I want to drive a Vespa

[FunnyGinny]

Yes, the Italian one https://www.vespa.com/gbEN/models/gts/

This has always been my dream, I'm 55 and live in a small town with a fair bit of traffic.

I know it's probably not the safest vehicle but would it be ridiculous for a nearly 60 year old to go around on vespa?

AIBU to get one?

edited for typos

Oh! I should probably mention, I do not live in Italy.

Go for it.
Make sure you do CBT first to see if you get on with two wheels.

I want one too. I cream coloured one like Keira Knightly in that perfume ad. A cream helmet too. I just need somewhere to park it!

I’m your age and I have one!

I’ve had them my entire adult life. The Primavera 125 is automatic, pretty much the easiest thing to ride imaginable. They are great in traffic, they are adorable and I love them.

Positives:
Fun, very cheap to run, free to park most places, extremely cheap road tax, the helmet stores under the seat and there’s a hook for shopping bags so they are practical for nipping out to buy some groceries or similar. You can filter past queuing traffic (where it’s safe to do so) which is a godsend at rush hour. They retain their value more than any vehicle I know - I sold an 8 year old Vespa for only £900 less than I bought a brand new one the same month.

Downsides:
It’s miserable in heavy rain and unsafe in even a hint of ice. They get stolen A LOT, so you have to be careful where you leave them.

As someone who has ridden motorcycles since the ago of 16 I say go for it!

The reality of being on the road may not live up to the dream but unless you try, you will never know.
Do your training, wear all the correct protective equipment (falling off at even low speed can hurt a lot!) and assume that everyone else on the road is an idiot (and they ARE out to get you) and enjoy it.😁

When I was 16 and started work, the location meant that I had to ride my moped every day come shine, snow, fog, rain or ice.
Luckily the novelty did not rub off and I have ridden motorcycles all my adult life although later on it was out of choice and not necessity.

They get stolen A LOT, so you have to be careful where you leave them.

Is there something particular to Vespas which drives this? I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone to have a Vespa without also having had it stolen at least once!

Do a taster at a motorcycle school, usually you get your money back if you then book onto their full cbt course.

once you have passed and get your bike, buy good quality gear - waterproof, with protection built in and a good back protector. Get a helmet with a gold race certificate sticker, means they are tested to the highest standard. Never ever ride without your gear on, not even if it’s hot - I have armored jeans and a leather jacket with armor for warm days and gloves with ventilation.

There are always about 10 parked at our local train station. Do it! No one will even notice how old you are as you zoom past them!

(age obviously doesn’t matter anyway!)

Yanbu at all, and now I want one 😭

I had a Vespa when I was 16. 43 years later I wouldn't. Too much traffic and too many potholes.

The very high resale value is a big factor. Other scooters get pinched and used in crime or razzed around on and dumped. They are cheap and don’t resell for much. Vespas can be sold on fit similar to new prices.

Plus two reasonable fit blokes can pick up a Vespa and carry it into a van. They turn up with massive bolt cutters and pinch them from where they are parked.

I remember the culture shock when I saw a nun in full habit and veil riding a Vespa (in Italy) since I’d only heard of 1960s Mods using them. Now they’re more of a style statement, like the Fiat Cinquecento or pastel coloured SMEG appliances. They really aren’t specific to age groups any more.

Just one warning. The footboard is wide and only the tallest people can get both feet on the ground. That might be a safety concern. And the spare wheel attached to the side of the seat can make them quite unbalanced

We have both a Vespa and lambretta and love pottering around on them. We also do a Lot of mod ride out’s. I did a taster at a motorcycle school so I could see what I preferred either a twist and go (new) or geared (I wanted an older one)
It’s great fun but you have to do your CBT every couple of years if you don’t want to do a motorbike license or drive above a 125. My friend has done her’s 11 times :)

YABU. You ride, not drive a Vespa

Go for it. I have a vintage Vespa with gears, which I love. I also have a car but it is so much easier at times to get to places on my scooter. You can still wear a skirt or dress. There is so much joy riding one.

I would definitely go with a Lambretta but YANBU

The footboard is wide and only the tallest people can get both feet on the ground. That might be a safety concern.

I’m 5’3” and can easily get my feet on the ground on my Primavera. (Other Vespa models may differ)