Modern Vespa

Help me decide

Vesps 08 GTV 250 for $5300 with 520 miles and scratch on rear finder
Piaggio 09 MP3 500 for $5700 trunk and tall shield with 2200 miles

I know these are not for the same use. But my Goldwing is going and amini cooper conv. is in the near future.

But having a hard time making a choice???
RB

I have a 09 GTV. Love it. Its VERY similar to the GTS except for dash, fender light, chrome wheels, and seat. Most hate the seat. Seems like those 5'10 or so are very cramped. I'm 5'9 or 10" and fit fine. If I'm cramped, I'm used to it. Many love the styling of the GTV but hate the seat and have replaced them with custom seats. Most taht don't do the "seat mod" to raise the seat nose. THere are also many that don't like the GTV but that's subjective. One person has both a GTS and GTV and says there is no road lighting difference between the two models. The GTV does attract attention.

The local dealer lets me take various bikes when I'm in for service. I took a MP3-500 once for the day. I've always found the MP3 extremely stable, comfortable and with plenty of power. OTOH, its heavier (or feels like it) and I didn't think the low end torque was that much different that the 250. I didn't test it on the freeway. It also has lots of storage. Its also quite a bit bigger. Its the size that is my biggest problem with it since I can't fit it into my space.

Reality is that I don't think you can go wrong with either. Personally, I like the Vespa "look" better than the MP3.

Just my opinion. I'm sure others will offer opinions.

Best
Miguel

They're both great bikes! I'm also a bit partial to the GTV though, as I have one myself.

I'd say consider basing the decision on what you're likely to want to use a new bike for. The GTV is great for in the city, and has plenty of power for jaunts on the freeway or out of town if you wish. It's relatively light and nimble compared to most motorcycles, and you really can't top it as far as retro styling goes. It's the classiest Vespa currently out there, and generally has enough power and storage for most scooter folks out there to do whatever they need it to.

The MP3 is a pretty awesome beast as well (and yes, I've ridden one quite a bit). The 500 will be more comfortable for larger and faster roads. It's obviously got fantastic stability, and there's nothing else out there like it. It'll get just as much attention as a Vespa, and twice the questions. It is not, however, quite as nimble on the city streets, and has a much wider turning radius (though a skilled rider isn't going to have any issues, it just takes more getting used to than most other scoots). But it's so freaking cool and has so many neat features, even I wouldn't hesitate to get one if I ever get the chance.

The MP3 looks like the better deal, but it is not a Vespa.

The price for the 08 Vespa seems very high to me?

Such different bikes...


Like comparing a lion and a dolphin....


Which one makes you smile the widest?


I personally think the GTV will look much better next to your mini..


But I have one so am biased.....the GTV is pure class I.m.h.o..

Where as the MP3 is a novelty...a fast stable practical well engineered novelty...

But a novelty none the less...

I would love one b.t.w but if there is only room in my garbage for one bike it's a GTV/S

250 or 300 all the way..

The two scooters are 180 degrees apart from each other. It really comes down to which one suits your needs.

The price on the GTV is absurdly high. I bought an 08 GTV (two and a half years ago) with 600 miles on the odometer. It was in "as new" condition, had Vespa crash bars, Vespa trunk and a couple of other extras. I paid $4300 for it. The one you're looking at isn't worth a penny over $4000 at the high end and around $3600 on the low end. Good luck with your choice.

My obvious bias aside the MP3 does look like the better deal though I have seen some slightly better.

While I have never done a comparison your maintenance costs will probably be higher with the MP3. The biggest problem common problem I have seen on these boards with the MP3 is that some suffer wear indentations on the steering bearing races cause by incorrect pre-load on the retaining nut. This is lovingly referred to as "The Notch" on the MP3 side and is a pain in the ass to fix. You may want to do some searches there for "The Notch" and research some of the posts there just keep in mind that while you will mostly see posts with problems know that most of us have had thousands of trouble free miles on MP3's. Or at least no more troubles than many other models. Nobody starts a thread like. "Just checking in. No problems"

I prefer the GTV. It is big enough to take on the highway and still small enough to get around in my garage. Since I swapped my 02 MB Ccoupe for a 13 Mini Cooper S, I no longer hit knock my door getting out and I can get my scooter in and out without moving my car.

I prefer smaller.

your little late to the party, the op selected the MP3

Consider it for posterity.

I had the hots for a MP3 500 until I rode one. I was amazed at how easy it was to ride fast. Several buddies and I did a long ride this past summer and wound up having to take a gravel road down hill for some distance or turn around and back track for 20 miles or so. One friend was riding his MP3 500 and the other was on a MP3 400. They were both horrified at the end of the gravel road jaunt that was of little consequence for my 250gts. The friend with the 400 sold his a short time later and they've both talked frequently about their experience on gravel. Needless to say, I've lost my interest for various reasons, but I felt the thing was a bit too easy to ride at speed and considering the inherent weirdness of the vehicle, I could see a get off as a good probability.

Well, that is a criticism you usually don't hear . You might conclude from this that a GTS is inherently slow.... and thus safer. Not actually true, of course. A GTS goes about as fast as you would ever desire on 12" wheels IMO.

I was trying to convey that the MP3 500 was an amazing bike, but I found myself not comfortable knowing that I didn't know it's characteristics at speed and found myself uncomfortable in this position. I agree that the gts is a fast little bike, but set up properly, they perform and handle like a small sport bike. I have experience with the handling characteristics of 2 wheeled bikes, thus I feel comfortable riding my gts. The MP3 is big, has 3 wheels and has a lot of weight in the front, especially if you find yourself at your limit and having to chop the throttle mid turn. I sense it would under steer and could find itself where I wouldn't wan't to be. Not everyone rides as I do, so I'm sure this might not be a worry for everyone. Considering self preservation, and several friends who are experienced riding 2 wheels who had scary experiences riding MP3s, I'll pass.

^^^yes!

BTW, this past summer, I saw 97 mph on the speedo of my gts on the interstate heading down a steep grade that's about 2 miles in length with little traffic and wind. I'm not sure how fast I was actually going, but I assume 83 to 84 + mph. My scoot was very stable and felt as if I had a little more since I hadn't seen the rev limiter. Max at ScootersWest tells me that the owner has a 250 with the Malossi motor tweaks and variator that regularly sees 92 on a GPS. I don't see the 12 inch wheels as an issue if the scooter is set up properly and the tires are good, appropriate and balanced. My friend's MP3 500 was going 106 on flat land according to my Ducati's speedo. Probably 94 to 96?

I tend to disagree. Folks who are scared on gravel are scared on gravel no matter what they ride.

While the MP3's are a bit more to handle because of the front end weight they do ok just like most scooters on gravel. Skill is what it takes to ride in adverse conditions.

I have rode many of dirt bikes down gravel roads at high speeds and because of the knobby tires you can. When you try street tires on gravel thats a whole nother story no matter what it is.