Dealer Expo day one

Rippinyarn · Post by **Rippinyarn** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 3:00 am

This is just a quick one, but I thought that I would post it directly here. Philip said to say hi to all the riders on Modern Buddy (he actually did!), and that more great news about local rides is coming very soon. Also, two-tone Stella.

http://www.examiner.com/scooter-in-detr ... 12-day-one

HowHH · Post by **HowHH** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 4:24 am

Thanks for the update. I enjoy following your online column in the Detroit Examiner. Looking forward to further stories on the Expo.

Post by **ericalm** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 8:15 am

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 12:00 pm

Love the two tone Stella's!! They look great. Plus, I'm thinking the two tone paint scheme could be considered a safety/visibility benefit.

Wonder if we'll get any of the CVT model? Is LML's CVT reliable enough to consider importing?

Rippinyarn · Post by **Rippinyarn** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 1:37 pm

Thanks for reading and I'll ask Philip about the CVT today (although I doubt that they would take a chance). Also, no sign of the Valentine from Puma, but I'll ask them about that too.

Rippinyarn · Post by **Rippinyarn** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:20 pm

I finally got with Philip on Saturday night and he clammed right up. He didn't say that it would never happen (Stella CVT), but he really didn't want to talk about it. I told him that his secrets would be safe with me

but he must have caught on, so

we will wait for more news, someday.

And more on the blog: http://www.examiner.com/scooter-in-detr ... two-part-1

I've got at least two more articles on the show, but pesky work keeps getting in the way... thanks for reading, folks!

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 6:24 pm

Rippinyarn wrote:I finally got with Philip on Saturday night and he clammed right up. He didn't say that it would never happen (Stella CVT), but he really didn't want to talk about it. I told him that his secrets would be safe with me but he must have caught on, so we will wait for more news, someday.

This is why I never press anyone from Genuine on that stuff. When they want people to know, they'll tell us! Philip and co. are well aware of who to contact when they want to get the word out on a new product!

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 7:23 pm

You know, I really don't see genuine bringing the automatic 4 stroke PK to the US, it's probably too much of an overlap between the buddy and the Stella to make sense.
LML in Europe only sells the Stella as far as I know so it makes sense for them to introduce a CVT 125cc to their range given that the first tier of license allows riding up to a 125cc in most European countries.
The 200cc shifty is probably more likely once this year finally dislodges some more of the 4 strokes that made it to dealers late for last years season.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 4:58 am

Lokky wrote:You know, I really don't see genuine bringing the automatic 4 stroke PK to the US, it's probably too much of an overlap between the buddy and the Stella to make sense.

I'd bet against you on that one!

It might be wishful thinking, but I think an automatic, vintage-style, metal-bodied 125/150cc scooter at the right price point could lure many buyers away from competitors. It would eat into some Buddy and Stella sales, but I think the net would be much more.

LML is just now preparing to introduce theirs in India.

Uncle Groucho · Post by **Uncle Groucho** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 4:17 pm

ericalm wrote:

WANT!

If I can't sell my Buddy, I may have to suck it up and take the loss on trading it in to my dealer. He said April on the two-tones, maybe earlier.

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 4:44 pm

ericalm wrote:
Lokky wrote:You know, I really don't see genuine bringing the automatic 4 stroke PK to the US, it's probably too much of an overlap between the buddy and the Stella to make sense.
I'd bet against you on that one!

It might be wishful thinking, but I think an automatic, vintage-style, metal-bodied 125/150cc scooter at the right price point could lure many buyers away from competitors. It would eat into some Buddy and Stella sales, but I think the net would be much more.

LML is just now preparing to introduce theirs in India.

We'll see, mind you I love the PK body so you won't see me complaining if they do bring it over

Alexbv200 · Post by **Alexbv200** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 5:25 pm

If the Stella Auto is not a 4 stroke, don't expect it in the States....

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:16 pm

Alexbv200 wrote:If the Stella Auto is not a 4 stroke, don't expect it in the States....

Pretty sure it is a 4T. (Going to look into that…)

There are smaller 2Ts (such as the Rattler 110 and Roughhouse 50) that meet emissions requirements, even for CA. I'd think people would want this in at least a 125cc, though.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:20 pm

I'm hoping for a 200cc automatic. (Hey, a man can dream...)

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:22 pm

I'm hoping for a 270 automatic myself

ravenlore · Post by **ravenlore** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:25 pm

Syd wrote:I'm hoping for a 270 automatic myself

+elebenty gazillion.

(i'd settle for a true 200 auto)

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:51 pm

Skootz Kabootz wrote:I'm hoping for a 200cc automatic. (Hey, a man can dream...)

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:49 pm

ericalm wrote:
Skootz Kabootz wrote:I'm hoping for a 200cc automatic. (Hey, a man can dream...)

^^^ It just keeps getting better

Rippinyarn · Post by **Rippinyarn** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:45 pm

More, if you care to check it out

Cripes, it's a lot of information to go through on these scoots and manufacturers. Luckily, I love 'em all!

http://www.examiner.com/scooter-in-detr ... two-part-2

theflash784 · Post by **theflash784** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:02 am

Great articles! I love reading your work.

Rippinyarn · Post by **Rippinyarn** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:30 pm

Well

, thanks for reading! It's a lot of fun getting to know this crazy hobby better through some actual work. Meeting the people is the best part, sort of like in here.

theflash784 · Post by **theflash784** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 4:03 pm

I saw the Lions helmet in youir pictures.....Do they have any Tigers?

Edwub · Post by **Edwub** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:06 pm

Hey Rip,

Out of curiosity, how do you feel about how the examiner runs ads? Content wise, I expect motorcycle and scooters and gear and stuff to pop up.

Right now I'm seeing a banner for scooterdepot.us, and it makes me wince just a little bit to see ads for brand-new 150cc's for $750...

I may have mentioned it before, but I was all over your stuff when I was considering whether a Blur was right for me. Quality scooter info and writeups

But if I wince when I see an ad for a 'company' like that (which I've only ever heard horrible things about) I can't imagine how it makes you feel.

A bit of a siderailing, I apologize, and I know it may be out of your control but I couldn't help but comment, especially when you're covering such a cool event with this expo!