Fun? Well, yes but....

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05-08-2019, 09:23 PM
McRuss

Fun? Well, yes but....

I have almost 600 miles on my Rally now and it is fun! BUT today I rode my Vespa GTS300ie Super to work. Now I have to say the Vespa is MORE FUN. Yep, more fun than the Ryker. Why?

First of all, the advantages of the Ryker over the Vespa:
Three wheel stability (at my advanced age this is important)
Three times the engine displacement (not sure if this is an advantage; read on)
16" Ryker wheels vs 12" Vespa wheels (not as squirley at 75 mph)
More suspension travel for rough pavement (about 2" on the Vespa!)

Advantages of Vespa over Ryker:
Rides like a motorcycle, leaning into the curves :D
Same CVT drive train (this is a push)
300cc fi, liquid cooled, screaming single cylinder
Quieter, smoother, lighter
and though not a fun factor, twice as many MPG!

So now that I've put it down, I think the funner part is more at gut level than head! My wife was surprised when I told her the Vespa was more fun to ride; I was a little surprised myself.
05-08-2019, 09:28 PM
ARtraveler

The win/win...you can ride either one and still have fun. :yes:
05-08-2019, 09:29 PM
Madison Sully

Yeah, Vespa will certainly have more roller coaster appeal.

:agree:
05-08-2019, 10:38 PM
thechamp73

Fun...maybe...manly? Lol all Ryker.
05-08-2019, 11:02 PM
Chupaca

Nice...

The nice thing is you have them both and able to pick the Ryde each day..:clap:
05-08-2019, 11:22 PM
4 MARIE

it's great to have both options. Don't know if I would take a thousand mile trip
on the vespa. So you probably need both. If insurance and registration don't wrack you.
You should be good to go.
05-09-2019, 05:32 AM
Batmobil-F3

I'm waiting for the Honda Neowing. This trike offers both: three wheels and the possibility to leaning into the curves. Alternativly you can drive the Yamaha Niken. :ohyea:
05-09-2019, 05:36 AM
Grandpot

There's no such thing as too much fun.
05-09-2019, 05:57 AM
Madison Sully

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batmobil-F3

I'm waiting for the Honda Neowing. This trike offers both: three wheels and the possibility to leaning into the curves. Alternativly you can drive the Yamaha Niken. :ohyea:

Or Piaggio MP3 500. It's already available.
05-09-2019, 05:59 AM
Madison Sully

Quote:

Originally Posted by thechamp73

Fun...maybe...manly? Lol all Ryker.

+
You do realize that there are lots of folks who ride "real" bikes who would look at your Ryker and say EXACTLY the same thing, right?
05-09-2019, 12:09 PM
Navydad

Quote:

Originally Posted by McRuss

I have almost 600 miles on my Rally now and it is fun! BUT today I rode my Vespa GTS300ie Super to work. Now I have to say the Vespa is MORE FUN. Yep, more fun than the Ryker. Why?

First of all, the advantages of the Ryker over the Vespa:
Three wheel stability (at my advanced age this is important)
Three times the engine displacement (not sure if this is an advantage; read on)
16" Ryker wheels vs 12" Vespa wheels (not as squirley at 75 mph)
More suspension travel for rough pavement (about 2" on the Vespa!)

Advantages of Vespa over Ryker:
Rides like a motorcycle, leaning into the curves :D
Same CVT drive train (this is a push)
300cc fi, liquid cooled, screaming single cylinder
Quieter, smoother, lighter
and though not a fun factor, twice as many MPG!

So now that I've put it down, I think the funner part is more at gut level than head! My wife was surprised when I told her the Vespa was more fun to ride; I was a little surprised myself.

I too enjoy the best of both worlds. Our Spyder RT for two up travels and a Yamaha T-Max for my solo trips. I also have a vintage Honda and Suzuki in the garage for a lazy evening ride. They're all a blast to ride.
05-09-2019, 01:58 PM
McRuss

Quote:

Originally Posted by thechamp73

Fun...maybe...manly? Lol all Ryker.

I also like pink shirts.....

PS, let's see your map of states ridden along with bikes owned (34 as of last check)

And unfortunately, I guess, I'm going to give the Vespa to my daughter this fall. And selling the FJR this summer. And keeping the DR250 for now.
05-09-2019, 02:13 PM
Jaxfann

Quote:

Originally Posted by McRuss

I have almost 600 miles on my Rally now and it is fun! BUT today I rode my Vespa GTS300ie Super to work. Now I have to say the Vespa is MORE FUN. Yep, more fun than the Ryker. Why?

First of all, the advantages of the Ryker over the Vespa:
Three wheel stability (at my advanced age this is important)
Three times the engine displacement (not sure if this is an advantage; read on)
16" Ryker wheels vs 12" Vespa wheels (not as squirley at 75 mph)
More suspension travel for rough pavement (about 2" on the Vespa!)

Advantages of Vespa over Ryker:
Rides like a motorcycle, leaning into the curves :D
Same CVT drive train (this is a push)
300cc fi, liquid cooled, screaming single cylinder
Quieter, smoother, lighter
and though not a fun factor, twice as many MPG!

So now that I've put it down, I think the funner part is more at gut level than head! My wife was surprised when I told her the Vespa was more fun to ride; I was a little surprised myself.

Just swapped a scooter for a Ryker - far prefer the Ryker - 3 wheel stability and power at my age (77) far outweighs any other issues!
05-15-2019, 09:22 AM
Aufgeblassen47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madison Sully

Or Piaggio MP3 500. It's already available.

I had one, but the locking front fork did not operate as anticipated/presumed. I thought that once you are slowed down enough to for the system to allow you to lock the forks as approaching a red light, you can & then coast to a stop with NEVER putting your feet down. I wanted to be able to do this, as I had a VERY bad left hip, and bad right knee. But unless the road is perfectly level and like-new flat, it is DANGEROUS to attempt to do (I.e. takes great skill).

On my way home from the dealership with mine, I locked the forks while coasting to red light, and went RIGHT DOWN! :cus: The proper procedure (I found afterwards) is to come completely to a stop, put your feet down, then lock the forks. Then you can put your feet on floorboard, and simply give throttle & take off w/o putting your feet back down.

I traded in my MP3 500 for Ryker 600. The Piaggio was SO very heavy; as heavy as the Ryker, about 600 pounds. Plus, it felt top heavy, and I was worried about falling whilst turning at slow speed if I didn't put my legs out, ready to put my feet down, just in case.

BTW: The MP3 500 is WAY faster than even the Ryker 900. I've seen a video of someone going 107 (indicated) on one. Plus, they get way better MPG.