Scooter in the Sticks

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

The (non) Epic Journey

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On the way to work a few mornings ago. I find my adventure in small doses. As much imagined as real. A turn off the pavement to enjoy a mile of gravel, a view, the fragrance of honeysuckle floating on a moist morning fog. The Vespa is my license for (non) epic journeys.

Twilight has been calling strongly to the rider. There is so much to see. Everything is different. On a ride to pick up takeout food from Kelly’s Steak and Seafood I stopped to admire the changing light on this small white building. I have a collection of photographs of this structure but still I have not seen all its faces. Riding, the camera, and my Moleskine journal continue to work their magic on my brain.

It’s essential magic.

Out near midnight doing nothing in particular I stop to admire the moonlight paint the trees along the highway. The magic comes when I am processing the image and see rust behind the front wheel. I’ve observed many riders fastidiously (obsessively) cleaning and polishing their machines. I don’t remember washing any salt away this past year. My Google Tasks now includes some remedial and cosmetic service, hopefully in time before the International Association of Sparkling Chrome, Paint and Detailing Science arrives to revoke my Vespa ownership.

I recognize the heightened risk of riding at night. Common sense, extensive adjustments to managing the machine and the road, and a nod to the riding fairies are all part of the ritual. Thoughts of Bambi, the drunk, and the stray cinder block on the road sharpen attention to detail.

Solitude is rarefied at night. Even the most hectic places succumb to a sleepy state of quiet. Scrambling up the side of the hill to make the picture, looking out over the Vespa and the night sky, I could hear the Eagle’s Peaceful Easy Feeling play in my head.

Not too bad for a few (non) epic journeys.

Midnight Ride

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Leaving town this evening I felt the night calling. I love riding at night though seldom do it other than a quick errand. Books on riding technique and safety say no to the night. Still it calls. A half moon was already high in the sky and the air was just beginning to cool. But dinner and good sense sent me home.

Just before midnight Kim and I were in the garden watering plants. The moon was glowing through the bows of the fir trees and she commented on how nice it was outside. I couldn’t stand it any longer. I hadn’t put the Vespa away when I got home so it only took a moment to be on the road, the GTS’s bright, red instrument cluster warm like a fire as I began a short ride. I only needed a mile, maybe two, and I would be satisfied.

One last stop for a picture and then home, relaxed, content, awash in the magic of the night. How is it something so simple can be so luxurious?

A Plain Ride to Work

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I could not resist stopping to talk with this horse. I figured he might be related to my Belgian Sheepdog Junior being a Belgian draft horse. Pauses like this during the morning ride to work are sort of, well, therapeutic. Calms my squirming brain before sitting down to a day’s work. When I first stopped this horse galloped off, undoubtedly frightened by the mighty roar of the Vespa. It did not take long for his curiosity to get the best of him though.

The chilly 39F morning ride was replaced by a near 60F ride home. Warm enough that I found myself engaged in my usual Family Circus style circuitous route home weaving through every lane and field I could find. I had forgotten the little thrill I get just poking along and seeing what the snow had hidden for so long.

I don’t ride in groups and seldom ride with anyone at all. Looking at this scene reminded me of what I find most powerful in my little adventures — solitude, escape, and a feeling of being alive and walking on the earth.

Just another plain ride to work.

Vespa GTS 300: The Town and Country Ride

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That’s me examining the Vespa GTS300 Super.

Going through some additional pictures recently it occurred to me (again) that this scooter is an exceptional, all-around vehicle for town and country riding. My own Vespa GTS 250ie is near perfect for daily commuting to work and for weekend rides in the 50 to 200 miles range so it was hard to imagine any real advantages of the newer and bigger scooter. But the extra power makes this Vespa a perfect town and country ride.

Anyone who has piloted a big motorcycle around town, pulling into parking spaces, running a quick errand, and repeating the process half a dozen times knows how tedious it can be to roll a heavy bike into a parking space. They aren’t always as nice and open as the one in the picture above. The Vespa is so easy to maneuver that you can easily get the scooter into any available space with little effort. The only easier mode of transport in town would be a bicycle. Unfortunately I’ve never had as much fun on a bicycle as I do on a scooter.

The 300 isn’t too big and it isn’t too small. It’s just right and easily blends into the urban and town environment. I appreciate the ease of stopping and putting the Vespa on the centerstand for pictures. Pop the seat open, grab a camera and go. That translates easily into a wide range of errands.

I’ve like the way a Vespa looks. The lines and styling almost make the scooter seem like a sculpture rather than something to ride. It makes a fine subject for pictures.

I took the Vespa through local streets and alleys, stopping and starting, parking, moving, U-turns, everything I could think of to try and find a maneuver that was just plain irritating. Verdict– my only complaint was the absence of the rear rack and side bar that is standard with the GTS250. I like having the handle to hold onto when I throw the scooter up on the center stand.

You hear a lot about people noticing motorcycles and scooters. My experience is that those already interested in riding or machines may pause or ask a question. Everyone else, like the woman in the picture, passes by without a glance. Civilians don’t seem much interested in two-wheeled machines. She does provide compositional balance to the picture as the Vespa stands illegally on the sidewalk in Calder Alley.

Out of town, on winding tree lined roads that climb over the mountains of central Pennsylvania this big Vespa goes as fast as any touring rider would want to go. While no road racer it’s power and acceleration are surprising. For weekend rides through the country, rides in the 150 to 250 mile range are no problem on the Vespa 300 (or the 150 or 25o for that matter). My friend Paul shot this picture of me riding up the Unionville Pike.

On the way home I passed a BMW RT1100 sitting at a light as I passed through the intersection. I thought it might be my friend Dan so I pulled off the road and waited. Years ago Dan had a Vespa with a sidecar but now he’s on a more luxurious ride. Sure enough he pulls up and we have a chance to compare notes between his BMW and the Vespa. Most people don’t picture two machines as different as these as possible riding partners. They are completely different with different strengths and weaknesses but for an occasional, rleaxed weekend ride through the country there is no reasons these two can’t play together fine.

The Vespa really isn’t as small as it looks in this picture. Looks can be deceiving. Scooters are functional and useful. They may not be able to rocket you down the road at 100mph but the Vespa 300 will fly along all day on the roads of this region without a complaint — in town or in the country.

2009 Vespa GTS300 Super: A Beginner’s Ride?

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Ideas and attitudes towards scooters are wide ranging. One common notion is scooters aren’t suitable for serious riding. Beginner bikes. Glorified toys to play with in the neighborhood. Perhaps even ride to work if it’s not too far. My guess is that most of these ideas come from a lack of direct experience riding scooters or a nervousness surrounding perceptions associated with scooters. Standing along a slightly misty Linden Hall Road surveying the Vespa most recently on loan from Kissell Motorsports I thought how perfect it is for the meandering secondary roads found throughout central Pennsylvania. Like all the Vespa scooters I’ve ridden it is solid, stylish and easy to ride. For a beginner it’s a great way to hone the skills necessary to manage yourself on the road. And once you’re on one you’ll realize it’s capable of a lot more than you think. Like riding with the big dogs.

That’s what a Vespa GTS300 Super can do if given the chance. A couple months ago I was at Kissell Motorsports talking to a gentleman who was looking at a Can-Am Spyder, one of those big three wheeled motorcycles. He explained he was looking at the 100 plus horsepower machine for his wife. “She’s never ridden before and I’m not sure she’ll be able to manage on two-wheels.” Thinking that the Spyder may be a bit imposing for a first time rider I inquired about a Vespa. With a concerned look and shake of his head he uttered, “I’m a BMW rider.”. There were a lot of ways to read our brief interaction but I think what he was getting at was he needed his wife to have something to keep up with his motorcycle. After three days with the new Vespa GTS300 Super I can attest to it’s ability to keep up with anything at any posted speed limit in Pennsylvania if need be. Or in the surrounding states for that matter. While not anyone’s first choice for a long distance cruiser the Vespa is an excellent road companion for any rider interested in weekend rides through the countryside. Add to it’s utterly useful functionality as a commuter vehicle and an around town errand transport the scooter is pretty amazing.

I’ve been riding a Vespa GTS250 for a couple years now and was anxious to see how the bigger machine compared. Looking at both the casual observer would have trouble telling them apart without the nameplates or knowledge of some of the color components specific to the 300. The engine sounds slightly deeper in tone but hardly noticeable considering how quiet all the Vespa scooters are. On the road it only took a few miles to know where the real difference lies — the Vespa GTS300 Super has more pulling power through its entire speed range. Twist the throttle and it accelerates whether you are standing still or going 50mph. The extra 50cc’s makes a difference. It was particularly noticeable on hills. The 250 is no slouch but the 300 gives a useful bit of extra power.

Thinking about the gentleman seeking something for his wife I could not help but think again that a scooter like this would be a great choice for a first ride. Less likelihood of a big motorcycle sitting unused in the garage because a new rider never really gets comfortable with something too big. Introducing a spouse to the riding life for the first time may yield more positive results with a Vespa.

Morning fog was in the forecast. I like to know what to expect when I depart on Saturday morning. An early departure allowed for some time to experiment with the new Vespa’s handling. Familiar, frequently territory still beckons for one more photograph. The white Vespa makes a fine subject with classic lines.

I made plans to ride with my friend Paul — he on his Harley and me on the Vespa.

Not far from the University Park Airport we pulled off the road to make a few pictures. I’m grateful that Paul will still ride with me considering how often I stop to take pictures. If he was not a serious photographer himself I suspect our riding friendship would have ended a long time ago. I’ve found a Vespa to be a near perfect photography platform. Easy to pull over almost anywhere and put it up on the centerstand or make sudden and narrow U-turns.

I write a lot about the joys of riding alone. But I do appreciate sharing unexpected turns on the road with someone at times. Looking through the viewfinder the empty road needed something. I asked Paul if he needed to stretch his back.

The Vespa GTS 300’s power shows going up hills. Acceleration is improved over my GTS250 as well as power throughout the speed range. After taking my pictures the Vespa raced up the winding road over the mountain and into the Bald Eagle Valley.

Everyone knows that food is an important part of riding. A goal and an excuse. This morning was no different and Paul and I found ourselves breakfast at the Unionville Cafe.

Without any genes to energize culinary adventure tendencies I order my usual hearty breakfast. Having such simple tastes means I am seldom disappointed almost guaranteeing an enjoyable ride.

Near the top of the Allegheny Plateau in the Moshannon State Forest under bright sunlight I could look across the fog filled valley towards home. Reaching this point brough the Vespa GTS300 through miles of twisting roads. The steering is tighter and the scooter feels more sure footed than the 250 I normally ride. That combined with the extra power made for an easy ride in this terrain.

Along the lake at Black Moshannon State Park. Paul is trying to get me to ride off into the woods for a picture or park the scooter at the end of a small wooden dock. In both cases I see a phone call to Kissell Motorsports explaining why I was off-road with the Vespa or asking how to get water out of the crankcase. Besides, I didn’t see Paul pushing his Harley out on the dock.

One last stop moving back across the plateau towards home. The Vespa performs well and I think about what it can’t do. Not much really. It’s more a matter of degree of specialty than not actually being able to do anything. I’ve ridden my smaller Vespa on the freeway for hundreds of miles. I’ve travelled in cities and throughout the countryside. In 100 degree heat and at -15 degree cold. On dry pavement, wet pavement, dirt, gravel, snow and ice. The Vespa is a great machine for a beginner and will allow for lots of growth. It’s a gem around town but can run with the big dogs too if invited. And the expertise acquired on the scooter translates fine to a bigger, more powerful motorcycle if that’s where your path goes.

I’m not sure if that fellow got his wife the Can-Am Spyder or not but I really think the Vespa would have been the better choice. Get your husband or wife a scooter. Ride with them. Show them the ropes. Who knows where it will take you.