OP
@amateriat avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
 
Ossessionato
@amateriat avatar
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
UTC quote
Her name is Melody.

Actually, I wasn't expecting to take her home today, but...since it was a floor model, with about 110 miles already on the clock, there wasn't much needed in terms of prep , other than a general once-over (they actually put on a new set of tires), plus a bit of spit n' polish. Signed the papers, bought a helmet, and followed Significant Other in her CR-V back to the ranch three miles away.

Wow...over forty years since I piloted <i>anything</i> with an engine. Dealer gave me a debriefing on general controls, then I slipped on my jacket (a Showers Pass cycling jacket, which should do for now), some lightly-armoured Pearl Izumi gloves, slipped on the helmet, and...

Wow (again)...the 300 <i>is</i> peppy, but smooth, even with that single cylinder, which makes rather nice sounds - not raucous, but hardly wimpy. The first mile I was a tad nervous, but apparently smooth. Second mile, I'm starting to get into it: taking curves smartly, taking it up to around 40mph. Suspension really feels refined, no deceleration weirdness at all. And...nice engine braking! Helped me lay off the brakes after that first cautious mile.

Brought it up the driveway with a mile-wide grin. Said to GF: "Didn't suck?" She said I seemed extremely smooth.

Will obviously want to get some more practice miles in PDQ, and check out a few courses, but the bike feels really good. I guess those decades of cycling in Gotham paid off in more ways than one!

And, like many of the newly-Vespafied, I'll have questions like this one: the dealer mentioned the odo reading in km, and not being changeable, but I could swear I just read, right here on MV, that this isn't the case. Besides, wouldn't that be kinda the point of a digital display in this case?

Meanwhile, I need to mentally sober up a bit. GF is joking about it, and the cat's starting to look at me funny...
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⚠️ Last edited by amateriat on UTC; edited 5 times
@skunkhome avatar
UTC

Hooked
Burgman 400, BV250, CH80, Helix
Joined: UTC
Posts: 450
Location: SE Louisiana
 
Hooked
@skunkhome avatar
Burgman 400, BV250, CH80, Helix
Joined: UTC
Posts: 450
Location: SE Louisiana
UTC quote
Isn't it a hoot!? Congratulations on the new ride.
@davidcha avatar
UTC

Addicted
2011 GTS 300 Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 852
Location: Marrowstone Island, WA
 
Addicted
@davidcha avatar
2011 GTS 300 Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 852
Location: Marrowstone Island, WA
UTC quote
You, sir, sound like you have the Vespa virus. There is no cure. Prepare to think about scooters, talk about scooters, plan for scooter mods, and also find yourself going outside just to look at her for no damn reason!

Congratulations on your new ride!
@consumerboy avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2020 GTS 300 Touring "Verde Bosco"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 79
Location: Wisconsin
 
Enthusiast
@consumerboy avatar
2020 GTS 300 Touring "Verde Bosco"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 79
Location: Wisconsin
UTC quote
Never lose the Vespa Smile!
@irene avatar
UTC

Hooked
Primavera 150, GTS 250 - Sold, HD Street 500h
Joined: UTC
Posts: 215
Location: New Hampshire
 
Hooked
@irene avatar
Primavera 150, GTS 250 - Sold, HD Street 500h
Joined: UTC
Posts: 215
Location: New Hampshire
UTC quote
How sweet it is - Vespa ownership that is! Congratulations!
@tiggerz avatar
UTC

Hooked
Vespa 200L
Joined: UTC
Posts: 165
Location: East Coast US
 
Hooked
@tiggerz avatar
Vespa 200L
Joined: UTC
Posts: 165
Location: East Coast US
UTC quote
She looks a beaut! Hope you enjoy her

Here's the conversion:
Can the Digital screen (odometer) be programmed for MPH?
jthspace wrote:
Turn off ignition
Press and hold the MODE button = right hand button by starter
Turn on ignition

Display should have changed
Turn off ignition
Release button
Turn on ignition
@strick avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2021 Ducati Multistrada 950S
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3452
Location: Columbia, MD
 
Ossessionato
@strick avatar
2021 Ducati Multistrada 950S
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3452
Location: Columbia, MD
UTC quote
Congrats!

Have fun and ride safely.
@drscooter avatar
UTC

Addicted
2007 GTS 250ie 2006 Ducati Monster S2R 803 2005 Sportster 883XL 2010 GTS 300ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 586
Location: St.Louis, Missouri
 
Addicted
@drscooter avatar
2007 GTS 250ie 2006 Ducati Monster S2R 803 2005 Sportster 883XL 2010 GTS 300ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 586
Location: St.Louis, Missouri
UTC quote
Well WELCOME Clown emoticon Clown emoticon Clown emoticon



Nice look'n Scoot you got there Nerd emoticon
@fledermaus avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 LX150 2015 GTS (on the bench) 2017 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12249
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@fledermaus avatar
2007 LX150 2015 GTS (on the bench) 2017 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12249
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
UTC quote
Congratulations, you did it!

Keep grinning! Scooter emoticon Scooter emoticon Scooter emoticon
OP
@amateriat avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
 
Ossessionato
@amateriat avatar
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
UTC quote
Tiggerz wrote:
She looks a beaut! Hope you enjoy her

Here's the conversion:
Can the Digital screen (odometer) be programmed for MPH?
jthspace wrote:
Turn off ignition
Press and hold the MODE button = right hand button by starter
Turn on ignition

Display should have changed
Turn off ignition
Release button
Turn on ignition
<i>Many</i> thanks for this, Tig. Will give it a go Sunday. Having a late-night reading of the manual as well. Since I have work to do early AM in NYC tomorrow, I won't have time to either tweak or ogle her.

One other thing I have to get down is a more fundamental one: getting the darn thing up on its center-stand without worrying about toppling/dropping her. I know it's an art of using leverage, but I need a bit of practice there as well.
Skunkhome wrote:
Isn't it a hoot!? Congratulations on the new ride.
Oh, golly, yes. However exaggerated, it almost felt a bit like this:

https://youtu.be/ZwOxM0-byvc
davidcha wrote:
You, sir, sound like you have the Vespa virus. There is no cure. Prepare to think about scooters, talk about scooters, plan for scooter mods, and also find yourself going outside just to look at her for no damn reason!

Congratulations on your new ride!
Thanks! I think you're right. And, yes, I keep stealing looks at her. But I'm trying to refrain from singing...

https://youtu.be/vRF5zSczYEs
@der_blechfahrer avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
ET3 & PX150 & GTS 300 Super Sport MY23 & Yamaha Neo's electric
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1890
Location: Berlin
 
Molto Verboso
@der_blechfahrer avatar
ET3 & PX150 & GTS 300 Super Sport MY23 & Yamaha Neo's electric
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1890
Location: Berlin
UTC quote
The trick is
stand on your left foot,
face the 5 o'clock direction,
press the center-stand down until it touches the ground,
move the Vespa a little until you can feel the second center-stand foot touch the ground as well. This is probably the most important thing.
Now you should be able to take off your hands and the bike won't fall over as long as you keep pressing down your right foot.
Shift your weight onto your right foot like going up a step. You can pull at the grab rail, but your weight should do the bulk of the work.
@tigger808 avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
Primavera 150 3v
Joined: UTC
Posts: 68
Location: Honolulu
 
Enthusiast
@tigger808 avatar
Primavera 150 3v
Joined: UTC
Posts: 68
Location: Honolulu
UTC quote
Congrats and welcome!
Oh the little things in life that make us all warm and fuzzy when we are adults!!! Love it, thanks for sharing!
My bike reminds me of George Jetsons mode of transportation, It's awesome! Congrats and welcome!
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@waspmike avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
LXV 150 3v ie. Midnight Blue (Sold) Now Honda Zoomer X
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4130
Location: Kingdom of Lanna
 
Ossessionato
@waspmike avatar
LXV 150 3v ie. Midnight Blue (Sold) Now Honda Zoomer X
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4130
Location: Kingdom of Lanna
UTC quote
Can't believe you went to a Yamaha dealer and came out with a Vespa Laughing emoticon
@caplan avatar
UTC

Hooked
Triumph Bonneville T120
Joined: UTC
Posts: 123
Location: Bentonville
 
Hooked
@caplan avatar
Triumph Bonneville T120
Joined: UTC
Posts: 123
Location: Bentonville
UTC quote
Congratulations! Several of us here have recently bought identical Vespas. Don't hesitate to ask questions!
OP
@amateriat avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
 
Ossessionato
@amateriat avatar
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
UTC quote
waspmike wrote:
Can't believe you went to a Yamaha dealer and came out with a Vespa Laughing emoticon
Vespas, right next to the jet-skis, right next to a few R6s and Stars, right next to a few hot tubs and ATVs - that's Stumpy's for ya. (Of course, that diverse product offering is probably the reason they've stuck around as long as they have.)
@madison_sully avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7629
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@madison_sully avatar
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7629
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
UTC quote
amateriat wrote:
waspmike wrote:
Can't believe you went to a Yamaha dealer and came out with a Vespa Laughing emoticon
Vespas, right next to the jet-skis, right next to a few R6s and Stars, right next to a few hot tubs and ATVs - that's Stumpy's for ya. (Of course, that diverse product offering is probably the reason they've stuck around as long as they have.)
Amen to that....
@judy avatar
UTC

World Traveler
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
 
World Traveler
@judy avatar
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
UTC quote
Awesome story. Sweet bike. I have 35,000 miles on my LX. Love him more everyday. My best friend is from Brooklyn. We went to college together. Her dad was a fire fighter in Brooklyn. He stayed in the city during the week and went to their home in the Catskills. Have fun and be careful.
@flanderswasp avatar
UTC

Addicted
2014 GTS 300ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 707
Location: Belgium
 
Addicted
@flanderswasp avatar
2014 GTS 300ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 707
Location: Belgium
UTC quote
That's a shiny beauty. Start carfully and enjoy driving her
@pigletpilot avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Gina, 1965 Vespa 180SS, Bella,1968 Vespa 150 Super, Mia, 2017 Vespa Primavera 70th Anniversary 150ie, Gabriella, 2017 GTS300 ABS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1915
Location: Hamilton/Kirikiriroa, NZ
 
Molto Verboso
@pigletpilot avatar
Gina, 1965 Vespa 180SS, Bella,1968 Vespa 150 Super, Mia, 2017 Vespa Primavera 70th Anniversary 150ie, Gabriella, 2017 GTS300 ABS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1915
Location: Hamilton/Kirikiriroa, NZ
UTC quote
I thought my sickness was peculiar to me. Enjoy everything about your new scoot, they are a welcome diversion from the real world around us. Scooter emoticon
OP
@amateriat avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
 
Ossessionato
@amateriat avatar
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
UTC quote
A long day yesterday in Gotham, No time to ride, too much to do when I got back, too dark to ride upon return (still riding on permit, remember), off to bed relatively early (for me, at least).

Wake up relatively early (again, at least for me...ask anyone). House is empty, save for the cat. GF's off for her workout. Rub eyes, walk to stairway window, open it, stick head out.

Yep, not dreaming.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
⚠️ Last edited by amateriat on UTC; edited 1 time
@bob_copeland avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3708
Location: Minneapolis USA
 
Ossessionato
@bob_copeland avatar
2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3708
Location: Minneapolis USA
UTC quote
Welcome
Thanks for the great pictures. Ride on!

Bob Copeland
@cdwise avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GTS 300, Buddy 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8870
Location: Knoxville, TN
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@cdwise avatar
GTS 300, Buddy 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8870
Location: Knoxville, TN
UTC quote
As you learned the Yamaha dealer doesn't know a whole lot about Vespas. Looks like you have a lovely new to you scoot. Take the MSF course when you have a chance, it will help you start with good habits. Most importantly have fun and stay safe. Riding a bicycle in NYC will have taught you a lot about what to watch out for.
@dr_zoidberg avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Ducati Scrambler 800 Nightshift
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3423
Location: Bromsgrove, UK
 
Ossessionato
@dr_zoidberg avatar
Ducati Scrambler 800 Nightshift
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3423
Location: Bromsgrove, UK
UTC quote
waspmike wrote:
Can't believe you went to a Yamaha dealer and came out with a Vespa Laughing emoticon
Mine came from a Honda dealer. Not sure they knew what to make of it.
@raputtak avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2016 GTS 300 Super - red, of course.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4755
Location: Hertford, North Carolina
 
Ossessionato
@raputtak avatar
2016 GTS 300 Super - red, of course.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4755
Location: Hertford, North Carolina
UTC quote
Find some way to nail it down in case it grows legs during the night. A locked garage is best or a length of heavy chain and a padlock. Motorcycle dealers should have a selection. It is well worth the investment.

Get a Grip-Lock for when you are away from home. Nothing is 100% but the Grip-Lock is a good visual deterrent.

http://www.grip-lock.com/home-en/

I use the yellow one.

The company has a great customer service, too.
OP
@amateriat avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
 
Ossessionato
@amateriat avatar
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
UTC quote
Raputtak wrote:
Find some way to nail it down in case it grows legs during the night. A locked garage is best or a length of heavy chain and a padlock. Motorcycle dealers should have a selection. It is well worth the investment.

Get a Grip-Lock for when you are away from home. Nothing is 100% but the Grip-Lock is a good visual deterrent.

http://www.grip-lock.com/home-en/

I use the yellow one.

The company has a great customer service, too.
Thanks for the info. For security at home (as well as storage over those winter stretches when it's too icy/snowy to scoot), I'm in the process of building a locking shed out back, which I made sure was just deep enough for the GTS, as well as leaving room for a few bicycles, lawnmower and portable generator. Already researching ancillary security for parking, but the first thing I'm buying is a U-lock for the front disc.
@budz avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
GTS 300 Super ABS/ASR (sold), BV 350 ABS/ASR (crashed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1137
Location: Washington DC
 
Molto Verboso
@budz avatar
GTS 300 Super ABS/ASR (sold), BV 350 ABS/ASR (crashed)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1137
Location: Washington DC
UTC quote
amateriat wrote:
A long day yesterday in Gotham, No time to ride, too much to do when I got back, too dark to ride upon return (still riding on permit, remember), off to be relatively early (for me, at least).

Wake up relatively early (again, at least for me...ask anyone). House is empty, save for the cat. GF's off for her workout. Rub eyes, walk to stairway window, open it, stick head out.

Yep, not dreaming.
Congratulations on your beautiful bike! Love the color and this is a great
photo of it...
@dailyrider28465 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Mia Dolce II 2017 GTV 300, Ragazzo Vespa 946, Il Pazzo BV 350, & Mia Dolce GTV 250 -sold-
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1730
Location: Oak Island NC
 
Molto Verboso
@dailyrider28465 avatar
Mia Dolce II 2017 GTV 300, Ragazzo Vespa 946, Il Pazzo BV 350, & Mia Dolce GTV 250 -sold-
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1730
Location: Oak Island NC
UTC quote
Welcome! That's a great looking scoot. Stay safe and have a great time.
OP
@amateriat avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
 
Ossessionato
@amateriat avatar
2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3925
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
UTC quote
Observations (so far)
Sprung from cages on Highway 9
Chrome-wheeled, fuel-injected
And stepping out over the line


Nope...nothing like that yet. (I <i>have</i> traversed Route 9W for many years , from Manhattan to Nyack, NY on bicycle, only occasionally with that song in my head). But, astride Melody...yes, it's been a gently giddy thing. And it brings back memories of my off-road motorcycling days, in interesting ways:

- I love the lower CG of the vespa, as I suspected I would. Such sure-footedness through turns and over rough pavement is almost novel to me. But I suppose spending one's now-distant callow youth sliding over mud and rocks doesn't make for much of a reference point.

- The Equalizing Effect of Secondary Roads: Where folks on bigger iron (especially certain large V-twin bikes) can't or won't tool along any faster than I can go on this thing. What also comes to mind is that the first motorcycle I toyed around with getting, a vintage Honda CB-77, has scarcely more horsepower than the GTS, and minus the benefit of roughly fifty years of technological refinement, I strongly feel I'm not missing a hell of a lot in terms of enjoyment.

- Why Economy Still Matters: Here in the Great State of New Jersey, the typical price for a gallon of gas is well below $2 a gallon. (Lowest price for the moment: Costco, at $1.87.) However, my particular thrill is the thought of filling up Melody, and getting substantial change from a fiver. Yes, people are foolishly pulling their Canyoneros out of mothballs for some serious petro-indulgence - while they can - but I'm having some serious frugal fun.

- "You Meet the Nicest People..." Getting noticed wasn't the first thing on my mind when I got the bike: I was simply determined that, if I was getting a scooter instead of a motorcycle, I wanted something I had a positive gut-reaction to. Somehow, a few others have picked up on this. Part of this might be chalked up to just how few people I've encountered (at least in Asbury and environs) on scooters of any variety, let alone Vespas: I think I have one distant neighbor who owns what looks like a Burgman, and one other person on a GTV who appears every once in a while. Hopefully, I'll run into a few others...not literally, I hope.

- When I chose my helmet - an HJC CL-17 - I was hoping the thing wouldn't be noisy at speed, and I really wanted to avoid wearing earplugs. So far, it appears I lucked out - it's <i>very</i> quiet, as well as quite comfy.

- Yep, I stand and stare at it a bit each day. We'll see how long <i>this</i> lasts.
Yes, I noticed the first listed act. Kismet.
Yes, I noticed the first listed act. Kismet.
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