Scooterworks' Vespa Stereo System with iPod dock

We're pretty sure that this won't work with the Engadget Harley, and it's certainly not as cool as the Vespa Puter, but for our more refined European audience we present the mobile Stereo System with iPod dock by Scooterworks. The system is actually a do-it-yourself kit for Vespa Stella and P-series models that includes an amp, two 4-inch Alpine speakers, replacement glovebox door with pre-cut holes, and a cradle/connector for hooking up your 'pod or other DAP. We're pretty sure that you could piece together your own scooter-mounted stereo for less than the $300 that this costs, but if you're really trying to save some loot, the not-recommended-by-us, cruising-around-with-headphones-on method still can't be beat.

[Via vespazine, thanks Jon]

[Electric Scooters | Mobility Scooters | Power Chairs @ Apr 20th 2008 1:34PM]

Thanks for sharing this information!

I believe that scooters are one answer to the growing problem of pollution and global warming! They are perfect for commuting within a city, or for any short trip.

I also have a website about scooters that you may wish to check out. Feel free to visit at: http://www.electricscooteroutlet.com

Thanks again!

[bilete de avion @ Apr 20th 2006 5:00PM]

for me is ok, I have only good words for that. Nice ideea

[Ep Sato @ Jun 10th 2006 1:58AM]

For $300, I can install a system that includes a 300W amp, includes two 300W 3" German speakers, includes it's own 12v battery,charger, an on/off switch on the top of the glovebox, adapter for all mp3players (anything with a headphone jack) and comes WITH a complete glovebox (new), and mounting hardware, with everything pre-drilled and ready to go and less than an hour to install on any P series or stella.

For the record, you can build a system like this on your own for very little money if you are willing to drill holes into your own glovebox. That same system Scooterworks sells can be assembled for about $150, sans glovebox. I love them cats and appreciate everything they do for the scooter scene, but $300 seems stiff for what that system actually includes.

[automobil @ Aug 14th 2006 4:24AM]

You're right Ep Sato, but if you don't have a affinity for technique than $300 it isn't so much.

[Ep Sato @ Nov 1st 2006 12:39PM]

Okay, to prove it could be done, I've made (IMHO)even better scooter stereos, and a kit. Both are less than $300.

Compare: 300 Watts vs. 50 watts. Mine doesn't use your scoot's battery (both kits and stereos include battery and charger), uses cool switches like on/off & volume to make the system more weatherproof, and uses audiofile tools like dynamat and speaker baffles for clearer sound. I've tested these all summer on a PX 150 with a Sito and with the volume about 3/4 up, these can still be heard clear as day in 4th gear.

The complete system is plug and play. It's a new glovebox with the system installed. $300 for that includes shipping to anywhere in the US. My kits include more stuff and can be had for $200, including shipping.

Here's a photo of one of the custom stereos I've assembled. I have 5 available:
http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/2586/audiofonicsboxcg6.jpg

If interested, they are for sale on Ebay under seller name EP Sato. These systems are all hand assembled right here in Washington, DC.

[Buzz Scooter Stereo @ Dec 21st 2006 10:46AM]

You can get chrome Vespa PX and Stella scooter stereos at http://www.scooterstereo.com

[Torontoguy @ Jan 22nd 2006 4:51PM]

Don't you think we are getting to the point where yet another iPod exploitation no longer qualifies as a 'gadget'...just a way to ride on the coat tails of an ubiquitous but mediocre music player.

[Ivan Kirigin @ Jan 22nd 2006 4:52PM]

This is awesome!

I might get one unless someone here can comment on a good DIY tutorial site.

Yah know that electric vespas are easily available these days. Perfect for short-commuters & greenies.

[Cedric @ Jun 18th 2009 8:44AM]

Meh. Not hard to do yourself, and definetly not new. Very cool though.

[Bard @ Jan 22nd 2006 5:39PM]

Being a Stella owner myself, this is nifty! The nice part about this kit is that it uses the 12v onboard electrical system that can be a real pain in the ass to get more power from. Remember, LML of India (the guys who make the Stella and ship it to Genuine Scooter Company/Scooterworks) use the exact same schematic from the PX150 Vespa, wich doesn't have much more power to run any accessories except for the ignition and a bare light set.

Besides, any kit for a scoot is better than any F**king harley accessory for another rich yuppie. At least this way you can take you old school ska and English Soul on the road like a proper mod.

Jarrod Barger
Scarabs Scooter Club
Phoenix/Denver/Tucson/Prescott/Vegas

[Brian Flowers @ Jan 22nd 2006 6:15PM]

"Besides, any kit for a scoot is better than any F**king harley accessory for another rich yuppie."
...it's an iPod...only rich yuppies can afford them! Hell, I'm a rich yuppie and I couldn't afford one until I bought and fixed a broken one for $15...

[Ryan @ Jan 22nd 2006 6:19PM]

There is a good tutorial for doing this, here:

http://www.team-gazelle.com/Chetak_Tunes.pdf

[Bard @ Jan 22nd 2006 8:18PM]

"...it's an iPod...only rich yuppies can afford them! Hell, I'm a rich yuppie and I couldn't afford one until I bought and fixed a broken one for $15..."

Funny, mine cost me $80 at Fry's Electronics of Phoenix. Besides, any MP3 player will work. Sounds like someone is a bit jealous.

Besides, I would recomend a shuffle, nano, or other Flash-drive based player for this mod anyways, since ayone who's ridden a P-series can tell you it's no Caddliac ride...it's bumpy! That HD will burn out QUICK even with the Biturbo nitrogen-resovoir shock upgrade Genuine Scooters throw on their Stellas.

[Ben @ Jan 22nd 2006 9:52PM]

How load is the engine noise on vespas anyway?

[Ben @ Jan 22nd 2006 9:54PM]

loud*

[Bard @ Jan 22nd 2006 10:24PM]

Actually depends on the type of pipe you're running. They're not as loud as the poser $22k Harleys but they aren't exactly quiet either. A decent set of speakers w/a solid amp will work. Baultpunk (sp?) made a kit for the P-series scoots back in the 80's complete w/a tape deck (stylin!) so it's not a new idea.

Oh, and as for the "trendy" comment about motorscooters...sure, I'm SUCH a trendwhore with my 90mpg and my $100 a YEAR for full coverage insurance. There's a reason they sell over 1 million of these LML bikes and countless more Honda, Yamaha, BMW, Gilirea, Kymco and Derbi clones of the scooter. They're cheap, fun, and bulletproof.

Just because you see one or two fashionistas riding them in the US, try to consider that in the rest of the world, owning a car is impossible yet the average driver on planet Earth will be riding one of these.

[Chris @ Jan 23rd 2006 1:36AM]

BMW C1 ist still the Mac of all scooters :-)
Here's how to iPod your BMW (Scooter):
http://www.ipod-fun.de/content/view/481/27/

[Nick @ Jan 23rd 2006 6:43AM]

Surely would this not be called an iPed?

[Matthew @ Jan 23rd 2006 10:12AM]

"Torontoguy" and "Steve Jobs", if the iPod is "mediocre" or "the crappiest mp3 player" then what is good? I'm stumped.

[Russell Page @ Jan 23rd 2006 2:13PM]

PX150 and the Stella aren't identical. Close, but not identical.

Check out www.px150.com

For starters, the PX150 runs $4299 and the Stella's are $2899 and have more updated components. Whatever the case, I don't think you need this kit to iPod your scooter. You have to cut holes in the jockey box in order to install the speakers and the ipod holder just looks like some dash mount.

It looks like they threw together common components and attached a premium to it.

[Torontoguy @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:14PM]

Matthew asked what would make the iPod mediocre?
What bothered me was the reports of numerous flaws which indicated issues with build-quality: Defective batteries that could not be changed by the user; LCD screens that were easily scratched or simply broke under normal use; and, more importantly, problems with sound quality...tinny sound, weak bass response, inferior earbuds. I also know (from digital cameras) that micro harddrives are so extremely fragile that you cannot trust them for serious data storage...even if it is only music.
The next thing was that I couldn't see myself paying Apple 99 cents a track...I am more interested in live recording and the iPod is merely a 'pay and play' device with no adequate stereo microphone input for live recording. Live recording is free and bypasses ALL of the recording companies...I don't have to pay Apple or Sony or anybody a penny...
In short, the iPod has nothing to offer other than making a 'fashion statement'.

[KDC @ Jan 25th 2006 1:18AM]

"Torontoguy" - You have a classic case of "if it's popular it's got to suck". I'm on my third iPod. The first was the original 5GB, purchased the week it was released. I have never had a single problem with any of them. Considering the amount of compression in the digital files, the sound quality is excellent. The iPod is still the finest overall MP3 player out there. And to "Steve Jobs", I'm on my fourth Vespa in ten years. I'm a "trendwhore"? Tell it to the millions of people around the planet using scooters for reliable, affordable transport.

And now back to the topic; this scooter tunes rig is cool, but overpriced. Still, it is cool to see someone get it on the market.