Modern Vespa

Despite being a rather manly 32 years of age, I am a complete noob to scootering. It was exactly one year ago that I received my first scooter. An LX125. Here is a quick run down of how my year has panned out.

I received my LX125 on the 25th September, However I could not ride it until I had first done some basic training. a C.B.T. we call it in the UK. My CBT was booked for that Sunday. On the Sunday, i rode around a school playground for a couple of hours and discussed basic road safety. Then came the time to take the bikes out on the road. However there was a problem, there was not enough autos. So I waited for the first group to go out and return. Whilst the first group was out they had further problems. Which all in all meant I would not get to go out that day. They apologised and asked me to return the following week. Which I couldn't because of a family wedding. Which now meant I had to wait 2 weeks before riding with a brand new Vespa in the garage!!

On the Monday I was fed up with scooters and was ready to give up all together. However my father in law, encouraged me to not give up and stick with it. He said myabe I should practice on the scooter around quiet roads and estates. So for the next two weeks, every night I would sneak my bike out to the estate behind my house and ride around practicing.
Eventually 2 weeks later I turned up to complete my CBT.

When I arrived the instructor decided we should go straight out on the road to complete the 2 hours. Within 1/2 hour the instructor pulled my over and said 'I think thats enough'. My heart sunk. I reallly thought that I was THAT bad! As it turns out , he thought I was competent enough to not bother with the full 2 hours.

I went home to start riding my scoot. Which I did immediatly. Open Faced helmet and well ... nothing else other than normal clothing.

The next day I took my scoot to work for the first time. I was wearing an open faced helmet, a suit and leather brogues. As I approached a roundabout it started to rain a little, I turned right, panicked and did everything a newbie shouldn't. And ended up on the floor. I picked up my scoot and received some less than helpful advice from the motorists in the area.

That evening I decided that a CBT was not enough training. Well not for me anyway. So I started to google advice on riding scooters. And hey presto I found MV.

MV was a revelation to me, It was the first Vespa related forum I had found with ACTUAL advice for complete newbies like me.

I then went out and bought some gear. Gloves, armoured jacket, kevlar jeans, full face helmet. I spent every evening riding around the local streets, just practicing. I was determined to learn to ride competently. This new determination was based on the lessons I had learned from the members here on MV, so thank you MV'ers.

Within a few months I felt rather confident on my LX and decided to pass my full test. Again with the help and advice of the members here, it all went rather well. I followed the progress of other UK members as they practiced and passed their tests one by one. And I learned excatly how I should go about my test.
In March I had 2 days training and then my test. I passed my test first time with 0 faults. I practiced and practiced and practiced to pass this test, however I would not have passed without the invaluable advice of: Doug, JimC, Bill, Genie, Huskyteer and Wondermachine. So thank you.

Then I got all excited and wanted a GTS.

Again it was MV that helped with lots of advice and help. especially Doug. (thanks). I eventually went with a white 300. And I was rather looking forward to it arriving.

The week it was arriving, on the way home from work, I hit a pedastrian in the street. https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic44146?highlight=hit+pedastrian

Damaged the LX, (which I had already agreed a part-ex price on) and seriously hurt my leg. Once again I was ready to give up on scooters. And once again it was MV to the rescue. After getting some excellent advice from lots of members, I received some PM's from the UK contigent which cheered me up no end. And encouraged me to get on with things.

My GTS arrived, but I couldn't ride it because I could not stand on my leg. I rode it anyway!!!! When my missus went out, I strapped up my leg and rode into the sunset! It was a glorious feeling!!

I arrived home about 2 seconds before my other half only to be totally busted as I came in through the back door and she through the front door! It was worth every disaproving look!!

My first meeting with members of MV came not that long after when the members of the Donkei Skok met up with the GTS forum at Duxford. I was late (as usual) I was unprepared (no waterproofs, directions, satnav) but enjoyed the ride no end. I finally got to meet Bill and Genie and Wonder and MrWonder and others. I was pleasantly surprised how accepting these people were of strange fella like me and taken aback by how friendly everyone was.

Since then I have been to the Isle of Wight Scooter Rally and I met up with the Skoks again in Brighton.

That is a round up of my first scootering year. It has been a rollercoaster but I have enjoyed 99% of it!

I think , that if it was not for MV, I may just have given it all up. But because of MV I am now more committed than ever. I am almost part of a scene, which is something not that long ago I would have thought impossible.

Thank you to MV, thank you to The Donkei Skoks for a memorable year.

A special thank you to Jess, for creating and running an excellent forum and for forgiving my occassional outbursts (its a British thing) and to Bill for being a real friend and encouraging me when I need it most. And to Doug for everything and Wonder, Husky, Genie, JimC and Pepy for being incredibly generous.

Marc (wow that was long)

Marc,

I really hope that by the end of my first year of scooter-ownership, I don't have near the amount of excitement that you had! Congrats on your new bike and your anniversary!

Marc it has been pleasure having you so to speak.

We all really like you incase you havn't noticed.

Bill X

Great post Marc.
Thanks for sharing and glad you're still on board.
Good luck.

That was the best year end summary that I have ever read Marc. I think a lot of us have been kept going when we have been down by the great people here, this really is the best place on the internet thanks to all the contributors.

*wipes away tear*

Group hug, anyone?

Marc is a good egg and an essential part of the Skok 300 crew.

What a great story, Marc

Thanks for posting it. I bet it will inspire other newbies to persist when things don't go perfectly.

MV is a wonderful online community. I'm glad I found it early-on, too. I still consider myself pretty much of a newbie as well. I've had my scooter about 15 months and only have 1400 miles on it. So, I really welcome and treasure most of the advice found on the forum.

Here's to another great year of scootering.

Bravo! Yes, very inspiring!

Great story, and even better attitude. I wish you a great year 2.

Wonderful saga.

We've met some of the UKMV crew that helped you along, and they are rather fine folks.

MV is quite a unique resource.

Best wishes for many more years.

A&A

Yup, know what you mean. Wondermachine and Genie are the only reason I ride my scooter, too.

Thanks for sharing.

cheers









hahaha.

Great story. I have heard so many through the years where folks had their first mishap and gave it up forever. For some reasons that happens on motor bikes but nothing else. Never hear a cager say that and the potential for killing a bunch of others is a lot greater with a 2 ton four wheeler.
Keep riding and stay alert. Congrats on your first year.

Quite a few of us are relatively "new" and inexperienced. Thanks for the review Marc, you have entertained us with your stories quite a few times. Just sorry that we haven't met, I feel I know you vicariously even seeing (but not getting to try, as Karen was too greedy) your wife Sue's Vespa birthday cake! I think all of us new riders had an "off" within the first year or so and got back on and carried on.

I'm off to meet Mike-Bike-Kite this morning to see if we can figure out what is wrong with his GTS. Maybe another one to join the crew!

Very nice wrap up Marc! MV has been essential to my first year of riding as well. I don't know what I would have done without you all! Thanks for your post!

Marc, nice post mate, good things all turned out well, im in a similar position to you..... 8) ..one year in, Brought my gts 125cc last sept... passed cbt on there fly 50cc scoots, then did everything else on my 125cc..But failed the old test on the last day, so had to do the newer mod 1 +2 test, which iv now passed......glad its out the way.....so now like you i can ride any auto upto 400cc.....then after 2 years any auto....... did you take your test on your auto Marc , or a bike , geared, etc ?.... 8) .. id love to upgrade now......poss a 250 or 300cc vespa.....or mod up mine ?. Have to see how it goes, as i ride 2 up sometimes too, and the extra power would be good for pulling, etc......anyway glad your 1st year as been as good as mine, maybe meet up sometime, hopefully meet up with all the london lot..........cheers martyn........... marc check out the , gtsowners forum too mate.