Scootering September 2019

Mainly for my own amusement, I spend a lot of time observing everyday situations, people’s behaviour and reactions. Despite the myriad of one-liners, mischievous comments and obscure thoughts which flash through my mind, on the whole I tend to keep tight-lipped. It just seems easier that way. Nothing good ever came from getting involved in one of those crazy Facebook rants you often see kicking off, and my face-to-face ‘comedy comments’ are rarely appreciated… or so my wife tells me, when I proffer up a verbal quip now and then. So I guess it’s my own fault for breaking my own rule, by recently commenting in my column regarding some rather ‘oddball’ and ‘amusing’ letters I had received here at Scootering, because that column seems to have set off a…

Stu Smith Vespa & Lambretta owner, scooter obsessive, amateur home mechanic, rally goer, Mod sympathiser, music lover and general all-round good egg. He writes your rally reports, be nice to him. Nik Skeat Vespa P-range obsessive, well travelled rally rider since the 80s, founder of the notorious Scooterboy World forum. He’s also a brilliant beer-brewing bearded Scootering feature writer. Paul Green Vespa & Lambretta scooter enthusiast, BSSO professional and general good egg. Our Paul has a long history of scootering both on the road and on the track, with the breakdown bills and crash scars to prove it. Stuart Owen LCGB ‘life member’, 100mph Lambretta Club owner and scooter restoration expert to boot. Scooter rider, rally-goer, restorer and author. Reaches the parts other scooter journalists just can’t reach. Dave Oakley Riding and building scooters since 1983, Dave has been…

They’ve been one of the biggest names in scootering for decades and now Midland Scooter Centre has a showroom worthy of its reputation. There are few scooterists who haven’t heard of MSC and for those who’ve never visited them in person there’s no longer a reason to delay the experience. On the weekend of July 6-7, the team threw open their new central Nottingham showrooms to an appreciative audience. Although their existing shop in Stapleford remains open, the new city centre premises are something to behold. The size of a small aircraft hanger, it may just be the largest scooter showroom in the UK. With undercover two-wheeler parking, a coffee bar and full range of clothing, to say the showroom’s impressive is an understatement. Urged on by good weather, the prospect of…

Riding all-year round is a scooterist’s dream. Thankfully, Costa Blanca Scootering can turn that dream into a reality. Established 18 months ago in San Miguel, just outside Torrevieja on Spain’s Costa Blanca, CBS has already formed a loyal band of customers. “With easy access from Alicante and Murcia airports we’re ideally placed for long or short breaks both summer or winter,” said founder Malcolm Bell. In addition to offering a selection of Scomadi and Royal Alloys for hire, CBS is also able to create a bespoke package depending on individual needs. “We can provide anything from a day’s rental to a fully guided tour.” With a lifelong passion for scooters and a network of local contacts, Malcolm has already mapped out recommended routes and can also advise on the best available accommodation.…

This information is provided by Stephen Hattersley of WildWood Legal, a firm of solicitors specialising in claims for injured scooterists. Stephen, a qualified solicitor for 25 years, has been riding scooters for over 30 years, and has acted for injured riders across the UK. He knows the tricks and pitfalls that insurers use and pulls no punches in his dealings with them. He rides to work every day and understands the challenges you face out there. Q. Can Idisplay my number plate in a different way from the norm, and can I use the traditional black and silver lettering? A. As tempting as it can be, the law is pretty strict on both of these aspects. It says you can’t rearrange or misrepresent the numbers or letters on a number plate to…

For owners of classic scooters without a battery supply the choice of satnav is incredibly small. One of the latest offerings is the Beeline Moto. This promises to ‘… guide you in the clearest manner possible with one big arrow pointing in the direction you need to be heading right now’. Navigating without a map seems counter-intuitive, but the cycling version has already found a firm army of followers. Priced at £99 including international coverage, it’s avery attractive alternative to burning data on a mobile app. Stan’s currently putting it through its paces and will report on how he gets on with it just in time for Santa’s shopping list. RRP: £99 www.beeline.co…