Modern Vespa

My friend, Silvia, has been looking for a new helmet. So am I.

A few days ago she sent me a text with photos from Daytona Helmets in Daytona Beach.

Since Ken Wilson died, I haven't had a riding partner beyond local club rides and rallies, so I offered to lead her to do some shopping.

She had been riding a CanAm Ryker, but bought a beautiful 2013 Vespa GTS 300 recently and chose to ride that.

I rode 30 miles south to pick her up at her house and we headed to a French Bakery in St. Augustine Beach for a late breakfast, then down the coast to Ormond Beach where we took the Ormond Beach Scenic Highway into the little downtown.

Our first stop was a helmet shop that turned out to be an on line dealer with almost no helmets to sell in the shop.

From there to Daytona Helmets where they had helmets but the only one that appealed to Silvia didn't have the required flip down sun shield.

Then to the huge J&P Cycles at Harley World where they had helmets. Just not the right style or size.

So a frustrating shopping experience.

The ride back was through Bunnell and Palatka before riding alongside the St. John's River on CR 13 before I turned off to head home.

It was a pleasant 250 mile ride for me with a nice friend.

Bill

I love the Daytona helmets. But the liners are terrible. I've got 3 in past 3 years. All 3 had the neck roll deteriorate. One grew mold. I don't know for sure but I don't think they have the antimicrobial liner. I've got 30 helmets. I love & hate these helmets the most. The fit, comfort, and looks is why I still have one. I've tried just replacing the liners but they always answer my emails saying they'll help but never do anything but talk. Maybe I'm an exception, dunno.

The part that stood out to me is Silvia choosing the new-to-her GTS for the day instead of the Ryker. A 250-mile helmet-shopping trip is a pretty good way to find out whether you've bought the right scooter.

And maybe that's the funny part — no helmet came home, but the Vespa passed its test.