Modern Vespa

The mechanical dilemma is pretty easily fixed with some simple engineering. I heard of one person that drilled a second hole and mounted one spring in the old hole and one in the new hole. It accomplished the task. The kill switch would be much more difficult. You would have to find the kill wire in the wiring harness and splice a switch into it. Then you would have to create a way to mount the switch so it was triggered when the stand was in the down position.

I use mine every day without issue just like every other scooterist and motorcyclist I see out there. I use the centerstand if it's really windy, if I'm worried about a car hitting it, etc but otherwise the sidestand is fine and doesn't seem unsafe to me in the slightest.

When I put the stand down I put a foot behind it and push forward while leaning the scooter over to make sure it stays at full extension. I keep my foot there while I turn the handlebars as well.

I don't have any problems using the center stand, I just happen to prefer the side stand in certain circumstances.

No small gust of wind will knock over my bike, nor will a "nudge" or a "touch." Someone would have to get on it and retract the side stand, or push it with force to get mine to fall over. Sure, a car bumping into it might do the trick, but I don't park my scooter where that would happen, and if it's left unattended for a while, I use the center stand as a precaution.

The idea that the center stand is spooky and dangerous is getting a little tired. Use it appropriately, use it with common sense, and you'll have no problem. If you prefer the center stand, great!

They both work, I'm just pointing out that the centre stand is more stable than the side stand. If you don't mind the risk then that's fine by me. If you just don't believe that there's a difference in stability then park on level ground and ask a local child to bump into the rear of your bike, once while parked on the centre stand and once on the side stand. On the centre stand you'll look on and hope the kid doesn't hurt himself, on the side stand you'll be moving closer to catch the bike in case it falls - and that's the difference.

Mike,

I'm not going to get into yet another extended debate on side stands vs. center stands.

I'm happy with mine, it works great, my bike has never been on the ground. The folks who read this forum are adults, and capable of reading the thread on their own and deciding if it's of interest to them or not.

Im with Cafemotto, I like them both. I doubt my scoot would fall over easily on the side stand.

Buy one or dont buy one, use one or dont use one.


Ride Safe

Manny