Modern Vespa

This is my attempt at a wiki security article. Please comment and I'll make changes accordingly. If it eventually meets standards then perhaps it could be placed in the wiki. I didn't say how certain types of security can be defeated as I didn't want to spread that info too much.

Vespa Security:

I'll start off by saying that no scooter can be made 100% secure. The aim of adding security to your bike is to move the thieves on to an easier target. Vespas are particularly vulnerable because they're easy to ride, relatively powerful and the inbuilt security is quite weak. In many countries security isn't an issue but in places like London owning a Vespa can be a nightmare with up to 30 Vespas stolen here each week. The issue is primarily with the GTS 300 and 250 models and the equivalent BV models. If you only use the security that comes with the bike then your bike will be stolen!

How do they steal it?

They can break the steering lock simply with a hard tug. Chains smaller than 16mm will be cut with bolt cutters. They will then "ped-push" your bike away using another GTS to provide the push. Your ECU will then be removed and replaced with one that's been cleared. At this point they can now ride your bike. It's actually very rare for scooters to be lifted into vans.

Types of lock (weakest first):

• Grip locks - are easy to defeat
• Cable locks - are also easy to defeat
• Handlebar lock - looks classic but can be defeated moderately easily
• Tyre claw - these can be useful on classic bikes with solid wheels
• U-locks - (or D-locks) reasonable quality locks will offer moderate security when used on the back wheel
• Disk locks - can be used on the front wheel and decent ones also offer moderate security. They are also easy to put on and quite small. The downside is they are easy to forget about when setting off so make sure you get a colourful one and always check you've removed it before setting off. Some locks have alarms which can be better but read reviews - the early Xena disk locks with the alarm had very poor quality metal. How you position the lock on the disk will affect it's sensitivity.
• A chain - will allow you to lock your bike to something immovable but it needs to be through the rear wheel. You need a chain of 16mm to get moderately good security. Unfortunately the gap between the wheel and the disk isn't large so fitting a chain can be quite difficult. Large chains can also be very heavy.
• An anti-pinch pin - with the appropriate lock allows you to easily attach a good chain to the back wheel of your scooter.
  

Additional security you could use (weakest first):

• A bike cover - hides your bike from view but most thieves will just lift cover to see what you've got
• CCTV - doesn't really deter thieves but does allow you to post a video after your bikes been stolen
• DIY disabling switches - won't stop them from your stealing bike as they usually won't try to start it till they're safely away. If they can't start it then they'll just sell your bike as parts
• Alarms - in most modern cities we hear alarms going off all the time. It's debatable how much they deter thieves.
• Trackers - won't stop a thief but there's a fairly good chance of getting your bike back. Of course the steering column will be broken, your lock will have been broken and the ECU for your bike would of been taken. DIY Trackers can also be made out of an unneeded smart phone and using special alarm apps . The smart phone would have to be hidden on the bike and would need power yet also be accessible to turn on and off.
• Ground anchors - if you use a good chain while parked at home then consider a ground anchor.
• Paint your bike pink -
  

Lastly:

• Try and park in places that are well lit
• Although it's easier to place a lock on the front wheel remember the front wheel can be removed very easily - disk locks are OK on the front though.
• In high risk areas consider an alarmed disk lock on the front and an anti pinch pin with chain on the rear.
• If you use a chain consider putting your chain through another bikes chain.
• Try to keep your lock and chain off the ground as this makes it harder to attack
• Do not use the metal loop under the floor boards as this metal isn't strong
• in a high risk area like London it's well worth securing both wheels!
• Always remember to check you've removed the lock before setting off
  

Good security:

• 

Bad security:

• 

Good idea and looks like you have covered everything!! 👍

Link to examples.

The best security is to loxit.

How about motion/proximity sensors that send you a text message when your bike is tampered with? I'm thinking an old mobile phone here.

Images of typical examples would be fine but I didn't want to recommend one product over another. loxit??? Is there a product you can buy or is this a DIY thing? To be useful you'd need to be a certain size and temperament to be able to be able to do something about it, you and I might enjoy "interacting" with mouthy teens but I suspect most Vespa riders would prefer not to. You'd also have to be near enough to the bike to get to them before they're gone. I'm pretty certain the police wouldn't respond even if you said you could see them stealing the bike - they'd simply tell you to stay away and they'd send a car over in the next hour

London Exit.

Too soon?

There are many phone apps that use the sensors built into the phones to provide security to property.
eg https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oceanicsoftware.sensoralarm_free&hl=en
I use it when parked up at home so I'm quite close! Used in conjunction with a Find my Phone type app and you have a pretty inexpensive way of tracking your bike as well.
Most thieves would run off if disturbed they have no idea if the owner has back up on its way. I also think most of them would view any irate owner as more of a deterrent than you think. The scooter-jackers are different to the sneak thieves in their MO.
I am only trying to include all the security measures one could employ. You have listed some which we both agree are pretty weak but must be included to give a complete picture.
Is this not just another measure which some people would choose to use?

I'll include it, I just didn't know what it was.

No worries! These apps just make use of many of the features that are built in to our smartphones. Seems a cheap (if you have an old phone knocking about) method of adding another layer of protection. If you need a Pros and Cons piece here goes
Pros
Cheap
Gives immediate notification of tampering
Silent (if you want it to be)

Cons
May have to pay for text messages
Need to have decent concealment
Need to be aware of charging the phone

I've updated the original post with some images and I've correct some mistakes I made. I tried using pictures for every type of lock available but the post became unreadable so in the end I just tried to illustrate good and bad security.

Excellent. You want a pic of my tire clamp?

I tried having an image of every type of lock that was mentioned but the post became disjointed and unreadable. In the end I took all the images out again (including your tyre claw image) and just kept some example images of good and bad security. I think that's a better balance of for the post and hopefully a wiki.

Hi!

Sorry, I only ever seem to post on here about thefts/ attempted thefts! I think the Wiki is a great idea - it's nice to feel there is support out there, and advice!

In the last year I think I am now up to seven attempted thefts of my GTS 300 from outside my house and so catching these guys and stopping my bike being stoken has become a bit of a sad obsession for me

The single biggest thing that is proving a deterrent is my alarm. I have the Piaggio one and I have to say it's great - if anyone touches the bike with any kind of force it will go off, and it is LOUD. Wakes me and my partner up, and half the street! My neighbours are all aware of what has been going on, and are very supportive so they are all keeping an eye out as well.

I realise if you are not in ear shot then it's not as effective, but for anyone with a bike at their property I would recommend it.

So far, as soon as the alarm has gone off the toe rags scarper.

Obviously don't use an alarm in isolation, I have various other chains and locks on mine, plus cameras and data tags.

Unfortunately, they still keep coming... suffice to say I am a very light sleeper now but I do still at least have my beloved scoot.

Good luck everyone!!! Remember to lock up!!!!

Emma

P.s.

I have also closely engaged my local police force. Every time something happens I dial 999 immediately.

I also pass on all the intelligence I get from cameras, neighbours etc to the police. We are in email contact now. (God they must love me )

But the police have been great, so thank you to them

On another note, if we all stopped buying dubious second hand parts from ebay and gumtree their market would soon disappear.

I live in Streatham so I'm not far from you. I know I probably shouldn't say it here but perhaps you could look at another type of scooter? Lots of other makes of scoot have far better security as standard and won't attract the attention that yours is currently getting. Even if you changed to a different Vespa model like the Primavera 125 3v you'd avoid all this hassle. Made me laugh!

Seriously I have thought about it! If it does go again then no way will I get another one, it's a complete headache owning a GTS 300 in London. I would NEVER buy another one.

BUT I love my Vespa, it's beautiful, and the ride is great (well apart from the shudder when you accelerate slowly!). I've had it from new and lovingly taken care of it, its in perfect condition - no scrapes or dents. I couldn't swap it out for another bike, I love it too much

I should be able to have nice things that I love without having to worry about them being taken

I've put this into the wiki now. I'd actually forgot I could do this myself
Someone has kindly put in the text for "security" on the main page but I didn't have permission to make it into a link.

Thanks for making this happen, Robin!

Thanks, Robin.
I especially like the entry under CCTV!

Now linked to your article.

I don't much like to see a picture of one of my Vespas as an example for bad security. In fact, it was perfect security for its environment.

I don't honestly know which image is of your bike. I grabbed the images from google and then erased any number plates if they were showing. I also loaded each image into my own storage area on MV to avoid pointing back to an original owner. The aim of the good/bad images was just to help people to critically examine their own security and so hopefully make their bikes more secure. Many thanks Jim