We’re proud to introduce a new contributor to NYCS – Scott. Scott, as you’ll find out, will soon acquire a scooter, but for now I’ve asked him to provide some of the back-story as to why he decided to get into scootering here in the Big Apple. Please welcome him to the site – Ed.

I have recently decided to get a Scooter.  At 40 years old, I’m not sure if it’s a mid-life crisis, my recent trip to Italy where I was surrounded by tons of scooters, or just wanting the ability to be free from New York City’s public transportation.  As a child, I dreamed of riding motorcycles like I saw zipping around the neighborhood.  As a teenager, my friends and I would buy small motocross bikes and fix them up, riding them all over the streets of our town, and often in any woods we could get to.  Since becoming an adult, I have yet to ride a two-wheeled vehicle on the open roads.  This decision is a long time in the making, and it’s a decision I am excited about.  I look forward to joining the throngs of loyal (potentially obsessive) fans of this genre of transportation.

Obviously, I have also decided to document my experiences with the early stages of my scootering.  My love of all things The Who (and in particular the masterpiece Quadrophenia,) and the attention they brought to classic scooters, has pointed me in the direction of a vintage bike.  I realize that there are a slew of issues and potential headaches that come with this decision, but I really can’t see myself purchasing a different type of scooter, for my first ever bike.

So, after much research, internal debate, and the common ‘confusion-enlightenment-confusion’ scenario, I finally decided to look for a Vintage Vespa.

The decision for me had been whether to go with something more practical (Vespa P200e) or something with a little more history.

For my purposes, living 3 blocks from work at the recording studio, I definitely do not need a commuter bike.  I realized that owning an older scooter would require more hands on maintenance, or else some hefty repair bills.  The thought of having to take apart the thing became more pro than con, when I realized that it is the problem solving, in audio engineering, that really gets me going.

Also, the idea of having a real piece of history appealed to me, and although the P series is no spring chicken, the look of an older model Vespa, really drew me in.  I like all things old.  Music, radios, cars, furniture…

So there you have it.  Decision made.  Time to find MY vintage Vespa.

I have found so many great sites dedicated to the love of scooters, but hope that these entries can offer some insight into what you might be getting into with a similar decision.  Also, given my nature (and my luck), I am hoping that this comes off as entertaining as well….

A brief history…

I live in Brooklyn, NY.  I own a recording studio, and also occasionally tour with bands, doing live sound and tour managing.  I have a 12 year old puppy named Mazzy, and she rocks!

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