Modern Vespa

How do you secure your scooter if you are leaving it outside? I've read about a couple people here that have been victims of theft. I hate to think about the unthinkable.

Outside as in how?
No garage?
No secure place at work?
Worried about Carry Away while in a store?
Live in a high theft area?

If it's overnight I would go with a disc lock (pictured). This is just my preference, there will be plenty of options/opinions shared here

I know that scooters get stolen, but I have left them outside at hotels, restaurants and places of interest all over the US, Canada and Western Europe with no problems.

At home they are tucked away in a secure garage.

Bill

In the big city: a handle bar lock (C.L.M. blindado), a Piaggio alarm and a cover.

I should have clarified. I have a garage. I was more concerned with outside of a hotel, or shopping center. Thanks for the responses!

I use a wheel lock and grip lock.


Wheel lock

In strange parking lots overnight, my "full paranoia mode" is
- grip lock
- heavy "fuggetaboutit" type chain through rear wheel to the lock loop on left side
- cover with a wire cable locking it on
- parking spot with minimal cover for thieves to hide behind.

I also don't let it sit looking undisturbed in the same parking spot for more than 24 hours. Even if I just reposition it, move it a foot forward/backwards, or turn it around...keep it looking like it gets frequent attention.

The problem comes up when you are parking it outside overnight at the same place night after night. Once a band of thieves target your bike, they study how it is secured, what time is low traffic, etc... You need to secure it to something that can't be lifted off the ground with a cable or chain that can't easily be cut through.

This is what I use. Don't know if the cable will go thru a Vespa wheel.


Under the lock is my repair/tool kit and a cable.

This is where the black beater lives. The red devil lives in the van.

I use the same Xena Disc lock/motion alarm when I'm traveling out of town overnight.

Hopefully it is enough of a deterrent to dissuade casual thieves.

The measures you need to take depend where you live and your appetite for risk. I am a disc lock fan but I also rarely leave my scooter out of site in certain places I frequent.

It is highly location dependent.

Motorcycle theft isn't a big thing in San Francisco, and the ones that do get stolen tend to be more motorcycley than a Vespa. You'll sometimes see handprints on your handlebars or some of your switches flipped, but I've not known anyone to have an attempted theft, and I don't often see anti-theft devices on other motos parked on the street.

Disc brake alarm with a cord for visual, combined with defensive parking, you should be good

Can anyone recommend a disc lock that fits the Vespa?

Just invested a few dollars in one of the Kovix Alarm Disc Locks as they looked secure and the guy in the store said it was suitable for Vespas with disc brakes.

https://www.mxstore.com.au/p/Kovix-KNX-6-Orange-Alarmed-Disc-Lock/KOKAL6OR?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwIfs6efh-wIVlplmAh1WNgeCEAQYBCABEgJSPPD_BwE

Well there is not enough clearance between the edge of the disc and the wheel to manoeuvre the lock into place. I'll have to take it back.

Bike is a Sei Giorni GTV.

Oxford do a scooter one.

I keep a Xena Alarm Disc lock around for the Vespa. I think the model is XZZ6L.

I have never used anything else but Zena

I use the official Vespa underseat lock, which then combines with the standard built in handlebar lock when you turn the key to the right.

Originally, I wasn't keen on this visually - but it's stored externally (takes up no storage space) and I don't need to bend down to attach it, which is nice when the weather isn't great.

Next step is hiding an Apple AirTag somewhere on the Vespa.

Also, parking next to other bikes of an equal or greater value where possible.

I don't think much of additional means to prevent theft. The only effective protection against carrying away or charging is a mechanical fastening against a fixed point (chain or similar).

A brake lock, a mechanical blocking of the brake lever, the original Vespa steel bracket (from seat to handlebars) are unfortunately of no use against carrying away. Please also remember that a mechanical blocking of the wheels / brakes, can be quickly overlooked if they are not in the field of view of the driver. Since there have already been falls or damage, if these are overlooked when driving off.

Small additional note: the older Vespa GT / GTS models have a shovel / eyelet on the left side under the footboard to which you can easily attach a chain. Unfortunately, this has fallen away with any facelift.

I honestly believe that the very few will regularly make the effort to fumble a chain through the (dirty) wheels to chain the Vespa to a lamppost. Rather save the money for mechanical anti-theft devices and invest in insurance. An Apple AirTag (or comparable) is a good thing, though.

Last edited by GermanGTSDriver on Tue, 06 Dec 2022 16:08:15 +0000; edited 1 time

Yep only chained to a post or structure and or good theft insurance are our only hope.

I've had 2 really nice motorcycles stolen in the 90's, both had the large U-lock on the front wheel, one I got back with the U-lock still on, it was thrown in the back of a truck or van, 2nd bike was never recovered, cops thought it was thrown in the back of truck.

Any 🛵 🏍 left outside of a garage overnight, every night will be coveted and eventually violated.

I have used Zena for over 20 years. I like it because it has emotional sensor. Changing the battery is a little bit tricky. You need to keep the special key that comes with the lock in the first place. That one key will enable you to change the battery.

Thanks all,

Ended up replacing it with an ABUS 305.

https://mobil.abus.com/int/on-road/Locks/Brake-Disc-Locks/Brake-Disc-Locks-Motorbike/Provogue-305-green?type=pdp

Doesn't have an alarm but any security is better than none. The clearance between disc and wheel is tight.