There is a photo of a man riding a small motor scooter. He is parked in front of a sign. The scoot looks like it has about 50 boxes and bags packed on it. The man is slender, about 35. It looks pretty barren where he is. Does anyone know what page that photo is on?

The man's name is Giorgio Bettinelli, an Italian fellow who has done an rtw on a PX200e. I think something like 160.000 miles.



He is currently doing ALL countries in the world and plan to use 4 years.

He wrote a book, but unless you read Italian...http://www.feltrinelli.it/foreign_ri...volume=1741921 He also has a fan page, and agian, unless you read Italian... http://www.giorgiobettinellifansclub.it/ I've tried to find some info on him, but it is difficult.

Some other interesting facts about the Vespa. In 1986 A french fellow actually managed to place in the Paris Dakar rally on a px200e. As this was before the internet, little info is available. Here is a link to another fellow attemping the same thing http://www.dakardantan.com/paris-dakar-1980-photo.html

My wife and I will be riding two Vespa px 200 e from Cape town to Nairobi in June/July 2006.

Another interesting site to look at is this site, two Germans riding on two PX 200 e from Hamburg to Cape Town. http://www.schiebenimsand.de/

If you are interested in this sort of stuff, keep in touch.

[This message has been edited by Wheelie (edited 07 March 2006).]

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thank you a big bunch. after the dealer upped the price on our new scooter (before we signed anything or took deliver in Oregon) by another 200, we decided it was time for us to back out and go another direction. Kwang Hee had another set back with a stroke: this one a bit less dibiltating, but still worrisome, so I have chosen a smaller machine that allows me to more easily help her on and off and still provide comfort for her. It is only a 250cc but will run all day at 75mph. We don't run that fast but the scoot will. The engine is honda, the rest is daelim. We have ridden a daelim for about 70,000km now with no trouble. our round the world trip might be a little slower, carry a few less goodies, but also will be cheaper.

anyone who prays out there--your prayers are welcome for the old woman who rides with me.
joe

Does it have a catalytical converter?

If so, you might want to use the opportunity to upgrade the exhaust to a sports exhaust (give you a little more push in the lower revs). Don't go for the extreme ones though. Not every part of the world sells unleaded. Although your bike won't break from running leaded, your catalytical converter will. It will slowly clog up and have negative performance effects. Check with a scooter forum, your dealer, or a forum or club specific for that brand/model, for any issues that might arise from dropping the catalytical converter. Some bikes with tons of electronics need some specific exhausts to function properly. There is undoubtedly an exhaust that would work for leaded conditions and your scooter.

A couple in my club went on a trip Around Norway this summer on a vintage Vespa, with full camping gear and everything... it can be done! You might want to get some non-chrome luggage racks and have them modified/strengthened to carry an aluminum transport box (roomier than those Givi boxes). Being able to secure most of your stuff on the bike is a relief. The original racks are not strong enough for heavy loads on uneven surfaces, this as most allmosts hang in free air behind the bike. You ought to make some support structure to the rack.

I am having my whole rack made from scratch... but this can get a bit expensive. Modifying off the shelf racks for your scooter might be possible, and often they can be found quite cheap.

If you don't wantto spend the money and energy on the aluminum case and the strengthened rack, I once saw a guy successfully mount two GIVI cases on top of each other and is concidering a third (he got them real cheap second hand). I must say though that he is one of those really really odd men, borderpoint frightening.

You should also beef up your suspension with the best there is (or you can afford) and bring the original rear shock absorber as a spare (you will be carrying lots of weight).

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thank you wheelie. those are some great suggestions and since i am going to have plenty of time, i will check out the converter, shocks and so on. since i am pretty handy and scavenging and welding myself, beefing up the racks should be no problem. shouldn't have any trouble getting some good alum boxes that can be made into luggage boxes. I see hundreds everyday on the motoboys bikes. If I get rid of the catalytic converter will that make the scooter unable to pass the emission certification to import into the states? stay in touch with any other suggestions you have. thanks again for the advise. since you are a world traveller, do you know if we can go to a drugstore in a mjor city in say, africa with her prescription and get the heart medicine?

thanks joe

As for the catalytical converter - if you have emission tests/requirements on these, then you might have trouble passing emission. But hey, just keep your old exhaust and reverse the conversion when you get home.

As for your perscription, I have no idea. My guess is one of two, if there can be a problem there will, but none that $ can't fix (but don't take my word for it). Usually a perscription filled in one country can't be taken out in another. And, this is important, ALLWAYS keep your drugs in the original container with you personal name lable on them. You really don't want to be put in a cage for smugling illegal substances, and all substances that need a perscription are illegal without it. Also, a drug which is legal in one country may be illegal in another. Still, although one contry may technically not be obliged to recognise a foreign perscription (technically meaning you are carrying something illegal), I've yet to meet someone where this has been an issue (I guess customs don't want to feel responsible of having someone die). Further, her drug might not be available in the country you go to all together, and in some places on the planet any meds can be difficult to acquire all together. I'd make sure that I carried enough to get me to the next semi sivilised metropol. If her drug is not available, then you might have to have a local doctor fill out a new perscription for an equivalent drug. I'd suggest bringing a letter from your doctor about her meds and your wifes condition (also bring a photocopy). The letter could also state alternative meds that could be used in case of emergency. The letter may prove useful to get doctors in other countries to fill out perscriptions for her drug, or which ever equivalent is available. The letter may also prove useful with customs, police, etc. Regardless of what you chose to do, I'd have a talk with her docotor. Another thing you might concider is bringing a list of doctors alonf your route. Your travel insurance company will probably have one.

This question about meds would make for an interesting topic, you should make a separate post about it.

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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Hindu193 If I get rid of the catalytic converter will that make the scooter unable to pass the emission certification to import into the states? stay in touch with any other suggestions you have.

I don't know about other states, but there is no emission test for motorcycles/ scooters in California

thanks pete. unfortunately, the u.s. customs inspects all incoming vehicles to the u.s. for a sticker that says the machine meets federal requirements. However, before shipping it would be as wheelie said, just put the factory muffler back on. If Kwang hee is able to ride again when she gets home, we will ship the scoot to Oregon and begin a bit of a trip. I will have to build some extra support for her because her right side is almost paralyzed now although the meds figure that she will recover most of the use she had there. I figure on cutting an office chair up and making the backside into a cushioned affair with comfy arms and guard rails head high. maybe even a seat belt to hold her in snugly. the muffler is now the least of the concerns. hope to see you in california on the way through. if it works out, we will come across the Mojave from phoenix up through bakersfield, pick up I-5 and head for the barn in Lebanon, Oregon. take care, joe