Modern Vespa

Hi after hangging around for the last couple of years, I desided it was about time I registered and introduced myself. I am very old (about 60) and love riding bikes and scooters. I've been riding bikes for the last 45 years and have had my fair share of broken bones. I've just bought a Gilera Fuoco which is arriving next week.(haven't broken any bones on a scooter yet)
Cheers from down under.

Welcome mate! We'll do the best we can to make you feel at home but the first thing that has to go is your poor attitude. Sorry but we don't allow talk about being "very old". Uh uh. Nope. Sorry. If you bought a babe-magnet scooter like the Fuoco and thrill to the feel of the open road you ain't old yet my friend!

That scoot is pure bonzers! Welcome!

Welcome aboard.

Is it me or does the nose of that seat look a little different than the Piaggio? Not so much of a down slope. Nice colour scheme too.

Welcome to the fold! You're right. That does look like a different seat. It's much higher at the front than the US version. Which makes me wonder if it's had all the foam replaced, just new stuff added to the front, or a different design, whether that be an international difference or something from the newest model year...

The Wanderer, is that a pic of your bike? Did you buy it new or used?

Mark

Seat does look higher in the front. HUM??

Hmm - looks just like my 3yr-old seat, and like the new stock seat I used on the Three Peaks Challenge.

Welcome from sunny California!

Gidday from Sydney, wanderer.

Good to have another 3-wheel enthusiast in the country. Is there a decent agent in South Oz?

Gonzo

Is there a replacement seat that is shaped differently? Care to elaborate.

You only have me by a few birthdays! It is the spirit inside, not the outside aura! Gratz.

JimC is just saying it looks just like his seat on his 3 year old MP3 500. Now that I think about it, we had this same discussion a while back and it is just the angle the picture was taken at, that makes it look higher in the front.

Old !! You aint old mate, I'm 72.

Welcome to another Aussie. Love your bike.
Cheers.

Welcome to modern vespa! And, you are not old-just very experienced!

Thanks for the welcome, the very old bit is just my sense of humour,although a 5year old recently told me 60 is very old. The picture is my bike at the dealers, it's a 2010 model with 1600kms (1000miles) on the clock, comes with Gilera screen and top box, the colour is called excalibur, the seat is factory stock.
Cheers.

G'day mate we have a couple of good dealer in the city of churches.
Cheers.

And a very fine looking bike it is. I'm sure you're going to love it! And this forum is a great place to learn more about your new ride.

Mark

BubbaJon
I'll work on the attitude. The picture is of my home city Adelaide, sister city of Austin Texas.
Cheers mate.

Welcome aboard Wanderer 8)

Tell us what made you decide to buy your MP3? Naturally we all love them too but it's always nice to hear why new owners choose them.

LL75

Aprox. 18 months ago I was out on a club ride with a mate riding his Ducati st4 and I on my BMW R1150RT. As soon as we hit the twisties another club member on a Gilera Fuoco swooped by, a 3 wheel scooter can't have that, this bloke needs to be put back in his place. The race was on, my mate flew past me and I was hot on his tail. The road was damp and I was struggling for grip but the Gilera was pulling away from us and we had no answer. At the next stop it was tail between our legs and we both ordered a generous serve of humble cupcake. My mate and I are considered very good riders and this scooter put us both in our place, oh the shame. Ever since I wanted a Gilera Fuoco.
Cheers mate.

You must have some serious twisties in your part of the world.

If you're still up (must be almost mid-night) you could check out this thread and some associated threads. You might want to jump in before the window closes.

2010 MP3 Footpeg Bracket waiting list

We sure have, if you ever find yourself in Adelaide, go for a ride through the Adelaide hills you wont be disappointed.
Cheers mate.

That's the spirit! Old??? We ain't old!!! I have a Peter Pan complex myself - I just don't pay attention to the gizzled whiskers and whatnot.
I had no idea that Adelaide was our sister city! Thanks for the footnote.
Cheers!

It's official. Everyone in the world rides their bike harder than me...

But you know what? I'm OK with that.

Mark

"...I was struggling for grip but the Gilera was pulling away from us ..."

I want to know what tires he had!! Or even tyres!

Hilarious story, and cool bike ( makes me think to paint mine similarly).
Welcome aboard!

No idea what tyres he was using, below is a picture of the bike I was riding.
Cheers.

BMW V Fuoco = no contest, unless you are invading Fr*nce 8)

Welcome Wanderer

Of course, you should immediately:

1. Pull off the tupperware on the front and check the steering bearings. See "notch" threads, and follow JimC's advice

2. Get or make a lubricating bolt to grease the front end.

3. Check the radiator hose (see sticky on first page)

4. Then ride the bastard with a clear conscience.

also 5. Spend your evenings perusing the forum to decide what mods you're going to do...


Gonzo

Perchance where you snookered by Mick Doohan?
Is this him. video from down under

Good lookin bike there . Didn't know we were related, we're winden down on our summer here in Austin. Can't wait for the weather to change to some of that your havin down under. Nice pic. of the stadium. Kinda looks like Austins skyline. Welcome aboard . I have a Excalibur Gray Mp3 250 25k. Dave

Welcome. I'd love to come to your country and do a bike tour. If you ever want to swap vacations and bikes I'd be up for it.

Age is BS. I never rode any bike until I was 74. I got my MP3 and took it on a 2,400 mile trip (alone) to ride the Tail of the Dragon and visit a friend. I think I'll ride to Austin (3rd trip) and the Hill Country of Texas this week. My 77th birthday was yesterday.

Happy Birthday Jerry!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

You make me feel so young. At least 19 more years to wear out my MP3

Congrats and Happy BirthDay Jerry! I aspire to that myself - I wanna keel over while doing something fun at a very advanced age.

Welcome Wanderer! I'm 39, and 60 can't be that old. I remember when 18 was old, when 30 was old, and when 40 was old. I'm coming to the conclusion that I won't get old until I feel, and I don't plan on doing that anytime soon

Happy Birthday Jerry! If anyone doubts that you are as old as you feel you are a GREAT example. My grandmother and her friends from church since 1945 spent their 80th birthdays about 10 years ago on a cruise together to the Caribbean. You guys are most definitely what I want to be when I grow up.

Yep, the idea's not to fall into the grave, but slide in sideways with everything locked up!


Gonzo

I like that silver MP3 500. It just looks nice.

Welcome from Perth