Vespa is synonymous with urban transportation. Many consider it a little, around town machine, leaving longer and more rigorous riding to the realm of motorcycles. Distance is the domain of the touring and cruising bikes. Gravel the territory of dirt and dual sport machines. The Vespa can stay in the neighborhood making runs to the grocery store or work if it’s not too far away.
On Sunday morning I took a ride before breakfast, a 140 mile sprint through the Pennsylvania Wilds including 20 miles of dirt and gravel through Sproul State Forest. The Vespa isn’t a dirt bike but even with street tires it zipped along nicely between 25 and 45 miles per hour on these roads — speed dependent on how much sightseeing I was doing.
The Vespa is just fine outside town and off on the long gravel roads.
So I can expect you to stop by next Summer on your way to Deadhorse 😉
The Vespa really seems to be a flexible ride.
Steve, after more than thirteen thousand miles on my Vespa I find myself appreciating it more and more. My one long ride was 230 miles last August. I find myself wondering if I could swing the 460 miles to Saints’ Cafe for breakfast. The answer is ‘not until I get a bike that can cruise all day at 65 mph’. Who knows, maybe next year.
I haven’t seen a need to do a twenty mile stretch on gravel yet but what I have found is the same as you. Gravel, taken with care, can be ridden with a Vespa LX150.
David Masse, I have that jacket in black! 🙂
(back after figuring out some pc issues-sigh)
Harv
I’m planning a flight to Des Moines to pick up a 1979 P200E Vespa with 1200 miles on the clock after a ground up restoration. It’s 2000 miles home to Key West and I was wondering if you might be available for lunch on or around the last Monday in September?
cebhioLooking over the logistics as we speak 🙂 My wife says if we can find someone to watch the kids, it can happen.
Harv
RichardM: If I ever get the Vespa to Deadhorse you can count on a visit!
The Vespa scooter is remarkably versatile considering its limitations of power and wheel size. The only thing I consider insurmountable is water. No water crossings with the Vespa. The air intake is low.
David Masse: There was a young couple in the scooter club here who rode two up to Toronto on a Yamaha Vino. So I’m sure you could ride solo to Saint’s.
Or maybe we could meet at the border!
Harv: Computer issues are the pits. Hate it. Fewer with the Mac but they still arise…
Good to see your name appear in the comments. Hope all is well with you and the family.
Conchscooter: I’ll be around at the end of September. Pennsylvania is a bit out of the way on a trip from Des Moines to Key West isn’t it?
Regardless, let me know how things play out. A P200E Vespa will be a nice thing to ride.
Ok, I got confused since where Conch is headed is only 350 miles from me. I thought Conch meant…
ach..
Apologies
Harv
Vespas seems to a favorite of riders, am not so much of a fan but I like the adventures documented.