Modern Vespa

After lurking and shopping around for a used Vespa, I have become a proud owner of a 2018 Vespa Sprint 150 with close to 6k miles. I'm currently working on my permit, which I failed this past week (my fault for not studying enough), but I have a new appoint in a week.

This has been a long time dream of mine - I'm checking things off my list this year. I'm really excited about my girl Pinot Grigio and joining this group to learn more.

Welcome to MV. Nice looking scooter! Ride safe, have fun.

Welcome to MV!

Now go study! I

Nice looking scoot and Welcome to MV.

Feel free to ask questions os use the search function for great info.

And post pics of your adventures...we all love to see pics.

GREAT looking scoot...and I'll add my own hearty welcome to MV! You'll dig it here. A great group of folks with more information than you think you'll ever need. But over time, you will need it...trust me!

I'm in SoCal, too, and I highly recommend that you take an MSF rider's course. Not only will you learn a LOT -- both written and practical -- but passing the course gets you your M1 endorsement automatically. Just submit to DMV and you're on your way! Any cycle shop near you can put you in touch with a class, or just GOOGLE "MSF classes" and you'll find one.

Again, great looking scoot. Ride safe!

Victor

BTW -- if you're like a lot of us, this one is just your first scoot. She'll have company in the garage before too long!

Good for you finding your new scooter. I was looking for a used white Vespa Sprint for a while, and finally found one in 2023 ( 2020 model actually sold as "new" from a dealership with just 18 miles on it). It had been in its crate for a while in storage in Italy or U.S. and then sat on floor of dealership for more time before I saw it advertised with a price drop. I got my permit and practiced early Sunday mornings for months before taking the Ride Rite motorcycle class in Lake Elsinore. I was the only one in my class of 9 students who rode my own scoot in class. It's of course an automatic like yours. If you think that you might get another scoot in the future with a clutch, by all means take the class on one of their scooters. Anyway, I enjoyed the class, and I passed. I mostly cruise around the area on Sunday mornings. I'm a long-time, adult bicyclist, but this is my first scoot. Expect 80-90 mpg & a very comfortable ride between 30-50 mph. Enjoy!

Same here. In classroom work, the teacher talked about squeezing the handbrake (motorcycle front brake/right hand). When I squeezed BOTH hands, he stopped the class and asked me what bike I rode. At the time, I had a Vespa 300 GTVie. He smiled and said, "You go ahead and take the rider portion on your Vespa." Best. Move. Ever!

Victor

Thank you so much for the warm welcomes, information and stories. Absolutely love the help and information. I am studying like crazy this week, my permit test is next Monday. I have been reading my moto DMV book, listening to quiz questions on YouTube and taking some practice tests online. I have course class in two weeks. In the meantime, getting all the DMV paperwork and insurance in order. Can't wait to scoot with Pinot!

Nice ride! Welcome!

Im new here, but man that is one pretty scoot! Congrats!

Hey, dude...a hearty welcome to you, too! You're not so "new," though -- you "knew" how to post!

Now, your turn. How 'bout a pic of your scoot! I'll bet she's a honey, too. You know how we love our pics here on MV!

Victor

Passing the riding test. If you have not ridden before, best advise already given above. Take the riding course that automatically gets your license when you pass the course.

I had previously ridden a motorcycle years ago. When I got back into two wheeling I wanted a scooter (I was done with motorcycles). I took the full license riding test on a 150cc scooter. I was with 5 others. All first time riders on their huge Harleys. They all flunked. The testing instructor told them all to either take the riding course or borrow my twist and go scooter.

It was pretty funny. The test is full of slow speed handling like executing a circle eight and quick stop. If you have to put your feet down you fail. Those other 5 riders were pretty sad.

Bob Copeland

Bob, that checkerboard looks so great with the red bike. And that piping! Wow!

Oh, that Bob! He's a true fashion plate in more ways than just his scoot! Check that snappy chapeau!

😉

Victor