Modern Vespa

i have an lxv150 and want to buy a cover, any suggestions?

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The cheap route for a cover: A BBQ cover or a generic scooter cover off eBay. Pretty good for occasional or seasonal use.

If you're going to be using it more frequently, then you may want to invest in something more durable with locking grommets like a Dowco.

http://www.scooterwest.com/item_details/Dowco-Scooter-Cover-LARGE/971
or
http://www.scooterworks.com/Guardian-Scooter-Cover-P10182.aspx

I have Dowco's but be careful. In high wind conditions it acts like a sail and the bike can tip over. I make sure to run my lock alarm wires thru all the grommets to help stabilize it. Really really high winds and i put the scooters out of the wind. Well the LT because the LX has it's own shed.

I just bought my my wife one for her LX 150. I got iy E-bay it was $22.00 with shipping. Just do a search on E-bay for vespa cover's. I'll try to post who I bought from later. I think they had a lot of them. I don't know if it's water proof but it looks nice and is better then nothing.

Mel

Here it is

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250673076944&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

mel

Basically, MC covers are of two types: Lightweight or heavyweight. The former are for sometimes use such as taking with you on trips (they're more portable) while the latter are for daily use at your house/apt where weight/bulk is not an issue.

I have a Dowco Guardian Weatherall Plus (a heavyweight) motorcycle cover for my Vespa GTS, not because it's parked in the sun (it's parked under the building in the shade), but because of the salt air/haze here that settles on everything (usually overnight). Out in the full/hot sun everyday, I'd expect the cover to last about 2 years (as per prevous experience), but in the shade it'll probably last much longer. I don't have/use a lightweight cover as I just go out for daytrips, not longer.

But true, ANY cover is better than NO cover!

P.S. You might also want to secure your cover to your scooter in order to deter thieves: Some people just want to steal covers!

I have a new Vespa GTS cover I've been wanting to sell. It just didn't fit my GTV correctly. PM me if interested.

I also have a Guardian Weatherall and its exposed to full weather. Its a great cover. I've had a Dowco which is also a great cover. They lasted about 5 years outside in our relatively cool climate. My is not exposed to the sun very much each day. I've never had either cover fly off in the wind.

Best
Miguel

Which size are you using on your GTV?

Here's a post I did on my cover situation. Hope it helps.
My GTV cover

Best
Miguel

Thanks, Miguel. That's fantastic. I was sitting here looking at the eight different sizes and waffling between L and XL. Now I have my answer. Thanks for doing the legwork and sharing it with us.

Glad it helped. I went to the local Honda dealer and we tried on virtually all the sizes till I was happy. It costs 20% more there but I was glad to pay it with them helping me find the right size. Nice people at Donati Motorsports in Santa Cruz. I've purchased a Honda Metro, jacket, helmets, and several covers from them over the years and wouldn't hesitate to purchase anything from them in the future.

Best
Miguel

thank you all for the information about purchasing a cover for my lxv, much appreciated.

best, donna

A couple notes on covers.

If you have accessories like a topbox or windscreen, make sure that it will fit over them.

Pick a cover that matches your needs (dust or rain).

If you get a "waterproof" cover. Make sure it's not too waterproof otherwise your bike will rust super quick.

Thought I'd pass along my experience with covers. I've used the top-of-the-line Dowco and Guardian covers. They are completely waterproof but have a vent so that the moisture can escape. I've had very little rusting problems and I live 1 block from the ocean and the bike lives outside year-round.

Best
Miguel

Hi; I have the same model. Couple of months ago I got a sweet Piaggio cover from the new Vespa shop in downtown Los Angeles. It's dark grey/silver with large "Piaggio" logo and lettering on front/side.

At the time, the owner (Roger I believe) was selling them for half-price - $50. They are big enough for a topcase, are waterproof and have bungee hooks at the bottom for more secure fastening. May be worth contacting to see if they have anymore:

http://www.vespaofla.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/vespa-of-los-angeles-los-angeles-2#query:scooter%20repair

I bought a PIaggio cover... that turned out.. was not waterproof.. every time it rained, my MP3 500.. got sopping wet.. I went out and bought this one..
http://www.dowcopowersports.com/products/search/detail/detail.cfm?item=50006%2D03

Great.. cheaper than than the brand name light weight.. and keeps Scarlet (my MP3) very clean.. and most importantly.. dry..

Which cover will fold the "smallest".

Any experience with covers that will fold up into a small enough packet to put inside the "pet carrier" kinda like a rain poncho idea?

My vespa cover for the GT 200 fits under the seat along with a canyondancer, rain poncho for me, Vespa lock and some tools.

My XL Guardian Weatherall easily fits into my vespa topcase and I'm positive it will fit in the pet carrier no problem. I usually roll it up vs fold it.
Best
Miguel