Thanks for the replies everybody.
fleece wrote:
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?
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!
fleece wrote:
No tips etc unfortunately as I've never even ridden the leccy version.
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.
GermanGTSDriver wrote:
I recommend to do a cavity sealing (best before you release the Vespa, the first time in its natural habitat).
This sounds positively filthy
- what does a cavity sealing involve?!
GermanGTSDriver wrote:
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!
That's very good advice - I will ask my dealer about the warranty situation. Thanks - I can't wait!
adri wrote:
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.
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.
cdwise wrote:
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.
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.
JakeM wrote:
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.
Brilliant advice, thank you. I've got the app loaded to my phone already.