Thinking About Bringing A Vespa Scooter To STX - Good or Bad Idea

Scooters are generally not safe transportation on STX.  Most roads have no shoulder so you and the little scooter are at the mercy of the big 4 wheel vehicles that show no mercy.  Then of course there is the variable road conditions and swerving unexpectedly around pot holes could also cause an accident or hit the pot hole and go flying.  You might get away with riding it for short distances in some residential neighborhoods.  Anything can get stolen.

horrible idea local drivers are the worst. They drive down the center of the road overtake ignoring on coming traffic, run red lights, take blind curves down the center of the road. they will think nothing of overtaking you are heading straight for you. It seem like some of them want to gt into an accident hoping for a payout..

@stxsailor

Sounds like Montreal!

The reason locals drive across both lanes on most roads is because they know the locations of all the existing potholes.

Staying inside the lines is optional here. 

If your getting a Vespa, make sure your getting medical flight insurance with it

Posted by: @singlefin

The reason locals drive across both lanes on most roads is because they know the locations of all the existing potholes.

 

So true.  Well at least we have a little less pot holes for a while.

Thanks for the advice everyone.  As background I'm an experienced motorbike rider, in addition to New England, I have ridden extensively in Europe (primarily the Alps) as well as a lesser amount in Asia.  I already own 4 Vespa's (as well as a Ducati and and a BMW).  I've seen a few motorbikes on STX but never a Vespa, and not too many scooters.  I totally get the points on potholes and the drivers, that's a risk I'm willing to take.  My biggest is concern are finding a place that can service a Vespa and the likelihood it will get stolen.  Give there are very few (if any) Vespa's on STX the likelihood of being stolen is reduced, it would be easy to spot by the police and there would be no market for Vespa parts.

To me STX is too small for a full sized bike but riding a scooter seems (to me anyway) like it might be a fun option.

Again, I haven't yet made up my mind and there is no rush as I would wait until I retire in early 2021 before doing anything.

Instead of a Vespa, I’d go with an Enduro bike (street legal dirt bike). The larger wheels would be far better for potholes and the more aggressive tire treads and suspension would handle our many dirt (and questionably paved) roads far better. More power for hills and more speed for the one, four lane highway we have. I’m beginning to see more Enduro bikes on STX than any other bike option. I really don’t think you’d be happy on a Scotter/ Vespa here. I think the reasons above are why you rarely see them.

Thanks, makes sense and might be fun.

There is a likelihood it would get stolen and as far as easy to spot by the police. The VIPD won't do anything other than take a report if it is stolen. Not many vehicles that get stolen are found. The VIPD doesn't like arresting friends and relatives on investigate crimes. Sad but true.

Since there are very few motorcycles on the island, other drivers are unaware.  I saw a small motorbike almost get doored in Christiansted last week. 

Driver here are generally unaware of everything. They will think nothing of blocking someone in to go into the store, park in a handicap spot, make a turn into traffic without looking.  Almost hit a Port Auth. car who pulled out without looking.  Government drivers are the worst, it's not their car so who cares.

horrible idea local drivers are the worst. They drive down the center of the road overtake ignoring on coming traffic, run red lights, take blind curves down the center of the road. they will think nothing of overtaking you are heading straight for you. It seem like some of them want to gt into an accident hoping for a payout..

fhpooiks......that's the VI in a nutshell. Lots of people looking for a payout. That's why Lee Rohn is so popular. You see all the people mopping in Plaza's. That's to help prevent slip and falls.  If you have a newer car always be on the lookout for an island ragga pulling in front of you, seemingly wanting to get hit. Insurance companies consider the VI a "litigious region". Their words not mine. 

Unless you're working for a company that shall provide healthcare/medical insurance, or are eligible for Medicare or Medicaid, you'd be better off sticking to a vehicle with 4 tires.

Posted by: @jaldeborgh

looking for more advice.  I have a 2015 Vespa 300GTS up in the Boston area, with a clean title, is it an okay thing for the island.  Specifically, I’m thinking about the 11” wheels, serviceability and having it stolen.  Any thoughts are appreciated. 

the pot holes would love you 

I think I'm abandoning the idea of the Vespa for STX.  I'm now leaning in favor of an e-bike.  We live at the top of a hill/knoll with a fairly steep dirt access road so larger wheels, fat tires and high torque will be my selection criteria.  We're not a young (or as fit) as we once were so getting up the access road now requires an e-bike for my wife and I.  Some of the newer e-bikes look very capable but cost close to what a scooter would cost.  One of the biggest issues I'm discovering is getting some e-bike companies to ship to STX, due to the batteries.

Seems like you are asking for a nasty spill on a steep dirt road. One accidental brake lock up and down you go. Also something you need to think about is "can they be repaired here" It's hard to find generator parts, can't imagine e-bike parts

My wife is back in New England for the Summer as she didn't want to get isolated in STX, thanks to COVID-19, without me being there.  She plans to return after Thanksgiving and I will join her full time in early March 2021 once my retirement begins.

The above is simply background for my decision process, as I had mentioned in an earlier post I have abandoned the idea of a Vespa mostly because of concerns over the small wheels (11") given our steep dirt access road becomes rutted, it is graded once a year but it doesn't take long for the road condition to deteriorate.

I'm planning on buying a couple of e-bikes, for all to use, that are also designed for off-roading, so with wider tires and sufficient torque to help with the access road hill.  I've been researching the many options and plan to wait until early 2021 to buy because the technology is evolving (improving) so rapidly that buying and storing something now makes no sense as they would sit idle for the next 6 or 7 months.

I remain a huge Vespa fan, we currently own 4 ranging in size from 50cc to 300cc that we keep on Martha's Vineyard for family and friends.  We live on a farm with dirt (hard packed sand) roads that are also periodically strewn with potholes and ruts but there isn't a steep hill to contend with.  I did buy my wife (and kids/guests) a couple of street e-bikes a couple of summers ago and they have been a lot of fun.  Given this experience my feeling is that the e-bike is the better choice for the family, if it were just for me I'd get the Vespa as I'm an experienced rider.