On my favorite scooter forum, I mentioned that I put down a deposit on this new Vespa. I won't consider it mine until I ride it away. One participant implied that I might be holding out info. That discussion...
Sneaky? Moi? The story: I mentioned we stopped at AF1 Racing on
the way home a couple weeks ago. I wanted a new rear tire for my Vespa and
wanted to look at the BV 350 they have in stock. I had been very happy
with my 2009 GTS, but after riding Joan's Xmax a few times during our
summer in the Black Hills, I appreciated a bit more power. I like everything
about that Xmax, except for the fit for me. My GTS is pretty much the
polar opposite, with the fit feeling "like home." I don't mean opposite
in a bad way: The scoot does just what you expect it to do, but the
technology feels a decade old. Joan has been lobbying for me to get
something new, now that the hip replacement is a proven improvement.
The only issue with that is: this Vespa suits me.
The BV 350 seemed like a smart alternative - plenty of power, good
ergonomics for me. The windshield on it sucked, driving all that
wind-flow right to my helmet. I know there are alternatives for that,
after you buy it. I had also looked over AF1's Vespa inventory
on-line... in spite of what Vespa considers "different models," the GTS
300 HPE line is all the same scoot... add a rack, put on a stripe, or in
the case of the Super Tech: add a display screen. Same motor and
suspension; same classy styling. So for me, it really comes down to... color. I was
thinking Dragon Red or a nice clean white. The dark blue I saw wasn't
on my radar... interesting, though.
After I rode the BV, Sean (salesman at AF1) rolled that blue Vespa out
for me to take for a ride. I'll be damned if it didn't just exude class
when I saw it in the daylight. Much peppier than my current GTS, and
almost as strong as the BV. And again, that flickable short wheelbase
and riding position was immediately comfortable. I liked it better for
me than the BV, even though the BV seemed to be the Italian comparison
to the Xmax. The decisions between what my head says and what my heart
says. I was prepared to buy something that day, if the BV called to me.
I wasn't prepared for the GTS HPE to have such a strong pull.
We had some things to do at home, so I told Sean I'd think about it. I
didn't tell Sean that I don't do test rides for the fun of it, unless we
are at a rally and a manufacturer is offering demo rides. Both of
those bikes had a few demo miles on them, so they were OK with letting
me ride them. I thought about it. A lot. At different times, I was
convinced either way. Then, Joan said, "You are a Vespa guy, but you
should go with what makes you happy." Well, I'd like to say that was a
pivotal moment, but... no shit, Shakespeare - that's what I'm struggling
with. I had also convinced myself to just keep what I have. Knowing
the mindset here, I would expect a chorus of "Keep what you have and
buy the other two!" comments. There is room in my riding style and the
cargo trailer for one scoot each. We tried keeping the PCX and the
Vespa/Xmax, but there just wasn't room. One each.
That pretty blue Vespa won out.
If it was just me, I'd ride the old one up and ride the new one back.
But, the Blonde, Rufus the cat, and the thinning cushion of my ass along
with achy bones means we'll take the motorhome. Up to Austin in a day.
Do the swap out the next day. Ride the new one around for a day to be
sure there are no issues. Load it in the trailer, bring it home, and
start putting stuff on it to make it an even better fit for me.
Here's what the blue one looked like when Sean rolled it out of the showroom for that test ride...
![[IMG]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4um6DoSRBmqKiTeMna6k13HzvTfSLhbcbpFbNcPPK3fOEYYhuGow4yuDownYl_LiuSUUvSxCYiksMavNOJSeAS-Qg9078jAsNWKiyubaa0uS_4yQfEjw04WLJhWq2ihfEyXqF8hZ8tuXX/w400-h294/vespa.jpg)
I spent yesterday putting my current GTS back to original(ish)...
![[IMG]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUzwbnb0lj4NbO_Ti8eVf4X0xsZB33Xw7ES8ZIzpXbPPwDzPVy85TwgpL9p9G7v_1Qwt7lp-zFg73ioxkrIUbkBbP9wKtUzkesha0KyC3iqB5RR4TOAr7ZUQX8fKecQPaLn1M73bwvck0/w400-h300/2Vespa.jpg)
I will miss some of the dash features on that bike that the new one
doesn't have: outside air temp, a line-bar tach, a temperature gauge.
Progress? I never liked the look of that cream-colored seat, but I'm
thinking the Corbin I had on there will look sharp on that new blue one.
Sean offered to switch out my windshield, which I do like a lot. The
flip-down rack is back ordered, so Joan will get to carry my top case on
her bike (has the same mounting plate) for a while... and she really doesn't
like the look of a top case. She suggested some kind of leather bag on
this new one instead of a top case... hey, if there was room under the
seat for my helmet (and there is NOT) I wouldn't put a top case on it.
I'm not ready to go the leather-bag route. OK, maybe one with some dark
blue fringe. Not. Yesterday, Joan brought out a blue messenger bag
(looked like a purse to me) and said, "This will go nice with that new
bike." Maybe I'll get some skinny jeans and wear loafers with no socks,
too? Or not.
That's the story.
It has been 7 1/2 years since we made the switch to scooters. (Joan's
idea.) Those PCXes were a ball and we just avoided highways where we'd
need to do more than 65mph to survive. That kept me riding while my hip
deteriorated and I put off surgery. The 250 GTS was better for my hip
and had more power and top end... and was the carrot on the stick that
made me work hard on the physical therapy. I have a real attachment to
that scoot. Joan went for the Xmax when it was clear that the new hip
made me more mobile. We have appreciated the extra speed and
performance, but if those PCXes hadn't been so easy and fun, I would
have probably given up riding. Each was the right scoot at the right
time. When Joan said, "Just get it - this will probably be the last
bike you'll own," I had to wonder if she knew something I didn't?
TMI?
---------
We are on our way to Austin. Traveling light, we left the CR-V behind and just have the cargo trailer behind the motorhome...
This is easy. I can back the rig, if necessary. Very little drag from the trailer since it is in the slipstream of the motorhome - yes, we get about 20% better fuel mileage traveling like this.
A pretty uneventful driving day, other than getting up before the butt-crack of dawn. That wasn't the plan - I was just awake. And when I get up, Rufus gets very vocal about getting his breakfast, even though it was about 2 hours earlier than usual. Joan was up shortly after that, so we cleaned up, did our last minute packing, shut down the house, and hauled the cargo trailer out to our storage unit. Schlepped a few things from the car to the motorhome, motorhome out, car in, hook up the trailer, and we are on the road.
I was feeling the early morning a couple hours into the drive. I wasn't the only one...
The highlight of the drive: a stop at Buc-ee's, where gas was 40¢ per gallon less than the stations on I-37. While I gassed up, Joan went inside and got us some BBQ for lunch... a picnic in the parking lot, in the motorhome...
Joan told me to call the RV park where we are staying to find out what the check-in procedure is. After going through their "for reservations, press 1; for everything else, press 2"... yes, really. Just answer your damn phone if you only have two options anyway! I spoke with a lady whose name I won't mention, but it was Pam. I told her who I was, that we booked and paid for it online, and I just wanted to know the check-in procedure (some RV parks don't want you to come into the office). She said, "I sent you a text this morning - it has all that information in it."
"Never got a text from you."
She said, "You must have been out of range. I'll send you another right now."
I asked, "Can you just tell me what the check-in procedure is?"
"Did you get the text?" she asked.
"No. Can you just tell me the check-in procedure?"
"You didn't get that text? It must be a problem on your end. I bet you don't have a good connection."
I said, "I am talking to you on that phone right now, with a great signal."
She started giving me directions on how to get there. The wrong directions, because she didn't listen to anything I said. Frustrated, I gave the phone to Joan. Gave the woman Joan's number and didn't get a text on that number either. Then, she started giving Joan the (wrong) directions on how to get there. Joan said, "We know how to get there - we just want to know your check-in procedure."
The woman said, "Pull up to the gate and I'll send someone out to escort you to your site."
When we got there, I pulled up to the gate. I pressed the "Talk" button. Nothing. I pressed it again. Nothing. Then, a screechy voice from the door at the office: "Are you checking in? You have to come into the office to check in." Yes, it was Pam. No, I am not shitting you.
I went in, picked up the info packet and asked, "Say, don't you offer Good Sam or Passport America discounts? We booked and paid for this online and there was no way to enter that discount."
Pam said, "Yeah, that online booking is kind of a mess. You already paid for it, so I can't do anything about a discount now. I'll ask the manager when he gets back. He's the one who is supposed to escort you to your site, but he won't be back for 20 minutes."
I said, "Pam, we are perfectly capable of finding our way to the site." I wanted to tell her that this was the worst park check-in I've ever seen, but I wasn't into my site, yet, and I had already paid for it. What a shit-show.
The site is adequate. Nothing special, but it is close to AF1. Well, kinda close; about 12 miles. We've tried two other RV parks here this year. I guess good help is hard to find in Austin these days.
On the bright side, we're here, I've got my big furry boy by my side, and I'm going to pick up a new Vespa tomorrow. We're here for a couple nights... sure hope Pam doesn't read the review I left on RVParkReviews until after we leave here. Oh well, I've been kicked out of nicer places than this!
For the record, we used to stay here on our way between South Dakota and south Texas. The last time was about 20 years ago... I may try this place again... in another 20 years or so.
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