Modern Vespa

For carrying home the chrome bits that fall off of your GT while you're on the freeway!

yikes! i hope it didn't get too beat up. did you hear it rattling and catch it before or did it go flyin' down the highway?

i always wondered that too. good use of it. sorry about the chrome though

Actually, they're pretty tough. It's the second time the back side came loose and dragged/banged on the road. I will no longer rely on the cheesy sheet metal screws supplied and will put a bolt in place to hold it. I just need to find an appropriate spacer on the back. There's just a corner scraped off so it's not noticeable from above or aside the GT.

I never considered the strap as a cargo feature... now I'll have to get creative on what else could be carried there.

I've done that before with new side trim.

However, it's intended for the person riding pillion to hang on to.

The strap is for....removing.
A number of GT owners on MV removed their straps a long time ago as they cause discomfort on the tailbone.
There were some threads on this topic but maybe a couple of years back.

Strap is great for stuffing your gloves under, while you're faffing around e.g. pushing scoot in and out of garage.

That's bloody dangerous and it should be brought to the attention of Piaggio. Imagine if a person had been riding pillion when that thing came off! Thanks for the warning Lomunchie ... I am going to bolt mine on as well!

Warning for UK bikes not sure about USA.
If you cut the strap off the seat on the bike in the picture then you would not be legally able to carry a pillion. You have to have foot rest and hand hold. As there is no grab rails the strap on the seat is the grab/hand hold.

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I always grabbed the guy in front of me, not that silly strap.

Sorry, not true. The only rules for pillion passengers is that they must wear a helmet and be able to reach the foot-rests.

Highway Code, rules 83 and 85.

and actually there are grab rails on the GT under the seat. There is one on each side. When riding pillion, you're hands slip right into position and it almost feels like you're grabbing the seat but if you pop the seat, you'll see the two grab handles.

agreed that that could have been very dangerous .. you should undo the rest and store it in one of these

Nah! Only if you have long legs

For the inseam-impaired,
the strap is dandy for use with bungee cords and bungee nets

I think the "pillion rider" thing is just historical
The strap is none to useful for that

It's likely more aesthetic than a hand hold. Not that sturdy and where your hands would be located would be... awkward for both passenger and rider. I use it for holding my gloves etc on windy days while I get my helmet on. I also don't find it uncomfortable. I actually use it to gauge where I'm sitting on the seat. When on the highway I tend to sit up front more since the GT is a bit light in front. On side roads I sit back farther and stretch my legs (6'3"). I can judge where I am by where the strap hits 'me arse'. I guess I'm not quite that princess-sensitive that it bothers me!

I've been reading for years about MVers removing the strap. To me it's attractive an not painful... and now I know it's also functional!

Yes, good point there!

I do have a well-padded butt,
so I don't mind it, even if I'm sitting directly on it

I suppose I'd feel differently if I had to sit on it for a long ride

Here in Mass, if a Motorcycle is to be considered for 2 people, it must have a handle/strap and foot pegs for the rear rider. That's the answer for the test at least

The handles under the seat are quite good and I've been surprised by how content my riders have been holding on to them. (even when I'd have preferred them holding on to me ) That should cover any state or local requirement, I would think.

Kinda confused about this.

It seems a bit too flimsy to have have a pillion passenger hang on to.

What is a weather strip? http://www.sip-scootershop.com/EN/Products/75502000/Seat+Vespa+125150+SprintGTR.aspx?