Ratgeber für eine Tour auf Vespa oder Lambretta

The right preparation and equipment

Thanks to our many scooter tours, which we have been undertaking for years through half of Europe, we now know pretty well what you should pack - and what you shouldn't pack. We are happy to pass on our experience so that you are spared unpleasant situations. And we know that space on a Vespa or Lambretta is limited. Nobody wants to climb challenging South Tyrolean mountain passes or master the narrow coastal roads of Corsica with 50 kilograms of luggage. The Vespa world travellers who occasionally stop off at SIP Scootershop have also given us good tips and suggestions for the perfect equipment. But before you pack your Bags, the scooter should be checked. Then the journey begins.

Check Ya Vespa!

Before you start your Vespa or Lambretta and ride off towards the sun, you should carry out a few quick checks. What about the tyre tread? The Brake Pads? Are the light bulbs working? Is everything well oiled? In this Video we show you how to get your scooter ready for the season.

Spare parts & tools

Our pros Olli and Jesco are responsible for this before the tours and at the end of this blog you will find a detailed list of all the spare parts and tools they recommend for a multi-day tour.

And what else?

It's best to make a personal checklist of the things you don't want to forget: passport, insurance certificate, international health insurance, papers and, of course, your driving licence.

Do you need some cash (in the local currency?) for toll stations, bridges or ferries? Which credit cards are accepted in the respective country? What other (traffic-related) particularities do you need to be aware of in the destination country? If you're travelling in remote areas, it can't hurt to check the petrol stations and pack a spare canister if necessary. It may all sound a bit dramatic, but we've experienced all sorts of bizarre stories. There's nothing that doesn't exist ..

What's the best way to pack luggage on my Vespa?

Opinions differ, of course, but we can give you one good piece of advice: Don't take a Backpack on a longer journey. Back pain is guaranteed and the tour will soon become an ordeal. If you just want to take a quick trip to the lake or beer garden, there's nothing wrong with a lightweight Backpack or Drawstring Bag. Fortunately, there is a suitable front or rear Luggage Carrier for every model of scooter. And that's exactly why we have developed the Classic series under the SIP Style label. These are Bags in various sizes and colours for Luggage Carriers. We have developed Bags especially for the Vespa, which can be stored in the spare wheel or in the Gloves or Glovebox. As they hardly take up any space and have been developed precisely for the requirements of scooter riders, they are very popular. And, last but not least, there are Bags that are attached to the Handlebar. As you can see, the choice is huge. If you decide in favour of a Luggage Carrier, then also think about Lashing Belts or Luggage Nets.

The waterproof Luggage Roll, with a capacity of up to 36 litres, which can be strapped to the carrier, is also popular. However, many of our riders swear by a Bag that is stored in the step-through between the legs. It may take some getting used to at first, but in the long run it is extremely practical and easy to use. The insider tip from our pros!

What should I definitely pack for the Vespa tour?

We don't think we need to tell you about a change of clothes and Toilet Bag. Everyone has to know for themselves what they need on holiday and what they don't want to do without. You're only limited by the size of the Bag you've chosen. However, we do have a few tips:

Rainwear should never be missing and should be packed ready to hand. Make sure it packs small and is easy to see in poor visibility conditions. You can find everything you need to know about Rain Suit and Rain Jacket in our guide to rainwear.

As mentioned above, we recommend lightweight containers for a Towel, bikini, drinks or snacks for day trips. There are lightweight Backpacks and Drawstring Bags in our programme that should meet all requirements. Our guide to Backpacks and Shoulder Bags should help here.

If you're travelling to really inhospitable climes, as many a Vespa globetrotter does, you should look into bad weather protection, where we can recommend many products from heated grips to Leg Covers. However, if you are planning a tour through Tuscany in summer, you can safely do without them. Then it's more about the right clothing, and we'll get to that now.

What should I wear during the scooter tour?

We used to take a relaxed approach to this topic and everyone wore what they thought was right. One of us rode in a T-Shirt with flip-flops, the other in a leather jacket and heavy boots. But experience has taught us a thing or two and now everyone wears protective clothing on our tours, because a fall at 100 km/h can have fatal consequences.

What's more, clothing that offers real protection on a scooter has developed rapidly in recent years. There are lightweight jackets and vests that offer AAA safety levels. We have Jeans that look casual but are tough and tear-resistant thanks to special materials. This also applies to Shoes, Gloves and other protective clothing. We recommend our detailed guides on these topics.

Of course you'll be wearing a Helmet, but there are now also considerable differences and it's best to browse through our range of Helmets & Visors - with lots of tips on safety, the right size and more.

Useful helpers for travelling

Even if the aim is to take as little luggage and bells and whistles with you as possible, there are still a few little things that make life easier or are indispensable on the road. At the top of this list is the first aid kit, which should definitely not be missing. First aid can be extremely important and it's best to have someone with you who can remember the last first aid course. If a roadside repair is necessary, High-Visibility Vests are essential so that other road users can see you in good time.

The USB Charging Device for your mobile phone is small, lightweight and can be operated with 6 or 12 volts. It would be a shame if your sat nav suddenly ran out of juice and you were heading nowhere. And this sat nav can be securely attached to the steering wheel with a Holder so that you don't lose track or have to drive one-handed. And finally, we offer you locks, GPS Trackers and Alarm Systems, because unfortunately there are thieves everywhere.

We hope this blog has given you a few good tips for the scooter tours you might want to take in the future. In any case, we wish you lots of fun and a safe journey at all times. Ride on!

The lists for spare parts and tools

Spare parts

• Spark Plug

• Spark Plug Resistor Cap

• Screws and nuts in the usual sizes

• The most important special bolts (e.g. Flywheel and Clutch)

• Universal cables

• Cable Nipples

• Oil Seal Set

• Gasket Set

• Piston

• Clutch (at least linings, bronze bushings and Nut)

• Connecting Rubber Carburettor

• Reed Valve Petals

• Bulbs

• Spare wheel or Inner Tube

• Ignition: Stator and CDI

• Cotter Pins

• Woodruff keys (disc springs)

Tools in general

• Water pump pliers

• Pointed Pliers

• Side Cutters

• Set of open-end spanners

• Set of Socket Spanners

• Phillips and slotted screwdriver

• Knife

• Air Pump

• If required: Hexagon socket

• If possible: Hammer

Special tool

• Plug spanner

• Spring puller

• Flywheel and Clutch Puller and Bracket

• Special spanner e.g. crown nut for Vespa

• Puller Tool: e.g. Brake Drum on Lambretta

Universal helpers and tools

• Set of cable connectors

• Insulating Tape

• Some grease

• Oil

• Universal cleaner

• Cloth

• Sealing Compound

• Occasionally very useful: Hand washing detergent for travelling