Modern Vespa

I got a nasty puncture, rear tire died on me. No blowout but I felt it try to squirell its way around me.

I have it tied down on the kickstand, but I'm wondering if I should try and put it on the center? Anyone think my rim is at risk how it is? Flat tire is very squished. Unfortunately it will be two or three days until I can get it to a dealer.

You should never tie down any bike on a side or center stand. They are not designed to take the stress put on them and you could cause serious damage to the stands or even your frame.

Fair enough. I mirrored what the dealer I got it from did, but they were questionable to begin with. Anyone have any thoughts on it resting on the flat either way? Not leaning to one side would be better I imagine. It's gotta go like 250-300 miles. Everywhere closer feels a bit clueless.

I actually meant to address that as well. I think the wheel will be fine resting on the rubber of the tire. The tire may get more damage but by the sounds of it that tire is toast anyway. Good luck.

It’ll be fine on the flat.

But I’d hook up to the bars rather than thru the body work. That’s a great way to damage the paint and plastics.

Secure all your loose straps so they don’t whip up and make you crazy or damage your paint.

I wouldn't do any of the above - first of all I'd examine the puncture, and see if it'll plug easily. Most punctures will be fine when plugged.

If there's a split, or the puncture's in a sidewall, then I'd remove the wheel myself, and take that to a local m/c shop. Never done it before? Now's the time to learn!

See, every dumb thread on the GTS Facebook group is "Oh goodness me blimey don't strap the bars they'll bend what what!"

It's UK based.

I'm an okay wrench but I don't have a shop or great tools or a huge amount of time and it will be around 100 degrees this weekend.

Just don’t tighten the snot out of it. Compress the suspension slightly by standing on the floor board and give a few clicks to the ratchet till snug or if you use the pull type just do them up tight.

Always tie them off at the mechanism (just a loop/slip knot is fine) so in case it slips it won’t go anywhere.

Super straight forward.

^^^^
This. Bars every time, *except* on an MP3, as the central steering column can't take much weight at all, and they have a handy place to hook straps to at the top of each suspension leg.

Another big problem with tying down a bike and using a stand (side or center) is that you hit a bump, the stand spring(s) retract, and suddenly you've got way too much slack in the tie-downs.

Once again, Robot has a video

I purchased the straps that Robot shows in his video when I purchased my Primavera. They wouldn't discount the scooter, but they gave me a $200 store credit to use in their store with a 10.5% discount.

What Jimc said. I just purchased plugs and a compressed air tube to carry in my scooter.

The new MP3 500s apparently don't come with that very handy bracket. Or at least I have seen photos of them missing....

I was in a rush, but yeah should have started there.

She's now standing upright tied firmly but gently down.

Yeah, a plug would've gotten me home and away from the rotting bear carcass I happened to pull up next to (yes, you read it right - it was just out of sight down the embankment). I don't like the idea of riding long-term with one though. I do like the idea of the air tank. Any links you could drop?

I use the Co2 cartridges made for bicycles. Used to carry them on our quads when riding in the desert. Put 2 plugs in one hole and they were still holding air when I sold the quads to my brother. Not used on highway, 2 plugs in one hole is not DOT approved and the hole was nonrepairabke according to DOT standards. Pulled a 1/2 inch rod out of the tire. Low pressure 5 psi tires. Got me home.