Modern Vespa

For those of you who have had the fortune to ride both the GTS and the BV 350 can you give me your thoughts on how they compare in comfort, particularly on rural or secondary rods. Is there much of a difference between the two?

thanks!

The difference between them is like the difference between lx and gts series. More stable, more acceleration, better handling and brakes.

BV is better

GTS is more comfortable for me, the seat/position on the BV 350 is too short for me.

They both ride really nice, just a little different feel. The smaller wheels on the GTS make turning and slow speed manuevering slightly easier, and on highways the larger wheels of the BV 350 make for a slightly more steady feeling. The throttle on the BV is a little notchy at low speeds where the GTS is not. On rural secondary roads it's a tossup. (You didn't say if you were riding in the flats or have a lot of hills?)

I'm very comfortable on both, but for riding 2-up for a long ride the BV 350 has some advantages for both rider and passenger.

Thanks for your comments. I have not ridden the BV yet but I ride a lot of secondary roads and don't find the GTS to be too comfortable at times. I was definitely looking at upgrading to either the BV or just buck up and get the BMW 650GT. I know the BMW would be much more comfortable but at twice the price it should be - LOL!

thanks again!

I own both, and my height is well matched to the ergonomics of the BV350. Either is comfortable for a ride of modest length though the extra power, better brakes, and more sophisticated suspension of the BV are noticable right away. On a longer ride (over 100 miles), the BV is hands down the more comfortable ride in my experience.

Interesting question, and I think that the earlier replies are good. I just sold my GTS 250 and bought a BV 350. The BV is more comfortable; it is more stable, more 'linear' in the way it steers, and more compliant. However, I don't think the BV suspension is very sophisticated; I wish it was more supple over bumps. It is better than the GTS but not as good as I would like it to be.

RE the seating position, I think the BV needs a better seat. The odd crescent-shaped thing is odd, but I took mine off and the seat shell, which is hard plastic, is also not so good; too much contour. I liked the more gradual form of the GTS seat, from front to back. But the BV seat is narrower at the front so it is less of a stretch at the crotch. I'm going to get the BV seat worked on a bit to make it more consistent from front to back (fore-aft).

Overall, however, the BV is a much more modern design and is thus a more capable ride. I love the traditional design, but the big wheel scoot is a better ride overall.

Even loving the traditional GTS style, I don't think I'd go back to it from the BV design.

Great suspension summation, among your other observations.

The additional 11 HP are addicting, v. my GTS (which I still love).

Been futzing with the seat too, just got a newly remodeled one installed on Friday. Roomier, and in relation to the ride even helped the suppleness of the ride as the seat-maker had to add foam to the seat pan where Piaggio put none.

The seat-guy was impressed with the quality of the factory seat materials and worksmanship though...

do you have a before and after pic of seat? 8)

Here's the after.
Before is a factory OEM seat in black.

That's real nice.One of the 50's I picked up has a custom seat ,I'd prefer black.

For others like the OP who are trying to follow these responses, I think it is very impoirtant to observe that the issue of the BV seat is very much a function of the rider. The hard bolster means that there is really only one riding position. If the length of your arms and legs works with that position, then my experience is that the seat is quite comfortable. If your preferred position is somewhere else , then the bolster is a problem. That leads riders to remove the bolster or consider custom seats. When I first saw the bolster I assumed the point was some possible adjustment or alternate bolster shapes. A year later it looks that that is not what Piaggio has in mind.

Definitely a question of whether the seat works for you or not. It doesn't for me while the GTS seat does which is why my response was so short.

[quote="

Great suspension summation, among your other observations. [/quote]

Thanks gogoGordy,

When you had your seat worked on, did the shop modify the plastic base or did they simply work with the foam padding over the stock shell? Lucky in this case that you have a black seat. I have the burgundy so would be hard pressed to get it matched.

Thanks gogoGordy,

When you had your seat worked on, did the shop modify the plastic base or did they simply work with the foam padding over the stock shell? Lucky in this case that you have a black seat. I have the burgundy so would be hard pressed to get it matched.[/quote]

There is no modifying the seat pan, unfortunately. Under the bolster, is no foam (well, now there is) and the "step" up to the rear half is also molded into the pan.

How did I miss this the other day? That seat looks *nice*. Did the main seating position go up? I recently picked up a stock seat from VSO that you may recognize and am looking into ways to modify it/shops to do it. I'd be interested in your experience.

[edited to fix quoting problems from above]

There is a lot of vinyl out there so you could probably come pretty close if you are trying to maintain the burgundy look. On the other hand, if you are going to have foam added and a new cover made for the seat - it can be any color you like .

This post deserves repeating and I could not agree more. I think your seating position aligns with Piaggio's seat design, and is quite comfortable. My seating position is, as you say, somewhere else (read: further back) and is less comfortable. But the other specs of the scoot are compelling enough *for me* that I am willing to undertake the time and expense of getting the seat rebuilt.