The Vespa is Internationally renowned as an icon of Italian design, freedom and style.
But what's the story behind the hugely successful Vespa...?

The Vespa was designed by D'Ascanio and born in the year 1946.
In post 2nd World War Italy, Enrico Piaggio decided that Italy needed a vehicle to get the Italians moving again. (The Fiat 500 shares a similar success story). The job of designing this vehicle was given to Corradino D'Ascanio, who was already employed by Piaggio, designing aeronautics.
The Vespa was classy and simple as opposed to being a noisy and awkward motorbike.

In April 1946, the first 15 Vespas were manufactured. Three years later towards the end of 1949, this number had increased to 35, 000, and another 7 years later one million had been made. Around this time in 1956, with the continuing popularity of the Vespa, production then started in Germany, Great Britain, Spain France and Spain. Just a few years later, Vespas then began to be manufactured in India and Indonesia.

The Vespa has had a notable social impact on the Italian lifestyle, resulting with Italy being named 'Vespa Country', and the vehicle appearing in many films, especially around the time of the 'Dolce Vita' period.

Vespa scooters have been around for decades and yet there's something about them that still exudes style and elegance (which are words you wouldn't normally associate with a motorised scooter!) First built in the 1940's the Vespa scooter was designed as an alternative to the motorbike. With it's machinery and oily components hidden away by the rear engine casing it allowed a person to be able to ride a motorised bike without having to worry about oil stains on their clothing. Vespa scooters were first produced in Italy where style and elegance are qualities that every Italian aspires to. Vespa embodied this Italian spirit achieving a balance between machine and elegance.

The image of tanned and suited Italians riding around on their Vespa scooters with their Rayban Wayfarer sunglasses was irresistibly cool. Never one to miss a trend, Hollywood soon cottoned onto the idea of the visual impact the Vespa scooter possessed and before too long the Vespa found itself on the silver screen. Featuring in movies such as La Dolce Vita, An American in Paris, The Conversation, American Graffiti, Quadrophenia and many more the Vespa scooter quickly became something of a mechanical superstar. Perhaps the greatest endorsement Vespa can take is that many of the world's top celebrities have chosen to own a Vespa scooter in their PRIVATE life.

Celebrities such as Jay Kay (Jamiroquai), Gwyneth Paltrow, Stella McCartney, Anthony Quinn, Henry Fonda, Steven Spielberg, Robert De Niro, Sarah Jessica Parker have all owned Vespa scooters. Mickey Rourke was even arrested on his Vespa for drink driving! Vespa scooters have become more and more popular in recent years due to the current trend for retro fashion but also scooters in general have become more popular due to their green credentials. Running costs for a scooter are a fraction of that of a motor car and in today's climate of high oil prices then it's never been a better time to buy a Vespa scooter.

My name is Mark and I run a website called http://www.scooterstoreuk.com which is a website devoted to Vespa scooters If you're looking to buy a Vespa then please take a quick look at the website for more detailed information on the Vespa story and to browse through all the Vespa scooters we have on sale.

Ducati Diavel pronunciation derived from the word 'Devil' or a devil when using dialect Bolognese (a region in Italy). So they say the word 'Diavolo' or 'Diablo'.

Prices and Specifications Ducati Diavel 2011Ducati Diavel 2011 sportbike and powertrain combines lightweight construction with a layout like a cruiser. Carbon Models have the price £ 7 cheaper, and has a lightweight carbon fiber trim.

Features Diavel Ducati 2011:

* Engine 1198 cc Testastretta V-twin that produces 162 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque
* ABS, Ducati Traction Control with three modes.
* six-speed transmission.
* Seat height 30.3 inches, 28 degrees, and as thick as 240mm rear tire
* Weight 207 pounds
* With the price of 456 pounds of carbon model, and £ 463 standard padamodel

It is expected that all five models of Brammo Customers can choose from four new colors--Eclipsed Black, Peacekeeping Blue, True Blood Red, and Aluminium Silver. When we started the Enertia development, I never would have believed such a huge leap in range was possible in such a short period of time." The Enertia Plus feature a number of enhancements over the earlier Enertia, including simplified charging, improved maneuverability, plus the option to add a center kickstand and rigid Givi motorycycle side bags. At just a $1000 price difference compared to the standard Enertia, we are offering a truly practical EV motorcycle with unprecedented consumer value." According to Brian Wismann, Director of Motorcycle Development, "It's truly been an amazing experience to watch the Enertia's capabilities as a motorcycle grow in step with the latest developments in EV technology." "As with every Brammo product, the Enertia Plus represents the best of what we know. "Taking full advantage of the Brammo Power technology revealed initially in the Empulse, we are now able to offer consumers twice the range in our Enertia platform.

"I am delighted to announce the highly anticipated next member to our Enertia product line, the Enertia Plus," Craig Bramscher, Founder and CEO of Brammo electric motorcycles said. 6.0 kWh Lithium-Ion batteries power the $8995 Enertia Plus electric motorcyle, which weighs a claimed 324 pounds. For 2011, Brammo has introduced the Enertia Plus, which has a claimed range of 80 miles on a single charge. A continuing concern for those contemplating buying an electric motorcycle is the range of the bike.

The 2011 Benelli motorcycle line-up presents a number of stunning color schemes, including a TNT R160 (in red with either a white or red frame), a TRE 899 K (in white), the TRE 1130 K (gray Both motorcycles pay homage to the racing legend of Pasolini in a modern interpretation via a Centenary Green paint scheme. First and foremost, to commemorate Benelli's centenary, are two models that possess a significant relevance for the company; the TNT 899 Century racer and the TNT 1130 Century Racer (both available March 2011). The primary tact for the company is the introduction of a full slate of new motorcycles as well as updated classics that earned the company its status. Benelli, through a major reorganization of the company, is making a noble gambit to reinstate itself with the motorcycling public, intent on reclaiming its position as a designer of exceptional, performance-driven motorcycles.

In 2011 the Italian motorcycle company (founded by five brothers in 1911) celebrates 100 years of producing motorcycles. One motorcycle brand that fits the criteria of possessing a rich heritage that never translated into mega stardom and industry is Benelli. Maybe it's a matter of sentimentality, maybe it's the inherent exclusivity they afford by being built in smaller numbers. I still retain a certain admiration for the smaller, less popular motorcycle manufacturers.

When I was racing motocross in the 70s I leaned toward the underdog brands like Bultaco and CZ (after their heyday that is). not sure why, but I've always been a fan of less known and more exotic motorcycle brands.

The 2011 Cagiva Raptor 125 motorcycle is intended for the youth market, with a focus on attracting new sport riders with a functionality wrapped up in uncompromising good looks for a discerning and style conscious teen and young adult market. Inverted, gold anodized forks, alloy spoke wheels, a low slung exhaust pipe and large disc brakes provide a solid platform for this 125cc upright standard. The 125cc motorcycle is fitted with a malfunction injection warning light that immediately signals any problems with the fuel pump, carburetor or ECU.

Cagiva imbues the Raptor with a sportbike chassis and suspension components that are coupled with feathery lightweight to deliver a good handling, small bore sportbike that performs at the head of the class. As an Italian motorcycle the Raptor has very stylish lines that have been craftily pared back into a minimalistic naked sportbike. The result is a quality manufactured mount that doesn't disappoint in either performance or appearance departments. The Raptor has the polished craftsmanship and attention to detail we've come to expect from Cagiva in their larger displacement bikess.

The 2011 Cagiva Raptor 125 sportbike is another one of those sleek, street legal motorcycles available to the European youth market (no wonder Spain has produce all three 2010 MotoGP Champions).

The new middleweight by MV follows the The styling is pure MV Agusta, as with its big brother the F4, but the F3 is even more unique. Also, the MV Traction Control (TC) has been incorporated into the engine control system raising the dynamic control to a new level on the 2011 F3 motorcycle. For the first time on an MV (and in the middleweight supersport category) there is ride-by-wire with multi-maps that optimize the power output in all sportbike riding conditions. Another is an advanced electronic engine control system designed specifically for this extraordinary three cylinder motorcycle.

One of the numerous technical features is the counter-rotating crankshaft, never before seen on a production supersport engine. MV Agusta claims that the F3 engine is the more compact, shortest and narrowest when compared with the competition, and capable of generating the most power in this category. This iconic MV F3 engine has now returned in the form of a middle-weight supersport with performance and technical standards based on the demands of Claudio Castiglioni who is convinced that this is the ideal architecture for the 600cc segment. With this layout MV raced and won an unprecedented number of races and world championship titles. The F3 engine, an inline 675cc three cylinder (similar to the Triumph 675 triple launched in 2006), plays homage to the most victorious motorcycle brand in the word.

Light weight, power and electronics working in harmony on a new F3 motorcycle that claims to push the class to the extreme. The MV F3 was a completely new project created by CRC, the research center that has continually designed and developed the motorcycles of dreams. The new 2011 MV Agusta F3 has applied the brand's legacy principles to another motorcycle segment, the 600 supersport category. A motorcycle work of art is arriving that is synonymous with excellence, style and technology.