Well, I did it.

I finally decided at the ripe old age of 33 to purchase my first Vespa, something that I've wanted for as long as I can remember.

Now, it's worth mentioning that there's probably been quite a few instances where I've had the opportunity to buy a Vespa. There's probably been quite a few times where I've even thought about buying one over the last 10 years, yet, there was always this innate little thing inside me saying I don't need one. It's strange, I've never really felt this about anything that I've wanted to buy. I usually say that "if I still want something after 6 months, then it's probably worth buying". And yet, for buying this Vespa, the time has never really felt right.

I'd always make excuses. "You live in Manchester, it'll get nicked", "You don't need to drive anywhere, there's public transport", "Eilish won't be getting on the back so maybe you're better getting a car". All these excuses compounded for me to never actually seriously getting one; right up until my internal 'fuck it' meter had had enough.

I truly believe there is such a thing as being too sensible. Sensibility holds people back, it nullifies excitement and, at the end of the day, minimises the opportunities to create memories.

Before we get into picking up the ride, let's talk about the CBT.

Well, actually, it was relatively uneventful (a good thing I imagine). 4 blokes ranging from 18 to 38 (I wasn't the oldest!) had ventured on beginning our motorcycle adventure.

I started initially on a geared bike but FUCK THAT. Honestly, it took me about 20 mins of being on a geared bike to realise that it's not for me.

I don't really have any ambition to ride a motorcycle. My initial view that maybe I could have gotten a little Honda CBF125 to determine whether I was actually really into motorcycles. But my intention isn't to go fast. It's to go somewhere, and enjoy my time getting there. I also love the design of the Vespa so I quickly transitioned to a shitty little 50cc scooter for the rest of the test.

After a full day, I got my CBT and I cannot believe that's all you need before you're actually let out on the streets. I did not feel ready at all. How on earth that is the system is beyond me. I think in the US, a country maybe not renowned for its strictness, even has a bloody two day course. Madness.

Anyway, for the next couple of weeks, I spent pretty much every minute that I wasn't working, looking for a scooter. I originally planned to get some cheapo 125 to sort me out for a little while before doing my full A1 licence. Something that if I dropped, I wouldn't care so much.

That quickly went out of the window after a chat with Eilish. She is always full of words of wisdom. "You've always wanted a Vespa. If you get anything other than a Vespa, you'll be constantly wishing you got a Vespa".

She wasn't wrong. I went into this journey with one objective. Half-meeting that objective, wasn't an option.

It only took me a few more days to find (almost) exactly what I wanted.

I was originally looking for a Vespa GTS125 to be a bit better for touring, however after a bit of research I found out that it's quite a bit heavier than a Primavera. I much preferred the looks of a GTS, but for my first scooter, the last thing I need is something that's going to be too heavy and I drop it. I can already see myself doing that. Watch this space.

But this is an absolute steal right!? £1,800 for a Primavera that's only done 2,000 miles. I don't know, time will tell. I might be reading this in the future after 12,982 breakdowns and be thinking "you were wrong there mate!".

On my way to test drive it, I already knew I was going to buy it. Damage on the peg? 2 previous owners, little history, not the bike I originally wanted? I didn't really care to be honest. I'd be driving away in my first ever bloody Vespa. That concept meant that I would have probably paid the bloke double. Fuck it, triple. I was about to live out my dream! Or, so I thought…

And what a memory picking this badboy up was.