It’s always a surprise what triggers me to write an essay for Scooter in the Sticks. This time it was dragging the garbage can to the street for pickup and seeing frost on the car.
There are hints that winter is approaching; leaves descending from trees; geese honking overhead; squirrels and chipmunks growing fatter and fatter as they store the peanuts we put out for the birds. And now frost along with a faint bite on skin that rattles awake ancient programming in my DNA that whispers deep in my brain, “you better get ready…”
Those feelings sometimes emerge while riding, especially when conditions turn toward the surreal or become physically challenging. It happened one morning when I was riding the motorcycle into the mountains and encountered fog.
I discovered (again) that riding is magic.
Mechanical Simplicity
When I think about being prepared simplicity comes to mind. I work through an inventory of the most important items necessary to cope with the challenge at hand. And it affects how I choose things. When I think about a scooter or motorcycle I have a few, simple requirements. I want the machine to start, stop, carry critical supplies, and operate safely. Everything beyond that is a luxury, nice sometimes but certainly not critical.
Both the Vespa and the BMW meet those requirements. Without an abundance of “extras” that make them more complicated (and expensive) and perhaps difficult to diagnose and costly to maintain. I think I feel more relaxed and comfortable, on the road and with life in general when things aren’t complicated.
Digital Simplicity
My 1992 BMW K75C motorcycle is a mechanical marvel. As far as I know it has no microchips or advanced digital technology save for the Canon camera that rides in the tail bag. I’ve wondered the wisdom of motorcycles and scooters overloaded with advanced technology.
Where is the line between need and desire?
Disconnected and Off the Grid
Last week there was a major outage in our area of phone, cell, and internet service. that affected thousands here. It began in the early morning and continued until 3am the next day. No internet, spotty to no cell coverage, and since our land line phone came through the cable provider where we access the internet, we had no hard wired phone either. It was a strange feeling to be suddenly unplugged, disconnected, and living off the grid. And I was reminded again at the traps created by technology in general, and digital technology in particular and what, if anything I should do about it. It felt strange to be disconnected. But it also demonstrated how much I rely on screens for information, amusement, and distraction. That might be the attraction of riding untethered unless I pull the phone from my pocket.
Riding a motorcycle in the woods of Central Pennsylvania can create a feeling of isolation, and when I’m in a peculiar frame of mind, almost seem as if I am traveling through a post apocalyptic landscape, man and machine, investing sanity and safety in the reliable function of the motorcycle. Light or dark, there is a feeling that riding is magic.
Such are the machinations of the mind while gliding along the asphalt.
Revelations
Riding is a path to personal revelation, and if I muster enough courage, a transformative experience.
Writing those words makes me want to laugh and cringe. How can something so ordinary and common as riding a motorcycle or scooter achieve something I thought was the domain of spiritual practice?
And yet it has.
I make no pronouncements of what riding will give you. I only share my own experience and understanding. Perhaps something might resonate with you.
Making Choices
Riding widens the doors of perception. Beyond lies knowledge and with time wisdom if I don’t squander the experience through lack of attention or preoccupation with stuff. Especially stuff I don’t need. For much of my life I wasn’t paying attention, and nothing I did provided the focus necessary to see what I was doing. Riding, and especially the regurgitation of those rides through writing provided the insight to identify problems and make changes.
My need to be calm and meditate was revealed through riding and has led to less frustration, anxiety, and anger toward the world and others. Miles and miles of moto-motion exposed the need to be an adult in regard to money and led to the end of living paycheck to paycheck, eliminate all debts, and spend far less than we earn. And sound preparation in response to the pandemic eased any uncertainty about food, supplies, or anything needed to stay warm, safe, dry, and fed.
All a result of miles astride a scooter and motorcycle. There’s some truth to the joke that you never see a motorcycle parked in front of a psychologist’s office.
Riding is Magic
While riding did not magically change my life, it did have a role in opening my eyes to what I was doing. And the choices that became clear to make did change my experience of life. Patience, simplicity, acceptance, and faith are just a few of the traits that I discovered while riding.
I’ve witnessed many complicated situations faced by others, riders and non-riders alike. I’m grateful that they provide a lesson for me so that I can make sane choices in what I do. As I ride through the mountains and valleys of home I remind myself of what’s important on two wheels — paying attention to my riding skills and road strategy, knowing how to read a map and navigate without a GPS system, and riding when I’m clear headed and able to pay attention. And somehow while I’m doing that I find something more.
Riding is not magic. But then on second thought, perhaps riding is magic.
From the moment my eyes focused on the title of this entry, the lyrics from the Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour floated through my head:
Roll up! (We’ve got everything you need)
Roll up for the Mystery Tour
Roll up! (Satisfaction guaranteed)
Roll up for the Mystery Tour
Virtually every ride I take, be it utilitarian or whimsical, has at least a touch of wonder in it, and for that I’m always grateful. Melody’s absence for close to five months has made this heart grow a bit fonder, but I’ve never taken the wonderfulness of riding or granted.
As for the tech part? For me, Melody (2015 Vespa GTS 300 Super) epitomizes the near-perfect balance of useful tech without excess: all the useful technology (EFI, electronic ignition, f/r ABS & traction control, ESS front suspension, USB port), and none of what I regard as unnecessary excess (multiple ride modes, TFT screens, cruise control, and – yuck! – engine start/stop tech). Everything I can genuinely use, nothing I can’t or won’t. I’m hanging onto this ride with the proverbial death grip.
I have the same experience, whatever the ride, utilitarian or whimsical, there is always a bit of wonder. Fine medicine for me.
Your Vespa has even more tech than mine but still functions as viable, useful stuff. When I look at machines that have multiple ride modes, screens, and other digital stuff I sort of groan. In part, because it’s a lot more stuff to fail, but mostly because it seems me to steal a bit of the challenge of riding. I suppose I’ll never warm to self-driving cars. While I accept that they would probably be safer in the aggregate, I don’t necessarily believe it to be true in regard to the individual. I want to control and master my machine. Of course I could be deluding myself…
Sorry for your ordeal with parts and repair for Melody. If I have any worries about my scooter, parts and service are it.
You definitely get what riding is all about, even if you are the first person I’ve ever heard refer to a BMW K-bike as mechanically simple. And yet, I understand what you mean. There are a multitude of great new bikes out there, but most of them are overloaded with Hi-Tech gadgets that no one really needs. I ride to get away from all that stuff, but some of my riding buddies can’t leave home without hooking up their phones, cameras, drones, GPS systems and intercoms. If we take a break I always have to give them a few minutes to get ready before we are able to head off again. I guess that’s what they’re looking for, but I share your opinion that simple and uncomplicated has something very soothing about it, and lets you concentrate on the important things while riding.
Well, simple is relative I guess. The ’92 K bike is a lot simpler than the ones made today. Perhaps simple wasn’t the best term. Maybe something meaning “approachable” in terms of maintenance by owner. Not that I want to do the maintenance, but if I was it is possible to undertake without exotic tools and devices.
I definitely understand the high-tech gadget trap. I bought an intercom and quickly sold it. Ugh. What a nuisance. And why would I want to get calls while riding?? No interest in GPS. Played with GoPros but now they just sit. And thought about drones for 7 seconds. It’s enough for me to carry a point-and-shoot camera. Everything else gets in the way.
I think we both agree that simple and uncomplicated is soothing!
I would write more but since my writing arm is waiting on a new bionic shoulder socket, two feet related not two wheels, I will be brief, Great Story.
I read about your mishap in Paris on the ModernVespa forum. The X-ray just added to the cringe effect I get when hearing about broken (or shattered) bones.
Best of luck with the surgery and a speedy recovery. Don’t let them talk you into adding a USB port in the bionic shoulder. Just the plain one please!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery Ken 🙂
Riding my Vespa does bring me a sense of calm and peace of mind. I think it is because of singleness of thought — how to ride safely and how to enjoy my surroundings. And I do, as I am sure you do also.
A sense of calm and peace of mind. Yes, that’s it.
I hate to blather on about Americade but it was the first time since 1983 that I went away for multiple days on the motorcycle. I came home feeling changed. Not in a radical way but a subtle, more aware of the effect riding has on me. The bike and I became more unified and I even feel calmer from the experience.
As for tech on motorcycles. We did a 170 mile unguided ride through the Adirondacks one day. My friend, Marc’s son suddenly led us into an overlook on Lake George shortly after we began the trek. I overheard him telling Marc that he had to stop because he got an error code in his instrument panel and his directional signals stopped working. Fortunately it required a few button pushes to rectify but I appreciated how much simpler my 1983 Kawasaki was doing the same job as his wiz-bang Indian without a computer having a fit.
Feel free to blather Jim. I always am interested in your perspective on riding, motorcycles, scooters, and life.
I think I’m familiar with that feeling of being changed. It often occurs when I return from a ride. And I suspect it would be even more pronounced on a long ride like you experienced. That calmness is wonderful.
Error codes. I’ve seen them on our car after a squirrel chewed up the wiring harness. At some level I can’t avoid technology, at least I’m not willing to go to the lengths necessary to avoid it. But with the scooter and motorcycle, I can make some choices to remain at a more simple level of technology at least. Don’t get me wrong, I love having a computer. I just don’t need it to be everywhere.
Your K75 has electronic fuel injection, so yes it has ICs. 😉
My 87 K75s may not survive a major sun flare, but my ’61 & ’66 Puchs wouldn’t even notice the occurrence.
Damn. I forgot about that. I knew the ignition system would have transistors but didn’t think I would find an actual microchip. Oh well, it won’t be the go to machine for a big flare or an EMP burst.
Thanks for setting me straight!
Your BMW and Vespa both have digital ignition systems as well as electronically-regulated charging systems. Don’t disparage modern-day tech too much. Modern EFI does a much better job of mixing gasoline and air than any carb ever could. LED lighting is much brighter, much easier on the wiring and switches (less current flow) and much longer-lasting than halogen lighting. Electronically-regulated suspension allows for precise changes due to differing weight load and road conditions. The issue is not how new the tech is, but how durable it is. Many people are very familiar with the ubiquity of personal computing and cellular communications devices but few are familiar with the “ruggedized” equivalents that are built to endure much more arduous use – but at a higher price. Tech is very good when it disappears into the background and let’s us enjoy the experience.
I can’t disagree with you on anything you’ve shared. I suppose what I avoid is the proliferation of things that have not disappeared into the background or are so complicated that each use is a frustration. While I’m not a tech Luddite, I do appreciate my tech in the background. For instance, I would never want to replace my modern Vespa with a vintage one from the 50s or 60s. And the improvement from my carb LX150 to the fuel-injected GTS was simply amazing. And of course the most important part — I want it to be durable and rugged.
Speaking of LEDs, I’ve begun looking for an LED headlight for the BMW. The current one is so lacking in brightness. Not a super bad problem but I do like a bright headlight.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts today. I appreciate the lesson!
Steve – you nailed it on the “technology overload” factor. I’ve got a 2008 GTS250 and, although I would like to have ABS brakes, really feel the bike is perfect. Sometimes I think about getting a new scooter or motorcycle but most of them are so full of bells-and-whistles technology that (for me) is unnecessary that I just stay with my old faithful Vespa.
Ride safe,
Dave Montgomery
I’m torn about ABS brakes for the scooter and motorcycle. While I’ve seen the demos on YouTube of stopping at high speed on wet pavement tests with ABS and not ABS, I had to wonder if the comparison was relevant to me. I would never ride that fast on a road with that much water on it.
My main concern is being able to disable the ABS. I ride my scooter enough in dirt and gravel in the mountains of steep roads that I want to me able to lock up the rear wheel. I need to find out if the ABS on a Vespa can be easily disabled and enabled on the fly.
Keep it simple ! I just bought a Janus 250 # 328 . I do not know of a bike that has less . At my age of 88 ,it does all that I need. I was a BMW dealer and saw the frustration of complicated bikes . I also have a Stella 2/stroke .
KEEP IT SIMPLE !
Cheers, Bill
I wasn’t familiar with Janus motorcycles so I had to look them up. Wow! What a work of art. I watched a review on YouTube and it seems amazing. Congratulations on finding your way to this new machine. As a BMW dealer you certainly would have seen complicated machines.
And bravo for still riding at 88. I hope I’m as fortunate as you and have two decades of travel in me! Thanks for stopping to comment. Stop again to let us know how things turn out with the Janus.
I first read it from Jack Riepe, that motorcycling is the closest thing man to fly and still be touching the ground…..I’m sure I’m getting the phrasing wrong but your article reminded me of him. Glad you’re finding some magic still….
Thanks for stopping by Dom. Good to see you’re back boondocking again. And those familiar sunsets over Denver! I need to be less lazy and comment.
Jack Riepe knows how to turn a phrase. And he’s still turning them despite his health challenges. I spoke with him about a month ago. He’s still waiting for me to review his first book. He’s a patient man!
Hidden gems ,EVERYTHING I’ve read on here. Have experienced 4speed scooters and the 2stroke version is VERY entertaining. Perhaps lacking in practical reliability ,but that’s part of why a MANUEL shift scooter is so F U N!! 2 wheelers are SURREAL….
My friend Paul has a ’64 Allstate scooter, two-stroke, manual transmission, and he loves it. Lots of two-wheeled choices out there for fun and thrills!
Merry Christmas, Steve. I hope all is well with you and your wife. You are truly missed.
Floyd
I hope you had a fine Christmas holiday Floyd and are enjoying the approach of a new year.
I’ve been riding and making photographs but struggling to put two words together. I’m still writing but have not produced anything worth posting. Hopefully that will change soon!