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Having ridden scooters since 1983 I consider myself reasonably experienced, enough to give an opinion and offer advice. From the early days like so many we’d brave the elements not in protest or to prove a point but because it was right to do so. We endured the hardest rain to get to rallies and just as important persevered through the winter months to get to work. As a youngster it added to the fun by sliding down the road. I remember once being towed around all night behind a mates Golden Special in my Jam shoes, glory days.
But just like the culture associated teenagers being on two wheels for some never leaves you. I got married and we had kids so the preferred form of transport had to be the car. But we always kept a scooter in the shed. In fact my baby bought me a one owner Rally 180 in 1987 with 11000 (genuine) miles on the clock. This old work-horse continued to serve me well through the 90′s and on into the naughties until it succumb to the evil rust-worm. This could have been the end of it but I vowed never to part with it, I said it can come in the box with me when I go. Fortunately a friend of a friend who also has a passion for Vespas and is genius with welding has restored its frame to its former glory. The old Rally is now as sound as it was 40 years ago. Next is a lick of paint and who knows could be ready for show later this year. But there’s no rush.
Some 8 years ago I was lucky to find a job that was 2 miles from my door. The kids had all grown up so I took the easy option of commuting by car. This was all well and good until two things dawned upon us. We didn’t need to drive/taxi the kids about and the petrol companies saw that electrically fuelled and more economical modes of transport were actually becoming a fact of life and not just science fiction, so decide to bump all the prices up to the joy of the government who outwardly express sympathy but in reality rub their hands together. Higher prices mean higher revenue from taxes. This is why the prices will never come down by much. In reaction to this I had no. Ho ice but to invest in some new wheels, 2 to be exact. We did the sums and it was simple, the amount of petrol I’d put in a car each week could power a scooter for a month, the insurance is negligible and road tax is almost nothing in. 2 weeks later we were the proud owners of a brand spanking new GTS300 and what a pleasure it was to ride. Such great balance, even front and rear braking and comfortable power from standing to top end,an indicated 90 but actual 83′ish. Where to first we said, it didn’t matter we were on the open road, the world was our oyster. So we planned next years summer holiday, Isle of Wight August 2011 for two weeks, straddling the world famous scooter rally.
Unfortunately that year in June en route to work at 8am on a clear sunny dry day toodleing along to work I met a careless driver who felt it was a perfect time to park it on top of me for an hour. He forgot his phone he said and if I’d have been conscious I would have probably heard him say SMIDSY. The law dealt him a hefty 3 points I believe and a slap on the wrists. Me I was rewarded with a written off GTS and permanent injury to my left leg.
2 months to the day after the accident I couldn’t wait to get back on 2 wheels so went and bought a shiny 2003 PX200. Much in protest at those who say that 2 wheels are dangerous but also because I knew that a) it wasn’t my fault and b) I enjoy it too much. The missus gave her vote of confidence to me and climbed on the back. The Island rally was quickly approaching and we were set. Those island roads, some say the Isle of Wight is 20 behind the rest of the country, are a pleasure to scoot about on. Winding country routes, great beeches and loads of watering holes serving ale and good food. As the rally goers joined the island had a buzz, not just around smallbrook or Ryde but it seemed everywhere. The people of the island now see scooterists as another attraction rather than the influx of drunken louts causing havoc. Well that was some 30 years ago.
Upon our return I found a kind of barn-find. It was another 2003 PX200 but this time it had been owned by some original mod who had been keeping it dry in his garage (barn) taking it out each year only to get its MOT. I couldn’t believe it, it had 200 miles on the clock and he didn’t want too much for it despite my suggesting to up the price (don’t ask me, I ain’t gonna say). It had chrome, lights, mirrors and flyscreen so out came the mod in me, it was still there inside me sleeping, waiting, wanting to emerge. This is what life’s about. Or so I thought…The bosses had different ideas.
The company I work for have had great success and growth for about a decade and this attracted outside interest. It wasn’t long before we were bought out and plans were put in stone to close our factory and relocate. I was fortunate that they seem to think I am still important to them and asked me to join them in the next phase. This meant commuting 100 miles a day. I couldn’t put our new low mileage PX200 through that kind of endurance and did what I think was appropriate. I bought another GTS300.
The end of the summer came and with it the rain. It wasn’t too bad getting a bit soggy going 10 minutes up the road but when it’s an hour away the novelty soon wear off. Proper gear is needed, rainproof and warmth is required me thinks. The jacket and trousers do a fine job of keeping you dry but there’s nothing worse than wet gloves. I had seen lobster looking over gloves and even considered stone guards too. But I recall my elder brothers who were bikers having handlebar muffs. A bit of googling, other search engines are available, and I soon came across Turcano Urbano muffs with designs superficially meant for scooters with bar end weights. I found a seller, a fellow scooterist, who had them at a discounted price and the next day I had them. That night I set about putting them on. Handlebar muffs are the second best thing I’d ever bought for the scooter. 1st being helmet intercom, but that’s a subject for another day. It rained as hard as it could but my hands remained dry. The wind blew and my little fingers were shielded from all gusts. The British weather being what it is did teased me with sunshine typical for a summers day mid October, so the down side of muffs in autumn/winter is they can be a bit warm.
My fears of having hands that were too warm soon came to an end as near zero temperatures fell on us. My little pinkies were freezing. I thought one morning I had frostbite. Again the tinternet provided the answer and fleabay supplied the necessary part. Oxford heated grips were on the menu. A little more planning and a bit more intrusive than the muffs but looking back I only wish I had these 30 years ago. I might even have put them on my Rally 180 , that said I won’t be. Might invest in some for the PX mind you. It’s like the difference between having sheets with blankets and having a duck down duvet. Once you’ve had them you’ll never go back. I can’t tell people enough, you really have to get some, but also get some handlebar muffs. The two together compliment each other so perfectly. It almost as good as my marriage.
2 wheels forever. Ride safe people.