Please answer only if you have a vespa or a scooter!?
I really am interested in getting myself a GTS200. My friends tease me about it, but I don’t care. Would anyone who has a vespa please let me know anything you think I should know or take into consideration when buying my first scooter? I am a blank slate.
Wow! Thanks so much, Autumn!
1. a scooter is a shorter wheel base than a cycle. it will turn faster and tip over faster if you are not used to it.
2. a vespa puts the engine on the rear wheel where its weight will not help keep the front end down. watch out for wheelies especially if you have a passenger at the back and really especially if you are going up hill.
3. the wheels are smaller and it will not stop as fast as a car or cycle. be careful.
4. drive like nobody can see you coming. they WILL pull out in front of you. be prepared to take evasive action. watch your 7 6 and 5 o’clock positions in your mirrors so you are aware of where you can dodge to at all times.
5. the safest speed is the speed of traffic. don’t go slowand get rear-ended
6. the safest location in the lane is on the left side of the middle of the lane. sort of to the right of the car’s left wheel tracks. this lets you be seen by other drivers best, and they don’t feel that it is ok to zoom past you so easily if they are faster than you.
7. most deaths from riding is caused by head injury. wear a helmet. make your passenger wear a helmet too. a day in the sun and wind is great, but death is forever.
i drove a vespa 150 for years. my friend had a gs175. now i have a honda helix 240. i love em all. i drove the 150 from tucson to LA to san diego and back. it was fun.
scooters are very nice transportation-fun.
I just got a honda metropolitan 06, after riding my bicycle for over 4 years, and it’s like having wings and freedom never known before.
I picked the met over other scooters ’cause it’s price is more than reasonable and it’s the cuttest little thing I’ve ever seen. It gives me 40 miles/hour, which for riding on the streets is more than enough; and it also gives me 90 miles per gallon, which is outstanding.
Things to advise:
Get a helmet, gloves and goggles or glasses
Get your license or permit
Get a lock
maybe you want to check this
http://www.urbanscooting.com
I found a lot of information there