Modern Vespa

I don't know if this has been discussed already but I couldn't find a thread on the subject.

Have you seen these? http://www.scooterskirts.com
Anyone used them? Our own "scooterskirt_ruben" provides them.

They look a bit goofy, but I find that my rain suit pants with suspenders are really only practical if I anticipate a longer ride. Since I live in the city I ride daily but typically only for 10-15 minutes at a time. If there is a chance of rain it's a hassle to climb into. And the bigger hassle is getting out of it when I arrive and then back in when I leave my destination.

So I am considering the lap cover thing. Some are made to wrap around the front of the scoot like the Tecoscud covers: http://www.bmgscooters.com/access_legs.htm

But I think the scooter skirt might be easiest -- just wrap it around like an apron and go.

Anyone ever used any kind of leg cover/apron/skirt? Pros and Cons? With the cold and rain coming it's been on my mind (though for me cold is less the issue than rain).

Kevin

I've spent a good deal of my life plotting how to lift or remove skirts. This seems backwards.

Just kidding (not about the removing part, just the backwards part).

LOL Addicted! Thanks for looking up the skirt there Kevin. I'm leaning toward the skirt for ease of use issues, but I've heard the wrap arounds are great in winter because they trap the warm air coming from the radiator vents. That could be very handy come January.

I have one of Rubens skirts......love it so far. I have only had to ride in the rain a couple of times here but it worked great, just my shoes got wet. But one thing it is great for is COLD. Skooterskirt keeps you much warmer by keeping the high wind off your legs, great for going to work on chilly mornings. When I get to work I just stuff it under the seat.

Only drawback is arriving with a 'skirt' on and dealing with the 'Harley poser' types at work. But since I actually RIDE to work I just laugh at them, you ain't much of a 'biker' if you can't bring your bike to work IMHO.

Skooterskirt = good thing

Rich

Too funny about removing skirts, Gary.

I have never used these but I've always wondered how safe they would be for riding. The one you show only covers the legs. The parts of me that get the most wet while riding in rain are my head and torso. My legs get some protection from the front of the bike. I also wonder if they might get tangled up in your legs or get in your way if you need to use your legs for an emergency stop.

Then there's the whole dork factor. They do look pretty dorky. Not the kind of fashion statement I want to make.

If it's cold or wet when I need to ride, no matter how short I ride, I don't mind pulling on a pair of ski shell pants over my legs. The ones I have have a zipper around the boot area so you can pull them over shoes with no problem. The zipper is made to go around a ski boot so it gives you plenty of room so no shoe removable is necessary. I have even seen some that have zippers all the way up the side of the leg so you can put them on and off over clothes with ease.

The ski pant provides protection from rain, cold, snow and I picked a pair up at an army surplus for $20.

I just can not get past the "look"? I am actually using leather chaps right now so which one is better looking, LOL. I have heard some funny commets on the chaps, but I am riding.
This week I will be ordering a pair of First Gear HT Overpants from www.newenough.com not a bad price $119.00. These are last years style do not have the zipper in the back to connect to a jacket.
They have a removable full liner, waterproof, full zipper on legs, and have armor. They really do not look to bad either, IMO. I really wanted something to get to work and be able to "take off easy", and be warm, the chaps leave a certain area open.
I hope these work as good as the reviews saw, Beale.

did someone mention skirts?

mini skirts, pleated skirts, cheerleaders skirts...oh boy, oh boy...


m'kay!

I was at the Boo-Teek last week, looking at a GT. Salesman told me about the lap apron they have for it. It was a Vespa/Piaggio brand and we put it on one of the GTs on the floor for a test fit. I will most certainly get one, when I trade up.

"mini skirts, pleated skirts, cheerleaders skirts...oh boy, oh boy.. "

i told Ruben he should make his skirts with a plaid print

no way! how could i forget, the catholic schoolgirl skirt!

fellas, i'm dying!

m'kay?

the best rallys seem to have scooter girls in plaid school girl skirts

dude,

we need more COW BELL.

It's an innovative way to keep you on the road every day irregardless

Regardless if you like the skirts or not, "IRREGARDLESS" is not a word. Who writes this stuff. ( They'd ad)

It may not be proper for formal writing, but it is a word. Unlike languages that are tightly controlled by a ruling body (such as French) the English language has a somewhat lower bar for when a word is considered a word. If a word appears in a dictionary or in print, it is generally reasonable to assume that it is, in fact, a word.

Irregardless

/just saying...

I just put my Termoscud on tonight and took it for a test drive. I stayed nice and tosty almost to warm. There was no problem with getting my feet down as I first thought there might be. The inflatable sides kept the apron still and unflapping at 70 mph! Great for winter season riding. Purchased it at www.wheelup.it for 120bucks incluing 3day shipping.

After reading lots of positive comments on other scooter forums, several of us placed a group order to www.wheelup.it for Termoscud lap robes, made by Tucano Urbano. [Click to get the English language site.] $70-80 ea. with shared shipping costs. Available for lots of different scooters.

I like the looks & convenience of Ruben's scooter-skirts; www.scooterskirts.com Nice quality, too!

But wanted the extra warmth & protection of the Termoscud, and couldn't pass up the great price.

I've been riding to work with my scooterskirt for the last few weeks since the cold weather hit. You get over the dork factor pretty quick when you realize how WARM it keeps you.

As for safety, I have no problem getting my feet out for a fast stop.

And why not support ruben, he's a great guy.

Plus... Ashrat rocks the scooterskirt!

If it's good enough for Ashrat then it should be good enough for me. She's a tough cookie. If you haven't read the piece about her in the most recent Scoot Magazine then I recommend it. Amazing trip she took.

My only concern about the on scoot wrap is my concern that someone would mess with it when the scoot is unattended. Thoughts?

To protect my torso against wind and rain, I wear a decent motorcycle jacket by Bering (french brand)



And in summer, I can take out the filling and it's a summer jacket


and when It's really raining a lot I wear a pair of rain pants, you can just put them on top of a pair of jeans, easy as cake


and of course a full face helmet to keep my head from freezing.

I've been thinking of get one of those (Termoscud or scootskirt) and was gun-hoe about getting the Termoscud, till I saw what it did to a show room GT it was on. The straps had rub into the clear coat leaving marks. Has anyone else noticed this or was this just the normal showroom abuse?

It would be great to use the GT vents, but not if it hurt the paint.

X

I haven't heard this from anyone, nor seen any mention of it on line-- They're wildly popular in Europe & the UK. But... there will be several testers in Portland shortly. Will report back!

HI y'all -

I've got my Thermoscud from wheelup.it last year and had it on my GT for the whole winter season. Wheelup.it was great to purchase from...I couldn't believe how fast they sent the package from Italy. I think it took 2 days and was cheaper (with shipping) than buying a similar product here in the US. I use it on the freeway for commuting. No flapping whatsoever and keeps you nice and warm especially since the warm air is being blown underneath from the cooling system!

In the instructions it does say that over the years it might damage the paint. My termoscud came with some clear plastic stickers that you could put on the areas where the straps could rub on the paint. I was lazy and didn't do it last year - no damage whatsoever after one season but that doesn't mean that there might not be a long-term effect after a few years. One thing to do is to make sure that the straps are *really* tight and don't move while riding...that would definitely do some harm to the paint. I usually tighten the straps every other week.

Happy scootering!

berndt

Berndts,

Thanks, good to hear. I think the straps may have not been so tight on the floor model I saw.

X

Thanks for all the good feedback.

So there is Termoscud and Scooter Skirts -- anybody know of any other brands?

Kevin

Don't know the brand, but Metroscoot sells a whole bunch for various models. http://www.metroscoot.com/customer/home.php?cat=362

Thanks. Anyone recognize this one? Is it the Termoscud resold by metroscoot or something else? (larger picture here: http://www.metroscoot.com/customer/product.php?productid=16195&cat=362&page=2)



Kevin

That'sd not to say that it was another manufacturer's work with Vespa's name on it.

I saw a Piaggio/Vespa branded model @ the Vespa shop here-- about $100. There are other brands from Europe & the UK, but I don't know of vendors for them. I saw a British model on a Suzuki Burgman maxi-scoot recently; heavy, well-made. The model for the Burgman that's sold on www.metroscoot.com costs over $300-- & about $70 from www.wheelup.it.

p.s. Our order of Termoscuds cleared customs today, and is supposed to arrived tomorrow! 8)

Thanks, Berndt! Your post a while back on ScooterBBS played a role in my decision to check out the wheelup & tucano urbano sites-- & to organize a group buy for Termoscuds for several scooter riders here in Portland-- I agree that Wheelup is great to work with-- They acknowledged the order on Tuesday, and the parcel's slated to arrive tomorrow, Friday 8)

Stayin' warm/dry in Seattle?

Ciao, --Deborah

I live in NYC,NY and I own both the scooter skirt and the apron and I have to say that the apron is far warmer....I use the skirt as a backup if it downpours during sumer months...I really am very happy with both...
The two companies that currently make aprons are Bagster and Tucano Urbano....
Ride Safe!!!

Berndts (or anyone who knows) - What Termoscud model # fits the GT?

Thanks,

Kevin

Nevermind, all. I found the info I need here: http://www.tucanourbano.it/eng/f_termoscud.htm

The GT requires the Termoscud R154 model.

Kevin