Modern Vespa

I used to get slightly bummed when folks would say, "Oh, you've got a cute Vespa," when I didn't actually have a Vespa. Sure, I've had some decent scoots, but never a Vespa until now. I'd always reply with, "Oh, thanks, but it's not a Vespa, it's a ____." Now I can just say, "Oh, thanks!!"

I just picked up my GTV yesterday! On the way home, a guy at a stoplight, 2 lanes over and in a car, yelled to get my attention, then asked where I got my Vespa. Then I pulled into a parking lot, and passed a family while looking for a space. The little girl in the group tugged on her father's shoulder, pointed, and shouted, "Daddy! Daddy! Look at THAT!!" Does this happen everywhere Vespa owners go? 8) I mean, I know I've sure contributed to the gawking and passing smiles in the past.

This scooter feels like it was built for me (my boyfriend keeps insisting that it actually was, as it had to be ordered from Italy... that amuses me). My one and only minor complaint is the silly excuse for a flyscreen that sends the wind straight into my chest and swirling up into my helmet at higher speeds. But I have a bigger windscreen on order which should help with that. It's the most solid and stable bike I've ever ridden! On the 40 mile trip home, I was bummed to encounter rain grooves and a cross/head wind at high speed. But I really didn't have to fight. The Vespa just kept on going, like there really wasn't much happening. All my other scoots, I'd have been all over the lane and exhausted by the time I got home.

So what other benefits have I been missing, by not owning a real Vespa until now?

A few pics are in the Gallery forum.

Congrats on the VESPA! It is a beautiful color. I like the seat, too.

I'm not sure what ELSE you're missing by owning a vespa, but I know I love my GTV and it's my first scoot! Yea the flyscreen is a joke. I ordered one from scooterwest.com and it's ok. Still a little small but I'm not sure I want to go to a tall windscreen yet. I am glad to have another GTV'er in the group. Seems like everyone has a GTS.

GTV FTW

Oh btw.. Hows the seat treating ya? I had to mod mine, but otherwsie Its been a dream come true!

The seat is fine for me. I'm vertically challenged, so it's perfect. Very comfy, actually. I'll be getting that mid-size screen, too. I'm hoping it'll be just about right for my height.

Great bike...congrats!!

One of my favorites happened just a few weeks after I bought. I was waiting for a light. A car pulls up to my left, waiting to turn. A little girl in the back seat, maybe 9 or 10, points to me out the window and yells "I want one!"
I chuckled all the way home.

Getting accosted by strangers whenever you park your scoot is just a fact of life for Vespa owners. You'll get used to it.

I can totally relate to your experience! I drove to the opera with my mom on the back (we went to see "CATS") and when we showed up in front of the theater everybody was asking us questions about the scooter, wanted to take pictures, etc. We barely got inside in time for the show to start! Only with a Vespa scooter could I imagine this happening. My old Honda scooter would have screamed abject poverty (which was true at the time, but still). I wouldn't ever go to the opera on that thing! However, Vespas just exude class and refinement. They truly are works of art and I think you'll find your scooter admired wherever you go!

Welcome to the world of Vespa. Please enjoy your stay and don't forget to lock your forks on the way out.

Yep

Happens alla time.
Lunch today at KFC and a guy chatted me up about his 1964 Vespa.

Suddenly lots of people have a connection with you.

What else comes with a Vespa? Modern Vespa Friends.

Yeah. You'll get a lot of smiles and thumbs-up and questions. These still are curiosities for most people out there.

I had a guy come up to me with his small daughter in tow when I was leaving a local home improvement store. He said she was the one who wanted to see the scooter. But it soon came out that he had recently bought a Chinese scooter and that it had been nothing but trouble. In fact it was in the shop at that time. All I could do was express my sorrow for his tale of woe.

I've never had anything else but my Vespa but I love it. Just this evening, a high school boy selling newspaper subscriptions told me my scooter was sweet. 8)