Sunny Morning Enlightenment
Every ride is different. If they weren’t, I would have lost interest in riding a long time ago. My attention can’t be held by the machine I ride. It’s just a tool necessary in being a rider. In the pantheon of cosmic questions, albeit a minor one, is “Why do I ride?”. The answer isn’t important but it has fueled some mental gymnastics on my identity as a rider. On this day I experience a little riding enlightenment.
Scooter rider? Vespa rider? While enjoying a morning ride I realized there’s a difference between someone who identifies with a particular riding machine and someone who’s a rider.
I’m a rider. I just happen to ride a Vespa scooter.
Tunnel Vision
It’s easy to get locked into a narrow way of seeing the world. And even easier with myself. Two men in leather costumes, bandanas, sunglasses and no helmet or gloves passed me on the road. Sometime later another pair on BMW adventure bikes, bristling with hard cases, full-face helmets and textile riding suits passed me as they headed to adventure. I recognized the costumes and culture connected to those particular machines. While not everyone will fall into line, it’s common enough to be a stereotype. And you need only look at the marketing material of Harley-Davidson and BMW Motorrad to see where they’re pushing.
And then there’s me putting down the road on a Vespa scooter — a failure in meeting the cultural requirements of the brand. I’ve not been to AmeriVespa, belong to a scooter club, have any of the cool gear marketed to scooterists, and perhaps worst of all, I treat my poor Vespa like crap.
Standing in the damp, dripping coolness of the railroad underpass looking at the scooter, I realized any number of motorcycles or scooters could take the place of the Vespa. While I stubbornly keep the scooter running, it’s not out of undying allegiance to the brand, but rather to the reliable tool it is in being able to ride the way I want to ride. A measure of riding enlightenment.
Flying Across the Landscape
There are obvious differences between a scooter and motorcycle. If you’re not choosing a machine to match a culture you want to join, then the functional advantages and disadvantages come into play. Weight, power, manueverability, reliability, cost, maintenance and a host of other things. Most are common. Others a bit unsual and owner specific. I’m concerned how the machine will look in a picture.
Not interested in an ugly machine. *GRIN*
Vespa Service
The goal of this ride was to have the scooter inspected at Kissell Motorsports in Tyrone. It’s a lovely 30 mile ride that’s a pleasure to make. Even with rain in the forecast.
Pennsylvania requires an annual safety inspection. All I needed was a new rear tire. Got almost 4000 miles out of a Continental Zippy.
Each visit reveals a handful of scooters and motorcycles I can see myself riding. A used Triumph Scrambler, a 2011 BMW F650 GS, a 1993 BMW R100R, and a shiny new BMW G310 GS.
Didn’t take long before the phrase, “Do you have any demo bikes?” passed my lips.
Riding a 2019 BMW G 310 GS Motorcycle
As if by magic I’m alongside a road leading up the mountain not far from Kissell Motorsports. I was surprised by how much this new BMW adventure motorcycle felt like one of my favorites — the BMW F 650 GS. Large enough to be comfortable for my 6’1″ frame, and heavy enough to feel completely stable.
I guess I’m a rider.
Compared to the small-wheeled Vespa, the motorcycle is steady and resists the sort of nimble jostling you can do on the scooter. And the suspension system transfers few bumps and jolts from imperfect road surfaces. Shifting was smooth and positive though it took a few minutes to adjust to the near silent engine and gentle clutch.
Twists and Turns
The motorcycle is just plain fun to ride. At 341 pounds wet, it is easy to navigate. Pulling off the road onto a gravel shoulder, or making a U-turn on a narrow road is easy. Nothing like dealing with the ponderous R1200 GS Adventure or even the F800 GS.
If there’s a requirement for the machine I ride it’s weight. I pull on and off the road so many times, make endless U-turns when riding alone, and poke along down enough cow paths that I need something light and nimble. The Vespa is perfect. The BMW G 310 GS fits the bill nicely.
And should it fall over, I can easily pick it up. The bigger motorcycles, with my back, I would need two men and a boy to help.
Is There a Motorcycle in My Future?
I look at a lot of motorcycles. I imagine my Vespa exploding. Riding the demo bike reminded me of how different the physical experience is on a motorcycle. And the lightweight and functionality make it a candidate should I need something new.
Or different.
Before and After the Storm – Riding Enlightenment
Rain caught up with me during the ride home but only for a few miles. Just enough to have me think about donning a rainsuit. The scooter is running great, does everything I need, and remains fun to ride.
And riding is what is important to me. The experiences on the road. Sights, smells, places, people and whatever comes along.
How very true Steve. Marketing drives a particular “look” and far too many ride FOR the look. My wife thinks I look ridiculous with my red riding jacket and my neon yellow vest over it for better visibility. I’d rather stay alive and look goofy, than look cool and be dead. I’m looking to downsize my C50T as I think she has gained weight! LOL….hoping for a Burgman 400. Cool? Not really – but as you wrote – a tool that keeps me riding.
It’s hard to resist the marketing. I find myself drawn in over and over again with everything from Orvis catalogs to Fuji X camera videos. I want what all that marketing promises. Most of the time I figure out they’re just trying to sell me a dream. But sometimes…
The Burgman 400 is a great machine from the tales I’ve heard from a variety of riders. It looks awful to me but that would not stop me from owning one if I wanted to do some higher speed touring.
Wow that G310 GS is lighter than my TW200 by almost 30 lbs!
Well, take that weight with a grain of salt. It was the first I looked up. This morning I’ve looked at several other spec sites and the curb weight is all over the place — 341, 362 and one at 371. Let’s just say it’s a light motorcycle. Feels light too. Besides, your TW200 is a Willys Jeep to this modern Range Rover. The TW is probably far more functional in the wild off-road landscapes you ride in.
your t-dub weighs more than 340?!?! that can’t be!
My mistake, 270
The first weight you quoted surprised me but I never considered a mistake on your part!
Good observations. I also am growing tired of the associated weight and maintenance costs of riding. I keep thinking that I might like a scooter, moped or even motorized bicycle but then re-examine that situation and find I might look more like a circus bear (6′ 2″) and the low cruising speeds with the higher total cost of ownership makes me think otherwise. I am seeing that you and I are in a growing segment of riders that just want to ride, not maintain a mechanical device nor fit into a social sub-culture. And we want light weight! The G310GS seems to be a good bike (but it also has its particular foibles) but owners seem to be more off-road centric than I. The Honda CB300R, CB500X and NC700X also intrigue. I keep thinking that I would really like an electric vehicle that has an acceptable combination of weight, ergonomic dimensions (for me), range and cruising speed. Maybe I’m really looking for the Toyota Corolla of 2-wheel vehicles.
Big machines certainly cost more to maintain. Just the tire costs make my eyes water. I agree that there are more and more people who want to just ride and not get lost in the associated cultures of people, metal and costume. Fortunately there are a lot of choices.
Regarding the circus bear look — there’s a reason you don’t often see me riding the scooter — I look huge on the scooter. While I’m completely comfortable riding it my body seems overly tall on it. To look good — I need something taller — any of the BMW GS bikes, the bigger KTMs, Kawasaki KLR, etc. I even look like a circus bear on the Triumph Bonneville. Oh well, I can conjure enough denial to imagine I’m Steve McQueen astride the Vespa!
The Toyota Corolla of 2-wheeled vehicles. Hmmm.. an interesting idea. Not sure what it would be.
Hi Steve,
I think the new Honda Super Cub might be a good candidate for the Toyota Corolla of 2-wheeled vehicles. If this bike was available as a 250, I’d have one for sure. A 200 might even work.
In my mind, “Toyota Corolla” would be only oil, filter, tire, brake replacement for 150000 miles; fits any driver regardless of size; can travel hundreds of miles a day with no driver or vehicle trauma. No 2-wheeled vehicle now accomplishes this. Many are as maintenance-intensive as autos from the 1940’s, most only fit a certain ergonomic height/build profile; most have a riding stance (cruiser, racer, etc.) that does not allow long rides without pain and most need some sort of aftermarket items (handlebars, risers/extended hoses, wires/seats) to better fit the designated rider. Most bikes do not even have automatic transmissions – a real negative for most of the would-be new riders. No wonder the powersports industry is so small in the USA.
Makes me wonder what the future of riding will be in 25 years.
Hello Bruce. Long time… I still think about the Mid-Atlantic BDR. I assume you’ve already completed a cross country route?
The Honda SuperCub does look cool. Not sure it has any advantages over the Vespa though other than styling differences. A 250 version would make a difference though that would matter to me. Who knows what Honda will come up with.
“The reliable tool it is.” Hmmmm. Are you sure you’re not in love with your scooter? I’ve known you and your scoot for a long time. You know it intimately.
I used to think I loved it. But I love riding. When the time comes for something different I’ll replace it with another tool. There are certainly a lot of memories connected to the Vespa. But those memories will persist without the scooter being around.
Well, well…I think I mentioned a while back that when I moved out of the big city (NYC) nearly five years ago to the wilds of the Jersey Shore, my original plan was to finally get my license and have a motorcycle–a late-model Suzuki SV650, to be precise. Le Wife loved the whole idea…except for the “motorcycle” bit. “Couldn’t you get something more mild-mannered, like a scooter?” That didn’t go down well with me initially, but then I thought about scooters that appealed to me in the past, and Vespa are to mind almost immediately. However, up to this point, it wasn’t on my radar at all. Then I got my GTS 300, and I’m totally smitten with it. Yeah, I’m a bit of a Vespa fanboy now, but I grok your words about The Ride.
Here’s a thought: Maybe sometimes one’s desire for a particular bike can get in the way of the ride itself: the desire to look badass on sportbike which ends up impractical for much else than a fast jaunt on some fast stretch of two-lane, the bagger that requires you to be able to bench 220lbs just to wrestle it in and out of the garage, et cetera. I suppose one of the things I love about the Vespa is that there’s no overt requirement to “be” a particular kind of rider: you can commute, jaunt, tour…hell, even race with the damn thing if that trips your wire. You can have more fun going fast on it that going “slow” on something bigger and faster. But it’s every bit as much fun going slower.
And, of course, you can choose not to do any of that. You know, just hop on a go for a ride.
As usual, a good read, Steve.
A modern Vespa does sort of grow on you with use but the “it’s not a motorcycle” is a big hurdle for many. Image and ego stand in the way of many good decisions in life. *grin*.
Big motorcycles seem to demand “big” actions. Or so it seems. Seventy miles an hour on a scooter is exciting but sort of a yawn on a big bike. And perhaps the biggest concern I have is just maneuvering them around. Out of the garage, off onto the shoulder of the road, almost anything other than moving on the pavement is a drag. And don’t drop it. Seeing the new BMW GS Adventure bike has enlarged to a 1250 I wonder how long it will be until it’s a 1600?
Oh well, doesn’t matter. I just want to go for a ride.
Steve;
You know how it goes: the initial thrill of a new toy, and then you “have to” upgrade your riding gear, you think about the money you spent and convince yourself (and others) that it was a wise purchase decision, and then, eventually, your level of “happiness” returns to where it was before the purchase.
We all succumb to this from time to time, and in the scheme of things, buying a new toy is not a big deal or even necessarily a poor choice. Just something to go into “eyes wide open”.
But you know all this.
Oh, how true! I needed to read this!
That upgrade pitch is diabolical. Has lead me to purchase a lot of things in my life that I don’t need. From phones, computers, cars, cameras, appliances. I’m glad I’ve finally recognized the financial folly of falling face first into the fire. Happiness is derived nt from things but something else.
Yeah, my eyes are open. Kim sort of warmed to the BMW purchase and then asked me, “Are you sure you want this?” Thought about it for awhile and the answer was, “No.” Go figure.
You have finally hit on the subject nearest and dearest to my heart. Size. Last year I went on an escorted rally with all manner of bikes. I decided to take the 250 Nighthawk as its light weight and excellent handling were more comfortable to me than the breathtaking power and weight of my 750 Kawasaki. I was sandwiched in between several big V-Twins and had to ride attentively. Where they could power off corners with a twist of the wrist I had to dance on my gear shift lever like Gene Kelly. Still I got in nobody’s way and found those big twins in my way on several tighter corners. I laughed all day
If I do decide to buy a new bike in the future I may find myself sitting on a Benelli 302. It’s design and size appeal to me more than its single cylinder rivals and it’s different enough to stand out in a crowd. It also has two pluses. Designed in Italy but built in China. Pretty and inexpensive.That is almost too hard to resist.
Since you’re looking at Benelli, also look at the SSR Buccaneer. A guy from NC on AdvRider has one and loves it. 60-degree, FI V-twin 250cc with a red frame/white bodywork. Very sharp!
I see more and more commentary in the Moto journalism world about bikes getting too big. With a big part of the boomer riders aging out smaller machines make sense if the manufacturers want to stay in business. And the next generation of riders, if there is one, probably don’t want to start of a monster machine in terms of weight or price.
Your description of riding the smaller motorcycle in a group of big ones is spot on. Big machines lumber around for all save the really expert riders.
The Benelli 302 is a cool looking motorcycle. Not light though at just over 400 pounds. The V-twin engine would make it a nice, smooth ride. A fine addition to your stable of machines.
Such an interesting post, Steve. Guess I’m a rider for the bike, as well as the ride. And for me it’s Vespa. This is why I love your blog so much, it’s all about the Vespa! I’ve not thought much about how I look on the bike, but I’m female and 5’ 7” so the weight and size suits me. I only have an auto licence so a ‘real’ motorbike is not an option for me. The Burgman and the big BMW scooters do have me curious though, I could ride one of those, but probably not. I’m in a Vespa club, but it’s based too far away for me to join in the rides, unless a branch starts closer. Somehow, I don’t think your gorgeous photos would look the same without the Vespa, and you would have to change the name away from ‘Scooter in the Sticks’. However, I know that nothing is forever and I can’t hold on to what is now…..whatever you choose is fine…..Have a wonderful day!
I suspect I’ll have a Vespa scooter for as long as I’m able to ride. It was perfect when I first rode one and remains so to this day. Whether I add a motorcycle to the mix is an open, though less and less likely, question. The only thing that I can’t do on the Vespa is cross water. But in my years of riding I’ve only had to turn back once because of that. So a motorcycle would be an indulging in a fantasy of some sort.
As far as pictures though — I’ve seen some great ones with motorcycles. Dom Chang has great shots of his Suzuki TW200 on his Redlegs Rides blog.
Hi, Steve. I’ve read your blog intermittently for several years and really enjoy it. I recently started publishing a scooter oriented magazine and many of your entries are just the kind of content I am putting in it. Would you consider teaming up for some content?
I reach out to you by email Howard.
Steve, I’ve been away from your articles for a while. I’m so glad this was the one I viewed. My decision to purchase my Royal Enfield Continental GT a couple of years ago was in part due to purposefully trying to avoid the stereotype you mentioned in your article. And ironically, the bike that made me fall in love with the idea of riding was a Vespa GTV. I rode it multiple times at various dealerships and most of those were 100 plus mile journeys to reach them, that should tell you the desires of my heart. I visualized riding as an extension of my inner being, a reintroduce of the lost inner child from long ago, it was intoxicating. But in all of that, it’s hard to stay pure against the dominate two wheeled culture in this country. That pressure led me to choose a motorcycle over a scooter, I akin it to settling in marriage versus getting who really fits well with you. The Continental is still unique enough that it automatically fits my aversion to the dominant motorcycle culture in the states, as well as being easy to ride up to 65 mph. But, in my heart, in my mind…I’m on a scooter.
Scooters in America are a tough sell — for manufacturers and for the buying public. Somehow they come to represent everything that’s not masculine, capable or serious. It’s no wonder so many choose machines that aren’t really what they want.
The good thing about machines is you can always sell them and get something different. Perhaps a Vespa will find its way into your garage and heart at some point down the road!