Modern Vespa

Hello

My scooter has made the journey from Pontedera to the north of Wales and is currently sitting in my local dealer's showroom - see attached, grabbed from a video they sent to me. It's an Elettrica Red, and they named it well.

This is my first scooter and indeed my first two wheeled vehicle since my BMX in the 1980s. Any advice on things I should check when it gets delivered, before I sign on the dotted line?

Thanks

I'll be interested to see how you get on with the E Vespa in North Wales (not known for it's flatness )

Is there a reason you went with E as your first Vespa?

No tips etc unfortunately as I've never even ridden the leccy version.

I recommend to do a cavity sealing (best before you release the Vespa, the first time in its natural habitat).

I always recommend a warranty extension, especially for the electric models (Elettrica, Piaggio 1), at least in the EU, the battery is included in the warranty and warranty extension (whether this also applies outside the EU, please check yourself). Actually, little can break on the electric models, battery and control unit are quickly an economic total loss after a few years.

Have fun with your new Bella!

First scooter? No motorcycle experienced? Get used to it in baby steps.

Start on a small residential street. Go slow in a straight line.
Don't try to navigate a turn just walk it around to face the other direction when you get to the end.
Repeat a few times. Get used to how the throttle rolls on and how the brakes feel.

I have a customer who lives a couple blocks away who would crash because she thought that practicing in a small parking lot was a good idea. Too tight of a space. She dropped it a couple times. I would find somewhere with LOTS of room.

You probably have a local motorcycle community online (or offline). You can reach out to them for local help. Ask your dealership for suggestions or use google.

While I don't have an electric Vespa the dealer in Boulder Colorado had one. They took it around the city and surrounding area which is anything but flat. Since Boulder is a university town and you can ride a 50 in Colorado on a car license they sell a lot of 50s. Their report was it handled the steep roads better than a 50cc as long as you could deal with the range limitations. Steep roads decreased range.

The Pirelli Angel tyres are great in the wet, but can be a little bit slippery when brand new. Try and wait for a dry day to go out for the first time.

My first ride on my elettrica was only on local roads in the village. I made a loop and kept going round, progressively getting more confidence before I ventured further afield.

Also, setup the app. It's one of my favourite things about the modern vespas - seeing all the data on your trip and a map of where you've ridden.

Thanks for the replies everybody. True but I've read the Elettrica copes well with hills. I went for the 45mph version for a bit of "oomph"!

No history of driving petrol bikes / scoots so no baggage to get rid of in moving to an E.

Trying to do the right thing I suppose! It was more general advice I was after - what are the things people wish they'd checked when they first got their vehicle, that sort of thing. This sounds positively filthy - what does a cavity sealing involve?! That's very good advice - I will ask my dealer about the warranty situation. Thanks - I can't wait! All very good advice. I've done the basic course ("CBT" in the UK) so I did a bit of basic low speed navigation - hoping it will all come back to me a few months later. This is consistent with what I have read. I only plan to use it locally so I'm not expecting the hills to be a problem, which is a good job as I live halfway up the side of a big one. Brilliant advice, thank you. I've got the app loaded to my phone already.

tokenwelshman,

Welcome to modern Vespa. Super color - my favorite.

Possibly naive, but I assume the dealership has set the scooter
up correctly. If it starts and the brakes work - it is a go.
Anything wrong from the factory will routinely show up quickly.

adri suggestion was good.
1. Drive it slowly around local residential streets to get a feel
for handling.
2. I would add; beware, rookies take curves to fast.

Again welcome to the wonderful world of two wheeling.

Bob Copeland
Frostbite Falls Minnesota
No riding here - Blizzard next two days.

The glove compartment and running board should be dismantled (only spraying in from the outside does not reach all necessary parts). Duration approx. 1.5h, and approx. 1.5 cans of sealant are required.

You can do it yourself or ask your dealer. If you do it yourself, make sure that it is applied evenly and avoid the cables as much as possible (cover them if necessary). Work especially accurately on edges, corners, folds, joints and overlapping sheets. EDIT: On the Vespa Elettrica note in particular the voltage on the drive battery!

Wear protective clothing and breathing protection! Application only in well ventilated areas.

Which cavity sealant you use is up to you, but it is important that the selected sealant does not harden and always remains elastic to provide lasting corrosion protection. There are certainly enough tips here in the forum. I personally use Mike Sanders and/or Fluid Film.

In the German forum is a example of cavity sealing on a Primavera, which is identical in construction to the Elettrica (German, but many photos): https://vespaforum.de/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=59520

I add:

Tires and brakes need to be "run in" to get full performance.

Tires need at least 50-100km to build up the full static friction.

Therefore, drive especially carefully and with foresight at the beginning. In the manual you will find tips for "running in".

Hi Bob

Thank you! That's a great looking scooter you have. Wow - I wasn't expecting to have to dismantle the scoot on delivery! Well ventilated areas is an easy one - I don't have a garage or workshop, anything I do will be in the open air.

Having done a bit of research on this subject - will it be sufficient if I get something like XCP Rust Blocker Clear Coat and spray it all over the paintwork? I assume I need to focus on the underneath of the scooter - should I be doing the entire scooter (except wheels and brakes)?

I don't know the product you mentioned, so I can't comment on it.

Just to be sure: cavity sealing/preservation is especially about the inside of the vehicle (under the lining of the running board, etc. / where, among other things, the frame and frame tunnel are welded together, Starter battery tray), so places where you would not immediately see incipient corrosion. The underside can of course also be treated, the visible paint on e.g. leg shield, side cheeks etc. of course not...

Another important note: in case you want to do it yourself, remember that there is voltage on the drive battery of the Elettrica!