In 2021, Italian scooter manufacturer Piaggio introduced the 1, a scooter designed specifically for urban commuting. It gained popularity in the European market for its simple yet stylish design. Now, for the 2023 model year, Piaggio has made several updates to enhance its performance and features. Let’s explore the changes.
The Piaggio 1 for 2023 now offers improved performance, thanks to enhancements in its motor internals. These improvements result in increased power and torque, allowing for quicker acceleration and easy maneuverability on steep slopes.
The latest version of the Piaggio 1 electric scooter delivers 2.2 kilowatts (about three horsepower) of power, equivalent to a 50cc moped. This represents a significant power boost compared to its predecessor, with a claimed 14-percent acceleration improvement, particularly beneficial in stop-and-go traffic. Additionally, the Piaggio 1 features a removable battery conveniently located beneath the saddle for convenient charging on and off the bike.
For 2023, the Piaggio 1 retains its sleek and compact design, offering stability and durability with its solid frame. Its sophisticated urban appearance is complemented by useful amenities such as a keyless start system, LED lighting, and a spacious under-seat storage compartment capable of accommodating a jet helmet. The scooter also incorporates a full-color display for an enhanced user experience.
The Piaggio 1 is available in various elegant color combinations. Those seeking a discreet yet trendy look can choose from Forever Gray, Forever White, and Forever Black. Alternatively, bolder options include Sunshine Mix, Arctic Mix, and the new Flame Mix, all featuring attractive two-tone finishes. With a price tag of 2,899 Euros (approximately $3,171), the Piaggio 1 offers an affordable way to navigate the city streets in style.
These upgrades to the Piaggio 1 demonstrate the continual improvement of electric scooters. Electric scooters are increasingly replacing traditional internal-combustion models as a popular commuting alternative in Europe and Asia. Their affordability and government incentives promoting sustainability contribute to their growing popularity. While the adoption of electric scooters in the U.S. may be slower compared to other regions, it is evident that they have a place in urban areas where sustainability and emissions reduction are prioritized.
BMW has unveiled a new exhibition called “The Electric AI Canvas” at the Art Basel event. This exhibition is an extension of “The Ultimate AI Masterpiece” and is notable for being the first time a virtual artwork has been transformed into a physical art experience. The main feature of the exhibition is the BMW i5, which serves as a dynamic canvas for generative art. It showcases works by contemporary artists and will run until June 18, 2023.
BMW collaborated with Nathan Shipley from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, and Gary Yeh from ArtDrunk to develop custom AI-generated animations for this project. These animations were created using AI models trained on a curated dataset of works by contemporary artists. The models were initially trained using over 50,000 images spanning 900 years of art history. The AI then generates new abstract animations influenced by classical and contemporary art styles, which are projected onto the BMW i5.
The chopper is the ultimate biker’s bike. It’s a lean, aggressive, throttle-hungry machine. The very visual of a chopper is synonymous with motorcycle culture itself. They are especially the centerpieces of hit TV shows like Orange County Choppers and West Coast Choppers, because they symbolize the sheer badassery of how it feels to ride one of these babies down the highway and to a big rally like Sturgis. But if choppers have played such an important role in the popularity of motorcycle culture, why don’t we see them as much anymore? Back in the 1960s and 1970s, they were the object of every rider’s desire. In those days, choppers were actual Frankenstein monsters that put great emphasis on craftsmanship, creativity, and style.
The original Harley-Davidson chopper was heavily modified by riders from its original stock production through the removal of its bulky fenders and replacing them with lighter, slimmer accessories. The bike’s steering angle, fuel tanks, frame geometry, and forks would be targets of change. But probably the most obvious feature on a chopper would be the lengthened rake, extending the front wheel far past its stock settings. Sure, it definitely made handling the bike much more difficult. But the main point was that it looked cool. From there, functionality was an afterthought. If anything, the point of building a chopper was to push it to the absolute extremes. However, the hype and fan fare surrounding the chopper fizzled out, and other motorcycles took its place at center stage. But does that mean that this aggressive-looking cruiser is gone for good? Not quite.
Still shot of a Harley-Davidson Captain America Chopper
While there was a big chopper boom in the 60s and 70s, the scene did seem to burn itself out after a while. Literally and figuratively. Over time, many choppers would either be wrecked or stripped for parts by builders working with a tight budget. Tastes in motorcycles had also changed, as more effective disc brakes and swingarm frames served to be more realistic and comfortable to bikers that were getting up there in age. When American builders put their first chopper together, they were in their 20s and 30s. But by the time they reached their 40s and 50s, choppers were no longer their primary choice of bike. However, Europe was operating on a different time.
Chopper culture eventually made its way over to Europe, and in Sweden in particular where many motorcycle enthusiasts fell in love with the low-profile motorcycle with long forks that screamed “all-American.” However, due to Sweden not having much access to US Army flatheads to swipe the forks off of, many builders resorted to using the long fork tubes found on hydraulic forks to serve as the extra-long rake to their makeshift choppers. By the 90s and 2000s, Swedish chopper style made its way back to America were the next-generation of builders were inspired to create a more modern “Pro Street” chopper that many hungry buyers were willing to pay up big time for these wild-looking motorcycles. If you think about it, choppers were a lot more like rock music. There was a time when it was absolutely huge, but then tastes changed and other genres took center-stage. However, it spent its time out of the spotlight evolving and refining its craft to become something even more spectacular.
Can Modern Choppers Carry The Torch?
Harley-Davidson
The official 2023 Harley-Davidson Breakout
In an age when many motorcycle brands look to the past in order to pave the way to the future, factory-made choppers are a considerably hot ticket item. With models like the Harley-Davidson Breakout and the Honda Fury, these are the bikes that take the eye-catching flashiness that choppers are known for, and merge them with modern-day riding technology, comfort, and performance upgrades. That means bigger engines, better handling, greater fuel capacity, better suspension, and a much smoother ride than its predecessors. While the chopper style isn’t as popular as it once was, it is definitely the right style for the right person. With that being said, this also means that this niche market for new Breakouts and Furys are extremely competitive. With the entire automotive industry plagued by high-demand and low-supply of new inventory, putting a deposit down for a new bike is the only way to guarantee it in your driveway.
But what about modern-day custom choppers? Major brands like Harley and Honda producing their own versions of the chopper is fine and dandy, but what about shops that carry on the tradition of craftsmanship and creativity that the motorcycle was known for? There are many shops throughout the U.S. that carry on the tradition of building choppers, and they can fetch quite a high price tag. For most enthusiasts, a custom chopper is just a really cool toy to have. A novelty item if you will. It can be that one bike you’ll bust out on special occasions, when the weather’s perfect, when you’re on your way to a big rally, or something to help promote your business. They turn heads and grab everyone’s attention, so this could be one of the reasons why this style of motorcycle continues to live on. While both custom and factory-made choppers still exist, they probably won’t be able to reach the same peak of popularity they once had. Mainly due to the fact that there are so many other options out on the market today.
Should I Get A Chopper?
If a chopper is the kind of motorcycle that you just can’t seem to get out of your head, you should ask yourself if this is the kind of bike you could see yourself riding? Given that most choppers come with a big learning curve, these would not be recommended for a new rider. That giant rear tire, plus that skinny front tire and long rake equals some very tricky turns that many intermediate-level riders would have a rough time learning. If there’s one thing that these kinds of bikes do well, it’s running in a straight line on the highway. If you’re the kind of rider that likes to do lots of hairpin turns and ride on the Tail of the Dragon, this is 100% not the bike for you. But if you are more of the laid-back cruising-type of rider that likes to take it easy, then you may find yourself enjoying a chopper more often. While choppers are traditionally low-profile, elongated, and are more built for looking flashy, these days there are loads of riding technology, suspension systems, and seating options that make these bikes much more comfortable in the long-run.
Basically, a chopper is not the kind of bike for a wallflower. If you are not a fan of being the center of attention and would very much prefer to blend in with the rest of the crowd, then a chopper wouldn’t be your style. Choppers are made to grab everyone’s attention and to take selfies in front of. Usually at any motorcycle rally, touring bikes reign supreme, followed by sportsters and high-performance cruisers. But if you show up riding a chopper, the last thing you are going to do is blend in. Everyone is going to want to stop by and appreciate your bike for its uniqueness. So you better be prepared to answer lots of questions from some very excited enthusiasts!
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
