Modern Vespa

She had a beer so she wouldn't go. So I left my Harley home and took her Lx 150 out to the river. It was a really nice ride. I can't get over how much fun these things are to ride. I can't wait till next year when we get her the pink one she really wants and I get her Dragon red one.

Mel

v

My husband took my first scoot out tonight for the first time. I went along with my new scoot (LXV150). He had a great time. I'm pretty sure that within a week he will have an addiction like me

I wish we still lived in the Bay Area. Driving in Sonoma would be a nice ride. Next time you drive by Roche Winery, honk the horn and wave at my family.

Enjoy your weekend!

LOL that's a classic. My father, who hasn't touched motorbikes since having a bad off when I was young, has recently got back into riding having bought a 500cc cruiser. I would like to think he developed the addiction again after "test riding" every scooter I've owned

That's rad!

Scootchef,
What's the difference between the LX 150 and the LXV 150?
Oh yea we will give your family a honk. Were going out for a ride tomorrow, we live in Windsor

Mel

After four years of trying to convince my husband to ride a scooter (not manly enough for him), I gave him my aging red GTS250 when I purchased my GTS300. I can't get him to stop riding now he's realized how much fun it is.

He's spending this weekend completing his MSF course.

My understanding is that the main difference between the two models is styling. The mechanics are the same.

The major difference to me is the way the driver sits. The LX has a one piece seat and the LXV has a split leather seat.

Other than the way the seat looks, I never gave too much thought in to the seat. However, after riding the LXV for a few days, I have noticed that the ride is very different. There seems to be less legroom on the LXV due to the split seat. The split seat forces you to ride at the front of your seat. It's taking me a little getting used to. The other thing is that I have a water bottle holder on my LX and I can't place it on the LXV because it gets in the way of my knees. Aesthetically, I like the streamlined look of the LXV.

Cricket,
I know how your husband feels, We were on my Harley when we bought her Vespa a few weeks ago. We had to ride home then she drove me back to Santa Rosa and I had to drive the Vespa home to Windsor. I really felt like a big DORK. But it didn't take long to get over that. I love it. It is so much less work to take out for rides than my big Harley. Tell you husband to give it a try. What part of the Bay area are you guy's in?

Mel

Harley Guy,

The LXV also has a different headlight setup, exposed handlebars, and the leather split seat.

My father was a harley rider for 20 yrs and doesnt own one now. Instead he owns a GTS 250ie. Beware Vespas steal away quite a few harley guys. (or maybe you could go Guzzi )

I also rode my wife's Vespa home from the dealer (about 30 miles). After 30+ years of riding Harleys and sport bikes, it was a refreshing difference. A real blast to ride. Super light weight and with those small wheels it's extremely nimble. My first impression was that I was riding a dining room chair down the road. Sure put a smile on my face.

-Craig

I can also relate.

My bigger bikes have not left the garage too much since I got my GTV. I am really enjoying this little scooter.

I just got back from riding the Tail of the Dragon at Deals' Gap with the GF on my BMW. The whole time I kept thinking I would like to do this on the Vespa. Maybe next year.

He's finishing his MSF course as I write this. In Benicia. We live in El Sobrante - one of the reasons I got a vespa in the first place was that I wanted something different from the Harleys that outnumber other PTWs ten to one in this town. I've only seen one other scooter in the seven years I've lived here.
We've taken quite a few rides together in the last two months. One was to Glen Ellen in Sonoma. I'm looking forward to another wine country ride next weekend.
We also went up to Tahoe - all backroads, since he can't go on freeways yet (wouldn't want to anyway - the scenic route's always the way to go) Up 88 and back on 4 through Markleeville.

Here's a pic of the LXV150 in Portofino green:



The best-looking Vespa, IMHO.

Easy solution.... just keep her drunk!

Aloha and welcome to the forum. GREG has a point However it might be cheaper to just buy a new scooter given the price of beer these days Biased and what's not to love about a LX. Both of you enjoy your new scooter.

Silver Streak - IMHO also, it's the best looking Vespa!


The best-looking Vespa, IMHO.[/quote]

SCOOTCHEf sweet. I like the portofino green. When i got my LX it was a color option as well as the plum. Even tho i've always wanted the green i chose the plum If you want a soft top case like the piaggio ones check out Pirate upholstery. Jay is awesome and can make you one that looks just like them and IMHO better quality. He will also match it to your seat. My piaggio one isn't he same brown as your seat.

When you sent the message, I was looking up Pirate upholstery on google but wasn't quite getting the name right. I have the Prima bag on the LX50 and it looks great on that scoot. I can't take it away from my husband so I need a soft case for the LXV150. My Nolan helmet doesn't fit very well in the seat - it does, but it doesn't... I'll look up Pirate. Thanks again. Much appreciated.

CHEF your welcome. When i went back to upstate NY this past may-june i went to his shop. He has some scooters sitting in the window of his shop that he doesn't get to ride very often since we keep him busy. Really nice guy 8)

Judy - the work they do is beautiful. I love the medium brown roll bags. I think it will match the seat nicely. I keep telling myself that the treats for me are over for this year. First I got the LX50 and geared it out. Last week I got the LXV 150 and now I'm gearing it out. So many goodies to choose from. I am an addict and I need a support group. Hey! Isn't that what this forum is? Probably not - it's more like a bunch of enablers egging me on..."buy the bag", "buy the corazzo jacket", "buy the sweet nolan helmet"...I need people like this in my life

I sent Pirate Upholstery an email indicating what I wanted. I also told then you referred me - not sure if you know them or just their work. You refer to them in a lot in posts so maybe they have a referral bonus

CHEF he might remember me if you say the crazy lady who lives in Hawaii that came to visit him. The minute i say i'm from Hawaii people tend to remember me. I'm definitely an enabler I bought some leather and suede cleaning/preserving stuff from him. Since caring for my suede seat and leather top case in the tropics is a challenge Be sure to post pics when you get it. If you don't hear from him you might want to call him. He had just moved into the building i went to. I should say he bought it and i think was going to live in the apt above the shop and was going to do some renovations.

Scootchef,

What is gear out?

And Cricket Those are great pictures. Allthough it does seem like a long ride on a Vespa. But it's probaly becuase I'm a big guy. Shelley and I have done some very long rides on my Ultra classic but it fit's me better. Even so it sounds fun to try a long trip on a vespa.

Mel

HarleyGuy,

Great story! You're not alone, either. My BF has been a motorcyclist his entire life (he also owns a Harley) but after a few two-up spins on my S150 to festivals around town, he went and bought an LT150.

We still take the Fat Boy out but we agree that the scooter is sometimes just more FUN to ride (and in the summer time, so much cooler. Those Harley engines really generate some heat, which is a killer at the red lights this time of year).

Welcome!

Ahhhh....You have found the secret, I see. Your first scoot is a gateway to many,many more! Few can be happy with just one scoot or just one accessory! Now what we need is a 12-step program, except no one would come...we'd all be out riding!

It was a long trip. I did it in one day a couple of years ago but we took two days this time. Probably won't do it again without trailering to the foothills though. Way too hot and boring riding across the valley.