Vespaphilia: Are You Too Fond of Your Scooter?

I've been wondering if my fascination with my Vespa GTS scooter is abnormal or just a healthy expression of the passion I feel riding it. After reading about philias, it seemed that I check all the boxes with the scooter.
What about you? Are you well adjusted with your Vespa or leaning towards an abnormal fondness for the two-wheeled contraption? Whatever the answer, I love riding my Vespa scooter. And so what if I"m a little "abnormal" when it comes to my Vespa scooter!
#vespa #vespagts #scooter

[@sinkandrelax]

Beautiful scenery out your way, Steve. Who can blame you for getting out and seeing and experiencing it on your freedom machine? For many people like you (and me) riding is something that is part of your inner makeup, it’s in your blood, it’s something we have to do. It’s our meditation, our de-stressor - it’s like a calling. We don’t feel like our real selves if we don’t do it. You are a “Rider”. Your choice of vehicle is a Vespa, which is a beautiful little machine - I know this because I now have one too, largely thanks to your inspirational videos, and I love it too. I’ve had many bikes, as I’ve always been a “Rider” too. Maybe we can be called Vespaphiles, ‘cos we just love to get out on our Vespa at every opportunity and ride them in preference to taking a car or other type of two-wheel transport. But there’s nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all. You’re a Rider, and your Vespa is your two-wheeled partner of preference. May it be a very long and safe and happy relationship.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Central Pennsylvania is a beautiful place to ride. I never seem to tire riding through these landscapes. You're right, riding has become an integral part of my being as meditation and release of negative energy. While I could probably manage those things on a lot of machines, there are also many where I couldn't. A sport bike or dirt bike would introduce a level of discomfort from riding position or seat that would intrude into the experience. The Vespa is a good fit for me -- quiet, smooth, and flows effortlessly on the road. Just what I need to allow the concerns of the day to evaporate. I hope you have the same long and happy relationship with riding that you've wished for me!

[@anarchonedesigns]

My friends all feel I have an abnormal obsession with my Vespa, but know it makes me happy so all is well. Thanks for putting it all into words for Vespa lovers!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Until someone rides one, they can't appreciate the attraction.

[@tanja5867]

Vespaphilia. If that is what I have I welcome it. Of all the afflictions to have I’m willing to ‘suffer’ through it😂 Thanks as usual for the video.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

A welcome affliction. Nice. I'm glad you enjoy the videos. I sure have fun going for rides to make them!

[@capthook8066]

It’s like finding the right girl. You know once you find her. 😎

[@ScooterintheSticks]

You're a hopeless romantic!

[@twinphill900]

Brilliant comment, being with the right one, and having love in your life. Life is a lot easier ❤

[@ScooterintheSticks]

@@twinphill900 It’s a gift to travel life with the right partner.

[@mannfan12]

AHA! So thats what its called. Good to know. My obsession with my Vespa was starting to concern me. I think your Vespa vlogs are my favorite.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I'm glad you like them. The Vespa ET4 will star in the next video I post!

[@davidcollins1853]

I have a philia for two whell vehickles espascally scooters and especificlly my Vespa LX 50. My scooter definitely gives me a sense of freedom. When I'm not riding it, I think about it. I don't think Vespaphilia is an abnormal condition. Thank you for sharing.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the role your scooter plays in your life. And for confirming for me that I'm not abnormal!

[@oscarnietobarquet683]

I get my gts 300 2022, last year, on august. I were inspired by you Steve. But I am 64 and had never ride a motorcycle or a Vespa before. I am so happy when I get it and go around, but just for 550 kms in this year. I am afraid. My city is more dangerous lately Han before, (Guayaquil), and others drivers and motorcyclist, (like Ubers) doesn’t respect nothing. I am working to lose my fear, but the reality is greater than my desires…I hope have good news soon. For the rest, your videos are still an inspiration. Thank you so much!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I understand your concerns about safety in a busy city. Even expert skills won't shield a rider from drivers with no respect. I would like to say I have an answer for that but I don't. All I can say is go slow in your work to deal with fear. Maybe you can talk to a seasoned Vespa rider near you that can share their insight and experience. And thank you for your kind words about my videos. I appreciate them.

[@oscarnietobarquet683]

@@ScooterintheSticks thank you for your kind answer. Really there are very few vespas riders here. But I will go slow with fear. That is a good sign. Control and care. And enjoy the way. Thank you so much.

[@twinphill900]

Your vespa experience chills me out. I am mindful and responding to life not reacting. Thank you for putting your videos out, helping, and encouraging me to live life.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Thank you for your kind words about the videos I create. It's nice to know that someone appreciates them. I agree with the idea that riding my Vespa can chill me out as well. And being mindful of the world and sort of drink it in as I ride rather than reacting to it is a great way to think about it all.

[@Sparkysbabe]

I don't believe that there is anything "abnormal" about the love we all share for Vespas :) This is a totally "normal" reaction to owning and riding a great looking and fun to ride scooter. If only the rest of the world were able to experience what we do every time that we ride.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Well said!

[@jackhorsley3912]

Another great video, careful with those indicators I noticed at about 10:30 seconds you rode for a while with the left blinker on, I can imagine it's more difficult to see on a bright sunny day and especially while focusing on those beautiful winding roads, stay safe :)

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Yeah, I am usually pretty good at turning off the turn signals but for some reason on that ride I missed a couple.

[@secretariat-13]

Hello Steve, wether you have Vespaphilia or not you definitely love riding your Vespa and nothing wrong with that, I just recently purchased a 2023 Vespa GT and can tell you, I’m starting to love riding it, I feel more apprehension more than anything and that is due to the fact that I have to contend with many thousands of drivers every time I go ride, I live in Los Angeles so that should sum it up but hopefully will eventually love to ride it as you love riding yours, be well Steve.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I forget sometimes the influence location has on riding. I'm spoiled where I live. LA would be so different in terms of traffic, landscape, weather, and light that I wonder if I would feel different about riding -- Vespa or otherwise? Only one way for you to find out -- just keep exploring with your new Vespa!

[@scoobysnaks94]

Your title had me truly lol 😂

[@ScooterintheSticks]

When I saw the title on the screen I was afraid it wouldn't be understandable. It is sort of funny though.

[@kostasamprazis4686]

Hallo from Greece !! Wonderful video !!I have a Vespa gts 250 too!Just relax and ride ..

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Hey, thanks! I appreciate the kind words about the video. Have fun on your GTS250. Ride and relax for sure!

[@voidvirtue547]

You are not alone -from a fellow GTS Vespaphiliac

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I was sure there were others like me out there!

[@victorhawkins3461]

I can only remember riding my Vulcan 2000 for flat-out FUN one time. It made for a joyous commute, but I didn't simply take her out to simply take her out. Either of my previous Vespas, on the other hand, were ridden for flat-out FUN many, many times. And they made for a joyous commute, too! I am REALLY looking forward to getting a new 300 this fall. I most surely am a Vespaphiliac!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

It's a gift to be able to take a scooter or motorcycle out just for the fun of it. No expectations. No rationale. Just the joy of flying on the road. Good luck on your journey towards a 300!

[@ricbarnes6272]

Take two aspirins & go out for an extended ride in the country. Ric

[@ScooterintheSticks]

@@ricbarnes6272 A perfect remedy for what ails a person!

[@Scale_Slotcars_Latvia]

I had many two stroke classic Vespa's in the past but with finger injuries on my left hand clutching and gearing would be more of a task . Yes last January i purchased my Himalayan but i just cant get the Vespas love out of my head ...I made a huge mistake and bought a Dl1000 just over a month ago ,now im trying to sell it to fund a Vespa gts300 , the Himalayan will stay for the forests and gravel roads but I know the Vespa will get the love . Also it can only be a Vespa ...no other model scooter can impress me , in saying that I did like my Gilera fuoco 500 ,very different experience! But 100% a Vespa will be joining the family within the next year ...Harry

[@ScooterintheSticks]

My experience with Vespa scooters seems to mirror yours -- I can't get them out of my mind. The Himalayan opens the door to a different kind of riding but my GTS is still a joy to ride. Good luck with your quest for a GTS 300!

[@Scale_Slotcars_Latvia]

@ScooterintheSticks thank you Steve ,always enjoy your posts .😎....Harry

[@captainjim605]

An "abnormal fixation?" Anyone that would say that has never ridden one! Passion is good - life without passion would be sad. Oh, and I "feel ya"!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

While I've never met anyone who "hated" a Vespa GTS scooter, I have to think they're out there. Almost everyone I have contact with who either ride or dream of riding a Vespa have that passion. The older I get the more passion I seem to have.

[@captainjim605]

@@ScooterintheSticks I think some of us of (ahem) a certain age realize what a gift it is to be able to ride. I got my first motorcycle when I was 14 - it was an amazing feeling of freedom. All these years later, it still evokes the same feelings and passion. Maybe even more so because there *are* things I can't do that I used to. Perhaps why this passion seems even stronger. Enjoy!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

@@captainjim605 I still vividly remember my first two-wheeled motorized ride. I rode a Honda Mini Trail through the neighbor's hedge!

[@captainjim605]

@@ScooterintheSticks LOL

[@iggyzorro2406]

nice ride - thanks - beautiful spot for lunch. have covid, have not ridden for a couple of weeks - so your philia is my escape. being on two wheels in the wind with your arms out in front of you is the closest thing to flying a human can do without a plane.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Sorry to hear you're suffering with COVID. We don't hear much about it here anymore. It's as if the pandemic never happened. I hope you find yourself flying again soon!

[@rossydv]

Another fun video. I love my Vespa! Can’t get enough, although I prefer the term Vespaholic. Which component do you use for the camera housing? I have the other two components.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Vespaholic. That works! Regarding the camera housing. I'm not exactly sure what you're asking. But for the GoPro on my helmet, it is in a GoPro Media Mod box. And that attached to a ProShot mount on the helmet. www.proshotcam.com/

[@rossydv]

@@ScooterintheSticks there’s three components to your mirror mount. I’m asking about the top one! The housing for the camera that attaches to the arm.

[@rossydv]

@@ScooterintheSticks just following up.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

@@rossydv Sorry. I missed your message. The Hero 8 cameras have a built in mounting system - two little flaps that fold out and can accept a standard GoPro style fitting. The corrector on the mirror is a RAM mount ball. Attached to that is the short arm that can connect to a RAM mount ball at either end. At the other end of the arm is a RAM mount ball with a GoPro connector on it. The camera attaches to it. I bought all the pieces on Amazon. The challenge was to find a ram mount for a very small diameter on the mirror. Most of them are made for something like a handlebar, which is bigger. I hope this helps.

[@edwardsp1916]

Sure, I say good night to my scooter when I cover her up for the night. Yes, shes normally the first I say good morning to. Its true I often choose the long way home when commuting from work. Its perfectly normal and healthy infatuation.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

It sure sounds a lot like Pee Wee Herman talking to his bicycle in Pee Wee's Big Adventure! So far I keep the conversations with my scooter subdued. And always private!

[@ricbarnes6272]

You have come a long way with your particular type of philia, usually the first major step in finding a cure is to face up to your philia, to meet it headon, however, even though i admit that i am not a psychologist, it is my considered opinion that you must face up to & acknowledge to yourself the hard fact that there is no cure, you must keep on riding that vespa or another one for however long it takes. Sorry to be so blunt in offering no hope. Ride on sir, ride on into the sunset & never look back. Ric, an olde crazy guy from ontario canada, i too have a similar affliction involving a piaggio bv 500, it calls me out at the oddest times, i am mostly powerless to resist. Bye now.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

You're right, my Vespa affliction will be a lifelong battle. Accepting that is the key. So I will keep on riding as you suggest!

[@stephenharris4102]

I was considering whether I might be a vespaphiliac, ( I have a silver 250 gts ie). Gina ( that’s her name) calls to me from the garage at times and has to be ridden, or just looked at and sat upon if it’s night or rainy. I sense a hint of anxiety in myself if too long elapses between rides and wonder if that is akin to an attachment disorder…… but to a 15 year old machine?!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I do the same thing. I'll go out to the garage and sit on the various machine, thinking about rides or some maintenance chore or straightening things up. I guess it's better than hanging out at a bar. I don't think I have an attachment disorder though. Now that there are four machines in the garage I have to spread the love around a bit!

[@ricksanchez2983]

I for one love my Vespa! So I guess you can count me in. Vespaholic sounds better . Or does it? lol

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I'll check to see if there are any 12 Step groups for Vespaholics!

[@steverinob3717]

May you continue to suffer happily for many more smiles👌

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Thank you. I wish the same good fortune for you.

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

Vespaphilia, what me? Nah, I was always more of a Lambretta man, or maybe I simply have a wasp allergy 🙂 In all seriousness, if it's got two wheels, it's all good.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I agree that whatever two wheels floats your boat is the perfect one. A wasp allergy. Interesting. I got stung by the Wasp and there has been no pain!

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

@@ScooterintheSticks glad you got my meaning, I was sure you'd know that Vespa is Italian for wasp & the 3 wheeler Ape is Italian for bee. ZZZzzzzzz.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

@@Free_Ranger_CT110 I knew Vespa meant wasp, but I didn't know Ape meant bee. That name makes more sense now. Thanks for the instruction!

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

@@ScooterintheSticks & a beekeeper is called an apiarist.....

[@twloughlin]

You don't have Vespaphilia. You have Vespasophy.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Hmmmm, you mean I'm continually viewing and inspecting my Vespa and all that revolves around it? Like a medical examiner!

[@twloughlin]

@@ScooterintheSticks I was thinking maybe more like a philosopher, the implication being that your ruminations on Vespas offer wisdom and insight ("sophy"). "Medical Examiner" feels too clinical 🙂

[@ScooterintheSticks]

@@twloughlin That makes more sense. A Vespasopher...

[@kz1000st1]

Are you a little too devoted to your Vespa? Of course you are. Look back at all the videos you've made since you got the Himalayan. Is it worth the cost? Should I buy another? Is it a mystical experience? Should I buy a T-100? The Royal Enfield appeals to your latent sense of a need for simplicity. It's a Mistress luring you away from your wife. It will do everything the Vespa will do and more. It's nagging at your devotion to a brand. Don't feel bad though. Every member of MV has it even though the top ten finishers in the Scooter Cannonball were Japanese brands. Logic doesn't enter into your or their thinking. If it did you would all be riding $5k Kymco Downtown 300's. Or Royal Enfield Hunters.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Logic. I possess a special logic that exists solely to support and reinforce my belief system! As more machines collect in the garage I find myself making choices now based on riding feelings. It's a luxury. And I've added a new, yet to be revealed, motorcycle to my fleet. It provides another experience. I saw the results of the Cannonball and found myself wondering if the top ten finishers were there because of the machine or their skills. Those Honda ADV150s and Yamahas and Suzukis certainly are bulletproof and really move for their size.

[@twloughlin]

As a Kymco Downtown 300i owner, I resemble that remark! 😁

[@ScooterintheSticks]

@@twloughlin And I bet it's red!

[@kz1000st1]

Four in my garage too Steve. When I want to "Go" I grab a bike. When I have a utility task I grab a scooter.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

@@kz1000st1 I haven’t figured out a system yet.