My Vespa LX150 transported eight tomato cages home from the store today. Could easily have transported twice that….
Making choices can be simple or difficult. Issues of right and wrong are instilled early and give each of us a foundation on which to make choices. Consumer culture can add series of messages providing other foundations on which to make decisions, decisions that seem appropriate and personal. Making a choice between a scooter or motorcycle to many in a simple one and basis on a solid foundation. For a moment I want to look at some of the rationale that may stand behind these choices.
Traditional arguments in favor of scooters suggest economy, reliability, and ease of use. Arguments against them and in favor of motorcycles are performance, capability, and safety in a wider range of road types. I won’t debate these points.
Decisions are personal and as such it seems something personal should enter into consideration of a choice between motorcycle and scooter. My own criteria for making a choice had little to do with the arguments suggested above but instead teeter close to a moral and philosophical belief exposed only after riding a friend’s Vespa ET4.
Initially my plan was to purchase a new Triumph T100. I’ve always warmed to Triumph’s classic look. After spending a weekend on the Vespa ET4 something happened that caused me to question why I was choosing the Triumph and what I discovered was the basis for my personal decision.
I had recently taken a new position as part of a management team. My new responsibilities created more chaos and noise in my life than I had anticipated. Everything seemed to speed up and I was always trying to go faster to get everything done. Seeking advice from others it was suggested that the way to deal with the every increasing pace of things was to turn in the other direction and slow down in order to catch up. Suspicious of this line of reasoning I finally made the leap of faith and “slowed down” only to find myself accomplishing more. One of life’s paradoxes…
In the showroom looking at the Triumph sitting next to the Vespa I ask myself “What will happen if I choose the scooter and am forced to slow down?” Will something positive emerge from a choice that seems a negative? Choosing the Vespa embraced intentional slowness, intentional challenge, and would be a step away from the mainstream of riders here in central Pennsylvania. The scooter can travel as fast. A Saturday afternoon ride on a motorcycle would be a major day long event on the scooter. The scooter would present more challenges and frustrations—-direct Interstate routes available to a motorcycle would be unreasonable on a scooter so more circuitous routes would have to be found. And owning a scooter would be seen by most other males as a toy, a poor bastard cousin to a real motorcycle. I would be an outsider.
It’s been eight months since I purchased the Vespa. 3500 miles later I can say that the same paradoxical choice that eased my professional life has delivered benefits on the road. Each 10 mile trip on the scooter becomes a challenge to be handled and thought out, something that would be a yawn for a motorcycle. A 100 mile ride is an adventure of body, mind, and spirit. It has kindled a passion not just for riding, but for almost everything I do. The lack of power and performance makes everyday riding a lesson in being alive.
One last observation about scooters and motorcycles. I’ve watched the culture of riders carefully—speech, dress, machines, and actions. There is a spirit and culture among many riders of independence and self reliance and it is well deserved. But there is also a tendency to not stray farm from normative behavior whether it be choices of when to ride or what to ride. Choosing to ride a scooter of any kind is outside the comfort zone of many—it does not allow you to conform and leaves you an outsider. Riding in winter is another step outside normative behavior. A scooter is NOT for someone who is uncomfortable being different, riding another road, being a rebel. For those who need to blend and conform, that’s what Harleys and Hondas and cruisers and sportbikes can offer among many other things.
I’ve pondered the addition of another machine, a motorcycle, but I’ve finally concluded that it has nothing to offer me today.
Steve, there is some meat in this entry. I’m connecting the enforced “slowness” and challenge of the Vespa benefits to why I’m getting so much from the Holga and Lensbaby in photography. I’ll have to think about this some more.
….and just maybe why a large format camera — like an 8×10 — fits his frame of mind, also. Or is he merely saying: “Are you man enough to ride a scooter?”???
hehehe
Pitchertaker
Steve,
Interestingly, I got a comment from a new instructor I worked with this weekend. It dovetails nicely with what you are saying about slowing down to be more efficient.
He told me he appreciated how everything flowed so smoothly and relaxed and yet it was deadly efficient. Everyone was having more fun. This guy had worked with someone else who was very intense and nobody had fun.
Steve,
Just a general comment about your wonderful blog. The photographs of your ‘beast’ and the nice countryside around your home are great. I am on a temporary assignment in Hyderabad India, a city of 7 million people–that is a far cry from my historical home of Lincoln, NE. Your photos remind me what country side can look like when they are not covered in buildings and slums.
I recently was lent a scooter by one of my coworkers here in HYD and have felt a new sense of freedom. It was exciting to see you have gone through he same thing.
I mentioned your site to the folks back home on my blog at http://ehlersindia.blogspot.com , I hope that is ok, if not let me know.
Clay
billies,
“Forcing” ourselves, setting boundaries in which to act or work can reveal things we don’t expect. Chuck Close did this with his painting when he had eye trouble.
Pitchertaker,
I’m man enough to ride a scooter but not man enough to lug around an 8×10! I’m thinking digital now…
irondad,
Slow and methodical has many benefits—fun and relaxing just a few of them.
steve
Clay,
I was looking at traffic to my blog and saw yours listed in the log files and saw the very kind comments you made about my blog—Thank You!.
Sounds like you are on the other side of the planet but having fun riding a scooter. They are almost magical in my opinion.
steve
It’s amazing what can be carried on a two wheeled vehicle with a few bungies.
Steve, I’ve owned my 2003 Piaggio BV200 for about 2 years now. I never rode a motorcycle before taking a riding course at a local technical college here in Wisconsin. My purchase coincided with a move from the western suburbs of Milwaukee to the Downtown. Prior to the move and purchase, I commuted to Downtown from the “burbs” by bus for 8 months. Waiting for those busses gave me ample time to observe motorcycle riders negotiating stop and go downtown traffic. I had been thinking “scooter” and the thought of messing with a clutch and gears in rush hour traffic really solidified the choice. I’ve got a little over 2500 miles on my bike, which isn’t bad since it’s only 2 miles to work and my riding season is short. Still, my bike is my mode of transportation with my wife using our Subaru Forester for her job. The farthest I’ve ridden it is 110 miles on a group ride with Harleys, Goldwings, etc. I stood out from the pack to say the least. I enjoy the freedom of riding and would like to do more. I might try camping with ski and social club I belong to. I also would like to join their golf league, but I don’t know if carrying the clubs on my back would make for a very safe ride. Any suggestions on that one?
Jim,
Carrying anything on your back changes the center of gravity as you ride and will have to be taken into consideration. Never having been a golfer I’m not sure what kind of weight we are talking about. I’ve seen golf bags and bet one could be attached to a sturdy rear rack. Again, you would have to take into account how that weight affects performance and handling which translates into a slower, gentler ride.
I’ve seen images from Europe and Asia where scooters are daily workhorses showing them carrying pigs, lumber, appliances and more.
The most I have carried on my scooter are two full grocery bags on the front seat hook, two gallons of milk under the seat, and a big pack on the rear rack. Total weight about 50 pounds. It could easily hold more if I wanted to spend some time tying things down.
Scooters where made to be utilitarian vehicles. They’ll do a lot.
steve
I’ve owned enduros, streetbikes and 2 sportbikes. I just sold my R6 and bought a brand new LX150. I wanted to slow down a bit. I’ve taken a lot of !@#$ from my coworkers (mostly Harley owners) Sometimes I think HD stands for hardly driven .I just think its a lot easier to gear up to ride to work. the underseat storage is great. I have had to make route changes while I go thru the “run in” period and I miss the breath taking speed of the R6. The LX takes away the temptation to drive (crazy) and lets me enjoy life.
Howie,
I can relate to the co-worker comments. Perhaps their own discomfort with themselves directed at you being able to comfortably ride a Vespa.
The absence of the thrill of speed I bet will be replaced with something more lasting that you can spread through everypart of your life—an ability to be present in the moment.
Good luck!
steve
I guess I’m just the opposite. I ride a Yamaha Vino 125 and want to see what life is like “on the other side”; motorcycles. Here in Florida you can get a MC license riding a larger scooter, which is what I did. I’ve never ridden a motorcycle. Not because I think I wouldn’t be able to, but because initially I assumed all motorcycles were really large and loud, and had too much power for me to manage.
I love the CVT transmission on scooters, but I hate the higher seat heights and I’m wondering about the smaller tires. If you see the tires from a distance on a scooter, it’s very funny looking. How does the darn thing stay upright?
So I’m eyeing a Honda Rebel 250, used. Maybe i’ll try it out. No, I don’t want to go fast. I’m just open to new experiences.
magnulus@bellsouth.net
magnulus: Nothing wrong with riding a motorcycle or seeing the the other side is like. Every two-wheeled vehicle is a little different and brings to it uniue traits and qualities on the road.
The Honda Rebel is a solid machine and it’s cruiser style has a low slung seat. I’m still surprised how tall the Vespa seat is and I’m 6’2″.
Good luck with your adventures and keep us up to date on them!
For many, off the shelf bikes just won’t cut it and a custom bike is the only way to go. For years, the idea of having a custom bike was out of the range of most budgets and most custom motorcycle kits were poor quality. However with the rise in interest in customized choppers, the custom motor cycle kit has become a great option for those who won’t settle for any thing but a custom bike but either can’t afford a Jessie James or desire a more intimate connection with their bike.
A few years ago, it was difficult to find synthetic motor oils, and equally difficult to find someone who admitted to using them. Nowadays, however, you can find synthetic motor oils on the shelves of Wal-Mart, and other retailers, and the number of people turning to synthetic motor oils, particularly in light of the recent events affecting fuel prices, has risen greatly.
So why do people use synthetic motor oils rather than sticking with the old petroleum based stand-bys which are admittedly cheaper?
1. Let’s start with the cost per quart issue. Synthetic motor oils ARE more expensive at purchase. However, these oils last longer, requiring fewer oil changes. As a synthetic motor oil outlasts several changes of petroleum based lubricants, the ultimate out-of-pocket cost of the lubricant is less. This cost savings becomes even greater if you have someone else change your oil for you rather than doing it yourself!
Steve, Perspective is a wonderful thing and is clearly enhanced by people like you being prepared to open up and be fair and balanced.
Like you, I am not going to debate the merits of traditional reasons – I am not much of a traditional person. But I will share my perspective, that is now somewhat blended with yours.
My first and fondest memories as a child related to powered two-wheelers, are of my mother taking me to elementary school on her Vespa. I assume it was a 150, but back in those days, it may have been a 90 or 75 – don’t know, didn’t really care. It was simply freedom. Later I owned my very own little 50cc Yamaha, and later baby-sat an uncle’s messy 2-stroke Suzuki 380cc.
That was then.
About 6 years ago I went through many, if not most of the emotions and thought you refer to. I even have a name for one of the items you refer to regarding speech dress & actions – “Jenko effect” – something I taught my children, that when you start wearing Jenko jeans, you eventually become part of the crowd that wear them.
I eventually bought my little baby, for many of the philosophical reasons you raise; I did not want to be part of a biker parade simply for its own sake; speed was a non-issue – in fact, I could not tell you what the top speed number on the speedo is; however, we differ on the thinking part. For me, riding is the same as scuba diving. You really can’t do anything else at the same time. It is my inaccessible time – no e-mail, phone, just relax – like watching a musical, you are happily absorbed, not distracted nor obligated.
The other difference lies in our ultimate decision – mine was for a Honda cruiser. The interesting thing is that I believe we made these divergent decisions for very similar reasons, especially to NOT “blend and conform”.
Happy living…
Chuck
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Steve, I forwarded this blog to a friend of mine who is riding one of those big bikes you were referring to. He wrote me back and found it an interesting read (so did I) but he wondered if you still felt the same way today, given that you wrote this 5 years ago. Do you?
On a different note, I am a relatively new subscriber to your blog but tremendously enjoy your musings & writing style, take on riding a scooter and last but not least the wonderful pictures. Looking forward to reading one every day and since you started years go, I have a lot of archived posts to read before running out…
charlesw: I think you and I are in agreement on all the important things. When I wrote the post — five years ago now — I was in my early explorations with the Vespa and how it fit into my riding life. I closed by saying that at the time a motorcycle wouldn’t offer me anything. At that point in time I didn’t have enough exposure to other riders to see how their choices fit with their riding. It’s an interesting activity to talk with people about their choices. Over the years I’ve had many opportunities. Your choice of a cruiser is every bit as sound as mine for a Vespa. We all may be going down the same road but the details are different for each of us.
Thanks for posting such a thoughtful piece on this topic.
Schnarpsel: I’ve had the opportunity to ride a lot of motorcycles and scooters since I wrote that post. While I still embrace the go slow frame of mind I realize now it’s possible to do the same thing on a motorcycle. My continued choice of a Vespa has more to do with the utility and versatility it offers me and the kind of riding I do. In another situation it might not be so good. If I had to commute 30 miles to work on the expressway it would not be such a good choice.
I’m more understanding of people’s choices and motivations. Except for riding without a helmet or a deafening exhaust. Still don’t understand that. Or maybe I do.
Thanks for your kind words about the blog. Hope you continue to find something worthwhile here.
Steve, Thank you for responding to my question. I will pass it on to my friend..
My personal take on this is that I find the scooter an all-around friendlier, happier ride. I get why people ride motorcycles but seeing a Vespa come my way always makes me smile. It isn’t about speed, muscle, power and whatever else one would commonly associate with big bikes. Yet the freedom and exuberance I feel riding my Vespa is every bit the same…
As always, very much enjoy reading the Scooter in the Sticks.
Dear Steve,
I know this post is a good 6 years old now, but I found it really fascinating. I’m looking at buying either a scooter or motorcycle to get me to work every day, and I would be curious to have your perspective on my situation.
I will be using the scooter/motorcycle to commute 45 miles to university most days (and then 45 miles back). We do own a car, so I can take the car if there’s a ton of snow. But between parking and gas costs, a scooter/motorcycle is a far better option, when safe.
To me, speed is not really an issue. I’m happy going slowly and taking my time. The question is whether I should buy a new Chinese scooter (Roketa, perhaps) for 1000 of pay slightly more (1500) to get a used Kawasaki Eliminator 125 (or similar). In either case, my top speed will be about 60mph (just enough to not bother traffic on the state highways I’ll be commuting on). Of course, if I do get the cheap chinese scooter, I’ll get it from somebody who can also supply parts and such. The prices are similar, the top speeds are similar, the mpg is similar. So my decision comes down to one of safety and maintenance cost. In my situation, would you suggest the used motorcycle or the new scooter?
I’m really keen to hear your reasoning here, as I’m really ambivalent myself.
Anonymous: Considering your choices I suppose I would opt for the Kawasaki purely with maintenance in mind. Lot’s more parts and mechanics around who are willing to work on them. I’ve no direct experience with the Chinese scooters save for a person down the street who has one and found a motorcycle mechanic to work on it and will order parts on the web. That may not be the rule though…
Forty-five miles is a long commute for a small engine scooter or motorcycle. I know you say you are content with going slow but you may find it wears you out after awhile. Not sure I would want to commute 45 miles on my 250 very often. I would definitely think hard on that.
Maybe go to ModernVespa.com and ask questions there. A lot of scooter commuters posting.
Good luck and let me know what you end up doing!
did you vote for Obama ?’because only liberal wackos think like you.
Liberal wacko… that’s the first time that one was applied to me.