Me and my Vespa GT200

A couple of friends and I went on a short run to Tagaytay City last Sunday, Oct. 14. What made this particular trip interesting was that we decided to pass through the SLEX (South Luzon Expressways), which is off limits to bikes of less than 400cc in displacement. (To read more about the history of this ridiculous ban, read here.)

Riding the SLEX is a far safer than travelling the extremely busy side streets or service roads as they are more popularly called here. Those pot holed marred streets aren’t safe even for 4 wheeled vehicles much less for two wheelers. Anyway, preaching about the Freeway Ban aside, we had tons of fun as we rode at speed through the wide road and hit speeds of around 120kph. We could have gone faster but, why spoil the fun? That was more than enough, we had no one anywhere near our tail anyway.

I lost my front, left reflector on the Hi-way as some debris hit my front fender…..bugger!

All in all, the run to Tagaytay, Breakfast in the market and the trip back home took all of 3 hours and I was back home right as my wife woke up alarmed and amazed that I was already back.

Can’t wait to do it again!

Hard Gay in the Vespinoy office.

At least his keychain did. Hehe. Finally got this from Ton, thanks Brian D. for the keychain!!
Woooooooooooooooooooo! Say! Say! Say!

Right on the heels of John’s interview with Dave Mangano of Sctrcst.Com (Scootercast), my interview with Dave finally went online today.

Dave and I had a good time speaking about Vespas and scootering. He was particularly interested at the emerging Vespa/Scooter scene in the country.

To listen to the interview..

Click here to download the MP3.
Or visit Sctrcst.Com and click on episode 32 on the Podcast Player.

Thanks a lot Dave. I’ll be sending you some photos of our trips here to complete that mental picture in your head.

Ride safe!

Hat tip to Steve of Scooter Scoop.

Seems that the rumors of the PX’s demise were true after all. After much of the local scooter scene was in denial of the announced End of Life of this most beloved Vespa line, here we have conclusive proof that 2007 is truly the final year of the Vespa PX.

30 years is a great run, no other scooter has run for that long, I believe. Despite it’s non-classic lines, as compared to it’s vintage counterpart, the Vespa PX more than made up for it’s lack of aesthetic appeal by delivering unparalleled durability and longevity that made it an instant favorite among regular scooter riders.

rough translation from the Italian press release.
Vespa P125X 30 years 1977 – 2007, 30 years of myth PX.

Very few products can boast to have ridden the wave for one much less many years. 30 years have seen the PX produce 40 versions, produced in piston displacements 80, 100, 125, 150 and 200 for a total or more than 3 million vehicles sold all over the world.

2007 represent also the year of end of the production of Vespa PX and for this occasion it has been decided to produce a special lottery numbered “Last Series” of 1,000 vehicles. The units belongings to this special series are guaranteed from the number of the chassis comprised between ZAPM0930200020001 and ZAPM0930200021000, brought back on one nameplate, riveted on the left front part of the traveling case, indicating also the production number.

Click here for the complete translation from the Italian Vespa site.

Just a random shot of my two scoots this afternoon, I thought it looked good.
This was taken after I cleaned the GT and was getting the PX prepped for use the following day.
What more could a Vespinoy ask for?

Congratulations to the Vespa Club of the Philippines (VCOP) for their new website. w00t w00t! Another Pinoy Vespa site!! You can visit their site at http://vespaclubph.forumo.biz/index.htm

Before we start dancing on the streets, this is still limited to bikes 400cc and up, which still basically excludes the majority of the riding population.

From GMA News TV

Motorcycles with engine displacement of at least 400 cubic centimeters (CC) can now use expressways but owners must strictly comply with toll way rules and regulation, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said Friday.

In the latest department order signed by DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza, dated October 4, 2007, 400 cc motorcycles will be allowed access in all expressways but they must comply with all the provision stated in Republic Act 4136 known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of the Philippines.

The order will replace the March 23, 2007 order of the DOTC No 2007-15 that declared all expressways as Limited Access Facilities and restricts all types of motorcycle from entering toll ways.

Based on the new order, motorcycles drivers should religiously observe roadworthiness, safety standards issued by competent authorities and licensing requirements.

Motorcycles must follow speed limits prescribed by law and toll way operators, must not lane-split and overtake in between lanes and must not use lanes normally used by other vehicles in accordance with safe motoring and practice.

The department order added that motorcycles must also travel with their headlights on at all times to improve and enhance their visibility to other toll way users and must ensure that their tail lights and turn-signal lights are working at all times.

Motorcycle owners, at the same time, will be allowed only one back rider and must each use protective gears particularly helmets.

They will also not be allowed to load extra cargo except for normally accepted saddlebags and for luggage carriers specifically designed for motorcycles.

Motorcycle users shall also pay a toll rate prescribed by a current class I vehicles and encouraged to use electronic toll collection equipment (E-pass or EC-Tag).

Vespinoy RexHermogino submitted this fun video to the Vespa Go Green Video Challenge.

Did you know… if Americans were to utilize one of the latest eco-friendly Vespa motor scooters for just 10% of everyday travel, we could reduce national fuel consumption by 14 million gallons of gas a day, and decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 324 million lbs. a day.

This is the basis of Vespanomics and one of the benefits of Vespa scooter ownership.

We’re rooting for you Rex, hope you win that GTS!

* warning this video is extremely catchy

It’s coming!!