The real economics of riding aren’t at the pump; they are gathered when you make a decision to replace your four-wheeled vehicle as the main choice of transportation. Without that decision the scooter remains a toy, object of recreation or occasional transportation item.

There is no doubt I save at the fuel pump. My Ford Ranger gets about 20 miles per gallon. The Vespa gets around 68. On the highway the difference is even greater— 24 vs. 90. Some quick math. Last year I rode the scooter about 7000 miles. My truck 1200 (at least 600 of that put on by friends or family needing a truck). The truck uses regular fuel so let’s use 2.30 per gallon for calculation. Total fuel cost last year (using city mileage figure)— $138.00. Pretty cheap. The scooter on the other hand using premium fuel at 2.50 per gallon cost $237.00. Still pretty cheap.

Now had I put all 8200 miles on the truck the fuel cost would have been $943. More but not a terribly troubling number. The focus on fuel is really not where the real economics lie. The real economy of scooters is when they become a replacement vehicle that either does not require the purchase of a four-wheeled vehicle or it extends the useful life of that vehicle. I spent $4500 on the Vespa out the door, tax, and license. The truck was over four times that cost. My wife and I have three vehicles— VW Jetta, Ford Ranger truck, and Vespa. If we can eliminate the need for the Ford the economic benefits are huge in terms of purchase price saved, maintenance, insurance, fuel. There is also a big benefit if I can extend the useful life of the four-wheeled vehicles.

All of this starts to touch on personal preferences and comfort levels with style, age of vehicles, etc. I could go out an buy a 500-dollar junker and drive it and perhaps be cheaper than the scooter.

And a good economist would probably factor in health risk and medical expenses in the event of an accident. I don’t want to even try to estimate that other than the scooter is probably a lot more expensive.

After all the thinking about this stuff I end up with a couple of observations. First, I hate thinking about money. Second, my decision to ride was not based on economics. Third, for me the economic benefit of riding is a welcome one and real based on our family’s driving, riding, and ownership parameters. Because we keep vehicles until the wheels fall off we are able to amortize costs over a long period of time.

I hate thinking about money. What about you? Does a scooter or motorcycle save you anything?

Time to ride.

I took a slightly longer route home this evening from work, one that would take me away from the frantic traffic longing to get home. Car upon car, truck upon truck, SUV upon SUV all queued to get to the freeway entrance to hurtle north, east and west. The Vespa took me another path—one that is slow and deliberate, no hurrying. In one small village I was happy to see new asphalt finally smoothing the road surface and placing the manholes at road level rather than four inches above. I cruised along slowly until approaching the line painting truck applying double yellow to the black road surface. I hung back a considerable distance not wanting any yellow over spray coating my Vespa. I was content to just enjoy the air and scenery until such time the truck stopped painting and pulled over. I’d get home when I would get there. I was throwing slow back at a day that often wants fast. Our whole culture prompts us to rush and be impatient. The scooter is definitely a step off that roller coaster if you want to revolt.

The light glowed yellow as it lowered in the west sky. The foliage is beginning to change and I just love the smell of fall in the air. I had to stop and take some pictures. Again, the scooter seems to keep showing up. I promise that I will start posting some non-scooter pictures for those of you who may be more interested in photography.

A scooter (or motorcycle) offers a unique gift to those who choose to ride. A choice. It doesn’t matter what you ride, but it does matter that you ride. It presents the rider to the world to embrace the visceral experience of light, air and space. The ride energizes the soul, heightens awareness of being alive and craving more.

This morning I was aware of the crispness of air and light, the warmth of the light hinting at the slow change from summer to fall. I chose a more rambling route to spend as much time as I could on the road before having to be at work.

The ride home was equally rewarding. The coolness gave way to warmth to create a balmy air and the strong sunlight licked across the goldenrod to produce an electric yellow swath of color.

Even the tin man seemed to come alive in his field. What a fine day to ride, if only for the short trips to and from work.

The only scooter I rode today was my friend Paul’s new 1964 Vespa GL. He recently acquired several boxes full of parts for around $600 which became the blue scooter you see here. Compared to my modern Vespa it is a strange contraption. Neat to ride around but would not want to take it on the long rides I like to undertake.

No battery in this Vespa, just a kick starter. The two stroke engine means mixing oil at every fill up and my driveway attests to the seal leaks in the transmission. No mirrors or turn signals, just an engine mounted to a frame. I suppose it could be an object lesson in simplicity. I know there are a lot of vintage aficionados out there but for my taste no thanks. Pretty, cool, but not utilitarian enough.

Paul also rides a Suzuki DM 450, a Harley Fatboy, 1964 Mercedes Sedan, and a 1976 Ferrari of sorts. He also had a Vespa ET4 until selling it to my father-in-law. Sometime soon I suspect the two of us will head out on the scooters to terrorize the local communities.

My two passions and a new path. Since I bought the scooter my photography has taken a decidedly Vespa direction. My camera points less frequently at the Pennsylvania landscape except as a backdrop for a portrait of the scooter. My wife Kim appears in fewer photographs that was the case for the past ten years. I sold my 8×10 Zone VI field camera and all related gear because I could not see hauling it around on the scooter (I still had a truck mind you). The darkroom is a seldom-visited place as I now seem to be shooting digital color almost exclusively. The Vespa seems to have turned my photographic pursuits upside down.

I’ve found the only way to get a handle on problems is just jump in and work. I often don’t follow that advice but in this instance I have made a decision to write, ride, and photograph and not question the results. Already I have seen the flame of desire flicker to pick up the camera more often when the scooter is not in sight. I’ll use this blog to report the results as I go. Immersion is the plan. Who knows where it will lead.

Left this morning even though the weatherman was calling (again) for rain. None materialized though several times I was sure I was about to be soaked. Temperature was hovering around 50 and the air was wet again — and gray.

I love this kind of weather. I rode over two mountains to the west of here towards Black Moshannon State Park and the surrounding area. The park was almost empty and the lake was quiet and misty.

By the time I got home I had traveled 86 miles but not before stopping at the new Unionville Cafe for bacon and eggs.

For me that is the quintessential riding meal.