Modern Vespa

Greetings All!

Just turn 70 and after wanting one all my life wife and I got a new Sprint 150.

Got it a couple days ago and are complete beginners. Started it around the subdivision to get somewhat acclimated, seems to be going well.

But once I left the subdivision and went out on a main road to go the store about half mile away..some rude awakenings happened.

One, I don't know how people stay on these things if the wind is against you. I was going 45 and felt like I was fighting a hurricane. I think I'm sitting too far upright when that happens. Going back home was much better so it must have been wind direction itself.

Two, WOW, it can get cold fast on a cool night! Had a polo shirt on and that was all LOL
Today rode with a light jacket and that solved that

Anyway, sure is fun, taking our time...thanks for any input!

Did you ever drive a motorcycle or a scooter before?

MANY years ago but not for very long.

Got the liking for Vespas in 1964 when I was in 8th grade and a kid down the street had one and gave me a ride on it. Never forgot it!

Dear Oceantracks,

Welcome to MV.

We have much in common. I'm 70, live in Florida, and last year bought my first scooter, A 2021 Sprint 150 and love it.

I suggest you put the Model year of your Sprint in your profile so it's easier to help you from time to time.

Where are you in Florida? I'm in Naples.

I suggest you treat your self to Crash bars and install them yourself. Get to know Robot at Scooter west. Google him. Tons of YouTube videos on all things Vespa.

Cheers. Ride safe!

Hey thanks! Yes I thought I had the model in profile, I just added it all over again so seems to be showing up now.

I'm in Boca Raton.

Yes that shop has great videos, we've been watching all week!

Wife on the new Sprint pic attached!

Welcome to the forum

Welcome to MV.
Two things I'd suggest you consider. The first is one I would tell anyone with limited experience - take the MSF Basic Course. It will make you a much safer and more confident rider. The second is to consider a windshield. Given this is a 150 and you are in Florida, a flyscreen (i.e. a short windshield) is probably the most practical choice. What kind of helmet and what kind of riding jacket are you using?

Hi Oceantracks. You have the model but not the model year as I suggested. It goes just before the model in your profile. You just bought yours so we can guess the model year is 2022. But sometimes advice for a 2022 model is different than the 2021. No biggie.

Ride safe. You'll find this place full of help and characters!

Oh wow thanks, just fixed. Yes it's a new 2021 that our local Ft Lauderdale dealer got from some Vespa shop in Oregon I think he said, that was shutting down. When he heard they had a couple he bought them and had them shipped here.

Thanks again!

Ocean Tracks,

Everyone here has their favorite change they made to their new Vespas. And my favorites some others here think are stupid.
I'm new to motorized two wheelers so the others are probably right!

1. The crash bars in case the scooter falls over. It hasn't.
2. Installed the Admore light bar. Watch the Robot video and you'll want one. Imho.
3. Super loud dual horn. You have to wire a stronger circuit usually. The stock horn is anemic! I want to be heard.
4. Installed a very loud flasher beeper. I kept forgetting to turn off the turn signals and it's dangerous to leave them on and confuse the car behind you.
5. For fun. Cheeky Seat, seat cover. High quality and modest price. You can't tell it's a cover.
6. Almost forgot this:Genuine CoolAss-Heat reflective seat protector. You live in sunny Florida. You will thank me. He also sponsors the MV site.

This list shows the advantage of being mostly retired. Lots of time to play with my new toys. My wife has the Red scooter and she wanted ALL the things I added so I got to add them all twice!

When I first started riding, the feeling of wind also surprised me, then actively scared me. It takes some getting used to, and I strongly recommend looking up some video guides on YouTube about riding a motorcycle in the wind. Many of them have great advice that can help you slowly learn to feel calmer and more in control at higher speeds and/or on gustier days.

A common suggestion, which has helped me, is that when you feel the wind, you want to first remember not to panic; keep your body relaxed, while maintaining your grip on the handlebars. You don't need a death-grip on them; you just need a firm yet relaxed hold, like for regular riding. And don't let your body tighten up; relax it. This simple dynamic can help more than it might seem.

Beyond that, as others have said, a windscreen can make a lot of difference here. They're not required, of course, but they can help relieve the wind pressure from your body. I have a flyscreen on my GTS, and it's made a surprising amount of difference. It doesn't remove the wind entirely, but it does seem to direct a fair amount of it away from my body, so my body is no longer being hit by the wind as much. This was the first accessory I added, and it helped me feel a lot more confident going at higher speeds, learning how to feel okay on the highways, etc.

Finally, I definitely recommend wearing more than a polo—and not just for warmth. How much safety gear people wear varies a bit, but I would definitely recommend at least a leather jacket and gloves, as these will both offer more warmth and some protection in a fall. If you're not wearing a helmet (wasn't sure from your post), please do, and try to find one with a visor/face shield of some kind—this also helps a lot with the wind.

Enjoy your new Vespa!!

Hey thanks!

Yes always wearing a jacket and helmet, but may investigate getting at least a small windscreen on. I do think just as skaters do that I will try not sitting so erect while riding in a strong wind as well.

And gloves...yes. Any recommendations on good ones please suggest! Amazon should be good for those ....

I got these on Amazon. First motorcycle gloves. They are comfortable and seem good quality for the price.
Powersports Motorcycle Gloves by Indie Ridge, Lightweight Carbon Fiber Racing Gloves with Mobile Touch Screen Fingertips (Medium)
Visit the Indie Ridge Store
4.4 out of 5 stars 973 ratings | 8 answered questions
-13% $34.99$34.99

Please find a motorcycle safety riding class there in Florida!
NOTHING will equal the experience....you both will be so much more comfortable AND safer on your local streets after you take this class.
If your instructor decides you need more instruction/practice please heed his advice.

O.S.

Enjoy!!!
and welcome !!!

Very attractive lady on your new ride and I presume the underhand grip on the handlebars is just for the photo op.

Hi and welcome and Go Take the Class, pay attention and enjoy the riding. Yes, wind chill is real and hands need protection. Wear the gear and live to be lots older. This advice comes from that old woman who went sliding sideways across a highway, check that front tire pressure, especially if riding downhill curves. That gear I was wearing saved a lot of me, twisting that lower leg splintered the top of the right fibula.
Oh, and it was darn cold at 4:30 am in central Illinois this morning for that short ride to work but ya, got wheels and 2nd bike this year to be in company parking lot, that darn orange/black Harley beat me by 2 weeks!

Riding makes you a better rider.

It's really that simple.

True repetition is the mother of skill.

Taking a course is great too.
I would also suggest joining a club or association of scooter riders in your area.
This will give you an opportunity to ride with more experienced riders, get some good advice and improve your riding skills as a bonus you get to enjoy the company of like minded individuals.

Hi oceantracks, welcome to the forum. Some good suggestions being posted. If you're both going to be riding, you will probably need a top box/back rest. It will also give you storage space for your day trips together.

Welcome from sunny ( AT LAST !!!!!!! ) Sheffield . I strongly agree with the advice about taking riding instruction . They give you confidence and highlight any errors you may have in your riding , and above all help you enjoy your trips .It certainly worked for me when I started riding again after a long time without a scooter in my life .

My 2 cents: 1) Good riding gear: Helmet, full face if possible, gloves, shoes, and for warm weather riding (which is 8 months a year where you are) a mesh jacket with armor.
2) get a copy of Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough
And yeah, take the MSF course. And don't be tempted to ride in just a polo shirt and flip flops. Yes, it's hot in Florida, I was born, raised and lived there for my first 50 years and worked in the construction field, so I know. For me, morning rides to the beach or along A1A was the best. Plus during the summer, it will be only around 80 degrees at sunrise, so not too hot. Good luck.

Yes, don't ride like I am in my profile picture. I'll need to get a new picture. I now have Full face modular helmet, gloves, shoes and mesh pants and mesh armor shirt. The modular helmet is the bomb. LS2 Valliant 2. It took a bad fall on my Bicycle to wake me up that I am not invincible.

Hey thanks to all!

Yeah I always have jeans and a long sleeve shirt, helmet and either a light or heavier jacket. Have to get gloves.

One thing I am really noticing is that boy do these get nicks on them easily, probably from small rocks hitting as you ride. Just found a tiny one today near the front fender. Darn!

Also, I could not get the driver's side mirror where I needed, so we used a tiny wrench to reposition it, and yes we were trying to be careful. But, the wrench slipped and left very small (but irritating) chip in the paint. So now I'm trying to find out how to get the proper WHITE for this 2021 model, in touch up paint.

Is it normal to see little chips from the road start showing up on these?
Thanks again, will go slowly through all your suggestions later tonight.

Tom

Yes will probably get the flyscreen. Just using a light jacket I have, on hot days, in the evening if it's cool (which it has been lately) and windy, a heavier leather jacket. Helmet is Z1R Saturn and my wife's is similar. Nothing real fancy ...

Tom, see Robots mirror adjustment video. Its simple once you understand it. Buy the open end wrench (spanner) size which fits our mirror. 17mm. I just walked to the garage and made sure I remembered the size correctly. Amazon $8. Just buy it!

There you go. Good man.

I looked up that helmet and one person on Amazon said it was made in Netherlands and therefore does not have DOT approved on it, which supposedly is illegal in US...anyone know what's up with that?
Thanks
Tom

LS2 is headquartered in Barcelona and its helmets are produced in China. My LS2 is ECE and DOT labeled, but ECE is widely considered the better standard as DOT is applied by the maker on the honor system. Euro suppliers don't supply the DOT labels.

yeah it's weird because although there is no sticker on the helmet on Amazon, the description says "DOT Approved". Apparently the guy who returned his said it was because in the US the sticker has to be on there...

There are cheap knockoffs on the internet to watch for, but they tend to come from Asian sellers, not established US dealers.

Oh it is DOT approved. See below

Oh super....so where is a safe place to buy one that you know is the real deal?

Like buying shoes, wherever you can try them on is best.

We don't have a large shop with LS2 Helmets that I know of. On Amazon, I found the LS2 Valliant 2 in more than one place and choose the one with free shipping and Free Returns. The prices were the same. Free returns for a Helmet seems amazing. My head is 57.15 cm. I have a medium. Specs for medium say 57-58 cm.

They feel quite snug at first then it feels fine after wearing a while. The chin guard folds all the back which is terrific.