The Platinum Shield Scooter Cover has now been in constant use for over 4 months and I can highly recommend it. Read my review below and contact me if you have specific questions.

Background:

After a cross-the-US trip where my Vespa 250cc GTI was my primary vehicle, it now sits on the hitch carrier behind my RV to be used once I get to a destination. Sitting behind a large vehicle over many miles can be a messy affair! I had purchased a cover at a big box store, but that quickly went to shreds and I got rid of it within months as too much hassle.

Then, end of last summer, I was contacted about testing out a scooter cover. While CarCovers.com doesn’t recommend nor sell their covers for use while on a motorhome, they were aware that was my intention. The description of the material sounded a lot like the high quality car covers my father uses on his sports cars, so I agreed to have them send me a cover in exchange for a review. I was not paid for this review beyond receiving the cover and made it clear to them that I had carte blanche on what I would write.

The Scooter Cover:

I was given a choice of whichever cover in their line that I would like to try out. I, of course, went with their highest quality, the Platinum Shield Scooter Cover. I have a large top box (37L) and was concerned about proper fit over the rear box and frame. They assured me that the covers were designed with this in mind.

The scooter cover arrived in a small box, neatly packed in a plastic bag, but also its own cinch bag. This is made out of the same material as the cover and is a nice way to store the scooter cover when not in use. The material is substantial, with a fleece lining, quite a difference from the previous cover I had purchased for only half the cost. The shape is specifically designed to fit the top case as well as the mirrors. Note, they also sell the cover in variations to fit windshields as well as all sized scooters (along with their motorcycle, car and RV covers.)

Scooter Cover Features that Impressed Me Right Away:

The strap to brace under the frame of the scooter to keep the cover intact is wide with a high quality buckle.

Gussets in the section of the cover that would go over the mirrors and handlebars with overlapping fabric to prevent water from getting inside.

Protective lining fabric on vulnerable areas.

The fleece is very soft, yet doesn’t appear to pill or shed.

Elastic edging around the front and rear bottom edges to give a secure fit. On my particular Vespa, the front elastic is at the perfect length to secure the cover down under the fender.

The front and back are clearly marked and this makes putting the cover on an easy one person job.

A few less than fab points:

The first time I put the cover on, I went to secure it with a bungee cord to the grommets that are placed along the bottom edge. These are made of plastic and broke right away. They offered to send me a new grommet, but I didn’t even think it was necessary. The built in strap is more than adequate to secure the cover, is adjustable and easy to use.

The middle portion of the cover right behind the handlebars is just too big. The abundance of fabric means that if it rains, a puddle is created right over the leg pass-through section and it is annoying to move the water off. I have tried every which way to tug the cover tighter so that this sagging doesn’t occur, to no avail.

When my Vespa is on the carrier, the front wheel is in the straight position (unlike when you park and lock the bike, when you would usually turn the wheel to the side for security) so this should give the best profile for the cover to sit properly. I just think this section is oversized. The contour for the top box and the gussets for the handlebars and mirrors have too much fabric in between.

How I’ve turned this one less than fab point into a positive:

I also travel with a hybrid bike. The cover is large enough, that both fit under it. While this is great for me, it shows that the cover is oversized.

Thanks to Emerson Vineyards in Oregon for the fabulous accommodations!

My Rating of The Scooter Cover from CarCovers.com

I’ve now used this cover for about 4 months and am quite pleased and would give it a 9 out of 10. At one point, I had to leave my Vespa for almost a month and when I returned, the cover was in just the placement in which I’d left it, there was no dust under the cover and the fabric was still just as good as new. Recently, I’ve been in the Pacific North West during horrible wet weather and the cover has protected my scooter completely. Except for having to maneuver the middle section to let the accumulated water run off, the cover has kept my ride dry and relatively dust free. There are a few places on the outside of the cover that have worn off a bit from being rubbed on the frame of my motorhome tire carrier – however, they do not intend for the cover to be on a moving vehicle. That being said, I am rather impressed with how well it has held up. I can expect that I will get quite a long lifetime from the cover and would consider it to be a good investment.

Had I researched and found this scooter cover and bought it on my own, I would be truly happy with the purchase. They are currently listing this top-of-the line cover at a substantial sale, so I think it is an unbelievable value. Honestly, their full retail would also be worth the investment. If you love your scooter as much as I love my Vespa, it is nice to get an accessory
that can make your investment last longer by keeping it clean and protected.

Here’s the exact cover I am now using daily:

http://www.carcovers.com/covers/scooter/scooter-with-rear-box-up-to-300cc.html

Compensation note: I was not paid to write this review, but did receive the cover from CarCovers.com at no expense to me. Links in this review are not affiliate links, however, I do have affiliate links in other sections of the site and articles for which I may be compensated if you click on the link and decide to purchase. That’s cool and helps us all, thanks!

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Please note: I am going to “name names” of the mechanics and shops along the way. They were all incredible and not at all the cause of the problems, so please don’t read this that way. This was an accumulation of knowledge and circumstances that allowed me to solve the 2 Vespa tire issues I bring up here. I am truly grateful for the service I’ve received from each shop who has worked on my bike along the journey and want to give credit where due. I am solely responsible for caring for my own bike, particularly since I travel so much that no one shop looks after the bike to get to know it thoroughly.

Part 1:

In June, I traded out my vintage 150cc for the currently owned 2008 Vespa 250GTS. It had ~4000 miles on it, the usual life expectancy of tires, and they had never been replaced as far as anyone knew. First scooter shop looked them over, we decided they could easily make it on my shakedown run from Connecticut to Maine and back. They inflated them and put on a fresh valve stem cover and cap.

37 miles out of town, I’m humming along and come upon a curve and start to hear a metallic sound I didn’t like. I was at the merge of two small highways, so after the merge, I made my way to the shoulder. Good thing, as the tire went flat as I was moving right. (***) Dumped the bike, landed on soft dirt. I was fine, so was Purl and the bike was not really worse for it.

After another rider came along and helped me get the bike up, I inspected the tire and couldn’t find a puncture. I had a compressor with me, but the tire wouldn’t hold air. I realized the valve stem was damaged. Another rider (The amazing Steve, thanks, man!) stopped, conferred with me, went home and got his trailer! The equally amazing people at Scooter Centrale stayed late on a Saturday and said to bring the bike in.

Might as well just do the anticipated tire replacement now. Options given. I believe in getting the very best possible that I can possibly afford. The Michelin City Grips were recommended. Most expensive, but also more than double the rated miles, so it was a good call.

The awesome mechanic, Pete, noticed that the internal component of the valve stem was missing from the original tire. I let him know that I believe I did that when I was trying to fix the tire by the side of the road. So I quickly dismissed this as being the problem. (Might as well put another *** here now!)

As with any new tire, it’s best to go less than 50 mph for the first 50-100 miles or so, to make sure the manufacturer’s outer residue is worn off. So I meandered north, the bike felt a bit weird, but I chalked it up to the coating on the tires. The next morning, determined to get to Maine, I set off. After 50 miles or so, I started to increase speed and nothing felt right. I stopped at a gas station to see if the wheel lugs needed tightening. All was totally fine with the installation.

There is a section of highway with awesome curves that I was looking forward to. The bike felt truly weird at this point, and I could hardly steer right. Plus, it was bouncing all over the place and I had to maintain a death grip on the handlebars Remember, this was a bike I barely knew, so all sorts of thoughts were swirling in my head. It was as if I was driving a different bike from the one I had picked up.

By the time I got to Maine, I had, forgive the visual, actually thrown up from the combination of nerves and jitteriness of the bike. Along the way, I jumped on some Vespa forums and realized about 1 out of every 5 posts about tires referred to a Head Wobble in the Vespa 250 and how different tires affected it. The Michelin City Grips were cited time and again, although there were people who said they solved their wobble problems. Not mine!

The 2 coastal Vespa shops are nowhere near our house in Maine, so I contacted a local motorsports shop, Mike’s Cycle, and they ordered a set of the Continental Zippy II. I know! Cheapest scooter tire on the market, but lots of people were stating this solved their problems. Within a minute of getting back on, the bike felt back to “normal.”

Part 2:

Mechanically unadventurous ride all through the East. Excited for my shop visit and service to Pride of Cleveland Scooters. What a terrific and well stocked shop and service department! They did an oil change and replaced the drive belt (at my asking) but didn’t try to push me toward service that wasn’t needed. The rollers looked good, I was grateful for a very reasonable bill. And lots of fun with the staff for Purl!

Purl never wanted to leave Pride of Cleveland Scooters! What a great shop!

Somewhere along the line, I left the rear valve stem cap. I believe in regularly checking tire pressure, at least daily on this kind of long trip. (I now remind myself to put the cap in my pocket, not on the ground) So I asked them to put one on, and they had these cool looking metal valve stem covers and caps in pink! Our favorite shade of it, too. (Oh, for the heck of it, let’s put another set of *** here!)

First time I checked the pressure after that, I noticed the cap was showing the silver under the pink. Noticed… but didn’t really take notice. (***!)

After I left Cleveland, I found a road called Defiance Pike. Some of the most delicious, straight on, two lane highway riding a girl could ask for on Independence Day. I literally screamed and sang my way through 50 miles of awesomeness. Then, in the fashion to which I had grown accustomed, it started to rain. I noticed a sign for a winery and figured it would be better to stop and even just check it out (no drinking while riding!) then to dampen my spirits. As I turned right (***) the tire went flat.

It might have taken me a bit, but when there once again is no puncture, I finally realized it was a valve stem issue. The metal of the new cap was getting more beaten up, so it was hitting on something.

Inflated the tire, it held, I went on my way. Now to a 65mph highway, tire seemed fine, made it easily, came to the exit ramp, and you guessed it, banked right and the tire went flat. Genius that I am, let’s put it all together now… centrifugal force against the overly stiff valve stem was causing it to hit something at just the wrong spot. Inflated, again (sure glad I listened to fellow rider Matt who told me to grab a compressor for my journey!) and it held just enough to get to my hotel for the night. But I knew I was screwed if I didn’t get it fixed.

Part 3:

Do you have any idea just how many motorsports shops closed for the long holiday weekend? I was in Fort Wayne, Indiana, not a small town, and all but the Harley shop was closed. So I decided to bring my baby bike over and see if they would help their little Italian cousin out.

Oh Osborn Harley of Fort Wayne, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways!

I went in with an idea of what was going on, but definitely wanted the opinion of a pro. Without hesitation, they had me roll the Vespa into their shop and 3 guys went about testing every aspect of the tire rotation. Thankful for the Vespa center stand, they were able to soap it up, roll it around, spin it like crazy… and we all came to the same conclusion. There was nothing wrong with my tire. It was the stiffer than necessary valve stem cover causing the problem. They removed the metal cover and cap and replaced it with rubber. All in all, 45 minutes of meticulous work. Guess what they charged me? A handshake. That’s right. And they added a smile and well wishes for the trip and playtime with Purl.

So grateful they didn’t discriminate against the baby bike!

Nary a problem since, despite checking every 100 miles and riding a bit nervous for a while. Until…

Part 4, I Guess!

The current wait time is due purely to my own stupidity. Nothing else can be blamed when one decides to take I-40 during a monsoon and is forced onto a shoulder with tons of stones thrown from the big trucks. I didn’t get a puncture, I got a nasty slice in the tire. A plug will hold long enough to get off the highway, but a slice will only increase in length along the grooves.

The arrival of Silas to tow the Vespa in his El Camino was epic and a perfect punctuation for this day.

However, I’m happy to say, at this point we had 3000+ miles on the tires and the tread was still plenty deep. I even asked River Rat Motorsports, who retrieved me from the highway rest stop (in epic El Camino style!), to replace both tires while they were at it and they said the front tire was in too good condition to waste with replacing it. (Kudos for giving up potential profit on the repair.) The Continental Zippy Scooter Tires ended up to be a true road worthy tire! Pirelli has discontinued the tire that originally shipped with the bike, so I’m sticking with this brand as long as I can.

*** The saga was long, but I hope you learned some things to keep an eye out for. The valve stem comes incredibly close to the support arm (on my bike, but I’m sure on others) and turning to the right at speed may force them against one another if the valve stem isn’t flexible enough.

The Continental Zippy ended up to be the right choice for this bike. The head wobble is now minimal, the tire has stood up to rain, sun, desert temps and many many miles.

If you are still here…thanks! And let me know in the comments what your tire set-up is and anything you’ve learned along the miles. Certainly if you still have questions, ask me and I’ll see if I can help!

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The single best tip was to get Cramp Busters. So simple in design, but so helpful for keeping control of the throttle with ease. I decided to get one for each handlebar, since my left wrist has been problematic since a few bad days with the vintage bike.

One of the aspects I like the best is that the position can be changed so easily. There are times when I am running along at 55+ mph for a while, but then hit slower stretches. The ease of moving the position means I can adjust for the different throttle angles quickly and without even letting go of the handlebars.

Even if you aren’t doing long distances, I think you will enjoy how the Cramp Busters relax your hands and allow you to change up your grip. Very inexpensive accessory that gives a terrific bang for the buck.

Be careful, though, you can unintentionally hit the paddle portion and accelerate, so make sure you are aware of its presence.

See you on the road!

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The 2008 Vespa GTS was acquired in a trade in Connecticut, so I popped in to Scooter Centrale/ Vespa Hartford to get a front rack.

I was greeted by Megan who is super knowledgeable about all things scooter related. One intended accessory purchase turned into kitting out the whole bike. I never expected to find everything I needed in-stock at one location, so this was an awesome surprise. Their inventory is extensive and on point, both scooters and everything one needs to go along with riding.

Top case, saddlebags, front rack, crash bars, security device, even a fun keychain. They had it all. They advised me to get CrampBusters, which have ended up to be priceless.

Timing was perfect, as they were having their Mod Monkey Garage Night and the topic was… installing accessories. So I returned later that evening to have the Vespa done up. Check out the episode:

Peter and Mike, the service technicians, were very professional and technically skilled. I was given advise on different choices, everything was put on with care and we had a ton of fun. I was impressed with everything about this Vespa shop!

I was taking a test run up to Maine and back so we decided to hold off on service/ oil change and new tires until I was on the way back. Yeah, that was the plan.

The next day, as I was heading north, I got a flat. On a Saturday at 4:30pm. An incredible fellow rider got me back to the shop (story in another post!) and Peter and Megan waited for me, even though this was past their hours. How fantastic is that? New tires and I was once again on my way.

If you are anywhere in this area, far or close, do not hesitate to head to Vespa Hartford/ Scooter Centrale. You will be well taken care of, I am certain.

Special shout out to the relatively new owner, Dr Michael Maroon. He is moving this long-standing shop forward with some terrific touches, a fun vibe and a great group camaraderie. He’s been smart to retain Peter and Megan, they are stellar. And, he can apply stickers like no one I’ve ever seen.

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