OP
UTC

Member
GTV 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 15
Location: West Cork
 
Member
GTV 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 15
Location: West Cork
UTC quote
Hi lads,
300 miles on the clock and I'm slowly seeing what all the fuss is about.
Love that Vespa!
I loved scooting around the backhills of West Cork, taking my time and savouring the sunshine while never meeting another car on the track. Then I decided I'd make a journey to the shops in Clonakilty.
I didn't need coffee for a week after it.
Pushing over 50 miles an hour in the open road, squinting for potholes, trying to ignore an ever-increasing line of cars behind me, winds stirring up and dying off suddenly making life very unpredictable, and stopping quickly to avoid sailing into a driver pulling out. And all the while the awful thought of what would happen to a) me kneecaps b) hands if I fell off.
Well, it set me back for about a week. Then my jeep went to hospital, forcing me to ride out again, and my confidence has gradually increased to the extent that I now only think about the important thing: what's happening on the bike NOW, as opposed to what might happen.
Learning is progressive: leaning into corners, dodging potholes by flicking the hips, trusting the bike.
My crush on the scooter has developed into a full-blown love affair.
Some notes: got stung by a wasp on the neck, causing interesting word usage on the main road; lots of admiring comments from passersby; and a strange, ever-present fear on my part that I will, without doubt, at some stage put diesel into her instead of petrol.
An old Irish phrase comes to mind every time I ride:
"A shut mouth catches no flies"!
See ye
Dommo
Union Hall Pier
Union Hall Pier
@60yomod avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2009 LXV125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1566
Location: Baildon, Yorkshire, England
 
Molto Verboso
@60yomod avatar
2009 LXV125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1566
Location: Baildon, Yorkshire, England
UTC quote
Hey up Dommo.

As a novice rider I hear you my friend.

From memory your first post was about the country lanes near you so riding in traffic on busier roads is certainly different.

Don't know what the licensing/training rules are in the south but it might be worth looking into some sort of additional training so as to build your confidence ?

There's a rule here on MV that we shouldn't be too dogmatic about clothing etc but helmet, armoured jacket/pants, gloves, and ankle boots all help give you the reassurance that should the worst happen, you've done all you can to minimise the effects.

I use a Buff to cover the gap between jacket and helmet to keep the critters out

So far I've managed to avoid putting diesel in but the whole re-fuelling thing is such a performance anyway, I tend to give the process my full 100% attention. Bit like riding itself. In the car I'm often on auto-pilot but not riding - it demands all attention all the time.

Keep safe Dommo, take it steady, build your miles and experience, and enjoy your new love
@judy avatar
UTC

World Traveler
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
 
World Traveler
@judy avatar
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
UTC quote
ALOHA and welcome to the forum. It's a wonderful love affair isn't it. Country roads are the best. I like you no matter what you wear. Have fun and ride safe. 8) Thanks for the pc.
@1drunkparrot avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2007 LX150 Dragon Red & 2009 H-D FLHRC
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1773
Location: Tampa Bay, FL
 
Molto Verboso
@1drunkparrot avatar
2007 LX150 Dragon Red & 2009 H-D FLHRC
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1773
Location: Tampa Bay, FL
UTC quote
Glad you are getting into the enjoyment. Nice pic.
External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
OP
UTC

Member
GTV 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 15
Location: West Cork
 
Member
GTV 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 15
Location: West Cork
UTC quote
Hiya lads,

Thanks 60yoMod for your input. Most of my protective clothing is hidden round the back for that shot .
I think you're right about the advanced training. I suppose by nature I'm cautious anyway and each little step into the unknown and each little push of the boundary seem fraught with 'incident' if not danger. I'll keep steppin' though!

See ye

Dommo
OP
UTC

Member
GTV 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 15
Location: West Cork
 
Member
GTV 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 15
Location: West Cork
UTC quote
p.s. The buff is an idea that never occurred to me - and I have two of 'em sitting in a drawer at home. Mighty!

Dommo

Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.

Buy Me A Coffee
 

Shop on Amazon with Modern Vespa

Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com


All Content Copyright 2005-2025 by Modern Vespa.
All Rights Reserved.


[ Time: 0.0217s ][ Queries: 5 (0.0128s) ][ live ][ 328 ][ ThingOne ]