Comments on: Doom of the Warm-Skinned

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 00:41:55 +0000

In reply to Mike D.. I've worn those rain gloves from Aerostich and they do make a difference but once things drop below freezing you need more insulation or heated gear. But they do cut down the wind that penetrates through seams to chill the old hands...

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 00:40:21 +0000

In reply to Sandi Roush. Seventeen degrees definitely is an alarm bell when you are thinking of riding. I've spent some miserable time on the road in that kind of weather because I wasn't fully prepared. Staying at home is often a great choice, especially in the winter. Same goes for those days when it is 100F.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 00:05:25 +0000

In reply to Michael B..

The smaller wheels and simpler suspension make for a different ride on the Vino than on my larger (and more expensive) Vespa GTS. The Vino isn’t bad and the small wheels don’t cause problems, it just lacks the smoothness and riding finish of the Vespa. Same with power. The Vino doesn’t use much fuel at all but I’ve not checked the mileage.

Performance wise I could see using the Vino permanently though the choice would be driven by factors not in play at the moment. The would be:

1. Financial — can’t afford a more expensive machine.
2. Health — some reason my body can’t handle the larger, heavier machine.
3. Challenge — intentional downsizing to smaller, less powerful machine as mental exercise. I would be more likely to go further though to a 49cc Honda Ruckus.

But for now it’s pretty cool.

By: Michael B.

Michael B. — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 17:58:39 +0000

I really like the first pic – the scooter in the forest. How’s riding on 10″ wheels? The suspension must be “simpler”, too. Is it sipping noticeably less full than the Vespa? Could you see yourself using this scooter permanently, Steve?

By: Sandi Roush

Sandi Roush — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 17:46:08 +0000

I had some interest in doing the “Polar Bear Run” on January 1st. I had only ridden a couple days before and it was fine in the 40’s. When I woke up on New Years day I checked the temperature and it was a foggy 17 – wow. I decided rather quickly that I didn’t want to ride that bad!

By: Mike D.

Mike D. — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 16:27:11 +0000

I find the weird looking 3 finger over gloves that Areostich sells really help with wind chill, but then I rarely get below 36 f.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 06:08:06 +0000

In reply to RichardM.

The driving wind from even slow speeds is a real game changer. Hiking in the cold is simple compared to dealing with wind.

I wonder if NASA sells riding gear? They have experience protecting people from the elements, or lack of…

By: RichardM

RichardM — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 03:39:55 +0000

I was thinking about the cold earlier. Without the heated gear, I wouldn’t want to be out in subzero temperatures for very long. I used to spend all day outside and camping at night in similar temperatures but I would have different equipment. The wind while riding really changes things.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 01:12:24 +0000

I wish my GTS had a working kickstart like the Vino. I suppose technology with starters has improved to the point where they seem quaint rather than functional.

The Vino doesn’t have a good spot like your URAL for heating and cooking. The muffler is shielded and hard to get to the hot spots.

I’ll have to dance on the roadside with my hands in my armpits, looking sad and forlorn…

By: dom

dom — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 01:03:00 +0000

The kickstart on Martha’s Genuine Buddy 125 has saved us a few times when the battery was dead….it’s apparently really easy to leave it “on” even when the key is in the off position….sigh.

One thing I do, when riding in cold weather and taking pics, is to lay my gloves on the left jug of the URAL’s engine….I come back from taking pictures with frozen fingers, put on the now toasty warm gloves, all is well. Is there a spot on the Vino where you can lay the gloves you just took off? Perhaps the muffler?