Modern Vespa

Thought I'd update on my time with a Vespa Elettrica 45km/h version.

This has been my first motorised two wheeled vehicle, and I've absolutely loved it. Both the convenience and cleanliness of charging (vs having diesel on my hands!), and the fact that I can park pretty much anywhere and often completely free of charge.

I had to do a one day course to unlock this indefinitely on my licence, but if my car licence had of been older - it would have been completely car licence friendly. The 70kmh (40mph) version would have required me to undergo a full licence, or redo a course every 2 years and use L plates front and rear.

It tops out at 28mph on the GPS, but 31mph on the speedo. But then every other car speedo also over-reads - so I cope fine in 30mph traffic along the coast roads. I've no need to use it on quicker roads, and have actually got a very large area I can travel on 30mph roads.

So far, I've done over 1500 miles.

Mods:

Metal luggage hook under the seat (chrome). Looks very nice, but to be honest I've only used it a couple of times. I mostly use the storage under the seat, or worst case scenario - take a backpack.

Shorter mirrors in chrome (SIP). I've preferred these as they're in line with the handlebars and so I can squeeze through smaller spaces. They have rusted a bit after a winter by the sea though, and so I will need to try and polish them back up.

Smaller number plate. In the UK, we have massive rectangular numberplates. I ordered a custom 6 digit plate (rather than 7), and had a company produce me the smallest legal plate I can have (10mm wider than the digits). This gives it more of an Italian look.

Underseat handlebar lock: This came on the bike. Initially I didn't like this one bit (mostly the visual aspect), but the ability to lock the bike without crouching down in the rain to put a disc lock on has been great.

Type 2 Electric charger adaptor - I purchased this without a rain cover (to make it smaller), and with the shortest possible cable length so as it can stay under the seats. In the cities, we have a lot of payable chargers that are wired into lamp posts. This has meant that I don't have to worry about range so much, and can travel longer distances. The rain cover was quite bulky (so would have meant less storage in the bike), and so I've tried to time charges around the weather when using this!

Pros: The power is instant on the Elettrica. I also love the depth of information on the dash and on the app.

The brakes are amazing. I've got the electric motor brake on its highest setting, and combined with the rear cable operated drum brake makes up 90-95% of the braking I do. I only really use the front brake for emergency stops or at traffic lights.

The silence - I thought about getting a helmet with earphones so I could answer calls, listen to music etc but I've loved how connected I am with what's happening around me. I often have chats with people at traffic lights etc. I can also hear when a car is approaching or near me, and so this adds another safety aspect.

Cons: The flip side to the silence is pedestrians who don't hear me! I always assume every single one will step out in front of me and move further out into the road. There is a setting on the handlebars to make a constant beep sound when riding but I haven't wanted to use this.

The cold is probably the only main negative I wish had a remedy. I used the Vespa right down to freezing point over the winter. The battery however will only allow the motor to hit 2500 watts when the temperature is under 10c (50f). Above this, it will happily sit in the 3500-4000 watts range. On the flat, this isn't so bad. But on a couple of hills, this power drop became more of a problem. On one hill near me, the bike would drop down to 29mph in the summer, but wouldn't go past 22mph in the winter. I was never pressured by cars, but I didn't like this.

Sometimes, I would try to charge the battery for a few minutes to get some heat into the battery before I left - but it's definitely aimed for slightly warmer climates. When the temperature is above 10c (50f), it's perfect.


Charging using my Type 2 adaptor

Custom number plate

Nice review. I'm glad you are enjoying your Vespa.

That's a great write-up. We don't get enough Elettrica posts on here. I like your personalised plate.

Yes, an excellent write-up. One comment. The weight transfer which occurs upon braking means that 60% or more of the braking friction on a powered 2-wheeler normally occurs at the front tire. By intentionally relying on regenerative and mechanical braking only at the rear, you reduce the braking capability of the scooter. If you ride and brake modestly, that probably won't matter, except perhaps in the rain when traction at each tire is reduced. I'd suggest you practice distributing your braking front and rear. Just a good riding habit. Ride safe, have fun!

Excellent going, glad you're getting on with that ride.

The streetside photo is very telling to me: this is the kind of charging infrastructure needed elsewhere if EVs of any wheel arrangement are to get any, ahem, traction.

I had no luck getting a definitive answer about using a type 2 charger adapter safely on my Elettrica from any of the dealerships in the U.K. , when I bought the adapter it was with some trepidation when I charged for the first time , even though I'd been assured by the retailer of the adapter that the scooter would come to no harm . JakeM I'm glad your enjoying your Elettrica as much as I do .

i would love to try out the electric version one day for sure. it would be so quiet. that would be amazing

Good stuff. Would love to try one. I'm not normally one to complain about nanny state stuff but having to do a course every couple of years to keep your licence is just ridiculous.

That's really interesting and considering I went for a long ride in the snow yesterday on my Supertech, this rules out EVs for me for the near/mid (?) future. And before someone says you don't need power in the snow, I'm really referring to the long ride to get to/from the snow.

Some sort of pre-warming would be useful whilst the vehicle is plugged in - I know EV cars can do it, (obviously not helpful on the way back from said freezing place though).

The lamp post chargers are a great idea! At the moment, the company doesn't get a profit. I top up an app, and pay slightly more than the electricity cost. This extra money goes into a pot, and when they have enough - they install the another charger in the next lamp post. There's so many hundred now around the city.

They're only 3kw charging (as they tap into the wiring for the lamp itself), so perfect for the Vespa - but more of a slow overnight charge for electric cars.

I was a bit unsure using the adaptor at first, but have been told it's just a regular household socket on the end - so I could technically charge my phone from it if necessary and without harm.

The cold is the main issue. Interestingly, the range doesn't seem to drop in the cold a noticeable amount - I just get less power.

I'll try and incorporate more front braking!

Our licences are strange. We technically become a "learner" after a 1 day course. This allows up to 125cc, but we have to have giant red L plates on the front and rear of the vehicle. Afterwards, you either progress to a full test (maybe a weeks worth of training, a written test and two riding tests - one with manoeuvres around a carpark, and one on the road). Or, you just keep redoing the 1 day course and have another 2 years with L plates. Up to 49cc and 28mph is fine on a car licence.

I would have preferred the 40mph Elettrica, but there weren't many secondhand when I bought mine. I would have had to put a few thousand extra to buy new, then a full licence (I didn't want L plates!) for another thousand (plus losing a weeks worth of work). In the end, the slower Elettrica made more sense.

Thanks for the update. I have been interested since day one, but I'd definitely have to have the 70Km/h model. Even then I'm afraid it wouldn't be quite enough.

But I do appreciate the review. Great looking bike.

Thanks for posting this. It is very helpful. Plus your 'small' license plate made me laugh.

even leaving home (in the city) and going straight onto the freeway in the morning was less than 10C.

Hi guys, I have a Vespa elettrica … last week I was charging it and suddenly all the sector of the house where it was plugged went off. This I was trying to charge it again and it does not want to charge?? Have any of you experienced this issue? Or what do you the problem must be… no it start and runs normally.. only the charge is an issue.. thank you all.

Check your fuses, one might of blown when the charging power went off.

Sounds like you blew a breaker. Have you checked your breaker panel. If you try to charge an electric vehicle on a home circuit which has other uses at the same time, you are likely to exceed its capacity.

Checked all the fuses..they are all fine..… changed the 13 amp fuse in the socket but no luck 😔😔…

True the breaker went off and I had to raise it again… tested to charge in my neighbours house with no luck as well..

If all the fuses (and breaker?) in the bike are OK, then it's back to the dealer under warranty.

We don't have a circuit diagram or service manual for the Elettrica, sorry. If you or anyone else can find them, please email them to me so they can be put on the website.

What country are you in? From memory, I believe the Elettrica charges at around 1500 watts maximum - so it's not a very high power draw.

Have you tried switching off the Vespa, putting the plug back in the scooter, putting the cap back in place and twisting it shut, close the seat, remove the key - then pop the seat, undo the cap and try again?

If you unplug the Elettrica during charging, you must follow this process to start charging again.

Thank you Jake, I live in the UK.

I tried all that with no luck.. next I will try to change the fuses and see.

Thank you

I don't know if it would have been possible to blow a fuse in the Vespa without the plug fuse burning through first - but it's definitely worth a check.

I would also consider swapping the plug fuse into another appliance within your house, and confirming that that specific fuse is working before putting it back into the Vespa plug. There's a small chance the new one is also faulty.

Or possibly the on-board charger has failed, and then triggered the house electrics to trip - and not the house electrics damaging the Vespa.

Keep us updated!