Renting scooters in Assisi

I guess the first question many of us would have is how much experience do you already have under your belt in operating a scooter? If little to none, the standard advice is that Italy is no place to learn how to do that.

We went to Bermuda for our honeymoon, and the airline captain pleaded with the passengers not to rent scooters. He said that he had transported too many people back in coffins.

The "country" roads near Assisi can be quite rough--not a place for scooters. You won't be able to ride in Assisi as the central area is essentially a pedestrian-only zone. If you want to see the countryside, first read up on driving in Italy--then, if you still want to drive, rent a car.

Good for you for exploring what your options might be. That said, a scooter is a terrible idea. If you really don't want to rent a car, look into the buses.

As mentioned earlier it depends on your experience. I usually rent mid-sized motorcycles. 650CC. And bring our own helmets. All I'm posting here applies to motorcycles that you can use on the A roads. Yes, you will need a license and an IDP. Pros: You get to park pretty much where you want for free. ZTLs don't apply. Though some local police may want to aurgue over that. You always can get to the head of the line at a stop. You get to smell, and BE IN, the envirmonent you are riding through. Its a life time experience.
Cons: You have to be vigilant and look over the rental, to make sure everything works, before renting it. Small gas fills don't work on the A roads for pre-pay gas stations. Other local riders in Italy have a Mad Max attitude to riding. There are few, if any rules. They will pass you on the right and other things that are not expected if your experience is in riding in the US.. And they only have two speeds: Idle and Wide Open Throttle.
The locals know that a motoreenie will take any advantage; they are use to this. So you have to drive very aggressively to fit in with this dance. You don't get to hesitate. Hesitation confuses the auto drivers.

And the one thing Francis did not mention, is there are likely to be tourists in cars gawking at the scenery or trying to figure out where to go or both.
Watching out for you may not at the top of their 'to do ' list.

Some of the cars there are not much bigger than a golf cart. Just rent a small car, if that is the experience you want.

Please don't try this. We had friends who moved to Rome for 2 years and the husband got into two accidents on his scooter with one requiring a trip to the ER. It really isn't as romantic as it sounds.

Truck drivers have colorful nicknames for various kinds of drivers. You know how they refer to people riding motorcycles?

"Organ donors."

Something to keep in mind. If you do this (and I hope you don't), be sure your travel insurance includes good coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.

I suspect many people who consider a scooter, have seen a movie with the characters doing it.

They fail to realize it is stunt drivers on closed roads, or 'movie magic' done in a studio.

Do you have a death wish? I have owned and driven scooters and cycles. I would not want to drive either in Italy or a number of other countries. Please play it safe.

Fellow travelers...….. Thank you all so much for your responses. I haven't laughed this much in a while. After viewing some beautiful pictures of the Assisi countryside, this seemed like a romantic, exciting, idea. After reading some of your responses, you've brought me back to reality and it's actually pretty funny. Imagine two rather large grandparents wearing goofy helmets and stuffed on a tiny Vespa bouncing up a narrow bumpy road with a half a dozen locals trying to pass us. They may not understand the English cursing but they may understand the hand gestures. No more talk of organ donations, coffins, hospitals and such is necessary. Ha!!! What the hell was I thinking??

Sure hope the webmaster sees this and includes it for consideration of the 'post of the month'