NEW SCOOT The new Scooter arrives and it is great . The 2020 Vespa 300 HPE Racing Sixties in British Racing Green with yellow stripes has gold accents and wheels . This is a real head-turner and one which seems to elicit good humour , waving and reminiscence in everyone who sees it , with one notable exception . More on that later . I ’ ve spent time running it in quietly , but it remains tighter than a tick ’ s arse . Get a few miles on the clock , is the plan , before setting forth on our journey . Looking at luggage capacity , there is none - no top box or windscreen . The USB in the glovebox will charge the phone , and it will hold my wallet and glasses at a pinch . I call across town to Mike B and he sorts out a rear luggage carrier . I pop over and pick it up , the motorway beckons . Oh yes , it zips up to 100 and beyond with incredible smoothness . The stated 12 % power increase is real , and noticeable . The online manual decrees there has been an 18 % rise in torque , and certainly the 0 to 60 is an improvement . Hauling up the BulIock Track , the 300 engine barely notices my bulk , and I am really looking forward to our tour . A matching rear carrier in matt / satin black ,
is fitted in a matter of minutes . Simple and effective . I can carry changes of underwear , two or three t ’ s , wet weather gear , a tool kit and a toothbrush . Ten days out , Wayne and Cam are getting their bikes serviced - new tyres for Wayne . Cameron , a former Harley owner , is happy to report his Vespa has had a new plug and service – all ready to roll . On the Wednesday before departure , the guitars got axed . Too hard to carry . Good call , but they will be missed , later . “ What have you packed ? Got a First aid kit ? Puncture repair ? Spare fuel ?” Yes , no , and yes in that order . And a wee bottle of Nikka Whisky – a present from a friend . Weather forecast ? Start early boys , it will rain exactly where we are going to be in the afternoon .
IT BEGINS It begins in Westmere ’ s Seabreeze Café . Strong coffee , then up the North Western to Kumeu , a zippy run , with 900cc between the three Vespas , the new one with barely 400km on the clock . Ahead of us over 1000 kilometres of Northland ’ s best roads . But first , Old North , Peak and into Kaukapakapa , and the first of ten gas stops
38 KIWI RIDER