Too Many Scooters and Motorcycles?
How did I come to have five two-wheeled machines in my little one-bay garage? For fourteen years I was content with a single scooter for all my riding. At least that’s what I told myself, an unconscious dishonesty masking my true feelings and desires — a machine for every riding occasion I might engage.
I can be impulsive buying things that suddenly seem essential to my well being and quality of life. There’s a trail of impulsive purchases through my life from cameras to guns and fountain pens and books. Rather than deal with whatever emotional chaos that’s in front of me I seek the quick and exciting fix of buying things.
Looking at the scooters and motorcycles in my garage, frequently looking and thinking about them, only one borders on an impulsive purchase — the Honda Trail 125. Unlike other impulsive purchases that still sit unused in their box, the Honda has turned out to be a welcome addition to my riding life.
On the other hand, having five machines brings with it expense, maintenance, and other issues of ownership.
Year Round Riding
I do not drain the fuel and pull the batteries from any of my machines as an exercise of winterization. I ride all of them year round. Or at least that’s the path I choose. My goal is to ride each at least once every two weeks for at least 15 miles. What usually unfolds is largely dependent on weather, road conditions, and my own state of mind. Sometimes I ride them more frequently and for greater distances. And sometimes they sit longer than two weeks. So far things have worked out fine for me and the scooters and motorcycles.
It was my 2005 Vespa ET4’s turn for a ride. A nice autumn day with the temperature in the low 60s. I had a loop in mind that would put 15 miles on the clock.
Garage Rotation
Sometimes it feels as if I am constantly rotating the scooters and motorcycles. I try to keep the ones I need to ride next close to the garage door. But that gets interrupted because sometimes I just want to ride one of them regardless of the position in the rotation. And full disclosure, it can be a pain in the ass to move them around. Not because it’s difficult but my impatience can get the better of me.
Riding does tame my impatience. That’s a good thing for riding. Getting out in the world, even for a short time is therapeutic. There’s something magical about riding a scooter in autumn, parking it in a field, and taking in the fragrance and light of autumn.
Maintenance
Thankfully I can afford to have others maintain the scooters and motorcycles. Over the years I’ve developed an aversion to turning wrenches. Or using tools of any kind for any reason. The joy and satisfaction I once felt working on machines evaporated long ago. All that remained was a fiscal resistance that I’ve finally gotten past. And not just with the machines I ride. With everything. I’m still kind of amazed at how good it felt to write a big check for a bathroom remodel. Work I could do myself but am just not interested in doing. Just as I want to ride and not wrench, I want to shower and not remodel.
What does remain though is keeping track of when service is needed, registrations, insurance, and making sure the scooters and motorcycles are safe to operate.
I think in my slowly advancing years I am getting lazy or have less patience for the not fun parts of life.
Riding the little Vespa scooter was the most fun I’ve had this week. It is a hoot to ride as it strikes some chord in me that is difficult to explain or understand. And looking at those brilliant autumn leaves makes whatever chores I have related to owning scooters and motorcycles well worth the trouble.
Dog Maintenance
Before any riding or maintenance comes the daily requirement of a morning dog walk. Lily and Aiden, our Belgian Sheepdogs, expect, insist, and demand a couple miles of exploring every morning. And I seldom let them down. I’ve come to realize that dogs, scooters and motorcycles have taught me self-discipline. I no longer feel forced to do things because of some external force, but rather choose to do things because it is good for me.
My cardiologist is happy that I walk the dogs. A lot. No reason to return to past trouble after all…
Steve;
Wonderful post. You are singing my song and speaking to my soul.
Your thoughts are much appreciated.
Steel
Thank you Steel. I’m just humming the hidden lyrics of scooter and motorcycle ownership in my life.
I’ve never possessed the ability to work with tools beyond simple, basic tasks. But I do understand the tradeoff between time and money. In short, I have been willing to spend more money in order to gain more time. Case in point: I bought the cheapest (S100) brand new John Deere riding mower I could find once the hassle of trying to start my old second-hand one became too much. The older I get, the better this trade-off looks.
Trading money for time is certainly part of the attraction for me. But so is a reduction in frustration that seems to dog my mechanical adventures. Plus, when I look at the machines in the garage I want to think first of riding and not the work they may require.
Do I sound like I’m getting spoiled in my old age?
Hello Steve,
Well one thing for sure if u ever sell any one of your machines the buyer will b getting a ride well worth the price paid thanks to the upkeep and care u have provided . To many???, I currently have 1 scooter, however at last count at least,14 cigar box guitars,9 assort. Ukuleles still can only play one at a time…Man dude I get it..Weather has been a dream for scootin. Around.here in Central Texas. Happy trails to u and machines my friend.Dr.Don
Isn’t it amazing how much stuff we can amass… I have one guitar that I bought and never played so it is slowly making its way out the door. I sure wish I would have taken those guitar lessons more seriously back when I was 10 years old. Arthritis in my fingers has ended my guitar playing now.
The weather is warm here still during the days but we’ve already had a couple freezes at night. I’m slowly acclimating myself to cold weather riding. A mental process first for me.
Whatever makes you happy. Sounds like five at a time suits you right now. Time and age will change things. Just let it happen.
I proudly owned and operated five motorcycles when I lived in Maryland. Not having an annual inspection made it a lot simpler. Before moving to PA I got rid of most. After moving I got rid of the antique – too much upkeep and care. Then the Ural with sidecar simply wore out after 15 years. Now I’m happy with one.
I’ll follow your advice and go with the flow. Circumstance will dictate what should be in the garage.
Dang Steve, that’s quite the herd in a very small stock yard! I store my three motorcycles in the garage’s third bay as you might recall and you’ve surpassed me in the way you fit things in!
Well, Kim still asks if she will ever get to park her car in the garage. And I give her the answer that every good, motorcycle and scooter riding husband should say — NO.
I still need to do some organizing and clearing out of things in the garage. I can easily fit a sixth machine in then!
Battling a desire to buy stuff is regular ailment of mine. Luckily its mostly $10 cameras at flea markets but sometimes I’ll have a $1000 moment. Riding each motorcycle regularly is probably the best idea because they get sick when they sit. Paul “Sick” Ruby
As you know, getting out to ride for me is a challenge. I hate seeing autumn slip by without any long rides. Acceptance is the key I guess. And I’ve limited my buying but stuff still shows up!
Ok Steve, I can relate. I now have 5 motorcycles and a electric bicycle in my garage. And, it is partially your fault. I already had a Himalayan in garage when I found your videos. But I can honestly say that you were an influence in me purchasing a Vespa GTV300 and now my CT125 Trail. Loving both of them. Thanks Steve . PS. The other bikes are a DR650 and a R1200R.
I’m not sure whether to apologize or clap my hands. Only you know for sure which response is the best.
Large or small, having something in life that you enjoy and find satisfaction is a gift. And it seems you have a fine collection of machines!
As I drift though my early 70s, I realize that for me personally – less is more. The less I have, the less I have to take care of. And that works for me personally. At most, I have owned three different motorcycles simultaneously (and many more besides) – but they were all sold earlier this year. Now I have none, but I’ll probably buy one during this coming winter or next year’s spring. But only one. There are so many choices, and so many that I would like to still own. But I’ll get just one and confine myself to the kind of riding that that particular future motorcycle will provide.
I’ve known (though often ignored) the wisdom of “less is more.” I still struggle with having more things in my life than I should and am endlessly taking care of things. I’m attracted to minimalism but uncertain whether I possess the courage to clear things away.
Thanks for the reminder. And good luck on your moto search!