Modern Vespa

Hey There

Some advice needed as I'm definitely on the fence here. I have an 07 Avio grey GTV, w low mileage but for the last couple of years I've drooling over the 946.

Just got an out of the blue call from a local dealer that he's clearing out his last 946 for the winter, which happens to be black (not my dream color, but still really nice), and the price difference including the trade is affordable.

I'm really on the fence here. How would the 946 be as a primary scooter? (I have a car, and my Vespa is just a weekend fun thing)

Any thoughts about whether or not this is a good move or anything to consider? I absolutely love the design, but haven't driven it. Is it a total slouch compared to the 250? Im typically a weekend rider around town. No road trips, but a lot of riding w passenger

Any insights would be appreciated

Only the obvious lack of storage and lower performance compared to the GTV.

Keep the GTV since you ride with a passenger often. Buy your dream 946 in the spring when the right color is in stock.

I love my 946, which is my only/regularly-ridden scooter, and think it performs very well. Doesn't have the top end or grunt of the bigger GTV; but, the 946 handles, rides and stops better, IMO. And, the design is beyond spectacular. Couldn't pass up the chance to own one.

I'm with MJ about keeping the GTV. However if it's a lot cheaper get the black. If you can afford it,then wait til spring as he says,to get your dream color. Use the 946 for fun rides. It's only money and you can't take it with you. Good luck. Were enablers on here so you won't see anybody talking you out of buying another vespa.

Will the 946 be available in the spring, and if so have they announced colours? Other than the armani edition are dealers able to get stock? I thought it was only available as the 2013 and 2014 in Bellissimo

I have been told that the 2013 Ricordo Italiano, 2014 Bellissima and 2015 Armani Edition are it for the 946s, though I doubt anyone not with Piaggio could say for certain. For the US (have no idea about Canada), there were no more than 300 Ricordos (White or Black), 100 Bellissimas (Blue or Silver) and, from a good source, 70 Armanis (all in the same color scheme).

reach out to http://corsameccanica.com/ George might be able to provide the answers that you are looking for....

Like any scooter purchase, first determine what your needs are. If you take the GTV on longer, fast rides, then the 946 is likely to disappoint. But if putzing around town is really what you do most, then the 946 would be great.

Im definitely not a speed guy. The GTV right now never gets pushed even close to the max. More for putting around the city.

Assuming you haven't already, I'd suggest you hire/borrow a 125 (Don't have to be a 946) and take your passenger on the back. That'll give you an idea of performance (or lack of) you can expect, without making a commitment.

Even though you never open up the throttle on the GTV, no doubt you'll miss the torque.

Have managed to run my 946 (155cc US model) up to about 70 MPH on the Interstate. It's not particularly fast or especially slow. Really doubt you'll miss the GTV unless highway riding is your thing. Maybe trying a Sprint or Primavera or the 946 at your dealer would be good. Still say get the 946 while you can. The GTV is an excellent but easy to find scooter.

BTW, also think black looks very sharp.

Done enabling.

Where does the passenger sit?

There's typically enough room on that seat behind the rider, and the floorboard features passenger "pegs"/footrests.

It's an interesting question. I have both.

Performance considerations first. From 0-20mph, the GTV gets the win - much, much quicker off the line. Do you care? Are you a red light hooligan? From 20-55mph there's not much difference. 55mph and up, the GTV wins this too. I have been able to hold 65mph GPS on the 946 on dead flat country roads, but I'd never take it on the Interstate. Especially since the windscreen tosses a lot of turbulence at my helmet.

Passenger on the 946? I don't think so. There's just enough oomph to people one person at launch! The seat widens back there, and the passenger pegs are no more than decorative. Feet don't fit on the pegs, unless maybe a size 6 Italian spiked heel? There is zero passenger back support/protection. But 5 minutes to a cafe in town? Sure,why not? The GTV is a powerful-enough passenger touring bike, the poorly located pegs notwithstanding.

Handling is a tie. For the speeds each can attain, the handling is superb. At modest speeds I merely need to think where I want the 946 to go,and it goes there.

Touring... You'd need a stylish backpack, some custom luggage for the expensive rack, and a FedEx account to tour on the 946. The GTV is a natural tourer,as proven by thousands of riders over millions of miles.

Looks? Chacun a son gout. I love them both; they make me smile every day.

I went from a GTS300 to my 946, and I don't miss it much. Yes, the torque of the 300 came in handy at stoplights and at mid-speed when needing to pass, but I felt the ride to be a bit "truckish." The Nine, on the other hand, showed it's handling prowess within a mile of my test ride, and I knew it was coming home with me that day. The bike is just SO freakin' smooth and composed...it's ruined me just about everything else.

Like others, I would encourage you to ride a 150cc bike at your dealer to get an idea of the switch you'll be making, because once you do, there's not much looking back. Finding another Avio GTV won't be easy, and you'd lose your shirt (potentially) if you sold the 946. Make sure you REALLY want to do it.

In hindsight, the only thing I *really* miss is the storage capacity the GTS had. I regularly made runs to the grocery store, Target, wherever - just as an excuse to ride the scoot. Now, I either commute to work on it when the weather's nice, or I am riding some place where I don't need to haul much more than what I can carry in my pockets. A cheap, effective hack I've found is to sling both handles of a canvas tote bag over the headlight, allowing the tote to hang down behind the leg shield, and I can carry a pretty hefty load home from the grocery store...easily as much as could fit in the pet carrier (and not restricted in size, either).

All in all...still happy I got The Nine. There are only so many in the world, and I have one. I can sleep at night with my decision. If I want a GTS down the line, there will be many choices available in terms of color, mileage, and accessories.

Buy it, you wont regret it. Dont buy it if you going to use it as an art piece in the garage.
Ive beat the hell out of mine. Stone chipped and scraped and ive ridden it on muddy trails and hasnt missed a beat except for abs pump giving up the ghost.
Just changed my first set of brake pads to some Brembo pads after 11k kilometres and its running like a champ.

Hard use has given the bike its character.

The deal is really good. They're giving me amazing trade value and knocking off $2500. I'm leaning towards doing it because I won't be able to get one later

Gotta do what you gotta do. Make yourself happy!

If you're riding with a passenger then surely the 946 is out - less power, nowhere (realistic) for them to sit, no decent storage to keep all the stuff they seem to insist on bringing. It does look pretty though.

After a quick check, it appears only 26 of the 2013 946s were exported to Canada. Guessing at least half were white. Also, seems the Armani (possibly final) Edition isn't even being offered for "public sale" there. Not sure about the Bellissima 2014 edition, but reading the numbers makes it seem very likely fewer than 10 of those, if any, made their way to Canada. All of which makes the 946 you are considering a very rare find--one you are very likely right about not being able to find again.

If I had your GTV to trade and the same deal, I'd get it as a second to go along with my silver version.

2 dealers have confirmed that the armani edition is likely not going to be available in Canada.

There are very few 946s here. I've never seen one on the road.

Essentially it works out to a $5k difference on top of my GTV. Not pocket change, but not as bad as the full $12k they cost on the road.

That's a great deal, IMO.

So you'd be getting rid of the GTV? If you have a car and ride for fun it sounds like a great deal. Like MJ said if it makes you happy go for it. You only live once. I don't like riding with a passenger. They can get their own. The only person i let ride as a passenger is my 73yr old friend. Every year on her Birthday i bring out one of my helmets and slap it on her and we ride to the restaurant of her choice out here and i treat. She loves it. Pics when you get the 946 please.