Modern Vespa

I sold my Toyota Tacoma last October and have been looking at vehicles lately to find a suitable replacement for it. I test drove the Ford "Transit Connect" today and I was very impressed. It was quiet, smooth and had a great ride. Very comfortable seats and plenty of room to haul my GT and/or my PX. I can also use it for camping and it will be nice for longer road trips too.

Nice! I was going to say... why is that Sorta Scooter Related? Did you buy the Ford to haul your scooter? And of course you did!

I've looked at one of those too, but not ready to do anything. I would love to see some photos of your scooters loaded up.

Are you sure there's enough room for scooters. Those two in particular?
If so, I would be very very interested...

I thought this van was a bit too short.

I just checked the Ford site. There are 2 models - the van and the wagon. The van has 2 seats, the wagon a folding rear bench. Does the wagon have enough space for scoots with the bench folded?

He is getting the convertible.

Hmm, interior dimensions show that it is 48 inches wide. A vespa is about 30 inches wide. So 1 scoot would fit, not sure about 2...

I think the OP was meaning could haul both, but not at the same time. I've been interested in those vans too. I have an '05 Element. It's a great beach car, but I couldn't fit a scooter in it.

The interior is 59" wide, the fender wells are at 48". Since the scooters sit up high enough on the tires, there is room. It is a tight fit though, but it is possible.

I will most likely carry just one bike at a time though.

If you get it please post pics, would love to see how it holds a scoot.

I love mine! I have the second one in the club...

Review and slideshow: http://exm.nr/a0uRkX

30*2 > 59

but maybe they can be made to fit if the handlebars are turned?
Also obviously will need room for the ramps.

Cool. I've had a thought or two about one of those as well specifically for the purpose of an enclosed Vespa hauler/multi purpose vehicle.


Dave

I prefer sportier cars, but for some reason, the Transit was by far my favorite car at this year's San Jose Auto Show. I just keep looking at them and smiling. I guess I really need three cars. Miata (MX5), Golf and Transit.

I am also very interested in the Ford Transit, relatively inexpensive and economical - just looking at the dimensions it doesn't look long enough to carry two GTS's, and width's will be very very tight - Does anyone know definitively if two larger Vespas (GTS) will fit in the rear with rear seats down?

Nice, Brian!

The interior length is given as 81 inches. That is longer than a PX. How long is a GTS?

Check out Car and Driver a couple months back. They reviewed the Transit Connect in part by transporting a vintage cafe racer 1000 miles. Good review IIRC.

76.4" according to Vespa USA....


Dave

I didn't look up the dimensions of the GTS, I just measured the scooters in the garage, give or take a couple of inches I thought I would need at least 7' or 84" that was with a little room to play.
It will be tight, maybe too tight for two larger Vespas - unless some one is for sure they will fit I may just stick with my small trailer.

I can't see how it can fit 2 Vespas as the interior width is 59 inches, and 2 Vespas are at least 60 inches wide, with them touching each other. Which is not what you want to do.

Gosh, is the GTS really that wide? This discussion made me curious so I went out in the garage and measured my LX. The body has a max wide of 20" and the handle bars are 26".

http://vespausa.com/scooters.php#/spec/Vespa%20GTS%20300%20Super

Shows width at 29.7"

I have a Nissan Titan and our 2 GTS' (well a GT and a GTS actually, but makes no difference) take up every bit of room in the bed of that large truck.

I actually stagger them front to rear by several inches to keep from having to remove the rear views, and they are pretty close to one one another at the cowls in the rear. It's snug but it works.

Thanks! Here is the link:
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/10q1/2010_ford_transit_connect-feature_test
What is interesting is this: As a Vespa GTs is 76.4" long, it may not fit. Because while the Norton's front wheel can fit between the seats, it is much narrower than that of the Vespa, as well as not having things like a fat fender etc.
Either way, the Ford would only be able to fit one scoot, and a small one at that.
Bummer

I was curious about this seemingly large difference so I went over and measured my neighbor's GTS. The max body width is about 22". The width at the bars is about 29.5" which corresponds to the number in the literature. If you turn the bars they are narrowed by about 3". If you set two GTS side by side, the bars can overlap by up to 4". The overall length is just over 76" as stated in the literature.

a private mail person for my work ownes one. he loves it and put on 80k miles in one year with no problems, so if that is any help to you. i think they are built well. good luck

Good call Brian, I hope you love it....

But dont forget this one...

Where's the SCOOT IN THE VAN photo?

I would love to see what this van looks like with a scoot inside of it. It didn't happen without photos.

Exactly! Dispel our doubts and misconceptions!

What is the maximum outside height of this van? My garage is vertically challenged, and my SUV has to kneel and crawl in on its belly (drop suspension to lowest position.)

If you put one scooter facing forward and the other facing aft they sometimes fit better.

According to Ford, 79.3" tall.

Where's the pic of the van with the scoot in it? Still waiting Ronin!

bump...

Mark likes. What model is that? Not sold in the UK for sure

Best,

Mark

Thats the Honda Element.

But I dont think you can get a scoot in one standing up, maybe im wrong.

The transits are going like hot cakes at the wholesale auctions. I like them alot. I think they are the perfect vehicle for a scooter shop service vehicle.*

*As long as a VW van with a truck bed isnt available.

I seem to remember some posts a long time ago about putting a Vespa in an Element... I think the mirrors have to come off and it has to be leaned way over to clear the top of the door.


Dave

I just want to see photos of a Vespa in the Transit to prove it fits!!!

I dont' think you can fit a GT/GTS in that vehicle. I went with a tape measure to my dealer and with the seat down (not taken out) there wasn't enough space.

Ronin has one. It would be great if he could post pics of it with his p200 inside. All his pics just show it empty...

He didn't go and buy a van to carry his scooters that actually can't, did he?
(just needling him so he posts pics! )

scootergater where are the wholesale auctions going on? I like this Transit (use it 4 everything) indoor hauler too!

Thanks for the reminder , and I know that I'm worthless and weak. The only time I had a scooter in there (the Bajaj), I forgot to take a pic. Perhaps tomorrow if I can avoid a trip to the county fair... I would much rather mess about with scooters, to be honest. 8)