Being Happy

Okay bite me, but this photograph above to me is what Vespa love means. Being happy doesn't mean you have it all. It means being thankful to the Lord for all you have. 

Vespa Elettrica

Wow, my first post of 2017 and sadly no posts during 2016. Well I have been very busy last year and I think it is about time I rejuvenate this little blog of ours again. I have been following with interest the evolution of the electric scooter for some time now and even wrote the article BMW C Evolution 2016 way back in 2015. Sadly as far as I know it has not reach the sunny shores of South Africa yet.

At the Eicma motocycle show in Milan in November 2016, Piaggio unveiled their electric scooter project, the Vespa Elettrica. Not much is known about this e-Vespa, but it is expected to be available in Europe about the middle of 2017.

So watch this space, as I bring you more on scooters in Africa and don’t hold your breath for an electric scooter here any time soon.

Super Maxi Scooters 2016

2016, Scooters have come a long way since the Motoped chugged onto the motorcycle scene in 1915. After the Second World War Piaggio set the standard for scooters with their Vespa which it held for over 40 years. In 1986 Honda raised the bar when they introduced the first touring scooter, the Honda CN250 Helix, Fusion, or Spazio was the first of the maxi scooters and the world hasn’t looked back since.

My posts Vespa 2014, Affordable Scooters 2013, and Vespa 2012 have been immensely popular so in keeping with the trend, in this post we are going to look at the super maxi scooters that are currently available and or are going to be in 2016 as a buyer’s guide. I have been riding the Piaggio Vespa GTS300 Super for just under 2 years so I am going to use it as my baseline. In 2016 the Vespa has many formidable contenders to its throne as more and more good maxi scooters are released onto the South African market. Yes I still would love to test ride most of the contenders and write review articles about them but for now, let the Game of Thrones begin.

(Please note prices are subject to change due to the exchange rate and are in ZAR. Fuel consumption are deduced from real life usesage and not in test conditions. See www.fuelly.com )

Gomoto C5 300
Retail Price: R 20,999
Engine: 300 cc
Dry Weight: 119 kg
Max Power: 12 kw
Top Speed: 125 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 9 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 19 km/l

Big Boy Powerflite 300
Retail Price: R 21,950
Engine: 276 cc
Dry Weight: 157 kg
Max Power: 12 kw
Top Speed: 125 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 9 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 19 km/l





Both the C5 and Powerflite are very similar and does not quite fit into the maxi scooter category if it wasn’t for their engine size as they are not quite in the league of touring scooters. Although I have never ridden any of the two, I have read some damming reviews on their build quality but I am adding them into this article as their price makes them very competitive. I just wish I can compare the numbers that have been sold to date.

Sym Citycom 300i
Retail Price: R 39,995
Engine: 278 cc
Dry Weight: 167 kg
Max Power: 20 kw
Top Speed: 134 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 10 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 25 km/l

Kynco People GTi
Retail Price: R 48,500
Engine: 298 cc;
Dry Weight: 165 kg
Max Power: 21 kw
Top Speed: 136 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 9 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 25 km/l

Sym GTS Evo 300i
Retail Price: R 49,995
Engine: 263 cc
Dry Weight: 190 kg
Max Power: 17 kw
Top Speed: 128 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 12 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 27 km/l

Kynco Downtown 300i
Retail Price: R 53,500
Engine: 298 cc
Dry Weight: 166 kg
Max Power: 22 kw
Top Speed: 144 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 12 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 23 km/l





Comparing to the Chinese scooters, the Taiwanese built Syms and Kyncos are competent, utilitarian entry level maxi scooters although also not quite in the maxi scooter class.

Now we get into the real super maxi scooters.

Kymco Xciting 500Ri ABS
Retail Price: R 67,500
Engine: 498 cc
Dry Weight: 200 kg
Max Power: 28 kw
Top Speed: 152 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 12 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 24 km/l

Honda NC750D Integrat
Retail Price: R 84,990
Engine: 745 cc
Dry Weight: 219 kg
Max Power: 40 kw
Top Speed: 166 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 14 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 28 km/l







The Honda is an interesting hybrid motorcycle / scooter, one that I am keen on test riding in the near future.

Sym MaxSym 600i ABS
Retail Price: R 84,995
Engine: 565 cc
Dry Weight: 237 kg
Max Power: 30 kw
Top Speed: 160 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 14 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 19 km/l

Vespa GTS 300 Super and Super Sport
Retail Price: R 99,950 and R 109,950
Engine: 278 cc
Dry Weight: 148 kg
Max Power: 38 kw
Top Speed: 140 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 9 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 26 km/l

Yamaha TMax 530 ABS
Retail Price: R 105,000
Engine: 530 cc
Dry Weight: 210 kg
Max Power: 34 kw
Top Speed: 177 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 15 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 24 km/l



The TMax is on top of many lists and is a strong contender to the throne running a close second to the much more pricier BMWs.

Gilera Fuco 500 LT ABS
Retail Price: R 119,000
Engine: 492 cc
Dry Weight: 216 kg
Max Power: 40 kw
Top Speed: 145 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 12 l
Ave Fuel Consumption: 21 km/l

Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive ABS
Retail Price: R 122,000
Engine: 638 cc
Dry Weight: 238 kg
Max Power: 40 kw
Top Speed:  km/h
Fuel Capacity: 15 l
Ave Fuel Cons.:  km/l





Underrated, the Bergman has been with us for a long time as Maxi Scooters go. I have been told that I must forget all preconceptions when it comes to the Bergman as it runs with the best. Well I need that test ride then.

BMW C600 Sport and C650 GT
Retail Price: R 125,000 and R 135,000
Engine: 647 cc
Dry Weight: 237 kg
Max Power: 44 kw
Top Speed: 175 km/h
Fuel Capacity: 15 l
Ave Fuel Cons.: 21 km/l





In my books the BMW C650 GT is currently the leading contender for sitting on the Throne of Super Maxi Scooters although the price is a little too steep. It is slightly heavier than the TMax, its closest competitor to the Throne.

Gilera GP800
Retail Price: R 130,000
Engine: 839 cc
Dry Weight: 235 kg
Max Power: kw
Top Speed: 210 km/h
Fuel Capacity: ?l
Ave Fuel Cons.: ?km/l







The last super maxi scooter on my 2016 list is the GP800, still the fastest of scooters with its classic Italian styling.

Euroyeyé XX and the Scooter Cruzada

Every first weekend of August in Gijó, Spain, for the last 20 years in scooter enthusiasts get together for Euroyeyé, a weekend of live bands playing mod and 60s music, 60s cult movies, and as you guessed it the Scooter Cruzada, one of the most iconic classic scooter rallies in Europe.

Dakar Vespa Challenge

While doing research on the 1980 Paris-Dakar Rally, I came across the Vespa Dakar Challenge and it instantly went onto my wish list as it reminded me of our own Poser adventures of the Breedsneck Pass Bootcamp in the mud, the Sani Pass Adventure in the snow, and the Baviaanskloof Expedition in the wilderness, that I want more.

This group our adventurers did the Vespa Dakar Challenge in 2012 and will be doing it again this month, 30 Vespas are leaving Barcelona on the 21 September 2014, so please follow their 20 day adventure, 4000km to Dakar across Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal. In the shadow of the high peaks of the Atlas Mountains, through royal cities, from to oasis to oasis through the Mauritanian desert dunes, to finally arriving at the legendary sub Saharan city of Dakar. These adventurers are not professional factory riders, Paris-Dakar racers, nor freaks, but ordinary people who have one thing in common, a passion for Vespa and adventure in the purest form. I agree, like our poser adventures of the past this what it is all about, now I want in.

The Dakar Rally by Vespa

The Dakar Rally is probably one of the most punishing off road motor races of all time if not the most dangerous. It started way back in 1979 from Paris to Dakar then later in 2009 the continent was changed from Europe-Africa to South America because of terrorist intimidations. In the motorcycle category, most people are aware of the dominance of the KTM off road bikes but few even know that this race had already being conquered by the Vespa.

Way back in 1980, 4 Vespa PX200 entered the 2nd Paris-Dakar Rally, although only 2 reached the finish line. Okay that was before the KTM came to power but that was a 2 out of 4 finish which was a 50% compare that to the overall stats 79 out of 211 vehicles crossed the finished line making that only 37%. Yes mad but reliable so there you go to all those BMW and KTM riders out there.

 

Antur Fawr Cymraeg

Yes the adventure bug bites again, this time it is the Antur Fawr Cymraeg or the Great Welsh Adventure. Thanks to Tim Fielding making this video about their adventure in Wales this past May with Jaques Renault's Pianos on the Beach as backing music.

Sani Epilogue

Jerome - We woke up at the end of a epic week at Camelroc Guest Farm after crossing over Lesotho the day before as if the last few days were just a dream. But we were sore and tired.

Magda -  Although I had slept extremely well every night during and after the trip, colleagues commented that I simply looked exhausted. Mentally I also strangely felt a bit like a deflated party balloon. I wondered if this was being experienced only by me and decided to phone Charlie to hear her whole family was quite ill and recovering in bed post the Sani-expedition. Marlene was living it up in the Cape with her sister with good helpings of pasta and red wine. Jerome was as usual blogging with fervour and disseminating the trip information he had gathered into various facebook, photobucket , twitter and e-mail accounts. 

Life had moved on and away from Sani. As the days post Sani lengthened I felt my energy levels soar and return back to normal. Only then did I start registering what we actually had accomplished. Vespa , friends, family and colleagues all wanted to hear about the great adventure. E-mails from far and wide started coming in saying well done. I realized we had done something quite unique and admirable.

Jerome - Now who do you call the Posers and who has the bigger balls...

Magda - Ag how wonderful, now we have done the impossible! What a feeling!  Must say us three chicks had the biggest balls , Jerome naturally has balls already so it his doesn't count! 

Ha-Ha!!! Charlie's was made of titanium for sure! Marlene thank you for a wonderful trip-you are the greatest! I take my hat off to Charlie who refused to give up and after falling not once, not twice, but three times she was still ready to try again, unfortunately her bike's ratkas  had taken on some damage from some previous flying activities. Charlie by the way wore wings, which you will see when Marlene posts the pics. Hell if that 300 of mine wasn't so heavy i would have made it all the way, she was just to heavy at 151kg for me to control on ice.

Just wanted to recommend to all that the Duro HF03 tire, it is a 60% road and 40% off road tire. What an awesome tire, I was tearing up the top of Lesotho with it. What fun!!!!! Can't wait to do it again.

Special thanks to Marlene's husband who was so supportive and loaded and off loaded and strapped and unstrapped and has amazing 4x4 skills + also to Gys -what a great bunch!

After we did Sani the big ball story stuck and Paulo phoned me up one day telling me he is going to buy me those blue balls that the Bulls supporters favour so much and which they tend to suspend form towing hooks. Paulo made me promise if he buys me a pair then I have to hook it uder the seat of my Vespa. LOL! I think i'll be embarrassed to open my seat and there they dangle!!!! A promise is a promise and I am still waiting for my balls. If I ever get them, I will post you guys a pic! Paulo recently said he has seen a pair of miniature blue balls which he might get. 

The Great Sani Pass Adventure made it into the Woema, SA Bike, and the Offroad Adventure magazines in the months that followed.

Swearworthy Cold

Magda - The 24hrs before D-day held no promises-it was icy cold and sleeting.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Jerome - Magda and I wanted an early start as we were only halfway to Underburg but the two Posers as they were now called, Paulo and Martin wanted to have a lazy start with a good breakfast before they head back to Johannesburg. This is where the Bar One story was born as I said to them that just a Bar One chocolate bar would suffice as breakfast.

Jerome - The cold was setting in fast and through the Golden Gate Highlands National Park we came across a horrific accident due to black ice that we decided to contact the Support Team and meet them rather at Harrismith. Read my account here on Black Ice and Death

Thinus and Martin loading Magda and my Vespas onto the support trailers in Harrismith as sleet begins to fall.

Marlene and Magda supervise the loading of our Vespas

Magda - That night we trudged from eatery to eatery in the rain in Underberg looking for a place willing to feed 18 souls. Once inside the “The Grind Cafe” with its pub “The Woolly Bugger”, things started looking up and with good food, attentive staff and a few drinks to warm the vital organs and keep the cold at bay we all enjoyed a lovely evening.

Charlie

Colette showing us how to make 12 cups of coffee out of 1 liter kettle water

Dudley

Gys

Magda

Marlene

Matthew

Petro and Angie

Thinus

Tiffany

Magda - Climbing into bed that night at the backpackers lodge the admonishing warnings of family and friends ---don’t do it---crazy---dangerous---ran in ever faster circles inside my head, biting each others’ tails like serpents rolling down a hill. I pulled my buff up against them and the smoke filled room, popped a sleeping tablet and bunked down uncertain as to what the day would bring.

What Happens in Clarens?

Jerome - What happens in Clarens stays in Clarens as Day 1 of The Great Sani Pass Adventure begins with a long ride down to Clarens. Magda and I decided to ride down to Sani Pass while the others would leave the next day with the support vehicles. The plan was that we would meet up along the way to Underburg somewhere either at Escort or somewhere there abouts. You can read my full account of the day here.

Jerome, Paulo, Magda, Martin

Jerome - It is after this first leg that the name Posers was born. Paulo and Martin decided to join us for the down leg to Underburg but that night in Clarens they changed their minds and decided to turn back earlier. Now I wonder if it was the cold or the lack of balls, uhmmm.

Paulo with a device to measure uhmmm... 

Magda - The big balls story actually started off in Clarens on the way to Sani, but Paulo, myself, Martin and Jerome made a pact that what happens in Clarens stays in Clarens. All I can say is that Jerome nearly ended up with Elsa, the owner of the pub in Clarens, Paulo was laughing so much he was continually crying with tears streaming down his face and Martin had us all in stitches again as soon as we recovered and caught breath again.