#15: Lady in Red
There is of course another family member that shall not go unnoticed. Bella, my husband's Vespa GTS 250. In the beginning of my motorcycle revival career I tried to convince my then non-riding husband into riding a scooter. Him being a tall guy, I figured, a Honda Silverwing would fit well. Long story short: I purchased the maxi scooter for him, and ended up riding it myself, because he was completely and utterly intimidated by that big machine.
After a few practice hours the idea of (ever) riding together got buried, and eventually the Silverwing was sold. I continued riding, ventured off by myself or with an occasional riding buddy, that is until last Spring, when my husband dragged me (ok he didn't have to...) into a Vespa dealership, telling me, he would want to try and ride one of those. Instantly he fell in love with Bella who was extremely well priced due to her 'age', being a new but 2008 model.
The spousal unit quickly lost his training wheels on this lovely scoot, and felt absolute comfortable riding it. Now all he needed was a matching riding buddy-ette, and of course it had to be another Vespa. This is how Paolo joined our life.
Sweet! I am glad hubby found the love with Bella so you two can ride together. It sure is nice having a riding buddy in the same house.
ReplyDeleteNothing beats a rider in the house ;-)
DeleteSometimes it is just about the right machine fitting the person. I found the Silverwings intimidating too! At first I thought I wanted a maxiscoot, but then realized they are so heavy and my shorty little legs have trouble flat footing. I am glad you are a multi-moto family and enjoy getting out together. Love your pictures! Particularly like the last one of the two of you, very nice looking couple!
ReplyDeleteIt had to be the right fit as well as the right time. A year ago the hubby just wasn't ready for a bike.
DeleteLove the love story, Sonja. Now if I could get my wife to consider a short ride as a pillion... but that's never going to happen.
ReplyDeleteOh, David. Maybe if I could come over and talk her into trying?
Deletelol - yeah, dragged in, kicking and screaming...not! ;)
ReplyDeleteI think I'd enjoy a scooter. (I know I always say that) I love bicycling because it's a slower pace than driving or motorcycling. Not that I don't enjoy fast, but many times I just want to put along. That and the fact that a scooter seems more manageable for parking and low speed stuff that still scares me on Sam. I think I could stop and explore more places that I pass by on the Ninja.
Isn't it great that both of you enjoy riding, and found the perfect bikes for both!
If bicycling would't involve using manpower for pedaling, I could get used to it ;-)
DeleteBut traveling by scooter is somewhat the same pace (ok a little faster...) and you catch a lot of things that you would not stop for when on a bigger bike. And bonus, the handling is as easy as with a bicycle.
Is that a Faco windscreen on the red scooter? How is it compare to the Vespa windscreen?
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Sergei
Well spotted, Sergei. It is a Faco. It robust but the height is not perfect. The husband gets a lot of wind noise in the helmet. I like the Vespa fly screen much better, and the materials seem even more robust.
DeleteThank you,
DeleteI have a Vespa screen and like it but was thinking about trying Faco.. I was scared that it maybe too noisy at speed. I will just stick with Vespa windscreen :)
I love that last shot, too, with you looking all bad-ass. :-)
ReplyDelete