Modern Vespa

Hey Everyone,

I'm curious as to if anyone has ever tried anything like this, more to see if this idea has any logic to it or if it is just more idiotic than anything

Since getting my sprint, I've been a bit scared of the wind putting it on its side. Prior to the sprint I had a beater scooter, an old 2008 Kymco Agility, and there was a week where we got wind warnings last year and the Kymco got knocked over twice that week. Once with cover, once without.

I'm based in Germany, so we're not exactly known for chaotic winds, but I am still a bit more paranoid about it when some storms come rolling in.

I'm thinking of buying something like this sand bangs: https://www.amazon.com/Eurmax-Outdoor-Shelter-Instant-shelter/dp/B00F0GI2OU/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=sandbag+weight&qid=1616855637&sr=8-8

And just keeping them in my cellar, and when weather looks sketchy throwing one in the seat bucket, or just on the floor board, to give the scooter some extra weight. Just something to give it a bit more gravity.

I live in an apartment so no readily available covered spots are around, just the street. So moving it indoors isn't really an option.

Thanks!

I've also been looking at getting the crash bars to protect the Sprint in case it does tip over, problem is aesthetically I think they look awful lol.

Does anyone have the faco footpegs on their sprint or primavera: https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/foot-pegs-faco_FA1002N?q=foot ?

I'm wondering if these extend past the frame at all, or far enough to absorb a tip over in the wind instead of the frame itself. I cannot clearly tell from any videos / photos I have found online.

On my Kymco when it took the falls, the passenger foot rest areas is what cracked. Right underneath where these foot pegs area.

I figure if these protect that area, I can pair them with the FA Italia rear crash bars and we're in business! https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/crash-bar-fa-sidepanel_FA9131

I'm not convinced the front crash bars will do anything in a wind tip...With the Kymco, all the damage was the cracked passenger foot rest area, the mirror, and the brake lever.

Any other thoughts here?

The only time my GTS has been down, a car was involved. I don't cover it, and it's survived some pretty stormy winds.

Luckily, I put crash bars on it just before it got knocked down. There's a little scratch in the front fender and the edge of the mirror, but the body is still pristine.

In reality I am probably just being overnparanoid. But the mindset switched from care-free could care less what happened to the Kymco to now I need to take care of the nice Vespa lol.

Though I guess it isn't too far fetched. Comparing the weight of the old Kymco with the sprint, they're within 5kg of each other.

Just checked weight on the GTS and looks like you've got about 30kgs on me on weight, wonder if that makes a big difference.

As long as you don't put a cover on, the Sprint should be very stable on the centre-stand even in very high winds.

Oh, Yes. You definitely are..

But you are not alone. We all have that atavic instinct of preservation to one level or another..

Best thing that will happen to you, will be the day you finally put a scratch or a dent on that body..

Trust me, it will be liberating, you will feel like a new man! Then off course you will start to enjoy for real your noble steed and realising that, from now on, that scratch will be just a new conversation points among your mates and the stories that you will built upon, will be legendary...

Happy riding..

Thanks, that is reassuring!

Ahahah thanks!

Driving ... if you are looking for stability in windy conditions using a two-wheeled vehicle, weighing it down will make it less controllable if you skid; if you have a windshield you can remove it to avoid the "sail effect", to reduce the vibrations to the handlebar you can replace the counterweights on the sides with heavier ones. Having the right tire pressure helps, even hardening the rear suspension ... what else? Hmmm ...
Wear a full-face helmet, lean your torso forward, think positive (it helps to be).
With the scooter stationary ... buy some carrying straps and four heavy bricks, screw a ring to each brick, place them at the four corners of a rectangle, attach one end of each strap and place the other end at a high point on the scooter, one for each rear side (two total) and do the same for the front ... as if you were to transport it on a truck floor.

I would think about making a 1m "wind stand" board that sits on the floorboard, perpendicular to the direction the Vespa would move would move if operating, with holes in it allowing a strap to go around the bottom of the Vespa holding the board tight against the floorboard.

If you were to screw legs on both sides of the board so they nearly touch the ground, it would function like an extra wide center stand, and provide additional initial stability.

This is so simple and quite genius (stationary was the concern). Thanks!

I think that Jimc hit it correctly. Both of my scooters, Burgman400 and
Vespa300 are real stable while parked on their center stands. A cover
over the scoot will act like a sail and could knock the machines over.

I try to park with some wind break cover while on an extended ride staying at a hotel. The wind will mostly pass through and around my scooters without a cover. If you experience 60-70 mile per hour winds (danger) take your scooter up to your room.

Bob Copeland

A simpler modification of this. Take a board, a foot or two longer on each side of the scoot. (I would use a 1 x 3 or some such.). Put an eye bolt in each end. Lay it on the ground and set the scoot up on the center stand with the feet of the stand on the board. Run a rope or belt or strap from one eye bolt to the other. Done. If you are expecting windy conditions don't use the cover. If that's all too complex ask for details.

Yeah, there's probably room in a Queen bed for my bike and I. But if i met someone downstairs in the bar earlier ...

I've had Vespas for more than ten years. The only time one went down in heavy wind was the heavier GTS, because I've had the medium-sized windshield installed.
If it's windy, don't use a cover and remove any windshield and you're good.

More weight won't help. There's a 300kg motorcycle parked on the sidestand in front of the house for three years. (The guy never rides.) Two weeks ago it tilted over, because the owner started to put a cover on it. It was leaning against a car and I helped put it back on the sidestand. Heavy thing I can tell you.

This is what I use. Not for rain but for UV protection of the seat and headset. Never had a problem with wind, not that I can guaranty anything.

https://www.cyclegear.com/accessories/nelson-rigg-half-cover

Put a 5 litre (1 gal) bottle of water on the running boards.
That adds 10 kg's to the bike'w weight and it is low down.

Oh, that's good! As long as we're in innovation mode, let's take that same 1x3 and bolt a galvanized steel strap (in the shape of an omega) on top of the protruding center stand on one side so that it can slip on and off easily. On the other side, put another steel strap that can be screwed down with wingnuts or a thumbscrew, so it can be placed on the other side of the center stand after the first side is placed under its strap. This would essentially extend the center stand's base of stability by a foot on each side without the need for a rope/belt/strap.

I have heard of heavy water. Didn't know it was that heavy.

If you want, you can fix a metal plate on the place where you park it, on this plate built for the purpose, weld two pairs of perforated sheet metal handkerchiefs in the center, the center distance of the two handkerchiefs will correspond to the width of the feet of the stand that will be drilled in correspondence of the two holes already made on the pairs of handkerchiefs, finally you can insert two bolts through the holes thus fixing the Vespa to the ground. Also excellent as an anti-theft using a lock with a horizontal arc.

Something went terribly wrong here..

I think our Yarpie friend is smart enough to put a bottle on each side.

An aerodynamic engineering firm should be contacted to initiate a feasibility study for the construction of aerodynamic surfaces that deflect air flows and create a wind calm zone around the scooter.

I blame entirely the Imperial system.. It's a mess..

I would expect aerodynamics to have been done a long time ago when the Grantourismo was designed.

Also, I don't think Leipzigs Ordnungsamt will take it kindly if people started drilling holes in the pavement.

... it was just an idea ...

Drillium bodied Vespa?

sure would be fun to see the official response.

Or even an accessory that can be purchased on Scooterpartsco.