Modern Vespa

Hey all,

I'm in the midst of considering a scooter purchase to have some fun this summer, and 2-up riding is one of the main goals. The Vespa GTS is on my short list of scooters to consider, so I'm looking for opinions of two-up riding on that bike. My passenger hates the stadium seating on most scooters that are really capable of 2-up riding, so that's one reason why the GTS is such a primary consideration.

I'm looking to be able to do around-town riding, as well as weekend trips up the PCH.

Some basic questions are:

- how is the acceleration with the added weight?
- what's the top speed when you have a passenger, and how long does it take to get there?
- does the handling suffer significantly?
- are there any particular problems or concerns that stand out when 2-up riding on a GTS?
- any other scooters to consider? (blasphemous question, I know)

Any feedback is most appreciated!

my girlfriend and i love riding two up on my gts. performance is still very impressive.

my only complaint with the gts is that the fold-out passenger foot pegs (and their feet) sometimes get in the way when stopping- my calves will bump her feet when i put my feet down at stops. with time, we've developed a method for stopping that isn't so clumsy.

so, when we ride two up, i prefer the treks that involve less stop-and-go traffic and more touring. however, it's still a great scoot regardless of this quirk and highly recommend it....

wes

We are both large people and we do not see much of a change in speed or acceleration. I find that it is the same to get up to speed regardless of 1-up or 2-up. As for top speed, the speedo will read between 75-80mph on a flat road. We added the kickstand on the left and we scrap often riding 2-up when making higher speed left hand turns. You really should change the air in the tires when moving from 1-up to 2-up or visa versa. We scrap the bottom of the bike when going over speed bumps when riding 2-up. This does not happen with just me or just her. Remember to change the rear suspension to say 3 or 4 when riding 2-up. We also have the same problem with feet getting in the way as the poster stated above. I think the GTS will end up being your best choice.

When riding two-up on my GT, the main problems I have are having to sit too close to the legshield, forcing me to adjust the way I steer and stop. The footpegs are a real nuisance when stopping, too. For that reason, when riding two-up, I try to stay on the long, rural stretches instead of the stop-and-go urban traffic. Riding on rural roads around here is more fun when alone, too.

All this being said, the BV500 would be my choice for riding two-up, because it's closer to a Vespa configuration than the other maxi-scooters with "stadium seating" out there. One of these days, I will own one.

Ditto to what's been said before. My wife and I ride 2-up on my GT frequently and have had many of the same experiences as this GTS crowd. Acceleration has never been a problem on the GT, nor has maneuvering, meaning that the extra 50 cc of the GTS should definitely be able to handle it. As for speed, I've gotten the GT up to a speedometer reading of 76 mph w/ her on back, so the GTS should be able to beat that easily. I have also never scraped the bottom of my bike 2-up, though this might be because #1. my wife and I are both smaller people with a combined weight of about 260 lbs, and #2. I tend to take corners, speed bumps, etc. a little bit easier with her on the back. (No matter what your size or weight, pump those tires up before riding w/ 2.) I've also never really had to adjust my riding style like FarSideMan...I might sit a tiny bit farther up on the saddle when my wife's on back, but not enough to really notice.
The ONLY problem I've had 2-up is the same one everyone else on here seems to have...the footpegs / my wife's feet getting in the way at a stop. With her on back, I generally have to plant my feet more forward than I'd normally do, but with some time and practice, it's no problem.
The best way to see if it's right for you and your passenger is to try one out. Even if the dealer would prefer you not take it out on the road, both of you just sit on it (center stand or not) to see what the positioning feels like, where the foot pegs and feet hit, etc.

Remember to adjust your shocks! You don't want your tire to rub the plastic fender thing in the rear when you have a passenger.

Yeah, the foot pegs on the GTS really suck. Riding two up on the LX150 was more comfortable for rider and passenger. I have a feeling I'm going to miss that scooter...

I can't comment on the GT200, but the LX150 and the GTS have plenty of poop for the pillions.

The GTS seems to really not suffer on power 2-up. Sometimes on hills it'll slow up a bit, but it's really no big deal.

I have had the scooter to 80 mph indicated 2-up. Usually cruise at 70 indicated which is about 65 mph.

Like my BMW the GTS seems to handle better 2-up. Maybe more weight pushing on the tires give a better contact patch (?).

The passenger foot pegs take some getting use to when riding 2-up. After a while you'll learn to really put your feet out WIDE when you stop with a passenger. Also the horn isn't very loud. That's easily changed.

I have ridden the X9 and the BV500. I like them both a lot. Have also been on a Honda SilverWing and really like that. Still.................give me my GTS for solo or 2-up riding.

Cathy and I have been on a few trips with the GTS and the only problem (if you can call it that) we have is stopping for gas frequently. Between 100 and 130 miles the low fuel light goes on. I figure I can still go about 30 miles and then I need gas ASAP!

the GTS does fine with 2 people. I find that I preffer to ride with 2 rather than alone, as it's a bit too much power for my scrawny butt to handle proplery. If you're looking for something that corners like a dream and still provides non-stadium seating for a passenger this would be the prine scoot. You might also consider the GT200, but it does certainly lack extra power when heading out on the highways.

You've just said the magic word..

BENNY!! We have member no.3....

I'd agree with the comments on the poorly placed footrests (what's up with those?) and the good power. Top speed is limited by sharp blows to my back from my lovely wife. A really big hill might cause you to lose speed: I don't think I'd want to try the Cuesta grade two up!

I think adding a top case really improves passenger comfort. And the handling is surprisingly good. I generally leave my rear shocks on +3 all the time, so I don't fool with them or the tire pressure for those rare two up rides. (My wife really likes to ride her own GT, thank you very much.)

Or an ET4 backrest..

Dude preset the shock and go for it. Lets us know what you think.

Are we are real club now? SSC subdivision of MV, is it for real finally!

Same here. First time I got my GT above 70, my wife was shrieking for me to slow down. I keep my shocks on 3, as well, and the tire pressure at the same level as well. But as for the top case, my wife liked having the back rest at first, but said after a while she felt it got in her way...I guess she was feeling a little too boxed in. I'd suggest trying one out first before plunking over the $250 - $300 extra (or whatever they're running these days)...I definitely won't be buying one if I upgrade to the GTV. The one I have now basically sits in my garage collecting dust.

Get a decent windshield and then you can actually have a conversation with your passenger, even at touring speeds.

Footpegs are a pain. My passengers tell me the back seat is uncomfortable after about 45 minutes.