Modern Vespa

Can't ride and unhappy about it?

Tell us all about it.

Yes. I drove my favorite scooter route earlier this week, re-living the sun-dappled moments around the lake in the summer and the crisp crunchy moments zipping through the fall leaves and the downright freezing cold moments in late November bundled to the max. I felt happy and wistful just thinking about how much fun it all had been.

Next riding season seems like forever away. Will it ever come?

In the meantime, I should rebuild the carb.....

I've been riding but a number of rear wheel skids in this wet weather over the past week have made me realize I need a fresh rear tire stat! Until then, I'm grounded

I roll my car past my scooter every day in the garage. She looks lonely.

OTOH, it's about -10 wind chill tonight, and I think the better of riding.

Time to upgrade to a Vespa with ASR!

I haven't ridden for about two weeks because of lots and lots of rain and salt on the roads. It looks like we are to get a dry spell and once the roads have dried out I intend to go for a spin.

I am still riding on the days it is not raining but can't do my usual routine of riding to the pub and sitting outside with my bike which is frustrating.

A couple of weeks ago we had a day where we hadn't had snow in a couple of days. I told my wife I was going to give the P200E ten kicks and if I didn't get a response I was done.

Kick number 8 she fired up. So of course I HAD to take her around the block. Once I got through the snow and slush to the main road I was fine for three glorious miles.

Other than that, no. 15º and icy today. I park my car right next to our three bikes in the garage, and every day I cry a little.

I feel the same as you, although our weather is not as bad as yours. I look out of the window at my patio and see my scoot there covered up but dying to be ridden. I think I ought to be able to go out on it tomorrow though.

From + 11 c to -17 and snow in a day.

Wow, that's some change. Anyone know how Florida is? My sister and brother-in-law and family are holidaying there since Wednesday this week.

Oh no, please don't have the Florida MV contingent weigh in! It will make some of us sad Their whining will at most consist of "it was rainy, so I left the scoot at home today"

I'm not sure my relatives will find it as warm as they had planned for. Your 11 degrees, was that Celsius? Obviously it has not gone down to minus 17 where I live but the daily highs are currently hovering around 7 degrees Celsius. Not too cold to ride in but I want to keep my GTS salt free so waiting for dry roads.

And when it was +11, it was pouring rain.. and today it's -13.. Talk about anticipation, I installed an Akrapovič pipe on my GTS the day I put it away for the winter storage at the end of November. Can't wait to ride again in the Spring and this year, winter in Toronto has been unusually cold and snowy.

Yup, it's a nasty one. I've been out every week on the scoots but there have been some cold rides. Just got my new heated glove liners this week and will get to put them through the paces once this snow is cleared. There's enough traffic around here that it only takes a day or so of no snow for the roads to be ok. It's the roundabout going down to our underground parking I need to be mindful of, the Vespa has lost some traction a few times.

I went with the Remus but mostly just because it's what Vespa had in stock. I'm happy with it and definitely prefer it over the stock exhaust.

North Florida gas been cold (below freezing a few nights, snow in Tallahassee). But I have continued riding.

South Florida is warm all winter.

Bill

That's what you say
I don't have cold weather gear(heated gloves) that let's me ride below 40f. I'll be driving the van to work all next week.

I have a chance to ride, got some good rain for two days and the streets looks salt free. So, may go for a cold ride tomorrow. If we don't get snow Tues the streets will still be salt free and the end of next week is suppose to be in the 50's

Just did some cross country skiing in the forest nearby, in a mild winter weather (-3C) and trees around like from a snowy post card - that was nice! I don't carry my phone with me when skiing, otherwise would have taken a pic.

After two weeks there is the yearly, largest motorcycle exhibition in Finland in Helsinki. They have an indoor track, where you can test ride quite a good selection of new bikes - that's my next target

I did look under the plastic, light cover of my bike the last week. It's always a bit surreal to see the bike there, waxed and cleaned after summer, snow laying around in the ground just next to it

You are in the cold North Florida.

I rode to Napa and will do so again tomorrow and Monday.
My pinkies got cold because it was 58F and dry.

Hmm...supposed to get up to 46 manana and sunny or partially sunny...heavy rains cleared away the snow...hmm....

Just started getting hopeful with a recent thaw, but then it got icy and they scattered salt everywhere....and the mercury plummeted. So, back to fantasizing about riding....

I do enjoy looking at my two scooters in the garage - but no conditions to actually ride. -13 F in my town. I fire them up weekly to keep the batteries alive. Alas, must wait until the new riding season.

As I post this message, I am enjoying a good cigar and brandy.

My scooter group has a Winter Pizza party planned for next week. We meet again in March to plan our group rides for the next season.

I took up the 5 string banjo last year to survive the off season.
Best wishes to all of you.

Bob Copeland
Frost Bite Falls Minnesota

You're not really on board with this whinging thing, are you?

Overnight lows around 55 in Key West with strong north winds. Which when you are used to 82 American degrees (28 Canadian) year round is a bit cool. Hence the handlebar muffs And a fleece for the ride home at dawn. I work nights.

There is one road. It is straight and flat. And currently filled with angry snowbirds who don't like Vespas. But it is sunny.

Oh well whinge away.

These are words from a person who has some experience of real winters.

Too cold in central IL for my old hands to be safe on the controls, rides are waiting for warmer weather and I am whining and moping.

Heated gloves/liners and or grips make a big difference. I also have a pair of heavy duty Gore-Tex riding gloves that took some getting used to. It's really not that bad if you have CVT tranny. Still if you mostly just ride for pleasure yeah it's best to not go out.

Spent last night with some nice wine, some prescription herbal medication and listened to some old albums. I forgot how good New Boots and Panties was.

Clearly you married a saint!

Guitar and piano are my winter sanity for sure.

my baby is in hibernation.

Just spent about 2 weeks in south Florida, only to return to single digit temps and heavily salted roads. My bikes are parked until 50 degree days return.

w.

I'm rocking the cooler temps. Almost need a jacket yesterday morning. High 60's gets a tad chilly when your doing 50-55mph.

50 and sunny in January? Well alrighty then![/img]

Looks like Cannonball prep day.

Did you try this road with the throttle wide open?

Bill

Heh. No.

I've grown pretty comfortable riding gravel, but I ain't got that much faster.

...more cross country skiing, this time in the dark and with a bit less snow. Still nice.

Let me say that while I'd never want to live without ABS and ASR/traction control, they aren't miracle workers, as my episode of about a month ago (in about two inches of snow/sleet) made clear.

Meanwhile: I'm on an Amtrak Northeast Regional heading home from an extended weekend in Boston, which mostly took my mind off the fact that road conditions up until the last few days have been rotten for riding. Melody's been idle for the better part if two weeks; I might take her out tonight for an errand-run which my existing gloves should just about handle (Just a few miles). 29° F is today's high.


Why balk when you can ride? (The rails, that is...)