Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

Seduced by Warm Weather

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Vespa GTS 250 scooter parked on a gravel road next to a farm field on a sunny day.
Blue skies and sunlight draw me out into the world.

The Serotonin Rush

Medical articles talk about the positive effects of warm weather and sunlight on mood and well-being being linked to the increased serotonin and vitamin D production. Whatever the neuro/biological mechanisms are in play it feels great to feel drawn out of the house and onto the road.

During the past week I’ve ridden the Kawasaki W650, the Royal Enfield Himalayan, the Honda Trail 125, and yesterday a pleasant ride on the Vespa GTS scooter. And I can attest to my spirit soaring to even greater heights than it does when it is freezing outside.

But nothing remains static including the experience of being seduced by warm weather.

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Vespa Scooter Relationships

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Two Vespa scooter riders stopped at a scenic vista.
Andy with his new Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport scooter.

You Meet the Nicest People on a Vespa Scooter

Andy wore out his first Vespa GTS 300 after only 65 thousand miles or so. I think. After some mechanical failures he felt it was time for a new one. I’m still rocking my 19 year old GTS. Runs fine. Some recent extensive maintenance and wrench twisting should keep it running until I can’t ride anymore. There’s a happy thought.

The story on this ride though was Andy, Paul, and I were gathering for breakfast, then riding to Belleville, Pennsylvania to meet another scooter rider. It’s odd how Vespa scooter relationships develop.

A few things were unexpected.

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Vespa GTS Scooter: Transition to Spring

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Vespa GTS scooter outfitted with winter gear.
Outfitted with winter gear.

Unburdening the Vespa GTS Scooter

A month ago I decided it was time to remove all the gear from the scooter that keeps me warm and toasty in cold weather. The Tucano Urbano muffs and Termoscud apron. A few days of warmer weather and a gut feeling it was time had me reach for the tools and return the GTS to its normal naked self.

Five minutes of work and I’m ready for warm weather.

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Riding the Vespa GTS Scooter into Spring

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Vespa GTS scooter parked in a wet farm field.
Scooter passing through one of the many planting ready fields.

Time to De-Winterize the Vespa GTS Scooter

The temperature soared to the low 70s yesterday causing me to almost remove all the winter armor from the scooter. Nothing like the mid-30s when the picture was taken during one of those winter exercise rides. Predictions for more sub-freezing temperatures for the end of the week dampened my enthusiasm for removal just yet.

Riding the Vespa GTS scooter in relative comfort is still a priority. The best cold weather vehicle with two wheels in the garage.

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Thinking and Riding

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Vespa GTS scooter parked at a quarry.
Overhaul the scooter or just ride it?

Pondering Maintenance

The GTS is running great. But I’m doing a lot of thinking and riding. Thinking I should do some serious service on the scooter yet riding it gives no clue that it needs much of anything. And with 45 thousand miles on the clock and on the road since January of 2007 I wonder if it’s worth doing much of anything to it.

What have I been pondering? Well, a valve check for one. It’s never had one. Ever. It starts fine. Runs fine. Why bother even though it is suggested to check them every 6000 miles or so.

New front shock maybe. New steering bearings. New rear brake caliper. The list goes on and on as my logical mind runs down an engineering checklist.

My free spirit brain says ride it until it explodes and then buy another.

Thinking and riding is what I do. I would like to do less thinking about service and maintenance.

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