About Donna

Let me introduce you to the mighty machine that will be talking me across the United States, and onto the next adventure in California.

This is Donna Stella. She is a 2013 Genuine Stella 4T scooter, which I purchased from Wick’s Wheels (Bloomington, IN) in 2013. Known in other parts of the world as the Star 4T, she was produced my the Lohia Machines Limited company in India. LML had previously been working with the Piaggio (Vespa) group from 1984 until 1999. Donna is the result of this collaboration, having the classic Vespa P/PX styling, design, and shifting ability, but with a bit of a modern upgrade in the 4-stroke motor.

IF you are unsure of the difference between a 2-stroke (2T) and 4-stroke (4T) motor, this video gives a good description.

Let’s talk technical specs:

The 147.50cc engine produces around 8hp, with an estimated top speed of 60 mph (which, I”ll admit, I have gotten past). The front disc-brake and rear drum brake stop the scooter excellently (albeit with a bit of a rear end shimmy when the rear wheel is locked up.)

Speaking of wheels, they are definitely of the smaller variety – 3.50 x 10. Yep, going to be cruising across the country on 10 inch wheels.

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Naturally, Donna is not your everyday, stock scooter. I’ve improved her over the years, tweaking this and that to really make her mine.

Some are cosmetic:

• Rear Rack (which has been welded to keep from popping off, thanks to Michael the Mechanic)
• Cowl Protectors (which have been removed after a small crash, which bent the protectors, but saved the cowls)
• A magnet to show my nerddom

Many more are functional:

• Tubleless Rims/Tires (this made a HUGE difference on how she rides, and how easy it is to change the tires! plus, something something safter than blowing a tube)
• Various bits of hardware have been replaced with stronger materials (screws, nuts, etc.)
• Removed and replaced the air box with an aftermarket RAM air filter (better air flow). To do this, we had to cut the rear fender from the air box.
• Cell Phone Charging Port added to the Glovebox
• Reinforced Center Stand (as my original Center Stand eventually bent)
• LED Turn Signals and brake lights (much brighter)
• Undercowl Turn Signal Lights (not as bright as I’d like, but they work)
• Lithium Ion Battery
• Windshield
• Cell phone mount

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So, how did Donna earn her name? That’s easy. I am a Doctor Who fan. For those familiar with the show, the connection will be clear – the Doctor’s companion Donna was known to be Brilliant, Stubborn, a bit of a Firecracker, Sassy, Independent, and very, very loyal. Those items are Donna to the letter (well, except Independent…it would be weird to have the scooter drive itself).

But she is definitely Sassy (ask me sometime about the accidental wheelie taking off from a traffic light by letting the clutch out too fast…actually that’s the entire story, so nevermind), definitely stubborn (though the LiOn battery has helped with the stubborn starting issue). But let me tell you, when we are out on the road, she is absolutely brilliant.

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Want to Help? That would be super-cool!

Than trip should take an estimated 10 days maximum, and roughly 3,000 miles. That will take a bit of a toll on the ol’ wallet, so I am happy to take any donations my generous friends would like to offer. For reference:

$3 will get me approximately 70 miles closer to my goal.
$15 will feed me for the day
$35 will get me one night at a Tent Campsite at a KOA Campsite
$40 will buy me one tire when I get to my destination (as the rear tire will likely be spent by then!)
$75 will get me one night at a hotel (and more importantly, a shower!)
If you would like to donate, feel free to leave a comment (they are private until I approve them, or you can email me at bryrhoey at gmail) and I can set that up. I’d prefer Google Wallet (since to my knowledge, it’s free), have Venmo Set up (contact me for the info), or you can send me money via PayPal! 🙂

If you live along the route, and don’t mind me camping/crashing/eating with you, I’d appreciate that too!

You’ll have my undying gratitude, and numerous shout outs on the various media I will be posting to (facebook, IG, this blog, twitter, maybe youtube, etc.)