Modern Vespa

...tomorrow I join the ranks of vespa owners. Got some input from the folks on here and comfortable with my decision so thanks all!

Tomorrow, I'm trading in my Ducati Motorcycle and decided to pick up a new 2013 Espresso brown GTV 300. Wasn't using the Ducati and was becoming a chore due to a back injury so thinking this will be much more fun for kicking around my urban hangouts with a lot less discomfort. Plus my wife has interest in the Vespa and refused to have anything to do with my motorcycle. I hadn't hit the twisties lately and honestly the thought was exhausting to me. However, I just couldn't quite come to terms leaving 2 wheels completely. Wanted simple, easy, fun, but still had a ton of personality. Hope I'm making the right decision - wife seems to think so!

Wish me luck.

....do I stop becoming a lurker if I'm an owner?

You stop being a lurker with a few more posts. Let's see a photo of that new scoot!

Stylin' - Espresso GTV

Ride it like you stole it! Have fun.

Still not bored of my '06 GTS after 39k miles.

Congrats! I got the Sienna Ivory one just a couple of weeks ago. You won't be sorry!

You will not get much sleep tonight thinking about that new ride.....but, oh so worth it! ENJOY!!!!

Thanks... I am excited.
Will post pics tomorrow.

You will love it. I know I love mine!

Pictures please.

I have the 300GTV in Portifino Green.
Love it!
Welcome to it!!!

Started to rain so pics in the sunshine have to wait until tomorrow. I did it and got her home today. These things are way to fun to be legal. Pic sent because without the pic, it didn't happen.

you become a full pledge member after you make more than 5 posts.

Congrats with your new ride...do the oil change before you even make a long ride..enjoy!!! and be safe out there!

Mmmmmmm Leather! doesn't much like water so take care of those seats!

and yes.... WAY too much fun!

enjoy it!

Beautiful scoot.

I will be interested in hearing how you find riding a scooter after so many years on sport bikes.

twist and go is so much fun!

Congratulations on your new scooter (and your "Member" status at Modern Vespa)! I wish you a long and happy life together.

Great lifestyle choice. I have owned so many different types of bikes over the years but they don't come close to the fun I have with my scooter.

No-one was interested in going for a ride with me on the motorbikes but they queue up for the scooter. More often than not it's them that suggest it.

Now if you want a top box tell your wife they make an excellent backrest for her when you're together.

Thanks all!! Good first story - so I just picked it up and and head down the road. Approx 10 min down the road, I passed a motorcycle going the opposite way and he sticks his arm out and waves, just a I used to get all the time on my Ducati. For whatever reason, I didn't think scooters would get the wave as I assumed many motorcyclists would view my scoot lesser caste of two wheeledom. Not the case apparently!! It was just an awesome little event after picking it up, like I just got re-welcomed back into the club after a major change, like a good omen. Anyway - had a ton fun easily making my way back home and didn't get too much of a chance but looking forward to the more convenience and simplicity. I'll give my impressions on sport bike vs scooter once I get out a bit. I can already tell that there is a major convenience and usability with the scoot. I picked up the mail (down my street) and no way I could have done that without my backpack as I had a ton of it. Threw it in the pet carrier and zipped home! Awesome.

Good call on the top box strategy. I'll try that

Nice choice. I like the scoot. You will have more fun than you've ever had on two wheels. My two motorcycles are pretty much unused now that I've got my Vespa. I should probably sell one of them.

Congratulations! They are beautiful machines.

I get the impression that week-end riders are more snooty. Every day riders seem more likely to figure that "ridin' is ridin'."

Nice scoot. Wait'll you check the gas milage.

Espresso is the fastest color!

Congrats. Enjoy

Hello JDNEPA, welcome to a great site and to the world of scootering, I too am a recent convert to scootering from a much larger road bike that my wife and I ventured around on for several years, loving it at the time, however after selling it and going without for a few years, I decided it would be nice to have the wind in my face again but on something lighter, the scoot weighing in at 148 kgs compared to my Honda at 248 is just so much fun to roll out of the shed and take off on. The twist and go is fantastic, the ease to get on and off, pull up and take a photo, carry stuff, economy, responsivness on twisty roads, and overal comfort in that upright riding position, the list is endless but we enjoy it so much my wife went out and bought her own and we are having so much fun on our outings. I look forward to your view on your transition, enjoy that lovely machine. Take care out there, all the best, Owie.

ps, The wife loved the top box when on the back with me it made her feel very secure.

sportbike vs scooter....

I also got rid of a full on sportbike to buy the Vespa, (one does run out of room after a while) and note the following differences:

The Vespa feels more planted on the road at speed, it amazes the hell out of me to be exact. The Ninja was blown all over the place by passing trucks.

Its quicker in town. Yes the sportbike was damn fast but the CVT tranny means instant throttle response without shifting down one or two gears.

My wife cuddles up closer on the scooter (big plus) and is more likely to steal it for a blast herself.

So there you go, conclusive evidence, you made the right call, scooters are by far and away the bestest best ride and sportbike suck.

Although I'll likely get another sportbike anyway 'cause they're fun too.

Next week..... dirtbikes

Very beautiful scooter and you've been lurking fpr a while a while cuz ya got the lingo down. 8) BTW a warm aloha and welcome to the forum from Hawaii. ride safe and have fun

Thanks!! Closing in on 100 miles in 24 hours....

Easiest way to describe the handling differences that I've come up with so far going from motorcycle to my scooter is this thing handles like a Mini Cooper does compared to a car (owned 2 of them). Just easy to maneuver at speed and makes your entire lane a little playground where you can use it all really with no effort at normal speeds, different than my bike that while I could do the same required more effort and muscle to swerve it and manipulate it and resisted shifting from a straight line more.

....so far so good.

Great looking scoot. Many happy miles to you!