Modern Vespa

Hello all you Vespa owners,

I am considering buying a second hand Vespa GTS 125 as I love the style and charisma that this scooter has. Also I'm quite tall at 6 foot and I've read that the GTS is a slightly larger scooter than the LX 125 with more under seat storage and better suspension. The underseat storage is key for me as I will be using this scooter to go to the shops to do my food shopping, so the ability to fit two carrier bags of shopping is essential.

So, I've heard that the GTS 125 has room under the seat for two open face helmets but can't find any photos of this on the internet so I don't know how much space there is realistically for shopping.

Would someone please post a photo of the under seat compartment on a GTS 125? Or if that's too much hassle just get a tape measure out for me? I'll probably buy a top box as well so I have that extra space for carrying things.

Look forward to beeping my Vespa's horn at you all when I meet you on the A Roads of England

I think Keithm did a scientific measurement of the underseat storsge volume of scooter that has the same sized pet carrier
GTS pet carrier Volume measurements Results

First of all, welcome. You have instant friends here.

Saddle bags may be a good solution for you. Tuck them away in your "under the seat compartment" (here, that is known as a "pet carrier" or "pet warmer" for cynical reasons - don't put a pet in there).

Your groceries may get quite warm.

Unroll the saddle bags when you go shopping, and store them in the pet warmer to keep your scoot looking sharp.

See New Thread for ordering roll up Saddle Bags for a discussion of these saddle bags and some great pictures.

The curry hook also comes in handy for shopping-it can easily accommodate 4 carrier bags full

Nice one Ashbrook, that link was exactly what I was after. But what exactly is a 'curry hook'?!!

Thanks for the info and the link sharpcolorado, I'll definitely be looking into getting some saddle bags as I want to maximize the scooter's carrying capacity.

By the looks of things, the 'Pet Carrier' is big enough to take a rucksack with some clothes in for an overnight stay. I hear that it gets warm, but I could always put my dry groceries under the seat and put anything that might spoil in the box at the back.

One more request for info, is there a difference between a Vespa GTS 125 and a Vespa GT 125?

If they're based on the same chasis then I'm fairly sure one of these scooters will be mine in the next month or two. 8)

And this thread explains it The Origin of "Curry Hook"

There's a good amount of room in there, but I have yet to personally get one open face helmet inside that space, let alone two, and I wear a small. I've seen the occasional Vespa-branded open face helmet fit, but not two. I haven't tried it myself, but I highly doubt it's possible. There's probably enough space for it, it's just shaped wrong to accommodate most helmets other than half shells. They've got the same frame, just with a few internal engine mounting bits being the main difference. The underseat storage bucket is identical. The GT is the carb model, and the GTS is fuel-injected. There's a few minor cosmetic differences too, but the majority of them can be swapped if you've got the patience and money to do so.

Witch Wrote: Thanks for clearing that up. There is a Vespa GT 125 L with low millage near to where I live so, what with stickyfrog illustrating the use of the "curry hook" and seeing that I can get some non perishable shopping in the "pet carrier" - my heart is set on this scooter!

This is going to be so much fun!

Thanks to all who replied and thanks to sharpcolorado for the warm welcome

Jesse

Excellent choice! Let us know when you get it by posting pictures for us to drool on!

Firstly welcome to the greatest show on earth.

I own a GTS 250 with a top box. I can't put a helmet under the seat but it goes in the top box or on the helmet hook under the seat.

As for room, when you combine the pet carrier, top box and carry hook at the front you can carry quite a bit. Then if you added a front rack you could almost carry the whole supermarket home. Oh and then you have floor racks to add more stuff but at this point ya better off with a truck.

All of my carrying points!

Don't forget that you can also use a cargo net and use it on the rear of the seat... That will be able to hold a few more things in a bag.

How about a book bag as well? We don't always have to put stuff on the scooter.

I bet the pet carrier is empty.

Any idea where I can get that cargo net?