Modern Vespa

Hello! Has anyone replaced the stock grips on their 150 with leather ones? I've bought a pair of the grips intended for the GTS/GTV and am puzzling as to how to deal with the open ends on these new grips, as the stock grips do not have bar ends. Alternatively, does anyone know if a more appropriate leather grip for the LX/LXV is available? (Preferably available in the US and for a price somewhere south of $200.)

Thanks in advance for your input!

I have the billet aluminum handgrips with eco-leather. I don't know if you can get these in the US. I like mine but I got them from my dealer in Italy.

They are priced at 44.99 pounds on this UK site. http://www.bikebusinessonline.co.uk/shop/category_194/Vespa-LX-Accessories.html?shop_param=cid%3D%26 but I see no reason your dealer can't special order them for you if they don't have them in stock.

Thanks! SIP sells those online for about $80, and they look nice. The only problem is they're only available in black and red, and I'm trying to find brown ones to match my leather seat. May wind up going with black "eco-leather" though; they've gotta be nicer than the rubber ones that came with the scooter.

I've always wanted to visit Tortola. Bet it's fabulous for scooter-riding, among other things.

Can you put bar ends on the ones you got for the LX TRAFFIC yours are closed ended ones aren't they?

If you click on site supplied ... they have the brown ones. http://www.bikebusinessonline.co.uk/shop/article_1%2520lxhndgrps.001/LX-Leather-Hand-Grips.html?sessid=pDFNpwE95BagXua0zA7gmgK2JEmA3jfloXJLYE85ZEqB8zpmyg2wDuPdMB6NIQSt&shop_param=cid%3D272%26aid%3D1%2520lxhndgrps.001%26

Yes, mine are closed ended.

I was going to get these from SIP but I changed my mind and got someone to make a genuine leather wraps for the rubber ones that came with the GT. I am getting them this week.

http://www.sip-scootershop.com/DE/Products/602948MBR/Griffe+PIAGGIO+Vespa+GTGTS+Alu+m+Leder+Kunstleder+braun+tobacco.aspx

Let us know if you find them too bulky. I had pirate do a set for me ... but unfortunately, he sent the wrong grips and once we forced one of them on, it became apparent they were the wrong ones and had to cut it off. However, I found them to be very "bulky" to hold.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'll keep fiddling with what I've got and will post a pic when I've figured out what I want to do (and once I've actually done it). I'm thinking that bar ends for the 150 ain't a bad idea, given that they may add some stability to the scoot at higher speeds, correct? I'm not out to set the road on fire, but I do a fair amount of 40-50 mph riding, so more stability is a good thing.

Happy scooting!

I had my stock grips leather covered - it actually came out pretty good but it cost waay too much. I think I posted some pics a while back if you search for leather & grip.

I added bar ends to my LX150. I'm not sure if they contribute much to stability (mine are chromed billet aluminum and are not very heavy), but I like the way they look and think they add a little bit of hand protection -- as well as protecting the brake levers -- in a fall.