Modern Vespa

I've been up on two wheels, on and off, since the mid 1960's I decided I finally had enough of motorcycles about 4 years ago. I've been riding my Piaggio for about the last 14-15 months. I have noticed that since I got my Piaggio I have far more people walk up to me and strike up a conversation. It usually starts out with the question, "what's that your riding". A man stoped me today outside the grocery and we talked for more than 5 minutes. Last week at a light a teenaged girl leaned way out the car window and told me that she liked my bike. This is not isolated incedences. I get a lot of thumbs up, waves, shout outs and people stopping to talk wherever I go on my little Piaggio.

I never got that kind of attention when I was on motorcycles. Why are people's reactions to me up on two wheels so different. I haven't changed my riding style but I don't get those ugly looks from cagers I used to get.
Am I more approachable because I'm on a nice "quiet" scooter? Or is taking baths regularly making the difference?

[quote="Skunkhome")Am I more approachable because I'm on a nice "quiet" scooter? Or is taking baths regularly making the difference? [/quote]

A little of both, I imagine.

the stereo type for a scooters is a 30mph Cineese traffic stopper. so when someone sees a scooter that doesn't fit the stereo type they are interested.

most people I talk to about it, say they like the idea of a scooter, but they just cant see themselves riding something that is going to hold up traffic and piss all the cagers off.

I tell them that there are faster scooter out there, then its the price. "i wouldn't spend that much for a SCOOTER"

I get quite a bit of attention on my Zero and not all of it is good. Most people are friendly and very curious about how fast it goes (very), how far it goes on a charge (100 - 110 miles with mixed freeway and surface streets), how long it takes to charge (4 - 8 hours for a full charge from 0% depending on whether or not I use the secondary charger) and how much it costs (more than most sane people would pay). One guy on a Harley told me that it wasn't a real motorcycle because it didn't make any noise. He said it with such palpable disdain that my ego got the better of me and I challenged him to a race. He sneered at me and revved his engine and challenged me to do the same. He won. (But I sure wish that he had raced me. )

Heck, a GTS will out run a Harley.

Brilliant.

Heck. a Genuine Buddy will outrun a Harley - from a stop up to about 30 mph or so.

See my sig line. The Harley never had a chance and the guy was very impressed. Now had there been more road he would of won but don't tell him that.

Every time I am caught in traffic by a vehicle containing kids, they go nuts waving at me.

I always wave back. If someone laughs, I just nod and give them the thumbs up.

Vespas just make people smile and ask about them. Yesterday i was filling up (in a hurry) but this guy cornered me (he was filling up his boat to head over to the coast for a fishing contest) and asked me about the bike. 10 min later i was still there. Wished him luck and made up the time because of no traffic. You meet the coolest people on a Vespa IMHO

My daughter and I were out on the two smallish scooters in my garage, the Kymco Like 50cc and Bashan 150cc. The Mayor of the Village of Deposit asked where we were from. I told him the Town of Deposit, outside the Village. "Oh. You're locals" Then he asked if those were Vespas.

It was a pleasant encounter.

Perfect attitude.

I've gotten lots of (positive) unsolicited feedback since I got my GTS, from a fairly wide cross-section of people. I think the idea of a normal adult going about his or her day on one of these things - and clearly having a ball in the process - seriously intrigues folks. I almost feel like a Vespa evangelist when asked about the usual stuff (top speed, mileage, etc.), and nearly everyone I talk to seems to go away impressed. I think the only person I know with a car who gets that kind of attention is a friend who just bought the electric version of the Kia Soul.

I think my Vespa is more approachable than any motorcycle, so it does attract attention. I've had everyone from little kids to geriatrics wave and laugh.

I admit my first 2 wheel ride was with the help of Grandpa George and was probably a ratty old Cushman that he and my stepdad fixed up when that boy was young. I wasn't in school yet-- and now at 60, my rides are a 2008 Honda Rebel and a very new Vespa LXV 150ie that has less than 200 miles and less than a month of ownership. It is my 'to work' ride and around town, local runs so far but then, I am still breaking in that new motor.

I bet you meet a lot of boaters getting that ethanol-free.

T yes. They also believe that ethanol gas ruins the rubber bits in the engines. I do too. Don't think it's actually been proven but people seem to think ethanol free gas is good for small moters (boats,lawn mowers,scooter etc)

I can't get ethanol free in premium but I got two bottles of Ethanol Equalizer that is supposed to be the answer to the down side of ethanol contaminated gasoline. I figure one bottle will be good for about 1000 miles.