Modern Vespa

G'day,

Apologies if this is a well worn topic, I didn't find anything in recent searches.

I went with the Piaggio Fly 150, sadly just before the 150ie came out, but that's probably why I got such a good deal on the purchase price as they were getting rid of old stock.

I bought the largest engine I could afford and I have found that to be solid advice, a little 50cc wouldn't have been able to do my commute. I am getting the reliability of the italian Piaggio brand and it is the same company that makes Vespa and Piaggio, as I'm sure we all know.

I know there are differences in the engines of some models, but that a few of them use essentially the same engine in the equivalent Piaggio and Vespa scoots.

I understand the aesthetics and why some might strongly prefer the Vespa over the Piaggio and I get that the metal panels let you put magnetic decals on where I cannot on my plastic piaggio fairings. But that doesn't make up the cost difference for me. Where I live the LX150 was a bit over $6,000 and the Fly150 was a bit over $3,000. It is essentially double the price.

I know looks matter, but I didn't feel like I was getting double the product in the Vespa in terms of performance, reliability, or functionality. Is it a status symbol? Do people buy scooters as status symbols? My piaggio does the job and I'm happy with it.

If you made a choice between a Vespa and Piaggio and went with the Vespa, please share why you did it and what you feel you got for double the price.

Thanks and Cheers!

Some marry for love... others for more practical considerations.

To each his/her own.

For me, it wasn't enough for her to just be able to cook well (figuratively speaking, of course).

They're broadly the same in terms of quality, performance, etc....but different in terms of size, shape, and price.

Vespa's aren't better made or better finished. They're tougher, being made out of metal (but they're more expensive if you need to respray).

The non-Vespa bikes (i.e. the Piaggios, Gileras, Aprilias) are often more advanced in terms of technology and engineering, so if that's what you're looking for then that's where you'll be going.

Vespas are a classic shape, which has an enduring appeal, and which people are prepared to pay a premium for. Like a VW Beetle or camper. High price premium, but they do hold their value better than the Piaggios.

And a fair proportion of people who buy Vespas have reached a stage in their lives when they can afford to prioritise looks over cost (and may well have other bikes/cars/etc to use for those more mundane moments).

I chose the piaggio fly 125ie because it looks great (best looking piaggio in my opinion - chrome bits in the right places), suitable for what I want, reliable and affordable. Certainly ticks all boxes for me! Just a shame it's off the road waiting for diagnosis of write-off

I don't dis-regard the vespa though (apart from the 946), And would happily have one in the future.

I had the LT similar to the Fly and that bike was rock solid. I had a bad accident on it and the cops "lost it". Well it was found a few months later and they had to pay $1200 to get it out. When we finally got that bike started right up. It had been laying on it;;s side at the yard. Plastic came in handy if it ws steel i would of had mucho rust. My LX has hissy fits when not ridden in a few weeks. Sure the LX is beautiful but hands down from my experience the Piaggios are made better. Love your fly and it will love you.

I choosed Vespa because looks matter. It's the same like looking at beautiful women. It makes happy. And, of course, it drives well!

I have the Vespa because I always wanted one......that simple. Life is a matter of choices......in everything we do. Make the choice, don't second guess yourself, and enjoy! Life is meant to be lived, not wondering about every choice we make. Enjoy your Ride as much as I enjoy mine!

Some people just want the steel bodied original.

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I chose the Vespa because that's what Audrey rode.

My car was totalled in a hailstorm (60 cars in a car park turned into golf balls) Although it was insured I had a hefty excess to pay out and this made me decide to get rid of it and buy a scooter.

I am a novice rider and therefore chose a scooter over a motorbike (no gears meant one less thing to distract me from learning good road craft).

When it came to choosing which scooter I never even glanced at other brands and went straight for the vespa GTS 250ie as I had decided the extra 50 horses on a 300 was not worth the premium and the 125 wouldn't cut it on my daily commute which has a bit of highway in a 20 km round trip.

I justified the purchase to my wife by offsetting the sale of the car and overall she was relieved because my 'mid life crisis' could have involved a Porsche or some other ludicrously priced sports car

I have no regrets and six months down the track, I still enjoy my daily grin to and from work...

I love classic or retro lines on vehicles. It really isn't about plastic vs metal for me. I love the Mojito as much as the GTV/LXV.

And no judging anyone else's tastes but the whole style of scooters represented by the BV, Honda SHi, Kymco, etc just do not appeal to me at all. I can appreciate their abilities and functions, but just not something I would buy.

Some people want to look good. Imagine yourself in a Farrari, or a Roller. Others, not so much. Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia. Different variations on a theme. Same corporate umbrella. You went with the Fly, you shouldn't be unhappy....You could have made other choices and been in a worse shape.

I think the moderators of the board would confirm that the Vespa riders skew older, and maybe have more disposable income to afford the higher price.

My sentiments exactly. 8)

Your buying the best at this level. So it really comes down to what you want. The more modern looking Piaggio (I also felt the Piaggio is more the younger rider too) or the classic metal bodied Vespa.

I decided on the Vespa for the look, the construction, the power off the line and its what my Wife wanted.

Just before I shook hands with the dealer. I took the BV350 out for a test run. It was nice. But to me the power off the line still goes to the Vespa. I suspect the BV350 is a better performer at speeds. I had had mono frame snap on plastics in the past and wanted something different.

The real bottom line here is: You can't go wrong with the Piaggio product line. You will be happy with whatever you decide.

I also bought the Fly125 (carb) at $3000 AUD on road, when the LX150ie was $6000 AUD on road. Same city as, three years earlier than, the OP.

While I loved the LX, and the whole Vespa history and cachet, like the OP I couldn't see the value against the Fly. Plus the fly fitted easily on my credit card ... so I bought my first scooter.

When I recommend a small scoot to friends, it's almost always the Fly150. The value for quality and perormance equation is too compelling. I'd only recommend the LX150 where the porspective buyer isn't at all price-sensitive and definitely wants / needs a smallframe.


BUT I'M A CHEERFUL HYPOCRITE!


Four months into the Fly, it was too small and too slow for my new needs.

At that point my only though was which Vespa GTS - 250 or 300. I knew what I wanted and didn't even look at another scoot (even though I test-rode lots for "research"). I just "knew" that the metal body Vespa would be a no-regrets purchase - and so it has been. The Vepsa is simply the apogee of scooter feeling where cachet, pop culture, history and design just meld into one flowing smile ...

Even though I've taken the GTS beyond its (and my comfort zone), I still don't want to consider a repacement. The PX turns out to be the perfect complement, too. It's helped by smaller relative price gaps in the 250-300 market .. Vespa sits at ~$9500 on road (give or take): if Piaggio put in a chinese-made 300 at say $5000 or road, it'd be a harder call - but here decent Taiawan 300s are $6000 ..

So, if I took what I now know back to a purchase limited to 150 / smallframe (for whatever reason), it'd be a much tougher call. In the end, value would probably still tip me to the Fly - but only just.

G'day,

Thanks for all the the input! So it is about style and not worrying about the price that drives the Vespa purchase! Honestly I think I would go for a GTS 300 because of the look and the highway potential, if I don't get the BV 350 or X78910 for a mid-range or maxi scoot. That'll be in a couple years from now based on my teacher's salary

But when has one ever not had to pay a premium for style. 8)


Cheers!

It's about style.... mostly. I have a Vespa s150 and my wife rides a Piaggio Fly 150. Same engine, same performance. The Piaggio has some benefits, though. The Fly has larger wheels so more stability and the option of hitting the freeway. The Fly has twin fork front suspension versus the single arm of Vespas so it handles rough roads a little better. The Vespa's big advantage it that it's a lot easier to work on. The body comes apart easier and everything just seems more accessible. The Vespa also has a lot more accessories because they understand their customer base. I'd say the Piaggio is a better distance commuter while the Vespa is prettier (though my wife would strongly disagree on the prettier, she thinks the Fly has beautiful lines)