I can relate to your feelings on a Vespa. I always love the admiring glances I get on my Kymco Like 50 and Chinese Bashan Biella from people who tell me they like my Vespa. The styling is classic and the rounded shape appealing to the eye.

I’ve certainly considered other makes but they’re all so damn ugly to my eye. So I keep coming back to a Vespa. And my more intelligent spouse, someone who knows my thoughts and actions well, reminds me of how I function and a second anything always ends unused….

Fix or replace.

Life is short. And I suppose I don’t want to spend it experiencing other makes of scooters. I found one I love. Now I should ride. Still, there’s those times when it’s not available…

Seems like illness is sweeping the northeast. Or at least in this part of central Pennsylvania. A stomach virus has hit the area hard and made the local newspaper. Just one thing after another. Myself — i’m emerging from a tunnel of unfortunate health misfortune…

My scooter awaits my return. I look at it every day but only manage to mutter “ugh…”

Given some of the issues you’ve had with the Vespa having another brand as a backup might better serve you. A Yamaha SMax has about the same speed as your 250, comes with Japanese reliability and won’t have the “maintenance requirements” of a European scooter. Life is short, experiencing other makes is always an eye opener.

Mine wasn’t faring too well lately, between getting hit with a one-two punch of a flu-like illness that put me out of commission for the better part of two weeks (which Sig. Other caught a handful of days later while taking care of me…that’s togetherness for you), and about 6″ of snow – I had barely enough energy to cover up Melody before the storm hit. I did manage to go for an errand-and-fun ride on that One Freaky-Warm Day we had a few days ago, and I’ll likely take har out again for a bit tomorrow; these are the “pockets” of Winter I talk about, keeping the bike at least semi-active, and the battery tender at bay. We’ll see how long I can keep this up. Meantime, hoping a bit more rest helps what ails you!

I hope Piaggio sees some growth in their market. In the US, scooters remain under the radar.

Thank you for your kind words on my writing. I appreciate hearing how people respond and what they think about the things I share. Telling stories is something I have long admired in others and the connections and insight they engender in me, and in others. In a rushing world we don’t have enough storytelling anymore.

I hope you soon surmount your injuries and are back on the road with your Vespa. A trip to the Berkshires from New York sounds like a great trip.

Keeping warm in winter is an ongoing challenge, one that seems to have grown more difficult the past two years. My hands and feet are weak points for me. I don’t have Reynauds but do have something similar — Chilblains. Seems each winter of late my feet get too cold and disaster ensues. Chilblains causes blistering (like you get from bad shoes) and if too bad, it causes capillary breaks and some nasty blood blisters which in total leaves me almost unable to walk without some serious pain. My Tucano Urbano muffs and electric gloves handle the extreme cold well and my electric grips are fine in the 30F and up weather. My feet though — ugh, haven’t found the right solution yet.

So I keep on searching!

Be safe and good luck with your recovery.

There were some good riding days while the scooter was out of service. It’s back now and plan to take a ride today.

Bill,

Good advice and pretty much my conclusion. If I get a second something it will be a Vespa. And likely a 300 if I find the right price. Saw a local sale for a 2006 GTS 250 with 4500 miles, topcase, wind screen, and a trailer for $3200. Same color as mine too. Missed it though…

You’re my model for riding and wrenching wisdom Dom. A backup scooter seems the logical choice.