Comments on: Riding Enlightenment

By: Motorcycle Enlightenment - Scooter in the Sticks

Motorcycle Enlightenment - Scooter in the Sticks — Mon, 10 May 2021 04:03:47 +0000

[…] to make photographs when riding the motorcycle. I want to move, go, and eat up miles. And where I have to work hard to keep the Vespa in motion, it’s just the opposite of the motorcycle. I have to work hard to pull over to explore a […]

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 23:30:13 +0000

In reply to James.

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!

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 23:27:21 +0000

In reply to Howard Rains. I reach out to you by email Howard.

By: James

James — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 15:31:06 +0000

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.

By: Howard Rains

Howard Rains — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 00:34:07 +0000

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?

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 15:22:37 +0000

In reply to vespakat.

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.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 14:22:19 +0000

In reply to David Eakin. Makes me wonder what the future of riding will be in 25 years.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 14:20:54 +0000

In reply to Jim Zeiser.

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.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 14:15:00 +0000

In reply to Dom Chang. The first weight you quoted surprised me but I never considered a mistake on your part!

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 14:14:21 +0000

In reply to Steel.

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.