Modern Vespa

Hi. My name is Merry and I'm new to the forum. I'm also new to the idea of owing and riding a Vespa. I'm currently looking to buy a used Vespa larger than a 50 and smaller than a 300. I live in San Antonio, TX and would love to explore more of the back roads in the Hill Country by scooter. Any advice for a newbie would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Jetpeddler, for your tireless effort in pointing me in the right direction!

You're more than welcome merry! It's nice to have another San Antonian in the mix. You're going to love MV - lots of nice, experienced, helpful people here. Welcome to the forum!

Greetings, Merry! I'd probably be looking at a 150cc bike, as a starter - not so big it'll overwhelm you, but big enough you won't be bored with it... For a year or two... Then, you'll want that 250cc... Have you looked at Cycletrader to see what might be available, locally? And/or Craigslist?
Welcome aboard...

Thank you both! I'm actually considering a preloved Vespa found on this forum (thanks to jetpeddler). It's a 150.

Welcome, Merry!

+1 on on the 150. I started with an LX, and if it wasn't for falling in love with riding and need for occasional freeway speeds, I'd still be there. 150s are pretty capable scooters, light, and highly manuverable.

Good luck with your choice, and feel free to ask questions. You may even get some useful answers here.

Hey Merry, welcome from The Salt Lake Valley in Utah. I would strongly suggest taking a Motorcycle safety course once you get the scoot. Always a good thing.

Thank you Lebo. Working on that too. It's mandatory in Texas.

Mandatory in Texas? I'm not sure that it is, but it's highly recommended! Either way, you'll be a better rider. Plus is makes the drivers license process much easier and it should reduce your insurance rate.

Welcome, Merry!

My one bit of advice would be: don't be afraid to pick up a wrench. There's a lot of satisfaction and confidence to be had in doing your own maintenance, even if it's just oil changes at first. Not to mention saving money.

Ride safe & have fun! 8)

True jetpeddler. I was wrong in stating MC safety course is mandatory. It's only required if you want to skip out on the driving part at the DMV. Either way, I'm gonna take it.

Smart move! You'll be glad you did.

Hi and Welcome.

I started with a pre-owned LX150 about seven years ago and loved it. I've since moved up to a GTS 300.

Kim

Welcome to MV merry, from the Arizona desert!

Welcome to MV, Merry!

As previously mentioned, you'll find the people here are a helpful and friendly bunch. Whatever question you have, I'm sure someone here will have the answer, or at the very least, an entertaining opinion on the subject.

Thumbs up on taking the MSF course and you might be surprised at how much better a car driver you become because of it. Get yourself some good gear too, $#!+ happens.

I started on a 50cc scooter, moved to a 750 motorcycle, then added a GTS 300. I love and ride them all!

Enjoy!

[quote="Guzzi Gal"]
Get yourself some good gear too, $#!+ happens.

Any you want to recommend? Especially helmets!

[quote="merry"] Assuming it's DOT certified, any full-faced helmet that fits you properly. Personally I love HJC's full-face modulars. No need to break the bank IMO.

Welcome to MV, merry! I too have an HJC modular. Good helmet for the price, but I find mine is just too damn loud to suit me. It could just be that I'm doomed to forever endure wind-noise since I'm long-waisted. By the time I get a windshield that's tall enough to give me a quiet pocket, I find it then bends in half at highway speeds.

I'm on the lookout for a sleek, well-designed, quiet modular helmet that will fit my fat head and give me a little relief from 70+ MPH headwind noise.

I have a medium windscreen on my GTS 300 and the HJC is quiet enough. However, on my BV 350 I've a stock windscreen and I have to use earplugs as the wind/noise levels are higher.

Are you taking notes Merry?

I also need a course in forum navigation.

Welcome Merry from across the pond

I agree with points made above for someone new to ptw's

Tip: Have you ridden any type of motor cycle or scooter before? If not definitely start with he lower powered versions and definitely get some decent training.

Tip: Wear some form of protective gear at all times. I'm guessing San Antonio gets hot in the summer but there are vented versions of jackets and/or pants available to ride in heat.

Tip: I have a Caberg flip front helmet (the face part can be locked in the up position for those hot times too.) which I like - especially at the petrol (gas) station or when I want to take a quick drink.

Tip: don't be afraid to ask any questions on here - its not a 'macho' type of motorcycle forum like some Ive been on and the members are usually very friendly and a mine of information.

Tip: For forum navigation tips click on the 'Wiki' tab at the top left (see the pic) - there are loads there

[quote="merry"] I use an HJC FG-17 helmet, but it's a standard full face. I have two Scorpion jackets, the Dominion is a warmer winter one and the Verano mesh is for summer, both with upgraded back protectors. The shoes are TCX Streets, Joe Rocket Heartbreaker and Icon Hella boots.

Hope that helps!

Just FIY, regarding helmets, people have different shaped heads, and helmet companies have different shaped helmets. Be sure to try on a few to get a sense of what works with your head. There are people that can't comfortably fit a brand that someone else swears by.

FWIW, I have a FF, and if you look at statistics, the jaw is pretty vulnerable in a crash, IIRC maybe 20% or more frequency of injury, so if you're going, go all the way and keep those lovely teeth.

Welcome to MV! It is a friendly bunch and well moderated. Lots of useful information can be garnered from simply using the search function.

Welcome to MV!

The people on this forum will be here step by step to help you find the perfect scoot as well as tips and tricks!

My first scoot was Super 150 (Jumped the gun and went straight to vintage haha)

Now i own a 2005 PX150 and i do a lot of basic maintenance thanks to help of a Haynes Manual (Highly recommended you get one) and the people on here.

Youll soon learn how to change your oil, spark plugs, cables, adjustments, etc.

Who knows maybe one day you'll get a 2 stroke shifty scoot and join the NSM side 8)

Welcome to MV Merry! Glad you joined us.

Glad to have you on the Forum. I've previously owned two LX150s. Great scooters. Reliable and fun to ride.

Welcome!

Though I do enjoy and am slowly falling in love with my 300, I miss my LX150. She was my first love.

Once you get the ride and are out on the road, we are BIG fans of pictures and or videos here!!!

Welcome Merry.
Helmets are really different. Find one that fits you and you can wear it all day. As far as wind noise goes, I keep a pair of these in a little case in the glovebox
https://www.etymotic.com/er20hd.html. I started wearing earplugs about 20 years ago when friends who worked in high noise environments started to notice hearing loss. The disposable foam ones work just as well but these are washable and I seem to loose one before they could wear out
I have a short pre ride ritual. Start scooter, turn bars both ways to be tire throttle isn't binding, squeeze both brakes separately to check brake light, check turn indicators and high beam, check tires for cuts.
Ear plugs in, helmet on, glasses on gloves on, roll scooter off of center stand apply front brake and and check for play in fork. Ride away.
Had a friend that was a commercial pilot who turned me on to the "pre flight check". It all takes less than a minute and you always know everything is working
Good luck finding the right scooter and ride safely

My #1 bit of advice regards dogleg levers (advertised on this site). I wear a mens' medium glove and I was just reaching the brake levers with my fingertips. Having them closer makes a BIG difference IMHO. Also to be considered is the weight issue. Okay I'm a guy; but I'm not as young as I once was. I'm okay pushing around my LX150; but, for me anyway, the large frames are just tooo much to handle easily. I know lots of women ride large frame bikes; but I just think that's something to be considered. Lastly, don't be negative about 150's. They have plenty of giddyup for my tastes.

I also have this jacket which I heartedly recommend. When you're moving, you don't know it's on.

https://vansonleathers.com/womens-motorcycle-leather-and-textile-jackets/179-ladies-ventmax-mesh-motorcycle-jacket-ODLP.html?search_query=mesh&results=2

Thank you all for the warm welcome and advice. Many have brought up things I haven't even considered yet. I'll keep you posted on the search for my first Vespa.

Get to Austin and go to AF1 Racing and pick up that GT 250ie!!!

Aloha and welcome to the forum from Hawaii. A 150 is the way to go. Just fast enough and it's easy to maneuver and easy to get it on the center stand. I have a never used Nexx helmet you can have. Think it's a small. Bright pink and they won't be able to say they can't see you. Used it once.