Modern Vespa

Okay so I'm going for a 5 hr drive to see my family for thanksgiving. My dad (whose been riding since 94) says my 2008 mp3 500 isn't meant for long rides like that. He has a Honda shadow and has driven 12+hr rides. I know my scoot can take it and I am now confident enough to drive on freeways (the 99 by Modesto). I need someone else's opinion that I can go on this ride.

No problem at all... I've done several rides that long. It's not uncommon for me to bounce from Santa Barbara down to Costa Mesa and back in 1 day - 250 miles, 5-6 hours (closer to 7 if I have fun in the Santa Monica mountains on the way). No problem AT ALL.

Yeah your dad does not know what he is talking about. Your scoot is built to be capable of that kind of trip with ease. If you feel comfortable with it and in your abilities, go for it.

I have done plenty of 6-8 hrs rides of mileages 250-400 miles on mine in 4 years of owning it. The biggest thing is taking breaks when doing long rides. When you say 5 hrs is that by google maps or driving a car? How many miles? and on what type roads?

Not even a little issue! This isn't your dads scooter!

Okay so it's modesto ca to Santa Maria ca. Google maps says it is basically 5 hrs. I kinda also need to know the best route in your guys' opinion. And also how much you think it'll cost for gas to get there so I can budget

What ever Emily on your Garmin says. Take $40.00 bucks and take $40.00 bucks from your dad when you leave. That's what dads are for!

My longest trip was around 5400 miles over three weeks. My longest single day ride was more than 480 miles, with stops and breaks a little over 14 hours that day. And I only have 56,500 miles on my little 400. Surely you can do that little trip without a sweat.

squeeze him for an even $100 bill. a person has to buy a cup of coffee.

Done that area a few times... Head to San Jose, then down the 101. Straight shot to Santa Maria. And assuming you get 50 MPG, you have 300 miles to go - that is 6 gallons.

Fill up in San Jose, Soledad, and Paso Robles. Longest trip segment will be about 90 miles, about 1 hour, 45 minutes. When you fill up, make sure and spend 10 minutes just stretching and shaking out the limbs!

It'll be about 6 hours total - not bad at all, and a nice drive!

perfect advice

Go for it. I did two 4-hour and two 3-hour rides this year, in addition to volunteering for a couple of bike-a-thons. The trick is to plan your breaks, often around meals and/or fill ups. Also, take advantage when the weather is less than clement. Take a shelter break if it rains.

I did some things like stopping at a taco truck for lunch and stopping at a park shelter when it rained. Gives a good opportunity to stretch.

This is Central Cali - inclement weather means a cloudy morning or - HEAVEN FORBID - 1/4" of rain over a day. I've gotten "severe weather alerts" before because there would be fog in the morning, or winds above 20 MPH...

Coming from Washington State and the coastal regions up there, what Central/Southern Cali calls "severe weather" is what I'm used to calling a perfect August summer day!

That said, it may be a bit cold, so I'd layer up - wear a good riding jacket and armor, and stuff to stay warm!

Can you give me a map by chance? I googled it and it has me backtrack or go through this really windy road...

I've done over 800 miles in a day before, including long stretches where the temp was over 100 degrees, on my MP3 500. The only limiting factor was that I was getting too hot and tired. The bike could have easily done more. You're bike will handle this just fine, as everyone's said.

Now, whether or not you'll be comfortable doing that many miles is another story that probably depends on what you've done to improve your comfort on the bike...

Mark

Knowing Shanghai Dan, he PREFERS the really windy roads...

Your backside will give out before the MP3 does.

People have just bought into the "You need a big engine to go anywhere" thing. I've done trips like that on an ancient BMW 250 single with no issue!

Go for it.

I would do this http://goo.gl/maps/RyO47 Will take you a little longer but looks like a lot more fun.

While that is USUALLY the case, the map is actually mainly big roads and freeways - no tight windy roads. Commute rather than fun:

The Google Maps path

This includes stops at Chevron stations on the way, for fuel and stretching. Almost all is freeway driving which is actually safer than on the side-roads. And whilst there are a few "curves", they're all really easy to take at 65-70 MPH.

I would take 99 south to Fresno, then Hwy 41 over to SLO, then the 101 to Santa Maria. It's a little longer than I-5, but the I-5 route is pretty desolate.

250 miles, give or take. Fairly easy ride with lots of places to stop.

Cheers!

John

No problem, other than your hands will be cold if you don't have heated grips.

I would suggest this route: (See subsequent post)
Highlights:
-Casa De Fruita (Hollister)... a neat, fun stop
-Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd... B-E-S-T riding road down to the coast... little-known, but awesome curvy ride... Best done westbound as shown.
-Hwy101... awesome scenery, and fun ride

...Here's the suggested route:

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Modesto,+CA&daddr=CA-152+W%2FPacheco+Pass+Hwy+to:36.42528,-121.01653+to:36.00488,-121.39744+to:Santa+Maria,+CA&hl=en&ll=36.191092,-118.959961&spn=4.937672,12.557373&sll=35.826721,-120.794678&sspn=0.620187,1.569672&geocode=FblTPgId8rvJ-ClRX3z09lOQgDErYzfEMrqUvw%3BFYpxNAId8tjD-A%3BFUDOKwIdLm_J-CkFxMO0AlGSgDG6qoo2th5URQ%3BFRBkJQIdQJ_D-Cml8yzaH5GSgDF5w_pj2-hXtA%3BFUpXFQId-UvS-CkJxlQMqg_sgDGONFqKZVL9Cw&gl=us&mra=dvme&mrsp=3&sz=10&via=2,3&t=m&z=7

No problem for the bike, but take a stop for your cat

I plan on visiting my parents next spring on my 250. They live in NC, I'm in NJ, about 10 hours in a cage (I'll make it a two day ride). I'm not at all concerned about the scoot, but I will do some prep work beforehand.

don't forget about our spring gathering in may. you might adjust your plans so you can join us at Robbinsville, Nc.

I'd do it in a heartbeat! Take your time going up and enjoy the ride; surprise your dad when you finally get up there. Either take your time getting back or hall buns, there's no place like home! Speaking of buns, take plenty of butt-butter just in case; marathon cyclists swear by it! You'll find it at the bicycle shops. HAVE FUN!!

come on, i was still learning my 500 when i pointed my scoot down I-20 east to Jackson MS from Arlington TX about 3 months after i bought it, to meet up with emt just to exchange the seat with him, then rode home the next day.
i remember my riding buddy advising me not to go, but that was because he wished he was so daring to do something like that himself.
remember ... a journey begins with a single step or in the case of our mp3, the first mile.
just point your scoot and go.

plan your ride,
ride your plan.

FM

You can do freeway, but I would try to do it on back roads and you will have more fun if you can find a route that avoids to many towns.

i might suggest an oil change and new air filter for your trip, it helps your engine to perform better

If you do ANY maintenance before the trip, be sure to TEST the results well-prior to departure, to verify that you have not created any new problems.

Personally, I stop all maintence 4wks prior to departure, using the remaining time (and typically 1,000k of daily commuting over that span) to verify that the bike is ready to go... As a result, my bikes rarely give me problems on my yearly 10k mile rides.

In contrast, I've ridden with strangers who showed up at the ride start, literally with flat tires; pieces of their bike (mirrors, fairings, etc) to install... and then wondered why their "bad luck" causes them constant break-downs out in the middle of no where.

Good grief - Jerry rode his 500 from Dallas to our gathering in NC then proceeded to go visit in SC and then home to Dallas. Several thousand miles. But - it really depends on your confidence which it seems you lack from the tone and type of questions and requests. A good way to get confidence is strap on a pair and hit the road.

I'd go for it. I bought my mp3 250 in Denver on the Labor Day weekend and rode it to visit my brother in Vail. Over Mts. and all. A great 150 miles. 3 days later I rode it for 600 miles to Cody WY. 10+ hours. My only problem was headwinds holding me down to 50 mph. With tail winds to Rawlins I kept up with semi's at 80mph but from Rawlins to Riverton the headwinds were hellacious. A 400 would have been much nicer. I'm heading back to Vail next summer and the 10 hour trip doesn't faze me in the least. Have a blast.

The scooter will make it fine, your butt might not. Perhaps that was the reason your dad made that comment... he sat on it.

I'm not sure about your neck of the woods, but out here, I don't have any plans to travel via bike on Thanksgiving. There's too many psychos on the road already and adding a high travel day to that with the addition of holiday stress and increased Highway Patrol... The bike is staying in the garage!

If you decide to go for it, it should be fine, assuming it's up on it's maintenance and you do a thorough pre-ride inspection. Take lots of breaks. You'll be ready to start saving up for a new seat and some foot pegs as soon as you get home.

Good luck!

If your heart says that you can do it, so don't miss it. Many times in our lifes, we make plans that seems to be a kind of crazy. But these are things that we will remember with joy and happiness...So i think that you must plan and finally attempt your trip!!Be safe...and have a nice ride!

I've done 13 hour rides and the scooter handles it fine. Like others have said... your ass will give out long before the scooter does. There is a guy on this board who even went coast to coast on his scooter. These are not the scooters of yesteryear.

Looks like this dude forgot his clothes and his Chamois Butt'r®