Modern Vespa

Greetings - born in 1949, growing up in the sixties. First bike a brand new BSA Bantam £146, then a Triton sold in 1970 for a car (still regret that every week). So how do I end up with a Beverly 350? Married in '71. (the wife is a K reg. first time round) 45 years anniversary next year, so I've had all sorts, Triumphs, Suzukis, Aprilias, but recently a Honda CB500. Then my wife, bless her, got worried as I tend to go round 'flat out' 110 down the motorway nearly ever time I went out. So I purchased a scooter. My first scooter, the shame as I am a 'rocker' by heart. I have a Sym HD200 quite fast for a scoot and very easy to use, light and so user friendly. But... I kept reading the mags etc. on scooters and found the first mention of the Piaggio Beverly 350 as a 'class leader'. I started looking for a Beverly on eBay and preloved or Gumtree but they are pricy, but last week I came across a 350 18 months old, 3500 miles black with some scratches on the bodywork (basically he dropped it). So it got up to £1800 on eBay but the reserve was not met. I emailed the seller and offered £2000 cash that was accepted. So now I have a superb Beverly with two full services carried out by Piaggio for two grand, bargain. I rode it back from London to Birmingham and apart from the noise from the screen it was super. Now I can belt round the countryside at breakneck speeds and the wife is so happy as I've got a scooter, little does she know. Technology is wonderful it's made 350cc engines in desirable chassis that still looks like a 'normal' scooter, talk about a wolf in sheeps clothing. Anyone want a Sym HD200?

Little does she know, till she reads this thread, lol. Congratulations on the bargain, scoot hard, long, and often!

Excellent first post - and being a teenager in the '60s was a blast. 8)

Hello - What was your first bike and how much did you pay? Cheers Peter

1964 Yamaha 80cc. My parents bought it for me. First bike I bought was a Yamaha 180cc in '68, don't remember what it cost - but I made minumum wage (then $1.65/hr), so not much.

Teenage years in SoCal during the sixties. Yeah, I liked it.

Peterob, I'm guessing you'd get a better response to your question by starting a new thead, than by adding it here. 8)

Congrats. Now we want to see pictures of it.

Discovering the fun of scootering and reaching retirement age at the same time..

now that's Jenga 8)

Me too. I was a little young for Woodstock. Bummer because it wasn't that far from wher i lived in NY.Born in the 50"s. My first bike was a Mini Bike with a Briggs and Stratton engine. Think souped up lawn mower. I was around 8. Dad made me some cool brushed stainless steel mudguards for it. It was blue. Rode that thing until i was too big and gave it to a younger cousin. My dad rode a 1920's Indian MC when he met my mom. Mom made him get rid of it when i was born. I also had flying lessons and guns. Dad's hunting friend was a gunsmith. 8) Poor mom didn't stand a chance with us. Never to old to get a bike IMHO. Have fun with your new bike.

Congrats to another member of the BV family!

Nice post

I was born in 48. As they say {if you remember the 60's. U weren't there"

Fun time to grow up,

Born in 1945. First bike 125 cc harley. Went through lots of bikes over the years and sold my last one last year because I thought I was getting too old to ride. Bought my first vespa two months ago. Discovered you're never too old to ride and wish I hadn't wasted all those years on those other machines.

I was born in 1948. Aside from all my personal memories, it has been an amazing time in history to have been alive. Today's world is so different in so many ways from the world I was born into.

Still wondering , though: Where is my jet pack?

I, too, am a 1948 vintage model.

First scooter was a Douglas 125, then a Vespa Sportique 150. Then a BSA 650 with a two adult sidecar (for the growing family)

Fast forward to 2009 and a GTS 250.

Howdy,
I parallel the o.p. in many ways. Born same bat year, same brand first m.c. (though mine was Yamaha 250), same first scooter (sym hd200), have bv 350 and find it excellent. I bought a stable mate in the ctx 700 though no progeny of the couple yet. Go 49ers, as long as the Seahawks are better. Multiple puns intended.
Ken in England but headed home to the left coast in a week or so after 9 weeks adrift on the earth.
Ken

Hello Peterob, seeing your write up took me back a few years especially your comment on your first bike, I also owned a BSA Bantam, but I used it as an off roader for going hunting on. I can not recall what year the bike was but I was born in 1946 and I was around 18 years old at the time of this photo which would make the year 1964. My first bike was handed down from my brother, it was a 1948 Aerial 500 twin, got my license the day I turned 15, grew up being a Rocker, but over here in NZ we were called bodgies and our girls or birds on the back were called widgies!!. Yes it has been an amazing era to grow up in. Now I am a true blue scooterest and loving it. All the best Owie.