Loud Pipes

My Vespa is in the shop for a rear tire change. I noticed the past couple days the tire pressure would drop about 12 PSI through the day. On the morning departure the rear tire would show 34 PSI on the gauge. Checking again at the end of the day would show 22 PSI. Could not find any obvious punctures, screws, or nails but the air was going somewhere. The tire was ready for replacement anyways so I’ll feel better about riding on a new one.

But getting to loud pipes…

I didn’t have a way home from the Vespa dealer (Kissell Motorsports) so I asked if they had a loaner scooter. I was joking but Cody Kissell said “Sure.” I left with a 2006 Vespa LX150, same color, 19 miles, AND an aftermarket Scorpian exhaust system. It’s their dealership’s Vespa demo scooter. Kissell’s is a great place and has lots of Vespas in the showroom. I feel fortunate to have them so close.

As soon as the demo scooter kicks over you know something is different. It has a low rumble that seemed to recall the sound of the little Sunbeam Alpine sports car down the street where I grew up. Nice sound. But man, once you give it some gas it is loud.

I rode two blocks and stopped to check my earplugs because it was so loud—almost uncomfortable. I felt embarassed riding through the residential neighborhoods. I came upon one of the municipal work crews standing by their truck and as I approached they all turned and watched. They started laughing as I got nearer, I’m sure a reaction to my macho posturing with this Scorpian exhaust. If you want to be loud and obnoxious just get a big V-Twin.

To be fair I thought I should pay attention to performance. Since the scooter only had 19 miles on it I did not ride it over 40 MPH. I did not notice any difference in acceleration or power, only the incessant roar in my head from the exhaust noise piercing my -32dB foam earplugs. I realized that I really enjoy, no expect, the quiet serene sound while riding. So for a few minutes I had joined the “look at me, look at me, look at me” club.

A quick check of the Scorpian website revealed this:

“All the people involved in the design, development and manufacturer of Scorpion products are passionate racers. Because of this we know what you, The customer, expects.
GREAT QUALITY
GREAT SOUND
GREAT POWER”

Sound is obviously important to lots of people. Some like it loud, some like it quiet. Count me in the quiet column.

I’m waiting for the call that my new tire is on and I’ll ride the Vespa Hog back through town. Children will cry, men and women will shrink away, I shall ride in magnificent glory. I suppose that’s how it should be but I know I’ll just feel embarrassed.