Modern Vespa

Going to test ride one this weekend, hope I dont like it since the color choices dont really tickle my fancy

Does anyone know if there are additional colors coming stateside at any time, or if its even cost effective to order replacement panels in any of the Euro market colors and change it out?

Nope.... colors will stay the same for a while.

A Black, Black Blackity Black model would be cool.

But NO!

Repainting the removeable panels on any plastic paneled scooter is fairly simple and cost effective. The catch with the current US BV 350s would be if you don't like the burgundy seat - or you want different colors for the panels that really don't work with burgundy. Recovering or replacing the seat ups the ante a bit. I would like to see Piaggio bring at least one more color combination here that uses a black seat. Then riders would have true choices. (I personally think the silver and the black both look pretty sharp, but choices are always good )

The textured burgundy inner plastic is kind of the deal wrecker, I had my Mp3 re-painted but with black inner plastic it wasnt such a monumental project.

Agree that at leat one addiional color option would be great.

I'm sure all the parts are available overseas but it would end up costing way too much to convert. One thing that would be a MUST in my book would be to convert the gas cap set up to the European version. Two separate pieces that are part of the U.S. version is problematic for me. If they came in a color combo that I would like I would make that gas cap change and I'd have the best scooter on the planet. But with the current color combos and the gas cap situation I think I'm going to have to look at another manufacturer. Sad, because I think the BV350 is nearly perfect. If I would have won the Powerball yesterday I'd be ordering parts from Italy right this moment...

Bob

If I would have won the Powerball yesterday I would be ordering a waterfront villa in Italy

California isnt a Powerball state, and I dont even have a BV350

Is the Euro gascap minus the removeable door?

I told everyone in my office that if I won the Powerball yesterday that they could become rich too by selling the message that I would have left on the answering machine this morning to every entertainment outlet they could. I've been practicing my "send off"..... But I guess I'll have to wait until next weeks lottery...

I'd order all black textured panels, a black seat, and a European gas cap assembly and have it all installed on a gloss black 350...

I can at least dream...

Yep the gas cap on the European models is just like that on a regular motorcycle. No extra door. There are pictures of it online. It looks like one panel and the gas cap are all that would be needed to do the conversion.

April 2013 it will be

This is the European gas cap. I like it. But I also like the removeable cover on the US 350 better than the hinged cover and cable release of the MP3.

Wish something like that was available for the BV 500. I'll admit the fuel release in the glovebox is a PIA.

The Mp3 fuel set-up didnt bother me. When it worked.

Exactly. Prone to sticking and also prone to damage if you hit it with your foot when open (don't ask me how I know ).

So the removable BV350 gas door cures both?
(no "spanking" required, and no breakage possible?)

Based on your posted picture, the Euro version seems better.
Must've been some crazy Catch 22 required by NHTSA to prompt the different set-up for our market.

Yes, it is

Regards, John W (5,000 miles and counting)

and, as noticed whilst I was sitting on DougL's BV350 last weekend, it fades significantly. it's not a great match for the seat to begin with, but his is beginning to take on the color of an undercooked pork chop

I knew this would happen. Can you imagine after a few years in Florida, Arizona, or California? Oh my. Listen up Piaggio!

Yikes! Pink....

Exactly!

Fortunately the colour is nowhere near pink and the girl (genie) is exaggeraring... It gets ever closer to that oxblood colour that everyone is talking about - more like a congealed brown. Personally I'd prefer black, but it rides so well, I'll forgive it everything. Just wish the brakes had more feel...

Doggone, what a nice scooter.
The Missus rode one too. And liked it. Loved it.

Trouble in River City....

I've been there several times!

Update, it hasn't faded at all. What looked like fading, was whilst pulling the balck rubber mirror covers away from the headset, it looked like the red plastic had darker rings under the covers. It did, but not because of fading, but because the black rubber had transferred itself onto the headset...

I found a product online manufactured by 303 Products Inc. which claims 100% prevention of UV slow-fade with regular use. They call it "SPF40" for your stuff. I figure it's worth a shot ....time will tell if their marketing claim is true. 8)