Modern Vespa

First off, this thing cost more than my first brand new car back in the day! Anyway I was a little skepto that it would be as cool as I had it built up in my mind to be. Turns out it is actually that cool. My previous rides were a 2 stroke piaggio typhoon and a kymco people s 150. To be fair the kymco is a more practical bike: you can fit a full helmet under the seat, the fuel schnozzle is in the floorboard so you can spill as much gas as you want, the dipstick is in a handy place, the paint isn't so great that if it gets banged up that's ok, you have an old school key, no liquid cooling to worry about, you got fuel injection and abs that works great, and it was stupid cheap to buy. Having said all that it's like another world on the vespa. It just straight up rips, especially with the traction control off and the ride and handling are on another level. So fan boy i am! here's a couple questions I have:
1) do you trust the side stand?
2) are crash bars helpful in a meaningful way or is that more of a style thing.
same for the front rack- can you actually use it?
3) is the color matched top case worth it compared to a GIVI or similar?
4) are there 3rd party suppliers of racks etc that are good or to be avoided?
5) tall, short or mid windsceen? pros and cons, what do you like?
6) does anybody live in the Kansas City area and want to meet up next spring?
7) any special care for the matte paint?
I'm sure I could search the site and find all this info, but I sorta like talking to human beings these days. Thanks for your input!

1) on concrete yeah guess so. On anything else no.

2) yes, the crash bars can be helpful, especially if the bike just gets knocked over. Some folks also like the looks. One of my riding buddies used the side crash bar as an alternative foot rest position .

Topcase is really a personal choice. Like aesthetics? Get the matching Vespa case. Want a somewhat tougher case that's detachable? Go with aftermarket such as Givi.

Yeah, be careful with the side stand. Hard surface or puck at least.

Windscreen: IMO the tall is a bit unwieldly and not that aesthetic, but, damn, it's great in cold weather. I'm a fan of mid-size, personally.

And, yes, congratulations!

7 Matt paint care, yess special products , read up on them. Dont use conventional polish or anything that " polishes" the finish.

same for the front rack- can you actually use it?


You most certainly can. I have a FA Italia Front and Rear folding rack as well
as a floor rack and all been very useful for several thousand miles of touring.

Front Rack - https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/luggage-carrier-front-fa-1b003754-for-vespa-gts-gts-super-hpe-gtv-125-300-19_FA90953?usrc=Luggage%20Carrier%20front


Floor Rack - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275857901638?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338757644&toolid=20006&customid=753f1527ff0c44aba0f5856d3e622556

When I had a matte finish GTS, I bought a special matte paint shampoo. Still got it. I rarely had to use anything more than a glass cleaner spray (I used AutoGlym Fast Glass) and a quick wipe with a cloth. Very easy to look after.

1. I use it almost every day when I am opening and closing the garage door. I use the center stand whenever it is going to sit for more than a few minutes.

2. My wife's GTS touring came with a front rack. We've never had a need to use it. For our day trips the under seat storage and top case has been enough.

3. We both have the color matched top case and like them.

5. I have tried both a short and mid screen. I prefer no screen but currently have the short screen on my bike for colder weather riding.

1. When I had a GTS, I used the side stand 90% of the time. I used the center stand when working on it or when I was doing errands and the scoot was parked in an area that would maybe get bumped.
2. Crash bars - your call. They help some on a gentle tip over. It may be worth the investment if you are going to keep the scoot along time.
3. I like having the option of am easily removable case, but that's me.
4. No opinion here other than stay with quality parts.
5. Again, my opinion - mid size at the largest. If you are going to do a lot of riding in the winter, you may want to go big. Be aware that a shield keeps the wind off you, but also acts like a sail.
6. --
7. Yes, special care needed. People on here with matte paint will comment.
Enjoy the scoot.

5) I prefer to ride without a screen, but during the bad season I really appreciate the means which protect my hands, my upper body and deflect the air over the top of the helmet.

1) do you trust the side stand?

For me it's 50/50.
I would use it only on perfectly flat surface such as concrete or tarmac etc and only for short periods of tim esuch as when closing garage doors etc. and not on a windy day

I have a 2016 GTS and I don't know if newer models' side stands are better, but my stand stand springs back up as soon as the weight is off it. There used to be reports of side stands flicking up causing the scooters to fall on their side. Maybe the newer side stands are more stable

9 times out of 10 I use the centre stand just to be on the safe side.

I really like the Midsized Vespa Windscreen.

I had the windscreen installed along with front and back Vespa chrome racks. I use the back rack the most. I only use the front on extended rides and bungee cord a water proof travel bag to it.

My Vespa 300 came without a side stand. I had one installed. I use it for dismounting, then I routinely throw the scoot up on the center stand. The center stand prevents the scoot tipping over due to small nudge or wind.

I am an old fart and it became increasingly more difficult to step off the scoot and balance it before pushing back on the center stand. The side stand allows me to deploy it when I stop to step off. Then put it up on the center.

Bob Copeland
Turning real cold here in MInnesota. No more riding until next season.

Yeah, they did away with that a few years ago.

Also the owner of a fairly new GTS and also pleased with the zippiness of the thing.

1) I do trust the side stand, but only on solid surfaces (as others have suggested). I would carry a puck or small flat board for other surfaces that we may encounter.
2) crash bars seem to me mostly to be more of a style thing. Might help in bumped-over situations, though. I have front racks on 2 of my scooters, don't use them often but when I do, sure am glad to have them.
3) color matched top case is worth it to me, but easily detachable is not something I typically need. Your perspective might differ.
4) can't provide any reliable intel.
5) I like riding with the fly screen when it's warm and dry, mid is nice in the colder months but as others have noted, larger screens can be sail-like.
6) not me.
7) can't provide any reliable intel.

Enjoy your GTS, and be sure to post photos of your adventures.

Bob