first ride to work/ first dirty look from vespa rider!

dannyW · Post by **dannyW** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:01 pm

I braved my first los angeles commute this morning.
After riding for 50 miles around town this weekend, I wasn't even worried.

In a car 12.6 miles equals 40 - 45 minutes.

On buddy the same trio was 22 minutes, and I was being very safe.

The funniest moment occurred roughly 5 minutes not my trip when I stopped at a light behind a green vespa lx 150. He looked, I waved, he grimaced.
Then, a guy on a Vino 125 rolled up! He was definitely the loose cannon of the three of us. Shorts, t shirt, half helmet with flames. He bolted, the Vespa cruised, and I went somewhere between the two. It was comforting to know there are so many scooter's out there.

I assumed I should wave to the mall. Is that a "no no" in Los Angeles?

and do vespa, vintage riders despise my pimped out modern scoot?

I'm going to pick up a vintage vespa for my wife to ride on the weekends with me, but i'l never be ashamed of my buddy.

anyone else wanna clue me in on the basics of scoot culture?

BlueMark · Post by **BlueMark** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:14 pm

I assumed I should wave to the mall. Is that a "no no" in Los Angeles?

and do vespa, vintage riders despise my pimped out modern scoot?

I wave to any two wheeler (which confuses the bicyclists), but I never wave at malls.

Dennis Abrams · Post by **Dennis Abrams** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:15 pm

Re: Nonwaving grimacing Vespa rider.

Jealousy is such an ugly emotion.

dannyW · Post by **dannyW** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:28 pm

LOL

oops.

I don't wave at malls either.

do a lot of peeps on this forum have an old ride, and a "daily ride"?

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:46 pm

At a redlight I usually just give a nod. While riding, I give a wave. If someone waves back or not, I could care less.

I have a collection of vintage scoots and my daily is my '69 Rally 180. That is a super reliable ride. Older scooters are no less reliable than a modern twistngo. I also ride a pink Buddy and a LX150 (I will actually be riding the LX in about 5 minutes). Most all vintage riders I know will wave and/or acknowledge another scooterist in some fashion.

If anyone ever catches me waving at a mall, just kick my ass.

pcbikedude · Post by **pcbikedude** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:53 pm

Might be a LA thing. Down here most 2 wheeler people wave at each other except for the H3lls Angels and those weekend Harley riders.

As far as the owners are concerned, I was apprehensive at first too until I got to talk to a few. They are not snobs. Every scooter rider just adds to the sport.

So if they don't wave, don't feel bad, just keep on going and maybe the next one will.

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:56 pm

I had a reply all ready about how I have only one scooter, the Buddy, but my friend ScooterDave has several... then he posted himself.

Anyway, I wave too, some wave back and others don't.

I never wave at malls either. I do sometimes swerve away from them and accelerate...

diane · Post by **diane** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:10 pm

being a new rider, i am sometimes too worried to release the death grip i have on the grips/distance myself from the brakes at all.

so if someone doesnt wave back, dont take it personally. they may be too new to wave! or may just not know the etiquette.

just a thought.

petunia · Post by **petunia** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:37 pm

Ditto to what diane said. My friend and I were riding and each of us gave a wave to a Vespa rider. She didn't return the wave but I saw a huge smile on her face.

twharton · Post by **twharton** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:48 pm

Always wave and smile no matter what!

My $0.02

JettaKnight · Post by **JettaKnight** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:26 pm

ScooterDave wrote:
If anyone ever catches me waving at a mall, just kick my ass.

I'll bite, what's a mall?

dannyW · Post by **dannyW** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:07 pm

a typo gone horribly wrong.

if you read my original post, there is a random mall in there.

so remember to never wave at a mall.

pcbikedude · Post by **pcbikedude** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:42 pm

dannyW wrote:I assumed I should wave to the mall.

I did figure it out what the mall meant. s/b "them all".

I try to avoid the malls too. If I go there, my wallet gets cleaned out by my 17yo daughter.

AxeYrCat · Post by **AxeYrCat** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:46 pm

I knew when I read your post that 'the mall' [instead of 'them all'] would become a source of entertainment for other posters.

Hell, if I'd read this thread sooner, I'd have made a joke about it.

dannyW · Post by **dannyW** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:06 pm

well, I vote that "don't wave at malls" become a new slogan for buddy riders.

can someone with some design skills work something up?

sparkle motion · Post by **sparkle motion** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:15 pm

It pains me to say it, but I rarely get a return nod/wave from Vespa riders. However, I constantly get waves/nods/beeps from almost all types of motorcycles, except Harleys.

It could have something to do with living in hipster infested NYC. In any case, it's a real bummer since I hope to one day join their ranks (Vespas).

A funny little side note: I find myself waving or, even worse, nodding at riders when I'm NOT on my bike. I'll be crossing the street and find myself nodding at some dude on his sport bike. Biker dude is surely wondering, "Who IS that girl?".

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:50 pm

sparkle motion wrote:.... surely wondering, "Who IS that girl?".

Hmmm New York City? do you ride a cream Buddy? Perhaps he thinks your the eluslusive "BUDDY GIRL" viewtopic.php?t=439&highlight=girl

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:10 am

sparkle motion wrote:It pains me to say it, but I rarely get a return nod/wave from Vespa riders. However, I constantly get waves/nods/beeps from almost all types of motorcycles, except Harleys.

It could have something to do with living in hipster infested NYC. In any case, it's a real bummer since I hope to one day join their ranks (Vespas).

Vespa riders are too busy looking at their reflection in the windows as they ride.

Capt. Spaulding · Post by **Capt. Spaulding** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:36 am

In my MSF class, one of the last instructions was that we all - scooters, motorcycles - were now part of a select group of riders and should always acknowledge each other, with a low wave, or if the road was rough, a nod.

So in 3 weeks of riding and low waving, and a few nods, I notice my only non-responders have been on Vespas or Harleys, although some Harleys have responded, and even waved before me. But I have yet to be recognized by a Vespa rider. I am really really amused by this behavior. Reminds me of high school - nah, junior high school behavior.

BlueMark · Post by **BlueMark** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:51 am

sparkle motion wrote:It pains me to say it, but I rarely get a return nod/wave from Vespa riders. However, I constantly get waves/nods/beeps from almost all types of motorcycles, except Harleys.

Wow, I can't comment on Vespa riders, because there a hardly any Vespa's in my area - I've never seen one on the road (but that should change now that Vespa of Toledo has opened). But there are LOADS of Harleys, and almost all of them wave. It is the crotch rocket riders who rarely wave, expecially if they are squids who ride without gear.

sparkle motion · Post by **sparkle motion** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:11 am

BuddyRaton wrote: Hmmm New York City? do you ride a cream Buddy? Perhaps he thinks your the eluslusive "BUDDY GIRL" viewtopic.php?t=439&highlight=girl

Oh man. I wish I was this 'Buddy Girl'. Alas, I do not ride a cream buddy.

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:56 am

Why would anyone care if someone waves back to you or not? I have been riding for 20 years and I did not read anywhere in all those years that it was required to wave if you pass a bike going the other way.

Granted, it is polite. But, why would you let it bother you? Let alone call someone a name for not waving back.

I have grown bored with this thread.

Dave

BlueMark · Post by **BlueMark** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 5:06 am

ScooterDave wrote:I have grown bored with this thread.

"Now is the time on Sprockets vhen ve dance."

twharton · Post by **twharton** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:56 am

ScooterDave wrote:
I have grown bored with this thread.

"Now is the time on Sprockets vhen ve dance."

Deiter, I want to touch your monkey?

dannyW · Post by **dannyW** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:45 pm

ScooterDave wrote:Why would anyone care if someone waves back to you or not? I have been riding for 20 years and I did not read anywhere in all those years that it was required to wave if you pass a bike going the other way.

Granted, it is polite. But, why would you let it bother you? Let alone call someone a name for not waving back.

I have grown bored with this thread.

Dave

I've been misunderstood.... It didn't bother me, and I wasn't calling anyone names. I plan on getting an old vespa, its all good.

CCRIDER · Post by **CCRIDER** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:07 pm

[quote=" However, I constantly get waves/nods/beeps from almost all types of motorcycles, except Harleys. It could have something to do with living in hipster infested NYC.

[/quote]

The Harley riders wave at me (on a Buddy 50cc) -one even rode beside me for several miles. Perhaps it's being in the South and not NYC or that he thought I looked like I needed an escort. Either way, it was nice.

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:23 pm

ScooterDave wrote:Vespa riders are too busy looking at their reflection in the windows as they ride.

Is that what you do when you ride the LX?!

I'm too busy checking out my mascara that matches my bike and making sure my dog isn't falling off the bike

(Ongoing joke from Modern Vespa about Vespa people "accessorising" with their scoots)

Wow, didn't realize how many of you were getting the cold shoulder from the Vespa community

I'd wave back. Probably smile too. Hell, at a stop light I might even talk with ya about your scoot!

To answer another question, it appears that the vintage folks tend to have a distaste towards the modern bikes. On MV there's constant jokes about being jealous because our modern bikes don't break down as often.

I had a few vintage people mention it's because in their experience most modern scoot riders are new to 2 wheeled travel and cause problems.
My band got asked to play a vintage club scooter rally. I asked if I can bring my scoot and was told the more the merrier so...maybe that dude was just an asshat. Leave it at that. IF you run into him again during your commute..smile, wave again. See what happens.

chuck_theobald · Post by **chuck_theobald** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:35 pm

The waving thing may be region-oriented, as far as who waves to whom. We have a Buddy 125, and the local Vintage Vespa club my wife found kind of dissed her ride as "effing 4-stroke tupperware", but are great guys and gals nonetheless. We picked up a 1979 Vespa P200E and now they are able to give us more advice, and we still hang with them on the Wednesday night pub meetings.

In riding, waves are a bit uncommon, but passing a group of other scooter riders elicited a horn-blowing, hand-waving hoot-em-up. Pretty cool.

I also have a 1977 Harley Sportster (a "girl's bike" - my "girl's bike" has 1000cc, is loud, and goes *really* fast). I seldom ride, but the weekend riders here almost invariably wave and grin.

My contrib from Eugene, OR

cowgirl helmet · Post by **cowgirl helmet** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:53 pm

dannyW wrote:well, I vote that "don't wave at malls" become a new slogan for buddy riders.

Oh, now . . . we don't have to go being nasty to malls.

After all, we don't want to turn into Vespa riders.

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:03 pm

cowgirl helmet wrote:After all, we don't want to turn into Vespa riders.

And that is a bad thing??

Dave

Kevin K · Post by **Kevin K** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:20 pm

I ride vintage, and I wave back to any rider who waves. I will usually acknowledge another scoot with a couple beeps of the horn, regardless of what they're riding.
-K

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:11 am

At least around here, the "friendly wave" is actually done by extending your left hand below the grip with two fingers pointed outward (thats 2 fingers!). The cycle riders sometimes "wave" back to scooters and sometimes not. I always give another scooter a toot

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 3:18 am

On behalf of Vespa LX riders everywhere, I apologize.

It's not an LA thing. It's not a Vespa thing. If he was on a green one, then it's pretty new, so maybe he didn't know to wave. A lot of new riders aren't aware that there's a "community" of scootering. Some others are just afraid to take a hand off the bars. I've waved at Buddy and Blur rides and not gotten a response. Some people just don't.

And, yeah, a few are just jerks.

scooterjon · Post by **scooterjon** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 5:07 am

the Vespa rider gave you a dirty look?? I would have least given you the middle finger!

Geez Vespa riders what a bunch of snobby jerks.

Jon

dannyW · Post by **dannyW** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 6:05 am

this thread is out of control!!!

I don't think all vespa riders are snobs ... I plan on becoming one in a few weeks, (i want something older' with side car)

in the last few days, (4 days of commuting)
i've chatted with a bunch of riders, at lights. several were vespa riders, one guy was on a ducati and asked me a thousand questions about my bike. He was surprised i beat him off the line.

its a blast.

I love riding this thing. and I already feel like i'm in a community..
can't wait to go on a ride ....

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 7:11 am

dannyW wrote:can't wait to go on a ride ....

Reflections Scooter Society rides every Friday night out of Hollywood. This week, a local TV crew is following them on the ride. Should be fun. I can't make it... scoot's in the shop, for one thing. Bah. Anyways, the Reflections guys are pretty cool and there's at least one Buddy in the group most weeks.

Weekend of Sept. 21 is the Endless Summer rally in Santa Barbara. A group (including the NoHo Scooters crew) usually rides up from LA; I'm hoping to this year provided I have my scoot back. (Anyone have a clutch bearing for an ET or LX? Dang.)

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 5:26 pm

scooterjon wrote: Geez Vespa riders what a bunch of snobby jerks.

Not all of us are. That's a luxury I don't have considering I'm a major dork as my friends, my wife and my bandsmates point out all the time. It's tough to be a snob when your a huge nerd.

Modern Buddy

first ride to work/ first dirty look from vespa rider!

first ride to work/ first dirty look from vespa rider!

first ride to work/ first dirty look from vespa rider

Re: first ride to work/ first dirty look from vespa rider!

No Waves from Harleys?

first ride to work/ first dirty look from vespa