Modern Vespa

Dates have been announced, June 18-23.
Route San Clemente California to Hilton Head South Carolina
Distance 3,200 miles

Registration opens June 2022

NOT FAST JUST FURIOUS......here we go!!!!

Please video your adventures again. I followed your 2021 journey and was great entertainment. Try to get to the start in plenty of time next year

The Rat may be back for a 3rd run.

She has a trailer and part of Day 1 up for 2021.

not soon enough...

I hope you choose to ride my old Lambretta.

That would be cool.

Bill

I'm excited for a 2nd go, but I need to finish this time.

I just need to figure out what I will ride and how to get everything to the starting line.

Decisions, Decisions...

Hmmm.

I'm assuming an MP3/250 is ineligible to compete in the not/race, but does the Cannonball allow riders to "audit" the ride as social participants?

I truly have no desire to compete against y'all, but would enjoy an adventure with like minded people while I'm still physically able.

Thanks.

The list of scooters in the 2021 Cannonball includes an MP3 250 here:
https://2021.scootercannonballrun.com/riders/scooters

I believe Scott Taggart "won" in 2018 on an MP3. Look at the requirements to be considered a scooter and it meets 3/5 of them, so eligible.

Well, alright then!

Thanks.

With the start so close to home I think I've gotta do it! Anybody else in San Diego area thinking of SCBR '23?

Thank you! I'm grateful to all my peeps here on MV. Here's the playlist link for my 2021 scooter cannonball adventure…..and I'll post more videos as I finish them. Subscribe to VROOM GOPAM and you'll get notified as new videos drop on YouTube.

Whee

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaVlnHMBusuuvMYoptDoyWjUevgvFatvj

Yay!!!!

We're all routing for you. We'll ya know, not navigating haha….but routing & cheering & hoping to see you at the starting & finishing line!!!

I'm sorely tempted. I'll run it by the better half.

Wish I could have done it 1 time.

MP3 230 qualifies. We only had one make it to the starting line in 2021. Unfortunately the rider dropped out after the first day.

For 2023 the same eligibility rules as last time:

Participation is limited to scooters with an engine displacement less than 280cc. The scooter must satisfies at least three of the of the following five conditions: unit construction of engine, transmission and rear swing arm; wheels no larger than 10 inches; originally equipped with a step-through style frame; originally equipped with running boards or leg shield; a single cylinder engine design.

The fine folks at the USA TODAY made a lovely drawing (attached).

There will be some exceptions made for a few close enough bikes under 150cc, so far the Honda NAVI and Trail. The scoring will use the original class system (no handicap adjustments) and separately the overall handicap format. Same handicap formula as always. The draft route is all pavement. 8 Days, 2 are closer to 400, the rest mid 300s.

all this talk of cannonball got me thinking... anybody looking to pick up a beater GTS250 to outfit up and make the run? I've got a few kicking around the back paddock that would be perfect candidates...

Evil. E. Vil.
-bites fist-
I'm not in a position to quite yet.

...When you say beater, how much rehab we talkin'?

I'm not falling for that old chesnut again

"Must be of unit construction design"

Something is getting lost between American English and Canadian English.

What in the heck does that mean?

It means the engine, transmission, and swingarm are all together as one piece. (As opposed to a traditional motorcycle where the engine/transmission are solidly mounted, and there is a separate swingarm holding the rear wheel.)

Sooo... I'm trying to find cost info on a SCBR, but all I can find is "$3-5k" and dead links to any hope of a breakdown or explanation.
I did just join the CB forum, but no joy yet. Anyone have a lead or info on budget/cost?

Costs are entirely up to you.

The entry fee was $75. last year.

That is the only fixed cost.

Should you choose to ride to the start and home from the finish, then camp every night, your costs would be minimal.

I have flown either to the start or from the finish, stayed in hotels every night and participated in a support truck, so costs are at the higher end.

Don't ask how much it cost to do it that way, because I have never added it up.

It is too much fun to worry about the costs, as long as they can be paid.

Bill

Yup...my interest in cost is less nickel-and-dime and more category. My income is kinda like a worn-out shock or a rigid suspension: I can handle the bumps as long as I can see them coming and prepare. 😉

You gave a good idea of what some of that several thousand figure covers. Greatly appreciated! 😊

Gas costs, figure out your mpg at WOT reduce that by 20% and divide that number into the total miles you expect to ride (cannonball plus any riding to start/from finish)

Add 9 nights lodging, you will want to arrive at least 1 full day before the start, add more if you are coming from a long distance or staying at the end. Hotels have ranged from $109-279 a night and room shares are sometimes available.

Add any lodging nights for in transit. Note some people have ridden both ways and camped during those ride and some nights on the cannonball. If you do that consider staying at a hotel every 2-3 nights

Cost of full service and 2 sets of tires, plus spares for all consumables including belt/rollers/oil/air filters. Note: depending on what you are riding you may have other parts to bring along.

Food can range from a hot dog at a gas station to that, god I need a steak and good wine so that budget is dependent on your tastes.

Registration and attending welcome reception/final party $125-150

Support, can range from $150 for a bin on a support vehicle to $$$$ for transporting scooter to/from start/finish (average for both ways last cannonbal$1,500), breakdown support, supply bin space, etc.

If you have money to spend or maybe just love amazon prime, this is a terrific event for you!

Rounded up to the nearest $5, these were my rider participation costs for 2021.

$370 - Fuel
$2,030 - Hotels (14 Nights, Single Occupancy)
$720 - Meals (14 Days)
$50 - Parks & Tolls
$200 - Support Truck
$340 - Tires (Purchase, Mounting, Balancing, etc)
$440 - Spare Parts, Consumables (Oil, Filters, Belts, etc)
$1,370 - Shipping Scooter California to Pennsylvania
$350 - Airfare California to Pennsylvania)

Total = $5,870

I had additional expenses that were splurges but they made it into the final spreadsheet (nosey accounting software).

$270 - Scooter Mods + Touratech Mount
$460 - Tech Upgrades + SPOT Tracker + New Camera
$90 - Toll Tool Kit/Roll Upgrades
$280 - Riding Gear Upgrades + PIN Lock + Gloves

Total = $1,100

---

The $3-5k number seems to be consistent over the years but times are changing. Kinda like any good far off vacation, there are some expenses in the months leading up that we forget about. So think of the $3-5k as the final damage.

For 2023, 8 Day Event, 10 Days of travel, as a baseline...

Scooter Fuel - $300
Hotels (10 Nights) - $1500
Meals (10 Days) - $500
Shipping Scooter (One Way) - $1500
Total = $3800, that leaves $1200 in Scooter/flex budget...

Sharing a room with roommate or shipping circumstances can help that number. If you are within a days ride of the start or finish line, have riding gear and a scooter generally ready for touring, and your goal is to finish, you should be able to affordably participate.

That...makes so much more sense for the $3-5k figure. I had assumed it covered the rally and expenses incurred DURING only. I didn't realize that estimate included things like spare parts and pre-ride prep. So...it's not that I'd need to show up with $5k on starting day if I expect to make it through...it's that the figure includes parts and gear I could be acquiring now in anticipation. And that hotels aren't mandatory to participate. (Probably a good idea, but not contractual like some conventions.)

Very, VERY much appreciated, y'all.

GOT IT! Thank you! I was having a serious WTF moment! lol

Freshly rebuilt 2012 with Malossi kit… just might have to give it a go!

Just sitting here waiting for June to get here so I can register...

Good way to break it in lol

Not everyone that signs up for the Cannonball is trying to win. Some riders will try to ride more competitively than others. Then there are those of us in the so called 'tourist' mode, or what you might call the 'audit' mode. Just trying to complete each day and get to the finish line.

I was in - Try to make a Pirelli last 3000 miles mode.

Every year this comes up.. I want to do it. But then I come up against the overwhelming logistics of it, and the knowledge that I will have to inevitably ship my scooter anywhere up to 3100 miles back home if it breaks or if I make it and can't fathom driving all the way back!

Plus there's the price tag mentioned above!

Some day I will try... just need to get up the courage and suck it up.

BTW, this has me wondering if anyone has ever finished it completely on a vintage vespa?

yes there have been folks whom rode the entire event and finished on vintage .

Can teams enter; whereby multiple riders are used on alternate days?

What is this line item? Using toll roads which offer a more efficient route or avoid traffic with a toll tag, etc..?