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Vespa riders find community, brotherhood on the road
The classic Italian scooter isnât only a thing from the past but also the present, as its timeless model is passed on through the generations
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The classic Italian scooter isn't only a thing from the past but also the present, as its timeless model is passed on through the generations.
Jakarta'based photojournalist Yudi P. Pratomo remembers his father's avid Vespa hobby. 'My father started this hobby in 1970 when he was still a young man. He was one of the founders of the Tanjung Priok Scooter Club [TSC] in 1997. My Vespa days started when my father ignored my request for an RX King and handed down his Vespa instead.'
But instead of following his father's footsteps into TSC, Yudi decided to join another organization called the Scooter Owners Group (SOG).
SOG's history stretches back to the time when several Vespa enthusiasts in Bandung formed a club dedicated to scooter owners. After going through several changes, including name changes to accommodate more members, SOG was finally inaugurated in 1995 in Bandung.
'I found out about SOG in 2002 and it's a larger organization than TSC. In Indonesia, SOG has over 30 chapters. Currently, SOG also has brothers in other ASEAN countries. There are no other Vespa organizations this big in Asia, so I decided to join SOG through its South Jakarta chapter,' Yudi shared.
The head of SOG South Jakarta Chapter, Oom Gumilar Sihotang, agreed. 'SOG has the largest number of members for scooter groups not only in the region, but probably also the world. And membership is for life.'
Just like Yudi and many other Vespa enthusiasts, Gumilar's first encounter with the classic ride was through his parents.
Gumilar joined the group in 2010, following his older brother who was already an SOG member for 13 years.
He explained that the leaders in the chapter were not chosen based on seniority. Despite being one of the new members, Gumilar was chosen to lead SOG South Jakarta chapter through member voting last year.
'To be the leader, you don't have to be the most senior member. It's more about [how you associate with others] and leadership capability,' he said. 'The leader is responsible for coordinating with SOG headquarters in Bandung, generating an annual working plan and mapping out the year's activities. We usually do charity and birthday celebrations.'
Just like other automotive clubs, touring is the most anticipated group event. The chapters usually go on tour to attend the inauguration of new SOG chapters around Indonesia, the latest one being in Bali and East Nusa Tenggara back in May.
It's easy to register as a member, so long as you are a Vespa enthusiast who has a valid, working scooter with complete paperwork.
'After the registration and paperwork, there is a long process to be a member, including the orientation. What makes me proud to be an SOG member is that not every Vespa rider can be a SOG member,' said Yudi, whose role in SOG's South Jakarta chapter is disciplinary coordinator.
His job includes checking the paperwork of each rider and making sure that every member in his chapter is riding according to the rules and regulations, especially when they are about to leave for touring.
SOG members are varied, from ordinary folks to famous actors, military personnel and politicians. Regardless of their different social status, Gumilar said there's no difference in treatment. 'They still have to go through the 90-kilometer touring and orientation process. Once we gather together in our uniform, we are one.'
An old tradition
Vespa, an Italian scooter brand manufactured by Piaggio, began its production in 1946. World War II left Italy in financial crisis. Enrico Piaggio, the son of the brand founder, Rinaldo, created something to answer the country's need for affordable mass transportation. Vespa saw huge success during the late 1940s and has kept a steady position until now. The first Vespa club in Europe was established in 1952. As the scooter arrived in India, Brazil and Indonesia in 1960s, Vespa clubs started popping up there, too.
'Vespas are identical to old scooters,' Gumilar said. 'But there are some from the year 2005 and 2006, so these scooters aren't that old. Of course, whenever we go, there's a concern about the scooter being stranded. But this is not something that we need to worry about much, because wherever a SOG member breaks down, our brothers are always there to help.'
- 'SOG members are varied, from ordinary folks to famous actors, military personnel and politicians'
Gumilar recalled one touring occasion when his group experienced a break down near Cirebon. All he had to do was call the Cirebon SOG chapter and help arrived fast. They got their Vespa back on the road and the local chapter prepared a nice reception for them. 'That's how it is with SOG. The same goes with our brothers from a different chapter. If they are having trouble in South Jakarta, we are ready to help them,' he said.
'I love meeting people from Sabang to Merauke and being friends with them,' Yudi said. 'It's even better that we now have brothers from abroad as well.'
SOG has expanded to Singapore, Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia. Last month, SOG Singapore visited its brothers in Jakarta for an event called Hari Raya Charity Ride Tour de Indonesia. They raised S$600 to help 80 children in the Kramat Raya Orphanage in buying books and daily expenses.
For them, Vespa is more than just a ride, as Yudi explained.
'Vespa for me is like going on a haj pilgrimage for the Muslims or visiting Jerusalem for the Christians. Life isn't complete if you don't own a Vespa.' (Ruth Ninajanty)
