Modern Vespa

I'm currently running a Vespa GTS250 Super, but I'm having the itch to go vintage. I used to ride a Bajaj Chetak, and I'm getting a little nostalgic about, but this time I'd go 2-stroke.
The simplicity of a pre-turn signal Vespa appeals to me, partly because of the basic technology, and partly because I might enjoy having an excuse to not bother signaling for turns.

My question is, do you miss having turn signals on your scoot? Do you feel less safe? Do you ever use hand signals instead?
I expect that it would be grandfathered in to allow running without, if the scooter never had them, at least here in Virginia.

A related question - fuel gauge? How do you keep track of your fuel level? I had a motorcycle without one, but it also had a trip meter, so I could use the mileage for an estimate.

No, you do not need them.

Hand signals work OK except when stopped at an intersection and holding in the clutch lever.

I just remember the last mileage when I fill up (mental trip odometer) and use the reserve position as a back up when trying to stretch fill ups.

IIRC, US import laws mandated turn signals in 1974, so pre '74 bikes typically can get around state laws regarding turn signals. Of course each state is different...

I use hand signals when it increases my safety. IE: Car on my ass, or merging with flowing traffic on a lane change.

This is my favorite hand signal...

I just lift up the seat and eyeball my gas after it seems like it should be getting low.

No big deal.

Signalling your turn is still the law in some states, regardless of whether you have turnsignals. Check your local laws. Plus, it's just smart to use handsignals. I use them whether my scooter has turnsignals or not.

I have a vintage w/out signal lights and always use hand signals. In my province it's the law, but it's also just common courtesy: you want cagers to respect your vehicle and space, not resent you and ride your ass or block a lane change.

As Classic Rider has pointed out, the only time it's an issue is if you're turning at an intersection and need to use the clutch, but one gets uses to signalling, dropping the hand to clutch, then signalling again (it also has a desired effect of calling attention to the signal over again). It's most tricky when you're stopped and making a left turn at a light, but I keep the scoot in neutral and signal hand/arm raised until a second or so before I'm ready to advance into the intersection. One gets used to it.

If there's little traffic around and good space, a casual arm movement can cover the legality of signalling; if there's traffic around more emphatic and clearer signalling is obviously necessary. In some cases I even signal for slowing (left arm extended and down) if I feel a car is too close or distracted and may not see my relatively small vintage brakelight.

As for fuel, you just get used to running without a guage and visually verifying the amount left. My speedo/odo doesn't work so I hooked up a cycling computer and that gives me very accurate readings and mileage, and I know how much ground I can cover per tank. I keep about 1L of pre-mixed fuel in a bottle in the glove box just in case, though, so as to never be totally stranded.

i have signals - I barely use them.

ask anyone I ride with : i use my right arm for turn signals. and its not correct, but people know whats going on.

my next scoot will not have turn signals

+1 learn and use proper hand signals. Ands don't listen to the guys that ride vintage that say "don't worry about the front break it's useless". It's quite the opposite of useless and can save your life in a quick stop situation.

it's not useless... if you grab a ton of front break you'll get thrown over the front of the bike.


i practice quick stops on my Rally...

I agree with this side of the room. I also know a lot of riders that have lights and still use hand signals cause it draws more attention than the tiny weak lights. That's what neutral is for.

As far as fuel consumption goes.....You get used to it. The more you ride the more you just know how much your gonna get out of it. I always have gerry cans of fuel at home as well to top it up whenever I want or need to.

That's what reserve is for. I can't ever keep track of how much gas is in which bike, nor can I be bothered to check. I just run 'em til they run out, switch over to reserve, and then I know I've got to get to a gas station within the next few trips. If it's been on reserve for a while, the slosh test will let you know if there is anything left in there.

i disagree. if i have to make a quicker than planned stop i may end up sitting in gear, holding the clutch in. i cant just kill the engine, roll outta gear and kick start back up, at every instance. you just have to not signal sometimes if you are only using hand signals.

one point that has not been made, is that it is easier to get a bike into first while moving than while stopped. sometimes while stopped i have had to rock my bike a little to get it into first (i thought it was normal, educate me if i am wrong). as i slow down to stop, i work my way towards first and stay in first with the clutch pulled in until i take off. i have always done this.

if your talkin bout your smally, smally

then it seems to be a little normal for me also

i do have to rock it sometimes to get into first

Wait, why would you kill the engine?

That probably works when riding in the city, but it you have 30 miles between gas stations, that might be a bit perilous!

In my experience, it's important to not sit in neutral (or the wrong gear) while holding the clutch for any length of time. That'll really make it hard to get into first!
You can sit in first, clutched, or in neutral, unclutched, although that might still be a bit clunky.

have you ever tried to switch into neutral from first while sitting still? its damn nigh impossible.

Wait, why would you kill the engine? [/quote]
have you ever tried to switch into neutral from first while sitting still? its damn nigh impossible.[/quote]

It's been a few years since I had a shifty scoot (a Bajaj Chetak), but I don't remember having trouble with that. On the other hand, if one is cruising to a stop, moving to neutral, chances are you're coming from second, not first.

Yeah, tranny doesn't shift well in or out of first when sitting. It's certainly doable, mind you, but it is definitely easier to shift while rolling. I don't like sitting in neutral at a light lest the light changes and the jack*ss behind me only gives me a second before gunning it. They teach you in the MSF to remain in 1st as well. I also don't like shifting into neutral for a stop only to have to shift back into first in another minute, because for me that significantly increases the amount of shifting I do in a day (living in an urban area). It's not the "workout" that I mind, but it's kind of unnecessary wear on the cruciform. Sure, it is MADE to be shifted, and most things wear out through use... but it doesn't mean I'll go out of my way to wear them out by shifting an extra step with each stop sign or stop light. Anyway, long ramble short, I too find it is easier to shift while rolling, and I prefer to shift down into first while approaching a light and then just tough it out with the clutch lever from there.

If your N to 1 shift is a little sticky, just rev a little or let the clutch out slightly while you are changing gears and it should snick right in. Here in the land of long lights neutral gets a lot of use... never had much trouble shifting to 1st. Whatever works for you...

I'd never sit at a stop light in any gear in any vehicle, always shift to neutral, lot easier on the clutch and my leg/arm.

Pam

ditto, as for watching the fuel level I work it two main ways. One, the good way, keep a mental tally in my head and check it every now and then. Two, the not as good way, wait till it hits reserve. Flip it to reserve and go fill up.