A 150cc Vespa Scooter: Grateful for the Little Things

Mistaken Thinking

In my brief and seldom views into the social and marketing realms of the Moto-world I’m always shocked at how overwhelming the size, weight, power, and tech can be. It feels a lot like going into a hotel and turning on the TV and feeling it’s all commercials and pitches with very little content.

A 150cc Vespa scooter seems a lost and forgotten machine amidst the din of macho claims and excitement of real motorcycles. Scooters are dismissed for a variety of reasons. “Real” riders dismiss them for lack of everything. Some find them embarrassing, common I think in a world of giant SUVs and trucks where size reinforces myriad weaknesses in self image. And probably the most egregious view of scooters is their inability to deliver on the road. Simply put, they’re toys for the beach and not much more.

Taking my ET4 for a ride always reminds me of how capable it is, and how grateful I am to ride one. For a week our hot water heater was dead and awaiting replacement. That first hot shower, something easily taken for granted, was suddenly an amazing experience. How grateful I am to have a hot shower. It’s the same with my 150cc Vespa scooter.

Out on a backroad on my way to breakfast and taking in the beautiful central Pennsylvania landscape in which I get to ride. I’m a lucky man.

A Morning of Chores and Errands

Any bike in the garage could take me on all the chores and errands I had to run. Including a stop for breakfast. I chose the ET4 because I hadn’t ridden it lately. And just minutes into the ride I was reminded once again of how fun it is. And perfect for 35 miles of errands. The direct route would have reduced it to 18 miles but where’s the fun in that?

For practically any destination I have a variety of possible routes. All of them roads less traveled.

Breakfast at the Earlystown Diner

Nine miles from home I pull into the diner parking lot. I don’t often eat here but it’s close to the first couple errand destinations. And the food is good and the atmosphere relaxed and quiet. As I get older quiet is becoming more and more important. The Earlystown Diner meets all my needs.

Breakfast Accessories

My wife is fascinated by bears. Black bears, brown bears, Grizzly bears, Sun bears. So I couldn’t pass up a dangling laser cut aluminum ornament depicting a mother and her cubs. It offset the chocolate cake I got for myself. I’ve become obsessively aware that afternoon tea requires something sweet to go with it. I won’t bastardize the tea itself so I need some external sugar delivery mechanism.

The Apothecary

Seems like I live in this place. Between the medical ailments of my wife and I there is always a reason to be at the Apothecary. There are closer pharmacies around but nothing quite like a place where everyone knows your name. Plus it’s a fine excuse for a ride.

The Long Way Home

Over the mountain and a big loop around the far end of the valley gave me a chance to unwind, take in the scenery, and appreciate once again the beauty and utility of my 150cc Vespa scooter. If it was the only machine in my garage I could lead a full and happy Moto life. The only real limitations of a little scooter are time, patience, and my willingness to puzzle out a route.

It’s great for running errands. But if I had to ride to Portland, Oregon, it could do that too. No frills or tech. Just a reliable 150cc Vespa scooter. Just add a rider willing to adapt to its limitations and in possession of a durable ego.

I’m grateful to have this little scooter.