Modern Vespa

I'll come out when I'm good and ready.

Life is short, get one of each...
I've got a 150 LX and V Star 950.

Or several of each.

As you say, life is short.

BV350 ?

I am considering a brand new motorcycles.

I don't know what your needs are but don't let yourself be sucked into the Bigger is best trap. Many of the 300 to 400cc models are fast enough and won't be a pain to move around the yard. A Kawasaki z400 makes more real horsepower than a 1960s Triumph Bonneville and tops 100 mph easily.

Agreed, thanks.
300-350 range. RE Meteor?

BMW G 310 GS ? Honda CB 300 R/F ?

I've ridden my GTS on our local Interstate highways only for relatively short distances, out of necessity, but don't normally ride on them with the Vespa.

For what it's worth, it's my opinion that a Vespa GTS is completely out of it's element when being hammered down a 70-80 mph interstate highway, though it might be pressed into doing so, and be marginally adequate at it, it's just not a comfortable thing to use it for.

I think the farthest I've ridden on I-90 in South Dakota is probably fifteen or twenty miles, and even then, I don't ride it at WOT unless dealing with an upgrade or headwind, where winding the throttle to the stop is necessary just to maintain a reasonably safe speed so as to not get run over by overtaking traffic.

I-90 near my area is a 75 mph four-lane interstate highway with traffic often moving at 80 mph. I will try to get my GTS to at least indicate 70-75 mph for my occasional short sprints on that road, but I know that my actual speed is more like 65-70 mph, so I pay very close attention to what's coming up behind me and respond accordingly if I think it's necessary.

The 'open road riding' I do on my GTS is almost exclusively done on paved secondary roadways with speed limits generally set from 55-65 mph, and unless pulling upgrades or dealing with headwinds is never done at WOT.

It seems that 65-70 mph on the speedometer (not the actual speed) is kind of a sweet spot where the bike's motor just hums happily along, with a small but comfortable reserve of power if needed.

I've never ridden my GTS with a passenger on board, so don't have an opinion or advice on that, but that's ok because I don't really care to ride it any other way than solo.

Others may feel differently, of course, but I don't have any desire to run my Vespa any distance at WOT. I have several much more powerful conventional motorcycles for faster highway trips if I feel that my Vespa would be strained on a long run.

When I rode it for two days last September and covered 840 miles, I did it at what would have been an actual 60-65 mph, with perhaps some miles covered at 70, but I was almost never running the bike at WOT if on a more or less level highway. I took my time, enjoyed the road and the view. The Vespa was happy, and so was I.

From what I understand similar to 2 strokes,
with these little motored 4 cylinder Vespas, a varied throttle helps keep the engine cooler by better oil circulation.

Agreed, thanks.
300-350 range. RE Meteor?

It's ugly and boring but then again, so am I.

I recently rode a BMW 310 GS, and had hoped that it would appeal to me, which it did visually, and I liked that it felt like an 'adult-sized' bike in a relatively light weight package.

However! I was less than impressed with it's engine, which became a vibrating little piece of unpleasantness at 60-65 mph, and I would not care to ride it for any real distance out on a highway.

Big GS fan. I have two. I would never recommend the 310 for the reasons you mentioned. Especially when there are plenty of low mileage G650GS popping up all the time.

There is currently a G650GS for sale near me with like 10k km (6k miles) for $3700 US. I'm tempted to get just because it's red lol.

It's only 35 lbs heavier and you can ride across the world on one.

The G310 is cool, but, if I already had a Vespa, I'm not gaining enough to make it worth adding it as a second bike.

Same thing with the Meteor, to be honest. Even if I did trust Royal Enfield. If I want something small displacement, cute, light weight... I already have a Vespa, why would I buy an Enfield?

If I want something cute it should at least have the same quality as the Vespa, plus more get up and go, like a W650, W800, Bonneville, Street Twin, Z650RS, Z900RS...

- Current Vespa, Bonneville, Z900RS, and multiple GS owner...

I'll come out when I'm good and ready.

The 300GTS fills a wide gap. I just sold my BMW K1600 GT (which arguably picks up where the Vespa leaves off) because the Vespa is more versatile. I'll keep the Ural sidecar and Morgan as complementary toys, but that's all they are.

I have three machines in the garage -- a GTS, an ET4, and a Royal Enfield Himalayan. And I've noticed something strange. Whichever one I am riding, I swear it's my favorite.

Seems I have three favorites. And my lizard brain keeps telling me I have space for a fourth favorite.

Is this just an expression of PTW insanity??

You're normal VESPAsfw3! Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul. I understand your thoughts though, having just picked up bike #5 a project Primavera 150. It's getting out of hand and time to thin the herd. The curse of prosperity.

BTW I enjoy watching your youtube videos. Laid back and thoughtful, nice work!

I am considering a brand new motorcycles.

Have you heard of Alex Roy ?

Pretty awesome.

I found this video for you. The discontinued Ninja 300 doing 107 indicated, probably 97 to 100 mph GPS.

Had to wait until break-in was over, but I am devastated to have discovered that it's impossible to do wheelies on one of these things. My Ducati could pop one in third gear! How will I get any dates?

I can only dream of being able to express myself as well as mr. williams. I fell it is an honor to listen and or read about what a Vespa in his life has and hopefully will continue to make life tolerable and often joyful. My life has been and I believe will continue to be better while I enjoy My scoot and episodes of mr. williams views on life as we age.

Had to wait until break-in was over, but I am devastated to have discovered that it's impossible to do wheelies on one of these things. My Ducati could pop one in third gear! How will I get any dates?

Actually, you are going to be doing just fine if (Vespa) wheelies are what your potential mates are into.

Writing, like riding, improves with practice. I never stuck with practicing much of anything during my life but I swore I would improve my writing skills. Practicing riding was a breeze because it was a joy. Writing was not. I understand why writers drink.

Anyway, thank you for your comments. Riding my Vespa has done far more than make life tolerable. It's opened the hangar doors so I can soar!

I will say though, only a few things make me feel old -- a bad back, the view in the mirror, and hearing Mr. Williams applied to me!

I gather one of the keys to aid doing _big_ wheelies on a modern vespa is to replace the final drive with a different ratio. (and of course the other usual things like rollers etc)