Some time ago images circulated on the internet of the PiperMoto J1, a British-built scooter that appeared to break all known rules of scooter design. The images looked like AI, and together with most other motorcycle journalists I dismissed them as a publicity stunt. However, knowing that I’d have time to spare on this year’s trip down to Woolacombe, and my route would take me past the supposed headquarters of this revolutionary machine I dropped the designer an email and asked if there was any point in calling in. “Oh yes,” came the reply, and he wasn’t wrong…
Speed king
Before going any further with this story it’s necessary to introduce the man behind the J1, John Piper. Without understanding him, and his motivations, the J1 seems too radical to exist. There’s no shortage of people in the world of scooters with a background in engineering, but there are engineers and
