VESPA SPOTTING

Tom Trindell answers:

You will need a couple of things…

First off a ramp (unless you are very strong or have several friends to pick it up). There are ramps for purchase or you can make your own. I used a 2 x 12 board for years with a metal flange bolted on the end to hold it on the tail gate. I found an aluminum folding ramp at Tractor Supply for about $65 that I purchased, light and neatly folds in half to put in the truck bed after loading.

Like this http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?mpe_id=12075&cm_cr=No+Campaign-_-Web+Activity-_-Cross+Sell+Up+Sell-_-ProductDetail_Espot1-_-Better+Built+Center-Folding+Aluminum+Loading+Ramp&catalogId=10001&productId=33986&evtype=CpgnClick&intv_id=15001&langId=-1&storeId=10551&ddkey=http:ClickInfo

next you will need a pair of tie downs (really you only need two for that small of a bike). Upon loading your bike in the bed of the truck, place the front tire on the front of the bed so that it is as close to perpendicular as you can get it. Attach the tie downs to the front tie down system in the bed of the truck and the other end of the tie down with the clamping portion to the handle bars down close to where the handlebar go into the clamp that holds the bars on the upper triple clamp / fork area.
Something like these

http://www.ancratiedowns.com/Motorcycle_ATV__Side_X_Side.html I prefer the cam buckle style over the ratchet style.

With the bike sitting straight add tension to both side tiedowns evenly so that you slightly compress the front forks. This needs to be pretty snug so if you hit a rough spot while hauling, the forks don’t compress enough to where the tie down comes loose from the handle bar or the truck tie down points … But not so tight that you blow out the fork seals….

Tom Trindell answers:

Here are some good brands their scooters run from 50cc up to 500cc and one brand will have 700 out soon. Prices from 1399 up to 5999. Vespa, Piaggo, Genuine, Buddy, Derbi, Stella, Kymco and Hyosung. Every one of these brands are good rides and I would not be afraid to buy any one of them. They all have a 50cc model. And they all have a warranty and they honor them as well as many dealers.

Tom Trindell answers:

Illinois requires a driver’s license and a license plate. Also, many municipalities ban them on their streets. Where I am from in Illinois, the only place you can operate a scooter is on your driveway.
Http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/rules_of_the_road/rr_chap05.html#moped