@kz1000st avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Dongfang 170cc, CF Moto Fashion 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1900
Location: Hyde Park, New York
 
Molto Verboso
@kz1000st avatar
Dongfang 170cc, CF Moto Fashion 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1900
Location: Hyde Park, New York
UTC quote
When I had an "Italian Lookalike" I didn't always get a wave back from bikers. The funny thing is that now with the "Sportbike" front end on the new scooter I've had the other guy initiate the wave as often as me now.

I guess the "Motorcycle" designation on my registration is justified now.
⚠️ Last edited by kz1000ST on UTC; edited 1 time
@duck_dodgers avatar
UTC

Hooked
2016 GTV
Joined: UTC
Posts: 352
Location: Planet X
 
Hooked
@duck_dodgers avatar
2016 GTV
Joined: UTC
Posts: 352
Location: Planet X
UTC quote
To answer a question no one has asked yet. I'm helpful that way.

Difference between an M1 California motorcycle license and an M2 California motorcycle license is; drum roll please.

With an M2 the holder cannot operate a motorcycle that goes go faster than 30 MPH.

See I cleared that up. Sorry to be a thread killer. ROFL emoticon
@sledge avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
GTS 300 HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2344
Location: Adelaide
 
Ossessionato
@sledge avatar
GTS 300 HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2344
Location: Adelaide
UTC quote
Duck Dodgers wrote:
With an M2 the holder cannot operate a motorcycle that goes go faster than 30 MPH.

Can a M2 holder operate a Vespa that goes faster than 30 mph ?
@shebalba avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2009 GTS250, Ducati Monster M900, KTM 390 Adventure, Honda CR125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1790
Location: Oceanside, CA
 
Molto Verboso
@shebalba avatar
2009 GTS250, Ducati Monster M900, KTM 390 Adventure, Honda CR125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1790
Location: Oceanside, CA
UTC quote
Duck Dodgers wrote:
To answer a question no one has asked yet. I'm helpful that way.

Difference between an M1 California motorcycle license and an M2 California motorcycle license is; drum roll please.

With an M2 the holder cannot operate a motorcycle that goes go faster than 30 MPH.

See I cleared that up. Sorry to be a thread killer. ROFL emoticon
Didja now?

California issues the following DL classes for two-wheel vehicle operation:

Class M1-You may operate any two-wheel motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized scooter and all vehicles listed under Class M2.

Class M2-You may operate any motorized bicycle, moped, or motorized scooter.


A motorized scooter is defined as any two-wheeled device with an electric motor, handlebars, a floorboard for standing on when riding, and the option of having a driver seat which cannot interfere with the operator's ability to stand and ride and/or the ability to be powered by human propulsion.
@vintage_red_matthew avatar
UTC

MV Santa
GTS250, 1975 VBC, 1980 P200E cutdown
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4869
Location: Sedgwick, Kansas
 
MV Santa
@vintage_red_matthew avatar
GTS250, 1975 VBC, 1980 P200E cutdown
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4869
Location: Sedgwick, Kansas
UTC quote
Everyone can have their own definition of what a scooter is but for me the only characteristic that makes a scooter a scooter is a step through frame and even then scooters like a Bergman, Majesty or Silverwing challenge even that.
UTC

Member
Sprint S 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6
Location: Albuquerque, NM
 
Member
Sprint S 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6
Location: Albuquerque, NM
UTC quote
I say "I ride a Vespa" out of respect to the man who originally designed this fantastic little machine as he fucking hated motorcycles.
@waspmike avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
LXV 150 3v ie. Midnight Blue (Sold) Now Honda Zoomer X
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4130
Location: Kingdom of Lanna
 
Ossessionato
@waspmike avatar
LXV 150 3v ie. Midnight Blue (Sold) Now Honda Zoomer X
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4130
Location: Kingdom of Lanna
UTC quote
It's official?
Quote:
Rescue workers from the Tri Khun Tham Foundation, who were first on the scene, discovered Theerawat lying lifeless next to his grey Vespa motorbike, 20 metres away from the speed bump.[url]

[/url]https://thethaiger.com/news/national/teenager-dies-in-high-speed-motorbike-crash-on-chonburis-new-tourist-bridge[url][/url]
UTC

Hooked
Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 229
Location: Canada
 
Hooked
Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 229
Location: Canada
UTC quote
Although often classified for insurance purposes, No.
@jbacklund avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2020 GTS300 HPE/2022 Triumph Rocket 3R/1981 Honda CB900C/2019 Triumph Speedmaster
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1905
Location: Black Hills South Dakota USA
 
Molto Verboso
@jbacklund avatar
2020 GTS300 HPE/2022 Triumph Rocket 3R/1981 Honda CB900C/2019 Triumph Speedmaster
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1905
Location: Black Hills South Dakota USA
UTC quote
I can understand the confusion, the devil, as they say, is in the details Razz emoticon
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@sledge avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
GTS 300 HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2344
Location: Adelaide
 
Ossessionato
@sledge avatar
GTS 300 HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2344
Location: Adelaide
UTC quote
Is a motorcycle with a curry hook a scooter?
@znomit avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10816
Location: Hermit Kingdom
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@znomit avatar
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10816
Location: Hermit Kingdom
UTC quote
Sledge wrote:
Is a motorcycle with a curry hook a scooter?
It's nirvana.
It's the holy grail.
It's 42.
@adri avatar
UTC

Atypical Canadian
2009 Vespa S50(LX150 motor swap), 2006 Vespa GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2319
Location: Toronto, Canada
 
Atypical Canadian
@adri avatar
2009 Vespa S50(LX150 motor swap), 2006 Vespa GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2319
Location: Toronto, Canada
UTC quote
cerebrix wrote:
I say "I ride a Vespa" out of respect to the man who originally designed this fantastic little machine as he fucking hated motorcycles.
Let's correct that...

He fucking hated the motorcycles of the 1940s, which as far as reliability, cleanliness, efficiency, ride quality, etc. were nothing at all like the motorcycles of today.

In other words, we're very lucky the motorcycles of today weren't available in the 1940s, or D'Ascanio may have never designed the Vespa to be what the motorcycles of his time weren't.
@yellow300gts avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
300 GTS supertech HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 76
Location: Icy Norway:)
 
Enthusiast
@yellow300gts avatar
300 GTS supertech HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 76
Location: Icy Norway:)
UTC quote
ofcourse a Vespa is a motorcycle, But it is formost a scooter.
a moped is....... a mo-tor pe-dal motorcycle.....
@giallo avatar
UTC

Addicted
GTS 300 hpe
Joined: UTC
Posts: 816
Location: NYC
 
Addicted
@giallo avatar
GTS 300 hpe
Joined: UTC
Posts: 816
Location: NYC
UTC quote
Sledge wrote:
Is a motorcycle with a curry hook a scooter?
Is a scooter without a curry hook just a step-through motorcycle?
@mike_holland avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
GTS300 Super 2023 Beige
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3440
Location: Sydney, Australia
 
Ossessionato
@mike_holland avatar
GTS300 Super 2023 Beige
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3440
Location: Sydney, Australia
UTC quote
There are motorcycles, there are Vespas, and then there are scooters and mopeds.
UTC

Lurker
23' Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Des Moines, IA
 
Lurker
23' Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Des Moines, IA
UTC quote
One thing I found interesting was that in 1944, the engineers did a prototype but didn't like the design, so they brought in an aeronautical engineer Corradino D'Ascanio, to redesign the scooter. From the wikipedia page... D'Ascanio, who had earlier been consulted by Ferdinando Innocenti about scooter design and manufacture, made it immediately known that he hated motorcycles, believing them to be bulky, dirty, and unreliable.

So they didn't like motorcycles, which I thought was cool because it drove them to fundamentally rethink it. You can see with most of motorcycle history that it was very small changes over the years and between brands/designs, but when someone really makes something new you get something different enough that this topic of conversation can even occur.
@bluside avatar
UTC

Addicted
2020 GTS 300, 2011 LX150ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 857
Location: Jupiter, Florida
 
Addicted
@bluside avatar
2020 GTS 300, 2011 LX150ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 857
Location: Jupiter, Florida
UTC quote
I was out today riding through my neighborhood. While at a stop sign, a good looking woman walking her dogs says to me, "I like your moped." I looked at her, smiled and just said, "Thanks, and I like your dogs."

She said "thanks" and we both went on our way. However, I was just shaking my head. Moped my azz.
@madison_sully avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7668
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@madison_sully avatar
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7668
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
UTC quote
bluside wrote:
I was out today riding through my neighborhood. While at a stop sign, a good looking woman walking her dogs says to me, "I like your moped." I looked at her, smiled and just said, "Thanks, and I like your dogs."

She said "thanks" and we both went on our way. However, I was just shaking my head. Moped my azz.
"I like your cats". Laughing emoticon
@znomit avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10816
Location: Hermit Kingdom
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@znomit avatar
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10816
Location: Hermit Kingdom
UTC quote
Madison Sully wrote:
"I like your cats". Laughing emoticon
But but but cat > dog.
@rrider avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3210
Location: Finland
 
Ossessionato
@rrider avatar
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3210
Location: Finland
UTC quote
I just changed my mind.

Vespa cannot be a motorcycle.

Nobody has talked about 'tail tidy' or 'fender elimination' in Modern Vespa forum. Those are a must in any motorcycle forum.
@adri avatar
UTC

Atypical Canadian
2009 Vespa S50(LX150 motor swap), 2006 Vespa GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2319
Location: Toronto, Canada
 
Atypical Canadian
@adri avatar
2009 Vespa S50(LX150 motor swap), 2006 Vespa GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2319
Location: Toronto, Canada
UTC quote
Substantially fewer "What tire" and "What oil" threads here as well.
@lars_danner avatar
UTC

Hooked
2014 GTV300; 2009 S50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 178
Location: Anchorage AK
 
Hooked
@lars_danner avatar
2014 GTV300; 2009 S50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 178
Location: Anchorage AK
UTC quote
If it's over 50cc or a two stroke and not a moped, then yes. Otherwise it's a scooter.
⚠️ Last edited by Lars_Danner on UTC; edited 1 time
@znomit avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10816
Location: Hermit Kingdom
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@znomit avatar
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10816
Location: Hermit Kingdom
UTC quote
Lars_Danner wrote:
If it's over 50cc or a two stroke then yes. Otherwise it's a scooter.
Aren't most mopeds stinky 2 strokes?
@duck_dodgers avatar
UTC

Hooked
2016 GTV
Joined: UTC
Posts: 352
Location: Planet X
 
Hooked
@duck_dodgers avatar
2016 GTV
Joined: UTC
Posts: 352
Location: Planet X
UTC quote
Oil threads, tire threads, what to carry and what not to carry in your top box/tank bag threads…. Not many.

Now can we go down a rabbit hole, heck ya. Pull a 3 year old thread back to life? You bet skippy.

Are there folks on here that know their stuff? Straight up-YES.

Then their is the WIKI !!!!

However sometimes it's just world class trophy WINNING: ROFL emoticon
Now out to the garage. Where my Italian monoqocoque body scootercycle, because I don't know what to call it now, is waiting.
Now out to the garage. Where my Italian monoqocoque body scootercycle, because I don't know what to call it now, is waiting.
@shebalba avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2009 GTS250, Ducati Monster M900, KTM 390 Adventure, Honda CR125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1790
Location: Oceanside, CA
 
Molto Verboso
@shebalba avatar
2009 GTS250, Ducati Monster M900, KTM 390 Adventure, Honda CR125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1790
Location: Oceanside, CA
UTC quote
Can you beat a dead pony or does it have to be a horse? Is a pony a horse?
@znomit avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10816
Location: Hermit Kingdom
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@znomit avatar
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10816
Location: Hermit Kingdom
UTC quote
Shebalba wrote:
Can you beat a dead pony or does it have to be a horse? Is a pony a horse?
The beater is often an ass.
@armedferret avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'23 300 Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1279
Location: Maryland
 
Molto Verboso
@armedferret avatar
'23 300 Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1279
Location: Maryland
UTC quote
Shebalba wrote:
Can you beat a dead pony or does it have to be a horse? Is a pony a horse?
depends on if it's 15 hands at the withers.
@madison_sully avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7668
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@madison_sully avatar
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7668
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
UTC quote
armedferret wrote:
depends on if it's 15 hands at the withers.

Well, whether I like it or not I only have two hands.
@madison_sully avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7668
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@madison_sully avatar
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7668
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
UTC quote
Shebalba wrote:
Can you beat a dead pony or does it have to be a horse? Is a pony a horse?
Reminds me of grade school.
Some poor kid asks "can I go to the bathroom?"
Predictable, and brief, conversation ensues.
@cheshire avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
GTS (sold)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1151
Location: US overlander, NC-plated
 
Molto Verboso
@cheshire avatar
GTS (sold)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1151
Location: US overlander, NC-plated
UTC quote
znomit wrote:
The beater is often an ass.
...Unless it's a tank top, in which case it's a wife.
:ducks the impending...:
@znomit avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10816
Location: Hermit Kingdom
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@znomit avatar
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10816
Location: Hermit Kingdom
UTC quote
The best people are working on this right now.
The best.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
UTC

Banned
Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 25
Location: Virginia
 
Banned
Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 25
Location: Virginia
UTC quote
The original 1946 patent for the Vespa said (translated into English), "A Motorcycle with a rational arrangement of organs and elements with a frame with mudguards and covers concealing all mechanical parts."

So, it's a motorcycle. The inventor of the thing called it a "motorcycle", so that's what it is.


[By the way, here in Virginia, if it has an engine with a capacity of less than 50cc, then it is a "moped" (I know. It's stupid as all get out. There are no pedals!) But bigger than 50cc, then it is a motorcycle and must be registered a such and requires a motorcycle endorsement on your license. If the idiots at the DMV want to quibble, use common misnomers, etc., let them. But it is a motorcycle no matter the engine capacity. Besides, where does this put the Elettrica?]
UTC

Banned
Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 124
Location: Southwestern Virginia
 
Banned
Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 124
Location: Southwestern Virginia
UTC quote
BlueWasp23 wrote:
The original 1946 patent for the Vespa said (translated into English), "A Motorcycle with a rational arrangement of organs and elements with a frame with mudguards and covers concealing all mechanical parts."

So, it's a motorcycle. The inventor of the thing called it a "motorcycle", so that's what it is.


[By the way, here in Virginia, if it has an engine with a capacity of less than 50cc, then it is a "moped" (I know. It's stupid as all get out. There are no pedals!) But bigger than 50cc, then it is a motorcycle and must be registered a such and requires a motorcycle endorsement on your license. If the idiots at the DMV want to quibble, use common misnomers, etc., let them. But it is a motorcycle no matter the engine capacity. Besides, where does this put the Elettrica?]
What they said!
UTC

Hooked
2005 Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 124
Location: San clemente ca
 
Hooked
2005 Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 124
Location: San clemente ca
UTC quote
Here in orange county California my title says motorcycle for my vespa gt200 and the dmv said 5yrs ago when I purchased it no need for a m1 or m2 license as it can be ridden legally with a class c license.
So apparently my vespa is a motorcycle that needs a car license
So it's a vespacarcycle !!

Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.

Buy Me A Coffee
 

Shop on Amazon with Modern Vespa

Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com


All Content Copyright 2005-2025 by Modern Vespa.
All Rights Reserved.


[ Time: 0.0415s ][ Queries: 4 (0.0344s) ][ live ][ 328 ][ ThingOne ]