October 03, 2012

Vespa -- Rental

I have been thinking of a Vespa for a few years. Finally rented one to see how good/bad it is.

I had Wendy drop me off at LAX Eagle Riders, goes on her way. I walk in the office, 10 minutes later I am on the road. Starting off, I keep it slow and easy, make the right on Imperial Blvd east. This was my first time ever in a twist-and-go -- not bad. In a car, at a stop, the transmission will creep forward and you have to stay on the brakes. The Vespa has an automatic clutch, and idles totally stopped. A little pause between a twist and a go, but you get used to it in a few miles. Coming to a stop it has engine braking, but at the last second, under 4 mph, the clutch releases and you need to brake at an idle. By the time I hit left onto Lakewood Blvd I was very comfortable.

Lakewood becomes Rosemead, at one point of traffic hits 60, the scooter keeps up just fine. Reach to the National Forest office in Arcadia, to pick up the Senior Pass I have been wanting. People in the parking lot stop me and ask questions about the scooter -- seems like a lot of older people are thinking of cheap transportation.

If the Vespa was not acceptable on the freeway I was considering a Stella. The 150 had managed 60+ on the streets, so I hopped on the Foothill Freeway west. Sitting upright, ignoring the wind, the scooter gets up to 65mph and keeps up with traffic. Actually change lanes to the second lane to pass slower trucks. Cool! On a downhill I back off the throttle as I was exceeding my speed limit, 70 mph in a 65 zone.

At No Ho I check on the too cheap Stella. Owner says it was sold in a day. I tell him he priced it about $500 low. He grimmace. Look at a Wolf, a very good little motorcycle. Only looked. I had already got comfortable on the scooter and I did not want to swing a leg over the saddle.

Blah blah, streets back to Gardena, get gas. 76 miles, 67 mpg. I like it! Pick up groceries on the way home, the under-the-seat storage holds the papers for the scooter, my jacket that I didn't need once it got warm, helmet, and mushrooms and carrots I needed for chicken pot for dinner.

The Vespa is an excellent shopping cart, once I get a rear rack I will be able to carry a case (of beer -- the minimum for shopping, a sixpack is not enough.) I don't need the speed, the little Vespa is a 150.5cc legal freeway legal motorcycle and it *does* keep up with traffic so I *can* ride the freeways if I need to. With front and rear racks I can carry enough for a tour -- will only be on Interstates where they have removed the old roads.

Yeah.... I think it will be just fine for my usage.

Posted by Paladin at October 3, 2012 06:01 AM
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