Modern Vespa

I've been reading way too many cross country scooter/motorcycle blog/forum posts ...

Can the Vespa 300 handle 2 riders and a light trailer for longer distances? What are the limits of this fine machine?

Very very preliminary thoughts and plans are bouncing around in my head. I'm thinking 2019 or 2020. I'm recently retired and I want to do some longer distance rides (specifically cross country USA). Wifie wants to come along. I don't want to permanently own, store, or ride a large motorcycle. But I am willing to ride a larger motorcycle cross country. For everyday use, I am happy with the Vespa.

I'm contemplating:
renting a larger motorcycle ($$$$) for a cross country trip.
Buying a larger motorcycle, doing the trip and selling it ($$$$).
Building a small trailer and taking off on the Vespa. (less $).

Pros/Cons
renting a larger motorcycle ($$$$)
Pros: Hassle free, if it breaks, I call and they come pick it up.
Cons: Not used to the bike. I'm used to the tiny Vespa. Less experience with bike. Expensive.

Buying a larger motorcycle, doing the trip and selling it ($$$$).
Pros: I have time to setup the bike and become very familiar with it. I can choose exact bike.
Cons: If it breaks, it is my problem. More money upfront.

Building a small trailer and taking off on the Vespa. (less $).
Pros: I already have the bike. I know the bike.
Cons: Smaller. Less comfortable. Is 2 people and a trailer asking too much of this machine?

Thoughts?

What does she think about this? How about another 300 for her?

Ever ridden in the mountains!? Two up and a trailer might be 30 mph speeds at times uphill even without trailer. a trial run just two up would be wise. All this might work on level ground off the interstate.

I think the both of you would hate life after two hours into your trip. Seriously.

Why not get a second 300 and make sure the two are both kitted out with top boxes, racks, etc? Might carry just as much and your handling/speed/enjoyment factor would be much higher.

Get the second 300 used and if your wife doesn't take to things you can always sell it. Shop well and you may not even lose money.

Good advice.

Plus if one breaks you both can ride to safety/motel/dealer.

This is an excellent idea for all the points mentioned!

If the O.P. meant 2 "riders",then using 2 x 300's sounds like the a very good solution.
But f he meant a "rider" & a "non riding passenger"(which I suspect he did) given he has recently retired,so maybe 55yrs + if his wife is a similar age & not a rider,then the chances of her wanting to start riding any Motorcycle are slim & the chances of a new rider taking off on the trip the O.P.is thinking about the chances are even slimmer,
Of course i'm making a lot of assumptions & I've been wrong a lot of times before(just ask my wife),but if his wife is a non rider,i suspect the other alternatives will have to come in to play.

So enlighten us OP. Just what is your wife's temperature to riding her own 300?

If that's the case she might rather ride in the air-conditioned chase vehicle.
... or fly!

I know some members here live in the mountains (Gloria and CDWISE).... please chime in if you've experienced 2 up riding in the Rockies.

Some concern has been raised about going uphill riding 2 up with a trailer.... I'd be even more concerned riding 2 up with a trailer and going downhill!

As for building a trailer, I'm going to guess that what you consider "home built light weight" is going to end up being not as light as you think. And riding 2 up is going to necessitate both of you packing pretty light. Hopefully you're both ok with washing clothing in your motel sink and wearing some items more than once.

Turkman and his wife rode 2-up on a GTS250 all over the place - many times down the coast. Front rack, rear carrier, and a rack on the carrier. They were an inspiration to me on what you could do on 250 cc's.

No idea on the trailer, or even 2-up, just that I knew one couple that did it all the time.

This sounds like the right idea to me.

If you don't over load the scooter or trailer

For comparison, Capt. Gary... how much does your trailer weigh empty?

I am guessing 50 lbs

She's interested in this. No camping. Must stay in hotels. A second 300 for her is a possibility.

A trial run through the mountains is difficult from where I live (Louisiana). The trial run just to get to the base of a mountain is a huge road trip in itself. The coast to coast trip I'm thinking of is south USA (Florida to California).

This is the feedback I'm looking for. Maybe a long road trip - just to get to the mountains would be an adventure in itself.

Your suggestion could be the solution.

She is a non rider. But she is not intimidated by the 300 because it's a scooter. Her preference is to be a passenger. The second 300 might be the answer.

There you are,i did say I've been wrong(a lot of times)before.

is tbe hitch on ball or a swivel? Solid mount?

Something like you would find on a peice of farm equipment the scooter part is custom polished stainless steel

Cool. Thanks.

Would you need a trailer if you took two scoots? It would bother me a little having all that weight behind the rear wheel and no brakes on the trailer. It's a lovely bit of design though. If you do decide to go with one bike then could you just take less stuff? if you're staying in motels then you don't need camping equipment etc - you could get a fair amount into the top box, under the saddle, on a front rack and in a bag between your legs.

Always room for more, but it takes something away from the quality of the ride.

Funny.

wouldn't the extra trailer just completely roast your CVT belt? rhetorical question -- yes it would, especially at high rpms, high loads, on the freeway/interstate/highway.

I'm new around here and don't want to step on any toes... but, you have to be realistic about the capability of any two wheeled conveyance. Even a Vespa. My wife and I have been riding motorcycles for decades. As we have... um, matured, we switched to scooters 5 years ago.

For a few years in there, we rode together on a full dress bike, instead of us each having our own. We hauled a trailer (clothes only, no camping gear). On a full dress H-D, riding in the mountains, 2-up and pulling the trailer, we saw a decrease in performance.

I can't imagine the stress this additional weight would put on a small scooter motor and CVT.

It is great to have goals and dreams, but better to travel safely and within the perameters of what the scoot is designed for. I'd suggest going with two similar scooters and enjoy the trip.

Ah, those good ol' days...

We weren't good, we weren't old, and it all happened at night.

We don't ride 2 up unless something besides down. The Sports City 250 was ridden 2 up about 60 miles and it manager 60 most of the time. It has the same engine as the GTS. If never tired a trailer so can't speak to that. Listen to Capt'n Gary when it comes to trailers and scooters.

The GTS it's not the most comfortable 2 up ride. I hear the rear first extenders help with the rear passenger comfort.

I would suggest you take some 200+ miles days 2 up before you start building trailer it you are thinking of a cross country trip.

Re 55+ plus starting riding there are several people women included who started riding scooters in their 50s and 60s in our local scooter groups.