Modern Vespa

Some of you might already know that I have started writing about machines other than my trusty Vespa GTS250ie. Most recently a 2009 Triumph Bonneville on loan from my local Vespa/Triumph/Ducati/Aprila/Kawasaki/and soon to be BMW dealer. They have given me the keys to the toy store so to speak. I can take what I want and I write about them as I have been doing in SCOOTER IN THE STICKS for a long time.

I'm looking forward to the MP3-400 and the Vespa GTS300.

But I was sort of excited this morning when someone sent me this link to the Triumph USA Web site:

http://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/usa/News_11425.aspx

When I bought my first Vespa, and LX150, five years ago I had no idea it would lead me down a creative path. I thought it would be just for fun. But it has been more fun than I could have imagined. And it remains so today.

Damn, I love my GTS. You would think I would give it a name by now...

Steve, that's awesome! I've always enjoyed your Scooter in the Sticks blog ... it is great to see you expanding. Best of luck in your new venture. I love your writing style, BTW.

Cheers,
Alice

How awesome!

No greater honor to a writer then seeing his hard work in print. Congrats sir!

Congrats, Steve - you really deserve some recognition for your amazing pictures and writing... 8)

Pretty cool STEVE. I see a book in your future Continue those fun stories and have fun with your new ride

Thanks everyone for you kind words of support. I don't know about Honda but you do meet the nicest people on a Vespa!

Steve,
I was just looking at your blog, and I have a question re: Zen. Would you recommend reading Richardson first, then Pirsig, or Pirsig then Richardson? You seemed to do Pirsig, Richardson, & Pirsig again... What say you, oh wise one?

I suppose I look at it like a puzzle. I want to try it on my own and then look at the answer. So I would struggle with Pirsig first and then on to Richardson for the play by play deconstruction.

And then finally on the road to do my own Zen ride. I wish I had started all this as a youth rather than waiting until now. All that wasted time drinking and, well, you know....

Just think how many miles I could have ridden by now...

You take great pics of your rides too!

Congratulations, Steve! I've been a fan of your Vespa writings, and look forward to reading about your new two-wheeled thoughts.

Opened the door is right, picking my first motorcycle up on Friday (other than my illegal riding from my college days) and scooters have helped me realize I prefer 2 wheels period! I will always be a scooter guy though.

Reading your work has been great. I recently test rode a Triumph (Thruxton) and went with a Harley (Iron 883) I just liked the ride more and would be interested in your input so if you ever find yourself around a Harley delearship - test the Harley out for me and let me know...

I'm new here, but Steve's blog is one of the first meaninful things I dug up on Google when looking for info/opinions about the LX150.

Thanks for taking the time to write!

Scooters are definitely a conversation piece and the conversation topics are definitely interesting Mine run the gambit of the Japanese tourists wanting to take a pic of me on my scooter to people asking "where's my scooter" when i'm out for my daily walk or "i haven't seen you ride much lately". This one guy and i had fun with the concept of me getting a leash and training my LX to follow me on my walks

Same here! I would say it played as important a role in my purchasing a Vespa as the salesman himself. Seeing scooters in the showroom made me want to sit on them and wonder what it was like to ride one. Steve's blog made me imagine myself in the pictures he posted, and from that point on, I had to have one.