Modern Vespa

I am looking at buying into a Vespa or an MP3. Either way I am planning on keeping the thing for a long time.

I have some concerns with regard to the MP3.

Maintenace: Will it require higher maintenance than the Vesp GTS 250? i.e. will the front tires have to be aligned every so often? Will the suspension wear out?

Parts: In 5 years if I need a part for for the MP3 will I be able to get one? It is my understanding the motor will not be a problem as it uses the same unit as the GTS 250 (true?), but what about the suspension, body, brakes etc?

Thank,
Bob

The short answer is that nobody here really knows. It's very new, and it remains to be seen whether the MP3 will catch on and sell in meaningful quantities. The more Piaggio sells, the better your chances of getting parts down the road.

Preliminary signs are good -- the MP3 seems to be selling briskly.

Thanks for the reply. To put it another way....has Piaggio (I don't truly understand the entire relationship between Piaggio and Vespa), put out any products over the years that it is hard to find parts for today?

An example in my world would be Windows Millenium edition. Try and find a driver for that these days.

Thanks,
Bob

Piaggio is the company and, despite appearances, Vespa is the brand. They obfuscate the corporate structure a bit, but Vespa has always been a product made by Piaggio. The Cosa comes to mind, because I guess it wasn't especially popular. At least in the US. Generally, scooters (and any other vehicle) that sold in reasonable quantities have aftermarket parts made by third parties. The more popular the product, the more aftermarket parts there are. Plus, the more popular the product, the more donor vehicles there are down the road.

The Cosa wasn't even for sale here in the USA. Piaggio was taking a long leave of absence from our market during those years. We also missed out on the T5 and PX200GS.

It seems that dedicated owners of far more obscure bikes than the MP3, by far more obscure companies than Piaggio, manage to keep their bikes for a long, long, long time... decades. The major factor is the dedication of the owner. Are there less risky propositions for long term ownership? Without a doubt.

Could there be a more collectable bike than the first edition of the first modern articulated three-wheel bike by Piaggio? Hmmmmmm.

As an aside, Piaggio is a company AND a brand: Piaggio the company makes these brands:

Piaggio
Vespa
Aprilia
Gilera
Moto Guzzi
Derbi
Puch (past)

Everyone knows this -- just repeating for clarification.

Last question.

Thanks for the clarification. Can one say, then, that a "Piaggio" is built as well as a "Vespa". At least in mind mind a "Vespa" is built for longevity.

I have only owned a Stella,
Bob

I wouldn't say that something like a GT200 is any more built for longevity than a BV200.

On the whole, Piaggios, Gileras and Vespas are built in the same plants, with the same engines and other components as applicable so build quality etc will be comparable. The main difference in terms of constructon between Vespas and the other bikes is their pressed steel bodywork, which has some advantages, and some disadvantages, for example, an impact on a side panel of an X9 could cost you £40, but £600 for a Vespa.

As for running costs, UK dealers are reporting that some riders are going through front brake pads in less than 1000 miles on their MP3!

There is also a clutch wear problem that is being reported which may be related to the bike being much heavier than other machines with the same engine/transmission.