Modern Vespa

no problem Matt. We will just have to drink your share and gorge ourselves on your portions we are bringing. seriously have a good time and we'll do it some other time.

south bound this AM at 5:15 am on 75. I'll be at the speedway around 4 pm. ya'll have a good weekend. I know I will.

I'm about a mile from the Folkston Funnel in Folkston, GA. It is the busiest section of railroad track in the U.S. People come from out of state just to spend time on the viewing platform watching the trains go by. I saw a story of it on Sunday Morning one time and made it a stopping point on my trip south. There were 3 hard core railroad enthusiasts there. Interesting hearing their discusions on the differences in the trains with history and technical details. Aslo an excited young boy with his grandfather. (I was jealous of the grandfather.)

I have to send a report back to the office and will hit the road about 8:30. I have 150 miles to go but will take my time seeing sights going down A1A.

Hey Fuzzy sounds like you have a nice route planned out. Sure wish I was gonna be around. DOT has the watch for motorcycle signs out and yesterday I saw a bunch of bikes coming through Palatka.

On your way back north, if you havn't done this already, you may want to think about checking out some of the less seen parts of NE FL along the St. Johns on County Road 13A. Probably the easiest way to get there is to come up US 1 from Daytona to 206 just south of St. Augustine.
West on 206 to 207
Right on 207 to 13A (about a mile and a half on 207)
Left (North) on 13A

You will wind along the St. Johns for about 16 miles or so...pretty ride. Just before 13 merges with 16 on the left just over a bridge is a great place called The Outback Crab Shack. Great food and will probably be jammed with bikes as it is a popular stop for bikers.

After that you can continue up through Jax on 13 and eventually hit 95 or take 16 across the Shands bridge and then 17 north up to 295.

Just a thought. Anyway I hope you and the rest of the MV'ers have a safe and fun time. Will be looking forward to seeing pics when I get back next Wednesday.

Got home after a 349 mile ride today and 1074 for the whole trip. OAD stayed another day so I get a chance to tell the real tales before he puts spin on them.

Stickyfrog, thanks for the advice on the route north, but unfortunately you sent a few minutes after I shut down my computer and was not able to get on at the track in Daytona Beach. I guess I'll have to go back.

You guys reading this need to know what a treat you miss turning down OAD's invitations to the track, Barber and Daytona Beach so far. Access to crew passes that allow entrance to the "no spectator" areas of the track are a real priviledge to see the behind the scenes of motorcycle racing and meet the participants and the cost is less than the standard pass the pubic gets. $60 for the weekend including three days of racing and camping. The next time he offers take note, drop what you are doing and plan to come. Ane when he brings the bar-b-que you get to eat well too.

We spent most of the time at the track but did visit Vespa Daytona Beach, Rosemeyer's Harley dealership and a few other sites. BTW started another thread on the new Corbin seat available for the Piaggio MP3s, not Fuocos or Fuoco want to be's.

Friday night participated in the Monster dash for a couple laps riding around the Speedway track. We were not allowed to ride up the banked turns, but looking at them from the bottom wasn't sure I wanted to. They are 59 degrees of slope and to go up without wheels it is hands and knees to not fall back. Think about it. If you leaned an MP3 over to the point of the kick stand touching then locked the front suspension, when you let go the bike would fall over the other way... that is steep. Most of the money went to a children's charity that was a favorite of Rosmeyer's. Also received a shirt that says "It doesn't take 4 wheels to ride Daytona."

We both took a test ride on a Spider. Ride was about 10 miles with speeds up to 65 mph. It was a run ride. We had the new version with the paddle shifters which work great. I did not find the seating position comfortable leaning forward with weight on arms. Lots of power and although fun I still prefer my MP3. There was a new touring model you could sit and and that was comfortable.

Also took a test ride on a T-Max. Nice riding scoot with a bit more acceleration than my 400 and more leg room.

The Aprilla trailer was not there having been on the west coast for the dealer meeting.

A few pictures:

Edited to add we did see another MP3 250 Saturday. We were in the campground and saw one going out of the infield towards the tunnel. Dirt yelled but the rider didn't hear. A fence between campground and road prevented us from getting to the rider before they were gone. Never heard from amylind. Daytona Beach Vespa said they sold a 500 on Thursday.

More Pictures

Man! That looked like a blast! I wish I coulda gone! So...

What were both you guys' impressions of the Spyder?

Hey Fuzzy,
If you and Dirt like camping out...you were in my neck of the woods, Folkston. I grew up just outside the Okefenokee. We could eventually plan a trip down...they do a special camping tour where you park on one side, take a slow boat through the swamp, stopping and camping...takes 3 days and you come out on the other side at which point they shuttle you back to your original parking.

Hope to get a chance to chat with you and dirt about your experiences real soon! Until then, I guess I'll have to wait for the 3rd installment in the trilogy:

Rembered this picture on my cell phone. We saw this trike on the midway at the race track. Company was selling conversions for a trike that tilts. Advertised as safer and rides like a two wheeler. Picture shows maximum lean. Used a shaft drive and tilted around the shaft drive. Didn't pick up the literature and can't remember the name. Maybe OAD remembers.

Fuzzy, glad you got home safe! Weather held off nicely for Sat/Sun. Think I'll hold off on posting more till OldAs joins in....hope to see more pics too.
(the Hog.. reminds me of a bank I had as a kid...mine had a fat arse 2!

here are a couple of pics that I took.

Dirt,
You are too modest and left out your own winner's circle shot.

I was going to buy this first one until I saw the $33 price tag for the jpg file. Dragon pictures are $6 in comparison.

Pictures are here: http://backprint.com/view_event_photos.asp?PID=bp%1E%7ECw&EVENTID=59298&PWD=&START=176&SHOW=35&CAT=206300&SUB=0

We went around a few times and show up several times. You have to scroll through the pages to see them all.

Wow looks like you guys had a blast. Yeah I have been down on that track before and it is way steeper than it looks on TV. Thanks for posting the pics and the stories.

So you only saw one other MP3? Wonder who it was. The only ones I have seen around here is a deep red with gold trim 250 from Orlando. Met him once in Palatka. And a 500 that my lawn guy owns but I hardly ever see ride. There was a guy in St. Augustine too with a 500 and I think his MV name was Emtwo or something but havn't heard anything from him in awhile.

Anyway, putting Octoberfest on my list for next year.

I think this 250 was grey. Maybe it was amylind, she never opened the PM I sent with how to get in touch with us at Daytona. Was riding with several motorcycles.