Modern Vespa

I would love to see some photos of your scooter setup for touring. Showing spare fuel, tent, camp gear etc. I have a rear rack and don't plan on getting a top box. Are there any bags suitable for a GTS? Thanks.

David Masse has a good set of blogs including an critical look at the Vespa for touring.
http://www.life2wheels.com/2013/09/2013-blogger-to-blogger-tour-epilogue.html

And here's one from a girl traveling the US:
http://250superhero.blogspot.ca/


I did 1,000+ miles over three days last last year- this was a motel stay.
I think some form of windscreen is required for comfortable touring (this one is a Vespa flyscreen)as is an Air Hawk cushion for comfort.
I find packing everything on the back of the scooter leads to a light front end & a nervous, tiring ride, so I pack a large 'dry pack' with lighter items on the rear seat (it also serves as a back rest) and a smaller one in the step-through with heavier items (tools, etc). It's painful tossing a leg over, but worth it (for me) for the more stable ride.
Rok straps are highly recommended (I have two sets one small & one large).
I wasn't camping, but adding a front rack and using the back rack would easily allow for a tent, sleeping gear and a simple cook set.

As for extra gas- a camping fuel bottle will get you an added 30 kilometers, and be hose clamped below your rear rack. Next size up would be a small gas can on the center step-through.

Coming from the bicycle touring world I repurposed my Ortliebs. Inside are two 20 degree bags, two inflatable pads, two collapsible camp chairs--where I go, she goes--iPad, dslr camera and miscellaneous clothing layers. (Other miscellaneous clothing is under the seat, the top case holds the stove and food, and the bag hook is utilized for additional food/IPAs/vino once we get closer to our destination.)

We've done several tours around our state with this setup and are planning to head for San Francisco and Three Peaks Challenge in August.

Here's a couple shots prior to heading out to Amerivespa this year.

Rear shot shows Roll Pack and Backpack on rear rack; front shot shows small duffle on front rack. One-liter MSR fuel bottle is hidden behind the duffle on the front rack.

Tidy, well-balanced and sturdy...worked great.

Here is mine loaded down for a camping rally. Granted, I've never gone much more than 300 miles, if I were to try for 1k I would probably tighten things up a bit. Plus, I was trying to figure out how to bring home somethings I won, and a lawn chair I bought.

Can I get a closeup of how you attached the Ortleibs? I have the same panniers and I like this idea.

Sure. I just modified the setup--it was a little too clunky.
The first photo shows the two upper attachments which fit perfect on the half-inch bars. I add a couple layers of tape for longer distances to protect the finish. The attachments are slightly torqued but it works. I also removed the carrying handles as I like to believe that it will deter someone from walking off with them unless they are knowledgeable about how Ortliebs release.
The second photo shows the lower hook sitting on the crash bar which has additional protection with some half-inch clear tubing. I've seen how Ortlieb plastic will wear away metal racks so the vinyl is crucial.
The distance between the grab bars and crash bars is perfect for newer backroller classics. If your panniers are older you might need to swap out the lower hook "smile" for a "mouth" as the apex occurs at a different point--but it's an easy swap with no need to drill new holes and patch old ones.

Thanks everybody. I'm looking forward to getting setup to do some trips this summer.

Now that is a sano touring setup. I'm some ways away from doing the touring thing, but I'm using your rig as a reference for when I do.

Carried out a number of tours/weekend camping events - my set up requires no racks - but as you have one the spare fuel carrier can go their, something I have done a few times but its not really needed in this country. Attached is a photo from a couple of years ago ready for the off to Belgium.

Thanks for the links Harvey. They are an interesting read.

Scooterboy, you need an old BMW for touring sorry
Seriously, I think you won't look back after touring on (any) 2 wheels, if this is your first forage. You live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It is so much freedom and happiness when multi-day riding.
The picture is my wife and I heading for Wellington to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Not a lot of gear on board the little 600. I'll hunt around for a laden photo but Beemers are built for this, they made their name on these old airheads. Sorry for hijacking post but is in the same ballpark.

If you have a look at this:
https://modernvespa.com/forum/post1985041?highlight=#1985041
you'll see two scoots set for travelling - admittedly we use motels rather than camping, the grounds too far away to sleep on

I use a pair of Givi throw over panniers on the MP3.

Thanks kiwirider.

Hey Scooterboy, you might like this video which is a personal favourite of mine:

Where do your legs go??

Not my Vespa but here's how I travelled to and from the cannonball. There is another bag hanging from the hook next to my water bag that you can't see. Alternatively I'll hang a camelback there depending on how much extra space/water I need to carry.

On my blue GTS, I had 4 chairs, and tent on the front rack, sleeping bag on passenger seat, also worked great for back support, back pack under seat, wife's bag in top box, sleeping pad under the top box.

Here is my setup i used on my BV350 that I used on a 2-up 2week 3000 mile jaunt across Scandinavia.

i used a pair of ortleib moto pannier bags, and 47litre givi topcase. All brimmed! was my first tour so worked out that could have packed a lot lighter!

I ended up bringing a couple of bicycle locks to feed the helmets through the rear grab rail to avoid taking them when we got off and went exploring.

The panniers made getting on and off the bike for my other half a PITA but once you were on it was comfy. Luckily i never had to use the spare fuel on the back.

With all that extra weight i was only getting around 120-130 miles to a tank.

Note i wasn't camping with this setup.

Here's my old touring set up.
Throw endless reams of crap under the seat, a 56L Gearsack on the back, and ride. I did a few 900km days this way (3 tankfulls with 2 stops).
Notice the coffee cup, VERY important........

We did a 28 day, 2900 km tour of Greece and Italy eight years ago. One medium duffel bag each on the pillion seat, my top box and a small duffel for weather gear on my front rack, giving easy access in case of rain. Worked out like a champ.

That's a good video Kiwirider. Gets you thinking.

So a member on here has you all beat. Oldsters do you remember YardSale? He's got it down. Here's a pic. I miss him on here.