Modern Vespa

If it comes out as advertised, it looks like a departure from the "paint it a different color, put a plate on it, and make it a limited edition" strategy that Piaggio has used in the past for several models.

This one *might* be more of a true collector's edition, but time will tell.

Another thing that occurs to me as I scratch my head over the proportions of the legshield: the jiggering of the proportions necessary to accommodate the 12" wheels looks to me to have pushed the forward end of the floorboard back a little in relation to the front of the seat compared to previous models. I suspect this scoot will not be very comfortable for long-legged riders, and that most riders will be using the full length of that cantilevered seat to maximum advantage.

Not much room for two-up except for really small folks.

I'd have to see one live and sit on it. I'm not sure if I like it or not. It certainly wouldn't replace the Buddy in our garage - no way I'd let one of my teenage boys ride it. I suspect it will be one of those lovely to look at but not willing to spend the $$$$ they'll want for it. I also don't see it as a two up scoot either. Very much Witch's sports car fun analogy.

FWIW, the "logical" storage solution to me would be an under the seat bag like they have for the Ruckus but leather and tailored to fit exactly. It wouldn't be a ton of storage but enough for essentials. Who would want to spoil the looks of that scoot riding with a backpack.

It kind of looks like the seat intends to push the rider back further to accommodate the weird (looking?) leg shield angles.

I would need to have my underseat storage too.

Harv

Alright. Sat on this all night, in my head. I still want this, as horribly impractical as it is for me.

I might have to get rid of a bike or two. Heh.

Something must be covering the turn signals on the inside of the leg shield. I guess it's got trays like the Vespa S.

I was thinking similar.

This seems more a replacement for the Vespa S than the LX. Not on cost, but on style, and lighter storage.

I'm really hoping we in the states see the following lineup:

LX 50
LX 150 3V
946 150 3V with ABS and traction control
GTS 300
GTR 350 with ABS and traction control

Dropping the S 50 and S 150, GTS 300 Super and Super Sport as the GTR will take the performance goer segment. This would give the US market ABS and cheaper non-abs choices.

Not sure where the GTV or LXV would fit in there ... if they would stick with the existing "V"s or eventually move to a GT(R)V 350 or an 946V or LXV with the 150 3V.

Either way I'm drooling for ABS and Traction control on a Vespa.

Anyone care to hazard a guess as to where the evap canister is going to live?

Inside the seat!

No, that's where the gas filler is going to live:

Is it just California that requires one or all 50 states?

It's not out of the question that you just won't get the scooter at all if it's the former.

AFAIK, it's just California. But that's (pulling a number out of my ass) about 80% of the US Vespa market.

The lack of California emissions would make this (likely) a nonstarter in the US.

Oh snap. Here I was kidding and lo, that's actually being used for something.

Dag.

Also: that's kinda bizarro, and halfway cool. It's nto like we don't already lift the seat to get gas, but that's kinda cool.

Thanks.

Of course the follow on question would be what percentage of worldwide sales does the US represent? If this is a permanent addition to the range it will be worthwhile making it fit somewhere for the American market. If its a limited production run that they can easily sell all of them outside the US..... Maybe not.

If it turns out to be a limited/special edition, I wouldn't think we'll see it on this side of the pond. The majority of special edition modern Vespas haven't made it over here, and they've only been special colors/seats/accessory packages. What have we seen? Just the GT60. And except for the VIN and box of goodies, you could very easily turn a GTV into one with a little time and money. Even the average Vespa afficionado likely wouldn't know the difference.

That would be my guess too, offhand.

Any other pages? Don't tell us that came oughta yer ass...

I just realized there is no good place to carry beer on this scooter

More importantly, cup holder.

OR,

But what if I already have a backpack???

Extend shoulder straps of backpack.

You must have missed this thread

I'm guessing that the evap canister has to be higher than the gas tank. If so i wouldn't be surprised if they could still squeeze it in under the seat. Or how about behind the legshield" Albeit with rather long hoses.

Or not at all, if they won't sell this one in the States.

Or maybe they have a new method of accomplishing the same thing as the evap canister, which is to say...nothing.

Californians have to hold out for the electric version. Note the round "hinge" is approximately plug size.

The canister isn't higher than the gas tank on the GT or GTS. That's part of the problem with it.

The MP3 has a much better canister placement, and the evap system on the MP3 fails with much less frequency.

BTW, from what I can tell, this would be a terrible cannonball scoot. Mounting points will be sparse.

In a drawer in my garage.

Win.

They really should make that underseat storage area useful. Maybe some tie holders? Pizza slice compartments? Luncheon meat areas?

Postage stamp storage.

That's where I keep the canister that I liberated from my wife's ET4. It's much safer there. Nothing has will happen to it.

-Craig

It is a neat looking scoot, but without some storage apace, I don't think it would be the one for me.

I just can't see this being here today & gone tommorrow. Piaggio has invested tons in this new design, aluminum body & new engine. Yeah the engine will probably replace the leader engine but still. The ET design morphed into the LX, S & LXV and the GT frame has been used for all large frame MV's since it's introduction in 05. If anything Piaggio could see a limited market & sales and the 46 could be another Paperino but I think they're too far along for that. Is it just me or am I seeing a side stand just underneath the tailpipe?

It's got the same storage as my Primavera and plenty of those were sold. I imagine that racks, gloveboxes & other options will appear if this is successful. Just like with the Primavera.

125cc $pecial edition hotrod? So this is a lot like the ET3 then, even engine access doors & odd duckass seat , just no gears.

Kinda like, but not enough for the kinda premium money expected. I like the aluminum frame, is this the future?

One article says "the use of aluminum in its construction..."and some CAD drawings from a different thread speak to extensive use of aluminum components, but I don't get the impression that the entirety of the body can be expected to be made of aluminum.

If it were, it would require Piaggio dramatically changing their 66 odd year manufacturing process (tradition more like) using steel, or farming out these bodies to an outside entity invested and experienced in aluminum fabrication which Piaggio isn't.

My guess is steel, with much aluminum componentry (more so than any other Vespa being produced).

I cannot see how this seat can support two people. My wife likes the top box behind her when she is a passanger it gives her security.

Agreed, spot welding aluminum is not easy or strong. Sure piaggio knows of other ways to make the frame in aluminum but they are not cost effective in a scooter. Many of the early vespa race frames were riveted together, glue and rivets would work nicely but not likely.

The new picture already shows a departure away from aluminum in the headset back to the current steel bars with plastic covers. I'd expect to see the rear shock move back to a normal configuration as well.