Modern Vespa

So I just finished my MSF class, I personally think it should be a mandate before you get your license, but I digress! When I originally registered I was thrilled that they gave me a scooter option, however when I arrived, I got a bit laughed at by the instructor (probably all in fun) and could hear the snickers from the other riders. Of course they rolled out a broken "piaggio fly 150" and basically said "oh well, guess your on a bike!" so on a bike I went, until the third day for the skills test, turns out they fixed the fly! that's when the class really snickered! one twat even exclaimed to anyone who'll listen that "that twist and go" was cute but not a "real" bike. i'm happy to report he stalled his bike at least a dozen times and was the slowest in the class! Another moron came up to me and said "you have balls riding that little moped around town" to wich I curtly told him "I own A Vespa GT200 that goes 90mph so suck it!" I didn't really make any friends in the class but oh well. The instructors were great afterall, and even did some of the demonstrations on the scoot just to show me! Even though there were some jerkoffs in the class, I highly reccomend the MSF class to everyone!

Cheers, TS

I just did the MSF experienced rider course here on base, and I was the only scooter rider. We all had our own bikes. The other riders saw the scooter as a curiosity, but they respected it, especially when they observed its handy performance. Everyone was quite impressed with it, overall.

I wish that they would have offered the basic rider course; because they did not, I had to take the road test to get my license, but the course I took did a nice job preparing me for the road test.

My guess is that they were just trying to cover up their own fright by making fun of you.

I had a similar experience -- not as harsh, but the MSF instructor snickered a bit when I said I have a 200 cc scooter. He felt bad and later apologized. I think instructors & motorcyclists will have to learn to be more open minded as more and more scooters are on the road.

Laura

Thankfully not a distinction made here with instructors or observers. Two (or three!) wheelers are accepted, whatever the configuration or 'body style' (for that is what it is).

I have had both scooters and motorcycles

I don't think they are the same nor do I think you ride them the same

These classes for motorcycles have applicable content... but much is different. Too bad they don't have scooter courses

Anyway... some people are elitists - Don't sweat it

I've found that all of the course instructors are very professional. They are truly concerned about a rider's safety. To them, it doesn't matter what anyone rides. Rider safety is of their utmost concern. But, yeah...in the class, you'll get ignorant adolescents with high testosterone levels who have not yet acquired the maturity to respect that fact that any two-wheeled motorized vehicle needs to be respected. Same as with firearms. The smallest caliber firearm is just as dangerous as the largest bore that exists. Best way to handle these uninformed boys is to say you could have purchased a "motorcycle", but chose to purchase a scooter instead. Tell them you have more fun on a scooter...and that you attract more girls with a scooter than you do with a motorcycle. That'll get them thinking.

They (MSF) do, but there are very few scooter-specific courses and they are very hard to find in some parts of the country.

Except for the placement of the rear brake control, I can't think of any scooter-specific differences in skills. Everything I do on the Ducati (except for clutch use and shifting) applies on the Vespa. Everything I do on the Vespa (except using my left hand for the rear brake) applies on the Ducati. It's more similar moving between them than moving between my car (BMW Z4) and my wife's (BMW X3), even though they have the same engine and manual transmission.

If someone can't find a scooter-specific class, by all means they should take the regular motorcycle-based one. You'll still get to crash their bike instead of yours. Relatively little of the class is focused on shifting and the clutch, and much more on steering and control