Modern Vespa

My wife just got a 2009 Vespa GTS 250ie Super. It has the "suicide" side stand that does not stay down unless the scooter is resting on it. This is a problem since she is 5'-2" and the scooter weighs 325lbs. I saw a post dated 2011 from member Buddy19520 dealing with this issue wherein he drilled a hole and mounting a bolt 1/2" forward of the factory welded spring post. I had purchased a Prima side stand #GTSS1 from Scooterworks which came with a small spring post bracket. It was pre drilled with two holes for mounting on Vespa models that came with no welded spring post. I used the hole in the frame where the plug for the European model side stand kill switch is mounted. This worked perfectly and the stand remains down until you kick it up.

That particular kind of side stand auto-retracts precisely because there is no engine interlock — if not for the auto retract, you risk losing it in the first left-hand turn after you drive away.

On the other hand, the auto-retract has been known to retract when the bike gets a bit of wind while parked, dumping it on its side.

All in all, a terrible solution either way you go.

I know many people are quite committed to the idea of a side stand, but I think they are, on this particular bike, a really awful accessory. I am on record as believing that nobody should use them without an engine interlock.

Reminds me of the old BMW side stands that self-retracted when the bike was straightened up off the stand. I think quite a few BMW's rolled off of them and flopped onto their sides if bumped or parked nose down on a slope. At least you could leave them in 1st gear as a 'parking brake' of sorts, IF you remembered to do that, but I agree that a side stand on a CVT machine without a parking brake is almost asking for trouble.

My GTS300 is definitely THE easiest bike to pop up on the center stand that I've ever owned.

But there is no engine interlock?
So you can switch on the engine with the side stand down?
If that is the case then remove it today.

On my K75s the side stand retracted when you pulled in the clutch. Those clever Germans!

I forgot about that, my wife had an '87 BMW K75, and yes, the side stand retracted with the clutch lever.

I'm still not sure if it was a good idea or not, kind of leaning towards 'not'.

I stopped using that feature when the clutch cable snapped.

I've seen a video on YouTube where a scooter rider somewhere in Asia, stopped his bike at a gas station, left it idling on a sidestand while he ran inside for something, and a little kid came up to it, twisted the throttle and the scooter rocketed off and crashed.

Reminds me of watching a guy who bought his first scooter, a Burgman 650. After going over the PDI with the salesperson, the customer started the engine while the bike was still on the side stand, then revved it up like he did previously on his motorcycles. While revving it up, he decided to push it off the center stand, like you can on a motorcycle when it is in neutral.
The Burgman shot off and went surprisingly far across the parking lot before it met it's demise in the form of a parked car.

a risk with side stands that I've seen:

in hot weather asphalt can get soft enough that the side stand can sink in and the scoot fall over.

Which is why one should always carry a 'foot', or even just a flattened beer can to prevent this. Best to have it attached to a piece of string clipped to the bars or a mirror stem so you can pull it away and retain it when the side stand comes up.

https://www.google.com/search?q=motorcycle+side+stand+foot

When i put a foot on mine it scraped in the corners and then got completely torn off when i was riding over a bump (in a camping area). I could instead carry a beer can etc but instead just never use the side stand.

I also remember that BMW discouraged owners from using the side stand on the K models for than anything more than a quick stop. If the center stand was not used, say for overnight, some engine oil would get past the rings producing a slight smoky start.

I think your mistake was attaching the foot to the sidestand instead of just using it as a 'snowshoe'.

I miss Judy.

Whenever an anti-sidestand thread came up we would be the only ones defending it.

I only ever use the center stand when I am checking the oil or doing some other maintenance and I've never even had it come close to falling over. Of course you can't park nose down but other than that no problem.

I did make one concession, though. I welded on a pad so it won't sink in soft ground or asphalt.

It makes it much easier to mount. Approach from the right side. Grab the right grip and apply the brake. Pull and step through. You must do it with confidence because the stand will retract and if you don't pull it to the right past it's balance point you could get into trouble. I've never had a problem.

^^^^
That's just what I do on my UK GT200 (auto-retracting sidestand as standard).

I had the side stand installed on my 2013 GTS300 Super after I bought it. It did not come with a stand. Yes, the side stand is auto retract and you have to make sure it is deployed all the way forward to work. Not the safest set up.

On all my other scoots, you can leave the side stand down when taking if off the center stand. Much safer arrangement. Also, as stated, the engine will not start with the stand down.

Bob Copeland

Guess they need a safety sticker for that now.

Probably safer to just outlaw it.

During the Summer, Quaker Steak and Lube used to hand these out to everyone who came to bike night, so their kick stands wouldn't meld into the asphalt. They can be bought at any hardware store or big box like Lowes and Home Depot for about $1. It's an electric outlet box cover.

And you can tie a length of paracord to it. I used one for decades on my bikes. Might be a bit of over-kill for a scoot, so I went with a bolt-on foot-fattener

One of the reasons i avoid the side stand ...


https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzqRp1hSXWd/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

I like having the side stand available as an option, either as a quick stop option or for parking on unlevel ground.

Used judiciously and carefully, the sidestand is a great option. I've been stuck for extended periods of time in traffic due to accident or construction. So rather than getting off the bike and deploying the center stand, I can simply deploy the side stand and remain in place straddling the scoot or standing right next to it. A side stand is also helpful if you have to park on unlevel ground. It might not always make sense or be very easy to park the scoot inline/parallel to the incline. A side stand will allow you to park perpendicular to the incline, leaning the bike "uphill". A side stand can also be used during maintenance if you want a bit of extra clearance on the exhaust side. I use it during oil changes to get every last drop of old oil out.

I've modified side stands a couple of times to not auto-retract per directions here and on youtube. It takes about 10 minutes and $2.00 in nuts and bolts available at local hardware stores.

I also carry a junction box cover as a parking puck to place under the foot if I'm concerned about soft ground.

In the past 8 months I have dealt with a lot of heath issues. Open Heart Surgery, A Diabetic Crash and now I have 3 pinched nerves in my back and it is making the use of my right leg very difficult. I have been through a lot lately.

As of now, I can forsee my leg not being able to work the center stand. I know, I know, the technique does not require alot of strength but at this point in time I do not even have a little strength.

I do not want to get on the Vespa, take it off the Center Stand and not be able to put it back. Even just to move it, never mind ride it someplace.

So, the side stand seems like a solution. Not to use exclusively but to use it first, then attempt the center stand. I am still in winter mode, so I aint riding for awhile, so hopefully with the Meds and lots of work in the Gym, I can get better.

Yes, I know it doesnt auto retract. OK? Dont you all know that too? I see all these post here and on Facebook about dropping the Scoot and so forth. Seems to me that if you know it doesnt Auto Retract how could you drop it? Senility? Too Many Beers? I mean really? LOL

I do understand, however, I had my Vespa fall off the Center Stand!

I have a 2019 Primavera 150 without an engine cutout. BTW

I don't see why you say a side stand doesn't auto retract. I have a 2019 Primavera 150. I added an optional side stand. The stand has a spring which does auto retract when the weight is taken off it. I use the center stand most of the time, though.

Hope your back is better when riding season rolls around!