Modern Vespa

The fellow from the rental place in Italy is suggesting I rent a 200 Grantourismo rather than an LX.

I have never ridden anything but the LX's and am concerned about handling a bigger, unknown scooter. I am 5'2" and getting up in years. Not as strong as I used to be.

What do you guys think? Should I stick with the LX or try the 200. Do you think the handling and weight difference will make it uncomfortable for me?

The 200 will be taller and heavier but the LX may have to really struggle with some of the hills on the highways to keep moving with traffic. I have done a lot of driving (cars) in Italy and the drivers, as a whole, are not the most courteous that you will ever encounter. I know you're down in the islands but if there was anyway that you could ride a larger frame scooter to see if you can handle the extra height and weight, you should do so.

Now there's an understatement. Just wait until somebody's grandmother stuffs you in a hairpin curve in the mountains all double-clutching and drifting by as she uses your scooter for an apex marker.

TRAFFIC big difference between a LX and a GT. Turning especially and also weight. I'd go or what your comfortable on and know how to ride. With that under your belt it will help with the fact you aren't used to riding with lots of other scooters on the road and will be in unfamiliar territory. While it might be nice for the extra power for safety reasons i'd vote for the LX and besides the LX can get up hills just fine albeit a tad slower but who cares your going to be looking at the scenery anyway 8) Have a great trip

You will not want to ride on the autostrade on the 150, although it is technically allowed. The 200 will be great up the mountains in Tuscany, but it IS much heavier than you are used to.

To be honest, I would get the LX and keep off the autostrada.

Ardy & Al did it on a PX150 and a kitted 80cc:
Maybe you can pm them about your route?


Home from Bella Italia! - with link to Pics
&
touring on lx150 or s150 I don't think I'd consider the GT unless I could take a test ride on one first.

Regardless, have a great trip!

I appreciate your input all.

I am still a relatively new rider and only have about 10,000 kilometers under my belt so far. Riding in a foreign country is about as much of a learning curve as I need to deal with.

If Ardy and Al could manage on a smaller scooter ... so can I. I think I will stick to what I know. I'll get the LX150. I have no intention of going on the highways. We will be sticking to secondary roads all the way.

The "taller" part is scarier than the heavier part. I barely reach the ground using my tip toes on an LX ... so that really helped make the decision for me!

Liane-

A 150 will work just fine for you. The highest speed limit you are going to see is 90 kmh, and that will be rare. The Dolomites will be a piece of cake with a LX 150. Been there, done that. What's your normal riding style on Tortola? Why suddenly raise the bar with an unfamiliar scooter on unfamiliar roads? BTW, the AutoStrada is about as scenic as Secaucus, NJ.

Be sure you check your liability on the rental. The bigger the scooter, the higher the "deductable", and at some shops, theft is not covered. Damage liability can run from 500 Euro to 1500 Euro on a 150cc scooter, based on the shop. And many hold you totally responsible if it involves "negligence or misbehavior", whatever that is. I have searched high and low and have found no shops that offer an optional CDW that reduces liability below the above.

Have a great trip.

Al

Thanks Al,

I will be renting from a guy named Roberto Mancini from a company called Noleggio Moto Toscana (near Pisa - not too far from Pontedera). He's the one who wants me to get the bigger scooter but I have told him I want the LX150.

My "riding style" is to ride within the speed limit on Tortola (40 mph) where common sense (and traffic) dictates ... and flat out on the flat bits that are wide open and have very little traffic during the day. On the hills (which are many and very steep) with lots of switchbacks, I ride to my ability and comfort level. I ignore people who try to push me to go faster ... particularly downhill. I am not easily intimidated. We have some pretty pushy (and crazy) drivers on Tortola.

Do scooters get stolen a lot in Italy? Should I buy a lock of some sort?

I see Al has reponded below...

Liane-

PM coming

Let's leave vendor specifics to the PM, please.

Al

Thanks much Al for the PM!

So ... is the scooter likely to get stolen?

I really don't think theft is likely.

OK ... thanks Doug. Perhaps I'll pick up a lock just in case. It would tend to ruin our vacation if it did get nicked. I can't imagine being stuck in the back seat of the car for the remainder of the trip. That would drive me crazy ... not to mention the liability!

BTW ... I leave on Thursday the 26th for Toronto. I'll meet up with my friends there and then we all fly together to Rome on September 8th. We return sometime around October 3 or 4. I should be back in Tortola no later than the 7th or 8th if all goes as planned.

My friend is a retired Air Canada pilot so we will be flying stand by (the benefit of which are very cheap seats) ... so no dates are carved in stone.

I can't remember if it was jim or al or someone else but one of the skokkers mentioned to me (we are planning an Italy trip for next year) about making sure I had the correct insurance. I forgot the particulars. Maybe one of them can weigh in. I know your question wasn't about insurance but the theft thing made me think to mention it. Hope you have a great trip.

As a result of the experience on the Bella Italia Rally (all arrangements made by a travel agent who was not "scooter savvy"), I have been checking this extensively, prior to any decisions about future Italy Rallies. I do not claim to know all the answers, but here's what I have been able to gather:

There is no such thing as the "correct" insurance. In Italy, as in many countries, renters assume a pretty hefty damage liability, and in some cases 100% theft liability. I've seen shops as low as 500 Euro (125cc), with the caveat that days lost rental ability and retrieval fees are extra. Pretty much for a 125cc scooter, 1,000 Euro "deductible" is the norm, and I have seen as high as 2,000. One shop shows a 2,000 Euro liability reducible to 1,000 at 12 Euro/day CDW fee. In short, all roads seem to lead to around 1,000 Euro. Most say that "negligence, violating the law or misconduct" leaves the renter with full liability.

The more expensive the machine, the higher the liability.

Some of the Rally folks said that they thought they could use the CDW protection on their Ultra high level credit cards. I checked by USAA Platinum Visa, and the free CDW specifically excludes "motorcycles and mini-vans".

In short, and several motorcycle touring sites say the same, if you are going to rent a PTW in Italy (or most of Europe) plan on a significant liability for damage and/or theft. Greece is one of the exceptions. The rentals for the Greek Islands rallies have a 270 Euro deductible at one shop and zero at the other.

If you need more info, Sticky, please feel free to PM.

Al

Appreciate it Al

Get home-side insurance for possible (and hopefully never happening) upsets as far as the bike itself is concerned. Medical - let the Italians sort it out - no charge while you're there!

Wow! That's very kind of the Italians! I was already planning to get insurance from a travel insurance company I always recommend to my clients. Good to know I won't need medical while in Italy!

Bravo Italy!