Modern Vespa

Hello I'm about to become a new owner 2008 Piaggio bv250 with 8k miles. My question is would you ride this bike on a 7 hour interstate trip? Now the trip is from Maine to New York mostly highway riding on 65-70 mph. These roads are rt95, mass pike, rt84. I have traveled this trip many times but on a Yamaha Majesty 400. speeds are pretty consistent of 70mph.

I would do it. Providing the following...

1. Service is up to date.
2. Tires have at least 50% life and inflated properly for highway riding.
3. Plan your fuel stops
4. Don't ride if you get tired.
5. Know exactly the route your going to take so you don't have to make sudden last second decisions which exits , turn off etc.
6. You have lots of experience on two wheels.

Have fun that certainly will be an adventure.

I would. I am not sure if I would go pick up a brand new bike of that age and displacement and point it down the interstate as my first ride.

This is my 52nd year riding bikes and have done this trip on a bikes 1-2 times a year for about 10 years. could properly ride the route sleeping, well maybe not. I do all my own service and would not be going for 3 or 4 months from now. I quess my question is will the bike handle 65--70mph with gas and rest stops even if it's only a 250cc bike? I have never had Italian bikes before, only Japanese ones

Ditto!

Yes, but it does go on autopilot and self-steer towards Espresso stands.

No I wouldn't.

See below.

Bill x

The Majesty probably has about 100 lbs on the BV 250, so it would feel a bit more 'planted' at long highway speeds. The BV 250 can handle the speed and distance, it will most likely feel lighter if the wind is up and/or you're passed by large trucks, etc... I rode mine on I-89 a bit, at around 70 - it felt a little light... Having a slightly larger windscreen (Givi A106, in my case) made the ride even more enjoyable...
I know that route well, as my family & many friends are in DE and that's how I go when I drive down there.

I'd do it.
Shoot, if someone nearby said to me "hey, I really like the scooter located 600 miles away, but I have no way to go get it" I'd offer to fly out and ride back before I offered use of my trailer...



OK, maybe trailer first, depending on the weather.

The bike will do it assuming there's nothing wrong with it but personally I'd split the trip into 2 days and find somewhere nice to stay mid journey. That way it's more of a pleasure than a task.

BV 250 has been ridden in the Scooter Cannonball for multiple back to back days averaging 360 miles per day. Many of us ride GTS 250s on trips like that on a regular or at least semi regular basis. Personally I don't care for 7 hours of interstate riding even when I'm riding a motorcycle but the scoot handles it just fine.

The BV250 I'm getting is only about 40 minutes away and it's being delivered to me so I have a couple of months of riding it to see if everything is ok with the bike. The trip I take to visit family is 359 miles and takes about 7 hours with several stops along the way. I find it's a great ride as I really enjoy HI way riding and have no worries or fears about riding in the wind or being pushed around some by trucks. My only concern is with the bike itself being able to travel at 70mph, 1.5--2 hours at a time. I thank all for the info I have received so far. Just not familiar with these bikes.

I own a BV250 and would not hesitate to make a trip of that type. In fact, I have. The slightly larger than standard sized wheels of the BV seems to help tame highway miles.

I would do it easy. the BV 250 should cruise easy at the speeds your looking at. and top out closer to 85.

Really .. my 350
Does about that

I have done comparable trips several times on my Aprilia SC which is mechanically the same bike as the BV250/300. So long as you and the bike are prepared for the ride, it should go fine.

^^This.

These vehicles are for pleasure, after all is said and done.

I would do the same.

I've never owned a BV but i do know the part of the pike that you have to go up to get to the NYST extension and it has the highest elevations on the pike. Your not going to be able to keep up. I'd try to get to the NYST via a alt route. Just me. While it's doable if it's windy it's going to be worse. Sounds like a fun trip, tho. 8)

Oh yeah, I would do it, but on secondary roads instead of the faster-crowded-with-trucks freeway. And of course, get rid of the 9 year old tires.

Yep, do it. The bike will be fine if serviced correctly and the tyres are good. Just keep an eye on the oil level before and during the trip. At 70mph it may consume a little and they don't hold much. It won't burn it but it loses some from crankcase evap due to being super heated, which is fine and expected. You probably know that anyway. Most motors do use some these days when working at speed over bigger distances. Have lots of fun and post back after you have done the trip to tell us your thoughts on the bike.

Thank you all for all the encouragement. looking forward to my annual trip and also to spend the next 12 weeks searching for any gremlins that may be lurking. Ernie

I've done it on a BV350 and can say that it was great fun.
You should have no problems on your BV250 given your multiple stops and enjoyment of highway riding.

We did a slight bit of tuning to the one I got from Mike and it's hitting close to 90. Didn't get into the motor... yet.

90! That's pretty quick for a 250. The chassis/tyres are up to it if it's anything like the BV350.
Indicated or GPS'd?

Make sure the tires are within the date range. Put a fresh belt on it. With a small or no windscreen not a problem. I did 400 miles continuous on my BV200 with an extra tank at Lake Tahoe at altitude. Not a problem. My BV250 is even stronger.

GPS. The first time I took it out on 26 after we fixed it, it was getting close to 100 indicated. I figured the speedo was extremely optimistic, so I gpsed it. It's 8-10 mph off. The speed of the bike surprised me because I've ridden a lot of Vespa 250-300s, and they are pretty slow, so I figured it had to be off by about 20 mph or so. Once you free up the motor, it hjas a pretty decent top end.

It seems to me that a 21st century machine should be able to do just about anything. I wouldn't flinch at doing that trip on my 1991 Honda Nighthawk 250 with less power than a BV 250. This past Summer I did several 300 mile round trips on interstates with a Chinese 250. Route 84 was part of the trip.

Do it, don't sweat it. It's more than up to it.

I'll be the odd one out, heck no! A 250cc scooter on the highway where cars and 18 wheelers are traveling at 80 MPH +, no thanks...

After going over it I would do that ride in a heartbeat. Then again...I'm not so normal.

CANNONBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm a bigger guy, anything more than an hour or twos ride on my BV and I was done.

+1 - excellent advice!