Comparing anything, motorcycles and scooters included, invariably leads many to the mental trap of “which is better?”. As I think about all the times I’ve engaged in that pointless battle — which is the better camera, tripod, paint, microwave oven, car, faucet, tile, window — you get the picture, it’s been a complete waste of time. I will battle on though to rationalize my decision making process though. I’m that dumb. And so it goes with the Ducati vs. Vespa as it turned in my head during a ride to breakfast that my friend Paul and I undertook over the weekend.
Before delving into anything related to the machines or the ride I need to say something about the photography, or more specifically, the camera used. I’ve misplaced my trusty Canon G15 point and shoot and was left with only the iPhone to make images. Normally I would have gone to great lengths to find something to shoot with but on this morning I decided to let go of image making. It was not easy but well worth the struggle.
The iPhone 4 makes reasonably good images and I put it to use a few times during the ride. But mostly I found myself riding unencumbered by any concerns to document or illustrate what I was seeing or thinking. Many rides are filled with a mental narration that can consume the experience as I commit more and more mental resources towards photography. On this day I found that I got to a point where my mind was, well, empty. I was just on the Vespa flying down the road.
Paul’s Ducati Hypermotard is a pretty thing. He got rid of his Ducati 1198 to make room for this one in the garage. A lot more fun and more comfortable to ride in my opinion though each rider has their own taste in machinery. He acquired it on eBay and had to go to Mobile, Alabama to pick it up. He really wanted the Hypermotard. It does have a nice, throaty engine sound and can easily leave the Vespa evaporated in it’s rear view mirrors but on a ride through the countryside for breakfast it didn’t come up.
As fall approaches the world starts to change. The soybean fields are turning yellow in preparation for harvest and the atmosphere is just perfect for riding. There’s a trade off to keeping the power of the Ducati in check — foregoing dazzling speed for the dazzling scenery. The Vespa isn’t capable of dazzling speed but I suspect you can’t pay a lot of attention to the roses when you are dazzled.
During a stop for pictures Paul had me ride circles around him so he could get an action picture. I reminded him to make the scooter and I look heroic. He succeeded in making me look like the circus bear riding a bicycle. So much for heroics. I will say the scooter looks really clean — a testament to the dishonesty of photography.
When we left State College, Pennsylvania there were a number of options for route and breakfast eateries. Paul left it to me to choose so I thought I would surprise him by deviating from our normal 20 mile ride to breakfast by increasing the distance to 60 miles. For a moment I thought rain might intrude despite the forecast calling for sunshine. I didn’t care though having not been on the Vespa all week. And the Ducati, nice and shiny as it is, could use a bit of rain to humble itself. Turned out things remained dry.
The official Ducati portrait for Paul’s website. I’ve been photographing him with his scooters and motorcycles for 20 years or so. He has quite a collection. I’ll try and get him to pose again when I have a real camera available.
It is a nice bike.
This portrait was made just a few miles from one of the breakfast establishments Paul has trying to get me to for the past couple years — Mamie’s in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania. Luckily, the surprise remained intact until we pulled into the parking lot because for all the riding in Pennsylvania Paul possesses a common talent of not really being aware of where he is. Or so it seems to me.
Mamie’s has great food and the fresh baked donuts are to die for. I forgot how good they were. If you pass anywhere near this part of Pennsylvania you must stop for breakfast or lunch.
The Ducati vs. Vespa question surfaced a few more times on the way home. Once on a three exit run on Interstate 99 as I watched the Ducati in my rearview mirror as we tooled along at 70 mph. Even though he could go a lot faster the beating by the wind wouldn’t be any better than what I was experiencing on the Vespa. Those naked bikes stick you right in the middle of things.
And a bee in my helmet and subsequent sting brought the Vespa to a rapid halt along a rural road with Paul following closely. The Hypermotard seems able and agile in negotiating pavement to gravel in a hurry.
Damn bees. It’s been awhile since I had to content with that stuff.
All in all a great ride. First time with the new (used) Ducati. At this point I’d say the score is Ducati 1, Vespa 1. Arrived home with just shy of another 120 miles added to the clock and a smile on my face.
Can I ask for more?
I prefer the Scooter.
Automatic transmission – Easy handling – Upright position make it a much easier to enjoy the ride. If you want to manage a machine a motorbike will be more suited for you. But also more frustrated as you always will end up waiting for something slower in-front of you….
Rogier, I think our thoughts on these matters are in alignment!
Lately I’ve been putting a few miles on my wife’s Honda Rebel just to keep in touch. I have to say that this little snack has engendered in me the seed for something bigger. The snap of direct drive and the connection with the bike in changing gears has been semi-seductive. I’ll keep the scooters but also an eye on Craigslist for a possible ride, at the usual Winter Fire Sale of used bikes.
Even though I continue to be enamored by the Vespa scooter I do keep my eye peeled for a motorcycle. I’ll have my eye open for a firesale special myself though in all honesty I’ll probably always be a one machine man…
Steve, is the Ducati Hypermotard designed to compete against the BMW GS in terms of 80/20 paved/dirt roads?
I don’t think the Hypermotard is intended for anything but pavement. The tires certain don’t suggest anything involving dirt. It’s for those who want some aggressive riding in an upright position!
Karen and I had the privilege of following Paul through those Pennsylvania fields. A white Yamaha V-Star cruiser, following a black Vespa GTS, following a red Ducati. An odd bunch to say the least, but the colors worked nicely.
You guys are consummate Pennsylvania gentlemen. The essence of American style and really cool customers. Paul made you look pretty good I think. He captured the Vespa and its rider exactly as I would like myself captured on a ride.
Well done Paul! Steve is too hard on himself, too hard on you.
And the Ducati Hypermotard: awesome.
Consummate gentleman — you must have us confused. Remember, all American’s look alike.
Paul always has some kind of flashy motorcycle but they don’t last long until he’s on to another shiny object. I enjoy riding with him and seeing what’s next on his moto life adventures!
You Americans might all look the same … but I have to agree with David, you and the Vespa look awesome in action – just say, “Thanks Paul!” As for chasing shiny things – there’s nothing wrong with that either. Enjoy the fall.
“Thanks Paul!” it is. He gets some unusual images of me when we ride.
I prefer the Vespa myself (I find all the things that have to be done to make a motorcycle run not within my coordination). But I have to say my husband rides a Yamaha FZ-09 and I ride my Vespa GTS-250 together often, so we often look like your friend and yourself (his FZ-09 is red too). Both of them are amazing bikes, just like your Vespa and your friend’s Ducati.
And as for smelling the roses? Sometimes its fun to go slow and savor the environment. Other times, its fun to go fast! So an excellent ride for me does both 🙂
Motorcycles can seem complex at first but some time on a riding course with a good instructor can turn things around. The MSF courses are a great way to ease into those complexities. A scooter is great though for riding with few worries. Riding one with a Yamaha FZ-09 would definitely be an odd couple experience.
I like your observation — a good ride has elements of slow and fast. Like sweet and sour food!
Steve, while Paul was eating his breakfast you could have borrowed his wheels and put your 12-inchers on his bike. Then you’d have Vescati and Dupa. Quite often I don’t bother with my dSLR and take the iPhone5 along. Under normal daylight conditions I don’t see any difference in pic quality and the iPhone fits in a pocket.
The thing I miss on the iPhone is the ability to compress a scene with a telephoto lens and a big aperture to minimize the depth of field. For images when that’s not important the phone camera is fine. Add to that all the cool photo processing apps and the iPhone really is a winner.
Steve Williams in action on the vespa !! very,very good !!!
My english is very little; sorry, i’m french !!!
Thanks for the kind words Laurent! Merci beaucoup!!!
I own both a Vespa GTS Super 300ie and a Yamaha Fazer. Both have their strengths. I choose for the Vespa for the smaller trips, and the Yamaha for tours. The lack of ABS on the Vespa in combination with rather forceful front brakes makes it for me not ideal for tours. Also stability on highway speeds are not ideal with the Vespa. On top stability gets greatly influenced by factors like wheel balancing and bearing quality; something which is less on motorcycles.
But Vespa is great, compact and more fuel efficient in and around cities. And one way or the other it embodies a certain character that appeals me. So I agree with your ranking.
Gee, could I take any longer to respond to your comment??? Somehow I miss one now and then.
If there is a lot of freeway time on a tour I can definitely see the advantage of a bigger machine over the Vespa in terms of comfort. At 70mph the Vespa takes more out of you than a heavy motorcycle. But if the touring is on secondary roads with reasonable speeds the Vespa is a pretty luxurious ride. Unless the tires and balance are a mess.
The front brake on the GTS is strong. Takes some time to not be overwhelmed by it. A heavy motorcycle doesn’t have that feel.
Anyway, sorry again for the delay in responding. Hope you’ve had many miles of fine riding since you visited here.
I ride a vespa but my cool friends on “real motorcycle “ dont see it that way that is why they plan rides without me so i wont “ruin” the bromance.
Desmo — how cool can they be if they won’t ride with a Vespa? Hah. I’ve heard riders describe the appropriate riding partners by brand, age, sex, skill and endless other sorting filters. To each their own. Any challenge to those groupings does tend to intrude on the fantasy or bromance. You get karma points for accepting their loss…