Vespa Archives - Page 2 of 36 - Scooter in the Sticks

Scooters, Dogs and Motorcycles

August 29, 2023 by Scooter in the Sticks 11 Comments

Vespa ET4 scooter along a wet rural road. — Riding in the lush wetness of summer.

Riding in the Rain

There has been ample opportunity to ride my scooters and motorcycles in the rain this summer. In past years everything would be dry and brown in August from hot weather and too little rain. But rain this summer has kept everything lush and green.

I have to confess that my normal summer doldrums in regard to riding has eased because of the rain. Lower temperatures, less sunshine, and some mild rain has gotten me outside.

Both my Vespa scooters are well suited for jaunts in gentle rain. And the lightly traveled roads add to the gentle and relaxed riding I’ve come to expect from my Vespa scooters.

Bringing Home a Vespa ET4 Scooter

July 26, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 20 Comments

2004 Vespa ET4 strapped onto the bed of a pickup truck. — From one home to the next, bringing another Vespa into the fold.

Paperwork and Patience

The amount of paperwork necessary to commence a transfer of a motor vehicle in Pennsylvania is daunting enough to make you think the State would really rather it wasn’t done. And that doesn’t even begin to include processing the paperwork through the byzantine system of the Department of Transportation. I have to remind myself that if this represents the sort of problems I have in life, then I’m one lucky man.

Paul and I traveled to Altoona, Pennsylvania to gather up a 2004 Vespa ET4. Simply put — it’s a beauty.

Vespa GTS Long Term Review

March 16, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 16 Comments

My trusty 2006 Vespa GTS scooter during a recent ride.

Jeep, Pick-up Truck, Luxury Ride

During the past 15 years and 43 thousand miles of riding, I thought it might be time to share a Vespa GTS long term review. In the video below I’ve shared some of my thoughts regarding performance, modifications, reliability, and more.

I’ve already been reminded that I left a couple items out of the review regarding service and reliability. I had forgotten I had to have the voltage regulator replaced. And that I had the underside repainted to keep ahead of the rust that was beginning to form on the bottom side of the scooter. So far nothing has rusted through on the body and it remains in remarkably good shape considering the beating I have given the Vespa.

So if you’re curious about the scooter have a look at the video.

And I’ve also embedded another video made on a recent snowy day that I didn’t ride but shared some of the snow riding images from previous rides.

QUESTION: I’m make more videos now. Would you prefer I just leave them to those subscribed on YouTube or would you like me to post them here? I’m sort of at a loss. And they are not all about the Vespa. Some are about the Royal Enfield Himalayan.

Vespa GTS Long Term Review.

Do I Really Need a Royal Enfield Himalayan?

March 1, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 18 Comments

I’ve been riding my Vespa GTS scooter on dirt and gravel roads for 15 years. Why do I need a motorcycle for those rides?

During a ride last August on my 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie I finally came to believe two things:

Riding on rough, unpaved roads, the scooter in not the best choice of vehicles.
I want to explore the dirt and gravel tracks that I’ve largely ignored for the past 15 years.

And as a result of the experience that day on my Vespa scooter, I began to think I needed to sell my BMW K75C motorcycle and buy a Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

A ride on my Vespa led me toward a Royal Enfield Himalayan.

It took a few months before I made a final decision, but the Himalayan was the right fit for how I ride and where I want to take it.

Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel if you want to see more videos of the Vespa and the Himalayan in the coming weeks and months.

Thanks!

Favorite Vespa Gadget or Gizmo

February 6, 2017 by Scooter in the Sticks 20 Comments

Standard Features

I use my Vespa scooter almost in it’s stock configuration with only a minimum of add-ons, additional features, gadgets or gizmos. Like the places I ride, it’s simple.

Riding yesterday morning I was thinking about what I’ve added to the scooter that has really enhanced the ride or the experience of being on the Vespa. Some immediate things come to mind — topcase, front rack, heated grips and electric gloves. All functional features that get used all the time. But as I thought more, there was one thing I’ve added to the Vespa that has been a real help.

It’s found in the topcase.

Photography Tool — Sirui Carbon Fiber Tripod

My favorite motorcycle/scooter gadget is the Sirui T-025X Carbon Fiber Tripod with C-10S Ball Head. This tripod is light, small, sturdy and provides a great platform for steady video shots and for portraits or compositions where I might be in the shot.

The tripod is small, light and sturdy enough for a range of cameras. I use it with my Canon G15, Nikon D3300, and even bigger and heavier DSLR cameras.

For as small as it is the tripod extends to around 54 inches high. And the carbon fiber poles and connectors work smoothly and positively. It’s perhaps the easiest tripod I’ve ever used. And it can be used to place the camera almost at ground level.

The ball head and quick release plate are a great addition and saves the fiddling of trying to attach the camera directly using a tripod screw.

I didn’t stumble on this tripod by accident. It was suggested to me by the late great BobSkoot — Bob Leong when he visited State College some years ago with a couple other Moto-Bloggers.

Related to the Sirui tripod is a set of wireless triggers for the camera. Bob Leong had a pair with him and told me how to get them myself through eBay. They didn’t cost much — around $25 — and work simply. Just attach the receiver to the hot shoe of the camera and plug a little cable into the side of the camera. Turn it on and then the transmitter will tell the camera to trip the shutter, roll video, etc. I’m not sure what the maximum distance is but I’ve used it at 200 feet.

The tripod and transmitters help expand what I can do with the camera while I’m riding.

Riding on Ice.

I could have used the tripod today to videotape the difficulty I had navigating glare ice on a farm lane. I don’t have my winter tires on yet (probably won’t mount them this year) and while they wouldn’t help on the ice they would have made circling through the snow to turn around and riding back between the tire tracks a whole lot easier.

Still was nice to get out for a little ride.