A minor aside: This is my 300th post. Who would have known I would be writing about a Triumph.
After two weeks on the road with the Triumph America I had to give it back. During that time I was able to stretch my motorcycle legs and strengthen my scooter resolve. If something is going to pry me away from the Vespa GTS 250ie it isn’t the America.
Commuting and running errands on the Triumph was easy but I was missing some kind of locking storage, someplace to guard my potato chips, library book, or digital camera. I suspect some kind of luggage is available but I wonder what it would do to those classic lines.The big tires do a real nice job of smoothing out the road but it is almost cancelled out by the shake and rumble of the engine.
The most noticeable cost of those big tires though is the sacrifice in nimbleness on the road. The Vespa just feels much more responsive. Nimble. Quick. And much easier to stop. But each machine has their own strengths and weaknesses and what may be important to me would be a negative to someone else. Each rider needs to draw their own conclusions when it comes to selecting what they want to ride.
It was hot and windy when I headed for Altoona and I was surprised how badly the America was pushed around in a heavy crosswind. I assumed the size and weight would keep it in a straight line. At 55 mph I was afraid the road wasn’t wide enough to not suddenly be riding in a cornfield so I veered off onto a more dawdling route and enjoyed the trip a lot more.
I stopped a few times along the road to take some pictures and you really have to watch the Triumph in the gravel. A dirt bike it is not. The mass of the machine makes any use of the front brake a touchy enterprise. I can see why a lot of riders don’t like taking these things down the forest roads around here.
I retrieved the Vespa and headed straight home. It felt tiny and I recalled driving our 1970 VW Campmobile where you sat out over the front wheels with nothing in front of you. Same thing with the Vespa. Nothing out in front of you but air. You don’t see the front wheel.
Welcome back to the shiftless world. The quiet world, the darting, quick, and nimble world. One stop in an alfalfa field reminded me that I was home again with an agile little scooter.
As much as I wanted to get home I kept seeing places to stop to look around and take some pictures. Places I would ride past on the Triumph. So for me the Vespa remains the right ride. But if I have the chance to ride some other things I’ll take them. I’m open to the idea that there are other quick and nimble rides that will make it easy to do what I do.
I’ve always been convinced a GTS is right for you and your particular style of humming bird riding. I like the fact that the Trumpet is just another motorcycle- I get a lot more respect from car drivers when I’m on the Bonneville than I did on the GTS. Cross winds don’t bother me and as an aside, I find it odd how much everyone but me gets blown about. Oh and I use a top case for locking storgae- “classic lines” be damned!
Steve,
I love you blog. You gave me a lot of inspiration about scooter riding. Unfortunately, my scooter riding days are over. I got in a wreck on my scooter about a year ago and destroyed my knee. I had bought all the gear from head to toe. But, the day I got in a wreck I went with the old theory that on short trip you don’t need to wear those hot armored pants, just wear the upper body gear. Well, I did that and I wiped out on a turn going about 10mph (my guess). I completely crushed my knee and had to have surgery. My knee will never be the same. Now, I can kind of live the scooter life again through Scooter in the Sticks, but I sure would love to ride again.
You have done a few nice videos on YouTube. I hope you will consider doing more.
Steve, we can now compare notes… I got a GTS exactly 10 days ago (and have already done a road trip to Bellingham to have it serviced). Its smooth, effortless speed is a marked contrast to the PX (which I’m keeping), deliciously addictive for sure. I’m so looking forward to riding to a rally in the Tri-Cities (E. Washington), weekend after next…
__Orin
Scootin’ Old Skool
The beauty of life here is that there are things to fit all comfort levels. The danger is that of losing perspective. It certainly never hurts to take the chance to gain insight into those we share the world with.
Understanding goes a long ways in promoting harmony, doesn’t it?
conchscooter: I like the image of a hummingbird riding style. That’s certainly the closest to it that I’ve come across. Only I do stop and relax once in awhile…
A topcase on the Triumph would be essential I think. But you are correct—the classic lines are damned.
silouan: I hope your knee and your riding spirits heal sufficiently to at least entertain another go at a scooter. I’ve always thought the Piaggio MP3 as an option for me if my legs or balance give out someday…
I’ve been thinking more and more about producing new videos. They are time consuming though and the ideas have to be even more carefully focused…
Orin: Congratulations on the GTS! They are remarkable machines on so many levels. I find I have to control myself when talking about them so I don’t gush.
I look forward to following how things go for you on Scootin Old Skool!
irondad: Wise words as usual. Being open minded and understanding would solve a lot of the world’s problems. And things are much more pleasant personally when my brain isn’t so strict…
You have been such an inspiration to so many Vespa riders. We were delighted to hear that you are back in the Vespa saddle. The comparison was interesting though. We had to laugh at Conch’s humming bird example. Never thought of you as a humming bird but the image brings a smile to our faces.