Modern Buddy

Any ideas on a way to secure items in the front storage section? I had some papers in mine that blew out. I'd love to secure some type of cargo net on it.

Carry a little metal or plastic box or folder that you can put papers in and they won't blow out. Or better yet, put 'em under the seat.

--Keys

hmmm.... perhaps a backpack or messenger bag?

Have you considered duct taping the papers to the inside of the storage area? I bet that would work also.

Dave

Trapper Keeper.

Find a rock that will just barely fit in, put it on top of the papers.

Or you could put the papers somewhere else, as others have already suggested.

I feel for you. I sometimes put maps in there when I'm going somewhere new. I've found that a big "Chip Clip" holds my papers in place and is big enough that I don't have any trouble with it when I'm wearing gloves. Good luck!

Jody

The front compartment is not a good place for anything light weight. The compartment isn't sealed so airflow through it can be pretty brisk. I tried riding with an empty plastic shopping bag balled up and pushed into the compartment. A quick ride through an empty parking lot had me chasing down the bag as it fluttered gracefully in the wind.

There's not much I'll keep in that compartment now. Gloves sometimes, and they seem to stay put. A water bottle for longer rides maybe.

The real problem for us as riders is if we continue to use the compartment for carrying stuff we may find ourselves distracted while riding. I know that I tend to look down at the compartment if I have something in it. This isn't good, and I know I'm better off riding with it empty. I used to like the open compartment but the fact that air flows through it is a bit of a design flaw.

ericalm wrote:Trapper Keeper.

Win!

I haven't had any problems with front storage bin actually. I've had papers and maps and wallet and garage door opener and canvas grocery bags there.

At least on the 07 model, the left side (the side with the 12 volt plug) actually goes in really deep, so you can cram a lot of stuff there. And, like someone else above said, it's usually a good idea to make sure that things are wedged in somehow, using what you have. For example, when I put my wallet in there, I put it sideway so that it doesn't just roll around when I'm riding. When I have paper, I wedge it into the back on the left side below the 12 volt plug.

I wish both sides were that wide. If they were, I wouldn't have to decide between carrying my purse there or my 44 ounce Coca cola.

250koala wrote:I wish both sides were that wide. If they were, I wouldn't have to decide between carrying my purse there or my 44 ounce Coca cola.

softdrinks are evil

Thanks for the suggestions.
What's a trapper keeper?
Bag Clip seems the best idea so far.
Have to admit I'm a bit covetous of the glove compartment on Vespas...wish I could figure out how to put an actual top on the compartment.

What's a trapper keeper?

You are probably not a South Park fan as it was spoofed relentlessly on one episode.

It's a school organizer manufactured by Meade mainly used by middle schoolers.

Google it and if so inclined see the South Park episode!

Have to admit I'm a bit covetous of the glove compartment on Vespas

Locking glove boxes aren't necessarily better, just different. For example, my old Mojito had a locking glove box. Problem was, if you wanted access to the glove box while riding, you had to pull over, shut down the scoot, pull the key out of the ignition and use it on the glove box.

gt1000 wrote:

Have to admit I'm a bit covetous of the glove compartment on Vespas

Locking glove boxes aren't necessarily better, just different. For example, my old Mojito had a locking glove box. Problem was, if you wanted access to the glove box while riding, you had to pull over, shut down the scoot, pull the key out of the ignition and use it on the glove box.

On the Vespas, you don't have to remove the key. You just push inwards on the key, while the scoot is running if you like, and it pops the box open. It's a bit stiff sometimes but it works.

kat wrote:What's a trapper keeper?

kat wrote:What's a trapper keeper?

The most advanced portable paper storage and organization solution available.

http://www.trapperkeeper.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trapper_Keeper

It's come a long ways since I was a kid in the '80s. Ours were these huge plastic and velcro contraptions much like what poli posted above (thanks for the visuals!). Now they're slim portfolios. Kids are much more sophisticated.

I guess being the younger brother of a truly 70's child...I got the crappy manilla ones with like the horrible graphics of soccer, or basketball...and they were hand-me-downs from my older brother!

Tbone wrote:I guess being the younger brother of a truly 70's child...I got the crappy manilla ones with like the horrible graphics of soccer, or basketball...and they were hand-me-downs from my older brother!

Those were called "Pee Chee" Folders. I know...random.

axiom007 wrote:

Tbone wrote:I guess being the younger brother of a truly 70's child...I got the crappy manilla ones with like the horrible graphics of soccer, or basketball...and they were hand-me-downs from my older brother!

Those were called "Pee Chee" Folders. I know...random.

I have friends who can wax nostalgic at great length about the Pee-Chee folders. Maybe they're a regional thing, because I never saw one when I was a kid in Texas so had to have them explained to me.

I read about PeeChees in Judy Blume books! I'd always imagined them to be like Trapper Keeper folders...good to see I was right.

Ah peechees the only approved folder for my private school. Took some serious lobbying from students and parents who couldn't find them to allow other brands in. Apparently kittens and cartoons were too distracting.

Pee-Chees were the coolest when I was in school.