I've talked about the Vespa in my other blog and the joys of riding it. Just yesterday on the 2nd day of the enhanced quarantine I did a recon of the roads with checkpoints to see the most efficient route when I bring my wife to work - in a car of course!
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| Keeping it stock and functional |
In my one year of ownership, I've accepted that there is not much accessories you put in a Vespa. I mean its a beauty in its simplest stock form! There are of course some performance modifications you can do but if you ask me, if i wanted a faster, more perked up ride then I'd get the more premium models! I do get the hobbyists mindset of tinkering with stuffs, I do this in RCs and maybe my bikes, but I'm just not one of those when it comes to motorized machines I ride on.
So for the past year, instead of thinking of accessorizing my ride, I have been building on my gears. Unlike most motorcycle riders you see on the roads that thinks of ride gears as compliance, I value safety. And of course the style or japorms come with it! So here's a list of Vespa rider's first gears for you:
- Biltwell Helmets - classic ride needs classic head protection
- Biltwell Bonanza - This is my first helmet. Bought it through Amazon on my
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| L-R - Bonanza, Gringo, Lane Splitter (Gringo for sale!) |
trip to Dallas from work. Locally these are sold at around P8,000, I got it for $99! Installed a Biltwell gradient bubble shield to it for that extra face protection from the wind, dust and bugs. Its a nice, comfortable helmet, but the open face feature is not good on the safety part. This made me move to the next helmet:
- Biltwell Lane Splitter - I got this from Cycle Gear on my trip to New Orleans. Since I loved the Bonanza, i went with their full face semi-modern helmet. Its got its own clear shield that I'm planning to replace with a smoke one. The Lane Splitter definitely has some limited vision compared to the Bonanza. I guess its true for most full-face helmets. I've just used it twice since I got it, maybe I can get used to it. So far, vents work and its a bit comfortable. I'm just puzzled by the instructions that there is a film on the inside of the shield, I can't seem to find out how to take it out, not sure if its there at all!
- Ride jackets - some elbow, shoulder and back protection in mesh, textile jackets
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| Komine JK-079 |
- Komine JK-079 - my first bought ride jacket. I did not have any option at the time as I have just bought the motorcycle, and most ride jackets available are too big for my built. I got a Japan size Small that fits my 5'4", 125lbs body quite well. Breathability is good, as I removed the chest armor. For the style, not really a match for a classic motorcycle but its function over form at this time.
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| Is it big on me? |
- Macna Rush Textile Jacket - I got this during the Motoworld Sale. I was supposed to get a Spyderco knife that day but decided on this one as its sale price is acceptable. I got a size Small - a bit on the long side in length but just right on the chest and shoulder. I got it for its style, and so I can fit regular work/office clothes underneath. The Komine is a tight fit, good for breathable shirts only. Breathability is excellent and the style fits the Vespa better than the Komine
- Gloves
- Biltwell Moto Gloves - Yup! stuck with Biltwell. Got this from Amazon, shipped to the Philippines. Most sellers sell this at P2,500 locally. I got it for $29.95, free shipping. its a basic gloves. Not much protection on falls, but I have been used to wearing gloves even on my bikes so I won't pass with the motorcycle. I'm still in the market for some more serious gloves, but this one will have to do for now.
- Bluetooth Audio -
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| Sena SMH5-FM on the Lane Splitter |
- Sena SMH5-FM - I am used to having Waze do the navigating for me in the car, and since having a phone mount on the Vespa seems a bit awkward and unsafe, a headset seems to be a good alternative. I got the Sena for its function. its got limited connectivity in terms of group rides, but in my one year of ownership, I haven't really gone with a serious group ride. The sound quality is not so good (I have my set of audio standards, coming from experience with audio equipment and systems), and the positioning of the Lane Splitter speaker mount is not so optimal to my ears position so it gets worse. But functionality, FM works and bluetooth streaming is okay. I do get annoyed with the slow phone-headset unit connection time. I also bought another set of Sena headset clamp kit so I have two helmets ready for use.
- Ride shoes -
- Dr. Martens Bonny II - I also got this from my trip to NOLA. I have read and heard about using shoes that are slip resistance and that protects your heels. The DMs is a good choice for this as it has the classic, distinct design. Although the Bonny II has slightly weak ankle protection, the sole, material and build is better than your ordinary sneakers.
I also bought a pair of mesh ride pants that's compatible with the Komine jacket but I sold it. Its a bit too sporty to be used on a Vespa with those carbon knee armor sticking out. I guess some reinforced denim ride jeans would be the next buy or some discrete skeleton armor that you wear under your normal pants.
The post is not to brag about getting pricey gears, its about getting them at the cheapest possible price. I wait and find the best deals on gears that based on research is bare minimum. And I did mention that style comes in along with these purchase. But style is not the priority, its protection. How I wish most motorcycle riders consider SAFETY and not just motorcycle riding compliance. Of course there's also proper riding etiquette that keeps you safer, but we'll go through that in a separate article. Ride safe!
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| Viva La Vespa day with the Komine Jacket and Dr. Martens Bonny II |
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| Amazon Locker - great way to pick up your orders! |
