A few days ago I brought my scooter home from Kissell Motorsports via a short, meandering ride through the sticks after they completed the 6000-mile service interval. The odometer read 6001 when I pulled in the driveway. This service involved changing the engine oil, filter, variator rollers, belt inspection, and a variety of other looks at things to make sure the Vespa was in good working order. I also had a new Pirelli tire mounted on the front wheel.
When I get time I am going to put together a longer review of the GTS and my thoughts on ownership after 6000 miles and nine months of ownership. For now lets just say it’s been an enjoyable experience.
The roads were wet here and there intermittent rains fell between openings of brilliant sunshine. Really looks and feels like fall here, at least during the ride home. Sitting here now writing it’s dark and 30 degrees and seems more like winter to my sluggish morning brain.
The Vespa is mechanically ready for winter though I have to admit right now I’m not nearly as ready. I need to get my head around riding to work again in the cold and dark. Today I need the truck to haul some equipment so the scooter will stay in the garage. Sounds great now but I know the minute I see the sun glow on the horizon I’ll wish I were riding.
front tire?
isn’t your rear tire supposed to wear more quickly?
after my 10000 km service I had my Vespa back and I realized that my rear tire should have been changed…
in the todo list, now!
Looking forward to your 6,000 mile report. The Vespa is going to last a long, long while with your diligence in getting services done on-time!
Can’t thank you enough for the beautiful images that you post. These two were special. Happy to hear that you have your GTS back, nothing sadder than being without.
I was reading one of your older blogs where you mentioned that your Father-in-law kept forgetting to turn off the turn signal. Well I had to laugh as I have the same problem! The switch is so sensitive that it is too easy to flip it to the other side instead of off. With the bright sun here it is hard to see it and there is no sound with it. Since we ride together, and I am the lead, we have a signal. My husband beeps once if my turn signal doesn’t stop and twice if he wants me to stop.
Thanks for the update on John’s condition.
Still addicted, Lea in Fort Lauderdale
I still haven’t adjusted for the time it takes me to suit up for the cold weather riding. I always seem to end up in a big rush to get going. Got to wrap my head around the same stuff as you I guess.
Have fun,
Bill
ale: I had already changed the rear tire at around 3500 miles. They wear out a lot faster than the front ones as you know.
The front tire had tread left but just was worn unevenly and I could hear the tire singing on smooth roads at speed. Now the scooter is its same quiet self.
kano: I’m hoping the Vespa goes at least 40,000 miles before needing any major work. And if I can get 8 to 10 years of daily service from it before the scrap pile I’ll be happy.
Lea: I see a lot of motorcycles going down the road with turn signals on. I have left them on myself and I have seen first hand how it can cause a driver to make a decision that could be trouble. I really try and get into the habit of turning them off. Don’t want to contribute to any unfortunate circumstances.
bill: Usually once I ride several real cold days I am ok. It’s those first ones. Hell, I even have a hard time getting out of bed when it’s cold. Kim and I keep the place cold, almost unheated where we sleep. I feel like I am backpacking when I get out of bed some mornings!