World Kindness Tour on a Genuine Scooter! :D

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 7:30 pm

Hey Hey I hope y'all are having an awesome day so far!

My name is Kemy Joseph and I am the president of U R Awesome Inc. a nonprofit dedicated to reminding people they are awesome. (www.URAwesome.org)

I started this topic because I am very interested in purchasing a new Buddy 125/150/170cc scooter for a World Kindness Tour I will be embarking on January 1st 2012.

For the US portion I will be starting in Key West, Fl. and visiting all 50 state capitals ending in Washington DC then moving on into Canada, Europe Asia and so on until I return to Miami Fl. on Jan 1st 2013.

The mission of the tour is to inspire kindness around the world by connecting with individuals and organizations to perform acts of kindness in their communities.

What do you all think would be the best scooter for this kind of journey? What accessories/modifications do y'all think should I consider? Do you know of any other daring scooter riders who have done anything like this? Finally, would you be interested in riding along with me as I pass through your city/state?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and thanks in advance for your help!

kmrcstintn · Post by **kmrcstintn** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:02 pm

a guy named Pete did a 16,000 + miles trek on a scooter for charity...here's a video of him throughout North America on a Genuine Rattler 110 (not a comfortable ride for extended periods) --> you might want to go to his website and communicate with him about long term scooter travel/camping

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHqHuMhlHrw

IMHO...for something like you're doing I would look toward the Buddy 170i or the Blur 220i for the injected engine (less fallible to ethanol induced problems) and higher top end performance for the long distance traveling you are looking to do for an entire year on the road

anyhoo...best wishes for success in your endeavor; if you plan on traversing the southcentral PA region I encourage you to look up Three Mile Island Scooter Club...they are a fantastic group of folks that are always involved in community based events like parades, rallies, informal weekly get togethers, and small group rides: http://www.tmisc.org/

later...

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:08 pm

Thank you very much for the great advice and leads kmrcstintn! I'll reach out to both Pete and the Three Mile Island Scooter Club.

Idk if I can afford a Buddy 170i or the Blur 220i but I'll look into them as well.

Thanks again for being the first to reply and for being so awesome!

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:29 pm

Another person you should consult with is Alix Bryan, who rode her Buddy in the shape of a peace sign on a map of the contiguous US. http://www.peacescooter.com

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:35 pm

Thank you very much TVB!

I actually just found out about/ reached out to her right before I got your reply. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll get back to me soon.

Thanks for the lead my awesome friend!

iMoses · Post by **iMoses** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:41 pm

If you come through Kansas City on your way to or from Topeka looks us up. KC Scooter Riders. We are on Facebook!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:45 pm

I'm starting up a Saratoga-based scooter group in the spring... so depending when you make your way up to Albany, NY I may be able to get some people to tag along.
There is also the Capital District Scooter and Moped Club up here, I'm sure if you contact them they might join you as well. There are many MANY others as you get closer to NYC, so depending on how you make your way into NY, you will probably be able to find a group to join you!

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:46 pm

Thanks for the reply and Will do iMoses!

Once I settle on the scooter I'll start promoting the tour let you all know when I'll be in your area! How's the weather out there in the winter months? Does it affect the scootin?

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:55 pm

That's what's up AWinn6889! I do plan on passing through Albany. Have you ever heard of a place called Peace Village up there?

Thanks for the info on Capital District Scooter and Moped Club how do I get in touch with the other groups? Through the meet page on this site?

Also, how does the snow affect your scootin? I'm a Miami boy born and raised so I'm trying to prepare mentally and physically lol.

Thanks again for the reaching out! Looking forward to the continued dialogue and meeting up soon.

PS. Congrats on taking the steps to start a group in Albany!

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:09 pm

kmrcstintn wrote:
IMHO...for something like you're doing I would look toward the Buddy 170i or the Blur 220i for the injected engine (less fallible to ethanol induced problems) and higher top end performance for the long distance traveling you are looking to do for an entire year on the road

On the contrary, I'd rather pick up a carburated bike. Much easier to get into and fix if a break-down occurs, any worries arising from ethanol fuel can be quelled by using startron or similar when fueling up.
Also wouldn't wanna run into a 170 or blur with the overheating check engine light coming on issue

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:20 pm

URAwesome wrote:That's what's up AWinn6889! I do plan on passing through Albany. Have you ever heard of a place called Peace Village up there?

Thanks for the info on Capital District Scooter and Moped Club how do I get in touch with the other groups? Through the meet page on this site?

Also, how does the snow affect your scootin? I'm a Miami boy born and raised so I'm trying to prepare mentally and physically lol.

Thanks again for the reaching out! Looking forward to the continued dialogue and meeting up soon.

PS. Congrats on taking the steps to start a group in Albany!

Have never heard of Peace Village, but I just looked it up and it looks like it's in the Catskills, a pretty decent bit south and west of Albany.
As far as the other NY groups go I would just google it. I don't remember the name of one of the NYC-based one that was featured on an episode of Orange County Choppers.... but I know it exists!
For me, snow is a no-go. I'm getting ready to put my scoot away for the winter. I would say don't make your way up north until the spring, and make sure you're here before the end of October too!

@Lokky, nonsense! I've had my 170i at WOT for about 10 minutes at a time and have yet to see that CEL come on! It hasn't seemed to get overheated, or even above optimal riding temperature either. There must have been a flash for the ECU that fixed it in the 2012s or something...

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:52 pm

AWinn6889 wrote:
@Lokky, nonsense! I've had my 170i at WOT for about 10 minutes at a time and have yet to see that CEL come on! It hasn't seemed to get overheated, or even above optimal riding temperature either. There must have been a flash for the ECU that fixed it in the 2012s or something...

I'm in no way suggesting that all 170s do that, me and Luna did take a 200 miles trip before the summer was over which was mostly WOT on the highway and her buddy rode like a champ, however we did hear of some 170s running into the issue, some blurs do it as well and as far as I can tell genuine doesn't have an actual response to what's causing it, rather saying it's a 'by design' thing to prevent overheating.
On a trip that long it's also a matter of how much help can you get if something breaks down on you. I bet you that it'd be easier to find someone to help you wrench on a carburated buddy than on a fuel injected one if you can't get to a genuine dealer

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:13 pm

Lokky wrote: On a trip that long it's also a matter of how much help can you get if something breaks down on you. I bet you that it'd be easier to find someone to help you wrench on a carburated buddy than on a fuel injected one if you can't get to a genuine dealer

True, there's probably a lot of old scooter/biker dudes out there that would lend a hand... and would have no idea what to do with a fuel-injected bike... unless they ride a newer model and somehow figured it out

uncleralph · Post by **uncleralph** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:13 pm

Because you included Europe and Asia on your tour, I would look for a scooter that has dealers throughout the world. Vespa? Honda?

Ralph

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:18 pm

Have a look at this around the world Vespa (PX150 no less!) trip: http://www.vespa360.com/
His blog hasn't been updated, but he does post new pics to Flickr pretty often. http://www.flickr.com/photos/52157182@N00/

Facebook, too: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vespa ... 27?sk=wall

Meanwhile…
What kind of routes are you planning on taking?
How are your mechanical skills?

For an around the world trip, I'd say hurry and get your hands on a Buddy 150 while there are still some around. The issue isn't reliability as much as being able to get parts and mechanical support anywhere in the world. The FI is computer controlled and can't be diagnosed by just any ol' mechanic you come across should you have an issue.

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:06 am

uncleralph wrote:Because you included Europe and Asia on your tour, I would look for a scooter that has dealers throughout the world. Vespa? Honda?

Ralph

I actually agree very much with this- I know Vespas can be expensive, and if you are having trouble affording a Buddy 170 or a Blur 220 I know you'd be hard pressed to afford a Vespa.

Maybe if you contacted Vespa, they would be willing to 'Sponsor' you, with an older model??

Long shot, I know, but worth a try. Also, you may reach out to Genuinie in the same manner.

I strongly suggest/hope you educated yourself in some basic mechanics, whether you pick up a carb'd or FI bike either way.

For what it's worth I am wonderfully happy with my 170, but it's quite light! I think for your purposes, you may be more comfortable traveling such a distance on a Blur (assuming it fits your body size and type).

You may want to check your local dealers for consignments... for instances, our local dealer here has an Aprilia Scarabeo 500 on consignment for not too much more than you would pay for a new 170i... THAT would be a much better scoot to tour the world on, I think. Who knows, you could find a deal like that near you!

Rippinyarn · Post by **Rippinyarn** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:05 am

Welcome to Modern Buddy, URAwesome! Good for you in spreading your obvious great attitude and energy!

Please tell us what kind of riding your will be trying to do? Are you interested in taking the back roads and making lots of stops, not hurrying? Will there be a support vehicle with your gear or will you be strapping it on the scoot? Is it more of a highway blast to a camping spot or media (photo) opportunity for the cause? Answering these questions will help us suggest a scoot that will get you there (and back) safely and with a minimum of hassle.

You also may want to look into the Cannonball, cross-continent scooter event to see what kind of maintenance you can expect to do on the way. These guys replace tires, fix engines and weld frames up almost every night. They rebuild carbs in parking lots and burn a lot of midnight oil to keep their scooters going the long distances. You most likely won't be pushing as hard as they are, but you can expect to replace tires at least once on your trip and to change your oil every couple of thousand miles.
Good luck, and again, welcome!

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:16 am

PGOs are sold in much of the world. Probably the most ubiquitous models will be Hondas, but they don't have the same ones for sale in all regions.

Vespa sponsorship pretty much means becoming a Vespa marketing vehicle. Vespa USA has promoted and sponsored a few things like this in the past, but a world tour via scooter can easily become a PR disaster.

However, sponsorships from various parts, tire and other companies might be a bit easier and come with fewer strings. Local sponsors might also be possible.

vabeancounter · Post by **vabeancounter** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:28 am

Well leave it to a beancounter ( CPA ) to rain on your parade but have you done a time or financial budget for this. If you can't afford a buddy 170 where in the world are you gonna marshal the resources to travel to all 50 state capitals and tour Europe and Asia etc and get back to Miami in one year. And I wouldn't count on riding in much snow on a scooter personally. Hope you think all this through and maybe line up some sponsorship. Lot of planning and logistics required to pull off something like this. Best of luck.

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:39 am

vabeancounter wrote:Well leave it to a beancounter ( CPA )

I hope that's a purposeful correlation between profession and username, and if so I now think it's entirely amusing

Anyway, as inspiring as URAwesome's cause is I think you are right.

I definitely still think you should reach out to your local scooter community. Look up clubs and shops. Spend time with them. Mingle your two crowds. Who knows, maybe next year your local shop would sponsor you an older model bike and while you are on tour, the local club and your organization could rally together for a charity.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:48 am

I think it'd be interesting to see if someone without a dime to their name (not saying this is the OP's situation) could set off across America and beyond, essentially scooter vagabonding, relying on whatever work they could pick up along the way, the kindness of strangers, and perhaps some charity. In fact, I'm going to write this up and pitch it to the Travel Channel and Discovery.

©2012 Eric

(I would act as producer, so would get paid mountains of dosh and eat well as I ride alongside the host, a younger and more telegenic person than myself.)

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:40 am

Lokky wrote:
kmrcstintn wrote:
IMHO...for something like you're doing I would look toward the Buddy 170i or the Blur 220i for the injected engine (less fallible to ethanol induced problems) and higher top end performance for the long distance traveling you are looking to do for an entire year on the road
On the contrary, I'd rather pick up a carburated bike. Much easier to get into and fix if a break-down occurs, any worries arising from ethanol fuel can be quelled by using startron or similar when fueling up.
Also wouldn't wanna run into a 170 or blur with the overheating check engine light coming on issue

Thanks for the heads up Lokky! I think the buddy 150 will most likely work best with my budget. Does performing maintenance on my bike on my void its warranty ?

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:44 am

AWinn6889 wrote:
URAwesome wrote:That's what's up AWinn6889! I do plan on passing through Albany. Have you ever heard of a place called Peace Village up there?

Thanks for the info on Capital District Scooter and Moped Club how do I get in touch with the other groups? Through the meet page on this site?

Also, how does the snow affect your scootin? I'm a Miami boy born and raised so I'm trying to prepare mentally and physically lol.

Thanks again for the reaching out! Looking forward to the continued dialogue and meeting up soon.

PS. Congrats on taking the steps to start a group in Albany!
Have never heard of Peace Village, but I just looked it up and it looks like it's in the Catskills, a pretty decent bit south and west of Albany.
As far as the other NY groups go I would just google it. I don't remember the name of one of the NYC-based one that was featured on an episode of Orange County Choppers.... but I know it exists!
For me, snow is a no-go. I'm getting ready to put my scoot away for the winter. I would say don't make your way up north until the spring, and make sure you're here before the end of October too!

@Lokky, nonsense! I've had my 170i at WOT for about 10 minutes at a time and have yet to see that CEL come on! It hasn't seemed to get overheated, or even above optimal riding temperature either. There must have been a flash for the ECU that fixed it in the 2012s or something...

I'm planning to be in the North/ North East between March & May. I know it'll be hard to avoid the snow, but I'd have to face it if It I want to keep a riding schedule that would allow me to cover the US between Jan and May.

Do any of you ride in the snow or is it a no no?

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:49 am

Lokky wrote:
AWinn6889 wrote:
@Lokky, nonsense! I've had my 170i at WOT for about 10 minutes at a time and have yet to see that CEL come on! It hasn't seemed to get overheated, or even above optimal riding temperature either. There must have been a flash for the ECU that fixed it in the 2012s or something...
I'm in no way suggesting that all 170s do that, me and Luna did take a 200 miles trip before the summer was over which was mostly WOT on the highway and her buddy rode like a champ, however we did hear of some 170s running into the issue, some blurs do it as well and as far as I can tell genuine doesn't have an actual response to what's causing it, rather saying it's a 'by design' thing to prevent overheating.
On a trip that long it's also a matter of how much help can you get if something breaks down on you. I bet you that it'd be easier to find someone to help you wrench on a carburated buddy than on a fuel injected one if you can't get to a genuine dealer

As of right now, I'm planning to ride 225 miles a day at an average of 45mph which means about 5 hours of riding a day if things go as planned. I'm signing up with AAA to ensure that I'll have some kind of help everywhere I go in the USA. Are there any other road side assistance services you guys would recommend?

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:52 am

uncleralph wrote:Because you included Europe and Asia on your tour, I would look for a scooter that has dealers throughout the world. Vespa? Honda?

Ralph

Thats what I was thinking Ralph but there scooters are so expensive lol. I'm wondering if traveling by scooter internationally is the best idea since the roads are not as regulated in the US. Thoughts?

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 5:02 am

ericalm wrote:Have a look at this around the world Vespa (PX150 no less!) trip: http://www.vespa360.com/
His blog hasn't been updated, but he does post new pics to Flickr pretty often. http://www.flickr.com/photos/52157182@N00/

Facebook, too: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vespa ... 27?sk=wall

Meanwhile…
What kind of routes are you planning on taking?
How are your mechanical skills?

For an around the world trip, I'd say hurry and get your hands on a Buddy 150 while there are still some around. The issue isn't reliability as much as being able to get parts and mechanical support anywhere in the world. The FI is computer controlled and can't be diagnosed by just any ol' mechanic you come across should you have an issue.

Thanks for the awesome advice and leads ericalm! Oh and sweet avatar lol.

I reached out to Sean from Vespa360 and am waiting for him to get back to me.

I'm planning to take back roads and scenic routes. I'm a novice at working on any automobiles but am def willing to learn the basics I need to survive.

Taking the scooter abroad would be really cool but may not be realistic based on what I'm reading in this forum. I'm waiting to hear back from those who ride scooters abroad before I make the final decision.

Have you ever had major issues finding parts or mechanic support for your scooter here in the states? If so, how'd you resolve them?

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 5:10 am

LunaP wrote:
uncleralph wrote:Because you included Europe and Asia on your tour, I would look for a scooter that has dealers throughout the world. Vespa? Honda?

Ralph
I actually agree very much with this- I know Vespas can be expensive, and if you are having trouble affording a Buddy 170 or a Blur 220 I know you'd be hard pressed to afford a Vespa.

Maybe if you contacted Vespa, they would be willing to 'Sponsor' you, with an older model??

Long shot, I know, but worth a try. Also, you may reach out to Genuinie in the same manner.

I strongly suggest/hope you educated yourself in some basic mechanics, whether you pick up a carb'd or FI bike either way.

For what it's worth I am wonderfully happy with my 170, but it's quite light! I think for your purposes, you may be more comfortable traveling such a distance on a Blur (assuming it fits your body size and type).

You may want to check your local dealers for consignments... for instances, our local dealer here has an Aprilia Scarabeo 500 on consignment for not too much more than you would pay for a new 170i... THAT would be a much better scoot to tour the world on, I think. Who knows, you could find a deal like that near you!

Thanks LunaP! Sweet avatar as well! Sailor Moon?You're Vespa is a long shot but anything is possible.

Def planning to learn as much as I can about scooter upkeep once I decide on the scooter. I only have one Vespa/Genuine dealer here in Miami and it seemed like a 2009 buddy 150 was going to be the best bang for my buck. I'm 5' 9'' and weigh 160lbs. I sat on the buddy and felt pretty comfy but who knows how it'll feel after hundreds of hours on the road lol

kmrcstintn · Post by **kmrcstintn** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:48 am

the guy from the 16k miles on a scooter vid tells us what & how to pack for scooter vagabondism...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he-5o_0V ... ideo_title

I own the same model of scooter he did this trip on...I weigh 220lbs (more that the 'dry weight' of the scooter); it is powered with a 105cc 2-stroke engine; I'm amazed how well the machine held up considering the amount of stuff he packed and the distance of the trip...

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 12:42 pm

URAwesome wrote:Do any of you ride in the snow or is it a no no?

If you have to ask, you probably shouldn't try it.

It's do-able, but you need to be pretty proficient at riding a scooter to pull it off. And even then...

Riding a scooter in subfreezing temperatures is a battle against wind chill. The wind chill for a 50mph wind at a temp just below freezing is 12ºF. With the right gear you can stay comfortable for short rides, but staying warm riding long distances is a more serious challenge.

But the real problem with riding under those conditions is the road surface. A four-wheeled vehicle on snow/ice risks losing the traction needed to steer and to stop. A two-wheeled vehicle in those conditions also loses the traction needed to stay upright, because any time you lean to one side or the other for a turn, your wheels can slip out from under you. The snow doesn't need to be deep or really cold; in fact, just a thin glaze at 30ºF is some of the most dangerous.

I'm a die-hard scooter commuter; I'm still bundling up and riding my Buddy to work here in Michigan. But as soon as there's snow in the streets, I'm parking it. I don't start riding again in the spring until the main roads are reliably clear of snow; side streets and back roads take longer.

Bottom line: if you're going to be scootering in northern latitudes and high altitudes, schedule those for the warm months.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 1:43 pm

URAwesome wrote:As of right now, I'm planning to ride 225 miles a day at an average of 45mph which means about 5 hours of riding a day if things go as planned.

So you'd think. You might be surprised.

On my road trips, I take the back roads and such you're talking about, and I try to keep my daily distance around 100 miles. I typically break camp and hit the road by 9am, my scooter has a top speed of 40mph, so figure 33mph and I should reach my next camp at noon, right? But I typically get there mid-to-late-afternoon. On my most recent trip I had to make a 200 mile run in a single day; I was in a hurry, so at 40mph I'd get there in 5 hours... but it was closer to 10. A GPS app on my phone said I'd averaged 20mph.

That's because I never maintained my cruising speed for very long. Back roads mean stop signs and turns and stops to figure out where you are. Meals and refueling and stretching your legs add time. Plus (if you're doing it right, IMHO) there's stopping to experience the places you're passing through. The longer a distance you're going, the more important that not-moving time becomes.

After high school, one of my friends and I set out on a 7-week 1200-mile bicycle tour of England, Wales, and Scotland. 35 days x 35 miles/day = no problem, right? Yeah, except that doing 35 miles/day didn't leave enough time to really see Britain. "Just a quick stop at Stonehenge, because we have to get to Bath before nightfall." By the time we got to Devon, about a week or so into it, we were miserable, hating each other and ourselves for our poor judgement. (We saved the adventure by seriously revising our approach, taking the train to cover long distances and difficult terrain).

I think it's fabulous what you're setting out to do, and I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer. But in order to make sure the adventure works out like you hope, you might want to work your way up to it, to test your assumptions about how it might work. For example, before committing yourself to visit every capital in the US in a year, what about taking a week to scoot to every major city in your state? Traveling by scooter is in many ways ideal: not nearly as tiring as a bicycle, much more intimate than a car. But the things that make it great are differences that you need to experience to know how to turn them to your advantage.

Howardr · Post by **Howardr** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 2:07 pm

URAwesome - You might also want to look up "Iron Butt Rally." It is a motorcycle based endurance rally.They typically cover 1000-1500 miles a DAY! What about this could help you? Well, one of the things they bonus points for is hitting every state capital in days. If you can find some of the routes they took between cities, it may help you with your own route planning.

Howard

iMoses · Post by **iMoses** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:13 pm

URAwesome wrote:Thanks for the reply and Will do iMoses!

Once I settle on the scooter I'll start promoting the tour let you all know when I'll be in your area! How's the weather out there in the winter months? Does it affect the scootin?

It gets cold here during the winter and yes it does affect the riding. I don't scoot during snow or ice events and when the temperature dips below 30 I don't scoot either. Once winter hits, January thru the end of February scooting days are few and too far in between. I do start Jonesing and will take short rides (about 2 -3 miles) in and near my neighborhood.

siobhan · Post by **siobhan** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 5:12 pm

I agree with ericalm's post. Why the hell not just get out there? Sure, things are gonna suck when you're sitting by the side of a rarely-travelled road in Utah with a bike that won't start and it's pissing down rain and you just ate your last granola bar, and oh, yeah, it's dark and is that a bear you hear, but what's wrong with that? Especially since you're travelling with a theme...you'll find out about the kindness of strangers and friends alike.

I've read plenty of ride reports about people who just head out, no timeline, no destinations, little money, and some of them with little riding experience. If you're flexible, don't mind being dirty, hungry, cold, lonely, are comfortable approaching strangers for help (or at least open to trying to be), why not?

And think about all the fun, interesting, and meaningful experiences you'll have.

We all wind up in a box in the end. Why not make it an interesting journey to that box.

jasondavis48108 · Post by **jasondavis48108** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:29 pm

siobhan wrote:I agree with ericalm's post. Why the hell not just get out there? Sure, things are gonna suck when you're sitting by the side of a rarely-travelled road in Utah with a bike that won't start and it's pissing down rain and you just ate your last granola bar, and oh, yeah, it's dark and is that a bear you hear, but what's wrong with that? Especially since you're travelling with a theme...you'll find out about the kindness of strangers and friends alike.

I've read plenty of ride reports about people who just head out, no timeline, no destinations, little money, and some of them with little riding experience. If you're flexible, don't mind being dirty, hungry, cold, lonely, are comfortable approaching strangers for help (or at least open to trying to be), why not?

And think about all the fun, interesting, and meaningful experiences you'll have.

We all wind up in a box in the end. Why not make it an interesting journey to that box.

I'd at least make sure I'd watched all of the Survivorman episodes before I headed out. Then again, I'm not the kind of guy who has a great deal of confidence in the kindness of others.

paige · Post by **paige** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 7:37 pm

If you are going to address breakdown insurance (such as AAA, Allstate) you should investigate coverage. As far as I know (AAA), they are region based and each agency has their own definitions of coverage. For example, in California, motorcycle coverage is not included in regular or premium AAA coverage. It is included in a separate RV/ motorcycle policy, or if you carry AAA vehicle insurance. Joining the AMA offers towing as a benefit but I don't know the particulars of their coverage.

I think the idea of hitting all the major cities in your state would be an excellent trial run of scooter touring.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 7:42 pm

...and if you do end up with a (new) Genuine scooter (from a dealer), you get a 2-year warranty and free roadside assistance.

BootScootin'FireFighter · Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:37 pm

since you are ending up in Washington, I assume you're last state capitols will be Annapolis or Richmond. If so, I'll rally some of the locals and maybe we can tag along for the last leg. Heck you could easily cover Richmond, Annapolis, and DC in the same day, which would be pretty cool as well. Weather should be pretty uneventful between March and May unless we get another freak snowstorm in March. Only obligation I have other then work is hoping to do Cannonball this year in late April.

siobhan · Post by **siobhan** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 2:33 am

http://underboningtheworld.blogspot.com/
Sym Symbas go 'round da globe

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 2:49 am

BootScootin'FireFighter wrote:since you are ending up in Washington, I assume you're last state capitols will be Annapolis or Richmond. If so, I'll rally some of the locals and maybe we can tag along for the last leg. Heck you could easily cover Richmond, Annapolis, and DC in the same day, which would be pretty cool as well. Weather should be pretty uneventful between March and May unless we get another freak snowstorm in March. Only obligation I have other then work is hoping to do Cannonball this year in late April.

+1

We do a camping rally the second weekend in May, and I have something personal planned the 2nd weekend in June. Not sure of anything else. But I agree. Make it here and I'm sure the local scoot gang will ride around with you in a grand celebratory fashion!

still shifting · Post by **still shifting** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 10:14 pm

God Knows we could all use a little kindness! Please keep us informed it is a Long way to Santa Fe but New Mexico is Scooter Friendly... Mostly. R

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:48 am

Rippinyarn wrote:Welcome to Modern Buddy, URAwesome! Good for you in spreading your obvious great attitude and energy!

Please tell us what kind of riding your will be trying to do? Are you interested in taking the back roads and making lots of stops, not hurrying? Will there be a support vehicle with your gear or will you be strapping it on the scoot? Is it more of a highway blast to a camping spot or media (photo) opportunity for the cause? Answering these questions will help us suggest a scoot that will get you there (and back) safely and with a minimum of hassle.

You also may want to look into the Cannonball, cross-continent scooter event to see what kind of maintenance you can expect to do on the way. These guys replace tires, fix engines and weld frames up almost every night. They rebuild carbs in parking lots and burn a lot of midnight oil to keep their scooters going the long distances. You most likely won't be pushing as hard as they are, but you can expect to replace tires at least once on your trip and to change your oil every couple of thousand miles.
Good luck, and again, welcome!

Hey Rippinyarn!

Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm very happy to be part of the ModernBuddy community and scooter community in general!

I will be doing more slow journey on the back roads. I want to have time to perform acts of kindness in the communities I scoot through as well have a chance to interview people about kindness and be interview about my journey. I'll be solo for my journey but will be bring people along through social media. I'll be carrying most of my valuables in a 65 liter backpack. I'm bringing minimum materials but spread maximum love

The cause is to promote kindness and I plan on doing that in as may ways I possibly can.

I'll be checking out the Cannonball very soon. Sound super intense but informative.

Thank again and stay awesome friend!

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:51 am

ericalm wrote:PGOs are sold in much of the world. Probably the most ubiquitous models will be Hondas, but they don't have the same ones for sale in all regions.

Vespa sponsorship pretty much means becoming a Vespa marketing vehicle. Vespa USA has promoted and sponsored a few things like this in the past, but a world tour via scooter can easily become a PR disaster.

However, sponsorships from various parts, tire and other companies might be a bit easier and come with fewer strings. Local sponsors might also be possible.

I agree ericalm.

Sponsorship can be a great thing but it can also be a headache. I'm keeping my options open by reaching out to companies but I want to ensure that the mission of spreading kindness trumps all sponsorships.

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:56 am

vabeancounter wrote:Well leave it to a beancounter ( CPA ) to rain on your parade but have you done a time or financial budget for this. If you can't afford a buddy 170 where in the world are you gonna marshal the resources to travel to all 50 state capitals and tour Europe and Asia etc and get back to Miami in one year. And I wouldn't count on riding in much snow on a scooter personally. Hope you think all this through and maybe line up some sponsorship. Lot of planning and logistics required to pull off something like this. Best of luck.

Hey vabeancounter,

I have budgeted out the trip in terms of time, money and sponsorship.
Finding a scooter that gives the best bang for the buck is part of keeping the whole trip within the budget.

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:58 am

LunaP wrote:
vabeancounter wrote:Well leave it to a beancounter ( CPA )
I hope that's a purposeful correlation between profession and username, and if so I now think it's entirely amusing

Anyway, as inspiring as URAwesome's cause is I think you are right.

I definitely still think you should reach out to your local scooter community. Look up clubs and shops. Spend time with them. Mingle your two crowds. Who knows, maybe next year your local shop would sponsor you an older model bike and while you are on tour, the local club and your organization could rally together for a charity.

Definitely working on that as we speak LunaP!

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:01 am

ericalm wrote:I think it'd be interesting to see if someone without a dime to their name (not saying this is the OP's situation) could set off across America and beyond, essentially scooter vagabonding, relying on whatever work they could pick up along the way, the kindness of strangers, and perhaps some charity. In fact, I'm going to write this up and pitch it to the Travel Channel and Discovery.

©2012 Eric

(I would act as producer, so would get paid mountains of dosh and eat well as I ride alongside the host, a younger and more telegenic person than myself.)

Let me know what they say. I'm willing to be the guinea pig! (kidding but serious

)

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:06 am

kmrcstintn wrote:the guy from the 16k miles on a scooter vid tells us what & how to pack for scooter vagabondism...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he-5o_0V ... ideo_title

I own the same model of scooter he did this trip on...I weigh 220lbs (more that the 'dry weight' of the scooter); it is powered with a 105cc 2-stroke engine; I'm amazed how well the machine held up considering the amount of stuff he packed and the distance of the trip...

Thanks for sharing kmrcstintn!

His packing skills are very impressive indeed. I've reached out to him and am waiting to hear back.

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:09 am

TVB wrote:
URAwesome wrote:Do any of you ride in the snow or is it a no no?
If you have to ask, you probably shouldn't try it. It's do-able, but you need to be pretty proficient at riding a scooter to pull it off. And even then...

Riding a scooter in subfreezing temperatures is a battle against wind chill. The wind chill for a 50mph wind at a temp just below freezing is 12ºF. With the right gear you can stay comfortable for short rides, but staying warm riding long distances is a more serious challenge.

But the real problem with riding under those conditions is the road surface. A four-wheeled vehicle on snow/ice risks losing the traction needed to steer and to stop. A two-wheeled vehicle in those conditions also loses the traction needed to stay upright, because any time you lean to one side or the other for a turn, your wheels can slip out from under you. The snow doesn't need to be deep or really cold; in fact, just a thin glaze at 30ºF is some of the most dangerous.

I'm a die-hard scooter commuter; I'm still bundling up and riding my Buddy to work here in Michigan. But as soon as there's snow in the streets, I'm parking it. I don't start riding again in the spring until the main roads are reliably clear of snow; side streets and back roads take longer.

Bottom line: if you're going to be scootering in northern latitudes and high altitudes, schedule those for the warm months.

Waiting for the warmer weather it is TVB! That was the plan anyhow but I just want to be sure just in case I hit unexpected snow.

Thanks!!

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:15 am

TVB wrote:
URAwesome wrote:As of right now, I'm planning to ride 225 miles a day at an average of 45mph which means about 5 hours of riding a day if things go as planned.
So you'd think. You might be surprised.

On my road trips, I take the back roads and such you're talking about, and I try to keep my daily distance around 100 miles. I typically break camp and hit the road by 9am, my scooter has a top speed of 40mph, so figure 33mph and I should reach my next camp at noon, right? But I typically get there mid-to-late-afternoon. On my most recent trip I had to make a 200 mile run in a single day; I was in a hurry, so at 40mph I'd get there in 5 hours... but it was closer to 10. A GPS app on my phone said I'd averaged 20mph.

That's because I never maintained my cruising speed for very long. Back roads mean stop signs and turns and stops to figure out where you are. Meals and refueling and stretching your legs add time. Plus (if you're doing it right, IMHO) there's stopping to experience the places you're passing through. The longer a distance you're going, the more important that not-moving time becomes.

After high school, one of my friends and I set out on a 7-week 1200-mile bicycle tour of England, Wales, and Scotland. 35 days x 35 miles/day = no problem, right? Yeah, except that doing 35 miles/day didn't leave enough time to really see Britain. "Just a quick stop at Stonehenge, because we have to get to Bath before nightfall." By the time we got to Devon, about a week or so into it, we were miserable, hating each other and ourselves for our poor judgement. (We saved the adventure by seriously revising our approach, taking the train to cover long distances and difficult terrain).

I think it's fabulous what you're setting out to do, and I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer. But in order to make sure the adventure works out like you hope, you might want to work your way up to it, to test your assumptions about how it might work. For example, before committing yourself to visit every capital in the US in a year, what about taking a week to scoot to every major city in your state? Traveling by scooter is in many ways ideal: not nearly as tiring as a bicycle, much more intimate than a car. But the things that make it great are differences that you need to experience to know how to turn them to your advantage.

You're not a debbie downer TVB. I really appreciate the honest feedback because that's what I'm here for. You all have provided me with invaluable wisdom that is helping me plan the best trip ever!!

Thanks again for the honesty and support!

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:20 am

Howardr wrote:URAwesome - You might also want to look up "Iron Butt Rally." It is a motorcycle based endurance rally.They typically cover 1000-1500 miles a DAY! What about this could help you? Well, one of the things they bonus points for is hitting every state capital in days. If you can find some of the routes they took between cities, it may help you with your own route planning.

Howard

Sounds super intense but that is a great idea Howardr! Thank you very much!

URAwesome · Post by **URAwesome** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:23 am

iMoses wrote:
URAwesome wrote:Thanks for the reply and Will do iMoses!

Once I settle on the scooter I'll start promoting the tour let you all know when I'll be in your area! How's the weather out there in the winter months? Does it affect the scootin?
It gets cold here during the winter and yes it does affect the riding. I don't scoot during snow or ice events and when the temperature dips below 30 I don't scoot either. Once winter hits, January thru the end of February scooting days are few and too far in between. I do start Jonesing and will take short rides (about 2 -3 miles) in and near my neighborhood.

Good to know that it's still snowing in your area around February. I'll plan to be in that area around March. Do you or anyone else know where its still snowing in March?