Modern Vespa

I've small potholes on my GTS without any adverse affect, other that needing a change of underwear occasionally.

Large potholes that are 5-6 inches deep and 12" or more in diameter are a real hazard.

And yet somehow you posted this from beyond the grave.

The USA has been M/C bike dominated ever since Marlon Brando stared in the Wild One Movie in 1953. It is like "Every third Hogan is riding a Harley". I also think it gives them rewarding satisfaction possing as bad boys. To the point of image, Half of the Harley Dealership space is dedicated to Harley clothing. I admit the ladies look hot all in leather. So, it must provide some joy after leaving your boring job to take your mind away dressing up like Batman. I in no way want to detract from this feeling - I get it. More fun than bad.

Up here in "Minnesota Nice" land, I find the Harley Groups, we park next to, spending more attention to our scooters. Their biggest surprise is the speed capable Vespa 300.

I find most of you scooteristas comfortable and confident in your self image. I personally do not need a Harley that violently vibrates like a unbalanced washing machine and sounding like a jet landing at the near by airport.

Bob Copeland
My Scooter Group jokingly refer to ourselves as the "Del Feugo's M/C gang"

You could have reciprocated his concern over your well-being by recommending that he have his blood pressure and cholesterol checked. I mean, so long as unsolicited advice is being tossed around.

The more I think about it, the more annoying it gets to consider that someone who rides a motorcycle sees fit to tell someone else that what they are doing is dangerous.

I feel the same way. Can't stand the people that think they are superior based on what they're riding. To me it's all about two wheels(and three!), right? I don't like going to the Harley dealer to pick up a part cause of the weird people hanging out in the parking lot. Most of those people (not all of them) always have something silly to say. The Rock Store on Mulholland is another place that's insane. That's why I love riding down Baja! Like minded people enjoying their ride and we look out for each other!

I'm not bothered by that. Well, not bothered very much. I think what GBaby is saying is that someone who rides a motorcycle -- one of the most dangerous vehicles that can be legally operated on the roadways -- really has no business suggesting to other people that what they're doing is dangerous. It's the complete lack of self-awareness that bugs me.

It would be like the tightrope walker telling the juggler that juggling machetes is a bad idea.

Totally agree Jess. Just lumping all the other nonsense I see in there too.

An R75/6.

I had back then in the early 80's an R75/7. It was a quite rare version that was only produced for one year. Introduced in 1976 and in 1977 replaced by the R80/7.

It was a fine riding and very reliable machine.
But not a rocket on wheels as many motorcycles at that time were and indeed it was seen as a bit of a relic of the past by many.

I kept it until 1990. My girlfriend then, now my wife for over 30 years, was extremely afraid of motorcycles so I decided to sell it.

Never argue with an idiot or a fool: they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!

Ha Ha, good one.

I had a 75/7 model as well. The only difference between the /6 and /7 was some extra support in the frame so it would not flex when a hack was attached. It was the only machine I ever owned with a sidecar. It wasn't nimble, but it sure was fun and for some reson, very popular with the ladies.

.

Three wheelers now that is pushing it a bit. They are up there with plastic body scooters owners, top box Karens and cup holder infidels! Sorry I am channeling Bitza from the grave!

🤣😂 I've always been 2 wheels but remembered the MP3 guys on here and didn't want to exclude them. Hard to split lanes on three wheels!

I respond by telling them that somehow I'm still alive after more then 20 years of riding these things.

True Story: Many years ago, when the MP3 was still relatively new, a guy came up to me at the gas station while I was filling it up. He said "At the point where you need three wheels, don't you just wan't to give up and say f-it?"

I looked at him.

I looked at his car, with the four wheels.

I looked back at him.

"Do you need me to point out that you've apparently already given up?"

Unsurprisingly, he didn't say anything else.

When I was in Japan it was shocking to see how the delivery guys on MP3s were riding with reckless abandon. If your guy had seen that he would've asked to buy you an Irish and a Guinness at the Buena Vista!

My canned answer to people I don't want to engage with….."thank you". There really not a way to continue after that. If they keep repeating their statement I just keep repeating thank you. End of conversation.

Once on the subway some guy was trying to talk to me about some horseshit or other and I said "I'm sorry, I don't speak any English at all." The guy apologized and moved on.

Not a pothole, but coming down a hill hitting 70 kph a truck in front of me, a tow truck slightly in front of him. Didn't see until the truck went over, but a 2x8 went flying off the tow truck and under the pick up. By the time the truck went over it I saw this laying across the road unable to avoid or slow down. My little vespa handed it like a pro and I kept going. I pulled over to look for damage and nothing. Theses scoots can handle more than most think.

^^^ Abrugge, give yourself some credit in that you stayed on top of your scoot and rode it out. The Vespa was just one part of the equation, the rider is the other.

I split lanes all the time on my regular commute.

The widest part of a motorcycle is generally the handlebars. As long as rest of it is narrower, splitting is no problem.

I was pulled over for splitting one time, and the officer and I had a very nice discussion about this very thing. I noticed that, with his panniers, his bike was wider than mine.

(No sarcasm. It actually was a very nice discussion.)

Stockholm Syndrome

My Dad winters in Louisiana. Talking with him yesterday, the topic of potholes came up. In a conversation with the locals down there, someone started complaining about the pothole situation. Dad shook his head and told them they have no idea what they're talking about.

That pic of Carl's bike still gives me the willies.

Can't fathom choosing to ride a scooter on such a road.
O.S.

It's the only vehicle I have. I love the aussie environment, exploring, adventure and challenging my skills. (and the look on 4x4 owners faces when I park next to them)

"potholes are stationary and easily avoided. it's all those other jackwagons that'll gitcha while you're staring at potholes."

I think it's pretty common for well intentioned people who want to connect but know what to say to blurt out something stupid rather than "Hey cool bike" or
"How's this thing ride?". But this doesn't take away from the fact there are some bungholes out there too.

Potholes are able to be maneuvered around, Bungholes are unavoidable.

Touche!

I just look at it this way - when I'm out riding or stopping by a favorite place, I've got much more to occupy my mind than paying attention to well-intentioned yet unsolicited words of wisdom. It's really not worth the effort or time to feel insulted or worry about what others believe is sage advice.

I've run across a few motorcyclists who act pretty snobbish when they see me on a Vespa, yet I started riding Harleys in the 1980s so that puts me on one before many of them were even born. At my age, I may even reply "And make sure to look both ways before you cross the street, son!" if I was feeling froggy. Other than that I just smile and move along.

... Wait, what? How else are you supposed to ride them?

More traction + more stability = extended limits for harder riding ... otherwise, what's the point?

Awful color and certain MP3-specific 'quirks' aside, I loved mine:



Re: the motorcycle guys snubbing their noses - Meh. Life short, if people want to waste their time being bothered by you, they're the ones losing, not you.

This week, after almost 20 years riding motorcycles, I just bought my smallest powered two wheeler ever . It's a Talaria Sting, a 145 lb electric mountain bike. It's tiny, stupid, and even though I'm not big or tall I still probably look ridiculous on it.

I rode it for 20 km in just below freezing yesterday and absolutely love it. I'm sure it will get me some people pointing and laughing. So what? Zero fucks given lol. It was cheap, came with a second set of wheels (19" with knobby tires) for taking off-road, and I have a shit eating grin on it. Also easy wheelies.

Re: the motorcycle guys snubbing their noses - Meh. Life short, if people want to waste their time being bothered by you, they're the ones losing, not you.

Enjoying yourself no matter what you ride is what it's all about. Nobody has ever given me shit about my rides but I've seen plenty given to other people. That's what bugs me and it's not the nice guy saying something weird but legitimate assholes being dicks. I'm 6'2" and must have been a sight on my Spree but people just figured I was a lunatic.🤪 Love that you get out and ride in the snow.

I thought much the same about comments regarding my Chinese bike.

^^^^this. If I had a nickel for everyone who asked me "how's the weather up there?" or "you play basketball?" I'd be rich. I just hated those questions in my youth, but at some point realized that people were just trying to connect in a positive way. Of course now in my '60's playing BB is kind of a moot point. Anyway, now, too late, I figured it out and have a list of smartass answers.

And, yeah, of course, I sucked at basketball, so hated the reminders....

I remember a segment from Mad Magazine that was "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions".

I wonder ...


By golly, there it is!

Oh yes. I remember this. Well, I didn't until just now. But now I do.

MV member Treppenwitz's online name means, I think, "the wisdom of the staircase" which refers to the perfect thing that you should have said that occurs to you after you've already stormed out. Seems related to this conversation so maybe we'll hear from him.

It actually means "staircase joke". "Die Treppen" is the staircase and "ein Witz" is a joke.