Modern Vespa

Just curious.

We all have different tastes in scooters & bikes.

But considering your most favorite ride or rides, what was it that sold you on it?

Was it:

Fit - how it felt when you sat and rode on it. What about that scooter made it a good fit for you?

Function - the power and manuverability. Why you need what you need.

Look - the style of your scooter says what about you? Does style even matter to you?

And what was the tipping point that made you buy it.

All three, and at the time more money than common sense. I will never by new again. Unless I could afford to pay cash for a 946.

For me it was fit. I sat on a bunch of scooters before I ever sat on a Vespa and they all seemed very small. I have a 36 inch inseam so legroom is important. I did sit on a BV500 at the dealer I bought my GTS from, but even that had less legroom.

The look sold me too. I just love the style and classic lines of a Vespa. If I had loads of money with nothing else to spend it on, I'l like to get one of the new BMW scooters and a Harley Wide Glide.

Fit, definitely...but I was a pretty unsophisticated buyer, just wanted a scooter....and everything I sat on my knees hit the bars. Stumbled across my Vespa and it was roomy enough. I can't recall love at first sight, but it didn't take long!

Fit is still essential, not all that easy for me. I think look slightly trumps function as I'd likely get another Vespa for that reason...however, function is assumed...

Initially when I bought my BV, it was certainly not about fit as I have to tip toe at stops, took some getting used to, but now its quite a comfy practical ride. But it was really about speed. Was tired of 34 to 38 mph on the old Met (was perfect for Miami, not so where I live. Contemplating a new 3V Fly . Looks nice, lower seat. Tipping point on the BV200 purchase was the first twist of the throttle on the test ride. But who knows, a nice used BV500 might do as well. I would think that the 14" rear wheel should get my feet a little closer to ground. Bought the P2 just to fit in with shifty crowd in the club and its actually proved more reliable then the BV or the Met (chronic oil leaks). Not having to do exhaust repairs every few months helps too.

For me it was looks mainly, fit didnt enter my head and price was a big factor as I saved about £400.00 on the retail price.

Definately looks. I had not sat on one, as there were no MP3's in my area.
The dealer delivered to me. about a 150 mile one way trip.
I bought it on the spot.

Fit for me too 5'4" and 135 lbs don't want to ride anything I can't handle or reach the ground on.
I would not buy a new bike to many out there that are looking for a good owner, so money plays a big part to.

looks, 100%

How I ended up with my scooter? I have related in the past how I started out in High school with my first bike, a Ducati 250 Dianna. I worked at a Hudson Gas Station, and this guy would fill it up once a week... I loved the bike, and bought it for $400 in 1972. I bought an AllState in 1973. Fast forward to 1993, when I found a Tupperware Riva 125 with 12 miles on it. Not a Vespa, but it served me well, and is still running 20 years later.
There was a big whoop-te-do about the Stella 4T. When I heard the local dealer had 5 in stock, I plunked down the money and got it.....but the bad news was...sitting on the showroom floor, after the Stella was ready to be delivered, A BV500 Beverly sport touring scooter with factory saddlebags. The owner of the store was selling out. so, I ended up getting that also. The Stella has 485 miles on it. I've got 4000 on the BV500. Put me in the "function" camp on the BV and the "Look" for the classic "Vespa ' styling of the Stella...

I love and appreciate the attention I get from the Stella, and I enjoy getting on the road with my Bv500 and keeping up with the Harley's, Goldwings, and Beemers. They think it is humorous, and we all end up having a good time.

Pretty much the looks. Nothing else comes close to the style of a Vespa, at least for me.

For me, the confluence of all three...
plus quality.

None of the above.

When I bought my ET4, I just wanted a scooter. It had nothing to do with fit or function, not really even looks, because I originally had a NSM in mind.

I just thought a scooter would be a lot of good old fun.

For once, I was right. 8)

When I got my Vespa it was fit and looks. After sitting on quite a few scooters, the only one that would comfortably fit my 36 inch inseam was the the GTS.

When Aprilia had their fire sale on the Mana, I got one for fit, function and looks. I have always loved naked or standard motorcycles and the mana fits the bill. Does everything I need in a bike.

In order of ownership: Look; Function/Fit; Look; Function/Working on Fit.

The fact that its a Vespa.

There are many other options, styles and modes of transport, some cheaper, some far more expensive, but a Vespa is a statement.

After that, find one I can afford and that fits me.

I had never ridden and decided a scooter might be fun. Someone referenced a 3 wheel scooter and I found a video of it and said - that's ugly. Watched it again and again - now I said "it's ugly enough to be cool!

My little ET is my first PTW after getting my license. I wanted a Vespa as opposed to all the other 200cc bikes and scooters out there. Plus, I also wanted something that can stand the test of time, the ET being the 1st auto Vespa produced had that cred. The other mitigating factor - it was cheap.

No regrets buying it even until today.

For me, it had to be a Vespa. It's the real deal.

I chose my S150 because it was at the other end of the spectrum from my Burgman 650 and because of the memories of the battle-scarred Vespa 150 Super I had in my youth.

I bought my first GT because of the look and promise of sufficient performance to let me ride comfortably, further from home.

After a few rides I realized that the fit was perfect and performance surprisingly strong.

And that style always makes me look.

I bought my 2007 BV250 brand new last summer from a dealer with left over stock. I was riding a Kymco People S 125 at the time which has great and had an upright and comfortable riding position. The fit of the BV250 was similar but provided more leg room and just felt right when I sat on her on the showroom floor.

Functionally, I prefer the gas cap in the floor boards, the large glove box, a simple single button to unlatch the seat, the light and the AC port under the seat, having both a center and side stand as stock and the large diameter wheels.

I would have preferred more power, but jumping from the air cooled 125 to the water cooled 250 has proven to be great. The large diameter wheels and upright ergonomics makes riding easy, particularly in the city.

My 2007 BV250 has the dual bulb headlight mounted in the lower front valance and almost looks like a sport bike from the front. The silver and black colours are also to my liking.

The real tipping point was the deal I was able to swing as mine was one of two 2007 BV250 scoots on the dealer floor. The fact that it came with the factory 1 year warranty also helped.

Looks, looks and looks.

Look - the style of your scooter says what about you?
My first motorcycle was a brand new 1964 Honda CA110.
Even in 2000-2010 a scooter was "practical, but butt-ugly."

Function - the power and manuverability. Why you need what you need
I have rode 50cc-500cc, I know a 250cc is all the power I need -- Got the 650 Savage in '04 only 'cause it was only 50 pounds heavier than a 250. The SYM Wolf is a sweet little city bike.

Fit - how it felt when you sat and rode on it.
More and more it is getting harder to go anywhere. In '11 I had a triple by-pass ... should had been four but the heart was partially dead, my ejection factor is 25%. Killed my Savage, considered a big touring v-twin, another big Thumper, a TU250 (it is possible in California,)... but that step through versus throwing the leg over the saddle was starting to think of a possible. Rented a Vespa LX150, 30 miles Hawthorne to Arcadia to pick up my Senior pass for National Parks etc., on the streets doing up to 60 mph. Hmmm... Okay, try 20 miles on the freeway to NoHo -- acceptable! Stopped to talk to NoHo Scooters, looking at the Stella. Looked at the Wolf -- but after 50 miles on the scooter I no longer wanted to swing a leg over a saddle.

Function is same, a scooter looks horrid, but the Fit trumps

I always wanted a Vespa so when i moved back here i got one.

For us, we sat on a BV500 at a dealership. My wife, after sitting on the 500, announced we should order a BV250:oops: , a scooter they didn't have on the floor. She felt a 150cc would be more than plenty so a compromise would be a 250cc. She never even sat on any of the Vespa's.

After waiting about six weeks, a brand new one in black, which is the fastest color, was ours. I don't think either of us really considered the fit much; our knees weren't against our chins, but she did feel the seat was pretty tall, though. We both knew that adjustment to the ride comes with cranking out some miles.

I did try to talk her into an actual Vespa in the beginning but she seemed to like the "modern-ninja-plastic-sportbike" look. I still want a classic Vespa but after having ridden the BV for a few years, would never consider trading it (well, maybe for a BV350) and really do like having larger wheels.

I guess all of this means that for us it came down to looks, as we thought any of them would ride okay. We just happened to get a great scooter I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone!

I simply decided to jump in with both feet and buy a really nice scooter from the beginning. I was originally going to buy a blue GTS, but my wife didn't like the colour and really favoured the Espresso Brown colour of the GTV. So that's the one I bought.

Having a 300 now, I will have to figure out something so that my wife can ride the scooter she picked out comfortably two up. At 4' 10.5" tall, her feet don't reach the passenger foot pegs on my bike. She has no desire to learn to drive a scooter, but she does want to be able to ride on mine.

Nostalgia. I had a 150 (very used) just out of high school and loved it. It was pretty beat up but served me well. When it quit running (I didn't know enough how to fix it) I replaced it with a very used Yamaha 80 which was later replaced with a new Honda CL350. The Honda was a great bike, never a problem, but I always regretted getting rid of my Vespa. So when I made the decision to purchase a scooter, there was only one choice. When I ordered my new LX150ie, I did it without a test ride or even seeing one up close. I loaded it up and drove home. To say the least, one of the best decisions I could have made. BTW, the Vespa sold for $35.00 in a rummage sale. Yes, Ouch!! Well, we all have a few things we would like to do over...

I got the GTV for various reasons.
Followed up with the LXV because of how it looks - with sharpchick on it.

This is easy.....it was Dragon Red, 233 miles, and a very low price for an exceptionally taken care of LX150! And, he threw in a new battery tender and a brand new helmet! How could I not but this beauty!

for me it was the 3

And
the technology

let me edit this a bit

3 wheels.

Combination of all three, and my wife told me to buy it. 8)

For me it was all three plus the GTS IS a VESPA. However, I like each of our scoots for different functions, the Buddy is a beloved first scoot that is nimble and quick around town. The GTS is a great all around ready for anything in or out of town classic. The BV and Scarabeo 500s, my long distance tourer. Okay, I'm not as wild about the Sports City but then it isn't really my scoot but my son (and my husband) love its short wheelbase and larger wheels. It doesn't fit me as well as the others including the significantly smaller Buddy but it apparently does them so I rarely ride it but it is a daily rider for my son much like the GTS is for me when I'm in Houston.

Bought a BV350 because my GTS was a beautiful pile of toss.

Bill X

1st bike was a 90 cc Yamaha 1960. Now mp3 500. Bought it from guy Little Rock ark. and had never even sat on one. All the research I did on it pointed to one magnificent beast of a bike. And it is.

Definitely style! It had nothing to do with how I would look on it, but just how nice and clean the lines were, and the way it just screamed, "Kiss me, I'm Italian!"

There's something about riding modern Vespas which really matches what I was looking for out of a ride. The fit and finish. The feel. Even the sound.

There's clearly an elegance to the overall effect one feels during a country road ride on one. You get out of town and listen to the engine humming along and you think, this is somehow... proper, as our Brit brethren would say.

The bikes are all business in their own legendary Italian ways. They've been imbued with something you won't find on a Japanese brand two wheeler. Not deliberately, but out of tradition. As if the finished product were taken to the head scooter rider of the company and presented as a piece of art first. The head scooter rider then crosses one arm across the chest while the other comes to stroking the chin. The head scooter rider squints at the bike while slowly walking around it.

After circling the prototype the second time, the hand at the chin reaches out for the requisite key. An anonymous individual drops it in the head scooter rider's palm and the bike is fired up. Idle drops to a warm exhaust pulse. The head scooter rider glances at the group with a grin, anticipating what could be a full tank's worth of deliberation.

The longer the ride the closer to the ideal of what it means to produce a Piaggio product this example has come. The impression the rider is left with needs to match the passion of the designers outside the context of reliability. The machine needs to evoke a sense of what it means to make an Italian road going machine. When you think of Piaggio and their flagship lines such as Vespa, you want to come away with a sense of being able to say, that... that is what it feels like to ride an Italian scooter.

What Piaggio or Vespa rider has ever wished the ride weren't longer?

Harv

I started my scooter craze wanting one. So my first purchase was 6 49cc chinese 2 stroke scooters. One for each member of the family. Fun! but cheaply made, I learned a lot about scooter repair. I could take a carb apart and put it back together in 10 minutes. And had to often. 49cc wasn't fast enough either for around here. So they were toys for a short period of time. I sold them all.

A few years past and the bug was there again to get back into it. I tried a couple of motorcycles, just wasn't what I liked. So once more I dove into the Chinese market and bout a 250cc touring scooter. Why Chinese again? Price mostly, I just couldn't come up with the funds, and at the time didn't feel it made much difference.

The 250cc Jonway scooter was cheap, just like the others, even though a few years past. Quality never came along with it. My son got his motorcycle license with it, which wasn't a true loss. It handled ok on the road. But just ok. Then when I was ready I put my wife on the back. It was the worst 3 mile ride ever. The balance was way off. And with the added weight on the back it felt like it would the front tire was coming off the ground. I brought it home and sold it.

So once more years past. Bug was still there. This time I had funds and did a lot more research. I talked to my wife and we came up with a few things that were important.
1. She didn't want one of her own, but wanted to ride with me 2 up.
2. No Chinese scooters, Quality this time!
3. Needed to be comfortable enough to ride some distance.
4. Have enough power and speed to do what we want.
5. Handle well.

Then the last question. New or Used?

I research took me to Genuine Scooters first. I was drawn in by the Stella, but didn't really want to shift. So I tested the 170i Buddy. It was nice. Handled well, smooth, no Chinese plastic feel. I thought. This could be the one.

I didn't want to decide until I tried a Vespa. The local dealer was very helpful and he let me test drive anything I wanted. I first drove the 150ie. It was nice I enjoyed it. It was smooth and very well balanced. Better then anything else I had ever ridden. The metal body was a big selling point for me for many reasons.

He then wheeled out the 300ie. I got on. Gave it throttle and took off like a rocket! It was the coolest thing ever. This scooter is an extra 70 lbs and a little wider. I thought it might be hard to handle. I was wrong. It was as nimble and easy as the 150ie.

I left the dealer and my wife and I did more talking. Here is what we concluded. Why it had to be the Vespa

1. Vespa seats are bigger and fit 2 riders over the Buddy. (We felt)
2. The metal body was important to us.
3. The handling on the Vespa was better with 1 and 2 riders. Very important!

So it was to be the Vespa. Which one?

1. 2 up was the biggest factor here. It had to be the 300ie. It would give us distance, seating, speed and power to do what we wanted to do.

2. We would never have to upgrade to a bigger model.

So then...New or Used. I test drove a few used ones. They all handled the same. I found one for 4000.00 I liked. But it had a long dent down the side, the chrome trim was scraped up and one of the mirrors was all scratched up. 1700 miles. A good buy. It was a 250ie. 50cc less, but I felt it could still do what we wanted.

I called my wife. Told her the condition of the used one I liked and the cost.
(This would have been a good buy and a good price.) No one should have felt bad taking it home.
But.... here is what she said. Do you plan to keep it a very long time? I said yes. She then said. Then by the new one and put your own scratchs on it and make it yours! You get the warranty with the new one, you start a relationship with the support staff for it, and after a few years the money difference will not matter.

So I did. I bought new. I took it further still and bought the GTV. Only because that is one I really loved.

Here's another thing I felt that helped.

1. I rode other brands.
2. I rode several models.
3. I then road the GTS and the GTV same course, same speeds, etc.
4. I waited a couple of days I went back and repeated the process 2 more times.

The 3rd time I was sure what I wanted. I noticed different things each time I took a ride. I was more relaxed each time. I took longer rides each time. I got to really feel the scooter. BTW I loved the GTV but it wasn't my favorite to ride at first. It took the several rides to decide that the looks and the ride of the GTV is what I wanted.

I am happy with my decision.

Sorry for the long post. Hopefully I said something of value to someone shopping.

Oh one last thing. And this could have saved me a ton of time. My wife said she had always wanted a Vespa. Ever since she was a kid. I could have bypassed the Buddy, and some of the research and just went to the Vespa dealer. Would have been nice to have this information in advance.

I owned a 150 way back in the '60's.

A neighbor had a GTV250 where I live. Ordered the Dragon Red GTS250 over the phone. Never went to the dealer until it arrived from Italy. Drove it twice around the dealer's parking lot and headed for I264 in Virginia Beach.

It is like falling off a horse. You never forget how.

Rode my People 150cc down Ogden Avenue into Motorworks for it's first checkup under warranty. On the way I nearly fell INTO so many potholes and ruts, I couldn't imagine touring on a small bike.

Once I got down there, I told my BF:

"That's it. I am going back on the highway or I am not going. What do they have in stock that is bigger."

They showed me a BV 250 and a BV 500. My motorcycle riding BF said, "Get the 500, you will want more power once you get used it."

I sat on it. I test rode it, and I bought it. My first ride was down the highway home, for 60 miles and was WAY better than taking the side streets. Trucks and traffic don't faze me the way pot holes and broken streets do.

But I miss my little People 150. It was a great scooter for learning.