Modern Vespa

Brand new (used) Vespa owner here. My wife and I have been riding motorcycles for well over 40 years. You may have heard the saying: it isn't the years, it is the miles. Well, as I have um matured, it got harder to toss a leg over a motorcycle. I was about done riding 5 years ago when my wife suggested we get a couple scooters... I scoffed about that (yes, an actual scoff), we compromised, and I bought us a couple scooters: Honda PCX 150s.

For the record, I got my first motorcycle when I was 14 (back in the 60s), a clapped out Honda 150 Dream. I was hooked. I taught my wife to ride when we were in high school on my Triumph Bonneville 650... yeah, her folks were thrilled about that.

Over the years, we have had Harleys, Goldwings, BMWs, and others. Getting those scooters 5 years ago kinda brought us "full circle," back to a 150.

I thought I would not be happy with a scooter, but could not have been more wrong. Our days of cross-country touring are behind us, but we could have a lot of fun in the twisties with those scoots. We have hauled them all over behind our motorhome.

Lately, I have been considering something with a bit more power to handle the occasional foray on a highway. I've always been intrigued by Vespas, but thought those small wheels might be less than stable... yeah, I was wrong.

Today, I picked up a 2009 GTS 250 with only 1438 miles on it. Truly immaculate. When I rode it the 50 miles home, it was hot (95º), humid (about 385%, maybe higher), and windy (25 to 30, gusting above 40)... and mostly crosswind on the way home. The Vespa handled it as well as any motorcycle I've owned. It is peppy. Comfortable. I think this is going to be another good relationship.

I've been reading here, thought it was time for an introduction.

Captain Jim

Welcome to MV! Nice introduction.

It's always interesting to me, as I've really ridden nothing else than my Vespas, to hear positive comparisons to other PTWs. There's always that lurking thought of "Gee, could I like anything better than my GTS?" Seems there's always someone here that answers that. Understandably it's a big world out there, but I feel pretty settled.

Hiya Jim,

Welcome to the forum. I'm new too, but I felt welcome immediately. There's a great bunch of people here, and you'll really feel like the prodigal son come home from his adventures. But the deal here is that there's more of the same right here.

TravlinMan

Welcome from the UK. That's a mighty fine looking Vespa you have there.

Captain Jim,

Welcome. all of the gang in my Max-Scooter Group (250+ cc) previously
rode motorcycles. We simply like the twist and go automatic transmissions and
not having to throw our leg over a motorcycle (which we can't do as we age).

I have the 300 Vespa Super like yours. Love it.

Bob Copeland
Minnesota

I sense you have a lot of motorbike friends that could not contain their laughter when you showed up on the 150?

I took a test ride on a large frame 250 and had to have one afterwards.
Stock is acceptable if youre a noob or have never experienced a bike with alot of power. However... doing the malossi cylinder head/jug & variator really made my scooter what Piaggio should have produced under the "super" badge! Its a total smile fest when I ride it. Lot of little things about the scooter make it nice for errands. The side stand. The push button seat release & glove box.
Heck at an all Ferrari car event... security waved me into a secure paddock I wasnt supposed to be in.

Welcome, Captain Jim and congrats on your new ride! My husband and I ride motorcycles too but find the scoots are our go to when we don't have a ton of miles to cover.

When is your wife getting her Vespa?

Shalom and welcome from Israel.

I have the same model/year (although in red). You have an incredible scoot there! I'm well past 145,000km (although I switched out the engine at about 132,000) and it is still going strong.

Just make sure the fuel pump recall was done (your local dealer will be able to check if your scoot required the fuel pump to be swapped out, and if it was actually done).

Hi Captain Jim
I have enjoyed your comments on Advrider, I will expect the same level of dry humor to continue here. Welcome aboard!!! Now the forum will be even more entertaining.
Tony in Tn 07 Vespa GTS 250 in Ferrari RED of course

Hi Captain Jim, welcome from New England.

Welcome!

Excellent introduction, especially the parts about how much you like your scooters.

You will fit right in.

Bill

Likewise to the above, welcome to MV and the Vespa world! These things are a hoot!

Welcome from H-town, Capt. Jim. I'm actually a Whaler guy, have owned a couple of classics since '82.

This Vespa thing is something new for me that I enjoy nearly every day. Never even rode a motorcycle till I got my Vespa. It's the perfect way to get around the historic Heights with our narrow little streets, lack of parking everywhere, and parking valets at most restaurants.

Where in South Texas are you?

The ADV Battle Scooter page(s) do a grest job... albeit not all Vespa.

Welcome from Rochester, NY.

I have friends who own Honda PCX 150s and love them. You are also going to love having a VESPA, I do!

Congrats on your purchase.

Kim

Welcome aboard!

Captain Jim - are you sure that you aren't me? I rode scooters (Cushmans) back in the '50s, followed a variety of motorcycles ending with my current Shadow Aero 1100 which I love. I have wanted a Vespa since sitting on one in a Sears store in (I think) 1953 or 1954, and finally got a GTS300 as a Christmas gift to myself last year and LOVE it. Welcome to the group...

Same boat...I loved dual sports except when I could no longer get on or off without falling over! Now I only ride scooters and my CT90 which is almost a scooter

Well Capt good to see you arrived here so promptly after acquiring your GTS. I'm sure you will be just at home here as on ADVRider. You will find more than a few old acquaintances here.

Welcome to MV, Captain Jim from Arizona.

Great intro Captain Jim. Glad you decided to join us. Welcome aboard!

Welcome

Thanks for the kind welcome, folks. Yes, I am passionate about our scooters. We no longer do the long distance touring, but we do enjoy bringing our scoots in a cargo trailer behind our motorhome, finding interesting places to ride.

Answering a question, our home is in the Tropical Tip of Texas, Port Isabel/South Padre Island area. A lot of flat, straight roads here, so it is a treat to haul the scoots to the twisties.

Here's a link to day one with my Vespa, including the Craigslist concerns...

http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2018/05/it-feels-kinda-european.html

Today, I took the scoot to a nearby garage to get the state inspection done (required to register the bike). Along the way, an interesting conversation with a Harley rider...

http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2018/05/legit.html

And time at the Tax Assessor's office.

Looking forward to getting more time on the Vespa.

Jim

Welcome! You've come to the right place.

Aloha and welcome to the forum from Hawaii. Can't go wrong with a 250. Have fun and be careful out there.

Welcome form the Great White North. Yes this is a great group and fine bunch of people.

Beautiful scoot and like many here I have a bigger ride. The Vespa is just a blast though and really is my go to.

Enjoy!