Modern Vespa

All,

I am getting out of the military next month after 10 years of service and have decided to make a trek around the USA and into parts of Canada.

I have a GTS300 and would like to make the trip on the scooter but not having a lot of experience with Vespas I am a little hesitant about how relialble the scooter will be on such a long trip. Looks like it may be about 10K miles. Any thoughts??

I tried searching but could not find anyone who has done this sort of a trip before. Does anyone know if this has been done on a GTS before? Also, if anyone has any inputs on how doable the trip is or what I should expect or bring extra etc. I would greatly appreciate it.

I am planning on leaving from Arkansas and head east and to the north up the coast into Canada and then back into the USA by the Great Lakes. Then back up towards Canada again until I hit the west coast and then come down and back all the way across the southern US to Key West and then finally back home. The route is not finalized yet and I would love to squeeze Alaska into the trip too but I am not sure weather would hold out by the time I got there. I will be camping along the way so the scooter will be loaded down. I do have a one-wheeled PAV trailer I was planning on bringing as well.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

Pull the belt air filter off, it will help keep your belt cool. Figure to change your belt every so often, the Canon ball guys can give you the best advice.

OZ, Jess?

On Cannonball, we learned some things about premature wear. It really depends on how many miles a day you ride, and how many hours the bike stays hot.

Tires (the rear, anyway) will wear out much earlier than you expect it to. The drive belt will similarly have reduced lifespan. Your variator will develop deep gouges in the pulley faces, which will reduce top speed. Your exhaust gasket will probably blow, and if you use a pipe you will probably break it. The header part of the exhaust is particularly vulnerable to heat-related damage on such a long trip.

Note that I'm not trying to discourage you at all. Actually, I'm encouraging you. Just letting you know what parts are going to have the hardest time, and what you'll have to watch / replace / have spares for.

My money is on a stock exhaust with the down tube (header) welded to the main part of the exhaust, sans exhaust gasket. Heidenau tires, or possibly Michelin Pilot City. Bring an extra belt and a clutch tool, a variator holder, and a torque wrench, along with the usual complement of tools. Extra variator and rollers too. Change your oil more often than you think is necessary. Schedule tire changes at dealers along the way, and make sure they know you're coming so they can have tires in stock.

Have a nice trip!

Oh, and the engine itself will be fine. Nearly bulletproof. It's the consumables that are the problem.

Congrats to you. I think your right on alaska but you could map it out and if your ahead of schedule you might be able to do it. If you have a laptop or iphone you can access this site for mechanical problems. I'm sure you'll be able to find some one to help you out. I can't remember the name of the guy who did something similar He went to alaska. I'll stop trying to remember and add it to this thread when i remember it. I'm envious. Have fun

I did Vancouver, Alaska, down around great lakes back up into Quebec last year on a GT200. 14,000kms riding like a white man not like a cannonballer and first rear tire change at 9,500 km and new exhaust gasket in Whitehorse YT second rear tire and first front at 18,500km in Toronto. Purchased belt but still in glove box of scoot sitting in storage with 20,000km in Ottawa. Oil changes done at 6,000kms intervals. NO issues what so ever, Forget the trailer if you are by yourself would be my advise, I think that will be more annoying then what it is worth..if you were two up may be a different story. go for it. Carry your own spares like tire, belt etc. I took it easy rode along at around 100kph covering up to 600km a day but mostly less then that. I carried enough food and water for a day or two all cooking and camping gear.

OK, I'll ask first, how does a white man ride?

Different then a cannonballer!

Ummm... except for one Salvadoran and two Canadians, we were a pretty white bunch.

Plase take Pictures and update us as you go!!! Congrats on your excaping from the military.. I have been in 29 years and getting out at the end of next month. If you post your route I bet you will get offers of help, and places to stay along the way from your fellow MVer's! I know if you come near Orangevale or Sacramento I would love to meet up with you and ride a bit with ya!!
All encouragement and best wishes for a safe ride!! We all know it is going to be fun!!

Hey, you got it right this time!

Didn't Alix basically do this same type of trip on a Buddy? But she took the better part of like, a year, to wander around.

Is it that canadians are just that much weirder that they make another category. Anyways before this turns into something I never meant it to. I wasn't in a race, was all I meant by that and it took me more then 16 hours to cross the continent.

This has got to be the best kinda topic,

ROAD TRIPS!

I really enjoy reading about peoples trips, and seeing the pictures of how they packed. Ever since seeing 'Long Way Down' and 'Long Way Round' with Ewuan McGregor and Charley Boorman, Iv really wanted to go on a huge road trip one day on a bike.

Keep Posting

What did you pack with you? if you dont mind me asking.

similar if you were backpacking
top box, food, mess kit, small portable stove with fuel, laptop
underseat, tools, spares, sleeping bag, sweater if not wearing it,
in bag, clothes, some dry food, map in pockets, water bottles bag pockets
front rack, tent, thermal rest and bike cover,
under top box, rain gear
glove box, cell phone, camera, sun screen, glasses, note book, flashlight, pen

Its certainly supriseing how much you can fit onto/into a scooter! Bet you had the time of your life

*Jelous*

Could you elaborate on which tools and parts you carried please?

I am taking a shorter journey next week, about 1000 miles round trip, but from Prague, Czech Republic down to Eastern Slovakia where there are no Vespa dealers for any kind of reliable service, so I'd like to know what you suggest carrying.

Thanks

Larry

This is the way to go. Had mine welded and no problems since.....about 30k. There's a place here in Olympia, WA that has the jig, so you can send your exhaust system to them they'll bolt it up to the jig and solve the fiber gasket problem for you, forever!

To give another opinion, I see that as risking a broken exhaust stud. Having the gasket between the header and the pipe reduces the stress that's transferred from the exhaust to the cylinder head as you ride over rough roads and bumps. Plus, taking the exhaust off at the cylinder head every time compounds that risk. Having gone through a broken exhaust stud on my GTS, I don't recommend that for anybody. However, if you do decide to weld the pipes, always use a torque wrench that is set properly when you tighten the exhaust bolts on the cylinder head.

Having said that, good luck on your trip!

P.S. Heidenau K61's all the way... don't waste your time with Michelins

Take an hour or two and read through Wan's journey across the US and back again on a 50cc Honda Ruckus:

Part 1

http://totalruckus.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12143&start=0

Part 2

http://totalruckus.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16406

Wan is the man. That guy is a trooper. all on a ruckus!

I am not sure you have an exhaust gasket on the 300 but that and a belt is all I would carry for spares. Maybe 200ml of oil in a pill bottle to top up with. As far as tool I carry a set of spanners 7 to 19 mm a small set of of sockets I use a 3/8 drive ratchet with a reducer to 1/4 and a enlarger to 1/2 inch. I carry sockets from 13 to 24mm 1/2inch drive, sockets from 7 to 12mm 3/8 and !/4 inch drive. A pair of circlip plyers, small vise grips a phillips and a straight screwdriver. A few extra bits like screws, little nuts and bolts, electircian tape and plastic ties, a bit of wire. You have a new bike I doubt you will have any problem in that distance providing your rear tire has enough thread. I also carry a tire repair kit and a small bicycle pump. Have fun. bring your camera

PS I also don't think welding the exhaust is a good idea, I think it needs to flex

For the last few days i'v been reading through his journey, im only on page 40 out of 108! Its a truely amazing trip! really enjoying reading it, so thanks for posting this

Roadtrip! Mike, I know you'll have a fantastic time. Several threads here describe different long distance rides. It will be great to add yours to the list.

--Deborah