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I'm glad you found the video worth watching. The W650 had 47K miles on the clock when I bought it. The bike was well maintained and I suspect it will run another 20 -30 thousand miles before any serious maintenance is required.

Any time!

You're welcome!

No need to worry about oil and street junk on these back roads. Traffic is far too light for that. What I do have to worry about though is gravel, especially in the summer when they are continually doing tar and chip treatments, liquid manure which is like grease, and deer. I've never really ridden anywhere that oil or street junk was an issue except when it first starts to rain. As I said though, no worries on these roads.

She’s our little angel.😍

Thanks for sharing your electric scooter and car experiences in snow. I can't quite wrap my head around the charging issues yet of using either as a daily commuter of any distance. But being retired it no longer is something I have to worry about. Riding in snow is definitely a puzzle. And it does mean being focused and engaged. But again, being retired now, I'm unlikely to continue to play with that puzzle. Be safe out there in winter number 3!

Glad you found the video useful and worth watching.

Thank you very much!

Wow, that sounds like a fantastic adventure. Have a great time. Lots of fine memories to come!

Do you mind me asking, what camera do you use?

You are correct. It is a result of the design of the GTS. Comparisons to other brands and models isn't relevant. And this design issue is something Piaggio is seemingly willing to live with. Probably because most riders never know they have the issue until someone comes along and tells them about it. Again, let me stress, it is not tank slap. It only occurs on deceleration with no power to the engine and both hands off the bars. With your hands on the bars as you would ride normally you would never know it's there. As far as I know it does not occur in every GTS. But it is a well known issue. And some can fix the issue with different tires, different air pressures supposedly but I'm skeptical. And you won't get much help from the dealer. They certainly won't take your scooter back and refund your money. And it isn't a recall issue since it functions perfectly as it is intended to be used -- with your hands on the bars. I've had more than a few GTS owners tell me their scooter doesn't wobble only to get back to me that it does after they try it out as directed. Some had their scooters for years. As I said, I consider it completely a non-issue. Riding with your hands off the bars seems like texting while riding to me. Just not a good idea. My three cents.

@@ScooterintheSticks I am 70 years Old I made it this long taking my hands off the bars every once in a while while cruising around in the country with No Traffic to adjust .. I Guess they wont be a using this Scooter In the Wall Of Death Show any time soon....! LOL...

@@iplaymytele You can take your hands off the bar at certain speeds. Or if you have a throttle lock and are under power. But off the throttle and decelerating you'll experience the wobble begin around 40 and continue down to about 20. Other than that, it is wobble free. And if you are fortunate, you may get one that doesn't wobble. I just turned 70 a few weeks ago. The only time I take my hands off the bars is when I am testing for wobble!

@@ScooterintheSticks …. 😹😹👍🏻 Have a good one ..🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻👍🏻 your friend in Sweet home Alabama Professor Jeff …

Yes, the Vespa is just what I often need. Like your experience, it is an excellent tool to focus my mind through all the distractions of life.

It was a fine day.

I used Windber Cycleworks in Windber, Pennsylvania. You can find them on Facebook.

Thanks for the kind words about my videos. Glad you like them. Some nice backroads in Lancaster. Especially in the southwest heading toward Conowingo Dam. It's been a while since I've ridden down that way. Have fun with your Vespa. It's a great little machine.

Resell value is an interesting subject. One that didn't occur to me because tending to keep things for a long time until they no longer function I don't concern myself with resell value. But I have a friend who carefully chooses his used cars and motorcycles with resell value in mind. He'll keep something for a couple years and sometimes sell it for almost what he paid for it. That keeps expenses low. I just get what I want but I understand that's a luxury not everyone can afford. And I always pay cash rather than finance things hoping life will unfold in the way I predict so I can keep making the monthly payments. Patience and paying cash are on my radar. Resell value just isn't even though as you say embracing it can save you money.

@@ScooterintheSticks I got lucky this year, January I picked up a 2015 700n DCT Honda that was sitting for years, $3k with new tires from dealer. Put $800 more into it, Fluid changes, tune up, chain, brakes. Ridden it for thousand miles, runs so well now. $5k is the cheapest I've seen this bike now for it's year and condition. So I hope to break even when I sell it, not including insurance. But definitely low cost bike.

More fun than a 70-year-old man is entitled!😂

@@ScooterintheSticks 😁👍

I enjoy the magic as often as I can!

I'm more comfortable on the Honda Trail 125 than I am on the Himalayan in rough, off-road situations. Especially when riding alone in areas where I could drop the Himalayan and not be able to pick it up. But the Himalayan is still a good choice for me in more sedate dirt and gravel forest roads or on the pavement.

It definitely doesn't suffer from too much power!

I prefer lighter weight to more power.

@@mikewiitala9462 Me too.

Couldn't agree more! It takes some practice and release to get there. But worth the effort.

The W650 seems fine in the rain. Bad weather estimation on my part. Your ride on the Classic 350 sounded fantastic. My kind of ride.

Thanks. I'm glad you find something useful in them.

Ugh! That's not good. I hope they're simple fractures and you don't have any ongoing healing issues. I got caught in the rain a couple days ago. Turns on my anti-wipeout mechanism. I don't need any fractures now...

I've come to an understanding with my Himalayan. The Honda Trail 125 handles the really rough stuff and the Himalayan the tamer dirt and gravel. My said the other day that she thought I was selling the Himalayan. I told her I still like it. She was fine with that answer so it will stay until it's not comfortable to ride on the pavement and groomed gravel roads. I'm 70 now and figure I have a few more years!

I imagine the Himalayan would be a better choice for the Blue Ridge. No high speed needs there. And it is a lighter machine than the V Strom. Thanks for the kind words about my videos. I enjoy piecing them together. Glad someone finds some use from them.

I've done that quite a number of times. Peaceful. Even when it's under an Interstate highway with roaring traffic...

Hope you enjoy it!

You're right about the road becoming especially slick after the rain begins to fall. All the oil drippings and debris left on the road surface during the dry days suddenly becomes a slippery film and riders must be especially wary. The good thing about a heavy downpour is it quickly washes everything away reducing the risk a small amount. But a rider still has to be wary of the water on the road surface and the danger of hydroplaning if there is sufficient water collected. The solution? Slow down. Or pull over and wait for the rain to pass. That's not always possible though. I've spent long days riding in the rain because the weather changed unexpectedly or worse, I didn't pay attention. I was suspicious of the rain on this day so I at least packed my Rev-it rainsuit.

Glad you liked it.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I know the day will come when I can't ride. It's an uncomfortable thought. Hard to imagine anything replacing riding. But I know others have made the transition...

Yes they are. So far I've avoided them but have had a few close encounters. They are as close to having to deal with an "IED" that a civilian can get I think. An unknown disaster along the road waiting to suddenly present itself. When I ride, deer are my only unsettling concern. And the only way I can effectively manage that risk is to slow down in places and at times of day where they are active. Ugh...

@@ScooterintheSticks The one I hit popped out of the bushes and right into the road. I didn't even have time to touch the brake pedal. Luckily it didn't end up in my lap. Be extra careful when there's vegetation close to the road! The Texas hill country is a fantastic place to ride. Deer and gravel that washes onto the road after rains are the chief hazards.

Thank you for your comment. i too am 71 and dealing with MS, and now i'm gonna do it.. my Honda Forza 300 was swiped at the beginning of covid and i've been in a wheeled cage ever since and i think it's been deleterious to my health. time to buy a Vespa.

Thanks for sharing your riding experience and how it helps you. Riding definitely can transform my mood. And it is a good indicator for any changes in balance I might have. Especially when I am pushing a motorcycle out of the garage -- I have a good idea of balance and strength. Something I have to pay attention to as I get older and my arthritis worsens. I hope your scooter helps mitigate issues that arise from MS. And that it will lower whatever stress may come your way.

Sorry to hear your scooter was nicked. And that you're dealing with MS. I hope a return to a scooter helps brighten the day.

OK. I'm officially envious of your adventures. Especially 22 days in the Alps and French countryside on the Super Cub. I have quiet places where I could ride like that nearby, but have never managed to get away for so long. The Blue Ridge mountains here, or the Adirondacks all hold quiet roads to explore... Enjoy the adventures. And thank you for the support for the things I share here.

Will you be journeying to see the Blue and White this fall?

@@ScooterintheSticks Blue and White? Have had travel insurance issues for the past year but this might be clearing up and if so, I do hope to savour some bendy bits to our south🤞

@@steverinob3717 Travel insurance... at least that means you're trying to travel!

@@ScooterintheSticks Like Blue Cross😉

@@steverinob3717 I understand. 🙂

😂❤️👍

I smiled when I read your comment. I've certainly fantasized about riding into the horizon and beyond. So far though I've not made any destructive choices that may come with addiction. Maybe I just have a relentless habit!

So true.

"Sedate rides on country roads are what I like best." Yes sir, you and me both. When you find me on a high speed road I am purely in the transportation mode getting from point A to B. But I much prefer a meandering approach to riding. Sorry to hear of your struggles and loss. Life can deliver challenges. I have dealt with some of those things and always try to remember the old Buddhist idea -- "Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional." I can't control most of what happens in my life. But I can make choices in how I respond. Perhaps a ride on the Scram will open a door to something new and different. Or at least put you squarely in the moment as you ride. Thank you for your blessings and I hope the same for you.