I had one that I bought with 120,000 miles on the clock. When I parked it, it had almost 190k, still ran and drove. If I hadn’t neglected it so much, it probably would have kept going until 300k. 😀

Repairs were CHEAP and infrequent. The thing pulled like a warhorse eager to crush skulls, as well. If I ever buy another cage, it’ll be a century.

eldercattus: I would like to get down to one four-wheeled vehicle. We could probably do it now but since they are both paid for we’ll probably keep them.

Paul: Done. How can I refuse the man who set me on the Vespa path? Shall I wax your car this weekend??

combatscoot: If you live in a temperate climate I think the chances of full-time two-wheeled life is more realistic. Or if you don’t have a lot of kids to transport.

lucky: I’ve seen pictures of Vespa’s with those big aluminum panniers and it looks as if you could travel the world with all you need.

hrw115: I’m definitely getting the tree with the scooter this year. Nothing over 8 feet though.

eldercattus: Pulling a P200 with a Canondale? That’s an image. You must have been a seriously committed cyclist.

jolly: Glad to know that the blog is helping to push you towards something you want to do. I know how important it has been to me to find motivation out in the world to do the things I know I want to do but don’t.

Daniel: Riding on two-wheels is a great feeling! The Vespa has a definite aura of its own that I’ve found exquisite. And as you point out riding puts you in touch with things that were previously deemed ordinary or old. It definitely connects you with the world and I’ve found the community of riders to generally be warm and friendly. Glad you found Scooter in the Sticks to sound out or share ideas.

Gary: I had the same problem with my Ranger. Not enough driving had it sort of get rusty and creaky. I try and drive it a bit more often now, or at least make sure I am doing more than running two miles up the road for a bottle of milk so that I let the thing heat up. Where you are I can’t imagine not having a four-wheeled vehicle to cope with the winter.

steve

I have my S10 pickup, and she has a Bug, both of which are now paid for. I let that truck sit for over a year when I did The Baron in Winter, and that was a huge mistake. The brakes rusted up and other systems deteriorated.

All that is fixed now, and Amy alternates between the two vehicles for her commute when I am scooting to work. But this is still more upkeep and insurance than I like to be responsible for.

We will keep looking for ways to simplify our lives, but it isn’t always easy.

Ride well,
=gc=

Now, less obvious reasons why I love my girl, Isabella. For starters she fits my personality, i looked at a number of different scooters, but for me the Vespa was the only one that would do. Oh the history, the styling the beauty of it all just couldn’t be denied any longer, and one saturday afternoon it happened Isabella and i were together at last. Since finding her, I have found a new appreciation for my area. I have lived in the palm springs area for roughly 18 years now and, honestly, it’s been getting kinda old to me, but not anymore. I feel a new connection to my home because now going from one place to another is not just commuting through space and time but experiencing the world while doing it. The air rushing on your skin and all around me; the smells that come from changing seasons and the feeling that one can only get from riding that you are a part of this world not just a visitor. I love it, I love my Vespa, Isabella. I should have gotten rid of my truck sooner and done this, things would have been a lot easier for me if I had.

In addition to all that, i now have a new-found sense of community of riders of both motorcycles and scooters. In two months I have been approached numerous times by members of both groups to simply chat about the joys of riding and many times about the joys of the season (being winter, as I write this). Anywho, i didn’t originally intend to make this such a long post, it just happened, I suppose, but, now approaching the end of this jumble of thoughts, I want to say I am so very glad that I stumbled across this blog tonight, that I might have a place to chat with others who know what I know and feel what I feel about their scooters and their travels.

Happy and Safe and Peaceful Holidays to all, and most importantly happy and safe riding.

Daniel from palm springs, ca

I use the car when I need to carry more than I can reasonably handle on my bike. Otherwise, I ride.

Perhaps I should fit a couple of those huge, world-tour-style aluminum panniers to the speed four…