Scooter in the Sticks

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

Happy Ending

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Vespa GTS scooter at a happy ending before workEnd of the Road

I often find myself at the end of the road when riding the Vespa.  Continuing on isn’t possible or desirable.  A change in direction is necessary for the journey to continue.  It’s uncommon to arrive at the end of the road and think of it as a happy ending.  Remembering miles and miles of gravel strewn dirt forest roads only to come to an impassible gate is something other than a happy ending.  But that doesn’t happen often.

On a recent, meandering ride to work on a foggy morning I came to a place where I didn’t want to push on through the tall, wet grass replete with ticks and ground hog holes.  Besides, it was time to get to work where I was nearing another end of the road.Continue Reading

How to Ride a Vespa Scooter

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Vespa scooter on a wet rural road in PennsylvaniaHow to Ride a Vespa Scooter — With Your Eyes Wide Open

A couple weeks ago I left the house on a damp morning with no goal other than to find breakfast.  For me, that’s how to ride a Vespa scooter — without limits or preconceived notions of what it was designed to do or how it can perform.  At the most basic level, the scooter can do almost anything you want it to do.

This post isn’t about technique.  I won’t discuss lines or counter steering.  There will be nothing on braking technique or road awareness.  Learn those things from experts and through enlightened practice.  What I want to do here is suggest a few things to broaden the riding experience.

I know motorcycle riders who think in terms of performance.  Their descriptions feel like there’s a competition between them and the road — how fast they can travel, how aggressively they can chew through curves, how smoothly they can overtake obstacles in their path.  While I’m certain there are Vespa riders who share this approach, I don’t know any personally.

When I think about riding a Vespa, it’s about an experience of the world.  And it starts with your eyes wide open.Continue Reading

Looking Out the Window

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Glass of water on window sill with Vespa scooter outsideMorning Water and Vespa Scooter

I always look out windows. Wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, there’s a hope of actually seeing the world. Sitting in the back seat of the car next to my granddaughter it was interesting to watch her young eyes peer out the window at the world.  I wondered how different her world must look from one weighed down with a lifetime of experience and opinion.

Mornings find me in an oak rocker with a bowl of cereal, gazing at nothing in particular, looking out the window as the day takes shape.  But the looking drives me like nothing else.  When I’m tired and exhausted you won’t find me rising to answer a phone or take on another chore, but I’ll always take another look out the window.

Riding is like that.  I’ll always ride one more mile — to see what’s out that road window ahead.Continue Reading

What is the Vespa Scooter Lifespan?

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Vespa GTS scooter in service bay at Kissell MotorsportsService Time for Vespa at Kissell Motorsports

The Vespa at Kissell Motorsports for its annual Pennsylvania Safety Inspection.

As the odometer ticks toward 35 thousand miles on the 11 year-old scooter I’ve been thinking about what to expect for the future.  The new thumps heard and felt when encountering a rough spot on the road suggest new shock absorbers aren’t far off if not overdue.  Another belt change is just around the corners and some aging hoses on the engine call out for replacement.

All of this have me wondering — How long with a Vespa scooter last? What is the Vespa scooter lifespan?Continue Reading

Boalsburg Moto Hang

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Harley Rider at Boalsburg Moto HangMoto Hang Wants You

Everyone is welcome at the Boalsburg Moto Hang.  The next one is in a few hours.  5:30pm to be exact.  So plan to stop by either today or the next event.  The Moto Hang takes place on the first and third Wednesday evenings of the month.  Ken Hull sent out this note which I’ll share:

This Wednesday we will be meeting at the Moto Shack from 5:30 to 7:30. Three things to note: 1. 2017 posters will be available for purchase ($5). 2. We have a porta-john on site. It’s on the other side of the little wooden shed. 3. Please try and arrive closer to the start time of 5:30 and not too much earlier. I need time to get things set up and ready for everyone before bikes start rolling in. Thanks for understanding.

The images below will help illuminate the experience.Continue Reading

Scooter in the Sticks

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

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