Modern Vespa

Hi all...

I have a question for the Atlanta riders...how have you found ATL drivers, as far as safty goes, in sharing the road? any problems with safety? I know they are not friendly to 10 speed bikers (partly the fault of how the roads are designed too)...

Also, currently I am in the midwest, but when we move back to Atlanta (I'm a Gwinnett native) we would really like to live inside the perimter (preferably Decatur)...How do you find riding inside the perimiter compared to outside the perimiter? Is there a difference? (seems to me it would be a little easier to ride ITP, espically for a newbie, but I may be wrong...) Free Vespa parking in Decatur too!

Lastly, a question for anyone...which Vespa would you recommend for a newbie? I am looking to save on gas and I dont really need to fastest one out there...Like I said, I am new to riding and would need an easy one to start on....

Thanks!

I live in Gwinnett and ride almost always outside the perimeter.
As safe as you can be on two wheels. Mommies in SUVs and minivans
are the worst hazard. You also get the people who can't stand being
behind a scooter.
I feel fairly safe.
As far as what scooter, who knows.
A 150cc should be large enough in Decatur
Question like size and weight come into play
Some males want large mass than females and you are?
PM me and I'll help as much as I can or send me an email

I ride only ITP unless I have to scoot over to Vespa Atlanta, and by and large I have found that Atlanta is pretty scooter friendly. The number of scooters I have seen on the roads has also increased dramatically in the two years that I have been scooting. Sometimes on the faster surface roads like Ponce and North you have to be extra vigilant that people don't pull out in front of you or change lanes into you, but that's always a danger really--in those instances it's just that you and they are going faster than on some of the other smaller streets.

As far as which scooter to choose, I live in Candler Park and take my lx 150 back and forth to Decatur, Cabbagetown, East Atlanta, Midtown, Inman Park, Emory, etc. with absolutely no problem. I think that the 150 is perfect on the smaller streets and good for a beginner, but like everyone always says on this forum, you should test drive the models you are interested in and pick the one that feels most comfortable for you.

Happy moving--Atlanta is a great city (but you know that already)

Most of my riding is ITP and Ive found Atlanta to be as scooter friendly as any big city could be. You'll always have people cutting you off and pulling out in front of you no matter where your ride so just be vigilant and always be on guard. I ride from Decatur to Midtown on my GTS five days a week for work and its a really enjoyable ride. I can shoot down Ponce, a faster in town road 45-50mph, for a quick ride. Or I can wind thorugh the beautiful tree lined neighborhoods that in-town Atlanta is known for. If you stay in the neighborhoods the ride feels really safe as the roads are lightly travelled and slower speeds. But shooting down pince at 45 is nice as well Welcome to Atlanta and have fun riding.

I'm in Decatur and take the LX everywhere ITP with a few forays into the wilds of Gwinnett from time to time. People here aren't too bad but you just have to keep alert. I bought a map book of Atlanta and always try to find quieter ways to my destinations instead of taking the more traveled roads. As Rinshu said, Atlanta is filled with pretty tree-lined streets to sneak down and avoid traffic.
Take the MSF at Honda in Duluth. They are great instructors there and just keep your eyes open when you move here. It's a busy city with LOTS of traffic.

As to your last question...I'd never had a scooter before and the LX150 has been a great bike to learn on. It's also great for two-up riding as well.

Enjoy riding and be careful!

Thanks for the responces! I may go take a look at the LX 150 today...but I'll probably buy once we're back south.

Sounds like its not too bad riding around Atlanta, which is nice to hear.

Thanks!

Where in Midtown do you work?

A buddy of mine took this same class and had a similar experience, very favorable recommendation.

JT

Decatur has put in dedicated Scooter parking, right off the Courthouse Square. I'm a daily rider in Atlanta, on either my ET4 or my Stella. I can look out my front window on N. Decatur and see at least one scooter drive by per minute. Emory U is now loaded with scooterists, and it's hard to find scooter parking.