Modern Vespa

I would consider one of the MSR fuel bottles. They carry about 32 ounces of fuel. Much more manageable than a gallon jug.

You can fill up in:
* Start-Front Royal
* 35 mm- Leave park at Thorton Gap(A few miles to Luray)
* 51 mm- Big Meadows Wayside (in park)
* 65 mm- Leave park at Swift Run ( a few miles to Stanardsville or Elkton)
* 79 mm- Loft Mt. (in park) Not 100% sure
* 105mm- Rockfish Gap

In case you haven't seen this map, it is handy- http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/whole_park.pdf

Keep us posted on your planning I have been thinking of riding Skyline Drive at some point soon.

~climbamt

Done - thanks!

I leave tomorrow morning. I'm meeting one of my best friends for lunch in Charlottesville on the way. I've checked the tires, checked the oil, filled the tank, and I'm ready to go. I can hardly wait!

Have a safe and fun trip.

Trip report when done

~climbamt

The fun begins!

Looks perfect, ride safely and have a Grrreat time.

Bon Voyage!

Looking forward to hearing the stories from the open road!

Once I've got my fuel pump replaced (tomorrow), I'm planning on doing some scooter camping (scamping?) as well.
I have a 1-man tent, and lightweight sleeping bag, but for the bed I'm using one of these:
http://www.balloonbed.com/
It's literally an airbed made out of baloons that you inflate and deflate as required. It packs up to the size and weight of a tin can. I haven't used it yet though!

Awesome and will be watching from afar. Really afar. Jealous because i never did it on 2 wheels. Making me homesick for the mainland now. Oh and Louisiana is cool and i haven't been. You got me. 8) Be careful my friend

Sono arivato.

The bikers up on Skyline Drive have a lot of respect for Vespas. Fully loaded everybody was waving. Got 78 MPG. Met fun people, loved the ride, ate well, slept well, just didn't go for long enough - I guess that is what next time is for! If we could just get rid of those tractor trailers on the way there and back! Thanks for everybody's advice on planning - it worked out even better than I had imagined!

Home sweet home.

Hey, I like beef stew!

Tucking in the Vespa

Glad I remembered to put on the seat cover.

Timer picture wasn't as cool as I had hoped, but you get the idea of the awesome early morning hike and view I had today.

Your saddlebags were great, thanks again for sending them to me!

Your trip looks great. Sorry if it's already been asked, but what is the make and model of your saddlebags? Any concerns about the bags scratching the body?

Thanks

Treppenwitz found them in Israel and was kind enough to buy a bunch of them and ship them to MVers at cost. I don't know where he came by them or if they are still available.

They are great, and they roll up when not in use. They don't scratch the paint and really have no drawbacks. Another MVer posted about buckles he put on his (mine just has velcro) and I have bought the buckles but not yet put them on. However the velcro was fine over the 300 plus miles I did in the last two days.

I really sorta miss VA. Brings many many great memories Piglet. Can't not have fun up there. 8)

Trepp's saddlebags are great. Looks like the buckles I added may have been overkill.

We should add either have a thread of the saddlebags in action or put photos up on the original thread Trepp ran.

Thanks for the saddlebag comments MV'ers. If anyone knows anymore on where I could get some please PM me. I have many trips planned this summer and I'm looking for the best way to carry my gear without getting a rear case (I don't like the look or the cost). So far I've ordered a Wolfman Rolie Large, but need more. Cheers!

I missed the first 'go round' on those, likely due to procrastination. As I now am trying to ride more again, I too am interested in a pair as the other bags I had were vandalised and 'pinched'. (Some idiot cut them off my scoot as he was stealing them, the under seat part was still there yet the bags were taken.)
I had a set of these. http://m.tractorsupply.com/en/store/weaver-leather-insulated-nylon-saddle-bag

Warms my heart to see people putting the saddlebags to good use.

This isn't a full blown call for more orders, but if the two of you (and maybe one or two others) would like a set, I'd be happy to pick them up.

PM me your snail mail address and then paypal $30 to treppenwitz [at] gmail [dot] com.

By the way, for shopping runs I find the Velcro closure to be adequate. But if I was doing a multi day trip, I'd add strap closures like Davidmasse did.

I got these buckles put on today. Per the instructions on davidmasse's blog, I bought the buckles at a craft store and had them sewn on at a shoe repair store. They did a great job - even sewed the ends so they would not fray or pull loose. I like the idea that they are adjustable - in case I ever need to overstuff. Thanks again to davidmasse and Treppenwitz!

Reading the posts has made me want to plan a camping trip on my new BV 350.

I've always wanted to camp out at Yosemite...

I'm going start planning for trip in the fall or spring, depending when I can get a reservation in the Yosemite camp grounds.

I live in San Deigo, so it will somewhat of haul to get up there, but I'm sure the BV 350 can make up there no problem...

Thank you all for the inspiration...