Ronman

Billie:Paul’s energy allows me to return to those exciting kid days that my ego can keep me from when alone.

A good 50cc scooter would be great on those rattling Mexican streets in your neighborhood!

Paul says: I laughed out loud when I saw the photo and your comment. I’m still smiling so hard my face actually hurts. In explaining the straw I don’t know where to start. I guess I feel I have to do something for the camera. And it is fun. I look foolish but I don’t care much. I can’t just stand there with my finger up ______. Robert Mapplethorpe already shot that photo.

I’m starting to get concerned about what sort of experience scraped the lx so badly – it rode fine, as I said. But oddly enough, it’s calling to me more than the Fly. But I usually root for the underdog.

I liked your comments about 55 being representative of experience, etc. I’ll be 54 (knock on wood) when I get this doctorate done, and I’m a little bit nervous about competing for teaching jobs with 30-year-olds.

Thanks again. I like the peace your blog radiates.

-Lori

My friend Paul is an engineer as well. They do operate to a different program…

Years ago we used to have theme days at work. On a Friday it might be designated skull day and you should wear something with skulls on it. Or pirate day or monkey day. Being fashion unconscious I never had much but jeans, flannel and black t shirts but I was amazed at the collections of my colleagues.

I’m glad those theme days went away…

irondad: I like to ride the bike. Or scooter. But even though I am not the bike I am something I think. I guess we all have our images.

I have one of you!

Lori: I’m glad you have found some value here at Scooter in the Sticks. Thank you for the kind words.

As far as the built quality on the Vespa goes I find them exceptional. They are solid machines. Reliability is harder to gauge. My own experience with the LX150 and the GTS tells me that they are reliable. The only mechanical issue I have had that was frustrating was a rear brake problem that took some time to sort out. I don’t think it points to any particular shortcoming of the Vespa as it does to the lack of experience the technicians might have diagnosing issues with them. They just haven’t seen enough of them yet with anything other than routine maintenance.

I have had far more frustrating experiences with my Volkswagen Jetta than I have ever had with the Vespa and spent far more money on it too. And the frustration is really rooted in the mechanics more than any flaw in the car. All machines will have problems.

If I were you my decision to buy that Vespa would be based on whether or not I could find a mechanic who would be willing to work on it. One who might be open to some input gathered on the Web. Again, there are obscure issues that only are solved by experience. Conchscooter can attest to that. And that lack of experience can lead to thinking that the machine is flawed.

I would suggest you go to modernvespa.com and pose some questions there. You may find a mechanic in your area and a lot more feedback.

Conchscooter: I am the poster child for the Vespa stereotype. It is a heavy burden when you fit the corporate marketing target so closely — aging rural male who rides in the winter.

Hah!

Since the next-nearest shop is 40 minutes away in Cedar Rapids, I called there, and the guy said in the year they’ve worked on them things have been fine. They do have a mechanic who is certified to work on scooters, he said. So if I get the lx, I guess I could trailer it if I need major work and take it there.

Just wanted to hear your take on if it seems too risky in general to get the lx. I’m not a mechanic, but I certainly could learn to change the oil and filter.

Thank you!