Modern Vespa

Guido got his present today-a new windscreen and some Piaggio valve stem caps from ScooterWest!

I am both looking forward to reducing wind blast and somewhat 'dismayed' about the soon to be new look for my Vespa. I really like the no windscreen look yet do a lot of highway riding so I know I'll appreciate the added protection.

Style over comfort?…I've chosen comfort over style. I really don't want to be taking it on and off and I suppose I'll get used to the look. Also, I know some folks prefer the windscreen style so no offense if that describes you!

It will be fun to put it on though, I'm thinking it should be fairly easy.

Yup

servicing my hpe lowered the rpm on the freeway

Which screen did you go with?

I gotta wait for the 2023 windshields to come in and see what the heated grips and heated seat costs are for the 2023 Vespa. I got one in white same as my old one

I got the original Vespa small clear 'sport' fly screen.

I'd be very interested to hear if the fly screen works enough for you. I like the look of a fly screen, but do not like the look of the larger windshields.

A windshield is always a compromise... The smaller the more aesthetic, the larger the more it protects...

Whether a windshield brings the desired effect depends on factors such as body size, seating position (pillion yes/no) and other factors.

If the windshield is (too) small, the rider has the wind concentrated on one point (from chest height upwards, especially bad when it hits the head (helmet) concentrated. Some use a clip-on spoiler on the top edge of their windshield to adjust the airflow.

Smaller windshields give two to three km/h top speed, large ones take up to 5 km/h. From this alone you can imagine the effect.

I've seen Vespa riders with large windshields who had to use a water squeegee from the shower to get a clear view at every stoplight....

My recommendation regarding windshield is always: try (with friends, the dealer, etc.) BEFORE you buy. Sometimes you can also buy a used, then you sink at least not too much money.

In the German forum there are also some who shorten a large or middle windshield centimeter by centimeter and do a testdrive after each shortening to test the deflection of the wind. For this I have no personal experience.

I do not like windshields for the above reasons and therefore drive on principle without.

I have had a large windscreen for my Vespa for many years. When I lived in the Chicago area it was protective from the cold especially as it blocked the wind from my hands, and kept the bugs off my face in the summer. Here in AZ it still is helpful when it gets cold, and also helps with bugs in the summer. Taking it on and off is fairly easy, although I rarely do that. I have never minded how it looked, but this is obviously a personal preference. As far as rain goes, in AZ not a common problem, but back in Chicago I did get caught in the rain a fair bit and it did keep out off my face. In addition to the windscreen I have a top box, front rack and front and back bars. I guess I like "stuff" on my Vespa

In a way, if giving a new Vespa a loving home, crash bars and Bitubo rear shocks count as a present to it. I did promise it a top-case, performance exhaust, windscreen and performance front shock once they become available. I even told it if it's a good Vespa a heated seat and grips may be in the future. If she's a really good girl she may even get some powder coating and who doesn't enjoy a good powder coat?

That's a good one. You made me laugh!

almost every year I add something to my Vespa. This year it was an LED headlight. I have replaced all the other lights with LED's over the years. I do like buying it a new present every year.

Anytime I also meant every word!

It's the OEM heated stuff I'm the most curious about.

"Who's a good scooter? You are! You are!"

(Remember, a scooter is forever, not just for Christmas. *cue suitably heart-rending music*)

She's still in the process of getting Christmas presents:

- I've removed some under-paint rust on her belly. She's getting several layers of primer/paint/clear paint to cover the gaping wounds.

- I've installed brake lights in her Givi topbox today. She'll get some wiring in her belly to connect it to her brake light tomorrow, probably.

- She got a nice little TomTom-mount on her mirror with an interior power cable.

- She got new USB connectors in her kneepad, now with a Volt meter.

- I fixed a hose clamp which caused her to lose some of her body fluids when it got cold outside.

- And finally I gave her an extra cavity wax spraying session, of course with tender loving care

I will give a full report, yet it will be after the snow is gone so please be patient! I had to go with the fly screen as I want to see over it, not have to look through it. All I could go by were the reviews, which were all positive so that's something. I went through 3 windscreens on my motorbike so I hope this isn't the beginning of a repeat of that…


Also, it warms my heart to hear of all these happy little Vespas getting presents. They all deserve it!

One nice thing about Modern Vespas is the ease of windshield installation/swaps.