Tags
Moto Models, Motorini, Motos, Scooter Models, Scooters, Vespas
What do the following have in common:
Zip, Vitality, Looxor, Phantom, Liberty, Vivacity, Flipper,
Joy-max, Movie, Majesty, Foresight, Pantheon, Heroism,
Cinderella, Sportcity, Duke, Typhoon, Cygnus, Atlantic,
Skyliner, Steed, Forza, Xciting, @, Nikita, Elkon, Password,
Joyride, Phantom, People, Hornet, Runner, Beverly, Agility,
Byte, Skipper, Fiddle, Carnaby, Naked, Squab, Stalker, Booster
↓
↓
↓
↓
↓
↓
↓
If you haven’t already guessed, here are some more:
Burgman, Dink, Silver Wing, Geopolis
↓
↓
↓
↓
↓
↓
↓
Still guessing? Here are the giveaways:
Spasso, Scarabeo, Il Mio, Vivio, Vespa
That’s right! They are ALL names of various models of motorini (scooters). If you doubt me, take a look at the logos of all of these over on the right in Moto Models under Photographs. (Proof, if you needed it, that I have far too much time on my hands.)
We’ve always been entertained by the Italian fascination with English words. A few years ago tee-shirts with nonsense English were all the rage; you still see quite a few. They say things that make no sense, like “Princess University – at Top Scale.” Huh? When I’ve translated for the wearers of such shirts, they are always amazed for a moment, then just shrug.
I digress. Back to the Motos (about which there will be more posts – stay tuned). I took pictures of every name I found (not counting letter-number combos, like X-150), and as you can see, they are
Photo by Alfredo J. Martiz J.
predominately English. My favorite has always been Dink because it sounds so silly, and because of Stoker-Dink, cat extraordinaire. Who would want to drive a ‘Dink’ when he could have a ‘Steed?’ Lots of people, it turns out.
What I wonder is this: are the names regional? I’ve seen few Burgmans here in Rapallo, but zillions in Genova – here we seem to favor People, Dink and, of course, Vespa, the classic, classy and ubiquitous Piaggio model. (Vespa so quintessentially says ‘motorscooter’ that it has become the generic name for a mo
to. Even people who drive Dinks will say, “Now where did I park my Vespa.”) Those of you who live in other parts of Italy, do you see other names on the scooters? How about in the States? Elsewhere?
An Ex-Expatriate 
Well, there’s a bit of that here, as well (both Harleys and fancy bikes) but for good old gettin’ around, it’s your ‘vespa.’ After all, you’d look pretty silly on your Harley with a lot of plastic grocery bags peeking out of the fringed saddle bags!
In my neck of the Vermont woods, I think people would rather die than be caught riding a Vespa or like vehicle. It’s either a Harley or a high-end bicycle here, depending on your demographic…and each has a definite attitude riding with it.
You’re right Cathy – no complaints from the motos.
Sherri, I can’t believe that Japanese shirt – how I wish I could see it! I read somewhere that the r-l confusion has something to do with the Japanese method of learning English. Surfer Dud is pretty descriptive of a lot of surfers, though, don’t you think??
I was amused by the Tee shirt slogan reference. I’ve noticed it in many countries, not just Italy. I brought a shirt back from Japan which read:
“Mt. Evelest Lock Crimbing Crub” that I treasured until losing it during a move …….
Whe I was with my sons in France, we wanted to buy some French sportswear for them. It all read “Surfer Dud” or had American university names on it.
NB: the “dud” spelling is not my typo, that’s what it said. Certain they were trying for “Surfer Dude” but just missed the mark.
This goes for Mexico as well, so Italy isn’t singled out.
That is really hilarious, delightful. Love the photos. And, unlike Italian women in shops, the moto’s probably didn’t put up a fuss being photographed.