Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Slow and steady

I'm on the cusp of a shiny black and tan GTS 300.  Sounds exciting, doesn't it?

I have been talking to the current owner for almost two weeks now.  We were introduced by Paul at Alex Berthiaume & Fils, Montreal's Vespa dealer.

We're both very busy people, and well, let's face it, it's February and the Montreal riding season doesn't seem to be in sight.  Add to the non-conducive weather, the fact that my new friend is kind of attached to his GTS.  Can one love a machine?  Is a Vespa only a machine?

The thing that's slowing down the process, is that we both love our Vespas.  So it's more an adoption process, than the sale and purchase of a motor vehicle.

At this point you may well ask why I refer to the seller as a new "friend".  Here's the deal.  He's had his GTS for three years.  I've had my LX for three years.  He commutes.  I commute.  His commute is about 19-20 miles or approximately 31-33 kilometers.  Guess what? So is mine.  His odometer reads 24,000 kilometers.  My odometer reads 15,000 miles; same diff.  He dropped his bike and picked up some scratches.  I low-sided mine in a heavy rainstorm in September and picked some scratches.  He has all his servicing done at Alex Berthiaume... OK, OK, you get the drift.

Guess how long it takes for a discussion of me buying his bike to digress?  Less than 10 seconds.  We pretty much can't get much past "hello".

So now you know why this purchase is going to be slow and steady.

The next step is for my new friend to send me pictures of the adoptee.

Yes, yes, yes, I know, you want to see pics.  I promise to post them. Honest.  I just don't want to jynx this.

8 comments:

Dar said...

David,

One can definitely love their scoot or motorbike. I still have Vixen in my moto stable and everytime I think about selling her I just can't seem to let go. She was my first moto love and I suspect may be hanging out in the moto lair for a little longer until I can detach or until my daughter seizes her because she will soon be 16 (I can't believe that still) These things take time, maybe you and your new friend need to go look at other scooters to encourage him to find a new love....Can hardly wait to see the pics.

Trobairitz said...

And then there is the whole interview process to make sure the Vespa will be adopted into a new home. Do you have room for it? Toys for it to play with? Maintenance schedule, etc etc. Do you have references?

Looking forward to seeing pics.

Oh and Dar definitely hold on to Vixen for Diva jr. She's a natural just like her mom.

Keith - Circle Blue said...

Black and tan, oh yah!

But, I didn't hear a word about it. I don't want to jinx it either.

Unknown said...

David:

I gather that you only talk on the phone. I mean 2 weeks and you haven't actually met in person. Drive over there, meet, talk and leave with the scooter. DONE.

He probably doesn't think you are serious. If I wanted that scooter I would have been there "within the hour". How about taking he out for dinner or lunch. How could he say no to the sale after you have fed him ?

bob
Riding the Wet Coast

David Masse said...

Dar, my LX will have to go. Can't have two mistresses now can we?

David Masse said...

Trobairitz, I know, I know, and I'm getting nervous. What if I don't pass? Is my heated garage really heated? Why are my other vehicles from Japan and Germany, do I have something against Italians? How often do I wash it? Does it ever see wax? Jeez...

David Masse said...

Just got the first pics, it turns out it's black on black, with white piping around the saddle. Maybe that's even better.

David Masse said...

Bob, relax, relax, I don't want to spook him! Though buying food is very devious and an excellent idea.

Come to think of it, didn't you buy me food when I was there? No worries, Susan and I plan to make up for that in March.

I just sent the first price inquiry. I think I might know his price, but it's polite to ask.

So exciting.

The copyright in all text and photographs, except as noted, belongs to David Masse.