Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650

Embracing the Honda Trail 125 Adventure Machine

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2024 Honda Trail 125 motorcycle parked in a driveway.
Loaded and ready for adventure.

Unexpectedly Sexy

Not sure sexy is the correct term. But unlike almost any other motorcycle or scooter on the road the Honda Trail 125 gets first, second, and often third looks and comments. Often seen as cute it doesn’t seem to intimidate or trigger indifferent reactions that bigger, louder, and frankly gaudier motorcycles can do. If engagement and ego stroking is important you won’t go wrong with this machine. And if you are looking for adventure, don’t underestimate this little machine.

The adventure ahead on this morning was simple — a wandering ride on backroads, dirt, and gravel to breakfast. A quiet hour on the road to cover 26 miles. Perfect for embracing the Honda Trail 125.

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When Riding Alone Isn’t Enough

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Man checking the rear wheel tire pressure on a Vespa ET4 scooter.
Checking the tire pressure on the Vespa ET4 is a challenge. (Photo by Andy Heckathorne)

Ungracious Awakenings

By temperament, I prefer to ride alone. Free to embrace the road at whatever pace I desire. Stopping to look or make photographs without concern for the tempo of others. No need to keep checking the mirrors or adjusting speed. Just the freedom to ride with my tumbling thoughts.

And still I ride with others because finding balance between solitude and connection makes life richer. I didn’t always understand that. Moments and opportunities arrive more frequently now when I realize riding alone isn’t enough.

The plan was a long scooter ride with friends Andy and Paul on an unexpectedly chilly morning. It was the Vespa ET4’s turn to ride and Andy caught me checking the tire pressure, an increasingly challenging operation now requiring knee cushioning and a limber back to engage the tire valve.

There seems to be no end to the reminders that I’m no longer young. Physically at least.

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Cold Versus Cool Motorcycle Rides

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2001 Kawasaki W650 motorcycle parked at a Sheetz store.
Dave arrives on his Triumph and our journey to breakfast begins.

Less Than Ideal Weather

It’s nice to be invited along on a ride. While I’m not always able to go, I always appreciate the offer. On this morning I was free to join Dave on a 39 mile ride to McVeytown, Pennsylvania to have breakfast with some of his riding buddies. The fact that the thermometer was stuck in the mid-30s was less than ideal. And the ride provided a number of opportunities to discern the difference between cold versus cool motorcycle rides.

It was cold. Not the best time to be riding a naked bike with no heated grips. And Dave is not a cold weather rider so I’m sure he was doing some second guessing as well. But when friends and breakfast are dangled before you logic and good sense take a back seat.

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Vespa Riders on the Road

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Vespa riders on the road in Central Pennsylvania.
Braving the cold, my fellow Vespa riders on the road.

Planetary Alignment

A celestial alignment of Vespa scooters brought Andy, Paul, and myself together for a ride during a “warm” February day. The sun was out, roads were clear, we were all geared up and able to comfortably manage a 42F day.

I knew it was cold because Paul had to use his electric gloves along with his faux Carhartt overalls. Whatever the circumstances already fading in my memory it was good to be with my fellow Vespa riders on the road through Penns Valley in Central Pennsylvania.

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Remembering Jack Riepe

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John Patrick "Jack" Riepe portrait
John Patrick “Jack” Riepe — March 10, 1954 to October 18, 2023

Words, Smiles, Laughter and the Battered Baby Seal Face.

With great sadness I have to report the passing of Jack Riepe, writer, speaker, and evangelist of BMW K bikes. Especially the K75 models. His humor was evident in the monthly BMW Owners News column he wrote, in his books, his talks and presentations, and in any conversation you might have with him.

The motorcycle world lost someone special.

In the above photo Jack was demonstrating to me his Battered Baby Seal look. A signature look for him akin to Zoolander’s Blue Steel. He insisted any woman he was interested in melted from that gaze. Seeing them flock around him at the BMW Rally in Bloomsburg I kind of believed him.

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