Can I ride a Vespa scooter on CA highways?

Question

Hi,

I'm a potential Vespa scooter buyer. I live in East Bay, California and work in San Francisco, California. The distance is around 30 miles, and most part as you can imagine is highway (includes crossing a bridge). Can I ride a Vespa scooter on a highway? And are some certain Vespa scooters highway legal? I tried to find some information on the internet, but most people told Honda is the best choice for highways. But the thing is I really don't like the look and feel and the idea of Honda scooters. Can you please inform me about the highway/interstate use of Vespa scooters? Rules and Regulations?

The models I'm planning to buy is in the range of 150cc to 200cc. And the potential highways I will be riding it will be 580 East/West, 880 and 101 South/North. This includes crossing either Bay Bridge or San Mateo Bridge (Maybe Dumbarton Br)

Thanks,

Dane

Answer 1

You need the Vespa with the bigger engine to be able to ride on the highway. Also, you need a motorcycle license.

Answer 2

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RE:
Can I ride a Vespa scooter on CA highways?
Hi,

I'm a potential Vespa scooter buyer. I live in East Bay, California and work in San Francisco, California. The distance is around 30 miles, and most part as you can imagine is highway (includes crossing a bridge). Can I ride a Vespa scooter on a highway? And are some certain Vespa...

Answer 3

Dane,
In California, a 150 cc MC is freeway legal.
Some 150's are faster than others.
My scooter is freeway fast, I take 880/580 and Bay Bridge from the East Bay to the City.
880 N is pretty bad, pavement wise.

You need to test different bikes to find one that fits you and feels right to you.

While you are in the City, visit some dealers like San Francisco Scooter Centre. They can show you some great scooters & help you with advice.

There is a MC /scooter show at the San Mateo Conv. Center this Fri, Sat, Sun. If you have an M1, you can ride demo's there.
LAura

Answer 4

It's in the DMV handbook.... YES you can ride a Vespa on the freeway as long as it meets the DMV requirements. You'll need a 250+cc to achieve the speeds you'll want to keep up the flow of traffic. And don't forget the helmet! I'm also in the East Bay, work in San Francisco and am looking to buy a Vespa myself.

Answer 5

Freeway Legal Scooter

Answer 6

absolutely, the gts 250 vespa is fuel injected and can reach speeds of 75 mph, which is more then enough for any highway in cali. it is however more expensive at $5,800 brand new. there is also the granturismo, which has 200cc and shoud be capable of a least 65, and this one is $5,200 new, so you may want to find a japanese scooter if your not fixed on a vespa, unless you go for used.

Answer 7

Depends on model- 150cc is minimum for interstate highway sytem and California has the same 150c class break for beginners and highway use. Dino rides his scooter on California highways, doesn't race but seem to keep up with main traffic and doesn't get tickets.

Answer 8

I do not know what the laws are but with a 150cc engine you will have to run with a Wide Open Throttle (WOT) to even get the scoot to do about 55 to 60 mph. Running with a WOT for anything more than just a short distance is just asking for engine problems all the way to destroying the engine. If you are going more than just a couple of miles you need to get at least a 250cc scoot/cycle not only for the safety of the engine but also yourself (to keep up with traffic).

The 150cc engines have more problems than the 250cc.

Answer 9

As long as it meets the required engine size(cc's) and has the required safety equipment(turn signals, headlight, etc.) then you should be good to go. You will also need a motorcycle license and a helmet. Check with the DMV and/or Highway Patrol for specifics.

Answer 10

Keep it simple and take Dan's advice. Besides all this hassle with the license, most people move around once a year in college, even if you're in an apartment. It's nice to keep the same address for everything (your parent's address) and not have to continually update everything.