Modern Vespa

Edit: The whole trip in one place: http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/search/?t=vespa+mexico

I'm on my big trip. Riding my scooter (Vespa 250) from Canada to California and a bit of Mexico. Should be 7,500 - 8,000 km in total, depending on how far I will get before I have to be back home You can check my blog if you would like to see more: http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/

Looks like it is going to be a great trip. I will follow along on your blog. Any chance you can stick in a google map with the route?
Have fun out there!!!

Thank you! I will post the map after I'm done with all the roads I will take
Sergei

Sounds like a blast.

Are you making that trip on Savas?

Not sure what you mean by "Savas"?

More from my trip to US/Mexico.. see more on my blog: http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/

I'm following your blog for a few weeks now, this will be an epic journey and the photos are simply professional.

But how did you get to ride such long distance with so little luggage? And are you both riding on the same scooter, or is your lady driving in a car with your luggage?

Thank you! I pack very light.
All my camera gear is under my seat and my clothes are in the bag.. that bag can hold surpassingly large amount of stuff.

My wife is traveling in a car.. I don't think I would want to do this kind of trip with two people on one bike. If we want to go see something when we come to a bigger city than we would ride together on my bike.

She cares some of our food, a spare tire (I'm not sure if my rear tire will last this distance) and my laptop bag.
If she didn't come I would have my laptop bag with me and that would be it.

Thank you,
Sergei

Plus I don't camp so no extra stuff there.. and you can do laundry if you run out of clothes. I guess we will see how I will manage in a week or so

Tires, as in the stock ones that came on your Vespa.
Took a look at your website--you take brilliant photos.
Enjoy the ride!

You must be a pro, very nice photos. 8) I'll be watching your travels.

Your photographs are very nice indeed.
Is your camera and gear going to be safe under the seat with the heat buildup?
Have fun and most importantly, a safe trip.
David

Latest: http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/

Thank you very much!!

My front tire is still original.. 11000 and still looks great! Back tire I replaced just before my trip.. it was very bold after I rode for 8000 km on it. I don't remember the name of my new tire but I will post it after my trip.

David, thank you very much! So far so good but I guess we will see when I will drive in some hot temperatures for some more time My camera gave me an error today but than started to work again.. not sure if it is temperature related.

Sergei

Sorry to read about the drop Sergei. How'd that happen ?

Fab pics, as usual.

More stunning photos.

Sorry to hear about the damage to your Vespa (and your foot). Make sure to get some clear coat on any exposed metal to alleviate any chance of developing rust--that can happen pretty quickly.

Safe travels!

Thank you, Yes I will look into the body work that need to be done when I come back home.

The crash happened pretty straight forward.. I was going too fast. Its very easy to stop for photos on a Vespa because its so small but sometimes when you go fast and try to stop... and there is a gravel.... well my front wheel locked I usually use rear break when I stop on gravel but I didn't have much of my rear break left so to stop fast enough I had to use both breaks.

Guys at Santa Rosa Revolution Moto replaced my rear breaks for me so now it breaks great!

On a sad note... found out that my foot is broken Just a fracture but it will be more difficult to put my scooter on the stand when I take photos for the rest of the trip

http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/
Sergei

GAK!
Sorry to hear this.
You could always stop at a Vespa dealer along the way and pick up a sidestand. They work great for quick stops and would reduce the stress on your foot.

Thank you for the suggestion, they didn't have it in San Francisco, I will check again in San Diego

Sergei

More from my trip to US/Mexico on my blog: http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/

i've been thinking of a doing a long trip like this and have been considering a windscreen. I notice you have the shorter one on your vespa, i was thinking of getting one of the bigger ones, how is your ride with the shorter one?

Love following your ride; great photos! Keep posting and good luck on the rest of your trek.

nice picture great adventure

Hey are you still in sf!?

Sorry for the late reply! I check my blog more than this website so if you have any questions you need an answer for you can ask on my blog as well: http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/

Thank you very much guys!

About the windscreen... I don't think I would be able to do this trip without my screen... such a big help!!! I love my short one but I never rode with a tall windscreen. I think it also really depends on how tall you are and how straight you sit. I'm 6 feet but I slouch a bit when I ride... it works great for me and I would for sure recommend it to anyone!

Sorry not In San Francisco anymore.. I'm in San Diego now and leaving in the morning to go to Mexico. San Francisco had by far the most Vespas I ever seen anywhere.. crazy!

damn mate... I woulda took you around the city. When i read your thread though you were already departing. Always next time mate ... hope all is going well on your trip.

Maybe next time!

Getting closer to home More on my blog: http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/

Looks like you picked yourself up a sidestand.

Yes.. you recommended it so I picked one up Love it so far.. use it when I stop for gas and just short stopes. It helps with my broken foot!

I saw a bunch of Vespas in Yellowstone National Park today. Couldn't stop to say hi Are any of you on here, maybe you saw me?

One more day tomorrow... hope will make it home: http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/

Wow what a trip it was! In total I rode for 7,107 kilometres, visited 3 countries, and covered 12 different states and provinces!

You can see the whole trip on my blog: http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/

Wow--Vespa should buy your photos for promotional copy--beautiful!!!
Good trip to you! ( You were WAY to close to that Bison though!).
I will check your blog--thanks for sharing!

The B&W photo of the sail boats at your link is just stunning.

R

8)

Fixed.

Seriously, Sergei, you take some amazing pictures. Not only should Piaggio buy your photos for their promotional material, Canon should do a feature on you to demonstrate the quality of their L glass.

Thank you guys! You are way too kind!

I just posted a Google map of my trip on my blog if you would be interested to see: http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/882

Thank you,
Sergei

Hey, how big is your gas tank? Because I drive a GT200 and I get about 160 miles on one tank, so if yours is the same size you must be filling up a lot. And i've been wanting to take a trip like this on mine, but i'm just scared about running out of gas in the middle of nowhere and not being able to find a station.

I think my gas tank is about the same as yours.. I could go even less on a tank with high speeds, sometimes against the wind. I have a couple of red bottles you see on some photos, they are filled with gas. I didn't have to use them and there is gas stations everywhere in the US so I wouldn't be scared.

Sergei

Here are a couple of photos of my rear tire.. first one is taken on the first day of the trip and second one on the last day of the trip. I think it did very well, especially compare to my original rear tire.

I just happened to check your trip thread and your blog.
Great ride photos of your trip, but gotta say all of your photos scoot and other subjects are excellent. You even made wedding photos look good.

You should make it out to Amerivespa in New Orleans this June. We had a rider from Nova Scotia last year.

Wow, just checked out your blog - stunning pictures! Very impressed with your photography skills! Thanks again for posting and it looked like a great great ride!

That seems pretty good to me. I rode 700 miles on my sava stock tires and they were worn down a lot more than the picture on the right!

Thank you very much!

Hey what happened to the photos on your blog? They are not showing up anymore. I'm talking about trip that you did across country. I used to check it out all the time but than it stopped showing

You should post some new things as well, you did a great job, I liked it!

Sergei