Short Visit to Scooter Land

[Gerard C]

Hi Just some quick observations on a recent short break to the capitol city of Scooter land AKA Rome.

I have never seen so many different types of Scoots of all descriptions as I did over there. Traditional motorbikes were as rare as rocking horse - well you know what. The ratio between scoots to bikes was even more marked than the reverse in the UK.

Lines of scoots parked nose on to the pavement 100mtrs long were not unusual. The Majesty seemed a very popular choice.

As a Burgman fan I saw every size 125, 200, 250, 400 and more rarely the 650. I saw a lot of Honda SW - T400's, a model I didn't recognise and neither does my local Honda dealer. He reckoned it was a European only model. Pity because it looked very smart. I did wonder if it was a 400 twin Silver Wing? No doubt someone on here will know the model and specs.

Vespas seemed to be minimally present but no sign of any Lambretta's at all. Bit disappointed in that, I would have liked to see one or two on their home turf.

We took the usual city tour bus around to save my aching feet and the gap between the bus side and the parked Scooters as we passed was less than a hands width - one sticking out top box or an error on the part of the driver would have seen them go down like Domino's.

I don't consider myself too bad at filtering but to see those Roman riders cutting through the traffic had my heart in my mouth.
Ladies in heels and lightweight street clothes zig zagging, other riders casually getting through - to me - non existent gaps AND smoking at the same time so one handed!!

At five the offices started to empty and traffic picked up. At every red light the scoots would arrive at the front of the line. On green or maybe slightly before the surge forward had to be seen to be believed with scoots cutting up other scoots.

Suicidal insanity would be the view over here but over there perfectly normal.

Apparently Rome is full of old stuff but I didn't really take a lot of notice. One thing that was a pain was the constant begging, but we kept it up and by the third day we could just about afford a Pizza and Coke. A winner overall then.

[pikey]

Yes 400 silver wing is a twin

[tallpaul]

, and you didn't think to take some photos?... Nice post.

[spaceprobe]

Glad you did not get you pocket picked like I did twice in Rome

[frankiej1949]

Rome without me G??????

[MrGrumpy]

At five the offices started to empty and traffic picked up. At every red light the scoots would arrive at the front of the line. On green or maybe slightly before the surge forward had to be seen to be believed with scoots cutting up other scoots.

Suicidal insanity would be the view over here but over there perfectly normal.

When I read descriptions of Italian riding attitudes, I do wonder if there is some hidden Italian connection in my ancestry, as it just sounds like so much fun, and the way I'd like to ride but don't dare in this country!
I do also like the way (apparently) that the hard shoulders on Autostradas are transformed into informal PTW lanes, complete with separate lanes for fast and manically fast riders!!!

[StephenC]

There aren't any unknown/unusual scoots on the Honda Italia website. Was it an old 'un?

[Gerard C]

I've looked up the SW-T400 on t'google and there's reviews etc but on foreign sources. There's a SW-T600 as well. Very nice looking machine to me.

[Stibbs]

At five the offices started to empty and traffic picked up. At every red light the scoots would arrive at the front of the line. On green or maybe slightly before the surge forward had to be seen to be believed with scoots cutting up other scoots.

Suicidal insanity would be the view over here but over there perfectly normal.

When I read descriptions of Italian riding attitudes, I do wonder if there is some hidden Italian connection in my ancestry, as it just sounds like so much fun, and the way I'd like to ride but don't dare in this country!
I do also like the way (apparently) that the hard shoulders on Autostradas are transformed into informal PTW lanes, complete with separate lanes for fast and manically fast riders!!!

I think it's a "Mediterranean" thing ? They ride like that in Southern France too. Too much olive oil and sun....

[SkuTorr]

On my Honeymoon in Sicily 5 years ago I rented some little 125/150cc Piaggio, and we tooled around Taormina, Forza D' Agro and up and down the coast.
Which led to buying an Aprilia Mojito 150 a year later.
Which moved me to a Majesty 400.
Which finally led to TRUE REVEALATION and my Tmax.

It's Italy's fault...

Here I am on that first ride...