Modern Vespa

So there was a local ride for Alzheimer's disease fundraising last weekend and I signed up and got a few hundred dollars of sponsorship committed through friends, family and co-workers.

Well, it just so happened that I was the only scooter in among some 270 Harley-Davidsons, Ducati's, Kawasakis, Hondas, Triumphs etc... A few eyebrows were raised when I showed up on the the Vespa, but I easily hung with the big boys for all 100+ miles of the run. They lost me on the freeways and straights but I caught up in the turns. The GTS did me proud!

It was pretty much the longest ride I've done on the bike so far and it was amazing. Here's a clip:

I hope I'm not breaking any forum rules with this, but if the video made you smile and you're feeling generous, please feel free to donate here:

https://alzsd.rallybound.org/rides4alz/josephdjan

It's tax deductible and the proceeds go to support Alzheimer's disease research and families living with Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's is a dreaded disease and it took my mother. Good for you and thanks for your service.

Cool ride and vid! If you represented well there will probably be more scooters next year!

Sorry for your loss. I lost an uncle to it earlier in the year as well. I like to think it would have made him smile to see my Vespa in among all of the bigger bikes on that ride.

Yes. One of the organizers made sure I was in the official photo set and was delighted to see me participate. All said it’s a charity ride and wasn’t meant to be anything but very inclusive. I got a couple of comments from insecure jerks and some didn’t want to ride with me, but seriously I think I got way more thumbs up than thumbs down on the day.

A great cause and I'm glad you had fun. A 300CC Vespa can more than old it's own though you may need to stop for gas more often. A ride like that is going to stay pretty close to posted speed limits so the only place you may lose is acceleration. Even then some of the larger touring bikes are not going to take off like a rocket.

A few years back I was riding with a group called Women in the Wind riding club. There is an annual Christmas Toy Run that takes presents and cash donations to the Delpechin Children's Home. It is a big ride with hundreds of bikes, many of which are decorated. So Women in the Wind asked everyone riding with them to decorate t either bikes for the ride. When I said that e only decorated bike I had was my Vespa so they said to ride it. I did and when we met up to hide to t e start as a group all of them Em wanted photos with my Vespa. At the ride staging location my Vespa got a lot of attention with many people asking to take photos with it.

Yes there were a few derogatory looks or mutterings but we're clearly in the minority.

My mother in law has dementia so I'm all in favor of trying to find a way to treat it.

Two things. I read on the Hudson Valley Biker Network a few weeks ago that in the past someone showed up for an event on a Vespa. Whoever was doing sign up was turning the Vespa owner away until six guys spoke harshly to the official and that Vespa owner was welcomed. Most bikers welcome PTWs. It's the insecure ones that make them look bad.
I know the feeling about being the only scooter there. Last season I was the only scooter on a 100 mile run through the Catskills. Straights and steep hills tested me but I made up ground eventually without holding anyone up. I only got one disapproving look, more because I was on a Chinese build than on a scooter.

Just today I went for a ride that took us near the world's largest Harley dealer. It has a wedding chapel, restaurant, tattoo parlor, arcade, small movie theater, in addition to the traditional stuff. Almost every HOG rider we passed would nod, wave, or smile as we rode around. Vespas are well-loved.

However, this is not right, I can disagree on any critical issues related to Chinese products (I repeat, not all) but I would never express racist feelings towards them or those who own them. Never.

I did the local distinguished gentlemans ride (DGR) a few years ago as the only person on a scoot (GTS 250) - no issues keeping up or being welcomed. The Vespa definitely adds some dapper with the classic look, bonus for this ride.

I do note on the road the HOG riders frequently do not wave. Actually, the deal is real long haul riders do wave. The weekend warriors where I live, pigs on pigs, hauling bad fashion sense from home to bar can be threatened by the scoot and pretend I do not exist. I try not to let that keep me up at night.

Good on ya OP for supporting mental health!

Back in 1974 there was an Australian movie about a rebel biker gang, called "Stone". In 1998 there was a commemorative ride organised, from Berowra at the north end of Sydney (near where I live) up the Pacific motorway to Newcastle, about 60 miles. The ride was led by the original cast, including the original lead motorcycle with a coffin sidecar.

Motorcyclists came from all over Australia and some other countries. There were about 30,000 bikes ... and one Vespa! Didn't see any other scooters. Couldn't spot my white PX200 in the video.