Modern Vespa

As some of you may have noticed I've taken some time away from Modern Vespa and I'd like to take this chance to explain why I needed some time away.

Initially it's was because of my health. The medication that I'm taking right now promotes hypertension and when you can feel your BPM's rising because you've got involved in a pointless argument you really have to decide what is important and this place compared to my well being isn't.

I've also recently sold the Kymco AK550 because I'm done with scooters.

It's a stunning bike but it has a flaw that's big enough for me to doubt it's dependability so it has to go.

It's going to be replaced with a Benelli Leoncino because I've really missed having a manual gearbox and no one where wasn't to hear about that so......

I also miss the old pre Bitza Modern Vespa. It really was like the Wild West and now it's become the Mild West where I can't speak my mind so rather than have to compromise myself I'd rather not post than see it being deleted soon after.

But the decider was being called a liar by Ashbrook on the Corona thread.

Now I'm many things but I only talk about my personal experiences or facts so to be accused of fabricating things was pretty upsetting so after 11 years I chose to walk away and that's it basically.

Take care all.

Bill x

Your post is so sincere. Your absence will be duly noted.

Sorry to hear that you`re leaving Bill, I always enjoyed reading your posts, and appreciated your involvement at Bitzas passing. Best wishes for your health, and good riding on the Benelli.

Thank you. I'll be back one day but MV isn't not a place where I can speak my mind any more.

My wings have been clipped and I can't talk to my friends in the US as I can't pm any longer and so I can't really see the point in sticking around.

Ride safe all.

Bill x

We have been talking about your absence but then the thread got locked.

Yeah I saw that. I think that said it all. Don't you think ?

It was touching but it was odd for two reasons.

1 People felt that they could speak on behalf of me and

2 The same people who were reporting me to the moderators were the same people who were asking about me so just pick a team.

Bill x

I think you're just on to new beginnings. You will be back. 🌟

Write this down before it gets removed. wseely.eea@gmail.com It's my work because there's better security there. Don't expect fast responses because I don't check my Email daily.

Bill your absence has been felt here. I agree post Bitza the forum has taken on a different vibe. I like the wild west days as you stated. It was fun and lively and people seems to roll with the punches. No more. Many quickly get offended and posts get deleted or worst, locked. We will keep a porch light on for you my friend.

Take care my friend. And in wild Wild West obnoxious spirit.......here you go.....

You fought that ?

I'd shit my pants.

Oh, I already have shit my pants.

Bill x

I woke up before one of us died. And thankfully I didn't shit the bed

I miss your posts despite sometimes getting wound up by you. So for what it's worth I hope you are back soon. xxx

Daytona 500...Bill, you know the rest of the story.

B

Bill, I wish you would stay, even if at reduced power level. You speak truth and knowledge and have respected opinions. And you have far and away the most "ass in the saddle " Credibility of anybody here.

I understand your health issues, so do what you have to do.

WWBS (What Would Bitsa Say?)

Shoot, we all wish we could go back to 2008. There's no shame in longing for the Good Old Days... Back when all of us nit wits and wanna-be Oscar Wilde's could just shoot our mouths off, laugh like idiots, go to bed, get up the next day and do it again. But we can't Go back.

And the most successful people are those who accept, and adapt to constant change. This adaptability requires a degree of flexibility and humility most people can't manage." -Paul Lutus

I don't want anyone to leave. But civility is not a jail sentence. Leaving is a choice. But so is coming back. The door should always be open.

This seems to be the week of goodbyes. A friend died a couple of days ago, not COVID-19 related but of natural causes, he was 60...

Bill, I will miss you and thank you for connecting me with my BV350. I shall always think of you fondly and be grateful for the BV350. Be well and stay healthy old friend...

It was my pleasure connecting you with the seller and I'm so glad that you're happy with the bike.

I'm not really saying goodbye as such I'd just like others to understand why I've decided to take a sabbatical.

Now I'll be free to admit that I've made mistakes ( mostly born from my own hubris ) but when you find yourself getting your panties in a knot over whether a rider decides to distract themselves by listening to music you really have to ask yourself is it worth it ?

The answer is a resounding no as it's not my job to convince them otherwise.

Bizta wouldn't have given a shit but he would have called you a fooking idiot for doing it.

God I really miss that guy. He spoke his mind and didn't give a toss about the consequences.

Now I agree that we have to adapt but Modern Vespa seems to be echoing society where you can no longer speak your mind through fear of upsetting some one because their view or opinion conflicts with yours.

So rather than let that get to me I'd rather not bother.

Bill x

Looks Nice . I also crave for a normal bike with gears Sometimes , Last year when my T-max was in for service/mot I had the MT-03 demo and that was great fun
It's also the same price as a GTS 300. and half the price of a new T-max 560

I think that hooning around on the little Benelli has made me realise just how much I've missed a manual gear box and you really need it when you're trying to milk the very best from it's 11.5 HP.

It's steered me to want to have the same but bigger.

Bill x

Bill Dog, It's a shame to see you go. I appreciate your feedback in the forum and to me personally (via PM) a few months ago when I was looking at a Kymco Xciting. For the record, I was never offended by your comments. In disagreement sometimes, yes, but offended? No. IMHO It's hard for the moderators to keep the forum neutral, especially these days when everyone gets all worked up over everything. I appreciate the moderators' hard work and realize they've been charged with an impossible task. Having said that, I'll hope you'll reconsider. Your experience is needed here.

Thank you that's very kind of you to say that.

Seriously I'd like to share my experience but recently when I did talk about the dangers of riding with music being played in your helmet blocking out the things you should be listening for I got laughed out of town.

My point was that if you havn't had a near miss or an accident so far it's been working for you.

If it hasn't you may not be here to speak about it.

It's a bit like having an affair or two. All the time you're not getting caught you don't consider the chances of being found out.

In reality no one's pride is going to allow them to say - yup fair enough I think I've made a misjudgement and so they have a tendency to dig their heels in and argue the toss.

If my riding legacy means anything it's taught me how to stay alive even when I'm riding on empty - actually and metaphorically so I'm happy to share but if you imply I know nothing when you're just riding to the coffee shop then i don't want to know.

It's up to you guys basically if I'm going to stick around.

Bill x

The only reason it got locked was exactly what you said. Talking behind your back was not proper. I was just trying to be my funny self.

Stay well,

Maximiano

It wasn't about you Max but I was specific about the people I was talking to about as to how I was and why I was stepping back.

10 minutes later the same people are sharing that information and speaking on my behalf without my permission.

A bit puzzling and disappointing.

Bill x

Bill.
Most of the time your opinion mirrors mine.
Conversational problems will always exist because of interpretation. Example: If 10 people read the constitution/bible and someone asks them what they think about what they read, rarely will all of them (even 2 of them) have the same opinion.
The biggest problem IMHO is when someone blatantly insults another person. You can disagree with someone and question their qualifications without insulting them. You do have a problem with this.
At risk of criticizing the moderators, this is where they are showing favoritism. All insults(even thinly veiled) to a members character and qualifications should be addressed, not just a select few.
Stay frosty, Will.

It totally agree with about people reading what they want to into points that you're trying to make and that will only grow if you've disagreed before.

You could argue that my copy book is so heavily blotted with my contrarian views so I've brought many members collective wraths upon myself which is fair enough but I've never contradicted for the sake of it. It's just on that matter I don't agree with you.

Now I'm blunt and inarticulate at times but I don't ever set out to insult unlike others.

I have a target on my back because I open my mouth without sugar coating my words and if my views and my experiences are the opposite of yours it doesn't make them any less valid.

That's it basically.

Bill x

I totally get it. Sad but true, there will always be those who fly in the face of truth and science. They will do and say things just to get a rise out of you and watch you explode like a cluster bomb going off. You said it right - "Is it really worth it?" It has taken me over 55 years to literally "get over myself". It took some personal development classes and learning to understand the trigger points, while remembering how to diffuse the bomb before it going off. NOT EASY.

Sometimes walking away to reassess the true meaning of what's important, allows you to come back (if you choose), with a better perspective. I think the mods try their best and sadly the T5Bitza [sic] daze are gone, so like the current pandemic, it is incumbent on us all to reinvent the new normal. Just my 2¢

☮️

Your words are brilliant SS but also it doesn't always work, the perspective thing. The jabs are already flying and this thread will get locked.

I'm a Vespa guy, I love Vespas, that's the only reason I'm here.

☮️

SDG

Well, on a fun note, I went out for a ride with my partner-in-antics, riding pillion. I used my GoPro8 Black as a "Helmet-Cam". I'm looking forward to the result and may post a link. How that for non-political? LOL.

That's why I'm here. Can't wait to see the link!

SDG

I wish I didn't have to put my moderator's hat on, but here goes:

[hat on]
Part of the reason you've had so much flack is that you keep repeating this 'basic' whinge about how you're treated. It has become really boring for the moderators to keep getting complaints about it!

Please Bill, if you've stated something once, that should be enough. You don't have to keep ramming it down people's throats in a forlorn attempt to get them to agree with you. You do not need the last word.

We are all really sorry to hear of your condition, but please don't let the meds make you forget about the 'Just walk away' button.
[hat off]

I look forward to some spirited riding with you sometime in the future, when the present clouds have lifted.

Jim I think you misunderstand what I'm actually saying or whinging about as you put it.

My points at is if you tell the truth and go against the narrative you won't win any fans and I've always been fine with that. It's the price you pay when you point out that the Emperor has no clothes.

However if you're going to chastise me while ignoring the fact that the above poster has consistently broken an agreement to not shit all over my threads it just goes to show just how biased the moderators are so apply the once is enough rule to that.

And that's OK also. I get it.

What's that quote from Winston Churchill - You have enemies ? Good. That means that you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.

Take care all.

Bill x

You're right it doesn't always work as evidenced by your reply.

Walk away. I'm sure with the 1000s of topics on MV you can find some that truly interest you.

Bill, you've earned yourself a time-out of 30 days for repeating yourself YET AGAIN and (presumably) not realising you've done it. If you did know you'd done it you'd have earned an outright ban.

Please behave with more consideration for all the rest of us who don't mind you saying something straight the first time, but get bloody fed up when you just keep beating the same old dying horse.

Sheesh.

Oh I have Trout for nearly 14 years. I think that was my point. I hope you are well and safe.

Best,
SDG

Having given Bill a time-out, it's only fair to lock this thread.

Play nicely one and all.