Modern Vespa

Hi, Vespa lovers. Planning to make a trip some time between now and next summer, looking for people who would like to join. Easy off major highway route, average 350 ml/day, camping overnight. I note the route is not new and has been done b4, but still very tempting. Please chime in.

Two thoughts. Good luck finding non-highway roads in NJ.
350 miles a day on non highway roads (not direct travel, traffic lights, gas stops, meal stops, weather) sounds like at least 12 hour days in the saddle. I imagine that's almost four 12 hour days each way. Throw in camping and my old bones say no. YMMV of course.

Hey there. I know it sounds a little crazy, but doable non the less. I agree that some highways are unavoidable, but thats not a problem. 300 cc is helpful on HW. My bones are not that old and I am willing to try.

I'm not debating it nor am I telling you it's a bad idea. You said "chime in" so I did with my thoughts. Like I posted, YMMV.

I can probably jump on for an early spring ride down there

Sounds a little crazy, but doable.
I'd love to join up with you when you pass through Pensyltukky. Alas I don't think my 150 is up to a trip like that.
I'd also worry about my arse more than my bones at 12+/- hours a day in the saddle.

If you don't try you won't know.

And i thank you for that)

II am looking into AirHawk right now. That thing saves arses.

I did Charlotte to the Finger Lakes in NY this summer. All back roads, 1500 miles round trip. Took 4 eight hour days.

As you planning gets closer let me know. I am up for it!

Are you planning on having a support vehicle to carry things like tents, sleeping bags, etc. I'm pretty new to scootering and love the idea of touring, but handling all the gear seems a little rough.

Hi there!
Sleeping bags and tents are very light and compact nowadays and I think can be carried individually on the bikes. No, no support car, defeats the purpose. Hotels in case of emergency) I am checking on different postings on how much gear you need for bike camping, it will all fit. Cheers

Hi, Donovan!
You are so welcome, will keep you posted!

So this is how the preliminary route looks like. Please comment and let me know if the link works. Cheers!
https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/613033?mode=share

To see the route requires us to register. I don't wanna.

I see. Let me try to fix that!

It's a lot harder on a vintage SF.

https://roadtrippers.com/map?a2=t!19266191&lat=32.34021026557386&lng=-83.83331392721755&utm_campaign=trip&utm_medium=share&utm_source=copy&z=4.556952055609544

Lets see if this one works!

It is going to be a challenge on a SF. But with more then one bike the bigger items can be sorted out between bikes.

That just brings me to a beginner's tutorial on how to do a route.

you have to copy the entire URL, not just click on the link. Just copy and paste it into your browser, otherwise its not working. Sorry
https://roadtrippers.com/map?lat=28.164999032373586&lng=-98.45698925510106&utm_campaign=trip&utm_medium=share&utm_source=copy&z=3.6389740581273617&a2=t!19266191

So it looks like this trip takes a week or so? Are there any additional options for getting back with the bikes without having to take an extra week to ride back?

I am considering an option of riding back to Miami area and then arranging shipping. Being a car transporter in the past I can say that it is way easier to find a good deal out of Miami rather than KW.

Sounds like a great adventure. Perhaps as riders, we break into two
group riding categories. Young and bullet proof, Older and comfort driven.

I agree with 350 miles a day (Off Expressway) being to ambitious. I rode
my GTS300 200 miles to Wisconscoot 2017 from Minneapolis to Richland Center Wisconsin. We took secondary roads, stopped every hour, it was
marvelous. Qualifier: I am 69 years old. Even at 200 miles, my butt
was plenty sore.

So, go for it. No Pain, No Gain. It will all be a great adventure. From this
old farts perspective, stop or slow down occasionally and smell the roses.

Bob Copeland
Frost Bite Falls Minnesota

With advance planning you can do the auto train back from Orlando to DC. Not cheap but great fun. Even sitting up. Especially in the rain.

My thoughts, having done NYC to Key West before:

You CAN stay off highways in New Jersey, AND escape the state without paying tolls. The rough shape is Holland Tunnel, to Truck Route 9, to US-22. It's not pretty and the sky bridges are still tall and fast-moving, but it's possible.

350 miles per day off expressways is ambitious. It's a long day and totally possible, but to do it day after day for a week, it will be arduous. Especially if you hit bad weather. Even on a GTS 300, I would aim for about 250 miles per day if staying off freeways, to leave room for mishaps, weather, sightseeing, or just a long lunch (once you hit the south it's BBQ land!). A few 300+ mile days on expressways will help cover distance. If possible plan a couple 'flex' days every 4 days or so. I understand time is a constraint, but rest is important to stay safe, and camping doesn't always make for the best sleep.

The longest day I've ridden on a smallframe was 283 miles. It was about 10 hours of saddle time, no break even for lunch. I would NOT count on doing that for several days straight.

I've heard lots of people love the Airhawk! It feels too much like an air mattress for me, so I use a sheepskin butt cover instead. These guys are good, I have the Pillion 1 on my GTS but am looking at buying a Medium. This seriously saves my ass. I know someone who puts a sheepskin OVER an Airhawk. It was like sitting on a cloud!

Also worth checking our are Crampbusters and throttle assists.

Good luck!

Just on the same topic about riding xxx miles per day!
just want you to check this guy out! he will be in the US soon, greatest story, lets connect and give him our community support
https://www.facebook.com/LaVidaVespa/?hc_ref=ARQdjwpRkC1RbQrEI-QKQIjkOojdKtljtSj6qH2RTqfpH-6Mk1emKs13mt6ueKGmsDc&__xts__[0]=68.ARCxKdhnV_-_fMiOQiRUHIWBUdxNn1tk-pU0_zJsGqwcKnUUxmwHupDxchiSgoHsyacQJSRnPSq7T4BpI1X6DMw_Awj1qZcx_nnnFfyQoQm81XgApSI2mIdHLHpX8SYDZVpupfyHvjD97ZazJ_B4EagNETlMnApSlr5si24hGW2-E7aFKRw&__tn__=kC-R

I don't know of any good route in the NE but suggest you work you way to Front Royal Virginia and jump on the Skyline Drive. It will connect to the Blue Ridge Parkway. South of Ashville take 441 south to Leesburg Fl then 27 south to Everglade city. Now go East on 41 to Homestead Fl.,at homestead take 1 south to Key West.

Just below Homestead is Card Sound Rd. it goes east and will also take you onto Key Largo. I perfer this Route and always stop at Alabama Jacks for a bite to eat and to get infected wth the Keys Desease. All the nice folks in the Keys have it. time slows down and nothing gets done until ,if at all.

Alabama Jacks is an Old Florida place and a destination ride for the locals. Take a look: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34344-d491818-Reviews-Alabama_Jack_s-Key_Largo_Florida_Keys_Florida.html

When in KW my favorite lunch/diner spot is the Half Shell Clam Bar. Good food, especially the chilled shrimp, and good beer. Take a look: https://www.halfshellrawbar.com/

Have fun, be safe, and keep up-to-date on your travels.

Paul

Hi there,

I recently did 2/3 of the trip you're proposing, solo. What's the longest touring ride you've done to date?

Umm,what's the idea behind the trip?
I got people in KW, and I wouldn't want to turn and burn, I'd want to spend some time down there.
Not sure about camping...
Camping in KW is pricey or non-existant- unless you plan on shacking with the homeless over by the dog park.
There's so much to see and do in the Keys...I've spent 3 days traveling from Islamadora to KW on a mc and didn't see/do it all.
I could be interested, but not on a "hurry up and get there" trip.

Did this trip ever happen? Doesn't seem so. If it did, I'd love to hear the details.

AFAIK it never materialized.

Hi all, I am fairly new to this forum. This trip sounds like a blast. I am new to scooters, but not touring on two wheels or camping. If any of you want to do this trip in the future, with enough lead time I would likely be in.
JEB
Richmond, VA.

Your BV 350 with a large top box should be a great ride for that sort of trip.

Yeah...it's the smoothest two wheeler I have ever had and I have had a handful of them. I did not expect to like it as much as I do. I think that the larger scooters like Burgman may be even smoother, but this bike was the largest that retained the "scooter feel" for me. It's a good balance that my wife liked as well some of the others intimidated her.

I love my BV 350 as well. An absolutely great scooter.

I bought an Airhawk for my Harley.
Here's my opinion, it helps, but it's no miracle cure. The seat on my Harley was hard as a rock, thus the Airhawk. I still had to move around. I'd put the thing sideways, hang one cheek off for 50 miles, then the other. I did a 450 mile day through Yellowstone and I thought I'd scream.
Seating position is more important than the seat. The Harley had your feet forward, which looked cool, but it meant all your weight was on your tailbone. I could discuss blood flow through your "ischial tuberosities" like a med student, but it's where you sit.
So, If you can tolerate a 100 mile ride, the Airhawk will make it a 150 mile ride before those same aches and pains crop up.
Other remedies are "monkey butt powder" (seriously) and pants and undies without seams in the offended area.

Heeeey guys. Its been a while. I have been working hard on that trip and its now booked. Leaving NYC on July 16 2023. Anyone who is up to try is welcome to join.
Here is the itinerary, camp sites are booked, ferries as well.

https://maps.roadtrippers.com/?lng=-81.27265&lat=26.30442&z=6.49448&a4=t!41233135&fbclid=IwAR3wyoSqLLRDCNwgRPGXYloB_pc03d9P1myxPuXln5v2nD-02OhdVsaRmCU

Hey OP where in NYC are you located? I am also from NYC