Modern Vespa

Hi Modern Vespa~ first things first, I would like to say you guys are all awesome and I am honored to hopefully become a part of this great community~ with that said and this being my first post I think a slight disclaimer is in order because I tend to be a bit wordy~ so I apologize in advance for what may be a little bit more information than you might want/need hehe but please bear with me and any input would be greatly appreciated~ Thanks! =)

I think I first contracted the illness last fall while I was studying abroad in Viet Nam, the country with one of the (if not the) highest sheer number of scooters in the world. And if I had to guess, I would say it had something to do with the air over there. Now I couldn't tell you for sure if it was just the refreshing feeling of the breeze on my face that kept me alive in the scorching South of Viet Nam, or the cool crisp bite of the early morning (or late late night~) air in the North, but there was something contagious about simply riding around town~ and something completely mesmerizing about the entire traffic system itself. Anyone who has been there will know what I am talking about and will also know how difficult it is not to describe (which is easy~ there are a LOT of motorbikes) but to picture~ To picture a place where a cars and SUVs seems out of place, a place where football field sized parking lots and multilevel garages are as foreign as the landscape of the moon, where two wheels rule the road... this is scooter country, Welcome to Viet Nam~ it was here that I rode bikes everyday and would crane my neck to stare at every Vespa that crossed my path~ I had fallen in love~ but unfortunately, despite much yearning and longing never had the chance to ride one~ I did, however, carry my love across the sea~ now, as a recent college graduate unemployed for the summer who has no idea what the future will bring I have had a lot of time to think about what I would like to do for the rest of my life~ and even after pondering more pondering than Brain ever did in his attempts to take over the world I am no closer to knowing what I want to be/do or where I want to go... but I say whatever~ I'm not too worried about it but might as well look good getting there right?

And so my Vespa love story continues~ an impromptu visit to the Vespa website one lazy afternoon snowballed into: getting my motorcycle instructor's permit out of the blue (I don't even have access to a bike haha), dragging my mom to the Vespa dealter here in St. Louis, researching everything about scooters like it was my senior thesis, discovering this sweet forum (probably learned more here than the rest of the internet combined~), and finally with my case compiled and more than a little help from the local dealers, convincing my father to get me a Sienna Ivory GTV 250 for my graduation present!! =) =) =)

Anyway I don't actually have it yet, but we are going to order it tomorrow and I am so excited I can't sleep~ I will admit that since I stumbled upon Modern Vespa less than a week ago I have been lurking like it's my job (and it pretty much has been~) heh but I have finally mustered the courage to post~ and hopefully I haven't scared everyone away... or worse~ bored everyone to death =\

In the cursory research I have done I have put together a list of things that I think would make scootering a better experience not only for me but for my parents too who might sleep easier knowing that I was safe and sound~ so submitted for the approval of the Modern Vespa Society, My Essentials~

Scorpion EXO-900 Modular Helmet
Corazzo 5.0 Jacket
ICON SuperDuty 3 Boots
Kushitani Zylon Jeans
T-PRO Forcefield Pro Pants
Aerostitch Elkskin Roper Gloves
Nannini Cruiser Goggles (?)
Proficient Motoring by David Hough
Chrome Side Bars (?)
Battery Tender (?)
U-Lock x2 (one for each wheel)
Chain Lock
Cover (?)
Alarm (?)

(question marks are things I am unsure about~)

Any suggestions, comments, criticisms, questions, or concerns ('get the hell out!!'s and 'check yourself into a mental hospital!!'s will also be duly noted~) would be greatly appreciated as would any words of wisdom for an aspiring rider such as myself~ I heard the first month is a very formative period of time and I would love to learn everything I can~ =)

Thanks for your time!! Sorry if I'm asking the same things that every first time poster asks =\ I am just excited and didn't know who else to tell hehe~


why not today?

Hey there, let me be the first to welcome you to Modern Vespa.

That is quite a sweet Vespa to have as your first ever scooter, congrats. on having great parents!

Giving your gear list a cursory look, it seems that you'll be well outfitted if you get all of that stuff. I do wonder if you really need a battery tender as the GTV has a good electrical system and unless you don't ride your scooter for months at a time, you will probably not need to keep the battery on a tender. I would agree in investing in the rear crash bars to keep those sexy GTV hip in perfect shape, they pay for themselves.

Welcome to MV!

The GTV250 as your first scoot eh! I'm envious! Do be careful on her, she's surely capable of some speed. Crash bars are always a great idea to keep the shiny metal body shiny in the event she goes to sleep on her side.

Have fun and ride safe!

I agree with the previous posters. Looks like a great list, and the crash bars are really great looking, besides being helpfull in the event of a fall.

You'll love the GTV! I'm completely obsessed with mine. But if you really think you have Vespa fever, be warned. They're like Lay's potato chips. You can't have just one. Money is the only reason I have just one, but that's only a matter of time.

+1! I'm a scooter noob but it is already clear that 1 isn't enough and not a day goes by without me scouting ebay for a cheap smallframe to tear apart (and hopefully put back together)

Congratulations

When I see a customised smallframe on the road I just want to have one for myself. And get it done and painted on the way I want.

I see a white 50 Special nearly every day 8) I'll be sticking a note on it those smallframes are just so small and I want! I'm 185cm/6 feet tall, but skinny, hopefully I don't look stupid on one

Hi & welcome to MV! Don't worry about being obsessed with your soon to be Vespa, we are all obsessed here.

I was looking at your list of accessories. I'm not sure you'll need the goggles if you'll be riding with a modular full face helmet and I think the u-locks for the wheels aren't necessary although it might be a theft deterrent. The front wheel locks anyway and someone could still pick up the Vespa and put it into a truck. A cover and chain would be a better choice.

Be sure to post pics of your new Vespa when it arrives!

Welcome and congratulations on your new scooter. Be careful out there and have fun

I hate to rain on your parade but riding will never be "safe and sound" if some dumb cager hits you. So ride aware of everything around you and assume no one can see you and you should be okay.
Okay now that is out of the way... You are so going to love riding a GTV whereever you go. I do suggest the cover, as it will cut down on the crud that gets on your scoot while it is parked somewhere. Will you be able to garage it at night?? If not park it as out of site as you can and chain it to something with the cover on. You might want to get a CoolAss seat cover for those short trips to keep rain and sun off those great looking split seats.
I do not think you will need a tall windscreen if your in the LA area but you definately will if your going to be riding in the fall and winter in the St Louis area. The windscreen makes a big difference on the wind sound around your helmet, and will protect you from the cold wind.
Definately hook up with a scooter group/club and go on some rides with them. I am joining the Royal Bastards Scooter Club here in the Sacramento area, and they have chapters all over the country. Not sure if there is one in St Louis area but I am sure there is in LA. I met some of the So-Cal members at AmeriVespa 09 this month and it was a great time. Also check out the Scooter Tag link and see if there is one going in your area, it is a fun way to learn the area you live in, and a great excuse to go for a quick ride.

welcome to MV, just take it slow learn the limits of the bike and be safe. the rest is just bling, don't go crazy getting stuff or you'll be tring to sell it on ebay. so like a fine wine enjoy your Vespa don't rush.

? how many years of riding do you have
? Have you taken a Motorcycle Safety Class
? Do you know how much power the 250 really has


As for the Shopping list start with a proper fitting helmet,gloves,Jacket and boots

Welcome to MV. Fun and entertaining first post. Glad to have you aboard, hope to see you around a lot. You'll have a blast on that beautiful new scoot!

That battery tender is optional, unless you let the scoot sit for weeks on end, or if you do a lot of short trips.

Welcome! News flash: the disease is terminal, but in a good way if you are careful and lucky.

But please listen to everyone who is telling you to take it easy for a long while.

I crashed (totalled) my first GTS in the first thousand miles, even when upgrading from a few years on a smaller scoot. I was wearing good gear so I was just hurting instead of really messed up. Try to ride something smaller for a bit if you can. The GTV feels smooth but can really get away from you.

Welcome to MV!  It's encouraging to see Proficient Motorcycling on your list.  It's an excellent book that will serve you well.

If you haven't already, taking an MSF course also goes a long way towards keeping you alive and scootering!

Alright alright~ now less excited but now a little intimidated by this beauty/beast that is about to be my baby~ hehe unfortunately I do not have any previous experience so thanks very much for all the input~ it seems I may be in over my head but I do promise to take it slow~ the guys at the dealership here in town suggested a company that does private lessons so I think I am going to go that route so I can get familiar in the calm around my neighborhood~ and I am planning on doing an MSF course as soon as I can get in one here or once I get to California~ heh I'm not sure if I am to be going out on rides just yet but it does sound like fun and look forward to much cruisin around in the future =) thanks again everyone~