Modern Vespa

Hey all,

Absolutely love the forum, it has answered so many of my questions about what scooter to get, etc. I am HOOKED on the vespa's, and I am delighted to say I will be buying my first one ASAP. I REALLY need help in deciding which one to go for, the GTS 125 or the LX 125..?

I do realise the size and weight difference, but I am comfortable sitting on both. Problem is I have never driven one before I'm from Ireland, and there is not much of a choice when it comes to scooters. Nowhere will let you test drive any model, as far as I'm aware. So I was wondering if anyone on here has any experience with either scooter, or even with both, what things could you tell me about them? I'm looking for the type of advice only people who actually ride the scooter everyday would know about. I am leaning slightly more towards the GTS, but because it is bigger will it be ok filtering up through traffic? I will be using it for a 40 km round trip in and out of college. It would defeat the whole purpose if I had to sit in a traffic Q. The roads I would be travelling on are quite wide, then they get a bit narrow once I get near dublin city. Any advice? Would the LX be better for weaving in and out?

Thanks in advance for any info offered!!

Claire

Congrats on getting into Vespa Claire and welcome to the forum. I ride a gts in London and its perfect for nipping in and out of traffic. Never had an LX but since i'm 6'1'' the GTS fits me nicely.
Please remember to post some pictures when you finally get your scoot.
Ride safe and enjoy!
Ash

The GTS has about 5 bhp more than the LX and is watercooled. Buy whatever fits you best size wise.

Hello Claire
Easy to get hooked I'm warning you!!
I've had a 125 GTS super for 3 and a half years
I love it
I'm biased
GTS all the way

Wow, thanks for the speedy reply guys!! And that gives me great confidence ash about skipping the traffic! Was worried about that, but of it works in London the it has to work in Dublin!! Height is not on my side, unfortunately. I am about 5'4". When I sit on both, I can get my toes and some of the ball of both feet on the ground at the same time. If I keep one foot on the floor of the bike, and slightly slant it to one side I can pretty much get my entire foot down. I do feel comfy on it, but then again I was judging the whole thing while inside a shop. Will the fact that I don't have my full foot on the ground be an issue? Personally it doesn't make me too nervous, but I don't know if there is a particular situation on a daily scooter commute where I'd need to use my full foot that I have not yet considered? Like, when stopped facing upwards on a hill, would that be difficult? There is only one big hill with lights where I could get caught, but I definitely would like to go on adventures with the scooter and onto different roads..

Oh, and I will definitely post photos once I get him/her!! You may regret reminding me to post..

Hi


I know Dublin well...am currently sat in my mates house in dunshaughlin..I'm assuming your gonna use the /M3 etc and some N roads assuming your at trinity..?

I personally would go GTS all the way, will handle the Irish roads better as they are not always in the best condition. as you have bigger wheels more weight and stability on windy days and no real compromise on filtering ,also noticed a few bikes parked on pavements right in the centre off Grafton st by Brown Thomas and by the quayside as well..seems the garda leave them alone


Happy days!...


I have both an lx and GTS and for your commute its a no brainer..

Enjoy your bike and welcome to mv!...

Claire
If you're 5'4" I'd recommend the LX
The GTS is a pretty heavy bike.. I'm 5'7 and pretty strong and I would not feel confident if I could not put my foot flat to the floor. If you drop it onto your leg it'll hurt....

I have had 3 Lx's and 2 GTS's and i'd say 10000% go for the GTS, it's faster nicer to ride and even though it's a tad bigger size-wise you can fling it around just as much as the LX

Dont worry to much about your height and stuff as the GTS is very easy to live with regardless of anything else height weight etc etc....

get the GTS you wont regret it

Kittysaz has a good point ...



But....


I know some Italian girls smaller than you riding GTS's..my ex rode a gt200 and she was about 5'4



You can get used to it and you could consider lowering/changing the seat there is a thread somewhere on the forum about this.
Ultimately though safety first but I think in the long term it will be worth you while getting U
Used to the heavier GTS...

I'd go for gts every time
I'm just a safety girl lol

Well you could wait a couple a bit for the 946 (125cc):



But fair warning- it'll cost you!

Wow wow wow, thanks for all te replies!! I'm so excited now, it has to be the GTS! And kittysaz, I really appreciate your advice too, thanks! I did wonder would I be able to control it if it does start to fall, but I didn't find it hard at all! And maybe after a while i might get used to it do you think? I was think the weight would also be positive from the point of view of cross-winds. I was thinking it would be less affected by them, or is this an issue no matter what weight scooter you drive?

Oh my god, I'm so so SO excited!!!!!!!! I cannot wait!!!! Won't be able to order it until tomorrow afternoon and then I'm hoping it will be about 2 weeks by the time I actually get it on the road - I'm bringing it down from northern Ireland and I'll need to register and pay vat etc. god, I feel like a ki waiting for Christmas!!!

I heard a new one was coming out alright! But, and this may sound crazy to most people, but the Irish reg's are changing in 2013 (they think people won't buy vehicles with 13 in the reg plate) so I'd rather have it with the reg I'm familiar with!
And I really have fallen in live with the GTS and LX range..I have a feeling though that this one will grow on me!! When is that due to be released?

God that 946 is fugly....



No storage made of aluminium...


Not convinced..


At all!

Nice one!
You will adore the GTS!
What colour will you choose?!!!

I also think the 946 is yuk too

I know, what colour to get is the next battle!!!! I don't think I can resist the black one!! When I was in the shop in Belfast they had a black 300 GTS and it was fantastic looking!!!!! I had originally thought I would go for the white, but I'm not too sure now. See the positive about white is that it's really visable. The negative is that it's really visible.. Like, that's a bonus safety feature when driving, but not so much when people decide they want to rob it! But, I suppose I shouldn't think like that...which colours have you guys got? I do also really like the red...argh I'm so bad at decisions!!!!!!!

Black looks good initially but doesn't seem to stay that way
White looks great. As does red IMO
Visibility important when rigid especially in the dark
Get what YOU like!!! That's what's important!

wow. sexy lines this 946.

sounds a bit like using Porsche naming, 924, 948 etc.

I agree that visible evening rigidity is important too!
Is this an ad for luminescent Viagra?!

Well, after over two months since my last post, my Vespa GTS 125 is FINALLY here!!!! Vespa in Italy/Switzerland took 3 weeks to send out a vespa to the place where I had ordered it from. When it finally arrived it was red (nothing against the red, but I had the black ordered). So, another 4 weeks passed and the shop were eventually able to get their hands on a frame number, which meant that the bike really was on it's way. A few more days passed, the shop rang Vespa in Italy/Switzerland (I think the bike comes from Italy but when you call them you are calling Switzerland) and they said a bike had NOT been dispatched - The Vespa arrived the next day! Very weird altogether, but I have now got it so all is forgotten!!!!!!

It is safe to say I. Am. HOOKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is SO much fun to go on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't think I would love it this much, but it is just the best fun to go on! I have yet to go on the real roads as it's not registered yet. Also, I am in the middle of college exams, and have had to use all the will power in the world to not stay out for hours around the estate on it - to my neighbours delight!

I have taken only a few photos to put up here. No modification or anything, all natural!!

I was worried that I may be too short for the bike, but its perfect!!!!! I'm 5'4", and I do have short legs, but the bike is so well made that it almost stands upright byitself! I am able to get the balls of both feet to the floor at the same time, which really is perfectly comfortable.

It's absolutely lashing rain here now (in Ireland, rain?! ) so I have it tucked up under a what seems to be a good rain cover. Any advice on the best way to store the bike away from the elements? I was thinking of getting one of those capsule things that have a base and what looks like a big hood/pop-up tent. Have no idea where to get one though! Anyone know of any places in Ireland/UK or USA that will deliver to Ireland??

I cannot believe I actually own a Vespa now - Roll on the 23rd when my exams will be over, and I will hopefully have it registered so I can go on the roads and SHOW IT OFF!!!!! 8)

Oh, and one other thing, I need to take it to a Car registration place to let them see it (they check that it is actually what I have claimed it is and then I pay VAT and VRT). But anyone have any clue on whether I can legally drive it before it's registered? Like, if I have a letter to say that I am on my way to the appointment? It's insured and all that. Just didn't want the hassle of having to rent a trailer/van to bring it there.

Thanks again for any advice!!!

Very very nice. Glad you finally got it. Welcome to the forum BTW. Have fun and be careful out there.

That's Gorgeous, really glad you got the GTS!!
Sotty I can't advise on laws in Ireland, I'm ok in the UK but not my mum's mother country sadly
Enjoy!!

Great scooter. With regards to storage, for semi permanent storage I would go for one of the plastic sheds. They are fully waterproof, dual layer and easy to assemble.

Wickets and BandQ both stock them. Got mine from tescos for less than 200 GBP.

Enjoy!

Beautiful beast you have there. You picked the fastest color too! . Is it a GTS125 Super?

Oh Excellent!!! Thanks, I hadn't thought about trying B and Q actually!!! That's great, I'll have a look.

And Kittysaz, your Mum is Irish?? Cool! Is she from Dublin?

I'm assuming your scooter is nice and tucked up now with all the snow in the UK? I hope it doesn't come this way, although there is snow in areas that are higher up already.. It'll be just my luck, exams will finish and I STILL won't get to drive my Vespa!!!

Yep!!! It's a "GTS 125 Super ie".....Love love LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I havn't picked a name for him/her yet, any suggestions??

Nah Hunny she's from Cork!!!
If you google 'portable motorcycle storage' there's a site which has wrap-over shed type things on there
I want one.... they look very cool....I will try and find the link for you

Names....

The Vespa is black

You're Irish

Has to be Guinness!!!!

Awh wow, Cork is GREAT!!! That's the "real" capital of Ireland, as they say! Yeah, if you find a link for that it would be great! I'll try have another google and see if anything comes up..what might they be called?

Oh Yeah!!!! So is it a boy then?

This would be PERFECT!!!!! But it's in USA...

http://www.cycleshell.com/

Do you know of any places this side of the water that might do something like this??

Try this link

http://www.feelgooduk.net/39-motorbike-motorcycle-cover-bike-home-shelter-garage.html

It is a boy
All Girls' Vespa's have to be boys
You sit on them and control them you see
And leave them out in the cold when they're naughty

Ah, I see!!!!!

Thanks a million for the link, I'll have a look at that now..

think paddy or murphy would be a good name

You simply have to call him 'Black Irish'! 8)