hello! I am thinking about one day doing a trip toronto to florida. i was wondering if its safe to ride a vespa through the southern states. virginia, north and south carolina, georgia, looks like the shortest route is through these states.. the gts's can handle highway speeds just fine, but just wondering how safe and um.. accepting people are in the south of people on scooters.. ha. thank you for any input!
|
Ossessionato
![]() 2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2005 Vespa GT (Razzo): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125 (Zoom): 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Max),
Joined: 26 Sep 2006
Posts: 4889 Location: Jacksonville, Florida |
Edit: I have been riding around the Southeast US for the past 12 years.
Everywhere from Florida to Maryland to Memphis, Tennessee to New Orleans, LA. I have never had an issue with the people. You will find southerners to be mostly good folks. Just like Canadians. Have a nice ride. Bill Last edited by WLeuthold on Fri May 13, 2022 3:52 am; edited 1 time in total |
![]() Thu May 12, 2022 6:07 pm
Hooked
2010 Vespa super,2016 vespa 3 00 1979 p200 with sidecar 1958 cu shman eagle with sidecar Inder trai ler 1983 bajaj tuk tuk tristar 2018 royal Enfi
Joined: 15 Apr 2012
Posts: 442 Location: Dothan alabama |
|
Hooked
![]() 2010 Vespa super,2016 vespa 3 00 1979 p200 with sidecar 1958 cu shman eagle with sidecar Inder trai ler 1983 bajaj tuk tuk tristar 2018 royal Enfi
Joined: 15 Apr 2012
Posts: 442 Location: Dothan alabama |
I rode to cape bretton and the people treated me like family ride back roads you will have a great adventure the southern people will treat you well just practice saying yall and ease up on the ay's treat people like you would like to be treated. Capt. Gary uneducated red neck from South alabama
![]()
Positive
|
![]() Thu May 12, 2022 6:30 pm
Molto Verboso
2019 Supertech (EURO3/APAC)
Joined: 17 Nov 2020
Posts: 1825 Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Australia |
|
Molto Verboso
![]() 2019 Supertech (EURO3/APAC)
Joined: 17 Nov 2020
Posts: 1825 Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Australia |
Hummus2 wrote: hello! I am thinking about one day doing a trip toronto to florida. i was wondering if its safe to ride a vespa through the southern states. virginia, north and south carolina, georgia, looks like the shortest route is through these states.. the gts's can handle highway speeds just fine, but just wondering how safe and um.. accepting people are in the south of people on scooters.. ha. thank you for any input! |
capt. gary wrote: I rode to cape bretton and the people treated me like family ride back roads you will have a great adventure the southern people will treat you well just practice saying yall and ease up on the ay's treat people like you would like to be treated. Capt. Gary uneducated red neck from South alabama |
![]() Thu May 12, 2022 6:45 pm
Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 LX150 2015 GTS 2013 BV 350
Joined: 13 Sep 2012
Posts: 10755 Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin |
|
Veni, Vidi, Posti
![]() 2007 LX150 2015 GTS 2013 BV 350
Joined: 13 Sep 2012
Posts: 10755 Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin |
Not a Southerner, but you should do just fine. I think scooters have a vibe to them that makes one approachable, and anyway, people are people....yes, there are some scary folks out there, but they get a disproportionate amount of press and gives one a skewed image that's not helpful.
Read a little Lostboater Diaries http://lostboaterdiaries.com/ about scooting there and you'll *want* to ride there. |
fledermaus wrote: Not a Southerner, but you should do just fine. I think scooters have a vibe to them that makes one approachable, and anyway, people are people....yes, there are some scary folks out there, but they get a disproportionate amount of press and gives one a skewed image that's not helpful. Read a little Lostboater Diaries http://lostboaterdiaries.com/ about scooting there and you'll *want* to ride there. |
I feel that the distribution of a-holes is fairly even across the USA. Not sure if that makes you feel better about riding in the South or more concerned about riding in the North.
With that said, a-Holery behavior is definitely the exception, not the rule. Plan for a mix of highways, backroads, cities, and small towns. Should be a fun adventure.
Positive
|
mrob wrote: I feel that the distribution of a-holes is fairly even across the USA. Not sure if that makes you feel better about riding in the South or more concerned about riding in the North. With that said, a-Holery behavior is definitely the exception, not the rule. Plan for a mix of highways, backroads, cities, and small towns. Should be a fun adventure. |
Hooked
![]() ET 50 GTI250 ET150 Pearl White ET 150 Colbalt Blue
Joined: 05 May 2017
Posts: 167 Location: Royal Oak MI |
Hooked
![]() 1964 v90, 1970 VBC, lots of dumb twist n go toys
Joined: 21 Jan 2015
Posts: 289 Location: savannh, ga |
I am shocked by the question.. My jaw actually dropped open. I was born in Georgia and live in South Carolina now. I can't imagine someone seriously messing with you because you're on a scooter. Please fill us in on why you think this way. Is it movies you have watched?
Positive
|
![]() Fri May 13, 2022 5:45 am
Hooked
2010 Vespa super,2016 vespa 3 00 1979 p200 with sidecar 1958 cu shman eagle with sidecar Inder trai ler 1983 bajaj tuk tuk tristar 2018 royal Enfi
Joined: 15 Apr 2012
Posts: 442 Location: Dothan alabama |
|
Hooked
![]() 2010 Vespa super,2016 vespa 3 00 1979 p200 with sidecar 1958 cu shman eagle with sidecar Inder trai ler 1983 bajaj tuk tuk tristar 2018 royal Enfi
Joined: 15 Apr 2012
Posts: 442 Location: Dothan alabama |
Riding the super slab is not my idea of a great adventure its sorta like playing pinball with cars back roads almost as fast and a lot less stress most long distance riders have ridden the slab or interstates to make up time or distance its just more comfortable for me and I get to see more
|
capt. gary wrote: Riding the super slab is not my idea of a great adventure its sorta like playing pinball with cars back roads almost as fast and a lot less stress most long distance riders have ridden the slab or interstates to make up time or distance its just more comfortable for me and I get to see more |
Hooked
2013 BV350, 2014 GTS , 2016 GTS, 2013 Downtown 300i
Joined: 03 Mar 2020
Posts: 276 Location: Dahlonega, GA |
Hummus2 wrote: hello! I am thinking about one day doing a trip toronto to florida. i was wondering if its safe to ride a vespa through the southern states. virginia, north and south carolina, georgia, looks like the shortest route is through these states.. the gts's can handle highway speeds just fine, but just wondering how safe and um.. accepting people are in the south of people on scooters.. ha. thank you for any input! |
![]() Fri May 13, 2022 7:45 am
Addicted
S150 '09, Beo 500ie '08
Joined: 14 Aug 2019
Posts: 874 Location: Bermuda |
|
capt. gary wrote: Riding the super slab is not my idea of a great adventure its sorta like playing pinball with cars back roads almost as fast and a lot less stress most long distance riders have ridden the slab or interstates to make up time or distance its just more comfortable for me and I get to see more |
rdhood wrote: Perfectly safe. Just don't choose to ride through some inner city urban area. I live here and ride here all of the time.. GA, NC, SC. I would not hesitate to ride to any destination in the Southeast... well, except for some inner city urban area. |
![]() Fri May 13, 2022 9:34 am
Ossessionato
Vespa LX150 GTS250ie GTS300x2
Joined: 11 Dec 2009
Posts: 2281 Location: St. Pete, Fla |
|
Ossessionato
![]() Vespa LX150 GTS250ie GTS300x2
Joined: 11 Dec 2009
Posts: 2281 Location: St. Pete, Fla |
Quote: Is it save Have you done any 3 or 4 rides in your country yet? I love daydreaming about rides and never once has my safety been a consideration. Nor when I rode several times across the US or Canada or Europe or Egypt or West Africa or South Africa etc. I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone, even you have to force yourself, and you will be amazed at what a wonderful world we live. Start by turning of the TV/news. |
Ossessionato
![]() BV350, Primavera 150, Yamaha Zuma 125
Joined: 06 Jun 2013
Posts: 3679 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota |
Veni, Vidi, Posti
![]() GTS 300ABS, Buddy 125, Buddy Kick 125
Joined: 29 Dec 2007
Posts: 12775 Location: Oregon City, OR |
grouper wrote: I am shocked by the question. |
grouper wrote: I am shocked by the question.. My jaw actually dropped open. I was born in Georgia and live in South Carolina now. I can't imagine someone seriously messing with you because you're on a scooter. Please fill us in on why you think this way. Is it movies you have watched? |
I'm going to give a different perspective. This isn't discouragement, just the less shiny side of the coin from someone rode a lot in NC, TN, and SC.
My biggest piece of advice is to know how optimistic your speedometer is. There's highways and there's interstates. Highways are better for riding, just slower. They usually top out at 55mph. Interstates are between 55-70mph posted. I use them grudgingly for making time and to avoid deer at dusk. Any road you're on...whatever the posted limit is, expect the pace of traffic to be 5-15+ over. If traffic is going the limit, there's probably a speed trap. Most people don't know that scooters bigger than 50cc exist, so they tend to treat scooters as an obstruction to get past until you reach 45mph, then they get more accepting...most of the time. Most people just want to get on with their day, but there's still plenty of idiots, and they take things personally. Just be aware and don't let yourself be a target. Other motorcyclists, especially Harleys: one or two, usually friendly or neutral. Watch out for groups. They're usually neutral, but pack mentality is a PITA. If you see patched vests, pay extra attention. Watch out for pickup trucks. Especially if they're modified. ESPECIALLY if they have certain decals & stickers. ...All that said, plenty of people, myself (in all my PTSD hypervigilant craziness) included, have ridden through the region and loved it. There are some wonderful roads for riding in the Appalachian mountains. Oh... and the deer might as well be suicidal, especially around dusk. If you ride at night, don't outride your headlight or reaction speed. Black bear fur isn't reflective. 😉 |
Veni, Vidi, Posti
![]() LX190 Friday afternoon special, Primavera, some pushbikes
Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 8206 Location: Hermit Kingdom |
I will say that the further out of state your license plate is, the more consideration you seem to get down here. It doesn't translate to cars, though...just motorcycles and scooters. I don't know why (though I have a few guesses), but I've observed the phenomenon repeatedly over several years.
|
All Content Copyright 2005-2022 by Modern Vespa. All Rights Reserved.
Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Shop on Amazon Smile with Modern Vespa