You’ve heard about the rally, right? About 75 normally respectable individuals (plus a few journalists) turn into scooter maniacs for 24 hours while riding a mad 800 km route through Quebec and Ontario.

You may have seen pictures, but to really experience the sights, sounds and chaos of the rally, check out the 5 minute video created by talented cinematographer Sarah Moffat. The attention challenged can view a shorter 2 minute version on the CMG website.

For the “full length feature” complete with the smell of 2 stroke oil and monkey butt powder, start planning for the 2011 Mad Bastard Scooter Rally (taking place somewhere in Ontario). Be sure to sign up for the MBSR mailing list to keep up with the latest details.

BC based Motorsports Craze is bringing a few models of Baotian scooters to the Canadian market. The Baotian Motorcycle Industrial Company is a large Chinese manufacturer that's been operating 1994. They make motorcycles, scooters, ATV's, motors, and other products.

Motorsports Craze will be bringing in three different Baotian scooters; the air-cooled 50cc Quadro and Lotus, and a liquid cooled-150cc Euro. Prices range from $1299 for the Quadro, $1499 for the Lotus - $1499 and $2399 for the Euro.

Full press release follows:

Motorsport Craze is pleased to announce the arrival of Baotian Scooters in Canada. Baotian Motorcycle Industrial Co., produces 1000 scooters per day; is distributed in 33 different countries; and consistently tops the 50cc scooter sales chart in the U.K. The Baotian factory produces their own engines, and drive-trains allowing them to maintain much higher standards for quality control. They also hold the copyright to the 4 VALVE- 50cc GY6 motor, which is soon to be released this year. We strongly feel that a 4-Valve, 4-Stroke motor is the way of the future, as it meets the stringent California CARB, and EPA emissions standards, without the loss of power, that most 4-stroke 50cc engines are known for.

The Quadro (BT49QT-9S3) The ultimate all rounder, this scooter is lightweight, maneuverable and nippy around town. Whilst economical, it has sports-styled alloy wheels, aluminum silencer and pedal plates.


Optional equipment includes remote starting and factory-fitted alarm. A color coordinated top box is also available for optional fitting.

The Lotus (BT49QT-18E1) The Lotus continues Baotian's move away from generic design of Chinese manufactured scooters. Whilst still utilizing the BT49QT-18 frame and engine, this design encompasses all the key features of recent development including twin halogen headlamps, 2 stroke style "scorpion" exhaust, 12-inch alloy wheels and directional tires. The indicators, both front and rear, are integrated into the bodywork.

This model also benefits from a tachometer. As with all Baotian Canada models, optional accessories are; a standard factory fitted alarm/immobilizer; a color coordinated top box which fits directly to the rear carrier/grab handle. And, as with all models, it is powered by our reliable, efficient, 4 stroke, air-cooled engine.

The Euro (BT151T-2B4) The Euro is appropriately named for it’s European styling and sleek urban lines. This 16” “Big Wheeled” full size commuter is packed with power with an impressive liquid cooled 150cc motor while Front and Rear disc brakes complete the driving experience. It’s loaded with modern design features such as LED lights, and Fold-away passenger foot pedals.

Based on Baotian’s world wide reputation as a quality manufacturer of excellence, and success in the UK we feel that this is the best product to bring into Canada. Baotian China will also debut their scooters in the USA for the first time at the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis this year. Booth # 4105.

The Quadro, Lotus, and Euro will each be backed with a comprehensive 2 year limited warranty. More details will be available soon at www.awesomescooter.com.

If you haven’t already heard or are wondering what Motorcycle Experience - Scooter Sense segment host Bryan Hudgin’s Twitter feed has been referring to lately, we’re just about to shoot the second season of “Scooter Sense” for the next season of TSN’s “A Motorcycle Experience”. The concept this time around? The aptly titled, “Scooter Sense Almost World Tour: Big City Lights and Camp Fire Nights”. Bryan will be going on a good old fashioned road trip with his trusty Yamaha BWs125 scooter for 3 days. He’ll be going from Montreal, to Ottawa, to Kingston and finally landing in Toronto with a bunch of stops in between.

The rules of engagement? No money, a $25 gas card, a stack of t-shirts, a tent for camping and a mission to spread the scooter gospel. His cell phone is rigged to the Yamaha corporate Twitter account, so he’ll be updating frequently along the way. You can follow along from each of Yamaha’s motorcycle or snowmobile blogs or search for “YamahaMotorCa” to follow with your Twitter account.

Bryan says that he would love to have any fans and riders join him along the way, which is we’re posting a tentative itinerary below. Keep in mind, this is a pretty complicated beast to organize and shooting TV can always take longer than expected, so things can change really quickly. We will be changing things throughout this week and during the trip but we wanted to get you up to speed to keep you in the loop. You’ll need to check back with Bryans blog fairly frequently to stay on top of our shooting locations!

Having said all of that, if you come out to support the tour, Bryan will give you a limited edition “Scooter Sense Almost World Tour” t-shirt for your troubles (while his limited supply lasts). Of course he may use it to trade you for food though!!

Here is the current tour schedule as posted on Bryan’s blog.

Day One – Sunday October 4th

- 8:30am to 9:00am at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium
Feature 1 – The last breakfast! From now on in - no money, just a gas card, a tent and t-shirts for the next 3 days. Can you eat cotton?
- 9:00 depart for Chateau Montebello via Hwy 15N and Route 50W
- 10:30am to 11:00am at Chateau Montebello gates.
Feature 2 - Unfortunately, I won’t be sleeping at the Chateau Montebello, but it is a scenic place for a stop!
- 11:00am depart for Ottawa via Cty Rd 17 & Regional Rd 174W
- 12:30am to 3:30pm at Ottawa at the Parliament buildings.
Feature 3 – I’ll do my best to recruit some government leaders to chat about the benefits of scooters! Heck we pay their salary, it’s the least they could do, right??
- 3:30 depart for loyal “A Motorcycle Experience” viewer Bruce & Jan Haskin’s home via Hwy 7W and Hwy 15
- 5:00pm to 7:00pm in Portland.
Feature 4 - Meet the Haskins! Set up camp for the night!

Day Two – Monday October 5th

- 8:00am to 8:30am at Haskin Home in Portland.
Feature 5 – Bright eyed and bushy tailed. Bruce leads the convoy down Cty Road 10 to Kingston, the old hometown!
- 8:30am depart for Kingston
- 10:00am to 12:00pm at Queens University Kingston
Feature 6- Math quiz! Who can figure out a scooter’s gas mileage the quickest? Shouldn’t have any problems finding any scholar’s here
- 12:00pm depart for Shannonville via Hwy 2
- 1:30pm at Shannonville
Feature 7 – What are my lap times? Face off against some road racing veterans!
- 3:00pm depart for Sandbanks Provincial Park via Cty Rd 49
- 5:00pm to 7:30pm at Sandbanks Provincial Park

Feature 8 - Set up camp. Dinner of champions over the open fire.

Day Three - Tuesday October 6th

- 8:00am to 8:30am Sandbanks morning in Prince Edward County.
Feature 9 - How was the sleep? How was breakfast? Where are we off to?
- 8:30am depart for Port Hope via Loyalist Pkwy and Hwy 2
- 10:00am to 10:30am at Port Hope
Feature 10 – Fuel Stop. How much money have I spent on gas?
- 10:30am depart for Toronto via Regional Rd 9, Taunton Rd and Hwy 7
- 12:00pm to 3:30pm at Toronto
Feature 11 – Group Ride with Toronto Scooter Club. These guys are hardcore!
Feature 12 – Hit the showers!! Cap it all off!

Anyone wishing to join us along the way are more than welcome! The more the merrier!

Please ensure you check back regularly to Bryan’s blog and the Twitter feed as things will be changing constantly.

Just heard from Dave Hatch over at Motorcycle Experience and they've got something brewing with Bryan "Mr. Scooter Sense" Hudgin. If you watch Motorcycle Experience that'll be enough for you to know who he is! For those who don't recognize him - we snagged a photo from Yamaha Canada's website.

Now guys, Quebec and Ontario are only two of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada but having driven from Winnipeg to Nova Scotia several times I can say that Ontario is pretty huge! Might be a long ride for Bryan depending on what scooter he chooses to make the trip on.

Best of luck!

We just got word from Honda that their new to Canada SH150i scooter is going to be arriving in Canadian dealerships one week from now.

The scooter is already a popular model in Europe. It features a 153 cc liquid-cooled four-stroke engine with PGM-FI fuel injection and Honda's V-Matic automatic transmission. Easy on gas, yet powerful enough for the highway; its big 16-inch wheels contribute to the SH150i's confident handling and sure control over bumps in the road.

If you're heading to work, or the grocery store, and you've got some stuff to carry - don't worry, the SH150i has plenty of under-seat storage and a standard 35-litre top box.

MSRP $4,999

- More Honda news HERE.
- Full details on the Honda SH150i HERE.

Studio Cycle Group, located at 2923 Dundas St. W in the heart of Toronto’s Junction district will be hosting a Demo Day for Charity this Sunday, July 26th between 11am and 3pm.

Licensed LSM, M, M1, or M2 riders will have the opportunity to try out a KYMCO scooter or motorcycle and participants will be asked to make a $5.00 donation which will go directly to Kids Help Phone. Studio Cycle Group will also be donating $1.00 from every purchase on Sunday July 26th to Kids Help Phone as well!

Not interested in test riding? Well, there are a lot of other reasons to visit Studio Cycle Group on Sunday July 26th, here are just a few:

- Custom helmet fittings for ARAI helmets on site – If you purchase an ARAI that
day you’ll receive a 10% discount PLUS a free Ogio helmet bag.
- In store sales offering 10% and 25% off select items including all Hart &
Huntington apparel, NEXO Sports Gear, Troy Lee Designs, Etnies shoes and more!
- A Humber College Training instructor will be on site to answer any questions about licensing.
- Be sure to ask about our selection of Pirelli bike tires as well!
-Pick up a Studio Cycle Group magnet tag and sign up on our customer list to qualify for ongoing offers. You can even take one for a friend!

We’re looking forward to seeing you on Sunday – rain or shine!

Honda's newest scooter to come to Canada - the SH150i - is being delayed a little because it needs some minor modifications to meet Transport Canada Compliance Requirements.

It's still coming to Canada via Europe, where it's already a popular model. The word from Honda Canada is that the SH150i will arrive in Canadian dealerships in late summer 2009.

- To learn more about the SH150i check out the dedicated site Honda created for it HERE.

- Check out more Honda News via CMR - HERE

Image via Honda Canada

According to French reports the Peugeot HYmotion; Peugeot's leaning 3 wheel scooter is set to start production before the end of 2010. We first brought you news and pictures of the HYmotion back in October, 2008. The production of the HYmotion will closely follow behind the Piaggio MP3 Hybrid. The HYmotion uses a similar two front wheel, one rear wheel design but the systems used to power the scooter differ substantially.

The HYmotion has electric motors powering each of the two front wheels and a 125cc internal combustion engine powering the rear. In the Piaggio MP3 Hybrid only the rear wheel is powered by both the electric motor and gas-powered engine.

Reports indicate the HYmotion should offer fuel economy in the 117 miles per gallon range. That's not quite as good as the 141 mpg estimate of the Piaggio MP3 Hybrid but the HYmotion incorporates a roof! So it will provide a lot more protection from the elements than any scooter currently on the market.

The protection that the roof offers from the elements might be just the thing that converts a lot of those people sitting on the fence about a making a two-wheeled purchase because let's face it, it does take some forethought and dedication to ride in inclement weather.

It's uncertain whether this model will make it to Canada or even the US, or what it will cost (in Europe) but we'll let you know as soon as we find out more.

Piaggio has launched the Piaggio MP3 Hybrid in Europe and it will be coming to the US in the first quarter of 2010.

Capable of returning up to 141mpg; it will come with a price tag of $8 or $9,000 USD. The fact that it's coming to the US seems to suggests it will likely come to Canada as well but we've seen no confirming reports yet. Keep your fingers crossed.

The MP3 is a leaning three-wheeler that features a 124cc gasoline engine and electric power, reportedly giving the MP3 Hybrid the performance of a 250cc scooter. If the phenomenal fuel economy isn't enough to win people over, the extra stability offered by the third wheel means the MP3 Hybrid could be attractive to non-traditional two-wheeled riders (and even some regular two-wheeled riders) looking for a more secure riding experience.

The battery of the MP3 Hybrid can be recharged through normal operation of riding the scooter and it can also be plugged in to take advantage of charging opportunities.

In the words of Piaggio "The Piaggio MP3 Hybrid incorporates a “parallel” hybrid drive in which a combustion engine and an electric motor are mechanically and electronically linked and simultaneously supply power to the wheel in perfect synergy."

It can be operated in three drive modes – Hybrid Charge, Hybrid Power and Electric, switchable on the move via a button on the handlebars.

Hybrid Power combines the power of the internal combustion engine with the electric motor to maximize performance.

Hybrid Charge provides a decreased boost effect and will provide acceleration similar to a conventional two-wheel 125. Additional emphasis is placed on battery chargeback.

Electric-only mode is intended for special zero-emission zones (which have been implemented in some European town centres). In this mode you have a 30km/h top speed and 11 mile range.

For more details on the Piaggio MP3 Hybrid check out Piaggio's website HERE.

Fans of the Canadian motorcycle program Motorcycle Experience which airs on TSN may recall the Scooter Sense segments that aired with each episode. If you tuned in regularly chances are you've already seen Yamaha Canada PR specialist Bryan Hudgin talk about all the things that make scooters so popular, practical, and fun! But, maybe you missed an episode or two, or maybe you'd just like to revisit some episodes.

All 12 episodes of the Scooter Sense segments are posted on Yamaha Canada's website HERE. Be sure to check them out!

Some new changes to the province of Alberta's transportation rules mean that 14-year olds are going to have some new options for getting around on a moped.

In Alberta, teens 14 and older who get a Class 7 learner's permit can legally ride insured mopeds (scooters). The previous legislation said that the mopeds had to weigh between 35 and 55 kilograms and were limited to a maximum speed of 50 km/hr - which was a little difficult. Because of the weight restriction even the smallest scooters around, at 50 cubic centimetres, were mostly classified as motorcycles in Alberta because they typically weigh more than 55 kilograms.

As of Wednesday, July 1st/09 the definition of mopeds changes so that they're considered vehicles that can travel up to 70 km/hr and the weight restrictions are gone. But they need to be powered by an electric motor or engine with a displacement not exceeding 50cc's.

The regulation changes bring Alberta's definition of a moped into closer alignment with that of Transport Canada.

Vespa Surrey is the newest authorized dealer of Vespa, Piaggio, Aprilia,and Derbi scooters in the lower mainland of British Columbia.

Not only scooters they feature great accessory brands such as Corazzo, Nexx Helmets, Zearl Optics, THH Helmets, and Thibault. They've got factory trained technicians in the shop too, original Vespa parts and quick turn-arounds on repairs.

Be sure to check out their women's only scooter nights and events, as well as group rides, vendor shows and other unique events.

Check out their website here.

2009 seems to the be the year of the scooter in Canada. If you're looking for a scooter for the next riding season in Canada, your choices have never been so broad. Looks like you'll have the scooter of at least one more make to choose from too.

Motorsport Craze Ent ltd, a Langley BC company, has been given the sole rights to distribute Lambretta scooters in Canada. They're actively seeking qualified Scooter Boutiques and Motorcycle Dealerships to sell the scooters as well. All scooters are 100% Transport Canada, and EPA compliant, and include a 2 year parts and labor warranty. Parts and Scooters are in-stock in Langley, BC. These scooters are listed in the Canadian Blue Book for the January edition of 2009.

In the spring of 2009 we should see three Lambretta models hit the showroom floors. The biggest of the bunch UNO 150. It features a 150cc 4-stroke, 4-valve engine. It'll also have 12” mag wheels, front and rear disc brakes, tachometer, and 2 year limited parts and labor warranty. Dry weight is 250 lbs. Comes with an electric start and a kick. The tank will take 6.2 liters of fuel. Cooling is forced air with an external oil cooler. MSRP will be $3,299 CDN. Available colors will be red, white, and black.

Then you've got the two 49cc models - the DUE 50 and the UNO 50.

The styling of the DUE 50 is said to be "avante garde." It includes a 2 stroke engine, halogen projector beam headlamp, 12" mag wheels, front disc brake. The halogen projector headlight is a distinctive touch. The MSRP will be $2,399 CDN. Available colors will be silver, black, and orange.

The UNO 50 is also a 2 stroke, and is said to offer an "ideal blend of quality, versatility and substance." It too comes with 12” mag wheels, front disc brake, and an adjustable rear shock. The MSRP will be $2,499 CDN. Available colors will be white, black, and red.

The company has a bit of an interesting history. After the Second World War the company's steel tubing factory was bombed and destroyed (it employed 6,000). Ferdinando Innocenti examined the situation and according to company lore...

Innocenti saw the future of cheap, private transport and decided to produce a motor scooter – competing on cost and weather protection against the ubiquitous motorcycle. Aeronautical engineer General Corradino D'Ascanio, responsible for the design and construction of the first modern helicopter by Agusta, was given the job by Ferdinando Innocenti of designing a simple, robust and affordable vehicle.

It had to be easy to drive for both men and women, be able to carry a passenger, and not get its driver's clothes dirty. General D'Ascanio had falling out with Innocenti. Innocenti wanted to produce his frame from rolled tubing rather than a mould and beaten spar frame, which would allow him to revive both parts of his pre-War company. General D'Ascanio took his design to Enrico Piaggio who produced the spar framed Vespa from 1946.

Watch www.lambrettacanada.com for more details soon.