Modern Vespa

If you have any suggestions, please send them my way by tomorrow. I'd appreciate any advice.

I'm driving a van about 200 miles to pick up a new (to me) Vespa S 150. I did the same thing last month with an LXV. I learned a few lessons on that trip - remove the mirrors and windscreen (for the LXV). Last time, the seller's brother (a moto guy) loaded the scoot for us but didn't do a very good job. He left it on the center stand and ratchet-strapped it to the van. No surprise, it fell off the stand within a few blocks. It didn't fall. I added two more tie-downs to the back since he only tied down the front and then I locked the wheel in place. It seemed to do the trick. It didn't move much the whole way home although I drove about 200 miles holding my breath. I see a wiki article about transporting on a pick up but not a van. Can you help me with a proper method? I greatly appreciate your help...just about as much as I would appreciate getting my Vespa home without incident

If you can get a hold of the June Issue of Scoot magazine it has a big write-up on proper transporting. You can even subscribe to read it online. Decent magazine too i might add.

http://www.scootmagazine.com/

I carried a scooter 200 miles in the back of a Transit van yesterday - whilst on the centre stand - without any problems. If it's very securely tied down, it can't possibly go anywhere. I will, however, admit to overdoing it a bit with the ratchet straps - 7 in total! Secure at all 4 corners off the handlebars and rear rack and make sure the wheels can't move. I used 2 extra straps off the grab rail, just to be extra sure!!

Best,

Mark

Edited to add... Yes I know some of the straps are slack, I started loosening them off before it occurred to me to take pics!

You did go a little nuts with the tie-downs...love it! Better to be safe than sorry. Looks like you did a good job keeping it secure while still using the center stand. I have four ratchet straps but I'm picking up another set I have at work before I head to Kansas City this afternoon. Thanks for the pics. They are very helpful.

Got it!!! Thanks. I picked up an issue from a friend this morning. I really need to subscribe.

Traveling on the stand is not a good idea. It can put stresses on the stand and chassis that they were not designed for. Generally carry it on the wheels with the straps pulling down to load the suspension about half way or more.

Really? Convince me.

If the scooter is securely strapped in place, I don't see what stresses and strains will arise which are any more severe than a 200lb+ bloke perching atop of said machine whilst on its stand. Surely the straps are taking most of this?

That said, I am not particularly espousing transporting on or off the stand - when I brought my GTV home, I used the latter and a trailer.

Good luck Scootchef, whichever way you decide to move her

Best,

Mark

+1

Heheh the beauty of opinion. This is one of those threads that will go on and on forever and a day.

http://www.sites4bikes.com/Transporting-motorbikes-in-a-van.htm

"Firstly you need to put the motorbike onto its stand, if it has a centre stand it should be put on this then strap it down"...

Best,

Mark

Mark, I first started transporting motorcycles on trailers back in 1969. I rode dirt with a bunch of guys who had done it for years and ALL of them emphasized that you should never transport a PTW on the centerstand. The primary reason is that no matter how well you tie it down, it can slide/shift from being on the centerstand whereas, if it's on it's tires, it's much less likely to slide or shift.

I have my own trailer at the present time and transport my motorcycle as well as both of our Vespas at various times. I have never had a problem with transporting a PTW and I have never transported on the centerstand based on what I learned over 40 years ago. It's your scoot and you may do as you please but if it falls, you'll be a very unhappy camper when you get the repair bill. Best of luck to you.

You know the expression, just because you read it on the internet, does not mean it is right?


The correct way is to NOT use the centerstand, or sidestand. When you strap the bike down on it's wheels, it can use what is left of the suspension travel as shock absorbers for any bumps that you may come across.
If you strap it down using the centerstand, it will put undue strain on the centerstand itself, and the linkage/bolts where it attaches to the bike.
The example you cite about it being ok to sit on a bike with a centerstand is not relevant. You (maybe) weigh 200lbs. But you are stationary, i.e. you are not jumping up and down.
A Vespa 250/300 weighs over 320Lbs and when you hit a bump it is it's own mass that is going to violently be putting pressure on the centerstand/bolts etc. Over and over again. I have heard of bike's breaking their stands while being towed. Some bike's stands are attached to their engine cases, you can imagine what sort of damage can result from that.
I've had quite a few bikes towed by myself, and by moto towing professionals, and every time a point was made to NOT use the stands.

Thanks Jack.

Done it both ways - proof is in the pic below - with no problems.

Very well strapped down in the back of that van on its stand as it was, my scooter was going nowhere. First 40 miles were twisty stuff with a heavy braking manoeuvre thrown in for good measure. 200 miles in all and my scooter didn't budge an inch; if it's properly strapped down - i.e. preventing any fore/aft, lateral or vertical movement - how can it?

Arrived home safe and sound and no unhappy camping.

Edited to add... Point taken Desmolicious (even though I did just read it on the internet, heheh). Remember we are talking about a van here rather than a trailer, but point taken all the same. OP - Hope all goes well tomorrow!

Best,

Mark

Getting back on track, is it a cargo van or a minivan? Either way, most important reminder is that the scooter will most likely have gas in it. This means you will be enclosed with fumes. Please remember to keep the windows down for ventalation.

I just traveled a little under 300 miles with my scoot in the minivan. I used 4 straps (1 on each handle bar - though I would recommend a canyon dancer- and one on each side of the back rack.) center stand up! It rode safely to my destination and back.
With regard to strapping the halnld bars, if you are not using the canyon dancer and you over tighten the ratchets there is the possibility your grips will slide off. Just a not of caution.

Good luck!
VAL

Well, I picked up the scooter, took the mirrors off, ramped it into the mini cargo van, used ratchet tie-down and lots of tips from people on the board. All is well. It didn't move at all. Yay! The only problem I had wasn't even a problem. It seems that seeing a woman ratcheting down a scooter in the back of a van with the doors wide open brings on lots of lookers. I had a nice man offer me lots of advice but I couldn't understand him because he was a deaf/mute and my sign language is rusty He was really sweet and gave me the thumbs up to tell me I got it right. When he gave me the sign, I noticed that he had a Harley shirt on...made me smile all the way home.

My mechanic and his helper unloaded the scooter for me and also gave it the thumbs up. To celebrate, my husband and I went for a long ride tonight and for the first time, he could keep up with me thanks to his birthday present, the new S 150

Thanks for all the great advice.

Don't know why the pictures ended up sideways You get the idea...

Had me puzzled for a minute, until I saw the pics.

Ford Transit (full-size) vs Ford Transit Connect (mid-size, the only version available in the U.S.)

Still might be able to get a smalframe into a Transit Connect, but the rear seats may need to come out if it's to go in straight.

-Rusty
'09 LXS150 (post-kickstarter)