Modern Vespa

Guys,

I know a picture is worth a thousand words so wanted to give everyone a picture of what the Gilera Fuoco leg cover looks like attached and assembled. I wanted to make sure I knew how to put it on (took about 10 minutes) correctly before I have to do it in more inclement weather later this winter.

I have not taken it on the road yet; so cannot attest to how it behaves at highway speed. It does include a side bladder system (self inflatable/deflatable) to direct it inward with forward movement and straps to sit on if you plan to go over 70+kph.

looks good now for some standard Q&A.

who did you order from?
how much did it cost?
how long was the shipping time?

It looks like a thorough bread horse...or at least as close to it as a funky scooter can get.

This is great, but I would love to see a photo with someone under it. Does it simply split in the middle and then velcro shut behind the driver's waist?

Also, how much did you pay and to whom? I want one, so I figure I need to order now in order to get it before next spring.

Hey, looks good. I see all the normal questions have been asked, but I have another one:

Isn't the leg cover just like a scooter skirt and thus, not designed for highway speeds?

Guys,

I bought it a www.scootercrazy.com or http://www.scootercrazy.com/acatalog/Gilera_Accessories.html. It is out of the UK but was much quicker than going through my local dealer who had trouble getting back with me about prices and item availability. After the conversion from GBP to USD I paid $195USD.

Shipping time was about a week and they were easy to work with.

It is quite an ingenious set up. If you see where the elastic part fits around the back of the seat there is a strap that fits around your neck (with a quick/emergency release) that hold up part of the skirt mid chest level. The elastic part folds away in a pouch. There are two bladders that you blow up on each side that directs airflow so that at highway speed it keeps tucked against your legs (you can see the flange that you pull out and can just make out the fully blown bladder in the picture) . There are also two straps that unsnap (you cannot see them) that you sit on to limit vertical movement. The ad on scooter crazy says that heat can be vented but that is wrong - must be from another model??? There is a felt inside liner though and the material is very tough and water proof. Should easily make it through the winter commutes!

This is designed for highway speeds - the manual has markings over 90KPH.

Hope this helps! I will try and take a picture with me on it if I can get my wife to cooperate...

I tried to email you, but for some reason the email gets stuck in my "outbox".

This is what I wrote you:

Hello,

I am going to buy a 2009 MP3 500 in Demon Black. I love the look of your bike. I want to get the leg warmer (as I mentioned in a prior email).

I got a couple of questions.

1) The top case; who makes it? Why did you chose that particular one?

2) Windscreen; I was thinking of getting that large, super tall, comfort, wrap around windscreen (do you know what I'm talking about, because I don't know the "official" name). Do you know if it fits the 500?
What do you think I should look for in a windscreen? I'm looking for total protection from the cold.

Thanks

What about the "battery pack"? Did you buy that too? Is that some sort of electric battery add-on?

Is it heated?

If you're looking for total protection from the cold, go with this

www.tourmaster.com

Under 'synergy' line of clothing. Complete jacket,pants and gloves that are heated. They all interconnect so you can wear one or all and it still just has one line that runs to your 12V adaptor located on the 500 right by your butt(so yes, it works without kinking or getting in the way). The nice thing about these is they keep you warm without contraptions or add ons to the bike that you may want to take off PLUS they mean you don't have to 'bulk up'. Like I said, if its a little cold, just wear the heated jacket, a little more, add the gloves, really cold- put the pants on. It comes with a strap that goes around your thigh so you can change the temperature while riding. Beats trying to take on/add a skirt, bigger windscreen, etc. I have a windscreen for wind, not for cold.

They're pretty cheap all things considered, and I'd go with these if cold is a big concern to you.

TheBlaze72,

I sent you a PM to answer your questions. As far as the battery pack - there was not an option - I do not think it would work that well anyway - unless you kept your speed way down. Best bet would be to get heated clothing for that. The cover will keep some heat in but mainly protects you from the elements / foul weather.

For a relatively short commute, 20 minutes or so, a skirt is an easier option for me than putting on and taking off heated pants.

Same here, my commute is only 5 miles and a heated suit would be a pain.

Wayne B

Turbojav & Wayne B,

That is exactly why I purchased the leg cover as well...I only have an 11 mile commute; 6 miles interstate and 5 city. Leg cover is all I need really.

VeloLT,

Thanks for helping me out. I don't know why I'm having issues with my email. It's never happened before. I can't tell when or if you've gotten my messages. They seem to get "stuck" in my outbox and never get sent out.

Anyway, I also wrote you this:

Hello,

So what you're saying is that the windscreen that we see in your picture that you posted is a GIVI? If so, is that the one that has a tint; the one from "Scooter Trap"?

By the way; have you ever heard of a "CooCase"?

Check out www.twistedthrottle.com
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfdzphwerVA

Let me know what you think.

Hello VeloLT,

I'm a bit confused. Why do the retailers claim that the leg warmers DO come with an electric heated option?

This is what they said on their website www.thekneeslider.com :

Built-in, heated leg cover: The built-in leg cover for the Piaggio MP3 is a highly innovative product. The cover attaches to the scooter with a set of practical automatic snaps. A battery-powered pad inside the cover heats it up to create a snug feel. You recharge the battery with a transformer plugged into a power outlet. The cover provides about 5°C more heat than the other leg covers on the market.

And another website said that you can utilize the engine's own heat to warm your legs. I found that comment on www.scootercrazy.com

Here's what they said:

Termoscud® leg cover is fitted with a patented thermal control system which recycles hot air from the radiator outlets. When closed, the two side deflectors trap hot air inside the leg cover, thus keeping the rider nice and warm. When open, by means of the two Velcro tabs, the hot air is allowed to escape, allowing the rider to use the leg cover on warmer days without overheating, and at the same time facilitating engine cooling. The thermal control system is very fast to use.

So what's the deal? Are they truthful? Is this an "extra" option that I will need to pay more for?

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer all my questions. I know that there have been many.

I believe you're talking about two different leg covers. The Piaggio leg cover comes with a battery pack and is electric. Others use a simple return system. In other words, the have a design that tries to get some heat from the engine. Not as convenient, but much cheaper.

The reason I don't have one, is because my legs don't really get that cold behind the fairing. I've found a simpel $10 set of longjohns underneath my blue jeans handles everything as far as my legs and cold. It's my hands, shoulders and sides that get cold because my windscreen only blocks so much wind.

I also bought a thermoscud and have been using it for the past few weeks, I was actually waiting to get some photos before I post a review.
First of all the thermoscud from Tucano Urbano does not come with a heat pack, there is a large internal pocket right above your knee and I imagine that if you could find some sort of electric blanket it wouldn't be hard to place it in that pocket to heat it up but as far as I know Tucano Urbano does not make one. I believe the leg cover from Piaggio is the one that has the heat pack option.
Also the "thermal control system" is referring to the thermoscud design for the vespa GTS, which covers the side vents at either side of the leg shield on a GTS and redirect the hot air to heat the leg well area. I had this set up last winter and it works really well even when temperture was down to the teens. There are no side vents on the MP3 so this option isn't availible.
The thermoscud does stay pretty stiff with no flapping even at speed of 70+ but I do notice that at that speed significant amount of air makes it in underneath so that my legs aren't much warmer. There are also two straps near the hip area that you are suppose to sit on to pull the cover tighter to your leg which works, the down side being that you'll have to sit in the same spot to keep them from coming loose (I tend to stand up a bit some time to deal with giant NYC pot holes)
The thermoscud extent to the chest area and comes with a clip that goes around your neck and make it look like you are wearing a bib. I feel a bit funny about this, not just the look of it but also because if the scooters falls over, it'll drag you by your neck down with it. This actually happen to me last winter on the GTS and the clip broke half way down, and the feeling of being drag by the neck attach to a skidding scooter sliding towards the rear bumper of a large truck was not a good one.
I am feeling a bit mixed about the thermoscud for the mp3, the best part of the design, i.e. the heat from the side vent isn't availible. At the same time it does work decent to keep your legs warm at lower speed, and it also do an excellent job of keeping you dry when its raining. It makes accessing the parking brake and the gas tank a bit harder but since its on the scooter permenantly its convient for getting on and off the scooter.
I am curious as to the design of the piaagio leg cover and will probably check to see if the heater could be used on the thermoscud also.

Sorry, off topic a little; but must comment: Guess I've never really noticed it until I saw this picture just now, the round top case just doesn't look right with the angular look of the 500, imo. Someone needs to come up with something else besides that. Leg cover makes me wanna ride all-year-round.

VeloLT,

I LOVE your bike. I'm going to get mine soon. I hope my bike is your bike's identical twin.

Sushiman 007,

My dealer tells me that Piaggio is coming out with a case that goes with the 500 at the end of this year. I don't know anything about it.

TheBlaze72,

Yes, I did go through scootertrap.com to get the windscreen. No complaints - excellent service.

The Termoscud leg cover that I have does not have a battery pack or warming system. I did take it out on the interstate yesterday and while there was some airflow underneath; it was minimal with no flapping of the side covers. I chose the Termoscud in most part due to its ruggedness and protection from the elements as Frostbite mentioned in his post.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Hey VeloLT,

I'm sorry for driving you crazy with all my questions.
Why do they make the windscreen "tinted"?
I don't remember ever seeing the sunset THAT low in the sky.
Are there any negatives?
Do you know if they make it "clear".

Thanks very much

Just bought a 40 pack of Toe-Warmers - thin adhesive chemical heat packs that go in your shoes and last 6 hours. If I'm doing winter cruising I'll use them along with a Tuscano Urbano skirt, heated jacket liner and heated grips. I really want to ride all winter and visit my dad 4 hours away.

Side note: it seems every Vespa rider I see is wearing no body armor.

TheBlaze72,

I believe the tint is more for looks and keeping your instrument cluster readable (might want to shoot an email to scootertrap.com or any other Givi vendor (twistedthrottle.com) to see if they offer a clear version of the windshield. I think the Fabbri is tinted as well...

Turbojav,

I agree about the body armor and Vespa's. Here in DC I see many riders wearing little more than a half helmet...but that could be (and already has been) a forum discussion all on its own...

Where'd you get those "Toe-Warmers"?

Most sporting goods stores carry toe warmers and glove warmers. They're thin, lightweight, and last many hours.

Hi Blaze, sorry for the delay. I bought Heatmax Toastie Toes Foot Warmers from Amazon.com.

I could not find the installation instructions for the Termoscud for the MP400 so I wrote to Tuscano Urbano (used Google language tools to translate into Italian) and they sent me an installation sheet. If anyone would like a larger version, PM me.