I like the larger wheels that a motorcycle, even the step through Hondas, has. That said, the Vespas have really taken off here in Little Rock. There is a dealer here, and you see them all over town. That was really my first thought, but had to bring up the old Hondas.
How are you going to carry it, Jack? (Visions of a "How Do I Attach a Vespa Carrier to My Rear Bumper" thread? )
I like the larger wheels that a motorcycle, even the step through Hondas, has. That said, the Vespas have really taken off here in Little Rock. There is a dealer here, and you see them all over town. That was really my first thought, but had to bring up the old Hondas.
How are you going to carry it, Jack? (Visions of a "How Do I Attach a Vespa Carrier to My Rear Bumper" thread? )
Well I have a van and the plan will be a ramp to allow it to roll into the back. I've got lots of room and since the Vespa doesn't have a windshield, it will clear quite easily.
Jack
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Jack Canavera
STL Mo. AIR #56
'04 Classic 30' S.O.
'03 GMC Savana 2500
'08 Vespa GTS 250
We carry 2 motorcycles on the back of our motorhome everywhere we go.
I built the carrier at home.
I have a Yamaha XT225 and the wife has a Kawasaki 250. Combine weight is less than 500 pounds. Easy to load with a ramp. 90 MPG each. Enough power to keep you out of trouble in normal traffic. They are nice and quite too. And you cannot measure the fun factor!
mtnman
For those interested, this is how we have been 'Streamin lately.
The bike in the photos is a Suzuki C50 - however, we just ordered a new Honda GL1800 Gold Wing - we drove one up the ramp (had to raise the end of the ramp by 3") into the truck (08 F-250 long bed) two days ago and it fits great.
The ramp actually attaches to the hitch shank and works like a charm. I had to make one minor mod to the hitch (we had to grind off about 1/8" to 1/4" of the gusset for the sleeve to slide back far enough on the shank - it was so little that it does not violate the integrity of the shank). They are not "inexpensive", but they provide a wonderful solution to taking a bike as large as a "Wing" with you when you are pulling an AirStream. USA Ramp makes ramps in many different configurations. I spoke with them on the phone extensively before ordering and they were great to work with.
We just returned from a three week trip and it was great to be able to keep the truck parked and use the bike to explore.
While a Gold Wing might seem like a bit of overkill, our long term plans include regular long distance touring. With this setup, we can do everything we want with only having to own one motorcycle.
We carry 2 motorcycles on the back of our motorhome everywhere we go.
I built the carrier at home.
I have a Yamaha XT225 and the wife has a Kawasaki 250. Combine weight is less than 500 pounds. Easy to load with a ramp. 90 MPG each. Enough power to keep you out of trouble in normal traffic. They are nice and quite too. And you cannot measure the fun factor!
mtnman
Love my Yahama XT225. Have it 4 years and 4,000 mi, all Airstream traveling!
Just took it up the Traveling to the Sun road here in Glacier NP, Spectacular!
Well we ended up upping the anti a little and bought the Vespa GTS 250. A few more cc's, fuel injection, improved suspension and some enhanced instrumentation. Funny thing, jumping from 198 to 244 cc's added $100 annually to the insurance cost.
So this will become our new rally and travel companion....and of course it's silver in color. Patty told my son that he will inherit some design icons when we pass on. What can be more iconic than an Airstream and Vespa scooter.
Jack
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Jack Canavera
STL Mo. AIR #56
'04 Classic 30' S.O.
'03 GMC Savana 2500
'08 Vespa GTS 250
Ok, if you insist on driving, a Honda Civic gets the same or better mileage than many large motorcycles. The Civic Hybrid and Prius get the same mileage as small motorcycles. Isn't that pathetic?
Roger[/quote]
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Now you would have to prove this to me, both of these Civic and Prius are listed as 35-40 mpg, the best a freind of mine parents have gotten is 41, motorcycles 50-250 cc 90-100 mpg, 500-800cc get 75-90, my Ultra Classic with all the work and extra weight gets 55-60 mpg and the lowest I have gotten is 48 and that was at 90 mph. My bike stays around 58 mpg and that is at speeds between 45-60.
My bike is a whole lot more fun than a car anyways... AM/FM/CD/MP3/Cruise/Radar/GPS/
Well we ended up upping the anti a little and bought the Vespa GTS 250. A few more cc's, fuel injection, improved suspension and some enhanced instrumentation. Funny thing, jumping from 198 to 244 cc's added $100 annually to the insurance cost.
So this will become our new rally and travel companion....and of course it's silver in color. Patty told my son that he will inherit some design icons when we pass on. What can be more iconic than an Airstream and Vespa scooter.
Jack
We should all be driving scooters. There would be a lot less road rage! Everyone would be having more fun and if the guy next to flipped you off you already have your fighting helmet and gloves on.
I was on business up in Boston area many years ago listening to the trafic report. "There was a fender bender on the 128 @ ???? and a fist fight insued" I could not stop laughing!
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Michelle
If you think you are having a bad day go to the hospital and visit the children.
Sarah
Ruby, (05 BMW R1200RT)
Daisy, (06 Turbo Diesel F-250 w/Tow Command, the perfect TV)
Butter Cup, (06 Classic 31 w/dinette, solar)
45,000 miles in two years! http://Michelles-Adventures.US
A tribute to scooters. I was at work the other day and one of my co workers was telling me about her motorcycle. What is it I asked? She said, oh, its only a little thing, a Harley Sportster, 883 cc. When I was a kid growing up, we used to ride around on Honda Mini's, then my friend Gregory got a Honda Elsinore 125, whoa, that thing was fast. Then I rode a Kawasaki KZ 400. Oh my God, I was Hunter S. Thompson.
When did 800 + cc's become a little motorcycle? I hear it a lot. Great HD quote: "Anything less than 1340 cc's is a scooter"
Well, I-5 in Pierce County, I saw a guy in the albeit, the slow lane. He was going 65... on a Scooter. I think it was a 125 cc. I was so proud.
FWIW though: My worry is that 5 dollar gas will encourage people to buy, ride, borrow scooters or motorcycles to save gas and not be ready with training, gear, experience. I fear people will get hurt trying to save money.
Either way, it was awesome to see a scooter making the grade.
John
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Aunt Gladys, 28FT, Intl' "Shut up, he explained"
Last edited by jnerges; 07-18-2008 at 12:04 PM.
Reason: misspell
I hope this is just a photo-op, because no matter what your riding if you go down at more than 10 mph with what y'all are wearing y'all will be very sorry. It always pays to wear full protective gear when riding on two wheels on any paved surface.
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Different strokes for different folks!
I never learned from a man who agreed with me. Heinlein
FWIW though: My worry is that 5 dollar gas will encourage people to buy, ride, borrow scooters or motorcycles to save gas and not be ready with training, gear, experience. I fear people will get hurt trying to save money.
Either way, it was awesome to see a scooter making the grade.
John[/quote]
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John, they already have training wheels for bikes out, there is one set that is simular to making the cycle into a trike, and as you lean the tires lean also taking the ridgity out of a 3 wheeled bike, there is another kind that folds down when slowed below 25 mph to stop and then retrack back up as you start to move and pick up speed. They are currently only made for full size bikes (dressers)
Jack, nice Vespa. I had the 150 in Silver but I sold it a couple of years ago because the guy who inspired me to buy one( I didn't really know him I just use to admire his Vespa parked in front of his house) was killed when a BMW hit him. Not trying to scare you but at the time it kind of freaked me. I was riding in Baltimore city which was taking your life in your hands. We've since move to a more rural area with nice open back country roads. So........ I'm thinking about getting exactly what you have now if it will fit in the back of the F350
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