Modern Vespa

Just wanted to share some things I've learned in the few short months I've been riding. Thanks to all the forum members... you guys have been great help.

1. Any DOT and SNELL approved helmet should be fine. Use common sense when buying used.
2. Toreador Pants (All the gear, all the time). The pavement is not softer when traveling shorter distances.
3. MSF instructors are biased towards motorbikes, but the course is definitely worth it.
4. Get scooter towing added to your insurance (approx. $10/year).
5. Check tire pressure often, learn T-CLOCS (look it up).
6. Go at your own pace, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
7. Some idiots will laugh at you while riding.
8. Vespas are not cheap to maintain.
9. Most cagers are dumbasses, always be on the lookout.
10. Ride a lot.
11. Support your local dealer, build a relationship.
12. Accessories have more mark-up than bikes.
13. Hi-Visibility is important, especially when riding at night.
14. Read your manual.
15. Don't buy a used Vespa without the red key.
16. Customization is addictive.
17. Learn how to search on MV, and use it as a resource.
18. Your significant other will want one.
19. Don't get too comfortable.
20. Enjoy the ride.

you forgot don't fall off, it hurts

And...
all bleeding stops eventually.

Laura

Hmm? Yes even in a fatality

Here's a few more good tips buried here:

Real Advice for the New Modern Vespa Rider

Do you mean any DOT and any SNELL or any approved by both? You're kind of stepping into a minefield with that one.

It's up to the manufacturer to claim DOT compliance when they start selling a helmet. The DOT tests them after they're already on sale. When they fail, there's a voluntary recall on the helmets. Owners can exchange them or continue to wear them, though theoretically they can be ticketed for it. (Unlikely. Helmets usually look like others and still have the DOT sticker...) Many helmets for sale on the Internet claim they're "DOT approved" despite having later failed DOT testing because the sites aren't up to date or the sellers are just ignoring the test results.

There's a lot of debate about SNELL certification, too. I don't know enough about that to go into it but there have been some well-known articles from motorcycle magazines criticizing SNELL and so on.

I think it's most important to buy a helmet from a well-known company with a good reputation for quality. There are no guarantees with helmets, and even the big companies make some duds. But going the cheap route and getting a no-name "DOT" helmet off eBay or some random site is a much more likely way to wind up with a piece of crap helmet.

See recent thread: do not buy this helmet

Never buy a used helmet. Once a helmet has been dropped (from 3 feet or more, most manufacturers say) or crashed it needs replacing. They also need replacing every 4-5 years.

As for Toreador Pants and "The pavement is not softer when traveling shorter distances," I appreciate the sentiment and understand the logic, but have found that using those kinds of truisms tends to turn people off. Every time I read something like that, I just hear this creaky, cranky old man saying it in my head, followed by "You kids quit playin' in my yard!" The other voice in my head (uh oh!) shouts back, "Aw, can it, you old curmudgeon!"

Vespas are addicting..If you have one, you probably will want another soon.

21. The key to your scooter goes in your pants pocket, not jacket pocket. (Not that I've ever accidentally tossed my jacket with my key in my under-seat storage 60 miles from home and had to call my wife to bring me my backup key).

Both. That's why I used "and"... not "or".

We're still a long way from the point when we can assume that people mean precisely what they write on Internet forums and know the proper use of conjunctions.

definitely true. however, we also can't assume that people will correctly interpret what they read.

All the more reason to ask for clarification and graciously provide it when asked.

My wish is that all new riders could turn the clock back in life and learn to ride a dirt bike as a kid. there are many skills that are easily and forever imbedded in your riding sense , such as having the rear wheel slide out as you go down in the grassy field or dirt track, or the value of putting your foot down when NEEDED ( MSF courses so often emphasize NOT putting your foot down during the test)
So much in two wheeled conveyance is trial and error. I feel lucky to have grown up riding dirt bikes in the country and learned many lessons as a kid.

21. Don't try to brake or turn on wet leaves/sand/sewer covers/metal road plates.
22. All cagers are trying to kill you.

Best tip for the Vespa rider and this forum:

USE THE SEARCH %!@#*&$ FUNCTION FIRST

There. Said.

haha... feel better?

Tram tracks are not your friends:

I agree 100x, I learned to ride in the dirt and think I learned more than I will ever learn riding on the street.

Wayne B

But trams are everyones freind!

GReat pic too!

Wow - I've been dudded - mine came with a brown and a blue one!

I will have to disagree with you on the foot down part it will only lead to an injury. your bones are no match for the pavement.

Wooden Vespa anyone?

I almost did that myself the other day. Good advice!
Why is it that you never lock your key in the scoot/car when you are close to home?