Modern Vespa

of course to me a rider is a rider. I may not wave as much as I use to since most of the time I will be holding on for dear life...lol.

I don't know what "Hx" means. There are countless books on the subject. A recent one, one which I really enjoyed, is Growing Up Harley-Davidson: Memoirs of a Motorcycle Dynasty, by Jean Davidson.

Hx is a medical abbreviation for 'history'.

Sweet hog. Have fun. Now your vespa has a big brother

yeh nice bikes!

my next scoot will be one of these....

Notice the green chopper has no rear shocks.
Like riding a rock.
Ridged frame they call it.
I call it beats you to death.
Good for going up and down the main street
between bars. Oh, that would be bike week in Daytona

But not a Vespa!
Enjoy
Roadbum was right re bits, but Ive been told everyone has to pay the Hardley tax?
Dont take a GTS on through town and you will be right.
As for the green chopper, what style! what function?!

Don't forget they survived the late 70's due to a protectionist governmental policy as well.

It was in the '80's, Tim. All motorcycle sales were in a slump, across the board. Imports weren't selling either. There was a tariff placed on the sale of Japanese motorcycles over 700CC. In retrospect, it didn't have any significant impact on any manufacturer's sales or market share. And, this rarely seems to be mentioned in historical recounts of that period.

I always thought that HD turned things around and got stronger due to tariff-driven higher foreign bike prices and that this new strength was the reason they requested the tariff lifted. There was even a big TV ad campaign as I recall (the HD suits riding to Wall St).

I'll have to take your word for it that the foreign bikes weren't selling (tariff or not).

If the US Govt's allowing the tariff to protect HD didn't spur sales -what finally did?

ye i know the green chopper would be a hard ride but it would still be a fun cruiser i rekon. my zippy et2 for the city and the green machine for the long weekend cruises. mmm

Use the chopper for the short rides
a the ET for long ones. You will
be less beat up in the end.

I hope you're happy with the HD !

But expect the pang of longing when you pass your first MP3 and think to yourself, "that could have been me ..... "

prff I'm an idiot sometimes. Totally forgot about the govt contracts for the bikes. Have you seen the model Harley that is a BMW copy? That thing is pretty damn cool.

Roadbum

I don't recall the TV commercials, but... In 1986, HD was listed on the American Stock Exchange. In 1987, HD moved to the big board, the New York Stock Exchange.

Yeah I am dreading when this happens...but I think I'll get over it.

Thanks for all your well wishes. I am still a Vespaholic at heart.

A couple of quick notes this bike needs a windscreen, once you hit 60 the chest and head wind gets interesting at 75 OH BOY.

Another thing , it needs a rack also. I have nowhere to put my work bag or ahopping items. My Vespa can hold way more, considering th HD holds nothing but me.

But then again when you crack that throttle oh my the PULL AND THE SOUND. The HD is just sweat. It may not be as complete a riding tool as a Vespa but it gets it done in an intersting way.

I beg to differ....