Vespa dealership.
