Scooter in the Sticks

02/17/2025

I've not posted since early in December. I've been riding but with little motivation to make videos or post on my blog. I finally was able to finish editing a short piece about riding at 6F. Breakfast with a friend was the magnet needed.

I've been a long time year round rider. And each winter as I get older I have to retest my limits. With the temperature at 6F and a new Tucano Urbano Termo...

12/21/2024

In lieu of sending out Christmas cards to everyone, I've created a Vespa video greeting card. I hope each of you has a fine holiday season.

I want to take a moment to thank all of you who watch my videos and subscribe to Scooter in the Sticks. Whatever holiday you celebrate, I wish you good tidi...

12/06/2024

Winter has arrived. I've been slowly preparing for this season of winter riding. Started thinking about it when the temperatures during the day didn't get about 50F. Here's a few thoughts on my winter riding prep...

As winter approaches I have to prepare if I plan to keep riding. Cold weather causes a lot of riders to park their scooters and...

08/02/2024

After riding all over the place with my Honda Trail 125 motorcycle with my friend Paul riding his, I've come to the conclusion that I love that little machine. Here's the latest post on it: https://scooterinthesticks.com/2024/08/the-honda-trail-125-a-small-joy-in-a-riding-life/

07/02/2024

Eric from Kraken's Garage & Adventures rode his Vespa 946 all the way from central Virginia to the sticks. We had a great time meeting and telling the stories and lies that riders tell when they gather. His video did a great job reflecting the experience. I'm in the process of creating a video of my own but he's already said it all...

700 Miles Through PA on a Vespa 946 Today we share an epic tour of Pennsylvania on a Vespa 946. Can a 155cc scooter handle PA's mountains? 𝕃𝕖𝕥'𝕤 𝕥𝕒𝕝𝕜...

06/26/2024

After a couple days on a scooter and motorcycle I’m home in the AC chillin with my Belgian Sheepdog Aiden.

06/17/2024

I posted a video yesterday in hopes of capturing some of what goes on while I'm riding. I was on the Kawasaki W650 but I suspect the same or similar would take place on any of the machines in my garage.

Perhaps you experience the same when you ride...

Riding a 2001 Kawasaki W650 is more than a vintage motorcycle experience. More than a modern version of a classic Triumph Bonneville. It is a motorcycle ex...

06/08/2024

I have my 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie back after a lot of maintenance and repairs. It rides like new. Here's what was done:

Here is a list of things that were done:
Replace front and rear shocks (Malossi)
Replace rear brake caliper
Flush brake fluid
Flush coolant
Replace all steering bearings and races
Replace hi/low beam switch
Valve check
Head gasket, seals and other gasket replacements
Replace front header and O2 sensor
Replace all coolant and fuel hoses
Replace belt, rollers, and sliders
Replace rear wheel bearing
Replace oil and filter
Replace sparkplug and lead
Replace hub oil
Replace front headlight bulb

I'm probably forgetting something but that's most of it.

AND. He repainted the muffler when he had it off. I scratched my head when I saw it. And he washed the scooter.

The only other thing I wish he had done was to replace the water pump and fix the seat latch. I have the part now for the latch so I'll do that.

I'm pleased with the outcome and expect my GTS to ride me to the rocking chair!

My 2006 Vespa GTS 250 was in need of a lot of maintenance, repairs, and restoration after almost 45 thousand miles of rough use. I considered the cost of th...

05/12/2024

Out enjoying the peace and solitude of spring in the Central Pennsylvania mountains on my Honda Trail 125. It's an amazing little motorcycle. Perfect for this aging rider!

As an older rider, traveling alone off-road by myself presents a number of issues that make bigger, heavier motorcycles problematic. With my 2023 Honda Trai...

05/06/2024

On a recent ride on my Vespa ET4 scooter I was thinking about how it is the perfect machine to escape the noise and chaos in my head. Do you find the same experience on your scooter or motorcycle?

Has life ever driven you to the point where all you can think about is escape? Riding a Vespa scooter is the perfect prescription for that condition. On a ...