Modern Vespa

just in case, is a roll back the best way to go

Roll back or a pick up. They will destroy the plastic if they put it in a sling.

Wayne B

does a roll back go all the way to ground level? Does the scooter have to be winched up a ramp of some kind, reason I'm asking is if tow straps have to attached where to you put them

Roll back goes to all the way to the ground, how else would these get a car on?

If not running it would need to be pushed or winched up on to the bed.

It would think putting it on backwards and pulling it up by the lower shock mounts would work. your best best is to look for a service that speciallized in motorcycles. There are a few around here.

Wayne B

I had that experience just last Friday with a roll-back. Granted, my MP3 was running but had electrical issues ... like no lights, turn signals, console lights, kept blowing fuses ... now way I was going to ride it in traffic to the shop.

At any rate, it WAS a motorcycle-specific tow truck HOWEVER none in the area are equipped for the unique front end of the MP3. The guy couldn't use the standard hauling gear that's used for a motorcycle. It had to be driven up and he wouldn't do that, nor would I let him.

I looked at the bed - it was a smooth steel surface, no sides; I did a visual sweep for oil/grease spots, then conjured up my game plan. Once the bed was rolled back to the ground, I took my MP3 out on the street behind it, gauged what I considered a good "running start" distance, gave it lots of throttle and zoomed up to the top of the bed sitting highest in the air, and grabbed the brakes and held on for dear life while it was tied down. That was the hardest part for me as I have rheumatoid arthritis in my hands. I kinda felt like Evil Knieval prepping for a jump. I got a kick out of it. And I'm sure the bed wasn't as high in the air as it looked, but it sure felt like it.

Now, if it had NOT been running, I have no idea how it could have been put on that bed. When its totally rolled back, as long as that bed is, the front of the bed was pretty high in the air and the bike needs to be up there. Pushing it would be a real task. I think Wayne's idea of using the back shocks is about the only way I can see that it would make it up there in one piece.

If you're that concerned about the towing, and if you can afford it, buy a cheap trailer from Home Depot, trick it out with a wood bottom and a couple Pingel wheel chocks, and tow it yourself. You can get a 4x6 trailer for about $500 from Home Depot or Lowers. And then you also have a trailer to tow it anywhere on trips or outings. That's what I intend on doing myself in a couple months.

I seem to recall that "emptynest" has that type trailer and posted pictures here in the forum. Search on his user name and you'll find it.

Here there are motorcycle 'SOS' vans that lower the whole floor of the van flat to the ground. Push on, tie down, raise and drive away. Brilliant.

Now that is downright clever. Please have one FedEx'ed over here so I can start a nationwide business, make millions, and retire in a year so I can ride my MP3 whenever the urge strikes me. And not have to get up before 7am.

http://www.sos-motorcycle-recovery.co.uk/index.htm



And most of their drivers are bikers. It helps.

Ok. I changed my mind. Don't send one ... send a fleet. Thanks in advance.

That's Just really cool. Maybe oneday we'll have that, at this point there aren't enough motorcycles on the road in the US for someone to spend that kind of money. The companies I know of in the Washington DC Metro area just use trailers. Nice and low to the ground.

Googling to see what comes up for motorcycle towing equipment.

Wayne B

I beg to differ to a degree. We are indeed a nation of automobiles, so much so that public transportation is grossly lacking almost everywhere you go, and not a critical consideration in State/City budgets - although the gas crisis has them scrambling and wishing they had done something sooner.

But on the flip side, MC's and scooters are becoming the transportation of choice around here and one of those trucks would nicely pad my wallet, especially here in AZ. Those type trucks in the UK could also be used for ATVs, snowmobiles, golf carts, etc. There's a niche market for that SOS truck and if I had one, I'd surely find it ... starting with the Americade, the Sturgis rally, AmeriVespa, and so forth.

I think that looks like a great idea!!!

The trailer you mentioned which you can get at Home Depot or Lowes, will do the trick (Best Way to Hook Up (6/11) an MP3) but that won't do you much good if you are a considerable distance from home. What I did the last time I got stuck with a flat, was park the bike in a somewhat secure area, called a friend to pick us up and drive us home, then come back with the trailer and pick up the bike. This was only possible with the availablity of a nearby friend, otherwise, all bets are off.

With roadside, a good point is made with our MP3's. With all its assets in having two front wheels, that same feature can hamper a tow situation since the company you call, being it AMA or AAA, will have a visual on a two wheel motorcycle, not three. When the tow arrives, no doubt he will scratch his head since MP3's aren't a common sight. What happens next will determine if your scooter will have future problems or be permanently damaged.

JimC's SOS solution would be the ideal choice if it were available here in the U.S.

It would be possible to put an MP3 on a 2-wheel tow lift, you would just have one wheel hinging off in the air.

Don't makle it too complicated. When I had my blowout, I called a friend in the area. He came in a pickup with another fellow. Two of us picked up the front wheels and put them on the tailgate. Then we picked up the back end with the passenger handles and rear wheel being careful not to touch the hot exhaust, and rollled the bike into the pickup bed. We reversed the process to take it out. Backing up against a ditch or embankment reduces the lift required.

I called them as soon as I had the flat and before they got there 15 minutes later, 3 other pickups stopped and offered assistance. This was about every 5th vehicle on a lithtly traveled road.

There are advantages to being in the southern U.S and away from freeways and big cities. Southern hospitality is a reality. I have lived in 10 states south of the Mason Dixie line and Georgia is not unique this way. I also spent a few years in Alberta, Canada and found similar attitudes. It probably is more the rural issue than reqion for people being willing to help a stranger. The number of pickups on the road helps too.

You might be a redneck if you stop in your pickup to help someone broken down on the side of the road.

It's not like we don't build specialty trucks over here too...

You guys are right! The tonuge weight should be 7-8% of your tow weight on my SUV.
This is not a good idea for me!

Got a photo or a web link for this MP3 hauler?

Here is the link to the MP3 hauler described above.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250268722617

I can not say how good this is, but it's an option.

Interesting concept. I wonder how much pressure that puts on the suspension system of the automobile vs. a trailer type of hauler on wheels? I can see this type of arrangement for a scooter that handicapped people use to go to the mall, but for the beast? Wow!

Thanks for your link and photos!

Exactly. That Cherokee's gonna need a new rear end soon methinks... I know my Xterra has a tongue/hitch rating of 500 Lbs. Even a 250- listed at 449.7 Lbs. on Piaggio's site- would be pushing it too close.

My Gosh! I can't even imagine the 500+ lbs of my 400 all concentrated on a single pivot point and what looks like about 1-2 foot "fulcrum". No even on a bet would I try that thing.
Jon

Me either. Although their position would be defensible in a court of law, advertising a weight rating of 700 Lbs. is asking for trouble. That may be the rating of the rack itself, but in order to get a hitch/tongue weight rating that high you're out of any SUV that I'm aware of and into a fairly large pickup truck- probably at least a 250 series Ford or 2500 series Chevy/Dodge. I know my old 1500 Silverado had a tongue weight of 600 Lbs. and that was a 1999 Z71 with their "beefy" towing package. Again w/the weight of an MP3 400 or 500 that's pushing it a bit close for my comfort. Of course in that case... I'd just put the damn thing in the bed of the truck.

ITYM "Me neither"... Even that is clunky...

Re: the eBay PIAGGIO MP3 Motorcycle Carrier rack

Ai yi yi yi yi!

Any recommendations for trailer to tow MP3 500... and no way would I try the ebay carrier shown in this thread! scary! I have a Toyota tacoma double cab and would like to tow my MP3 but really not sure what type of trailer to use ....

A standard single axel 6x10 would be fine, drop down tail so you can drive it on. side rails would be handy but not neccessary per-say

that sounds simple enough. Thank you

There were a couple threads on that topic. "Emptynest" has a great trailer modified to use for the MP3, which is probably going to be your cheapest route. Another poster, "Dutchman," has what I consider the perfect trailer, however, it's not available over here as far as I know.

BEST WAY TO TIE DOWN AN MP3

re: MP3 trailer

Thanks dlg_az appreciate the links...you saved me much time searching

You are very welcome.

If you do go the route of buying your own to modify like "emptynest," I'd suggest spending some money on a couple Pingel wheel chocks for the front. They are the only ones I've seen (so far) that have no extraneous parts like bolt brackets that stick out of the sides, so they can easily be mounted the proper distance to use with the two front wheels.

Who are you?
Not an ordinary woman by any means
Not only doing it but standing up to Tow-Joe.
Reading your Knievel Jump reminded me of Hepburn & Bogie in African Queen, you go Rosie Girl!!!

Charlie: I don't blame you for being scared - not one bit. Nobody with good sense ain't scared of white water...
Rose: I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating!

Trailer: We seem to all be coming up with ideas. I found a 4x6 old MotoX trailer made from skill & desire.
(looks like a VW cut in half, both ways, not kidding) it held 2 dirt bikes years ago and has tire grooves up front where 2 were, now my 1 MP3 will go!
Hopefully, it will be emptynest worthy, but I doubt it

Rosie , What turned out to be the solution to your MP3 trouble in the first place?

Shouldn't that be 1-2 foot lever arm? I don't think how high the pivot point is really matters.

Yup. Screwed that one up. Us yanks have a pretty strong tradition of butchering our grammar to uphold after all...

At least I 90% proofread before slapping something up.