Modern Vespa

Whats everyone using for their other toys , here's mine and my wifes long range cruisers.

Other people's cars or the bus for me.

Nice looking large bikes, Lynn.

Here's mine... had it since 1969. My unit is a driveway cruiser.

Wow talk about Mint Condition.

Thanks! It received a nut and bolt makeover a few years ago.

Mines not powered except by me. I purchased a used freestyle/flatland 20" bicycle to play around on. My old butt can still do 80's tricks and Im sorta sure I can still bust a few feet of air in a bowl or on a half pipe. Gonna be fun and/or painful, but I will wear at least a helmet (fell trying grip rides) and elbow/knee pads in the skate park.

That there is a gorgeous peice of machinery. We were in Florence Italy a few years back and we went to a restaurant that had a bike like that on display right next to where we were seated.

2001 BMW R1100RT

Miguel

Yes and then I bought the 1951 Moto Guzzi 250 (to be restored) that I showed here some time ago:



However you are right, there must be several toys in the garage otherwise how do we spend the time?

It's got to be the mountain bikes.

About to start myself a new build Trek Procaliber 29er boost.

Picture is this summer in Alps (Mnt Blanc) with the family.

My toys.

How I spent my summer vacation....

Don't think I got over 1,000 miles on the ol' GT200 (sorry little friend!), but plowed about 4,500 miles of mostly all gravel on this red bugger.

Very nice! I almost bought a used R1200 RT but it was bought out from under me and i (happily) ended up with my GTS 300.

Click on my signature image and you will see three of our six babies. They all get love but Gigi the Vespa gets the most action.

Thanks! Its a nice bike. Its design is from the early 90s and as a results lacks all the modern conveniences and features of more modern bikes like the R1200RT. It uses a regular key (which I have duplicated for $4), not an electronic key, doesn't have GPS, traction control, information display, keyless ignition or side case entry, ... It does have ABS and an electrically controlled windshield height adjustment. That's it. Also, it is oil cooled using the engine oil with a radiator under the fairing. As a result, the engine runs remarkably cool. You can touch the cylinder heads even after long ride. It also makes the maintenance easier. Lastly, I like the look of the bike a LOT better than the modern versions that have a lot of sharp edges to the body, much like cars the last few years.

Best
Miguel

The one I was looking at was an older model, the 1998 iirc, so would have been in line with the one you've got if not less well fitted. But it looked exactly the same, except a metallic sky blue.

Anyway, really nice looking ride.

This BMW R1100S was parked next to my scoot at a shopping centre and it was in great condition. My dream bike one day will be a BMW boxer.

For practical reasons, mainly time allocated to this hobby, I stick to "one bike at a time" what it comes to two-wheelers with an engine.

My other wheeled "toy" that I do use frequently is my old bicycle

It's about 35 years old, bought new.
As it seems to be important nowadays, it has 6 gears.

Frame and metal parts all made in Finland, seems to be immune to rust.
Gear and break components by the Japanese Shimano, all fully funtional.

So far I've only replaced tyres...and done basic maintenance to gears. Even the break pads are original - not that they've ever been too powerful.


I have one older Norwegian bicycle from early seventies, almost in equally good condition, but used less as it does not have gears.

I had a Finish bicycle from early 50's, with a lovely leather seat with steel springs, but at some point I literally lost it while moving from town to another... that was my favourite as I had done some restoration to make it usable.

I have a serious aesthetic problem with BMWs - I simply don't like the look of the boxer engine

Otherwise I appreciate BMW motorcycles highly, love the super ergonomics many of the models have, excellent riding characteristics, design (other than the stubbornly still present boxer engine ) söand overall quality.

So for me, the development 2-cylinder models is highly welcomed... at the moment the 750GS and also 800GT are be bikes that both would compete seriously of the place in my stable, against the Triumph. Well, Triumph won, this time, but it was a fair race.

Annoyingly, I do like the way many of the boxer engined versions ride, I just have serious issues with the look of those protruding cylinder heads.

Well on the C650GT there is no boxer engine and before anyone jumps in yes it is made by Kymco. 650CC CVT chain drive in an oil bath. The rest of it is German and all BMW. I've ridden my fair share of bikes though mostly scoots and for its size the thing handles like a charm. You can literally ride it with your hands off the bars it tracks that straight. As far as comfort goes also hard to beat. Great heated saddle with multiple and I mean multiple foot positions including almost fully stretched out for long highway runs where your knees need a break from being bent. Some people here knock the C650 for cost and the fact that it really isn't a scooter but that I leave up to the individual. I guess it and a few other maxis should really have their own category. However I highly recommend anyone interested in a comfortable mid size bike give on a try. I took a break from it for a while as I do go through phases with which bike I ride and whenever I get on the BMW I am impressed with the comfort and power.

I only have shifty Vespas now, but had many Piaggio scooters in the past. Apart from the Vespas, my other big love is my 2011 Yamaha Fazer 600 S2, I bought new. The only thing I regret is that I sold my Gilera Nexus 300 at the time to help fund my Fazer buy. The Nexus was a bike disguised as a scooter in terms of handling, braking and power (I had upgraded many things on it though). It was really great on twisty roads...

A few photos of them...

Here's mine! Well not my exact ones but I do love rolling around on 8 wheels with no motor

I also really like biking, I used to ride a lot more but currently haven't touched my mountain bike in almost a year

Never had any interest in motorcycles until I took the safety class for my license but I've discovered they're fun too and I have a feeling that will happen sometime in the next few years

E-bikes. Not as much fun as the scoots, but better on the trails.

I still have my bicycle . . . although as I am getting older, the Vespa is much better at the hills.

You just need to get one of the new E-Bikes. I have been looking into them myself.

Here are some shots of my adventures on latest toy.

Hey Harbinger;

Questions about your Ural , I looked at them a few years ago but the build quality was pretty shabby at that time. I have not yet owned a side car but am interested in them .

Has build quality improved ?

Does it have enough power now to be run steadily on the freeway's ?

How is the parts support ??

RRrider, if you don't like the boxer engine, then you will hate this new one rumored to be launched in the next few years. Its 1800cc and huge. BMW gave a few away to custom bike builder to see what could do with it. BTW, its air-cooled.

To my eye, it looks out of scale with the rest of the bike.

Miguel

My other wheeled toy is a Vespa and another Vespa and another Vespa and another Vespa.

Very good.

Harbinger ... these are the photos i want to see with your Ural because it is fused with the environment, it looks like a wild animal ready to run among the trees. Very beautiful images. 8)

2015 Silverado 2500 HD, 2014 Kawasaki Concours and 2017 Ducati Supersport S

Yes build quality has been greatly improved and 2019 was a big engine upgrade year.

Yes it is fine on the highway but is no speed demon so. It will hold 120 kmh but is still much happier at slower speeds. As a first bike not my choice but as a second awesome. Off road is great and my real reason was winter riding.

Now that was unexpected...but one of those things you gotta love about MV. We're not a homogenous crowd..

Hmmm.....other toys besides scooters.....let me think.

Five old Triumph motorcycles, old Jeep Wrangler, old BMW Z3, 1931 Model A Ford, 13' Boston Whaler.

I believe that's all.

fried okra

I am a BMW fan - but only if it is a boxer motor.
I am also a boxer motor fan - I drive a Subaru and previously drove VW beetles and a VW camper.

...you need an Alfa Romeo 33 but they don't produce it anymore ...

'09 HD XR1200
'15 KTM 1190 Adventure
'07 Yamaha TW200
'14 VStrom 650

Two wheeled toys are best!

I jump on my 2007 Suzuki Burgman 400 (Original Owner) 43,000 miles.

Bob Copeland

Has Honda offered to buy that? Lord almighty!