I am a committed, Kool-Aid drinking Vespa scooter rider. But on some mornings my mind strays.
A view from some moment in the past during a ride to work. The Vespa and I are fast friends. But this morning I was consumed with schemes for a motorcycle and I was reminded of another obsessive event a couple years ago when I was considering a 1988 BMW R100 GS. If you’ve ever dreamed or conspired to bring a motorcycle into an otherwise serene home click the above link. My wife Kim makes a rare contribution at the end the post with her observations on my machinations of desire.
It’s disconcerting to be waking to motorcycle desires.
Steve, if you’d be as a committed V8-drinking rider, perhaps you’d go for the BMW scooter (at least test-ride it) 🙂
There’s a used BMW scooter at Kissell Motorsports now that my friend Paul is trying to get me to look at but since it’s a given that I’ll always have a Vespa I think the second machine will be a motorcycle — something completely different in style and experience.
I’ve always liked Sportsters….
Hey.
‘Love your musings on the scooter/ motorcycle juxtaposition. I’ve recently given up my longtime friend: BMW R1100RS bagger, to someone else (due to a relocation and loss of parking situation. Great bike, 65k miles, few problems ever, great allrounder. The scooter world intrigues me, albeit perplexed by Vespa’s issues compared with the other scooter manufacturers. I too, am an aficionado of Sportsters; have owned three from 1974 on with no problems what-so-ever. The most recent was a 50K mile/ 5 year relationship with a 2003 model. Only less than adequate in carrying capacity . ‘Great bikes if you have the taste for them; it’s a better motor than the Twin Cam. The only 4 cam under-head, hydraulic lifter, pushrod motor. I imagine the “rubber mounted motor, fuel injected ones are even better. A great compromise w/ BMW’s RnineT would be theHD XR1200 model. And uno one says they need to be loud.
That being said; I’ll be giving up my car and going the Ural sidecar/ Aerostitch route shortly. With perhaps a side of Vespa, Stella,Bicycle, ?? for the short jaunts.
Thanks again for your blogging. You might checkout Whitehorse Gear for motorcycle tire studs if you continue winter pursuits.
T.
Thank you for your kind words about my musings. While I’m firmly planted in the Vespa world I’ll always have a wandering eye for a motorcycle in the garage. Perhaps when I retire and have more time to ride I can manage two machines. Or rather, one machine and a Vespa. For me, at the most basic level, that is the difference between a Vespa and everything else. The Vespa doesn’t feel like a machine. Especially compared to a Sportster or URAL.
You’re probably right in your feelings about Vespa issues. There have been some but nothing major in my mind or difficult to deal with. But I think the Vespa can feel like more issues because of the rapid replacement cycle of the tires. If you ride a lot it seems like you’re constantly changing tires. But all of that is incidental to the experience for me. The best bet for you would be to find an opportunity to put 20 or 30 miles on one cruising through some nice winding road.
Thanks for the head’s up on Whitehorse Gear. I’ll check them out.
Ride safe!
just remember also how much fun you had riding my ’87 R80 GS….she can also hold 85 all day long, probably more but the speedometer tops out at 85 mph.
do you perhaps recall what the previous owner of that bumblebee got as a trade-in?
as to going slow and stopping wherever easily, I say to you: URAL.
I loved that ’87 R80 GS of yours Dom. It lurks behind my motivation to have an airhead. And you’ve infected my thinking about URALs as well but only as a fallback to when I don’t trust myself on two wheels. Sorry!
I looked at your dealer’s website. The beast is not listed as described and ridden. So either you’ve bitten the bullet or bumblebee in this case or somebody else has purchased same.
I might add from a strictly selfish personal viewpoint was thinking a sidecar on the BMW would be ideal for carrying two lovely Belgian sheepdogs and maybe Kim on the rear seat.
Then too the selection of used machines was excellent for a small town (to my way of thinking) dealer. And the prices are generally half for the products for what we would pay in this part of Ontario. Yes things are expensive plus heavy taxation.
One other point, Steve. And take this from someone who has had his door knocked a number of times. We and I include you in the equation who have been visited by the grim reaper (Jack Reipe not included) ; tend to think of our future selves, and what are we missing; if I can call it that, by not doing/purchasing/attempting those items which we would not have done otherwise. We now know we are not immortal and we will die, at some point.
I think you should wait a bit, maybe a year. See if your cardiac exercises are helping, plus your change of diet, and other factors, perhaps unknown at this point.
Then when all those calamties have passed, then maybe celebrate by purchasing that
new to you machine.
You are ,Mr. Scooter In The Sticks and you should remain so, for now..
See how you get over this coming winter, see if you are up to snuff. then come the spring see how your life is progressing. The first numeral in your age is now a six, technically I guess you could retire at 65, but, do you want to, or will your employer allow you to stay employed? Retirement is nice, boredom is horrible. Been there done that and am now once again doing free-lance work, if only for a bit more income.
That bike was part of a three year old post Bryce. The bike is long gone just not the desire to have it or something like it.
Neither of my dogs are good candidates for sidecar lives. They’re not relaxed enough. And Junior has leap out of two sidecars in the driveway as soon as the engine started. Besides, I like riding alone. Seriously.
I am still evaluating my appointment with the Reaper. Cardiac rehab ends soon and lifestyle choices are in order to maintain the physical conditioning achieved there. I’ve never liked the gym culture so I have decided to put some exercise machines at home and give it a go here. Certainly will fit my schedule better in terms of work and the dogs. We’ll see what happens.
Retirement. Don’t see that happening. If I retire from Penn State then I’ll begin working full time for Scooter in the Sticks. I have ideas. There’s two books I want to produce. Both will take time. And perhaps I can take up some requests to speak. Even though I’ve done that before I can’t imagine why anyone wants to hear my talk about life on a Vespa.
I used to do a lot of freelance photography for ad agencies and corporations. While I don’t want to do that again I do see opportunities with the camera if I want them. So there are a lot of choices. Next summer I’ll be eligible for social security. Maybe it will be time to rethink “retirement”.
Motorcycles are dangerous.
Don’t do it.
Only fools ride motorcycles.
You aren’t a fool.
…or,
…are you?
I always thought I was angling toward old coot but I can see it really being foolish old coot…
Steve, dude, thou protests too much. It always sounds more like you’re talking yourself into sticking to scooters. Your review of the R NineT was laced with “But I love my Vespa.” I’m guessing you have a Moto-Mistress that is tempting you at Kissel Motors and you’re feeling yourself weaken. I like my scooter but as someone at MV said about bike and scooter ownership, “I love them both and each helps me appreciate the other.”
A BMW is not the worst choice in motorcycles.
I think I talk myself out of a second machine mainly because I see time limitations really keeping me from riding. As Bryce suggested — retirement might be the better time for another something.
The BMW RnineT was great but it’s just not the machine for me. An old airhead, a Triumph Scrambler, a Kawasaki KLR — those might fit the bill.
Steve dreams are good.
Yes they are!
Steve,
I think you should go for it! Dreams are great, but when you have the rare opportunity to make it happen, do it! There is no reason why you can’t have a scoot and a motorcycle, each offers a unique riding experience and differ adventures. 4 years ago riding wasn’t even on my radar and then I fell in love with a scooter and then a motorcycle and now any opportunity I can find I ride. I miss mu scooter for the gentle ramblings. I now ride a sport tourer and love it just as much as the scooter
Wait a minute — your comment isn’t about me getting a motorcycle — it’s about you getting another scooter. That’s it — you need to add a scooter to the mix. And this time something a little more powerful. A Vespa 300 Super with ABS is what you need!
A Bonneville Steve. You need a Bonneville. Think of the exhilarating prose you could write about a Sunday ride with Paul on his Ducati and you on a Triumph.
I like the Bonneville but it’s the Scrambler I covet.
Ooo, ooo, ooo… I am NOT going to pass up this chance to make a suggestion.
If you want retro sex-appeal that is gravel and dirt road capable–the Ducati Scrambler (I think that Sonja would agree).
One thing I know for sure: If you’re looking to your readers to talk some “sense” into you, to dissuade you from adding to your stable, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Ain’t nothin’ but a bunch of bad influences here, the type your mother warned you about (“Stay away from those bikers, Stevie. They’ll lead you astray.”).
Happy shopping, Steve. 🙂
Ducati makes nice machines. Haven’t tried their scarambler. Would be a cool addition.
Astray…. that’s a good place to go right?
I’ve always enjoyed my visits to Astray, that most exotic of lands. Though I’m not sure that I remember every visit, or clearly, or accurately… But that’s ancient history.
Astray is a great place to visit.
Often.
Yep, having those same dreams!
I think a motorcycle/scooter combination might be the perfect answer!
Life is short and getting shorter-go for it!
Life is short and I feel the temporary nature of being around. I just want to make sure having a second machine around won’t make things worse rather than better. Life with the Vespa is already sweet!
Steve,
With the access you have to try out such a range of bikes, I’m surprised you haven’t taken the plunge yet. Have you ever ridden one of the Honda nc700’s with the storage where the gas tank usually is? Might be nice to stash your camera….but a Harley would be so cool…. All good choices! No guilt in getting something to keep the scoot company!
Right now there’s no master plan for a motorcycle. I have so much “stuff” that I’ve acquired on a whim that turns out that I not only don’t use or need it but it sits around taking up space sucking out my soul. Right now, at this moment in time, I want less stuff to deal with and a motorcycle falls squarely in that space. At least until I actually have time to utilize it. I would hate for it to sit beside my 8×10 view camera gathering dust just because I wanted it…
Steve, I’m just a few years behind you and its amazing how perspective changes as we grow older. Thank you for many years of reading enjoyment and reflection on what matters in our short lives. I, too, prefer riding alone with no distractions to interrupt the reflective process. The best ideas, most introspective cogitations, my best work is often mentally crafted while alone either driving, walking, or riding. Of the three, walking seems to result in a more relaxed mind. Riding does require much more mental involvement but also takes me to inspiring places I could not walk to. Though scooterless for some years I’ve recently returned to riding on a Moto Guzzi V7 Stone. This entirely against the wishes of family members who emphatically stated, “you don’t need a motorcycle, you’re getting too old for that nonsense.”. Guess I’m another aging fool.
Our lives are short so it only makes sense to make the most of them. Whatever that is. Finding time in this busy world to engage in introspective cogitations as you suggest just seems to get harder and harder to find the time or opportunity.
Aging is a funny thing. I hear so much weird stuff about what it means, what you should and shouldn’t do, how to act, dress, speak. Sometimes I think our country just wants to treat older people like children — seen but not heard. I have no plans to go down that road. It’s my life and my choice. And the choice now is to ride. Glad to know there are other fools to commiserate with!