OP
@amateriat avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
 
Ossessionato
@amateriat avatar
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
UTC quote
Somehow, with gritted teeth, heated gloves, and semi-dogged determination, me and Melody continue through the bitter cold, as well as our Shared Global Calamity with guarded optimism for the New Year.

Yeah, optimism. And I'm (mostly) sober as I write this.

Reasons? I'll keep stuff like politics out of this, and stick to close-to-home stuff:

- Family, friends, and community are largely intact, in-touch, and not (too) overwhelmed. To me, that's a Win.

On the scootering front, things have been very good in these parts:

- Clubbing: our local club has gone all-official, organization-wise, with a little help from out local dealership, which has been more than happy to help.

- About That Local Dealership: This dealership's owner mentioned to me that, in 2020, of all years, they managed to sell 100 Vespas, in addition to Piaggios, Indians (sold a ton of Scouts), and Zeros. Quite the change from four years ago when I felt like the Lone Ranger of Monmouth County.

- Future Roads: I do recall griping about the horrible state of highway and secondary roads in this part of New Jersey (not that my former home of NYC was much better). But things have improved enormously in the last two years, and I can honestly say I'm fairly content...except for the cumulative damage the last five years years have taken on my bike's shocks, which now require replacement, not to mention the damage New Jersey American Water is now exacting on our street which had only been properly repaved less than two years ago, because..."no coordination." (Talked to the Mayor, who is a pretty straight-shooting guy, and he agreed, but this time it wasn't the City's fault.)

- I'm still every bit in love with Melody as the day I rode it off the lot. Who'd a thunk it?

And I'm planning for warmer times: struggling to budget for t anew set of shocks (Malossi, for certain); longer rides, in different states (geographically, to be specific). To boldly, but safely, go where I haven't gone before on two wheels.
Maybe an awning here, this year...
Maybe an awning here, this year...
@attila avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@attila avatar
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
UTC quote
... and perhaps a small box in which to keep Melody safer?
A little box to put on the sidewalk where she is now ...
UTC

Ossessionato
2016 Vespa GTS300ie abs/asr/ess Settantesimo '70'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3766
Location: East Anglia, UK
 
Ossessionato
2016 Vespa GTS300ie abs/asr/ess Settantesimo '70'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3766
Location: East Anglia, UK
UTC quote
Excellent! Nice to know everything going ok and your family has remained intact.

Sadly, mine isn't having lost 4 members of my extended family to Covid. Youngest just 45 with no underlying health issues previously. Funeral next week for him.

On the bike front, I feel just as you do about my GTS. I love the thing. Into my 5th year with mine now and she's fit as a fiddle. No rust, no problems or issues experienced except for a minor underfloor hose leak cause by those darn one time use hose clips. Easy fix though as you know.

Melody looks great still I see. May it stay so forever.

Keep posting and stay safe!
@wbdvt avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'16 Sprint S 150, 2 x '06 GTS 250, '12 GTS 300, '74 Vespa 150 Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1555
Location: Vermont
 
Molto Verboso
@wbdvt avatar
'16 Sprint S 150, 2 x '06 GTS 250, '12 GTS 300, '74 Vespa 150 Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1555
Location: Vermont
UTC quote
Thanks for posting and happy to hear all is well. You know, Vermont has some nice roads to ride on, just don't expect to see many, if any, scooters unless it is my wife and I.
@attila avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@attila avatar
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
UTC quote
Oh yes ... I forgot .... try to feel good everyone!
UTC

Ossessionato
2016 Vespa GTS300ie abs/asr/ess Settantesimo '70'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3766
Location: East Anglia, UK
 
Ossessionato
2016 Vespa GTS300ie abs/asr/ess Settantesimo '70'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3766
Location: East Anglia, UK
UTC quote
Attila wrote:
Oh yes ... I forgot .... try to feel good everyone!
Indeed! I'm feeling very good. I have a large whisky in my hand and about to relax with a good film. Well, nothing else to do as we're in very tight lock down here in the UK and can't go out of the house except for absolute essentials.

Hoping you all have beer, wine or whisky too!

Stay safe eveyone.
@attila avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@attila avatar
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
UTC quote
Stromrider wrote:
Attila wrote:
Oh yes ... I forgot .... try to feel good everyone!
Indeed! I'm feeling very good. I have a large whisky in my hand and about to relax with a good film. Well, nothing else to do as we're in very tight lock down here in the UK and can't go out of the house except for absolute essentials.

Hoping you all have beer, wine or whisky too!

Stay safe eveyone.
Croissant with Nutella and cappuccino.
OP
@amateriat avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
 
Ossessionato
@amateriat avatar
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
UTC quote
Stromrider wrote:
Excellent! Nice to know everything going ok and your family has remained intact.

Sadly, mine isn't having lost 4 members of my extended family to Covid. Youngest just 45 with no underlying health issues previously. Funeral next week for him.

On the bike front, I feel just as you do about my GTS. I love the thing. Into my 5th year with mine now and she's fit as a fiddle. No rust, no problems or issues experienced except for a minor underfloor hose leak cause by those darn one time use hose clips. Easy fix though as you know.

Melody looks great still I see. May it stay so forever.

Keep posting and stay safe!
Thanks, Strom...but very sorry to hear of your losses. My condolences.

Just remembering that you got your GTS roughly the same time I did. Other than having a fuel injector fail on me (at a strategically bad moment, chronicled elsewhere on MV), the bike's been pretty hardy, given how hard I've ridden it, although as mentioned before she's rather badly in need of new shocks. I will say one thing about winter riding in the Northeast: it makes you truly appreciate March through November.
It takes warm hands to tame cold steel. (Paraphrasing an old Harley ad.)
It takes warm hands to tame cold steel. (Paraphrasing an old Harley ad.)
⚠️ Last edited by amateriat on UTC; edited 2 times
@attila avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@attila avatar
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
UTC quote
... not even a little cold? A something? I wouldn't be able ...
OP
@amateriat avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
 
Ossessionato
@amateriat avatar
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
UTC quote
Attila wrote:
... not even a little cold? A something? I wouldn't be able ...
Let's just say that the coldest I've been out riding lately is 24ºF. Dial in 40-70mph wind-chill factor, and...(doing some quick-n-dirty math), I've been duking it out at temps between 6°F and 0°F, and my hands were still no more than slightly chilly. This improves my tolerance for cold riding overall, although I'd say I'm good for 1-2 hours of this sort of riding, tops.
@baba12 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2018 Vespa 300 GTS Touring
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1357
Location: NYC
 
Molto Verboso
@baba12 avatar
2018 Vespa 300 GTS Touring
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1357
Location: NYC
UTC quote
Nice to hear mate that all is well at your end. It has been cold the last two days, but it was the winds that made it not fun crossing the Brooklyn Bridge with he windshield acting as a sail .
Traffic has become worse during the pandemic here in NYC as more folks are riding in cars than taking the subways.
It hasn't been a great year for many folks with loved ones passing away due to COVID-19.
All we can do is stay safe, keep warm and ride safe.
Maybe when it gets warmer we shall get together.
@rrider avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3173
Location: Finland
 
Ossessionato
@rrider avatar
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3173
Location: Finland
UTC quote
That's the spririt!

Thanks for sharing this very positive post.
@vespasfw3 avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2006 Vespa GTS250ie, 2004 Vespa ET4, 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan, 2001 Kawasaki W650, 2023 Honda Trail 125.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2419
Location: Central Pennsylvania
 
Ossessionato
@vespasfw3 avatar
2006 Vespa GTS250ie, 2004 Vespa ET4, 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan, 2001 Kawasaki W650, 2023 Honda Trail 125.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2419
Location: Central Pennsylvania
UTC quote
Sounds as if you have a solid plan in place for coping with the world and the cold.

You're right about getting used to the cold. I remember when 40F was freezing. And after some time that was warm and 25F was the new freezing. And on it went into the sub-zero realm.

Age has caught up to me though and that process has reversed. Now 25F is freezing again!

Be well and keep the rubber side down!
@attila avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@attila avatar
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
UTC quote
Yes ... increased age increases sensitivity to cold, then there are rheumatism that is felt suddenly, they were lurking at a young age when I went with little protection on, no jacket, gloves, helmet, boots and other that protected from the air.
@touring300 avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
GTS 300ie Touring 2013 - Signora D'argento
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2105
Location: Lancaster, U.K.
 
Ossessionato
@touring300 avatar
GTS 300ie Touring 2013 - Signora D'argento
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2105
Location: Lancaster, U.K.
UTC quote
Attila wrote:
Yes ... increased age increases sensitivity to cold, then there are rheumatism that is felt suddenly, they were lurking at a young age when I went with little protection on, no jacket, gloves, helmet, boots and other that protected from the air.
I always wondered why my dad when I was a kid was always telling me about wrapping-up and keeping warm when doing outside activities. Now I'm at that age, I can understand the logic in his preachings.
OP
@amateriat avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
 
Ossessionato
@amateriat avatar
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
UTC quote
Downtime Hath Arrived
I've mentioned in past posts about my year-round riding, and how the only thing that keeps Melody idle for more than a few days is a good helping of snow and/or ice. The last few Winters have gone pretty easy on me, with precious little snowfall to speak of, but last year, the latest Farmer's Almanac predicted we'd have more of a "real" Winter this time out.

Damned if they weren't right.

Anyway, it looks like Mel is staying under wraps for at least a week, and possibly a bit longer: there's a good deal of rain in the forecast later in the week, which will likely wash away most of what we have now (roughly 5" of snow, followed up by a wonderfully-dicey mix of sleet/hail). It was conditions like this that helped cause my one-and-only slow-mo lowside a few years back, and I'm not too keen on repeating that. At least the battery, according to my phone app, is hella-strong, so no need to hitch up the battery tender now, but I'll keep an eye on things nonetheless.
Under Wraps: The blizzard of my discontent.
Under Wraps: The blizzard of my discontent.
⚠️ Last edited by amateriat on UTC; edited 2 times
@sledge avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
GTS 300 HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2329
Location: Adelaide
 
Ossessionato
@sledge avatar
GTS 300 HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2329
Location: Adelaide
UTC quote
Re: Downtime Hath Arrived
amateriat wrote:
Anyway, it looks like Mel is staying under wraps for at least a week, and possibly a bit longer: there's a good deal of rain in the forecast later in the week, which will likely wash away most of what we have now (roughly 5" of snow, followed up by a wonderfully-dicey mix of sleet/hail). .
I would be wheeling Melody into the house through the back door and kept warm under a blanket.
@touring300 avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
GTS 300ie Touring 2013 - Signora D'argento
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2105
Location: Lancaster, U.K.
 
Ossessionato
@touring300 avatar
GTS 300ie Touring 2013 - Signora D'argento
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2105
Location: Lancaster, U.K.
UTC quote
Re: Downtime Hath Arrived
amateriat wrote:
At least the battery, according to my phone app, s hello-strong, so no need to hitch up the battery tender now, but I'll keep an eye on things nonetheless.
That sounds like a useful innovation. I didn't know you could monitor the state of your battery charge by downloading an app to your phone.
@attila avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@attila avatar
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
UTC quote
Re: Downtime Hath Arrived
Touring300 wrote:
amateriat wrote:
At least the battery, according to my phone app, s hello-strong, so no need to hitch up the battery tender now, but I'll keep an eye on things nonetheless.
That sounds like a useful innovation. I didn't know you could monitor the state of your battery charge by downloading an app to your phone.
If the transponder is wi fi it has a limited range, I say because if it could work, it could monitor the battery charge from inside home.
OP
@amateriat avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
 
Ossessionato
@amateriat avatar
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
UTC quote
Re: Downtime Hath Arrived
Sledge wrote:
I would be wheeling Melody into the house through the back door and kept warm under a blanket.
Ah, if only: There used to be room in the shed for her, but since Le Wife's younger son, who moved in with us last August, is staying with us till later this year, storage space is at a premium, and rolling her indoors is not in the cards. I will be upgrading her outdoor storage this year, in a fairly big way.
Attila wrote:
Touring300 wrote:
amateriat wrote:
At least the battery, according to my phone app, s hella-strong, so no need to hitch up the battery tender now, but I'll keep an eye on things nonetheless.
That sounds like a useful innovation. I didn't know you could monitor the state of your battery charge by downloading an app to your phone.
If the transponder is wi fi it has a limited range, I say because if it could work, it could monitor the battery charge from inside home.
It's Bluetooth connected. I did a brief review of it a short time back:

Capsule Review: Antigravity Batteries Battery Tracker
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