Tomorrow I’m slated to test ride the new Honda Elite scooter during its American press launch in Los Angeles. The Elite model name has been in the worldwide Honda roster for a while, but re-enters the US marketplace as a 2010 model - a 100cc scooter bridging the gap between the 50cc Honda Ruckus and the SH150i (also new for 2010). Unlike most press launches, which feature a tech briefing and planned/organized test ride as a group, the Elite launch will be different. Honda has set up a poker run at key places in the Hollywood/Santa Monica area. The winner of the poker run scores an Elite for their respective publication.

On top of a new scooter in the pot, each journalist will be given a disposable camera to take shots of the Elite throughout town – the most creative shots earning the editor extra credit. So, a handful of motojournalists buzzing around Hollywood in a chaotic chase for poker cards and impromptu photo ops… Sounds like fun to me!

Keep checking back at Motorcycle USA to see how our luck turns out, as well as our first ride impressions of the Honda Elite scooter.