Modern Vespa

HAHA. In this case it's a ... wait for it ... Hyundai. SCORE!

FYI - No one gets out of here alive.

Just sayin'

Trep,
I can certainly relate to your unwanted advice. I have ridden motorcycles all my adult life, and both my Sons followed in my footsteps. 39yrs. ago a dope
head, and peddler pulled out from a curb in front of my youngest Son, who hit his car, was hospitalised in a coma, and in a month died. Incidently the dope peddler skipped the country, and when he came back to the area, he was never charged with anything. The juditial system said that if he had been driving a car they would have processed the case, but he was riding a motorcycle.
I bet you can guess what my opinion of our juditial system is.
There is no way that you can imagine the amount of stories, and advice that my oldest Son and myself have recieved over the last 39 years. I still get a lecture from my wife before I take each ride. People that have never done anything
mor exciting than getting out of bed in the morning tend to justify their dull
lives with advice to others, about the dangers of everything. One side of the story is that the ones that care for you, realy are sincere, and you don't want
to fualt them for their caring.

Lowell

You could try the reverse. Listen intently then say

WOW, you are the first person that has ever told me that. Everyone has always been SO encouraging to me about riding my scooter. They really see all the benefits and tell me how wonderful I am for doing my part to lower gas consumption. They admire how I use proper safety gear while riding too. I'm shocked that you have such a negative attitude toward me and my judgement.

Best answer so far. Trep you can't be really serious about loosing your confidence. Take care of the injured parts and carry on with a smile. It's what you love to do. After my scooter caught on fire in my driveway most of my friends were saying that it was a bad omen (as if there's ever been a good omen! ) and I should stop scootering. My response: "I will consider that and stop for a day or so."

post deleted by Salima

If my scooter caught fire in my driveway, I'd consider it a message from God, saying, "Peter, it's time to buy a new scooter!"

There was a similar thread a while back (Vespa Riding as you get "Older"...Irresponsible?).

Many people live long mediocre lives because they don't take risks. Some risk takers pay with life or limb. But that's a very small minority.

Some people who avoid risk are maimed or die from freak accidents. Also a very small minority.

On balance we are all much better off for the risk takers. They are the discoverers, inventors, entrepreneurs, healers, peacemakers, leaders.

All those who take measured risks intelligently teach by example, and inspire others to follow their dreams.

Riding has brought me joy, new friends, great adventures and a deep satisfaction. I am better off for it. So are my loved ones. So are yours. So are we all for the stories you have shared here that would never have happened if not for your Vespa.

All the best David.

Sorry, Trep, we've been together for 41 years and have a strict "no loan" policy.

It was her idea that I get a "motorcycle" in the first place. I know she has questioned that decision at least a couple of times.

I too had a heart attack at 45 and a quadruple bypass at 58[beat you by one] 8) I'm waiting for an angioplasty on my leg and have trouble walking.
yesterday I went out on the scooter in the pissing rain, cold temperature and lunatic car/bus/truck drivers,,,,fucking loved it.
Today I'm flying over to Phoenix from London for a holiday,,,,,stuff the deep vain thrombosis bollox,,,the plane's more than likely going to fall out of the sky over northern Canada.....if we survive that we'll all freeze to death or get eaten by bears FFS

Merry Christmas