California Scooter Company To Attempt Scooter Land Speed Record

California Scooter Company will attempt to set the 150cc land speed record on 21 November under the auspices of the Motor Scooter International Land Speed Federation. Sylvain Binau, 22, will pilot California Scooter’s land speed record bike.

California Scooter Company is building a special motorcycle to set the world’s first 150cc land speed record.  The land speed record attempt will take place under the auspices of the Motor Scooter International Land Speed Federation (MILSF), the organizing body for motor-scooter-based competition. Sylvain Binau, 22, will pilot California Scooter’s land speed record bike. California Scooter Company motorcycles take their styling cues from the Mustang motorcycle, which was manufactured in Glendale, California, from 1947 to 1962.

The California Scooter land speed record motorcycle will use a custom frame and a modified version of the company’s standard 150cc single-cylinder 4-stroke engine.  Additional custom touches include numerous streamlining features, custom paint, significant weight reduction from the bike’s already low 240-lb weight, and a modified rider position to reduce aerodynamic drag.  The record attempt will occur in southern California on 21 November 2010 as part of a series of speed trials organized by MILSF (Motor Scooter International Land Speed Federation.)

“We entered this event to boost the public’s awareness of small displacement motorcycle capabilities,” said Steve Seidner, President and CEO of California Scooter Company.  “We think these bikes are the wave of the future, and we like doing things with them that people might think a 150cc bike couldn’t do. ]Our bikes get 98 miles per gallon, and we’d like to see the land speed record bike hit at least 98 miles per hour.”

California Scooter Company, based in La Verne, California, manufactures 150cc, street- legal, 50-state compliant motorcycles. California Scooter Company started delivering production motorcycles on a national basis in February 2010, and is in the process of certifying its bikes in Europe, Canada, and Australia.

16 Responses to “California Scooter Company To Attempt Scooter Land Speed Record”


  1. 1 rebel Nov 9th, 2010 at 8:51 am

    yawn…………

  2. 2 Kirk Perry Nov 9th, 2010 at 11:16 am

    Smart move. Mock everything on two wheels by duplication (at a lower speed). Mustang should pop-up everywhere like Forest Gump.

    If you should topple in your attempt, hold on to the handlebars and ride it to the ground.

  3. 3 cwglide Nov 9th, 2010 at 12:44 pm

    Is that a thunder header i see on that scoot? Why not land speed record in that class, go for it Steve. But this looks like a little motorcycle. Question; What defines a scooter from a motorcycle? To be classified as a scooter are the wheels tiny, and the displacement not over like 100cc?

  4. 4 Big Nov 9th, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    98 mph? That’s a joke, right?

  5. 5 golfish Nov 9th, 2010 at 5:47 pm

    I thought that in Calif a scooter was under 150cc

  6. 6 Geez... Nov 9th, 2010 at 5:47 pm

    Don’t think so. Why?

  7. 7 Grayhawk Nov 9th, 2010 at 5:55 pm

    Some say a scooter is a step thru so is the mustang replica to compete under the right auspices?

  8. 8 Joe Nov 9th, 2010 at 6:38 pm

    Guys:

    Joe Berk here from the California Scooter Company. Thanks for the comments. We always appreciate the feedback, both positive and negative.

    Rebel, we get it. Different strokes for different folks. I have the same reaction when I see announcements about the latest chrome or billet license plate frame, lowering kit, or “ride to live” debris. To each his own.

    Kirk, we like your idea about Mustangs popping up everywhere. The stuff about hanging on and riding it into the ground, though…well, I’ve tried that, and I’ve got the scars and the limp to prove it. Our basic strategy in all our riding endeavors is to avoid toppling.

    CWGlide, the pipe is not a Thunder header. Our very own John Esposito (the finest master craftsman and engineer I’ve ever known) fabricated it in our shop, and it sounds awesome (a 150cc bike has no business sounding like this thing does!). As far was what constitutes a motorcycle and what constitutes a scooter, well, our observation is that if you ask 10 people you’ll get 14 or 15 different answers. Our bike is not a “twist-n-go” nor is it a stepthrough, but if you park it next to a Vespa you’ll see that it is exactly the same size, and it has small diameter wheels. There’s no displacement limitation to differentiate scooters from motorcycles (in fact, some scooters’ engines exceed 600cc), although in California if a bike is under 50cc, you don’t need a motorcycle license to take it on the street.

    Big, 98 mph is no joke. We don’t expect to hit it on our first run, but it is our target. Back in the late ‘50s or early ‘60s, Walt Fulton hit 100 mph on a Mustang (the bike ours takes its styling cues from). That bike had over 300cc (ours is only a 150cc), so there’s some stretch here. I’ve hit over 70 mph on my stock California Scooter (and it has a windshield), but I had a long stretch of road to get up there. In this event, we only have ½ mile to get up to speed, and ¼ mile to stop. And, we like the number 98 as a target. Our bikes get 98 mpg. We have a payment plan that gets you onto a California Scooter for $98 per month. My annual insurance premium on my California Scooter is $98. Hitting 98 mph would be cool.

    Golfish and Geez, see my comments above regarding engine size versus the definition of a scooter.

    Grayhawk, we are actually competing in the 150cc Hybrid class, which is designed for non-step through bikes with wheels under 14 inches in diameter.

    And everyone, please stop by to visit our factory and take a tour to see how we manufacture these bikes the next time you are in La Verne, California. My standard offer applies…if you can ride one around the factory without smiling, lunch is on me.

  9. 9 Kirk Perry Nov 10th, 2010 at 11:11 am

    “And, we like the number 98 as a target. Our bikes get 98 mpg. We have a payment plan that gets you onto a California Scooter for $98 per month. My annual insurance premium on my California Scooter is $98. Hitting 98 mph would be cool.”
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    I like it. 98 mph it is then.

    I’ve since cast some horrifying images of a “ute” (youth) still hanging on the the handlebars while sliding on the salt flats dragging his boots, trying to slow down. That’s not the right thing to do in this situation.
    Probably, sliding on leathers alone is the best thing, and then when you feel like you’ve slowed down to 40 mph, just get up and start running.

  10. 10 jatinder pal Nov 10th, 2010 at 11:27 am

    Small is big thing of future.

  11. 11 just my opinion Nov 10th, 2010 at 3:10 pm

    you guys should give credit where credit is due. These guys probably don’t care about a speed record but they do have all of us talking about their little bike and I am sure that is the real motive.
    Good job promoting.

  12. 12 live2rideaglide Nov 11th, 2010 at 4:41 pm

    Who cares how mant cc’s , just race it . God put a bone in us humans that makes us want to go faster on no matter what. If it rolls , flys, scoots across the water gos uphill or down , in a circle or straight, race it. I love speed records, they are the ultimate one upmanship. Mine is faster than yours. You guys go for it. Landspeedglide.

  13. 13 Joe Nov 11th, 2010 at 8:22 pm

    Amen, brother!

  14. 14 Dennis J Nov 12th, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    Well said live2rideaglide. Well said.

  15. 15 Bean're Nov 15th, 2010 at 10:10 pm

    Joe, your comments make sense. I will be watching and good luck. It sounds fun. Also, you must be in marketing. I’m practically ready to buy one myself.

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