Modern Vespa

That's a nice group picture! Look forward to hearing all the stories that will go along with the pictures; the pole dancing story should be fascinating!

Well most, if not all of us are back from our European Jaunt to Ypres,Ostende and Brugges so if you want a good laugh please go to the Rally section and look at the lovely pictures taken by Marc and Donna.
When my bottom has recovered I'll try and write something.
Much Love and deep respect to the Norfolk Broadsmen

Billy-no-scoot.

YOU'RE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh... it was so lonely without you... not one Donkie Skok to chat with... I missed you guys!!

Photos look fantastic, really well done!
I'm gutted I didn't make it!

Well looks like we are all back safe! Hellish first twenty or so miles in pratically zero visiblity fog with droplets so thick it was practically rain. Visor stayed clean for about 5 seconds after a wipe.

Think it is my acrophobia which is making it difficult to ride on bridges, wide roads etc, as rather than relying on natural balance the mind starts searching for visual clues. Off to ride up the M11 as fast I can this week.
I now need therapy. Anyone know anyone!

God it's too early in the mornig for this and Bill you forgot the "Doug has an oil leak story and rides around a roundabout three times before figuring how to get into the gas station."

Off to take the GTS into Scootech this morning to get an oil leak sorted out.

Thanks for a great weekend everyone.

so doug's got dodgy proprioception and vestibular sense? i think you can get cream for that

I've got plenty of special cream if you need some Doug.

Oh I forgot -

How about the Bill's got the major hump because he couldn't get fuel from two filling stations in a row story ?

Billy-no-scoot

Great pictures, and I love the ones on the move. Huge thanks to Marc for being such a help to us.

Also pleased to note that the Biker Hotel is now thoroughly skoked with stickers, with the owner even putting one up for his own amusement.

I am eating a chocolate egg... no Bill not the chocolate cock. It is well dodgy! Innit.

This is not a woman who melts for a cock, but a cock who melts for a woman ....

What about the man that melts for cock ?

I don't want anyone left out.

Now I'm back from the trip I'm actually coming down to Earth.

I want to go again but this time with a bit more wrist action.

Much love

Billy-no-scoot

I've just had athought - Doug asked me on the ferry why don't I ride performance bikes if I like to go fast so much and my answer was a crappy one so here goes the real reason.

If you take a fast bike that handles into a corner there's no real skill involved because it's designed to do that but if you try and do the same with something that isn't designed to do it takes alot more thought it's alot more interesting.

You wait until the Sava's come off because then I'm going to be in real trouble.

I don't miss the bullshit factor of the biking world and people who ride scooters just seem to have alot less attitude and are alot more friendly.

It's also a case of having riden most fast bikes I've never found one that I'm comfortable on where as the Vespa ( eventhough I do look like a bit of a queen) I'm very comfy indeed.

And lets face it they are alot more stylish.

xx

what the fuck are you going on about?

actually, you're just addicted to counter-steering a vespa into a bend. you're a mighty fine rider. big props brotha!

Apparently Bill uses his brakes too much - but I can't be definitive, as I was in front.

Jim, the critic...

Only because you don't use yours Jim.

Billy-no-brakes

Ask not for whom the cock melts. It melts for thee.
- John Donnge

Fabu pix, everyone. You're all just so pretty! Looks like a fun time was had by all. Except those of us who missed you while you were gone. Boohoo.




(yeah, so I lied. I didn't go away, never to post here again. Sorry.)

Actually this braking thing is interesting. I was behind Jim and agree that he doesn't use them much. There must be a place though, for using the brakes as a warning to those following in certain circumstances, ie those where the following rider/driver does not have IAM level observation skills.

Surely, a quick double dab on the lever has its place, without initiating too much retardation? I often wonder myself what Bill is going on about...

Bill, as we all know, is rather fond of academic critical analysis. Aren't ya mate

Thanks for the reminder. I'll do a longer version of this answer later when I've thought of something funny to say that won't offend anyone.

As for the brakes - do I use them too often or too hard ?

If it's too hard it's because I'm going faster.

Much love

Bill

I am off down to lovely Bromley to visit Alice and sort out the ET4 for her this evening, with a belt and roller change. Hope the weather holds out!

i was behind bill for much of the ride and when i wasn't busy admiring his bottom, i was checking out his line in corners and technique in general and i can offer the following comment: i don't think he uses his brakes too much. certainly never in a corner and only occasionally going into one. however a more experienced observer will probably have a more thorough critique to offer. and i was very distracted by his Lidl trousers and his queenly posture.

yes. he can't get enough of it apparently.

Doug, I haz belt, I haz brake cleaner, and I'm all set to cover you with grateful kisses.

photos please

I should really stop looking at the bike listings on eBay. If I had the money and the storage space I'd buy a scooter every week.

This week I want:

http://tinyurl.com/dy5877

It's the kind ridden by the guys in I See By My Outfit (see thread somewhere on this forum). I don't have a licence for gears and it would be insanely stupid to commute on it. But but but.

What you mean like me?

And Genie, you can kiss my...

Buy it - that looks fantastic, like a hover scooter.

Have we all got nothing better to do today? I am still waiting for my gasket to arrive from Fowl-ups to fix my oil leak.

I like the hover scooter too!

It's very Jetsons, isn't it? Perhaps I should do a Wilma and bung on a bid expecting to be outbid...

...course, I'd need somebody to drive a van to Yorkshire and back to pick it up...

I wondered why my ass was getting warm.

Bill X

Buy it alice!

I'm sitting in the sun at the allotment (which I must get round to naming - any suggestions?) contemplating the patch of earth on which I intend to plant some potatoes. Just sitting here is really rather marvellous. I think I'll bring the scooter next time so that I can just sit here, drinking beer, looking at it.

Glad it's not just me who enjoys just sitting and looking at my scooters.

I am seriously having to restrain myself from the Place Bid button. Where would I keep it, anyway?

I think we should get one of these:

I agree I think we should buy one of those and then have the biggest Donkei Skok logo slapped on the side.

Does it go around corners ? Oh it doesn't ? Dammit.

Regards

Billy-no-scoot

Bill, i think the trick to "less brakes in the corners" is to take the bulb out then everone will think you really are the god of cornering

personally your cornering scares the bejesus out of me

i corner like an old woman........... on ice...who's blind

i'm riding behind you next time mate

I just have alot of confidence in the corners and I guess that comes of years of riding but anyone can do it.
One day I might get caught out but for me the thrill of going into a corner at the right speed then clipping the apex and powering out is a simple joy.
On the dowside I'm a very nervous rider in the rain and would rather not given the choice. I don't have any faith in the front wheel when it's wet.
The worst bike I ever rode in the rain was a 130,000 mile Honda CX500 on Avon Roadrunners.
More worrying than a pregnancy test.
Regards

Bill X

well my riding style in corners can only be described as "permanent torrential downpour on ice covered gravel"

Bill, you were stylin' even in the petrol station. That takes some doing, accept your compliments!

Stylin' in the Old Queen tradition....

I'm just jealous. Wanna see a blind old granny corner, just follow me

One day I'll turn into Mother Goose and you can all follow me on a selected stretch road and you can all follow my lines.
Just as long as you all make a loud quacking sound as we ride.
Oh that's sounding really weird.

Have a good day all

Billy-no-scoot

Bill your posts are geeting more surreal by the moment. You're freaking me out