Modern Vespa

I have a sort of a timeline that I have been following for the past month, but I am now getting into new territory where I have no experience:

1) Get my used Vespa ( DONE:)

2) Get my permit (DONE) (today...passed the written test!)

3) Practice in the neighborhood (starting tomorrow) and in the school parking lot (starting this weekend)

4) Take the MSF course Scheduled for July 19-20

5) Ok, now the sticky part.............

How long did it take you to feel comfortable riding on the streets? I know this is highly individual, but on the average, I would like to get some idea of how y'all worked up to actually taking the plunge. How long was your first ride? Was it alone? Did you spend days, weeks, months practicing first?

My goal is a 15 mile ride to work on back streets, some are rather busy. I am an absolute beginner on scooters, but have done long distance bicycle riding, so not completely street stupid. Suggestions appreciated.

Thanks.

3 days... i ride from home to work on commercial streets... getting better every day!

Every person is different.

I took the MSF class and went and got my liscence the next day which was a monday. On wednesday I went to pick up my GT and was planning on following my wife home with the GPS set to avoid highways. Long story short she went through a yellow and I stopped and that was the last I saw of her. After that I saw the sign for the highway (the quickest way home) and just went for it. It was kind of crazy at first but I just thought through everything and took my time. After that I was pretty comfortable riding around and these past 5000 miles have been great.

For me, left the dealer with my scoot and went right onto the street (I did have my permit at the time) and by the time I got home felt comfortable. That was even dealing with Market St and all of the rail lines in San Francisco, best training in the world and haven't looked back since! Good luck with finding your comfort zone!

Same here. Had the permit, left the dealer and rode home about 40 miles on streets ranging between 35 and 55 mph. Had a blast! Good luck!

The main difference between a bicycle and a scooter is you're now
a motorized vehicle so, to put it bluntly, act like one.

Take a deep breath, claim your position in the middle of the lane and keep it.

Don't defer to larger vehicles, don't pull to the right and ride along the shoulder.

Be focused, be firm, be visible.

Other than that, have fun!

Got mine brand new with permit but no licence as such - took it down some very quiet back roads, did a few emergency stops, acceleration and bit of weaving and that sort of thing - found my balance, listened to every sound the GT made with the brakes.
practised putting it on its centre stand - then promptly failed my first test doing an emergency stop in the wet
then passed on the second attempt.... road was wet but I knew what to do.

Go for it....

Do it when YOU feel ready..!
My first bike was a 1979 400cc Honda Hawk (motorcycle). It was delivered to my door brand new, and I was given about 5 minutes of riding instructions in my driveway by the kid who delivered it.

After I did an unintentional wheelie in my driveway that flipped the bike up and over and on top of the hood of my (then) wife's new car, I decided to PUSH the bike the 3 long blocks to a large church parking lot for learning and practice.
I did this daily for a week, learning how to get it in gear, how to gas it, and (most importantly) how to feel secure about hitting the brakes whenever I felt in trouble...

After that week I took it out on a fairly empty local highway. After a week on the highway, I took the Hawk up to 100 mph to see if it could do it. (And it most definitely could...)
After 3 months I took the bike on an extended roundtrip betrween NJ to FL, sleeping out and stopping frequently in all States in between.

After that (about 6,000 miles later), I thought I knew all about riding and was a 'pro'. Now, almost 30 years of good riding have gone by, and I realize that I'm STILL learning about riding motorbikes! 8)

I learned to ride and shift on a dirt bike. I then took the MSF course and got my M1 endorsement on my license. I had a couple of bikes I practiced on, just riding around the college on the weekends .... a Yamaha 225 dual sport and an old '72 Yamaha Enduro.

I really wasn't thinking about getting a scooter. I had always wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle. I found that riding on the street was a whole lot different than it was on dirt, and I never got comfortable on the motorcycle. I never felt comfortable enough to go out into traffic, but I didn't really give it real honest try. I started thinking maybe I'd be more comfortable on a scooter. I could get used to being in traffic on a scooter and then move on to a motorcycle. Now I'm stuck on the scooter (as in love).

I spent part of an afternoon getting used to the Vespa, just riding it around the college. I was riding with Mr. A and he just headed out to the main road and I followed along. I figured he wouldn't lead me out there if he didn't think I was ready. On the Vespa, I felt pretty comfortable right away. Mr. A went with me every time I rode for a good long time. It was a big deal to me when I took my first solo ride. It was like a hump I had to get over and once I did, I saw it wasn't that big of a deal and was actually easier because I didn't have to keep an eye on him or what he was doing. Now I do 99% of my riding alone.

Like you, all my two wheeling was on bicycles. First time on a mc was on in the Basic Riders Training class (what the MSF type class is called here in OR.) Completed that back in April of this year.

Then looked for about two months for a MC ot scoot, and decided to go with the scoot.

Had it delivered from the dealer, and then spent a couple days in the neighborhood and in empty school parking lots refreshing myself on the crictical safety and control moves I learned in the course. Then took in out on short trips out with cars, intersections, lights, etc.

I just do it at a pace that keeps it fun for me.

I think though, if I had NOT taken the training class.. I would have felt a lot more sure (cocky) of myself on what I think I needed to "know" to be able to take a MC/scoot out on the streets, and that would have been a BIG mistake!

That class really impressed upon me the additional level of attention you need to have when you are on a speed capable machine, few hundred pounds, in the middle of traffic instead of along the side of the road or on bike paths.

I'm taking it slow myself BECAUSE of the important stuff I learned in that class, not in spite of it.

Good luck with the class. Ride safe.. and at your own pace.

Just like you did when you first learned on your bicycle!

We went through this with my wife a year ago and now she is a pro. Go to Target or Walmart and pick up some orange cones. Find a large empty parking lot and set it up the way they do at the DMV when you go through the test. We have a local DMV that had the lines on the pavement and we were able to go there and use it after hours when no one was around. Good luck please get some good gear and be safe.

+1,000.

Couldn't agree more.

When I first got my et4, I had no previous scooter or motorcycle experience. I probably had it for about 4 months prior to taking the MSF course.

In that period I was "self taught" and that faithful day I had to "take the plunge" and drive it about 20 minutes to the MSF course, I just "bit the bullet" and did what marc described below.

Carpe diem, and have fun!.....

Shared a bottle of Italian wine with the dealer. About 8pm he figured the traffic had died down enough for me to safely ride home.

Honestly, the hardest part was the first 300meters. Bicycles, motorcycles... there was always that bar between my knees. That first 300meters was trying to figure out where my balance was coming from without that something between my legs.

The next 5km until home were just checking it all out. The bike. The scenery. The breeze. It all felt so new.

The next 18hours were a silly scooter grin while not riding. There are traces of that still on my face 3yr.s later.

The next few days were really about getting to know my scooter.

Then, not sure how many weeks later, came the accessories. Was it 2wks? 6wks? I don't think it was 10.

Practicing? Is that what the kids are calling it these days? Oh yeah, baby. I just came in from a practice session. No big streets. Just rode around the hood a bit, terrorizing the neighbours. I saw a Vespa with a square/trapezoid headlight earlier and at the time I thought I'ld check it out later. Of course the bike is gone from where it was.

I had not ridden any 2-wheeled motorized vehicle in over 20 years.

Bought my GTS in Santa Barbara and proceeded to ride it home; to Hermosa Beach, about 90 miles away.

First 15 miles on the street, then 5 miles on the 101 freeway, then another 10 miles on the street, then about 40 miles down PCH, then about 10 miles on the street until reaching home.

By the time I reached PCH it was dark... and raining.

It really sucked. But I made it.

Wasn't afraid to take it anywhere after that...

I say go for it. Just know your limitations.

Thanks, everyone. I have really enjoyed the stories, and feel better about my seemingly over cautious approach to starting. I would love to be able to just jump on and start, but I am rather conservative about a lot of things, and guess that won't change any too soon just because I took the plunge and bought my first scooter.

Gee, did I just say "first" scooter? That may be a good sign.

I hope to hear more stories about how you began to ride. It is fun to see all of the differences in the approaches.

Dee

Let me see ... .I live in Hanoi, Vietnam, so I pretty much shrugged at the license, as there are no actual rules down here.

I went to the Vespa dealer, registered the bike in a VN friends name. Felt a little uncomfortable, as it was getting close to rush hour, so I asked the dealer to take me home on the GT. He did, and I practised for about 10 min. on a relatively quiet street, and then jumped right into traffic. Pretty scary stuff, but now after 10.000km in Hanoi, I'm pretty comfortable, and quite amazed about still having a nice paint on the GT.

Here's how it goes in rush hour:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr5Gssaxl6g

Unfortunately, I have aquired quite a few bad habits that I become aware of when I return home to DK on holiday. Stuff like holding down the horn when a crossing road appears or someone walking close to the street, or just when I happen to see other cars ... and perhaps I've lost a little respect for the red light and one way streets also

Driving in europe without the horn pumped is scary indeed!

/Thomas

I took the MSF course, and as soon as I got my certificate in the mail, I went down to the DMV, took the written test, and got my M1 endorsement. That was on a Thursday. On Saturday, I had a Vespa GT in the driveway, and went out for a ride (on the streets) immediately. I was definitely not confident for the first few rides, but I noticed a steady progression with each one. Every time I went out, I came back noticeably better. This went on for the first 1,000 miles or so, at which point the improvements were less noticeable.

In the last year or so, I've had a few spots where a singular event (usually a really hard ride) made me a better rider seemingly overnight. Now that I'm in training for Cannonball, those events seem to be happening with more frequency, and I feel kind of like I did in those first thousand miles: coming back from each ride with a newfound abilities and confidence.

I wanted to throw in the perspective of a "slow learner"

I, too, rode only bicycles before (for decades and I was a bicycle commuter who was getting a bit old for that)

I took the MSF class and failed the ride test miserably
I thought that the problem was that I would never be able to reprogram my left hand use a clutch, instead of a brake
Probably so, but that turned out not to be the only problem

So I practiced on my new GT for around 6 weeks in a parking lot with cones and everything
Then I passed the road test easily

At that point, taking on traffic after decades of doing it on a bicycle was not too bad... being able to keep up with traffic makes life much easier

But I needed to stay on low traffic roads until I got used to being a lot more assertive than I could sanely be on a bicycle
You cannot let a car share your lane... And they will try to, if you give them anything like enough space

And, with any luck at all, it will come more quickly and easily to you, especially if you are younger

Day 1

I'm really conservative too. To give you some idea, I always wear a full face helmet, jacket with CE armor (no matter how hot it is -- my mesh jacket is on its way!), and just bought some kevlar-reinforced jeans after reading some of the threads here.

Anyway I was really nervous about riding on the streets when I started a couple months ago. So nervous, in fact, that a friend drove my ET4 home after I bought it while I followed in his car.

After that my first ride was around the block using right turns only. Unfortunately I live right smack in the middle of downtown, so my block is full of traffic and streetcar tracks. Who needs rollercoasters when you have that as your first ride?

But I can honestly say it wasn't nearly as difficult or scary as I thought it would be. I started venturing further with each ride. I'm happy to say I'm now at a point where I'll gladly ride anywhere and I love it! It's just so much fun!

I've been riding for 10 days now. I rode it home from the dealer which took about an 45 minutes to an hour, up to 80 km/h (for only a 3 minute stretch, but still scary). I had mixed emotions. I was definately a bit nervous, and probably gripping the bars too hard, but at the same time couldn't get the grin off my face. It turned out ok. I actually took it right into work that morning and then rode home that night, and then did some cruising around with a buddy in the evening who has a MC.

It's been actually about 10 days now, and I've ridden it almost 500 km and I'm just now starting to feel confident enough that I don't slow down to a snail pace before corners and I hold my speed with the traffic, instead of either going slower or faster than them. I feel like I really am starting to understand the counter steering, and just the general way the scooter reacts to different types of leaning and etc.

One thing I want to talk about is that for the first few days, I'd get stressed about big rides in to work, and over to another neighboring town to visit relatives, "what if I crash... what if someone tries to run me down.. what if this or that happens"...but then I remembered that line from the Bill Murray movie "What about bob". Baby steps. When your nervous about a longer ride.. Just take the stress off and think to yourself.... One block at a time, and if you get nervous you could just pull over and take a break on a side street, or pull over onto a street to let a tailgating car go by. Now, none of those things have happened to me and I never ended up stopping, but it was a nice thought that I was in control, and it's not like I was going to be arrested by the time police, if I decided I'd take a break mid-ride to de-stress.

I just litterally got off the vespa and got into work and started typing this, and today I had it up to 90 km/h and felt in total control. Thats just 10 days after being scared of doing 60 or 70 on the way home from the dealer. I'm too the point where I don't bend the handlebars from gripping them so hard, due to nerves, and also, I even feel ok taking my hand off the bar for a wave, or to scratch an itch on my cheek. lol

Like was already mentioned. Everyones time is different. I suggest you ride it as much as possible. And remember.. Baby Steps. You can always pull over on a side street and get out of the traffic if you feel overwhelmed. That thinking alone is a great confidence builder. It puts you in control.

When your family is going somewhere take the scooter and have them follow you in the car. It's a great way to learn and it feels safe having someone behind you, that knows your situation and you know they won't try to mow you down.

Also, if you know anyone else who rides, or have access to local clubs, join them. I went for a 4 hour ride last sunday with the lead singer of my band who rides a harley and we had a blast and It felt so great being out with someone else on another bike.

Good Luck.

Joe.

What are you guys in Canada doing working on the 4th of July?

On the way home from the dealer. I have not stopped since. No driving on the freeway though. I do not believe that a LXV150 would be safe on the freeways here is southern California.

Took me a long time. I live on a steep hill that scared me, and the only way off the hill is straight onto a highway (full of curves, twisties and such).

When I bought the scoot, my foot was in a cast, so I couldn't really play with her, but I did take the MC course (on a smaller scoot). Did the written test shortly afterwards.

Once I had the cast off, I did some practice runs around the house (all dirt roads), and then we trailered the scoot into town and I practiced on paved roads and then one afternoon (about the 3rd or 4th time of practicing), I rode her almost the entire way home. The wind, the noise and the "OMG I'M DOING IT" wore me out and we trailered her the last part (including the hill).

The next time, I took her down the hill and that was it! I rode her on the highway (highway 16, changes from 2 lanes to 3, back and forth) and met friends at the nearby river. That was the scariest and most fun! The best part? Riding into the park where all these Harley riders were and showing off my baby. They told me that I changed their viewpoint on scooters, and they all wanted one.

too cool. Important thing to remember - your timeline is YOUR timeline. Subject to change, given your own whims. Don't outride your bike/scoot, and enjoy every minute of it. You'll do fine (Heck, If I can do it, anyone can).

LOL! We had tuesday off for Canada Day. I officially hate Canada. What a dumb day to have off.

I dunno... A lot of people here took Monday off for a nice 4-day weekend!

First I had the idea that I wanted a Vespa. Then I took the MSF class. It really really scared me. Got the Vespa anyway. Took a long time before I felt safe going anywhere on more than a residential street. Having problems with the center stand didn't help either.

Also, being a mom has made me more a more cautious rider. You know, "You'll put your eye out!"

Now I feel pretty good, although I'm still ultra alert with the other vehicles. It's actually pretty tiring, being on high alert all the time.

Even having the Vespa (my pet name for my scooter) for over 8 months (I didn't ride during the winter - snow, sand on the road, cold, etc) I just now feel like it's as fun as I had anticipated (before MSF course).

Don't get me wrong - I think the MSF course is essential for someone who doesn't have any experience. BUT it did scare me a lot.

At my motorcycle training course (through OMSA) they taught us that you should ride in the two lines that the cars make and not in the middle. The middle is where all the grease and crap lands. If you are on a regular road, you should be in the left tire marking - blocking your position.

LOL! It's funny.. I have 3 young kids and when I was in the market for a vespa and just considering it, a few people tried to talk me off it. "Remember you have kids... Those are dangerous, your kids need you to be alive"

My response was always.. "Ummmmkay......So, what your saying is.... if I didn't have kids, that makes it more ok to get splattered on the front grill of a truck?" LOL!

My son is grown now. But when he was a toddler I went up in a glider. That's an airplane with NO MOTOR. The pilot who took me had a heart condition. Although the ride was INCREDIBLE - over Lake Tahoe and Mount Rose, all I could think about was what if this guy has a heart attack and dies! My son doesn't even know how to tie his shoes. I decided I'd better be a little more cautious.

Before my Vespa, I had a Honda Ruckus. I got it and immediately started riding around the hood. Then, I took it on some low level streets (no major arteries). With in about 2 weeks, I was all over the place. I didn't go on any street that was more than 45 mph.
That was a great summer! I was hooked!
Then I took the MSF and upgraded to a MC. Hated it and missed my scoot so I got the Vespa.
I did it backwards, but it worked for me.
Take your time. Don't let anyone bully you into going faster or push you into areas you don't feel comfortable.

I got my learner plates riding a manual 150 in about 1986.

For the first few days I only rode in 1st gear because I didn't know how to shift. With my father's help I found an empty carpark on a quiet Sunday and within about an hour I had the basics, the rest as they say, is history.

The most important thing is that as you grow in confidence you start to find your groove. Get comfortable on 2 wheels but don't start off by learning bad habits, ride carefully and be cautious, before you know it riding will be second nature. Just don't ever get so comfortable that you stop being careful. My father (an old scooterist from waaaaay back) told me, "assume that everyone else on the road is an idiot, and ride accordingly".

Good luck, you'll get there.

I took the MSF course, passed with flying colors, and picked up my MP3 the next day. The day after that I had a "get-off" that resulted in a sprained ankle. No riding for (a long) three weeks.

During that time I did a lot of thinking about my crash. I identified at least three errors I made which led to my ending up on the pavement. I bought David Hough's "Proficient Motorcycling" and when I started riding again I took it slow and easy in a quiet residential area and practiced my skills.

My main mistake? I did so damned well in the MSF course that I got cocky and a bit ahead of myself.

My advice? Take it at your own pace (or a little slower). Ride your own ride, always.

My very first post after weeks of lurking.....

I was a cyclist for years...and when I first went out on my scoot a month or so ago, I was amazed how much safer I felt. No longer was I constantly looking over my left shoulder wondering if that Hummer behind me was going to take me out with his mirror etc. Now I can keep up with traffic, not worry about being something they have to get around.

Personally, I feel confident in traffic, but never really comfortable, which I think is a good thing...you never know when some idiot is going to pull out in front of you. Confident, yet defensive. Maybe an oxymoron, but it works for me.

I say, just go for it.

When I first got my scooter, I would drive my car over the route to work, watching traffic as if I was on my scooter. Reacting to traffic is different on a scooter than in a cage.

It helped to know where the giant potholes are, the intersections that people routinely blow through, etc. Being aware ahead of time helped alot.

Welcome Kedalle! What kind of scooter did you get?

WOW! Such variety in your stories, and you have all helped me immensely. You have let me know that although I feel totally incompetent right now, this WILL change with practice, the MSF course, and time; that I can take my own time and not think I am not advancing fast enough; and that it wil become fun as I get more comfortable. The last is because I took it out this morning for about 30 minutes, and was terrified the entire time (although smiling as well). The worst part is when I am stopped. Never realized 260# could feel so heavy. AND getting it on and off the stand is obviously a learning curve.

Oh, and it almost didn't come off at all: Helmet on, gloves on, long pants on, hiking boots on, light long sleeved jacket on, and...... I couldn't get it to start. Getting ready to give up and put it away and remembered that I had to pull in on the break to get it to start (one of those moments when you are glad nobody saw you).

Looking forward to tomorrow morning, and my second day as a Vespa rider

Thanks for the welcome....

I got a 2005 200GT....the previous owner added cowl protection bars, windscreen, topcase, and a scorpion exhaust...and only 1700 miles. Apparently he liked modding it more than he liked riding it.

I used to put $40-50 a week in my car.....now I put $7.00 in my scoot...and I grin all the way to work...

My siblings are into Harleys (Road King) and BMW's (Boxer Cup)....they kinda look at me and I see their little smirk. I dont care. I paid $4500 for my bike, it costs me $138 a year to insure, and I get twice the gas mileage they get. And I dont wanna go 120pmh on a motorcycle. So, they can smirk away.....

They will come around once they have a chance to ride your scooter, Your bike will do 120 pmh if you did want to go that fast there are just a few mods you would want to do. When I am on the freeway I love passing large groups of Harley's on my scooter. The looks they give are priceless. The BMW's are nice but ask your brother how he is feeling about his bike when he comes back from the dealer to get his bike service. They are expensive to buy, ride and maintain compared to your Vespa. Again, welcome!

Hey!

I almost bought that same Alibaster ET4 from somewhere in the Inland Empire! I hope you're loving it, it's beautiful!

I immediately took to the city streets with my ET4, living in LA you really don't have that much of a choice and I have no regrets. Just keep an eye out for everyone else! Pretend like they can't see you. Watch out for those cracks in the road and potholes. My ET4 feels really stable under all terrain pretty much but my GT200 is more wobbly when you accidentally ride into a crack, so I guess technique will vary depending on your ride. It's so much fun, get out there any enjoy!

Happy 4th