Motor scooters are popular

**klingon** · 9th February 2009, 14:17

Motor scooters are catching on. A few years ago, most New Zealanders looked on them as an expensive toy. Now as traffic congestion and parking problems grow, motor scooters are appearing in ever-increasing numbers.

Recently the Herald’s motoring correspondent had the chance of trying three makes of scooter – the Lambretta LD, Douglas Vespa and Zundapp Bella.

The Lambretta and Vespa have 125cc engines; the Zundapp is supplied with either a 150cc or 200cc unit.

There is not a loafer among the three. Their tiny engines are gluttons for hard work. They are quite powerful enough for a pillion passenger to be carried at moderate speeds. Whether their motors are hot or cold, all are easy starters.

- New Zealand Herald, 10 March 1955

**robo555** · 9th February 2009, 22:09

'1955'? News?

**klingon** · 9th February 2009, 22:22

Originally Posted by robo555

'1955'? News?

Yep. You heard it first on Kiwi Biker.

I especially like the reference to traffic congestion and parking problems.

**gammaguy** · 9th February 2009, 22:28

the french have a saying that sums it up:

la plus c'est changee,la plus c'est la meme chose

**xwhatsit** · 9th February 2009, 22:34

Excellent! I love these that you're posting up. Where are you getting them from?

**KiwiRat** · 10th February 2009, 00:07

Originally Posted by gammaguy

the french have a saying that sums it up:

la plus c'est changee,la plus c'est la meme chose

The more things change, the more they stay the same.....................

**scootnz** · 10th February 2009, 05:38

I'm still riding my douglas vespa. Had to sell the LD though.

Haven't tried the Bella yet.

Originally Posted by klingon

Motor scooters are catching on. A few years ago, most New Zealanders looked on them as an expensive toy. Now as traffic congestion and parking problems grow, motor scooters are appearing in ever-increasing numbers.

Recently the Herald’s motoring correspondent had the chance of trying three makes of scooter – the Lambretta LD, Douglas Vespa and Zundapp Bella.

The Lambretta and Vespa have 125cc engines; the Zundapp is supplied with either a 150cc or 200cc unit.

There is not a loafer among the three. Their tiny engines are gluttons for hard work. They are quite powerful enough for a pillion passenger to be carried at moderate speeds. Whether their motors are hot or cold, all are easy starters.

- New Zealand Herald, 10 March 1955

**slofox** · 10th February 2009, 06:26

The wonderful thing about scooters is that they confer invulnerability upon the owners from the moment of purchase. They don't have to wear any protective gear or any of that crap. Hell, I even saw one dude last week who didn't even need a helmet! Amazing huh? All us bikers are just plain old dumb, needing all that protective stuff. Get a scooter! Become invulnerable!!!

**klingon** · 10th February 2009, 11:41

Originally Posted by xwhatsit

Excellent! I love these that you're posting up. Where are you getting them from?

The articles are out of this book:
Good Morning New Zealand: News stories of the day from the 1950s
Editor Gil Dymock
Published in 1990 by Moa Publications Ltd.

I'm just loving the articles about bodgies and widgies, and some of the advertisements are delightful. I wish I had a scanner so I could share some photos of the 'milk-bar cowboys' in Queen Street.