Modern Vespa

(Firstly I would like to say that of course I don't as I ride one everyday. Obvious, but still, wanted to make it clear.)

I first thought about this question whilst doing one of my (very frequent) morning routines of relaxing in Costa or Starbucks (this time Starbucks) with a nice big 'jug' of coffee, snack, and my mac catching up on e-mails and work.

I overheard a group of guys, all about 18 or 19, who obviously saw my Vespa parked outside. Their words were;

"The Vespa's nice 'init'"

"Yeah they look good but I'd be embarrassed to ride one"
"Why's that?"

"Everyone looks rediculous and they're basically sat in a motorised armchair."

"Suppose"
The next comment was......"Why not just buy a proper bike?"

Now I for one don't like this comment and almost everyone who hates scooters and drives cars seems to say it. This time I refrained from arguing the toss but I was still a bit pissed off to say the least....

Now my question to you guys is...well....a few actually....

- Do you feel embarrassed being on your scoot but carry on riding anyway because like everyone here you enjoy the experience and love your Vespa?

- Do you get the piss took out of you and what's some of the best insults you've been hit with?

- You think "I love my Vespa and ignore what anyone else thinks of me and it"

- Why did you go for a Scooter over a motorcycle?

Lloyd.

No.

No. Best insult when riding my chrome laden black LX150: "Nice Hog"
I once had some young kids on bicycles mockingly yell "nice moped" my response: "nice trikes, did your mommies buy them for you"

I have no embarrassment riding my scoot. I think I am rather shit hot on it actually. If anyone disapproves of my coolness on my scoot, simply look away.

I chose a scooter while owning a Suzuki GSX-R 750 because frankly I don't like a heavy bike. I love the ease of a twist throttle and the classic lines and beauty of my Vespa.

Anyone that would judge someone based on what they wear, what they drive etc, is lame. Machismo doesn't work in my book.

The only time I was ever really kinda, "put out", was when some woman driving as SUV pulled up next to me at a light. She looked at me and my scooter and she just busted out laughing.

I mean she started laughing like I was the funniest thing on the planet. She just laughed and laughed until I thought she had some sort of mental defect.

I was like, "WTF?"

Then the light turned green and I shot off and left her in the dust.

I still don't get it.

I'd never be embarrassed on my scoot. I love my vespa and don't really care what people think. Though I know how people think. I live in Harley town USA and I get the looks all the time and the passing me after I've passed them on their "proper bikes". I rather think it's foolish to have this ranking among two wheels. I'd try a Harley someday, or rather I've actually thought of someday getting a triumph, but I didn't..... I got a vespa because it fit my needs and it's a bike I've always wanted since being a teen. I love the culture and lifestyle of vespa riding as well.

To those that think it's somehow less of a bike or even that the rider is less of person for riding a scoot.....to them I say grow up. It's not what you're riding that makes the man/woman. Nuff said.

I ride scooters exclusively, but often amongst other bike riders - and although there's been loads of jposhing about my rides, no-one has ever ridiculed it to my face.

These were 18-19 year-olds? Let them wait until they are forty, have had a Harley for a year and then twig a scpooter is what gives far more fun!

From my POV, anyone who ridea on two (or three wheels) is part of the family of bikers - and I don't expect any more or less than I would from my natural family.

So I meet new brothers and sisters every day

Yes, hanging out at starbucks is embarrassing.

Not embarrassed at all to ride my scoot.

I ride in a lot of stop and go traffic and not having a clutch is a gift.

Little kids always wave at me on the scoot or want to sit on it (with my permission of course). I don't see may kids going up to cruiser or sport bike riders and doing that. Scooter riders have a good reputation (mostly).

People will bust on you because they are jealous and wish they had enough cool mojo to ride a scooter and not care what others think of them.

Ride on!

Hell no. If I thought it was embarrassing I would never have bought it. I especially like the looks I get on the way home from the gym in the mornings. I wear my Harley tanks to the gym. I come home during the beginning of the the rush hour, and these people see this 6' 230lb guy covered in tats, wearing a H-D tank, riding a Vespa with parrot decals. The give me extra room, I must look a little crazy.

It's for my breakfast before work mate. poor comment I have to say...

But, but that's why I ride a Vespa!

It'sa bootiful, it makes-a-me look good, feel good!

I think that comment was joking. No harm was meant.

haha yeah but seriously it's very early morning / late night in the uk right now. Your comment must be my signal to get to bed.

Screw those losers..my answer is hell no.

There is time and place for everything, for most riding I like my Vespa because I have enough room for groceries, computer, etc.
The most practical two wheeled vehicle there is. If I need to carry an extra 2.5 gallon jerry can, I can let it sit on the floor board, motorcycles can't do that. It's so easy to operate, twist and go.. I can hold a pizza box using my left hand while I'm riding, and cheap on gas too...luv it.

I do have a 'proper' motorcycle too, sure it's way faster and perhaps 'manlier', but I can't use it for running errands. When it rains my pants will get all dirty from the front wheel spray from my Bonnie, on the scooter...sure they get wet, but the pants and the shoes are not going to be dirty.

You're going to be embarrased about a lot of things, get a good grin and giggle, I'm here to enjoy as much of the time as I can.

Mate. Considering you posted a question designed to provoke you really should develop a thicker skin.

Personally, I thought the Starbucks jibe was fucking hilarious

- Do you feel embarrassed being on your scoot

No.


- Why did you go for a Scooter over a motorcycle?

Didn't. Rode motorcycles for years. Decided scooters were more fun.

I personally don't care what others think! As long as I'm happy that's all that matters.

This past year I drove my sister's taxicab yellow mini cooper almost everyday (super fun) while she was living out of state in order to practice stick shift. My son wanted me to drop him off in the neighborhood behind the school because he did not want to be seen riding in what he called a "Clown Car." My response to his embarrassment: OK Mr, now you have to walk come rain or shine or however many text books you need to carry that 1 mile to/fro!!!

PS - He begs me to drive him to school... Now he will have to ride in the back of the scooter is he wants me to drop him off. Hopefully he will learn his lesson

I gave up giving a shit about what people think about me a long time ago. I ride a Vespa to make myself happy, not somebody else.

No. Only an insecure git would give a rats ass.

Really, somebody doesn't like your life choices? Do you like them? Because that's the only thing that counts.

Best lesson you can teach him! He'll have a much happier life if he learns to not yield to the biases of others. And I have a great time driving my wife's MINI Cooper S any chance I can get it out of her clutches. It's like a go-cart on steroids.

I chose a scooter over a "proper bike" because:

1. the P --the GT to a lesser extent-- is much cheaper and simpler to operate and maintain.

2. for city riding, a heavier and/or larger bike is often cumbersome to maneuver at relatively low speeds in, around, and through city traffic. That's where I spend most of my saddle time.

and 3. I like the style and practicality of having more storage options for the kind of errand-running and commuting I most often do.

However, I have been tempted to buy a bike for distance riding. That's not to say that scooters are incapable of touring, just that I'd rather have a more comfortable ride.

umm ... who cares? Anyone embarrassed about the prospect of being seen on a scooter has bigger issues ...

As for me, I've got so many other embarrassing features that I've long since ceased to fuss. My scooter is a deliberate choice - and makes me smile every time I ride. In any case, I have a large road bike the squids / crotch rocket brigade would find even more risible. I'm a dag, and proud of it!

If I cared what idiots think, I'd have given up decades ago.

Would I say that scooters are embarrassing?

There is absolutely no doubt at all that my Vespa LX150 is deeply embarassing to car and motorcycle drivers alike, when I zip to the front of every traffic jam, when I park within 15 feet of anywhere I care to go, when I look damn fine and stylish doing it, and, most of all, when some jackass cuts me off, suffers a blast from my Stebel, and then has to stare at my high beam in his rear view mirror for the next 15 blocks.

I just hate when I tell people how much I paid for it and they act surprised and ask, "What? Why didn't you buy a Harley?" I just politely tell them, "Well, I didn't want a Harley. I wanted a Vespa so I got one."

caschnd1 The Mini is totally a Go Cart on Steriods.... I love how fun it is vs my very heavy SUV. I feel like a character from the Italian Job!

I'm 6'2 and ride a smallframe, it probably does look a little ridiculous. But I don't really think about impressing strangers on the road, and girls seem to like it, so I don't really worry about it.

I live in the very west suburbs of Cincinnati, well actually one state west... Indiana. There aren't many Vespas in these parts... but plenty of Harleys (and other asst. street bikes). At first, a little embarrased you could say... but it didn't tke to long for me to really own this cooter thing... bright red helmet and all.... my favorite line to the hillbillies that come rolling up next to my scoot and just start laughing at me like they would to the other locals who lost their licenses.... "my scoot cost more than your trailer" the light changes then I speed off in front of them..... I know, I know, not the nicest thing to say.... but they started it!!!

The only time I felt embarrassed was when I was in full aero-mode (a*se up, head down) on the motorway, ekeing out every last mph, when a swarm of bikers just sailed past me shaking their heads. At that moment I had an epiphany - it's better to take slightly longer and travel with dignity.

Other than that, never.

Also that it just took me four attempts to spell embarrassed. That was embarrassing. Got it now

Its embarrassing that a Jafa is the only one who gets my joke.

The main reason is bcos there are no fashionable two wheels other then the Vespa.

When I bought my Lammy back in 1980 I had never even given thought to owning a motorcycle. Then Quadrophenia came out and like any 18yr old Clash lovin' midwest misfit I thought they were the shit.

Back then there were so few scoots in production any scoot was an oddity & most folk did'nt know how to react beyond puzzled. Nowdays scoots are more common and people now have pretty predetermined opinions B4 you even pull up. My 16yr old daughter rode w/me for about 1 week now she can't stand people staring & hardly rides.

Most rudeness comes from teens & people who've never riden on 2 wheels since Junior High. Bikers tend to ignore. monster trucks have this thing about getting in front & as far away from you as possible. some people honk & I just don't look over. coulda been good or bad does'nt matter just ride.

NEVAH!!

Also I do all city-riding. I need something that can evade and accelerate quickly, park in tiny spaces, and carry stuff. I have no use for a behemoth that can cruise along at 100MPH, or even over 60 for that matter.

After 45 years, I think I can now safely say that I really don't care what others think. There isn't anything much sexier than being comfortable in one's own skin after all.

I've got a "proper" bike (Suzuki V-Strom 650) which I love as much as my Vespa. I'm grinning ear to ear either way.

In my opinion Vespas are the coolest thing on 2 wheels, (except for a penny farthing maybe), I love the classic Italian styling and I think this is what stands them out in a crowd, I also love the way you get the nod from other Vespa riders, and the odd biker along the way.
To be fair I have never even entertained another make or model I just love em. I do get ribbed off my work mates who have Ducatis and R1,s etc, like when they all went oer to the Nurbergring last month `why dont you come with us just leave two day early` that kind of thing , but its just banter and I catch them eyeing up my scoot from time to time, with envy me thinks.

I pretty-much stopped worrying about what others thought about me around the age of 18.