Other bike news in brief
Maxi savings on Vetrix scooter
The all-electric Vectrix scooter has had its price slashed by more than €3,000 thanks to "favourable market trends" according to Green Machines, the company responsible for importing the Vectrix. Now just €7,499, the Maxi's running costs remain laughably low - around €200 per year (excluding insurance). We tested the Vectrix last year and found it to be more than a match for brawny 400cc scooters like the Suzuki Burgman.
Derbi find retro inspiration
Spanish motorcycle manufacturer Derbi is going back to its roots with its recently unveiled concept, the DH 2.0. The Derbi name comes from "DERivados de BIcicletas" (Derived from Bicycles) and the new concept was inspired by downhill mountain bikes, with an aluminium frame that doubles as a fuel tank and a suspension derived from mountain bike technology. The bike is expected to go into production next year.
Dog forced into downsizing
Big Dog Motorcycles, the small American motorcycle manufacturer based in Wichita, has been forced to lay off 20 of its workers in a second round of redundancies. The company, which specialises in high-end cruisers and chopper-style motorcycles, is keen to avoid filing for bankruptcy. The recession has hit the motorcycle industry hard in the US, with sales down for the first time in 14 years.