If there's one complaint that all University of Memphis studentsshare, it's the difficulty of transportation -- and the Vespa motorscooter may provide a remedy.
The scooter, which is quickly catching in popularity in theUnited States, comes in two models: the ET2, which has a 50 cubiccentimeter engine, and the ET4, with a 150 cubic centimeter engine.Both are "ideal for students," said Ron Katz of Vespa Memphis, oneof only 100 Vespa "boutiques" in the nation.
"I ride to work, ride downtown ... I park at the front door atmost places," said self-proclaimed "scooter geek" and University ofTennessee-Memphis employee Billy Hatcher.
And with nine colors to choose from, including alabaster,platinum and pearl, as well as custom vinyl designs, U of Mstudents can avoid the hassle of on-campus transportation andparking while making an individual statement.
"It's a little bit of an anti-statement," Katz said. "Not somuch counter-culture, but nonconformist thinking. Do it for fun, doit to save money."
The ET2 model costs approximately $3,000, reaches speeds of upto 45 mph, and gets 65 miles to the gallon. The ET4 model can reach65 mph and costs roughly $4,000.
Both models have "plenty of power," Katz said, and can traveluphill with ease. The scooters feature a twist and go electricpush-button start, and there are no gears to shift.
"If you can ride a bicycle, you can ride this," Katz said.
Italian manufacturer Piaggio introduced the Vespa scooter,considered the Rolls Royce of scooters, in 1946.
The scooter, with its durable all-metal construction, requireslittle maintenance and can last decades. The words "Vespa" and"scooter" remained synonymous until Piaggio removed the scooterfrom the U.S. market in 1984.
Since its December 2000 return, the Vespa's popularity has beengrowing steadily.
Enthusiasts form local scooter clubs and meet at national eventssuch as AmeriVespa, a three-day rally where "all different kinds ofpeople" showcase their scooters, Hatcher said.
The Memphis Kings Scooter Club, an informal group of 15 to 25scooter aficionados, consists not only of new Vespa owners butrestorers and collectors of vintage scooters as well. The groupwill hold a rally Monday at The Flying Saucer in honor ofInternational Scooter Meetup Day.
Katz opened Vespa Memphis in May. The boutique, located onPoplar at Humes, services and sells the scooters, as well ashelmets and accessories.
"I'm trying to get them to make a comeback," Katz said. Ifeveryone rode a Vespa, Katz said, "We wouldn't have problems in theMiddle East. We wouldn't have pollution. And everybody would be alot happier."
