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Carrying Climbing Gear on a Vespa

Original Post
Vasily S · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 15

So I'm looking to dump the old car it looks like its just starting to go and putting a thousand dollars into it just doesn't sound that appealing to me given the fact that it could use a another thousand in repairs in the near future. Anyway I've been playing around with the idea of just getting Vespa or similar type scooter as a second vehicle ( the wife and baby use the car on the weekdays). I was just wondering if anyone here has had experience taking their climbing gear with them on the back of a Vespa. I have a local crag accessible by side streets thats like 15 20 min away. Right now thats the only thing holding me back from buying a scooter for 2000 vs a new car for 10,000. Just looking to see If anyone else has used a scooter to take them to a from local crags trad gear and all.

Jason Halladay · · Los Alamos, NM · Joined Oct 2005 · Points: 15,143

We're currently climbing on the island of Kalymnos, Greece and the common way to get around the island is via small scooters (50cc of raw two-stroke power!) We're riding two passengers and climbing gear. The passenger wears a smaller pack and the driver has the big pack between the legs on the little floorboard. Maybe not the safest in higher traffic areas but it works here and really isn't too uncomfortable.

instagram.com/p/m3Ivdvt2de/

Mikey Seaman · · Boise, ID · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 5

I've got a Genuine Buddy 150cc with a basket on the back. There is also storage under the seat and room for another passenger. I use it to meet people at the crag, for casual days, not camping or serious climbing. Works great around town; 80mpg and tops out around 65mph. Mines great and there are active forums for trouble shooting and making upgrades, etc.

Vasily S · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 15

Nice, thanks for the input, I think I'll make a decision this weekend. Nice to see that people have rigged theirs to make it work.

JVB Project · · Berkeley CA · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 0

Honda Ruckus!

off road~ish and lots of cheap parts. Go for the 125cc if you can find one.

Link

Note that with 2 people, trad rack and doubles you will not be climbing hills very well with a 50cc.

You could also upgrade the 50cc to a 75cc with a big bore kit...

Slartibartfast · · Magrathea · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 0

I spent 3 years with only a 125cc motorcycle and have, many times, carried a 60 liter pack on back with a 30 liter on front, wearing it papoose style. If you wreck, you have a bunch of padding!

Happiegrrrl · · Gunks · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 60

To those who have ridden with full packs on - How cumbersome does it make to steer, and how does it impact comfort?

I looked up "Vespa Trailers" and looks like there are some options available. May be worth the added investment -still cheaper than a 10K car.

Brian in SLC · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Oct 2003 · Points: 21,711
Happiegrrrl wrote:To those who have ridden with full packs on - How cumbersome does it make to steer, and how does it impact comfort? I looked up "Vespa Trailers" and looks like there are some options available. May be worth the added investment -still cheaper than a 10K car.
I'll ditto the Kalymnos experience with regard to scooters. Don't wear a big pack, stick it on the floor in front of the driver. A big pack puts too much weight up high.

If you need a trailer, then I think you defeat the minimalist purpose of using a scooter. At that point, you'd be better served by having a car, IMHO.
Steve Mullins · · Boulder, CO · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 0

I would go for a 150cc or higher scooter if you plan on riding up any hills or anywhere at elevation. I have a 1979 vespa, 200cc and the thing can climb up boulder canyon just fine at 45-50mph. I would stick to Kymco, Genuine and Vespa for brands, parts are easily available.
Adding a pack on your back wont be cumbersome at all, when you start stacking gear between your legs I would get some riding time in before doing that because it can easily shift on you and get a bit wonky.

Mike Bond · · Kentucky · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 3,191
Jason Halladay wrote: We're riding two passengers and climbing gear. The passenger wears a smaller pack and the driver has the big pack between the legs on the little floorboard.
+1; After playing around with this a lot in Kalymnos...this is the best option.
JVB Project · · Berkeley CA · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 0

pulling anything with a 50cc motor is a joke. My wife and i were riding a scooter (madass, not ruckus) uphill and we were passed by somebody walking up the same hill. Note that crags are usually up hill...

And get the vespa out of your head. Get a Honda or something else that is american or Japanese made that has parts readily available and a decent service network. Euro scooters are like euro cars: they are nice, but you are going to pay for them...

Consider the Honda GROM if you can find one. Its more like a full morotcycle...but mini.

teece303 · · Highlands Ranch, CO · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 596

I have a Honda Metropolitan, a 49cc scooter. My hog has a blistering 5hp or something (don't tell my dad, he'd disown me).

Could it be used for climbing? Yes. With two people? Heck no, that would be silly. It can barely handle one.

On steep hills, expect to slow down to about 15mph max: if the hill is really steep and long, maybe even 10, but that's less common. And a slight downhill, you might hit 40mph!

The biggest drawback where I live would be cars: they want to kill you when you ride these things, as they're so slow. And you can't drive the little scooters on the highway, it's illegal. This makes long trips a major pain to plan (I've taken mine on many 10-30 mile trips through the city, snaking around highways and seeing local neighborhoods).

Note; I've ridden this beast all over town on many trips over thousand of miles, but I've never taken it out of town for climbing.

Slartibartfast · · Magrathea · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 0
Happiegrrrl wrote:To those who have ridden with full packs on - How cumbersome does it make to steer, and how does it impact comfort? I looked up "Vespa Trailers" and looks like there are some options available. May be worth the added investment -still cheaper than a 10K car.
Is it comfortable? No. But it doesn't affect steering too much, in my opinion. I would way rather have it strapped to my back than scrunched at my feet where it can shift around, it's much safer. Just don't tell any of the beards at the crag you were worried about safety; they'll say you should have just stayed home.
Mikey Seaman · · Boise, ID · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 5
JLP wrote: Scooters are useless
That's, like, your opinion, man. You are entitled to it.

JLP wrote: Scooters are ghey
This is not cool. I find this comment offensive and insensitive, at a minimum. I haven't found any speech like this any where on MP. There's tons of morons here, lots of insults and plenty of dumb things said. However, I do not tolerate this. Please take it down and/or apologize.
John mac · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 105
Lisa Scooter

Got around to local crags in Northern Italy on this bad boy (2 of us on it). With that said, we also have a scooter here in Boulder and while it is great around town and up to the flatirons, it was terrifying trying to get up Boulder Canyon on it.
Matt N · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 415

Get an older Saturn for a couple g's, unless you want a bike to ride.
Cheap cars exist and turning a wrench isn't that hard.

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276
Vasily S · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 15

Thanks for the constructive feedback everyone, as far as the "scooters are ghey comment" I'm not gonna waste my time fighting people on the internet, I'm just looking for people who have some experience and something constructive to say which is most everyone.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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