Interviews

Interviews with members of the S&M Scooter Club. Get to know your fellow members.

Matt is an owner of a beautiful custom painted ET4

Matt, out of all the members of our club (and in fact of all my customers) I have to say you are one of the major enthusiasts I've had the pleasure of meeting. Tell me about the scrap book you have. Can you describe what its all about and how you came upon some of the more unusual items in there?

By going to Vespa boutiques, thumbing through past issues of scooter magazines and visiting some of the lesser known scooter websites. I'm always searching for different aspects of Vespa to give it a more well-rounded appearance. I save everything!!!

I am very impressed by your ET4. Tell me about the bikes you've had before and how you came to choose your ET4?

I think it was when I re-rented the movie Quadrophenia last year. I started thinking about that old Motobecane moped I had when I was younger and all the fun I had...I wanted a more powerful 2 wheeler to get around town, but I'm no motorcycle man. So I started to consider a scooter (initially a Honda scooter). Then, out of the blue, I called Vespa of Newport, and they were very nice. I went up to look at their Vespas and it was love at first sight. The Grantourismo model felt a little "big", and although the extra power is nice, I wasn't planning on freeway driving. So I selected an 2002 ET4 (still new) that had been repainted the discontinued mint green color (extra $500).

How did you come about that incredible paint job? It's super.

I chose the mint green color because it had a 'retro' feel to it. But I also wanted something that would look different than somebody else's ET4. I decided to enhance that 'retro feeling' by adding two-tone custom painting enhancements just like the old Vespas. The fantastic paint job was done by Vespa of Santa Barbara. (They were the ones that painted those highly sought-after 'Coach' scooters awhile back.) I also added a chrome kit, chrome mirrors and whitewall tires. I also gave it a Euro feel by adding clear turn signals and removing the front fender reflectors.

What do you plan on doing to your bike? Any more modifications in it's future?

I would like to chrome the wheels. I'm also considering to get a Euro cover to replace the red reflector (in the back above the tail light). Perhaps a custom name decal on the side fender and a small Italian flag sticker on the rear fender. Maybe.... I'm really not too big on stickers or overdoing it.

Since you live and ride in the OC (Orange County), are there any favorite routes you can describe to us?

I work out of my home, so I don't use my Vespa for commuting. But its fun for those everyday errands and leisure rides. I prefer taking the side streets or back roads when I can. (more interesting / less stressful than freeways). Santiago Canyon and Live Oak Canyon is nice. Even an early morning ride on Pacific Coast Highway is fun.

Have you found many scooter riders down this way?

Not many, and there are certainly no clubs that I know of south of the city of Orange.

Why do you think that is?

I think it's because south Orange County is more spread out and less urban. You usually need a freeway to get somewhere. People down here are more affluent and into the status of their cars rather than seeking alternative means of transportation.

I think we can turn up the volume and get some customers out for regular rides. How does that sound?

Sounds great! Vespa riders are a different 'breed' and I'm anxious to meet new people.

Any comments?

A Vespa scooter is the best. It is a well-made, classic machine. Piaggio has led the way and refined the scooter to what it is today. It lives on from generation to generation fascinating millions of people, giving the world an image of Italian style and remains an irreplaceable means of personal transport, synonymous of freedom. Piaggio must be doing something right to be in business for 59 years. As far as I'm concerned, anything else is an attempt to duplicate the original.

Come on OC riders! Get in touch with Matt, and start riding.