More glide for your ride

VESPIARIO (THAILAND), the authorised importer of Vespas from Italy, runs the quaintly named shop Bum Shaker, but you can get more than just scooters there. It’s a great place to accessorise your ride – and yourself.

The six-month-old store in the A Square mall is all industrial chic and offers everything from vintage-style canvas totes and caps, helmets, bags and luggage to leather gloves, handlebar grips, windshields, security locks and chrome trim. 

“There’re a certain die-hard fan of the Vespa, but the trend in vintage-style scooters is evident today,” says sales manager Tidarat Vorarinkul. “Sales of Vespas increased from 30 to 40 per cent this year over last year, so you can see the potential in the market for a ‘lifestyle shop’ with all the accessories.”

Vespa bikes have been popular in Thailand for a long time. Everyone seems to have a story about riders typically wearing simple cloth 

 head-wraps rather than safety helmets, or about the incredible amount of stuff you can load on the back of the tiny machines. 

Of course the Vespa of the modern age is a cool, premium scooter, with prices ranging from Bt90,000 to Bt300,000.

“We have our own brand, Scoot Design, featuring helmets, caps and tote bags, while 70 per cent of the products are imported from Italy,” says Tidarat. “We’re also the sole distributors of the Italian brands FA Italia and Faco. They make parts and accessories like aluminium wheel rims and front and back carriers, which come with warranties and after-sale service.”

The best-selling item is the Scoot Design open face helmet in five different designs, priced from Bt1,190 to Bt1,390. The colourful Lollipop model will appeal to the younger crowd, but fans of vintage will opt for the darker Boran Boran or Autobahn. The Vintage Racer model glitters and the Burano is a playful two-tone version.

“Adding a touch of ‘Thainess’, the chin strap is made with soft pha khao ma,” Tidarat 

 says, pointing out the chequered cloth. “And every helmet comes in a cloth bag with a pha khao ma drawstring.”

Scoot Design also has a flat cap you might even like to wear to work and a canvas tote bag with adjustable straps for storing your helmet and other belongings. 

You can jazz up that helmet too with a choice of leather visors, or combine function and style with vintage-style goggles that’ll keep the bugs out of your eyes when riding fast. A full range of security locks from French brand Auvray affords perfect protection for scooters and bicycles. 

 

SHAKE ON DOWN

Bum Shaker is in the A Square Mall on Sukhumvit Soi 26. 

It’s open daily from 10am to 7pm. 

Call (02) 023 6901 or search for “BumShaker” on Facebook.