Modern Vespa

I'm in the preliminary planning stages of my trip from Chicago to Richmond on my new (25 miles) Vespa GTS 300. I'm splitting the journey up into 3 legs:

June 4th - Chicago to Cincinnati (AirBnB) - Daughter attending summer session as an Interior Design Senior, so I plan to visit her. (305 miles)

June 5th - Cincinnati to Beckley, WV (AirBnB) - Approximately half of the remaining distance to Richmond. (257 miles)

June 6th - Beckley to Richmond, Va (airBnB) (255 miles)

I haven't set up the return trip yet. I'm jumping into this with both feet on a new bike. I've got 5 years experience on a Honda MT 250, but, and it's a big but, that was 40+ years ago. I've signed up for a refresher class at RideChicago. The scoot has a topcase, and rear crashbars. But in reading what to bring, I may need more room.

See you in Richmond...if I make it!

You're going to have a blast! Take lots of pictures to share with those of us who are unable to go. Safe travels.

Hey, TravlinMan,

Hope you have a great trip. I'll be riding with Wmak from SW of Cincinnati on the same days, IIRC. Not sure of our route, but we'll be converging about the same time!

First Amerivespa the way it sounds. You'll have a blast indeed!

If you are taking i64 through ky, its was a little rough as you got into w va. No big deal though. Have a great trip.

I'm working on meeting up with much more experienced riders along the route. I'm heading roughly 71 to 35 out of Ohio directly tp 64 in WV. I've got insurance and free towing on the scoot. I'll need a mesh jacket, and rain gear, because this first burst of 75 degree air was downright hot in my modular helmet, and moderate jacket. What's the minimum that you guys think I need to take. Duck under overpasses to wait out the rain, or pull over, don the rain gear, and push through it. Or leave earlier to try to outrun it if possible.

Rain?

Yeah, nice to be prepared. Let's hope it doesn't for the sake of everyone traveling on two wheels. Mesh is a winner. Not sure what the temps will be, but in Memphis and Indy it was in the 90s and you want all the air you can get. There are those that give up and strip off their jackets etc, but i tend to be pretty strict. For me, I'm planning on mesh jacket and pants, shorts underneath. I have rain pants that I'll likely pack. In warm weather I trust my jacket liner to keep me relatively dry.'

Haven't made my list of scooter items yet, but likely some small containers of fluids (oil, coolant), tire puncture kit, spare plug/cap pretty likely. Putting a new belt on before I go so should be good there. You shouldn't have too many issues with a new scooter, but one never knows.