Modern Vespa

Damn, this makes me want to go cross country asap. I do plan on doing a trip sometime this spring, but not on a 50cc! Very impressive!

Keep in mind that Ardy's Yesterday is a well kitted 80cc, to include a Malossi crank. Made a significant difference in the mountains over the original 50cc configuration. Being able to easily hold 65 kph on steep uphills was a lot better than the stock 50 kph. On level ground, the stock 50cc could cruise at 70 kph, Max WOT about 80. She doesn't know her max cruise with the 80 cc kitting, as she has never wanted to push beyond 85 kph on the roads we travel, nor does she know her max WOT speed for the same reason. We are talking cruise, not WOT.

Don't sell 2T 50cc scooters short. There are some pretty stout ones out there. Not all, but some.

Cross country riding is great.

Al

Is that Oz?

I can't really justify why I feel this way, because I'm not crazy, nor am I against adventure. This just seems dangerous to me. If you want to go do it, feel free. If you come thru Indiana, call me and I'll buy lunch. But don't you dare have a breakdown and call me. All you'll hear is "I told you so." Then I'll come get you and tell you how to get your scooter to the dealer.

Siber-

Are you saying that one cannot safely ride long distance on a 50 cc or similar scooter? Are you saying that mechanical breakdown is guaranteed?

We planned our 2,200 km journey well in advance, and allowed 24 days in which to do it. We didn't have reservations for the ferry back to Greece, not because we were afraid of a breakdown, but because we weren't sure how long we would stop at various places or if we might encounter rain on the final leg back to Ancona, and left room to wait any such rain out. (Weather history would have led us to expect at least one 2 to 3 day period of rain - never happened!).

We stayed on roads for which our scoots were fully capable. Probably a bit easier in Greece/Italy than in the US. Often meant a longer ride timewise, but a safer ride speedwise. But, 70 kph roads are not uncommon in the area we traveled, and the few 80 kph stretches were fine for our scoots and the Italians who were used to even slower scoots on these roads.

It is readily doable if you have a well maintained, quality scoot and use your brain. May take a while, but the journey is great, and the stops along the way are great.

Al

A guys is compelled to help out, come hell or high water, (pun intended) and uses his little scoot to do it.

I love stories like this.

BTW-Al,

Just wanted to let you and your lovely wife Ardy know that my daughter and I are available for adoption.

We're both fully housebroken, have current vaccinations and passports, are easy keepers, seasoned travelers, crave adventure, and come with our own scoot.

Oh. And we will happily do windows.

Lastbest-

You will have to take a number, and it's up in the low hundreds at present! Never knew how many people were seeking adoption until we moved here.

Have you considered the Greek Islands rally next May? It ain't quite adoption, but it's a taste of our world.

A&A

This is one of the reason I'm getting my Vespa, I'd love to plan a trip around the UK next year visiting relatives, friends, places I've never seen.. Once I've seen through the winter I'm going to see if it's doable. Of course it's nothing like a US road trip - I might end up camping I might not, but it's a few weeks on the road!

Lastbest-

Ardy just reviewed your application above, and based on the highlighted part moved your number in the process to just under 50!

A&A

I don't know them, but it looks like fun!

http://www.scootertur.com/eng-50cc.php

(to sweeten the deal)

Did I also mention the deal includes free daily yoga instruction for you and Ardy-accompanied by live Cello music by my highly gifted child?

And we're both excellent cooks and can change a tire on the fly.

(now where is that damn passport...)

Thanks for sharing that link.

Unfreakinbelievable.

I'd like to meet those guys parents.