A week ago I took my Vespa GTS into the shop because the rear brake lever was pulling in close to the handgrip and the stopping power was less than desirable. Turns out I need a new master cylinder and it is currently somewhere between Italy and Pennsylvania. So it looks like my tradition of bringing home a tree on the back of the Vespa won’t happen this year. And I had real plans too. Deep snow, wind, a long search through the mountains for the perfect Christmas tree, and then the ride home. Now I’m not sure if I really even want a tree.
Seriously though, I’m full of the Christmas spirit and it doesn’t bother me at all that I can’t scoot a tree home. Tomorrow night I’ll be going to a theater with my oldest daughter and her boyfriend to see “It’s a Wonderful Life” on the big screen. That’s right up there and maybe even ahead of transporting an evergreen on a scooter!
Hope your wait for the Vespa spares does not take as long as Moto Guzzi ones, over 5 months for a flywheel sensor! We were lucky to obtain a second hand one from France otherwise it would have been a non event for our summer holiday.
Have a great Christmas break Steve and look forward to reading more next in 2009.
Ted.
Ted: Have a great Christmas holiday yourself!
I sure hope it won’t take 5 months. If I see a breakdown in using two-wheeled machines for daily commuting it is in the service quotient. The repair rubrik is just different than it is for automobiles. I suspect the thinking is that scooters and motorcycles are recreational vehicles and not transportation.
I guess I really need TWO scooters.
What a great movie. A Christmas tradition in our house, although on a much smaller screen.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Steve.
Steve,
Thank you for a wonderful year. Have a wonderful Christmas and jolly good time with your family and friends. With the scooter in hiatus – time to reflect all those wonderful rides and adventure in the cold with a cup of hot tea, cranberry elixir :), and many sweet offerings of the season.
Happy Holidays to you and all,
Phil
My holiday movie was The Boy in the Striped Pajamas which was uplifiting in a different way. I would like to believe Piaggio cares about your brakes but I am a pessimist about them, which is why I now ride a Bonneville instead of a GTS…but lacking a scooter you sound suspiciously cheerful- now you have no choice but to commute by heated truck?
The impending failure of your master cylinder is worrying. Hopefully it’s something that got upgraded on ’07 models..?
My GTS has been in the garage ever since the Seattle SNOPOCALYPSE began last week. We thaw out just in time for Christmas…
__Orin
Scootin’ Old-skool
Bummer on the scoot. Why do you give up so easily? Nothing says the scooter has to actually be in contact with the road does it?
Ford Ranger, I believe? Vespa in truck. Tree on Vespa. You could even have the scooter running.
Holiday cheer and holiday fun can take many forms. Ordinarily I’d encourage you to think outside the box. This time I tell you to think inside the box. Pickup box!
Yes, I think I’m funny. Then again, I’ve always enjoyed being “different”. Our club could use one more like us!
P.S. That was a challenge. Imagine the smug satisfaction and photographic possibilities!
Oh Steve, We are disappointed that you won’t be hauling the evergreen on your GTS this year. However, your idea of a second scooter is not too shabby. Think of the fun you could have picking out a shiny new ride. A winter ride and a summer ride, maybe one of the new Piaggio 3 wheelers?? Oh what fun it is to ride……
Merry Christmas Scooter in the Sticks.
Thought you might like to read this individuals take on IAWLife
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/19/movies/19wond.html?8dpc
Here’s to hoping you are back up and running soon. We had snow here in Kansas this week and gaven’ been able to ride since last Saturday. But I got the trusty steed out today for about 20 minutes only, just to make sure the battery stays charged up. It was still icy in some spots, so had to be careful. Sure was fun and I have really missed not riding this week. I believe Irondad has all the solutions to your tree transporting problems.
Quick, Paolo Timoni, a loaner Vespa to the rescue! The tradition must go on—–!
Steve, when you said,”I suspect the thinking is that scooters and motorcycles are recreational vehicles and not transportation,” I thought about all the riders who have gotten run over, hurt, or even killed trying to prove that cages don’t have the monopoly of the road.
Anyway, glad that you’re back. Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!–Lorenzo
It doesn’t hurt to ask if the dealer can pull the part off a bike on the showroom and replace that one with the part you are waiting on. I doubt they are flying off the shelf this time of year. I have done this if it’s a simple repair because I’ve agreed to pay 2x the labor hours. (2 vs. 1 hour = worth it)
Is there a post somewhere comparing your GTS to the former scoot? I haven’t found it.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Hi Steve,
I admire your blog very much!
Merry Christmas from Belgium.
Jean Vanhoof
Doug C: Seeing “It’s a Wonderful Life” on the big screen was amazing. The detail and sound were incredible. I guess that’s what makes a nice 35mm film special.
I saw things in the movie I had never seen before. Like skulls on old Potter’s desk.
Pvino:I think I will definitely take your advice and do some reflection during the holidays. Lots to think about and appreciate.
Conchscooter: I’ve not seen “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” yet. From the previews it seems as if it will be an intense and emotional film.
I’m not sure how Piaggio feels about brakes and service in general. I am disconnected from people who make those decisions. My philosophy about machines in general is to expect little. That way I am seldom disappointed. Still, the Vespa has been as reliable as anything else I have ever operated and more so than most.
This is a cheerful time of year. I have the truck but have been opting for the big, CNG fueled, bus instead. It picks me up 300 feet from my front door and drops me a block from my office. All for $1.25!
Orin: I just figure it’s fluke. Nothing that I would worry about. I suppose the people on Modern Vespa would know if this is a systemic problem or merely an isolated failure.
We are going to have Christmas in the 40’s I think. No white Christmas this year. All the snow will be gone by then.
irondad: I considered for a moment your idea but gave it up. I don’t want to take the cap back off the truck, haul it out, haul it back. I’ll make do with the memories…
So I will have to decline the challenge. I’ll let that gauntlet lay…
Heinz & Frenchie: There’s always next year for the tree.
I’m trying to diminish the stuff in the garage rather that add more. So a second scooter just doesn’t make sense to me at this particular moment. But who knows, my mind changes pretty fast sometimes.
Angelo: Great article. Thanks for the link!
cpa3485: Be careful on those partially clear roads. It’s easy to get up some speed only to find something approaching on the road surface that is going to create problems.
Irondad always has ideas. I think I’ll wait until I see a tree on the back of Elvira….
scgt: I’ve often wondered how many people have been steered towards a Vespa because of what they have seen or read here. Seems as if it would be worth it to provide me with various long term loaners from time to time. Couldn’t hurt their sales unless they gave me a real dog. And I can’t imagine that happening.
So Piaggio, if you are reading this, I’d be happy to put any of your products through some paces out here in the sticks and let others know how they fit into a riding and commuting life!
Jim: I think I am content to wait until the new one comes in. It will give me a chance to catch up on a lot of other projects.
I can’t remember ever writing a specific comparison between the LX150 and GTS. Things show up in posts from time to time but nothing extensive. I’ll have to think about doing one.
Jean: Best wishes to you for a fine Christmas in Belgium!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours.
Enjoyed your posts this year and looking forward to continue doing so in 2009
All the Best
a small tree now is safe, at least..
I never liked the habit of cutting trees for Christmas, I think it might be the less Christian thing to do, to celebrate.
Think of it, and enjoy your time Steve.
If we ever need to cut trees be it not for decoration, I’m sure you’ll agree!
Happy Holidays
Ale-
L’Insetto Scoppiettante