I’m featuring this scoot for two reasons. First, it’s hard not to appreciate the engineering required to build a vehicle that folds up into a bag. Second, the delightfully 90s website is worth checking out.
AMA Autographs – 2003 Yamaha Zuma 50
Normally I wouldn’t bother featuring a Zuma (though they’re cool in their own way). But this one stands out as it was a former pit bike for Rob Treat, who raced vintage motorcycles with AMA – and he had it signed by a bunch of AMA legends.
No Reserve – 1965 Cushman Super Silver Eagle
In the wake of the Second World War, the United States was experiencing a transportation boom, and Cushman Motor Works was eager to capitalize on the trend. Come 1949, the Nebraska-based manufacturer dressed up one of its 50cc scooters to resemble popular baggers like the Harley-Davidson Big Twin and Indian Chief. Dubbed the “Eagle,” the little scooter proved an instant …
1957 Zundapp Bella R203
Zundapp was able to sell about 130,000 examples of the Bella scooter between 1953 and 1964. Engine options were a 150 (146) or 200 (198) – here’s an example of the latter.
No Reserve Project – 1966 Fuji Rabbit Superflow S601
I don’t feature scooters much, but the Fuji Rabbit Superflow is definitely worth a look. An impressive 75,000 units left the Fuji Heavy Industries factory, but it’s very hard to find any now. Why is this scoot so interesting? Well, at the time, it was as luxurious as you could get with a scooter.
2002 BMW C1 200
Post Listing Update: This C1 did not meet reserve with 24 bids up to $6,124 on eBay. At the turn of the century, BMW thought they could get more people on scooters by eliminating some of the weather and safety concerns. Their idea was the C1, a scooter with a roof and seat belts. With sufficient crash testing, BMW was …
Art Deco Custom – 2007 Vectrix VX-1 Electric Scooter
I normally wouldn’t have much interest in a 16-year-old electric scooter but someone clever has used this Vectrix VX-1 as the base for a wood-bodied Art Deco-inspired custom.
2023 Honda Motocompacto
Well, I think I just found my next pit bike! Honda’s just announced a spiritual successor to the Motocompo – meet the all-electric Motocompacto. It doesn’t roll off the tongue the same way, but it’ll be a lot easier to find in the US!
1990 Honda Zook
Sold only in Japan (and only in 1990), the Zook is a rare 50cc scoot from Honda. Per this press release, Honda planned on selling 40,000 Zooks to young people “as a trendy new model” for urban transportation. They called it “fun to ride” and “fun to look at”. It features a two-stroke, 49ccm motor that produces 3 horsepower.
NOS – Garelli Urka 50
Founded in 1919, Garelli is now solely electric but they have a long history with small displacement motorcycles – they even won the 125cc Grand Prix championship every year between 1982 and 1987. Here’s an oddball scooter that I’ve never heard of before, and it’s still “new”!
1953 Moto Guzzi Galletto
Carlo Guzzi was one of Moto Guzzi’s three co-founders back in 1921, and he was the brainchild behind a scooter/motorcycle hybrid called the Galletto (cockerel in Italian). Over approximately 15 years of production, 75,000 units were sold.
No Reserve – 1976 Honda GOGO 7 (Kick ‘N Go Senior)
Post Sale Update: This GOGO sold for $425 (including buyer’s fee) on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. Back in 2019, Honda invited me to their campus/museum in Torrance, California (which is being moved to Georgia right now) for the launch of the Honda Super Cub. While walking around the museum, I couldn’t help but notice a three-wheeled scooter that was on display. …
Mid-Century Last-Miler: 1964 Centaur Folding Scooter
Right now, it’s all things minibike over at Iconic, so I’ll admit that my tastes have been trending towards small. As cool as it was to see my first Motocompo in person, though, this Centaur is truly a quaint piece of midcentury Americana.
1969 Tarbo TR350
The seller of this Italian scooter says he’s never seen a Tarbo Sport 50 before. Hell – I’ve never even HEARD of it before, which is why I’m so glad to share it with you.
No Reserve – 1955 Moto Guzzi Galletto
Carlo Guzzi was one of Moto Guzzi’s three co-founders back in 1921, and he was the brainchild behind a scooter/motorcycle hybrid called the Galletto (cockerel in Italian). Over approximately 15 years of production, 75,000 units were sold.