Modern Vespa

There's snow on the ground here now, but I am still riding my vespa on days that aren't slushy or icey. My friends call me crazy but I have a nice coat and pair of mittens, so I'm alright.

How long do you guys go before you give into the cold of winter?

Won't the road salts make your scoot rust? as for me I can only ride on sunny days

Winter? What's winter?

I didn't get a metal frame.

I'll ride until that first layer of road salt hits the ground.

I think us riders in the UK have a different outlook. Unless the weather is really bad I will take the Vespa out without a problem. This weekend we have had torrential rain and wind, as long as you are dressed for the occasion I don't see the problem. Of course you have to be a bit more aware when on the bike. If we didn't ride because of bad weather, I think you would only see Vespa's on the road a couple of months a year

The only weather I won't take my Vespa out is icy/snowy conditions.

As for the rust just make sure the bike is cleaned every week, I have just purchased some Collinite 840 for waxing after the wash and also some ACF50 for liberal spraying everywhere

HERE HERE LOL +1 we are a hardened lot in the UK as the weather is shit most of the year lol

The only other vehicle I own is a 7-speed bicycle, so I do the same as you. I just complain about the snow a lot more, because I'm originally from the South. The land of no snow.

I'm not giving in!

However, I retain the right to change my mind. This is my first scootering winter, so I'll have to see how it goes. It's 27° F right now, so it will be my coldest morning so far.

Once the roads are salted, it simply isn't worth it to ride, to my mind.
I've already wire brushed & repainted my muffler once.
Ditto in the spring; I'll wait until the first hard rain to wash the salt away.

30 here this morning but with the big windshield I didn't even have to bundle up much.

I use my Vespa LX as a daily commuter...only on icy road days I concider taking the bicycle instead.

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Salty roads do hurt a bit, but the LX is here to USE

30 this morning here as well.

I'll keep going unless there is snow on the roads.

I typically get between 10-11 months of riding per season. I just bundle up!

And as far as rust.... fuck it, I have my scooter to ride not garage! (although rust is a bitch )

My coldest ride was last winter -4F (without the wind chill)

41° here this morning and I would ride, but it's raining. I usually try to avoid riding in rain or snow. Sometimes I get "caught" in the rain and have to ride in it, but I don't if I don't have to. The temps don't usually stop me. I rode last winter with temps in the low 20s. (It rarely gets that cold here in central Texas) My commute is fairly short, though, only a little over a mile.

I'll ride until the surface becomes too slippery, or the city lays down its first blanket of sand on the roads. Salt I can deal with, but sand is scary..

I'm a fair weather rider... 8)

That's what I have decided to do this year. Once there is salt on the road the MP3 is going in the basement.

Wayne B

First salting of the roads here last night. No way my scoots are being laid up!

post deleted by Salima

This is my first winter as well. Unfortunately I've no choice in riding my scoot all year round as my wife needs the car to pick the kids up from school.

Like Danny, I am also a fair weather Texas rider. However, we have a lot of fair weather. They use sand, not salt, on the roads here. I won't go out in the rain or snow/ice. I will probably lay off until the sand has subsided, if they even use any this year. They only use it if there is a chance of ice, which happens every other year or so. I don't think the cold will bother me. Plus, I have a short, but fast commute (3 miles at 60mph).

I have gone out in the sand in my convertible. I was paid with a big rock to the head For some reason, they think sand here needs to have 1-3" size rocks in it.

Snow and ice ends it. If I refused to ride on salted roads I'd lose a month of spring riding before it's cleaned up. Sanded roads scare me more than anything!In winter there's no telling what under them!

It was 33F this morning for my 4 mile ride to work. Very chilly but quite doable. Right now I plan to ride any day I can stand it (must be clear when I leave). I have a nice bright yellow tourmaster jacket and warm gloves I got from Vespa Lebanon.

I know a full shield will help extend the season, but my VP of Acquisition Capital wants to buy something called Christmas presents so I must defer on that.

All the year, All of the time.

Left the scooter at home this morning since today was the first proper frost and the council doesn't salt my street so I have to rely on the cars & buses to drag it up the hill before we get any.

On the bus now and there's no sign of ice so I was feeling I might have been slightly over-cautious, but I had a pint and a free dinner on my way to the bus stop so I think I won overall.

Back on the bike tomorrow and for the rest of the Winter unless we get any freak weather.

+1

Although I do have salt damage on my bar ends....but it is from the ocean air not the road.

Yep I will put mine away after the first salt.

As long as there's no snow on the ground (and other road conditions permitting, of course) I'm planning on riding occasionally through the winter. At least enough to keep my battery charged so I won't need a battery tender.
I'll be checking the weather channel on a daily basis so I can get out there any chance I can get.

It was about 36*F when I left my house today for my 13 mile commute. I put the liner in the my riding pants and bundled up and it was a great ride. Nice and clear. I ride whenever I can make it happen but I have ridden in the rain much. I usually ride if the sun is out and it's not raining when I leave for work in the morning.

powdercoat them to match or contrast....problem solved permanently!

All year ... it is currently 89 degrees here!

You aren't rubbing it in, are you?

Never expected to make it to Dec. 1 here in upstate NY. I do know that once there is ice on the road, my scooter isn't. But cold I can do. 27 degrees (F) this morning, no problem for me.

But Nelli didn't care for the cold dampness and took more cranks than usual to fire up, and then actually stalled! Grumpy, she is in the cold. I do have her plugged into a battery tender at night, so at least she's assured of a good few cranks on a frosty morn'.

My first winter but there is no way I'm putting my scoot away. It maybe in the garage for the next week or so but that is due to a flat battery and tyre

I ride year round. It gets cold here but we don't get too much snow or ice.

Anything but ice or lightning. Was a cold rain ride going and coming today but just dressed right and it was no problem except I forgot to use my winter gloves instead of the summer ones. Cold wet hands are not good. Won't make that mistake tomorrow.

I had to rain home in this intense rain once, with nothing but a t-shirt and jeans on. I didn't realize rain could hurt so much...

It was 24 degrees when I felt this morning, and all I wore was a jacket and socks on my hands because my gloves have mysteriously disappeared.

The only problem I have experienced from the cold so far is my scooter giving up becuase of the cold. It takes like 10 minutes to get it started after sitting in the parking lot all day

I'll probably put mine away on days when there is a chance of black ice. Notorious killer where I come from.

It was 46 this morning. I considered driving the truck, but decided to rough it instead!

I will say that I admire you guys & gals that brave the seriously cold weather on your Vespa's. I'm from IN originally, and I don't know if I'd ride in that kind of cold?

We won't get our first salt till at least Jan. Some times late Jan. Then we can have nice weather and some rain to clean the streets off and riding a gain till next snow. By March not more snow, so we do have a short winter in DC

So I should correct my statement to say I am not riding with salt on the roads.

Wayne B