Modern Vespa

I bought a Piaggio floor Matt for the Sprint 150.

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/floor-mat-piaggio_PI001079?cr=e993ab67-6807-4109-bbed-f6374ebf9f9b&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuMuRBhCJARIsAHXdnqOA96Z5b0dmh4tv7HEn5T61RpvaGZcumEnLA8xNyTs4xp3BNxZqWYoaAiy2EALw_wcB

I took it off to get at the battery and never put it back on. I remember reading those who have experienced damage to the paint beneath.

Can I use mine without experiencing damage beneath?

Yes. Without question. Do not use one.

I would use it but remove it regularly to remove any dirt, grit or moisture that may have become trapped.

Don't use it at all. If one piece of grit gets between it and the paint it's pretty much over.

For the Love of God.

The Vespa I bought used sadly had a floor mat installed once in while. It's the worst thing Vespa ever thought of. May it melt in the core of the Earth.

I agree. The existing rubber rails keep your feet off the paint perfectly well.

Not only can use of the mat result in damage, the other side of the coin is the question of what you would gain. I have owned 4 modern Vespas. I bought a mat for the first one and removed it as soon as I realized that small pieces of gravel under the mat scarred the paint. Then, without a mat, I saw that the rubber strips on the floor boards do an excellent job of avoiding damage to the paint. Just clean off the debris between the strips every so often with a soft brush or cloth.

We bought my wife's GTS 300 used and it came with the floor mat on. Underneath the paint is all scratched up so I just leave it on since the damage is already done.

Why even make these?

We, vintage owners, call it a floor killer. Stupidest ever idea on a Vespa…

Humans are fascinating. We'll complain about life being short, not having enough time, and then exchange our healthy time for money, so we can spend it on shit we don't need, that makes our lives worse, that we have to spend more of our healthy lives to make more money, to undid what we did.

And then we'll buy some more shit on the way back home to make ourselves feel better about it.

Humans... literally the worst.

Ya lost me on the relevance

This mat is one such example of "shit we don't need".

Despite my positive and no doubt ill-informed advice, I think the overwhelming consensus of opinion Billrush is to get rid of it!

I applied a clear paint protection film in between the rubber foot rests. It protects the paint and you have to look hard to see it.

Exactly the same with my otherwise beautiful Razzo.

While the floor paint on my 100,000+ mile Rocket is nearly perfect, The mat has ruined the floor paint on the 37,000 mile Razzo.

So I just leave it on.

Bill

Before selling buy a new mat.

I had one on my GTS 250 for several years and no damage. When I had my scooter custom panted after an accident I didn't bother to put it back on though. I liked the custom paint job to much to hide any of it.

My husband's GTS had more scratches in a year on the floorboards than I did on that GTS after 2-3 with a floor mat. YMMV

Graham

I have had two Vespa 150s and I had a floor mat on each bike. In my mind, they were there for keeps. A few scratches underneath didn't bother me because the mat was there to cover any flaws pre-existing or as a result of the mat, but it didn't matter. It stayed on.

I have owned 4 new pickups and had bed liners installed in 3 of them. The 4th I had Line X sprayed in. All the liners were lifetime as long as I owned them. Used pickups with bed liners are worth more because the box isn't all beat up. Yes, most liners rub paint away but it can't be seen as long as the liner stays put.

If you put a mat on your scooter but will be picking it up all the time to inspect for damage, it isn't for you. On the other hand, if you install a mat and will leave it down except for occasional washing, then it might be just the ticket for your bike. Your mileage may vary.

Full Disclosure: I love my floor mat.

You guys make me feel like a convicted offender that has to register my address
with the local Vespa Mat Police. Just kidding.

To Mat or not to Mat, one of life's many questions.

Bob Copeland

Bob: It's not you.

I will say I had thought about a floor mat for Melody after having her for two years. Then I recall giving her a much-needed washing-down, and marveled at how nice the floor looked after that much time, and quickly nixed the idea. Ain't broke, nothing to fix. Same deal for Thelonica.

Hi Bob,

What is it you like about the floor mat? Functionality, looks, something else?

(Just honestly curious!)

Joeri

Mopmop,

Yah, I like the way it looks. When I wash the Vespa, I remove the
mat. Dry it and put the mat back on. No scratches. But, yes, I
like the look.

Bob Copeland

I wonder if owners in other countries share the viewpoint that they are bad. A lot of companies make them.

this is like worrying about the studs underneath the drywall.

Yep I checked some of my studs today and found scratches on them. I will be removing that drywall cover XXXX. ASAP

This has been a major ongoing debate/discussion.

My Vespa is kept in a garage and used only for leisure and
group riding. There is no damage under the mat. I like the way
it looks.

Others, especially in Europe, use their Vespa as a daily
form of commuting with the scoot perhaps not garaged and always
out in the elements rain/shine. I clearly remember rows
of scooters parked in Rome (they were filthy).

To the point - if always out in the elements, the mat could
have moisture build up and cause damage to the foot deck.

I attended AmeriVespa today in Minneapolis. Obviously
hundreds of Vespas. Very few foot matts.

Bob Copeland

Thanks BOB and very nice bike
How about a happy medium?

On every scooter I have owned I have scratched the center raised tunnel. How about I trim off both sides so only the tunnel is covered down to the floor boards.

Funny. I started this thread 3 months ago. But the mat still leans against the wall in my garage and is in the way. I could throw it out but it's new and cost $50.00. I meant to sell it on EBay.

Now I'll start a new thread here. Is it ethical to sell Vespa floor Mats that your trusted advisors say will ruin a Vespa? Caveat Emptor? Bob says they are ok?

Or in the description: this is a genuine Piaggio product. It looks sharp but be careful to clean the floorboards after every ride or it will ruin the paint!

Maybe the buyer could be buying it to cover existing scratches?

I will plead the fifth. I've lost my s*** in the past talking to you about floor mats. I even got disenvoweled. Some people not using any names of course even thought I was evil because I had a floormat. There was talk of a ceremonial burning and exorcism. It was utterly dramatic I thought I was going to be in the dog house forever.

What, you've escaped?

Bob I am with you I like the look

Jim Jim listen to me very carefully. I know people. I am with the In Crowd. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here. You hold the keys. But I found a way back in through the back door without your help. Well I had your blessing anyway.

I think the problem here is peoples' fixation with rubber floor mats. Everyone knows carpet floor mats feel much better when riding barefoot.

Shh! Don't tell everyone!

How many of the people who are anti-mat commute on their Vespas to work every day in a Northern city or somewhere like Denver during the Winter? That's who it's made for. If you're parking your Vespa in Manhattan every day, slogging to and from work in mud, slush and dog crap, the mat does wonders for your comfort and to protect the bike. If you take short jaunts in near perfect weather, you don't need it.

I think regular stops riding on the British byways with muddy verges qualifies for the addition of a rubber mat too

Instead of including this "accurate and useful" information, you could post your original floormat question on 4chan. Keep posting and asking the same question in every topic. You'll get considerably more interesting responses. If you post your address and contact info on 4chan, someone might come over and buy it.

Isn't the wall all scratched up behind it now?