Things I learned in my first year of owning a motorcycle

The enhanced community quarantine has been extended to April 30, 2020, so the supposed long weekend this Holy Week just got longer! 

I have mentioned that its been a year since I got the Vespa.  And looking at it as I have just recently washed it for storage, got me thinking of the things I have learned about motorcycle riding and ownership of the Vespa.  Let me list it down below in no particular order:

1. It serves its utilitarian purpose - I guess this does not apply to all motorcycles - as I have been also checking out my "next" motorcycle (I'm talking about a Kawasaki Z400 naked bike), and at first glance, you know that you can't hardly put anything on it, let alone place top box storage without looking stupid.  My pet food ride yesterday I was able to place 6kg of assorted bird feeds in the top box and 4 cans of dog food in the under-seat. Utility and style for the Vespa.
2. The heat is not so bad - For all riders, this means as long as you're moving you can get good ventilation.  To non-riders, this is one reason why you see riders fighting through that small space in between cars during traffic.  Another way to do this is by using the right gears.  This is where riders differ - proper motorcycle gears have armor AND extra features like mesh for ventilation.  Majority of the riders you see use the common jacket.  I have tried the latter, and I had to be extra fast for me to keep cool.  And that is another reason why you riders moving between traffic a bit faster and kamote-like.

   

   How many cars can fit in this row?

3. Parking is a breeze - and it comes cheap, too!  Most decent malls provide adequate-spaced motorcycle parking slots.  I haven't experienced one where I had to go around in circles to find a slot, compared to when I use a car on weekend mall visits.
4. Motorcycle riders can be a-holes - I know this is true with 4-wheeled vehicles.  But there was once in my newbie motorcycle rides where I didn't want to ride during rush hour because riders do not care!  They are aggressive with 4-wheeled vehicles but they are MORE aggressive with co-riders.  They will cut you off with no signals whatsoever.  I really don't understand such rudeness in some of these riders.
   
5. You can never have too many gears - This is different from some riders who can never have too many stickers or lights or blings.  Part of me being and EDC-guy is that I want to be ready for anything.  Apart from my Everyday Motorcycle Carry in my other blog, I also have 2 helmets (3 if I decide to use the Gringo), 2 mesh jackets, 2 pairs of gloves, 2 sets of helmet communicator for mix and match.
6. Learn to anticipate everything around you - this means more than just minding your ride, is staying focused enough to be able to check the road ahead, watch out for cars that may not be aware of your presence, pedestrians who seem to think you can always stop for them, or motorcycle riders who will pop up on the wrong side of the overtaking lane.  Key is to be focused, more than if you're riding 4-wheeled vehicles.
   
7. Motorcycle events are notoriously cramped - In my one year of ownership, I have just been to one motorcycle event - the Inside Racing Bike Festival 2019 at the World Trade Center.  I had to return on Day 3 in the afternoon as the line was extremely long!  There were truly good deals and bike displays and activities (and models), so it's understandable that riders line up for it.  You really have to give it time.
8. The lifestyle that comes with it - there is more to Vespa than just a scooter.  Aside
   
   from its strong history, owners have that discrete yet elite vibe!  I'm not elite, but I do get that wanting to be different.  You can buy a more powerful, modern bike with the price of a similar Vespa, but I guess riding a slow, heavy and expensive scooter to maintain is more acceptable than being part of the many. There is such a thing as "not for everyone".  But I am also a member of other motorcycle facebook groups.  And camaraderie and brand loyalty among them is strong.  There is truly more to motorcycles than just machines.

If you're a rider you may agree to these and maybe have your own points.  If you're a non-rider and thinking of getting one, I hope this helps in giving you ideas of what to expect in one.  My advise - go for it!  But learn the proper way to ride, and don't skimp out on gears!  Ride Safe!

First-timer Vespa Gears

I've talked about the Vespa in my other blog and the joys of riding it. Just yesterday on the 2nd day of the enhanced quarantine I did a recon of the roads with checkpoints to see the most efficient route when I bring my wife to work - in a car of course!

Keeping it stock and functional

In my one year of ownership, I've accepted that there is not much accessories you put in a Vespa.  I mean its a beauty in its simplest stock form!  There are of course some performance modifications you can do but if you ask me, if i wanted a faster, more perked up ride then I'd get the more premium models!  I do get the hobbyists mindset of tinkering with stuffs,  I do this in RCs and maybe my bikes, but I'm just not one of those when it comes to motorized machines I ride on.

So for the past year, instead of thinking of accessorizing my ride, I have been building on my gears.  Unlike most motorcycle riders you see on the roads that thinks of ride gears as compliance, I value safety.  And of course the style or japorms come with it!  So here's a list of Vespa rider's first gears for you:

1.  Biltwell Helmets - classic ride needs classic head protection
• Biltwell Bonanza - This is my first helmet.  Bought it through Amazon on my

  

  L-R - Bonanza, Gringo, Lane Splitter (Gringo for sale!)

  trip to Dallas from work.  Locally these are sold at around P8,000, I got it for $99!  Installed a Biltwell gradient bubble shield to it for that extra face protection from the wind, dust and bugs.  Its a nice, comfortable helmet, but the open face feature is not good on the safety part.  This made me move to the next helmet:
• Biltwell Lane Splitter - I got this from Cycle Gear on my trip to New Orleans.  Since I loved the Bonanza, i went with their full face semi-modern helmet.  Its got its own clear shield that I'm planning to replace with a smoke one.  The Lane Splitter definitely has some limited vision compared to the Bonanza.  I guess its true for most full-face helmets.  I've just used it twice since I got it, maybe I can get used to it.  So far, vents work and its a bit comfortable.  I'm just puzzled by the instructions that there is a film on the inside of the shield, I can't seem to find out how to take it out, not sure if its there at all!  
2. Ride jackets - some elbow, shoulder and back protection in mesh, textile jackets





Komine JK-079

• Komine JK-079 - my first bought ride jacket.  I did not have any option at the time as I have just bought the motorcycle, and most ride jackets available are too big for my built.  I got a Japan size Small that fits my 5'4", 125lbs body quite well.  Breathability is good, as I removed the chest armor.  For the style, not really a match for a classic motorcycle but its function over form at this time.



Is it big on me?

• Macna Rush Textile Jacket - I got this during the Motoworld Sale.  I was supposed to get a Spyderco knife that day but decided on this one as its sale price is acceptable.  I got a size Small - a bit on the long side in length but just right on the chest and shoulder.  I got it for its style, and so I can fit regular work/office clothes underneath.  The Komine is a tight fit, good for breathable shirts only.  Breathability is excellent and the style fits the Vespa better than the Komine
3. Gloves

• Biltwell Moto Gloves - Yup! stuck with Biltwell.  Got this from Amazon, shipped to the Philippines.  Most sellers sell this at P2,500 locally.  I got it for $29.95, free shipping.  its a basic gloves.  Not much protection on falls, but I have been used to wearing gloves even on my bikes so I won't pass with the motorcycle.  I'm still in the market for some more serious gloves, but this one will have to do for now.
4. Bluetooth Audio - 



Sena SMH5-FM on the Lane Splitter

• Sena SMH5-FM - I am used to having Waze do the navigating for me in the car, and since having a phone mount on the Vespa seems a bit awkward and unsafe, a headset seems to be a good alternative.  I got the Sena for its function.  its got limited connectivity in terms of group rides, but in my one year of ownership, I haven't really gone with a serious group ride.  The sound quality is not so good (I have my set of audio standards, coming from experience with audio equipment and systems), and the positioning of the Lane Splitter speaker mount is not so optimal to my ears position so it gets worse.  But functionality, FM works and bluetooth streaming is okay.  I do get annoyed with the slow phone-headset unit connection time.  I also bought another set of Sena headset clamp kit so I have two helmets ready for use.
5. Ride shoes - 
1. Dr. Martens Bonny II - I also got this from my trip to NOLA.  I have read and heard about using shoes that are slip resistance and that protects your heels.  The DMs is a good choice for this as it has the classic, distinct design.  Although the Bonny II has slightly weak ankle protection, the sole, material and build is better than your ordinary sneakers.  

I also bought a pair of mesh ride pants that's compatible with the Komine jacket but I sold it.  Its a bit too sporty to be used on a Vespa with those carbon knee armor sticking out.  I guess some reinforced denim ride jeans would be the next buy or some discrete skeleton armor that you wear under your normal pants.

The post is not to brag about getting pricey gears, its about getting them at the cheapest possible price.  I wait and find the best deals on gears that based on research is bare minimum.  And I did mention that style comes in along with these purchase.  But style is not the priority, its protection.  How I wish most motorcycle riders consider SAFETY and not just motorcycle riding compliance.  Of course there's also proper riding etiquette that keeps you safer, but we'll go through that in a separate article.  Ride safe!

Viva La Vespa day with the Komine Jacket and Dr. Martens Bonny II

Amazon Locker - great way to pick up your orders!