Is There a Vespa in my Future

The Vespa S Scooter is 150cc and starts at 4200. It has a top speed of 59mph and still gets 72mpg.
That makes a Hybrid car look like a Gas Guzzler.

The Honda Metropolitain Scooter made in Japan is has a 49cc engine and starts at 2000, The 49cc Vespa Scooter made in Italy starts at 4000 and the 150cc engine model goes for 4200 I believe. So I don’t know if a 49cc engine will be enough for some of the roads of Kitsap. It is a shame that the US auto makers don’t have anything similar to a Vespa and they are now asking the public for a corporate welfare bailout. It is unfortunate that there is this escalation of metal on the road. I grew up driving a 80 Honda Civic and I currently drive a 97 Neon and I don’t ever see myself owning a larger car but I think a Scooter would be a lot of fun and save a lot of wear and tear on my car.

I have friends that ride motorbikes in the rain but they bundle up and be careful with reflective vests over their jackets. There are no bus service that goes to my work. I would stay off the freeways and I know how to get around Kitsap without using the highways.
I might want to save up for one of those and have more power to drive the Kitsap roads. Being rear ended after a blind turn by a car driving 60+ on Brownsville HW while I am scooting around at 35 is my main fear of a 49cc scooter. If I was going 60 on Brownsville I think it would be safer.

I was going to wait til March and I have to take a Washington State motorcycle safety class first. I’ll let you know how things go in a couple months.

I promise that I'll write about Gears of War 2, Mirrors Edge, Xbox Nixie and Jasper or Strong Bad tonight.

Update: Basically this is sort of my early mid life crisis toy.. But being a big liberal I am I want one that make me look cool and gets 70 MPG. Also I think it would be good for commuting since about 90% of my driving is too and from work. I could do light shopping with a back pack or the under seat trunk.

I am also going to get a weather cover for it at home and another one for work.

I am going to wait to get a 150cc Vespa this spring and take a cycle safety course. My friend has a classic Vespa from the 60s and she offered to teach me to ride before I start commuting with it.

Thanks for the input. It was essential in me deciding to go with a more powerful scooter.