Reply #16: I forgot about Cushman. So did the rest of America.

[tomreedtoon]

Compare one of those "Yogi Bear" scooters with what Honda or Yamaha are selling. Even the under-50CC engine jobs, that can't go more than about 35 MPH. About the only thing killing them as decent transportation for seniors and low-income people is an inability to carry more than one bag of groceries.

This is my criticism of the American automobile industry as well. Lack of imagination, lack of courage, and an inability to understand their customers.

By the way, about the rope starters: I recall an old 60 Minutes episode where a British cycle seller pointed out why Japanese cycles were selling better than their domestic product. All the British cycles he had required kick-starting, which he had to do several times. The Japanese had a quick, simple electric starter.