Modern Vespa

Lost my transponder key somewhere, even though the keychain has an AirTag on it. I think it flew out of my pants pocket somehow, even though I was wearing some inappropriately tight bikeshedco armored jeans. Anywho, attached is the invoice from my dealership who was nice enough to charge me only once to program 2 keys.

NB. Piaggio only provides 1 transponder key.

Yikes! If it helps, my PCX uses a key. The key has the hex shaped end to unlock the ignition shutter, should you activate it. A replacement key is $100 because of the hex end!

Or you can buy a blank, set the magnets the same way as the original hex end and have a locksmith cut it to match. Total cost runs around $26.

I have a risk for something similar: as I have 2 !! times forgot my Blob hanging to back box's lock, as its key is with it. Arrived to croceries and gladly? noticed ah, key is there ;-D

This happen to me last Sunday night. I had my air tag on it and when I went back ( lost my keys on an expressway ) it was smashed up.

A few years ago I had the sense I should make another key. I kept it in my jacket pocket. Forgot it was there.

A buddy stops by when I am leaving and his little dog is begging for me to reach in the car and pet him. He's rolling around, mauling my hand, and I didn't realize my "daily" key was in my hand.
Friend pulls away and I realize my key is in his back seat!
I got it a few days later, glad I had my extra key.

*sigh* I went back 3x to the last location of the AirTag, and I bet it was smashed and then pushed off the road. Never did find the key.

I just may be a slow learner, but I can't think of ONE truly valuable benefit of a 'Keyless' ignition system for a motorbike that utilizes a battery-powered pocket 'fob over just a metal key, which is cheap as f@ck to replace at almost any hardware store in minutes, takes up almost zero space in one's pocket, and doesn't rely on a battery to function.

Granted, occasionally a keyed ignition lock set will wear out and fail, but when it does, it's repair won't cost $500 and be dependent on a dealership to repair or replace the fob unit.

And yes, I am definitely a cranky old fart...deal with it.

I personally have no desire to own a Vespa with a fob.
Tech is great until it isn't......

I've been looking at getting a slightly older GTS or even a Primavera for the simplicity, longer maintenance intervals, and for backup.

Not to replace my 23, but to supplement it. I'm sorry I sold my 2012, it made it easy to do maintenance on the 23 and not feel like there was a rush to finish, I could get to it the next day, leave everything in pieces in the garage. I still had something to ride.

I think the fob makes more sense if you don't have a top box. I have a fob for
my bv400, and it's nice to walk up to it and pop the saddle without a key. Basically can leave the keys in my pocket. But, the minute I need to grab the helmet from the top box, I gotta dig in my pockets for the key! So, it ruins the whole thing of not needing the key. Not to mention, I still need to turn the ignition dial which is just like turning a key in my liberty 150.

Summary is it's just overkill. I do really like my BV overall, just could do without the fuss of the fob system.

Couldn't agree more. My 2003 Toyota truck has with 280,000 miles and my third key is starting to act up a little. Luckily, I still have one of the originals and three more backups.

I agree 1000%, especially on 2 wheels where you are outside more, greater chance of dropping or losing something. My new SUV has a FOB, and I like just grabbing the door handle or touching it to lock and unlock, but I have left the FOB in the cup holder over a dozen times so far

Who's they? You can keep it. I have no use for ABS, HPE, keyless entry or any of that other crap pitched as a modern convenience. Now that I think of it, I'm glad my truck has handles on the windows. When I'm old and senile and mistake that slightly frozen over lake as a parking lot, I have a fighting chance of escape.

🤦‍♂️

I suggest understanding what something is before hating it

I have no problem with ABS, I just don't care for the idea that a dozen layers of added Hi-Tech electro-gymcrackery is necessary to start a (relatively) little bike engine.

I also strongly dislike keyless.

(I'm wondering if you missed the point of my prev comment)

I reckon you're so deep most people do.

Very likely. My life is an endless series of missed points (and opportunities).

ABS has saved my bacon many of times on sand, oil, and slick wet roads I won't own a vehicle without it....

Similarly, I bought a 2nd fob for my 2013 VW Beetle convertible last year - same issue... No locksmith could help, and they were upfront about saying - just go the VW dealership and get it done, we can't do it... VW somehow codes the vehicle's VIN into the fob - the cost was about $325 to get a new backup fob...
I'm not a fan of keyless start...

Not saying that it wouldn't, but I can't recall any instance where ABS on any of my bikes was noticably activated and could be credited with saving me from anything.

However, the nice (tolerable?) thing about ABS is that it's a passive system, so it can be down there waiting and ready to go to work and do it's thing without a thought from the rider.

Anyway, to get back to the original topic......fobs suck ass.

We currently have four motorcycles, three still use a key-in-the-ignition 'system' to start them, while one, the Triumph Rocket 3R utilizes a fob.

None have given any problems.....yet, but when and if problems arise, I'll bet money on which it'll be.

I'm lost on the advantages of a keyless fob.

Anyone ?

Completely with you. There are some quite important drawbacks to them.

There is a company that has the "one time" programming tool for most brand FOBs at less than half the dealer price. I did my Infiniti for $100

https://tomskey.com/pages/brands

Me, Id rather get the key, jam it on the hole and turn it to the right.

It's very empowering.

If I need another one I'll go to the local Key Cutter. £5.00 please.

TIL moto key cutting in U.K. is cheaper than USA. Bette footie, cheaper key cutting. I feel like the colonist really lost.

Thanks, I appreciate that - I note that Tom's website doesn't even list the 'new' Beetles (or any of the current keyless vehicles) as an option. The fob must be purchased from VW....

I appreciate that I come across as being a bit of a luddite at times but all of this unnecessary tech will eventually fail and cost the owners lots of money to repair or replace it.

It often feels like the Manufacturers have run out of ideas and so they feel obliged to invent stuff that doesn't really help anyone which leads to them to making gimmicks which are dressed up as something beneficial but are actually more frustrating to use.

But soon after all the other brands copy that idea as they don't want to be the ones not making that crap then soon after that you don't have a choice.

It's bollocks.

Software industry to a T

Whole rather than hole. I'm ashamed of myself.

I love it when it works, and despise it when it doesn't.
The idea of having a key on my person without having to dig through pockets, put it in, take it out, put it away again is great. Just get on the bike and go, and when you're done just walk away.

Having said that, as soon as you have one issue you'll be wishing you had a physical key...

How emasculated have we become where we can't even be bothered to put a key in a hole and turn it ?

Technology for Technology's sake.

Yup.

Just like AI for AI's sake. And I'm pretty sick of it.

And I'm certainly not a Luddite, just a belief that each piece of tech has value in certain contexts, but forcing it into places where it doesn't help (pros v cons) just for the same of marketing / "keeping up" with rival brands is just fucked.

Y'all a bunch of old farts
Keyless system is great

What advantages does it have ?

You whingers should be made to manually enter your password every time you visit MV.

As opposed to using mind control.

I have forgot that grenade on my top box lock few times, but gladly it's been there when arrived home. I bet those times I have been merry as "not that bloody blob filing my pocket!"



-and also forgot it few times under the seat. There it has a use, but bad point is thieves are on same side with me on that.

Edit: seems that I have posted this "same" already