Modern Vespa

I was inspired by shc's "Beautiful morning ride" post, didn't want to hijack. We arrived in the Black Hills (western South Dakota) earlier this week, will be spending the next few months here. We lived here 15 years ago, so we are very familiar with the good riding roads... it is the reason we get back when we can. Our home in south Texas (South Padre Island area) is a destination vacation area, but the riding leaves a bit to be desired - roads are straight and flat. Here in the Black Hills, we can find great twisty roads in any direction when we leave the RV resort... we can go out for an hour or two, or make a day of it.

Here are a couple videos from the first couple days of riding, me on my GTS, my wife on her Xmax...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQCxI-WFY7g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS20kkFWnuw

As an added bonus: non-ethanl premium gas is readily available here; can't find that within 100 miles of us at home. I have been getting low 60s to a high of 72mpg at home. Here, my last tank got me 90.9mpg! That is with spirited riding through the Hills, including some highway (55 to 65 mph). No, we didn't get these scooters for the good fuel mileage, but we tend to be competitive on most things, and my wife's Xmax was kicking my butt on this new Vespa. Yes, her bike still gets better mileage, but not by 20mpg like we had been seeing.

The summer temperatures are warm here, but also nothing like the heat and humidity of coastal south Texas. And, enjoying the beautiful scenery we are riding through.

I have about 1,700 miles on my 2020HPE, and it feels like it is starting to open up. Looking forward to lots more good riding. No doubt, many here have heard of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (in August). In two weeks, there will be an ADV Rally (also based out of the Buffalo Chip facility in Sturgis, and the Scooter Cannonball folks will be stopping for the night in Hot Springs around that same time. A 3-wheel rally in Deadwood one weekend this month. So, plenty of motorcycle/scooter things happening here this summer.



On edit, I changed the title to better reflect what these videos are about. Video shot with an Insta360 One R or X2.

NICE!