Modern Vespa

I have been putting off getting a drivers license/car because it is soooo expensive, 1200$ a year for insurance, 11000$ for a car, not to mention gas! I turned 16 this year and my mom pretty much bugs me every day to go to drivers ed or whatever. But I have been saying to myself naw "I got a good bike and a bus pass, I'll be fine" well my 'good bike' was stolen last week. I just bought it last winter for 500$. We went to see an electric bike that was a steal for 300$ (normally over 850$) but it sold before we arrrived, so then we went and looked at a cheap 500$ scooter.

They let me test drive it around their street and I LOVED it, they were surprised at how fast and easily I picked up just riding it, going over 30 mph a few times. My mom wanted to see me in traffic before she considered buying it.

So we go up to a busier road with her following in our truck, we went like 45 mph, she really thought I would just stop and pull over, but I didn't even realize I was supposed to get scared lol and it was FUN! Several cars got up my butt, but once again, I didn't even care.

Well we went to go look at others, eventually deciding that the 500$ scooter must be you know a scam lol as it was 500$. We ended up at a Vespa store where I FELL IN LOVE with the Paggia Fly. They guy there said I was 'a natural' and asked me if I had been around motorcycles when I was younger because I seemed so comfortable doing sharp turns and going fast. I was like nope, rode my first scooter ever a few hours ago lol.

I dunno maybe it is because I am used to cars, traffic, and going fast on my bicycle (even though that was on the side of the road, not in traffic) needless to say I am buying the fly next week after I get my Motorcycle Only License!

So is it normal for people to be totally not afraid of riding a scooter in traffic or at high speeds? I just thought that it was! No fear here, can't wait to get my hands on my new scooter!

Here is a slap in the face with reality, before your head gets too big for a helmet. Always remember Salesmen will always blow smoke up your Bum to get you to buy from them.. the single best way to make a sale is to compliment the buyer... So Take a MotorCycle Safety class, and practice, practice!!

When riding a 2 wheeler, it is far easier to ride while going fast, or atleast at speed. It is when you have to manuver slowly that problems arrise, and real skill comes into play. The scoot keeps it's self upright when moving, but you have to keep it's balance at slow speeds.

It is a great thing to enjoy riding a scoot, and I wish you many many years of fun with no incidents!!

Keep your head on a swivel and assume cagers can't see you, so don't pull in front of them. Good Luck!!

I figured the sales guy was just trying to get me to like him, I liked the sales lady at the other Vespa store we went to, who was making sure I would do everything safely. I am going to take a motorcycle safety class with my scoot after I get my permit, as it is required if you want to use your own vehicle. I is excited

Congratuations on getting your Piaggio Fly next week!

If possible, I would recommend takng the MSF safety class...my son did the same and he realized that there was a fair amount of stuff that was covered that he wasn't aware of..."just didn't know what he didn't know"

Yes...it is probably skills that you had learned while riding a bicycle proficiently that may have helped in skill sets for riding a scooter. I've ridden racing and mountain bikes prior to riding scoot and there are certain techniques that carry over.

Be careful out there...most folks get into accidents due to being over confident and begin to take changes...don't go there...not worth it...be safe!

when I was sixteen I went into this trendy clothing store to buy a pair of pants, the sales lady put her hand down the front of my pants to check the fit. Needless to say I left with that pair of pants although I hardly ever wore them. I may have thought I was a natural that day too, I don't remember, only remember her putting hand there, later in life I wondered if she was on comission.....

Before you get your Mom to buy you the Fly.... Get her to buy you all of the safety gear that goes with it first.... ie. Helmet, jacket, boots, very thick pants or riding pants. Remember, even the Pro riders ware all of their gear all the time... some might say they are naturals too.

Two things here:

Learning to handle a motorized scooter is one thing. Riding in traffic is another.

While you have ridden a bike, handling a vehicle in traffic is a whole other world. I believe my success at riding my scooter on highways and in heavy traffic is due to my over 30 years driving experience, (not all of it good!)

You are doing the right thing taking the MSF course. MY BF's 16 year old son wants to ride a motorcycle, so I signed him up for the course. He will be starting it next Friday, (Hopefully, he is only on standby). My BF and I will be going there both days to watch his progress and take photos.

We are hoping he learns the correct riding habits and skills. Young boys have a tendency to admire and want to emulate the worst grandstanders, and wheelie poppers. I want him to know the serious repercussions of taking those actions.

Riding a scooter is great fun, but it is a great responsibility! I know you will do us proud! Good Luck!

Some people may have more natural skills with riding two wheeled motorized vehicles. However, riding safely in traffic goes far beyond skill alone and there are skills that you will need to be taught that just won't come naturally. As well, there is knowledge about how to ride safely in traffic that you will need to learn. I would strongly suggest that you take a MSF course, it might save your life one day.

To concur with everyone else, I'd sign up for the MSF course, priceless training.

Being well coordinated doesn't make up for the excess variables you have to deal with on a day in/day out basis and there's no other way to learn the skills than to do the training course. Or I suppose you could learn from experience; however, that tends to be more painful than just getting the training.


Good luck!

I'd say that is completely normal for a 16 year old! Getting past the fear or riding a scooter in traffic is something a lot of people have to get over, so you are already one step ahead of the game. Maybe you are a natural! Still, it wouldn't hurt to remember that a lot of people who are behind the wheel of their cars aren't "naturals" in any sense of the word. Be on the lookout at all times! You are wise to be taking the MSF course ... just a little classroom knowledge to enhance your natural abilities.

Best of luck with your new ride. You're going to love it!

Cheers,
Alice

Snakebike, you've just reminded me that I need to buy a pair of pants. where is this store pray tell?

I often think of what a great way to get to a client to like you, although I think if I tried that, I might end up somewhere I didn;t want to go. In hindsight I should have tried a few more pairs on, but at the time I think I was just so flustered I just went to the cash and paid. I still remember the pants they were white bell bottoms with a double breasted, two sets of buttons for a fly. They hung in my closet for years never worn. Boy did she have me pegged.

Don't get to confident, that's when shit starts going bad. Also you should be aware (kinda scared) of the cars on your ass, and you should be aware of cars passing you. Most deaths and accidents dealing with motorcycles is cause because a driver of a car didn't see them, or wasn't paying attention. So a trick to being a good rider is just being AWARE of cars.. Also i wasn't scared when i started riding but that is probably because i am a stupid teenager (16) lol. And yeah about the sales me, people in UTAH are basters, they nickel and dime people all the time.

7-month necro-response?



Gillivering has hit MV.

Oh wow i didn't even notice the date.. lol

Well how the fuck did you find the original?

I was searching for posts about the Piaggio Fly looking for one about an HID Kit and this came up.. so i decided to reply to it since i am a fellow teenage rider.

OK - next time look at the dates, please.

my bad.....

jimc, I swear I'm not resurrecting a long and deservedly dead thread, but when I saw Snakebike's comment I just had to reply. About 1957 in Raleigh, NC at a very exclusive men's store the EXACT same thing happened to me. I was about 14 at the time. She said lets just check if you "dress left or right". Hell, I would have bought every pair of pants in the place. I never type LOL, but I swear I am laughing out loud.

My answer to tailors was always - "Make enough room so it isn't under consideration".

So nicely airated trousers for me, ta very much.

Jeez jimc, it's gotta be 3:30 AM over there, go to bed!

After that I was dressing in ALL directions!

I was 14. Check into A&E if it lasts 4 hours? Hell, that was WEEKS!

At least I knew what to tell the military tailor a decade later when I ordered my first set of dress blues.

ha... sound like me! I grew up on dairy farm, rode three wheelers and a mini bike with manual... then I turned 16 and got a jeep but ride my mountain bike more than use jeep.. then was thinking about get a scooter... in summer 1999 when I was 17, saw a scooter for a sale from a friend, I bought it and rode everyday.. next year got a other scooter, then did that again and then honda reflex in 2002, I never took a motorcycle class.. I feel like I don't need it then I FINALLY got motorcycle license in 2007 with just some DMV written test and drive test that took me 30 min to finish.

I never got in accident, no ticket, never drop the bike, or anything since Aug 1999.. I feel really natural too!

Knickers. Bunch.

oh crap I didn't check the date... I feel stupid now

Congratulations,

May I advise you to put a whip flag on the rear of your scooter, vehicles can spot a fast moving flag BUT seeing you on a scooter not so good.
erich

You may be a "natural" whatever that is, but rest assured of this you will lay the bike down at some point. I'd like to think I'm a pretty good rider and have been riding sccots since '79. I've gone down three times with little consequence except in '92. I was riding perfectly safely and a driver cut me off too quickly impacting the front of the bike. I broke my fall with my face, losing all my front teeth, breaking my nose and jaw. Had I not had a helmet I might well have died. Needless to say I now wear a full face helmet. I now drive, when in traffic, as if everyone is trying to kill me. I know that sounds a bit paranoid, and perhaps it is a bit dramatic, but you cannot be too careful. Get a padded jacket, good gloves and boots, a full face helmet and provided all you do is hit the pavement,you'll likely be OK. But it doesnt matter at all how goda rider you are if some knucke head doesnt see you and clips you while talking on the cell phone. I tll ride everyday to work and love it. Becareful. Oh yeah. Take the course

Erich... Carl... did you read this thread before answering?

Just wondering?