Vespa clubs Forming ties of solidarity and friendship

Vespa clubs Forming ties of solidarity and friendship

Jock Paul, Contributor, Jakarta

Out of a passion for their favored form of transportation, a
community has grown, united by a fondness and respect for each
other that goes beyond simply sharing the same ride. It's a
brotherhood -- a loose gang or alliance -- and all that is needed
to be accepted is that distinctive two-stroke buzz of a Vespa.

Even in the fumes of Jakarta's traffic jams, it's common to
see Vespa drivers nod, honk and wave at each other -- and chances
are that if one driver sees another Vespa broken down on the
road, they will stop and help.

Maybe it's the experience of having suffered the same fate or
a desire to protect the banged up reputation of the Vespa, but
this has helped forge a unique bond among complete strangers in a
crowded country with over two million Vespas.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the scooters were seen simply as
affordable practical workhorses, but 20 years later classic,
original and lasting are the words that the owners are now using
to describe these same bikes.

The enthusiasts leading the revival and celebration of the
Vespa are a mixture of young and old, mostly men, who are excited
about their unique bikes and the potential they lend for creative
tinkering.

But it's also the spirit and camaraderie of hanging out with
like minded hobbyists that has led to a growing number of
"scooterists" whose Vespas have become an important and proud
part of their identity.

"No other motorcycle or scooter has this sense of community,"
said Ifdal Fadali, 27, echoing the thoughts of dozens of other
enthusiasts.

"It's a brotherhood, like a big family, we look out for each
other," added Sandy Winarno.

The look or appeal of the bike is usually secondary as Vespa
"scooterists" discuss what it is they like about their object of
affection. Many recount stories of being helped by or helping
strangers after a Vespa has broken down.

"Just last Saturday night, on my way home, I saw an old guy
pushing his Vespa. I stopped, but I could not fix it. The piston
was stuck, so I towed him home," said Hikmat Kurniasyah, 29, an
engineer.

Miftahul Arifin, 30, an IT administrator, described the same
situation another evening, and how he was able to help by giving
the old man he stopped to help his extra clutch cable, and fixing
his clutch for him.

Breaking down on a Vespa every so often is an accepted event,
and there are just as many stories of people being helped, and
receiving spark plugs, gas or tows. Roadside repairs are almost a
badge of honor.

With an extra tire, spark plug and clutch cable, experienced
riders say that they can fix more than 90 percent of roadside
problems.

Even diehard fanatics admit that maintenance is a required
part of owning a Vespa, and that they take a lot more TLC than
Japanese produced motorcycles. They add that nothing beats the
Vespa's rounded curves, chrome and Italian designed flair.

"I like Vespas because of their unique sleek body shape, they
have a chubby, sexy design ... like me," says Miftahul, 30,
laughing.

"The design is completely original, and different, and I like
the fact that I can also take my family and things around on my
Vespa," said Udin Jaenudin, 52.

Their enduring popularity has led to the recent explosion of
Vespa clubs across the country, where enthusiasts meet and share
experiences.

In 1979 Ronny Rasyidi opened the Jakarta Vespa Club, still
going strong today. Ronny said there were 140 official Vespa
clubs, from the Cendrawasih Scooter Club in Irian Jaya to Langsa
Scooter Club in Aceh -- and many more societies, owners groups,
web communities and small clubs that have not become official.

Official clubs are sanctioned by either the Scooters Owners
Group (SOG) or Indonesian Vespa Society (IKI). To join these
umbrella organizations a club must have 30 members that all have
a driver's license, registration and identity card.

Vespa Indonesia Online, a website dedicated to Vespas in
Indonesia, lists over 200 clubs in the country, many of which are
not official. Clubs are opening and growing faster than ever and
there is about one hundred other clubs that have not registered
with the website.

Most clubs meet once a week to talk shop, hang out and deal
with business such as memberships and upcoming events. Clubs are
usually formed by people in the same area, but some are based
around a certain modification, or style of vespas.

Ibay Baidwhoni and his friends from Jakarta have formed the
Post Scooter Club, in which each member has accessorized his
Vespa to make it look like the car of a Formula One team. He said
that the team hangs out a few times a week and goes to street
races in Kebun Nanas, East Jakarta, and Permata Hijau, South
Jakarta.

Vespas can be spruced up considerably with new pistons, or
other modifications and by installing a racing kit available for
them -- and constantly surprise other motorcyclists. Legal races,
restricted to Vespas competing in three categories; standard,
modified and open, are held at the Sentour Circuit in Kemayaron,
Central Jakarta.

For many enthusiasts, the highlight of their hobby is the
festivals, meets and tours in which they get to showcase their
bikes and socialize with those from other regions. At these large
gatherings, clubs members sport their local patches and T-shirts,
and trade stickers and club paraphernalia with other riders.
Plans are made to visit other clubs on future tours.

Competitions are held that showcase, classic, open and
modified vespas, and others in which teams of "Hell Drivers"
compete in stunt contests.

Although Vespa's were intended for convenience over short
distances, touring is a big part of the hobby. Most Jakarta-based
clubs travel throughout Java and many have done a two-week trip
to Bali.

At meets or on tour there is no tension among different clubs,
or among official and independent clubs. There are also many
Vespa enthusiasts who although they very active in the Vespa
community choose not to join a club.

"With a family I don't have the time for a club," says Hikmat,
whose wife also has a Vespa.

He, like an increasing number of enthusiasts, relies on the
Internet to stay in contact with people and learn about Vespas.

In March 2000, Hari Hidayat created an online chat group for
enthusiasts, affiliated with the Vespa-Indonesia Online website.

"I opened it because I was having problems with my Vespa and
wanted to know how and where to fix it," says Hari.

Now there are over 300 people in the Web group who share
mechanical hints, and information about good repair shops, tours
and events, he said.

More information about clubs, meets and Vespas can be found at
Vespa Indonesia Online www.vespa-indonesia.com