Eveready Vespa GTS 250 Keeps on Ticking
Once a year, Pennsylvania requires motor vehicles to undergo a safety inspection. And for some, an exhaust system inspection for emissions. Motorcycles and scooters are exempt from the emissions test. I know a lot of riders that never have their bikes or scooters inspected. When I recently acquired my father-in-law’s Vespa ET4 I noticed it had not been inspected since 2012. So unless you’re stopped by the police, it’s difficult to see those stickers on a motorcycle, unlike a car where their bright colors are visible on the windshield.
I have mine inspected regularly at Kissell Motorsports, not so much for safety since I do those checks routinely myself, but rather because, well, I’m not much of an outlaw when it comes to rules. It’s probably related somehow to my aversion to high speeds and roller coasters.
While at Kissell’s waiting for my GTS I noticed a couple of Vespa scooters in the repair cue. The GTS belongs to my friend Andy and has a mystifying starting issue that has been difficult to resolve. Paul spied the scooter outside over the weekend at a Kissell Motorsports event and it appears it is ready to return home. Good news after losing many weeks of riding.
Simple Morning Rides
I don’t pour on the miles that I did when I was still working. Retirement has strangely reduced total mileage even though it would seem more time would mean more miles. Life takes strange turns and twists though. But the Eveready Vespa GTS is still fine company for rides to various places to have breakfast. And despite its age and wear, it remains remarkably smooth, quiet, and reliable.
The pessimistic part of me can whisper of impending problems. The old saying that each successful ride is one closer to a failure is a pernicious thought that at times makes me wonder if it isn’t time to buy a new GTS. More sober thinking unfettered by fear has me thinking that I should just take the scooter to a special mechanic I know, give him the scooter, and tell him to make it great again. Whatever that means and whatever he would do would be far less expensive than a new scooter.
Dual Sport Vespa Scooters
There are only a couple of reasons why a Vespa is seen as ill-suited for off-pavement riding. The first is purely cosmetic — all the flying gravel and dust will quickly chew into the pristine paint. Unless you don’t care a whole lot about that, it is a deal breaker for many Vespa owners. I’ve never really been concerned about clean and shiny vehicles.
I purchased my Royal Enfield Himalayan for places like this. But when you want to ride the scooter and a mountain road provides a cool shortcut to breakfast, I say why not. Like my cameras, my scooters are in “user condition.”
Besides, an Eveready Vespa GTS can go practically anywhere.
The CakeShop by Tati
Our breakfast destination was the CakeShop in Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania. I thought we might be able to get a cup of tea and a muffin or something, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a croissant warm from the oven and a delicious slice of quiche to partner with my Earl Grey tea. And afterward, I had two fine chocolate chip cookies for the dessert course. It was far too early in the day for cake though.
My Eveready Vespa GTS took me on another fine ride. It surprises me sometimes how much I can forget about the experience of riding until the moment I leave the driveway. And in particular, what a joy it is to ride a Vespa scooter. I’ve said it before, but they really do have a unique, magical quality, unmatched by anything else I’ve ever ridden. That’s not to say other machines aren’t fun to ride. But if I could only have one machine, it would be a Vespa.
One machine- I thought long and hard about “what machine?” after a long cardiac induced lay-off/lack of confidence (in life as much as anything else!) and Vespa did/does it for me…had to be a 300 though . Not sure why..perhaps because I had already tried Chinese 125 gutter trundling -which is virtually off road here in the UK, local authority pothole avoidance. It didn’t boost what little confidence I could then muster.
But not now…decades after cheating the Grim Reaper. Must be Vespa!!
Nice to hear from you again.
Regards Chris (lLncoln UK)
When health issues intrude life changes dramatically. Certainly at a psychological and emotional level. And it can reach out into the physical stuff too. I’ve been there more than I like. And in the face of those situations, the Vespa continues to be a logical choice for me. I like the GTS though I have to admit when my back is bad and putting the GTS on the centerstand is an issue, it’s nice to have the featherlight ET4.
Lets hope the Grim Reaper can’t see a Vespa clearly!
Nice to hear you this rainy morning with something to ponder “…more time..more miles”?. I am now retired with my impatience tempered by covid years, stress levels reduced and travel patterns changing, along with a few fitness levels. Voni Glaves, a woman riding into her next million miles, recommends smaller bikes and shorter days for more (s)miles as we adjust. Wherever we wander it seems that we often ride at a slower pace, perhaps absorbing and appreciating more without established timeline or destination. My personal safety inspections 🙂 may also be keeping this aging machine on the road!
There’s always lots to ponder. I try and limit my pondering of aggravating stuff to a minimum though. It’s not always easy though. A ride on the Vespa sure helps to soften things.
Whenever I read about Voni Glaves or other aging riders putting tens of thousands of miles on motorcycles each year into their 80s and 90s I have to think they’ve hit the DNA jackpot. For some of us, genetics intervene in ways that are beyond our control. It’s certainly true for me. I can deal with what I have a chance to control and just have to accept the rest. I’ll be addressing some of these aging rider issues in a video sometime soon.
You’re right about a slower pace and absorbing and appreciating more. I wish I had realized that a long, long time ago.
Keep riding. And keep the machine on the road!
I got the quiche also it was spectacular I wasn’t expecting gourmet level in Pleasant Gap. When Vespas were invented they didn’t know that the ultimate Vespa roads would be in rural Pa.
It was good stuff Paul. We’ll have to venture their again on the motorcycles going over the longer and rougher mountain road the drops down to Hecla Park. Before it snows.
I will offer you a piece of advice you can take or reject as you wish. For years I have been stalking your maintenance issues with your Vespa as a way of gauging if the price for one is worth it. Without going in depth you have replaced all the items that have plagued 250 Vespa owners in Modern Vespa for the last 14 years and should now be done with defective parts for the scooter’s remaining life. I have noted that most of the problems perplexing them are not, in fact, engine issues but are supporting components. That being said, and noting that neither you or other 250 owners, have had premature wear or engine failures should be able to now run for many, many thousand of miles trouble free. Of course the heart wants what the heart wants and the siren song of a 300cc Vespa purchase might be more than you can resist. At present you have a 150cc for short runs, a 300cc for longer runs and a 410cc for dirt and equally long runs if needed. I would think a long while if you really need a slightly bigger scooter that by most specifications isn’t that much improved over what you have.
You are absolutely right Jim. I do not want to spend the money on a new GTS. My fears surrounding the Vespa I have are largely figments of my imagination that whisper to me that the engine is about to die and needs a top-end rebuild. Maybe it will. But even then, a rebuild is cheaper than the nearly $9K out-the-door price for a new GTS here in Pennsylvania.
As you say, I’ve already replaced the stuff that normally wears out. And if the scooter breaks down on the road, I’ll make a call and have it hauled home. I need to follow the example of one of my heroes, Alfred E. Newman, “What? Me Worry?”
If I were going to spend my cash, I would rather buy a Royal Enfield Classic 350 to play with. Something I do not need. Right now I have everything I need and can ride. But you know how it is, the eye wanders towards new machines sometimes…
Another great write. I have been getting rid of scooters. First went a 2016 GTS 300 a few years ago. That was OK as I was selling it to my brother in North Carolina and just meant that I would have a Vespa there to ride as he has a barn full of two wheelers. Though he as been thinning his fleet also. In fact I just put of 1400 miles on it riding in VA and WV with him. That left a 300, 250, and a 150. Last year I helped a friend buy a 250, but he really wanted my 300 as he loves red. A few weeks ago he brought his by and left it as I was going to do some minor maintenance on it as he is still working and I still just goofing off. For some reason I just said go ahead and take the 300 to ride. After a few weeks, I realized I did not miss it. Seeing the empty space in the garage was OK with me. The 250 really is my preferred Vespa of choice for long rides anyway, not the 300. I never even gave the 300 a name. Besides, if the space gets lonely I can just put a new Vespa there. But, as for now, I am content with my fleet.
I’ve had many people suggest, even insist, that it was time to “upgrade” to a 300. Like you, the 250 just seems to be fantastic. Other than newer with some more bells and whistles, I’m not sure I would get anything that would effectively improve the riding experience. So I stubbornly stick to my old Vespa 250. And I probably will until it just becomes impossible to keep running it.
And my wife often says what you do, when I need something, I can go out and buy what I need. It’s nice to pare down and focus my needs!
I sure wish I could have gotten together for a ride with you and your brother. Another time maybe.
That was a fantastic ride in the hills with perfect weather. Something you have access to every day. Well, maybe not the weather. Next time we will come closer to you,
I definitely have access to those fine routes, right nearby, and plenty of good weather. But other concerns seem to keep me occupied of late. But I plan to see the seasons change in the mountains. It’s already cold here with mornings in the 40s. My kind of weather!
Wants and needs, wants and needs…
As I write this, I’m in Gotham working on both old and not-so-old computers for a client. I’m parked around the corner from where, two evenings ago while working for the same client, someone backed into my ’22 GTS SuperTech, putting a nice crease in the left side of her previously-unscathed haunches. Thankfully, the owner hung around until I returned to my bike and exchanged insurance info, as well as his offering profuse apologies. Hopefully, before too long, dearest Thelonica will be put to rights again, but at least she’s running as she should.
I’m of two minds about these things: I like keeping my rides looking nice; not showroom-pristine, which is way the hell too much work form my PoV, but just nice-enough to please my eye. A tiny scratch here or there isn’t going to rock my dinghy too much, although sucker-punches like a few days ago do bother me, hence my thankfulness for proper repairs commencing shortly. But I ride my scoot lots, a relatively far (work and what passes these days for play), as this is my principal mode of personal transport. So, like you, I take care of my ride, but don’t let much get in the way of my riding it. 🙂
Geez… not another “incident.” I’m too long in the sticks to fully appreciate the insanity of the city. I can’t understand how someone can back into a scooter or anything for that matter. But the parking congestion is exponentially different where you are.
I hope you get things sorted and you’re comfortable with the fit and finish of your scooter. Maybe you need a beater scooter for Gotham and save the 2022 for trips!