Taking a Vespa out of town

[kenneth]

Hi, does anyone here have some experience with driving scooters on country roads around Ottawa? I'd like to buy a 150cc Vespa, and would ideally like to take it out of town occasionally. Is this advisable or is it too dangerous?

[coyoteran]

Hi Kenneth
I used to live in Kingston and we would frequently drive up to ottawa for the weekend. While I never drove a vespa up there (never got it until we moved to alberta) I have driven my DR600 in and around Ottawa. I would not hesitate to do the same trips on the ET4. I would avoid the 416 and the 417 but elsewhere it would be a blast.

The speed limit on highway 15 is 80 in a lot of places and the drive to smith falls or perth (hunt club and richmond road route) on a bike is a lot of fun. Highway 7 has decent shoulders on it as I recall so even that road is not bad. Wouldn't go north of 7 mind you. Not without a 4X4, a loaded shotgun and 5 or 10 less teeth hehehe.

Head north of the river and you can feel all continental driving in Hull on a european icon. Quebec city would be better but hey, take what you can get.

Take a course, get some saddle time, develop eyes in the back of your head and hit the highway. These rules apply to whatever bike you choose.

Like I said, if I moved back out there, I would spend a lot of time outside the city on the ET4.

Good luck.