Modern Vespa

i've been out all day riding around on a yamaha 125cc scoot - a cygnus or something very much like it. one thing i noticed right away was how different the seating position was and the difference it made in how much control i had over the scooter (or at least, how much control i felt that i had).

the height difference between seat and floorboards is greater on the vespa, and the floorboards are longer, so i naturally tend to sit forward on the seat with my legs back, sort of wrapped around the body of the scoot, if that makes sense. sitting in this way just feels right, i can use my butt to steer the scoot.

on the yamaha, the low seat and skimpy floorboards mean that i have to sit with my legs in front of me. it was very comfy, but in an armchair kind of way, and i didn't feel as though i had as much control.

has anybody else noticed anything like this? it was my first time driving anything other than a vespa and the difference really surprised me.

When I did my MSF course I tried to use a little "cruiser style" bike they had. I was wobbling all over the place!! I had absolutely no experience on motorized 2 wheels, but I'm hardly a spaz. They switched me to one of the Honda Rebels (I think) - a "naked bike" style and I had no problems at all.

Not only was the seating position different, but the rake of the front forks was much more straight up-and-down.

That brief experience really coloured how I shopped for bikes afterwards. It's one of the (many) reasons I ended up with the Vespa GT rather than a motorcycle.

Much easier to balance with your feet under your butt....

Look at the BMW touring bikes....the foot position is under the riders butt....

Look at dirt/trial bikes.....the same.

"feet forward" bikes are a disaster for control, mountain riding....

Think Harley......lol

Love my vespas....

R

8)