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Topic: Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation? (Read 332 times) previous topic - next topic
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Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation?
Hi all,
We are trying to figure out what to do about transportation while camping. We are wrestling with the idea of towing my small car, or possible purchasing a street legal motor scooter ( like a Vespa) for errands and close distance sightseeing. Or should we just unplug if we want to check out the area around the campground. I would love opinions. I realize bringing a toad along presents new problems, especially in long distance camping. The motor scooter sound less complicated. Opinions?
We have a 26.5' rear king. Thanks
1998 26.5 Mid Bath
Re: Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation?
Reply #1 –
Quote from: Kamani74  - 
Hi all,
We are trying to figure out what to do about transportation while camping. We are wrestling with the idea of towing my small car, or possible purchasing a street legal motor scooter ( like a Vespa) for errands and close distance sightseeing. Or should we just unplug if we want to check out the area around the campground. I would love opinions. I realize bringing a toad along presents new problems, especially in long distance camping. The motor scooter sound less complicated. Opinions?
We have a 26.5' rear king. Thanks
We do have a member,  Jon, who has carried a Vespa for ten years. He will show here eventually.

While it is nice to have, it isn't any easier to use than a toad. Loading and unloading can be interesting, to say the least.
Vespas are not light, you will need a custom-built rack and a certain amount of strength to deal with moving it on and off the rack.
There are lighter motor bikes available but may not be powerful enough for your needs.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation?
Reply #2 –
Yikes!  Finally a subject I know something about. As Larry said, we've carried our Vespa 250 (the current large models are all 300's) on our '06 TK for 50K+ miles now. I had Eckharts Hitches here in SoCal fabricate a custom carrier that is rated at 1,000 lbs, the Vespa is "only" 344 wet. The rack uses a ramp that I usually successfully motor up while walking alongside. The scoot carries the both of us with plenty of power, as high as Sandia Peak in Albuquerque. We've ridden it from the Outer Banks to the Olympic rainforest, through downpours (not fun) and Yellowstone bison (uh, exciting). There are drawbacks to touring in the open, but I've never wanted to tow, and we've had great adventures. I've not noticed any handling problems with it loaded on the TK, but a longer wheelbase (and lower CCC) model might be a different story. -- Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
 
Re: Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation?
Reply #3 –
Thanks for the info! Are there lighter scooters available? How about those golf cart like mini cars?
Any other interesting modes of transportation? Can you purchase Vespas here? I looked a bit online and did not see any. Thanks for the hint of motoring it up the ramp.

1998 26.5 Mid Bath
Re: Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation?
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Kamani74  - 
Thanks for the info! Are there lighter scooters available? How about those golf cart like mini cars?
Any other interesting modes of transportation? Can you purchase Vespas here? I looked a bit online and did not see any. Thanks for the hint of motoring it up the ramp.

Vespa are available throughout the US. Thank goodness, because we broke down in Annapolis MD and there was a dealer there who replaced our fuel pump that was the subject of a recall we never received. Otherwise, it has been very reliable and very strong, body-wise. Over a beer, ask me how I've verified that. 😬  I would suggest looking for a used one on Craig's List, etc. Often, people buy them in a burst of enthusiasm, then put very few miles on them and end up selling. New ones are rather pricey. With the cart-like minis, you're back to towing and, I believe, much restricted speeds. The 250/300 Vespas are freeway legal with two up, with an alleged top end of 78mph. An honest 60 has always been plenty for us. Besides local touring, we use it for shopping, laundry runs, and whatever. There are other scooter options out there, you'd have to check them out for your suitability. Me, I've always liked the classic Vespa look, so I was pre-sold. -- Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation?
Reply #6 –
Thanks Jon,
I will start checking them out. You sold me....
1998 26.5 Mid Bath
Re: Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation?
Reply #7 –
Keep in mind that some states require a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license to use one.  In Washington state, anything over 50cc requires one.
Rich ex 2000 MB - Birch Bay, WA
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD
Re: Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation?
Reply #8 –
I have a Kawasaki Super Sherpa that I carry on the back of mine.
It is a 250cc dual sport, which is just a fancy name for street legal enduro.
I love it, it can cruise all day long at 65 mph, carry some groceries with the top box on the back
and is great for finding little tucked away spots for my 24 foot to squeeze into and hide away.
And best of all, it gets over 70 mpg and that goes a long way in negating the 8 mpg of my gas hog.
I like it better than a scooter because it has a transmission that you shift gears, not a CVT like scooters have.
This gives you so much better throttle response, something that I have found is needed when exposing yourself to the world around you. Even if just grocery getting or tooling around in an RV park, you are exposed.

And don't get on anything without the proper protective gear, Helmet, jacket, gloves and good sturdy boots.

Cage drivers (that is what we riders call anything else) don't see you, and even if they do, couldn't care less, so you better learn to ride what I call defensive/aggressive.

Jota
96 23.5 FL
Re: Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation?
Reply #9 –
And now for something completely different...  (with a nod to Monty Python)  When I was unable to continue hiking, I desperately wanted to get off road, back country, for my photography.  I thought about a Rokon Ranger, a street-legal, 2 wheel drive motorcycle.  Starting out, you select one of three speed ranges - 0-10, 0-25 or 0-37.  It will climb a 60% grade, has 8" wide tires with low air pressure, minimizing impact on the ground, it will float, and it weighs 220 lbs..  Unfortunately, as an Oregon resident, I needed to comply with Oregon regulations.  In Oregon, anything capable of 30 mph, with less than 4 wheels, is classed as a motorcycle, and a motorcycle endorsement on one's driver's license is required.  I signed up for the class, but took myself out of the class 3 hours before the end.  I did not have the hand strength and endurance to properly manage clutch and brake. 

Any vehicle with less than 4 wheels, and max speed under 30, is classed as a moped in Oregon.  It must be licensed and insured, but a motorcycle endorsement is not required.  I bought a HPC Typhoon 2.0, a 2000 watt electric dirt or trail bike.  It weighs 118 lbs, has a 2100 watt-hour battery, and on rough rocky trails and soft sand, I have ridden 40 miles on a single charge.  I weigh 270, and I carry a 30 lb safety and photography pack for a load of 300 lbs.  The bike climbs 18% with no trouble, begins to slow at 20%, and at 22% says "either you start pedaling, or I'm stopping". 

At a listed price today of about $8500, they are pricey, but you get what you pay for.  My buddy bought a 750 watt Luna e-bike for $3000 and we were riding prospecting roads on BLM lands in New Mexico.  He has a 10 speed rear hub.  Mine is one speed.  On pavement, he can leave me behind, but on a number of occasions, I would ride to the top of a steep, rough grade, and wait there for Jim to walk his bike up. 

My "take" on your question, based on my experience, is if you want something to ride around roads, campgrounds, etc., a conventional e-bike is something to think about, but if you want to go off road, rugged areas, think about a HPC Typhoon.  Electric bikes are whisper-quiet, low maintenance, and a lot of fun.

Ken F in WY
'08 MB
Re: Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation?
Reply #10 –
I'd second all that Jota said save for the CVT. While I think they're a PITA in a car, I very much like the ease of operation in the Vespa. One does need a motorcycle endorsement on your license in California. We always ride with day-glo yellow jackets in the daytime, and reflective vests at night.  Still, it's always a crap shoot with other drivers. -- Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation?
Reply #11 –
I have been driving Vespas for about 5 yrs now. I currently have a 2007 250 GTSie.  LOVE IT!!!! Runs great! I've put about 15,000 miles on her.  Vespas are the best. I worked in a scooter shop for about a year and I wouldn't buy anything else. Just like a Lazy Daze RV - I go for the best. I rarely drive a car in the summer.

I am just in the process of buying a 24.5' LD. Am wondering if anyone has attached a Vespa to the back? If so, how?
Cecilia
2007 24' FD
Re: Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation?
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Boot Scooter  - 
I have been driving Vespas for about 5 yrs now. I currently have a 2007 250 GTSie.  LOVE IT!!!! Runs great! I've put about 15,000 miles on her.  Vespas are the best. I worked in a scooter shop for about a year and I wouldn't buy anything else. Just like a Lazy Daze RV - I go for the best. I rarely drive a car in the summer.

I am just in the process of buying a 24.5' LD. Am wondering if anyone has attached a Vespa to the back? If so, how?
We've carried our '09 Vespa 250 for the last 8 years on our '06 TK using a custom rack fitted to its dimensions. Welded to the frame extensions not the bumper. Made by Eckerts Hitch in West LA. They have two other locations. The scoot has been our toad from the Olympic Peninsula to the Outer Banks. If you search my name/avatar  for posts, there's more info and possibly some pics. Happy to answer any Qs or take more detailed photos when we get home in four days. -- Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation?
Reply #13 –
We haul a 250 Honda Rebel, which weighs about 330lbs, on the back of our '15 TK.  I bought a Mototote MTS Sport Motorcycle Carrier, which is rated to carry 600lbs.  I showed my local welding shop here in Oklahoma pictures of Jon's custom rack he had made and they were able to modify the Mototote rack.  The rack initially only had the one center point of connection into the receiver under the bumper.  They welded two new sleeves directly from the frame ending at the bumper, then welded two new "male square tubes" on the rack to slip into the sleeves.    So now the rack connects at three points (two of which are direct extensions of the frame).   So the rack is removable. 

I have noticed no difference in the handling of our Lazy Daze.   I have no concerns of the teeter-tottering effect now with the Honda.   The set up seems well engineered.   It does take two of us to load and unload the Honda with the included ramp.  The Honda has saddle bags so we can make trips for groceries, etc.  It does fine carrying the wife and me.

You can view the rack at Mototote.com.  The rack cost me about $600.00 and the welding work was $280.00.  My goal was making sure the rack was mounted as close as possible to the motorhome to try to keep the cantilevering forces at bay. 

Jon's good information and photos were a great help. 

Joe
Joe
2015 TK
Re: Has anyone used Vespa scooter or similar for transportation?
Reply #14 –
I just saw a piece tonight on "60 Minutes" about tiny motors with lithium batteries hidden in bicycles...the Hungarian inventor thinks they've been used to cheat in pro cycling since about 1998.  $20K per bike seems pretty steep, but it would be easier to hoist/load/stash inside an LD to deter theft than a scooter...

60 Minutes investigates hidden motors and pro cycling - CBS News

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm