Often questioned or criticized by motorcycle riders for venturing out on the highway on what some consider less than adequate power. After considering all the alternatives I decided on a classical Roman approach to bridge the gap — a Vespa chariot rig akin to those breathtaking scenes I remember from Ben-Hur as a kid.
This picture was made by my friend Gordon Harkins just before I picked up the reins to ride a few more miles at breakneck speed through Moshannon State Forest.
A more conventional portrait of Gordon and I along the road. He has about 300 miles or so on his spanking new Vespa GTS 300 Super. I’ll be posting soon on what it took for him to become a Vespa rider especially since he looks more at home on the set of Sons of Anarchy than anything I can imagine for a scooter…
Awesome pictures Steve! It’s funny what non-scooter riders think about scoots & what they are capable of. There have been a few unwise motorcyclists who have made smartass remarks and I have gentle set them straight, as they were unaware of my scootering roots. There are some beautiful kick ass scooters out there.
Dear Scooter In The Sticks:
I was so looking forward to subsequent shots of you riding both machines simultaneously.
I deeply regret that at least one of your readers has encountered a smartass motorcyclist, who made unkind remarks. The reliability and proven track record of the scooter commands my deepest respect. Just ask Michael Beattie of Key West Diary.
As a member of the Teutonic riding community, albeit honorarily at the moment, I can’t imagine a motorcyclist firing a jibe at another rider.
Fondest regards,
Jack/reep
Twisted Roads
I look forward to the tale. Bikers are all kinds – this was taken by a Valkyrie Riders member while I was on a ride with them. On my Honda scooter. HA!
http://s1243.beta.photobucket.com/user/cliftoncrews/media/PICT1355_zpsb6f65419.jpg.html
Too funny Steve.
For a brief moment I thought you had hatched a scheme to ride both those Vespas circus-style.
Having recently come off my bike, I was going to suggest you think twice.
The trip from the saddle to the road is not that pleasant.
I too was looking for additional photos of you zipping down the road on two scooters.
Dar: Scooters are seriously underrated in terms of speed, power and capability. Small wonder though in a culture that thinks anything less than 1000cc is a beginner machine.
But things are as they are and I just keep riding along with a smile on my face…
Mr. Riepe: Those pictures got away. The best was when I was riding in line with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie on their BMWs. When I looked over at her I thought of you.
Mr. Beattie just had a bad streak of mechanical luck that has forever colored his assessments of all Vespas modern. And once you fall into the Triumph pit it is extremely difficult to crawl out.
As far as jibe tossing, you don’t understand because of your buddha-like nature…
Can’t wait to hear the story of the 300 – keep up the great work…
Clifton’s Place: You were passing those Valkyrie riders no doubt. Nice photo — you look completely relaxed on that Honda.
David Masse: I had a little Walt Disney book as a kid — “The Adventures of Toby Tyler”. In it he learns to ride standing on the backs of two horses. I thought it a bad idea then and think any scheme to ride those two scooters now would be the same.
I read of your accident on the ModernVespa forum. The trip is definitely not fun.
RichardM: I”ll draw pictures for you.
Ah, a red one. Vespa – for those secure in their manhood.
I often have people who say “I used to ride a Harley” then say they could never ride a scooter. I usually counter with “yes discplacement envy is hard”. Perhaps one day they might get to ride a scooter too!
Most of them are caging it at the time! I am squeezing every last ounce of juice out of my ride before the weather socks in!!
LOL!
I used to ride an LX150, now I’m on a 883 low. I loved my vespa and would still have it if I had room. More room for groceries than saddlebags and a tourpak!!
By the way, I ALWAYS wave to scooter riders.
SonjaM: Since Gordon is 6’6″ and a sturdy looking fellow his manhood would be safe with a pink Vespa. But something tells me he wouldn’t want to test it.
Scootard: I’ve met a few riders who seem irrationally connected to some image of who and what they are on the road. I’ve ridden enough machines now to know I could be happy on just about anything as long as it’s moving over the pavement.
Susan Levitt: It’s serious business!
Kathy H: Well, as you probably know, the 883 is merely tolerated in the Harley community. For all intent and purpose it’s the scooter of the Harley line…..*grin*
I have to add it is also my favorite. It’s the only Harley that looks like a Harley to me other than those Fat Boy’s that look like police motorbikes.
Keep waving to scooters — good for the karma.
That shot was great…you tower the two scooters making you look like Hulk green. Nice comic character in real life 🙂