Zooming around town on her diamond white Vespa LX50, Frances Gentile has found a fun, environmentally-friendly form of alternative transportation. It makes great sense in today’s economy with gas prices soaring—and it looks really cool, too.
More than just a scooter, boasts the official Web site, the Vespa is “one of the great icons of Italian style and elegance.” Prices range from $2000 to over $6000 for a GTS 250, a renewal of the original Vespa that’s been on the market for 50 years. According to legend, the scooter was named when the president of its manufacturer Piaggio, Enrico Piaggio, exclaimed in Italian, “It reminds me of a wasp!” Vespa—wasp in both Italian and Latin-- it was.
More than 15 million units have been sold over the years with popularity spiking in the 50s and 60s. Now the company is enjoying resurgence. In the United States, 69,000 units were sold in 2002, a substantial increase since 1997 when 12,000 were sold.
When gas prices surge, Vespa scooter sales also increase, according to Dan Stewart, manager of scooters and motorcycles at Vespa Holland. “When the sun breaks and the weather gets better, sales go up.”
In Michigan, the average price of gas in mid-April was $2.795 per gallon for regular gas, according to the American Automobile Association. Gas prices have soared since 2005 when a gallon was $1.80 at the beginning of February to a record high of $3.05 in September of the same year before fluctuating at its current price.
The Holland store, one of five Vespa dealers in the state, has sold 50 scooters since last June so they have not yet experienced a full sales season. While the dealership carries Vespas that average between 65 and 70 miles per gallon, scooters with smaller cubic centimeter (ccs) gallons can get up to a whopping 120 miles per gallon.
Gentile fills up her 2.3 liter scooter engine every 90 plus miles. On most days, she spends $3.15 worth of premium gas.
“I highly recommend getting a scooter,” she said.
Since she and her husband have no desire to be a two-car-family, this is her third scooter which she uses for her business—Frances Walks Your Dog.
“It sets me apart from other dog walkers,” she said. That’s for sure.
The advantages? Plenty by her count. Less hassle with parking, the ability to weave through traffic, and yes, the chance to stand out in her business. Riding a scooter also reduces insurance costs and frees space in the garage, she says. Since her scooter is diamond white and she sports a bright white helmet, Gentile is highly visible on the road.
"Other drivers see me,” Gentile said. “Also, I can smell the flower beds and the fresh air.” The only disadvantage of riding is weather-related. When it snows or roads are icy, she’s unable to ride.
Hey, Cool Ride
As she zooms around the town, Gentile hears from many people who shout out comments such as “Good looking scooter!” and “You’re so brave!” All are positive, she added. Gentile, who has never crashed and likes all her rides to be uneventful, said the comments are the most interesting part of her trips.
Though she is not required by law to wear a helmet since her Vespa is only 50 ccs, she wears one all seasons. In warmer weather, she wears a half helmet with face shield and in the winter, a full face modular helmet—both white, of course, to match her highly-visible scooter.
A Different View
"You see things vacationing on a motorcycle in a way that is completely different from any other. In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You're a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame.” So wrote Robert M. Persig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
Fred Mackraz refers to this quote as he states his preference to be the frame as opposed to watching the screen. That’s why he rides his 1979 Vespa 200. “When you are on a scooter, you are in the frame,” says Macraz, who works at the law firm of Rutgers and Mackraz. He’s been riding his scooter for four years after a friend convinced him to try a moped, which he did for a year.
“I’ve always been interested in it,” Mackraz said. “I liked the scooter better because it more useful.”
Like Gentile, Mackraz wears a helmet and goggle and he does not ride in the winter.
“I wear a suit when I go to work, a swim suit when I go to the pool—whatever the situation calls for, I will wear,” Macraz said.
Riding a Vespa is more fun than driving a car, especially when it’s a classic scooter like the one Mackraz owns. He also enjoys working on it. One day three years ago when Mackraz was repairing his scooter, he went online to find a help forum and discovered the Rovers, a vintage scooter club with chapters in Detroit and Cleveland.
A group member contacted him and invited him to ride with them the next day in Saugatuck. Mackraz has been riding with the group ever since.
“People who ride scooters are interesting people,” Mackraz said. “We are members in the land of misfit toys.”
While the group has a variety of people, most are members of the counter-culture, Mackraz said. Many were in bands in high school.
“Lots have body art,” he said. “They are all unique and have a lot of personality.”
While it’s fun, rewarding and unique, it’s not for everyone,” said Mackraz. “Some want to be in the car watching more T.V. Some do not want to be unique.” But for those who do—who were born to be wild, let’s say—it’s a great ride.
Photos:
Frances Gentile and her Vespa LX50
Frances Gentile zips down Carlton Avenue (at just below the speed limit) in Eastown
Dog paw seat cover on Frances' Vespa
Frances Gentile with two of her dog walking clients
Fred Mackraz cruises up Ionia Avenue (at about the speed limit) in Center City
Fred Mackraz - Vespa connoisseur
Fred Mackraz chats with bystanders about his vintage Vespa
Photographs by Brian Kelly - All Rights Reserved