In my younger years ‘Scooter Boys’ were considered cool, ‘Quadrophenia’ was the movie to watch 100 times and anyone who was a ‘rocker’ smelt of bad things. Sting was the ‘Ace Face’ and Roger Daltrey could have anyone in a fight.

Fast forward 20 (ish) years and the only scooter I see (EE related anyway) is old Clarkey on his homepage.

With fuel causing so much commotion, and being nearly as expensive as Evian, I decided it was time to get back to me roots and get one of my own.

A trip to Vespa Orlando and I am the proud owner of a Vespa S 150 (styled to mimic the 70’s sport Vespas). So, no longer having to ‘nick’ my older sisters P50E and drive without a license, I am on the road, and loving it.

I get 70-80 miles to each gallon which knocks the current motor into a cocked hat. I can smell what people are having for dinner on my way home from work and I can abuse bad drivers straight through their own comfort bubbles.

If you can, get on two wheels, help save the planet, and support ‘helmet hair at work day’ (Mon thru Fri, Jan thru Dec).

N.B. For those recognizing English roots and American spelling, I am an Englishman in Orlando.

Picture attached for those who want to reminisce.

See you on the road!

Very cool—I wish I could drive a scooter around. My dad has a Vespa as well, and it’s a blast to fly around town on it.

With that said:

I’m not sure exactly why I think of scooters as a safer alternative to motorcycles.

Pavement hurts.

Have fun with it, I’m envious. I grew up in Orlando. When I was in college (UF) I owned a motorcycle. Absolutely loved it except for two things:

1) Nearly every day I almost got hit by some idiot in a car.

2) When it rains in Florida, it really (!) rains. It hurts at normal speeds. Like needles poking you in every exposed bit of skin. Unfortunately, it rains a lot.

Due to those things, I went back to an enclosed vehicle within a year. Now, I live in Denver and I couldn’t ride a motorcycle or scooter except in the summer.

Congrats on the new purchase!

I’ve wanted one of those ... like forever.

I’m looking to do the same thing in the next year or so. $4.39 a gallon for premium for the car isn’t going to work out much longer.

AJP - 28 May 2008 07:20 AM

I’m looking to do the same thing in the next year or so. $4.39 a gallon for premium for the car isn’t going to work out much longer.

I live just a bit more than a mile from the office and drive a small car. But I still want one. With gas constantly going up, it might move from the realm of unjustified toy to “But, honey, think of the savings!” 

AJP - 28 May 2008 07:20 AM

I’m looking to do the same thing in the next year or so. $4.39 a gallon for premium for the car isn’t going to work out much longer.

Planning on moving somewhere where you could use it more than 4-3 months of the year though?

If I can use it for 3-6 months of the year, I’ll save more than $100/mo in gas as is. That’ll pay for itself in one summer.

AJP - 28 May 2008 10:04 AM

If I can use it for 3-6 months of the year, I’ll save more than $100/mo in gas as is. That’ll pay for itself in one summer.

If I saved more than $100/month in gas I would not be buying any at all

You want to see the cost of our fuel over here then!!

Not very good at all at the moment.

Best wishes,

Mark

Better yet, ride your bike if the distance is within reason.