Modern Vespa

Hey all, I'm in the midst planning a multi-month cross country scoot on my 2009 GTS 250! It has about 10k miles on it, many of them from weekend camping trips around the northeast. I've read that it's a good idea to carry a spare belt, and I'm planning to replace my rear tire before I go and order a new one for California along the way (crossed fingers that I make it). There's a tire patch kit in my glove compartment, and a roadside assistance service in the works.

Are there any specific tools for the GTS you'd recommend carrying along for the ride? I'm looking at putting around 8-9k round trip, assuming all goes well. Would love to hear any thoughts on tools to bring in general, or thoughts/experiences with long haul scoot travel.

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Kinda agree with Philip

Realistically, I'd consider:

Tyre plug or seal kit for a temporary repair
If you're carrying the belt (though I'd be tempted to just fit it), then the clutch holding tool or equivalent to get into the cover
Exhaust gasket and exhaust spreader to help fitting
Duct tape (can double as first aid kit!)
Couple of spare bulbs and a couple of spare screws and bolts for any shake out losses

There are lots of threads on this sort of topic- we'll worth a few search strings via the Search button in the top menu

Course, a different way to ask the question is what repairs are you able to do on the shoulder of the road or in the parking lot of a motel? You'll need the tools to do those repairs . From my perspective, I've found a tire plugging kit, WD40, and dielectric grease real handy. A spare exhaust gasket is always a good thought. A minimal tool kit with a couple of box wrenches, pliers, multi-tip screwdriver, allen wrench set and the like belong on every bike all the time.

Vice grips
Channel lock pliers
Small tire inflater
Gas container
Duct tape
Electrical tape
Ty-wraps
Latex gloves


Geez it sounds like I'm planning a kidnapping and torture.

Tire patching kit with threading and reaming tools

Air compressor

Flashlight

Vice grips

Adjustable crescent wrench

Multi tip screw driver

Small hammer

Allen keys (metric)

Fuses

Box cutter

Multi tool

Air pressure gauge

Electrical tape

Glass breaking and seat belt cutting tool

First aid kit

12V extension with SAE plug to plug into the battery tender plug

I may be forgetting a few odds and ends, but that's most of it. My tool kit is in hibernation so I can't easily check it.

I started out on my 3k km jaunt with fresh service, new rear tire and new belt. Along the way I had the fuel injector fail. Kissell Motorsports in State College PA did that repair.

The only tools I used were the pressure gauge and the hammer, the latter to deal with a reluctant tent peg.

Last edited by David Masse on Wed, 12 Mar 2014 09:38:40 +0000; edited 1 time

Cruztools makes a nice, basic tool roll. I'd recommend that plus a Fly Racing T-handle and the appropriate sockets. A 3/8ths ratchet handle is good to have and a set of metric hex sockets -- I'd hate to be dismounting a wheel with an Allen key.

You'll want to change your oil, which means you need a 15/16ths (24mm) wrench for the drain plug, a filter and the appropriate oil filter wrench. The Cruztool kit doesn't include those.

I'd bring along extra fuses and replacement headlight and taillight bulbs.

To change your belt, you'll need both a clutch and variator holding tool.

A 12 volt compressor os good to have. Tire air pressure is key. To use it, you'.l need a 12 volt socket or an SAE lead off your battery, like the one that comes with a Battery Tender.

Speaking of batteries, get a new one before you go. They tend to die on long trips.

Have a backup plan.

A cellphone with camera and GPS

A credit card.

A roadside assistance contract.


Have fun and enjoy!

Luckily, you are riding a quality scooter and your repair needs should be minimal.

In around 30,000 miles of group rides with 3 to 20 riders, we have had very few mechanical or tire issues. All I can remember is one when I dropped my GT. The carburetor flooded and the spark plug fouled. We spent two hours getting it sorted, but needed a spark plug wrench with the appropriate fittings, along with a spare plug.

We have had no tire issues in all that time but I did get a nail in my back tire once and had to ride it with no are for a mile or two. Luckily the sidewall was very stiff and, at very low speeds, it was fine. But a repair kit is advisable. The pump would be necessary too, but they take up a bit of space.

Unless your belt has very few miles on it, I would replace it before leaving. A new belt will probably hold up for the entire ride, but I wouldn't want to push it beyond 10,000 miles (I have a couple last over that). I would also recommend starting with a new (or cleaned) air filter and fresh oil in the engine and hub.

I carry a small tool bag with a socket set, including the tools for a belt change, exhaust gasket change and spark plug change. You should also change the oil on the ride.

It sounds like a great ride. Have a lot of fun!

(I posted this 4 months ago, just after my trip)

Just got back from a trip form Olympia, WA to Key West and back.....
Here are few things that have stuck with upon my return (no order).

....always carry extra gas.
....if you think you should fill up or wait, fill up with gas.
....eat lunch at Subways, less crowded and healthier then burger places.
....stay away from really cheap motels, their clientele can be 'very' interesting.
....keeping in touch with home and friends on a daily basis is extremely comforting.
....trips will always cost more $$ and usually take more time.
....always take time to talk with people who ask about your journey.
....talk with the locals, where ever you are, it's a learning experience!
....truckers can be your friends on the road, you pass them, then they want to talk with you in the rest areas when they catch up (most own Harleys).
....people are nice where ever you go!
....My GTS kicks some serious touring ass.
....problems will happen, it's part of the trip.
....make good friends with Vespa Motorsport (AKA Scooter West, Formerly: 'Motorsport Scooters'). They can ship you stuff over night, thanks Steve for the LV replacement.
....solo touring builds self reliance faster then anything.
....I love my iPad mini for many reasons, its easy to pack. It's one of the best tools I had on the road.
.....time goes extremely fast, no matter where you go, there you are.
....having a beer and dinner at a local hang out is always interesting.

IF you are looking for a very compact but very complete tool kits:

http://rrrtoolsolutions.com/

I second many of the above.

Look at your collection of sockets. Why would you carry a socket for a size that doesn't exist on your bike? Only carry a socket if it will fit something on the bike.

Tool rolls look great and are very orderly. But the same collection of tools in a little bag, think Crown Royal bag, will take up half the space. Have a towel to spread out on the ground to make a good work area.

Use nesting and multi tip tools. I know there are no high quality reversible screwdrivers, but you won't wear it out on a trip. The screwdrivers that have a socket on the end and many little tips in the handle are no good. The socket end will frequently not reach into tight spaces. I use the screwdriver that came with the bike. It is reversible and will reach anywhere. The plug wrench included will fit the space for the plug, and can be carried slipped over the screwdriver.

Don't carry any wrench or allen key that doesn't fit on the bike. The spark plug wrench can be used to extend an allen key for leverage. (I used to carry a short galvanized iron pipe nipple, say 6-9", to use an an extension.)

Go through any and all jobs you could do on the road and think what would you need to do them. If you don't want to do the job on the road, don't carry the tools.

Carry any odd spare parts. For instance, I would change the belt so you are starting out on a new one, but carry the old one you take off as a spare, they pack easily. Take an exhaust gasket and a plug.

Call the guys at Scooterwest and find out the hours of operation and when their last FedEx pickup goes out.

Make sure your credit card is bullet proof.

Having taken several trips of 2,000-4,400 miles I take tire patch kit, cellphone, AAA card and make arrangements for service I think will be needed someplace along the way. For example, going to Amerivespa in Lake Geneva from Breckenridge, CO. I arranged for a new rear tire and oil change on my scoot while in Lake Geneva. I know it would be a bit early for the rear tire but there wouldn't be a enough left to get me home safely if I didn't change it during the trip. I do a complete service on the scoot before leaving if there will be any routine maintenance due before I return such as a belt & rollers. The only issue I've had was being stuck in Texarkana for 3.5 days after a tire blew out coming back from DC. It happened Saturday afternoon and there was nobody in town open until Monday. Then I had to wait for the correct size tire to be shipped.

For the cannonball I'm taking a spare belt and a couple of spare exhaust gaskets. I'm also taking a spare set of tires - mounted as a precaution though I expect the tires to actually not need to be changed but it is the cannonball after all and that's a different type of travel.

I'll be doing a 2,200mi give or take trip to Atlanta next month and the only thing I'm planning on taking is the tire plug kit (includes mini compressor) and my AAA card. Scoot has only had a few hundred miles on it since its last full service and new tires so I'm comfortable traveling with it like that.

Oh, I do carry spare fuel if I'm traveling in the west or other regions where there isn't always gas available within 5-10 miles. Cellphone with data capabilities is good for locating gas as long as you are in an area with coverage.

Thanks for the input!

I'm not planning to do most of the service myself, I'd just rather not wait for parts to come in if it's something I can carry. That being said, I've replaced an exhaust gasket myself and it sounds like that's a good spare to carry that I hadn't considered.

I'm planning to carry an extra gas canister, strapped to the floorboard.

Sounds like I could also plan to change the oil myself, and carry relevant tools.

Tire plug kit includes compressed air. Air pressure gauge with it.

I like the idea of packing my old belt, after a full service replacing it with new belt. Thanks!

That's a good idea, just pairing down to carrying tools for jobs I would do myself (already have'em too). Turns out roadside assistance is included in my insurance plan, hopefully won't need it of course.

And how could I forget duct tape for anything. :D

Duct tape and wire ties were assumed, "Goes without saying."

In 1971 I had a Suzuki 185 with strips of duct tape on the gas tank for other use. It's quicker if you don't have to strip it off a roll. They were mostly used for first aid.

Visa or master card......

280 miles each way - I wouldn't worry about changing the oil. If it needs it do it before you go.

... and the tire inflator does what, torture-wise?

D use your imagination.

I'm squeamish, I'd rather not try to guess.

I was thinking like Chinese water torture, except many thousands of little puffs of air in your face.

Part of an intricately crafted device that plays an endless loop of It's A Small World on a tiny kazoo (not included on list)?

Stop... Stop... STOP!... STOP!!!! I beg you in the name of all that's sacred, P L E A S E S T O P!!!!!

Thats all I carried traveling along europe!
Graham

I havent read all the post's so this may have been coverd, i,v seen lads going through europe carrying a spare wheel with tyre fitted, handy if you get a flat or hit a pot hole and crack a rim, buster. PS, i take a good multi-tool with me where ever i ride.

Since a good multi-tool is part of my normal scooter kit I forgot include it on my list with tire kit, AAA card (breakdown service) and cellphone. Oh, and sometimes a carry a dedicated GPS but usually the one in my phone is enough and I can Bluetooth it to my helmet.

Congrats on winning longest ride in to AV.

I'm enjoying the posts on your adventure Quezzie on advrider! A simply amazing undertaking. Keep up the pictures and reporting as I am thrilled for you and for all of us getting to follow you.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=977812

I read your entire thread on ADVrider and am totally inspired by what you're doing. Love the solo, long-and-slow trip ethos, where it's not just about distance, speed and endurance, but about creating and sharing great experiences with different people along the way. So civilized and enlightened

Thanks for sharing those well crafted trip reports. I think you take great photos and tell an awesome (often funny and sometimes mouth-watering) story. I'm looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip.

Ride safe!