Modern Vespa

Hi All
I finally decided my Harley is just bigger, heavier and louder than I want. It's time to downsize, and Vespas are calling my name. I particularly like the looks of the new GTV's. I'm curious, though, do Vespa dealers dicker at all on new scooters? Or, do I just suck it up and write a check for full price?

BTW, my plan is to sell the Harley and buy a Vespa in the early Spring of '19, so I have some time to learn a little something about Vespa's. Thanks for any input.

Welcome from Northern California!

Yeah, you'll have to suck it up, but negotiate on the extras.

FAQ: How negotiable is the price of a modern Vespa?

You can walk in this time of year and most likely get a good price on a in stock scooter. I got $1000 off a 2013 BV350 in Oct 2014.
Now that was a new 1 year old scooter still sitting onthe show room floor they wanted gone.
Bet you can get $400-$500 off if it is in stock and you are ready to buy.

+1 as above.

Now is definitely the time to buy if you want a discount.
Don't expect much, but hey, it's Wisconsin and forecast to snow this weekend.
The showroom floor should be yours.

You near Madison?

Sully
I'm near Elkhorn, about an hour from Madison. Yep, snow and cold coming...not exactly riding weather!

This is my experience too, minus the snow. Good luck and welcome to MV from San Antonio.

Just to add what others have said. I bought my BV 350 just about a year ago. End of riding season, about $700 below list price. If you can afford it, buy now. Also, remember that all 300cc Vespas are essentially the same. The visuals are different, but the mechanicals -- engine, brakes, suspension, wheels -- are the same.

See if you can get a test ride somewhere before you buy. I was going to buy a GT200 and then I test rode it. Oops, Did I say that out loud. BV FOREVER!!!

Welcome aboard. I've owned 9 Harleys over the years (as well as a bunch of other bikes) - made the switch to scooters 5 years ago when a hip issue made it difficult to "toss a leg over."

I thought I was done riding. The scooters were my wife's idea, and I scoffed at it. Yes, an actual scoff. So, we compromised and bought a pair of scoots before I sold my last bike. As usual, she was right - the scooters have been a blast!

We're not looking to do the long cross-country riding we used to do, but have enjoyed hauling the scoots in their trailer to some great riding areas. This past summer, we spent 3 months in the Black Hills, including riding the scoots to Sturgis during the Rally.

I realize that this does not address your question about dealer price flexibility. While you may get a small amount off the MSRP (depending on the timing), there will be "the dealer fees" that most tack on that will drive the price well above that MSRP. I wound up buying a lightly used older Vespa - most of the bikes we've bought over the years have been new. I figured I couldn't get hurt too much with the deal; put on some accessories (top case, Laminar Lip, Corbin seat, USB plug, and a couple RAM mounts), adding another $700 or so to the investment.

Truly enjoying the Vespa. Not long after getting it (late spring this year), I was waiting for a bridge opening, next to a guy on a Harley dresser. We visited for a bit... he complimented the Vespa. We both agreed that "the Vespa is to scooters as the Harley is to motorcycles: an icon."

Everyone is different - I can't say that you will get the same satisfaction from a scooter... but you have to give it a try to know. I thought I would miss shifting... I don't. I thought I would need more highway capability - I don't. The scoots we have are just so easy and fun; great to ride through the twisties. Plenty peppy - enough so to easily pull away from traffic at a stoplight.

Good luck with the decisions.

Hi and Welcome to the forum!
I agree with what many have said, and may I recommend you also look on Cycletrader. Many dealers place their new inventory on Cycletrader.

Perusing Cycletrader, I found my current Scoot, at a primarily BMW dealer, about 200+ miles from me. Color/style I wanted, and it was discounted $1K, making it worth my while to go and purchase it. In this case the dealer was making room for the 300's.

There are many dealers who have Vespa Scoots, that are not just Vespa dealers. Again, perusing Cycletrader, I found my first Scoot, an S150 from a PowerSports dealer who also discounted $1K, just wanting to move the inventory and close his Vespa dealership agreement - keeping his power sports intact .

I just noticed Iron Pony in Columbus Ohio, has a PTW division, Pony Powersports, which also carries scoots and Vespa; I always think of Iron Pony as gear.

Welcome to the madness!

Welcome to MV! I have nothing to add except that we enjoy our scooters much more than our motorcycles. We have friends that regularly go on multi-day/state rides on theirs and don't feel limited by the lack of cc's.

Blasphemer! hahahaha. Sorry, had to do it.

Welcome from another cheesehead!

You've come to the right place. As already stated, you're not likely to get a lot of wiggle room on price, though this might be the best time of the year to try.
GTS/GTV is another animal for you, but I think you'll land quite happily.

Yes you can negotiate and get better pricing as others have mentioned. I got a great deal on a new bike in the summer of 2015 I bought a new 2016, so you can definitely negotiate. Also buying in the winter maybe to your advantage if you have a garage. Good luck and post a photo of your bike...

Three things affect price: demand, availability and when you take delivery. If you don't care what color it is, they have a bunch of them, and you are ready to buy it during a blizzard, you can get a better deal than if you want one of the higher demand colors, the dealership had to fight to get it allocated, and there's a list of twenty people waiting for a call that it's on the floor.
New or used, there is a whole lot more wriggle room on the low demand colors. If you have two identical GTS models, and one is red and the other is silver, the red one is going to sell faster, and for more money, no matter how many books say they are worth the same amount. The guy with the books and the charts and graphs will eventually buy the Silver one, after doing a whole lot of research, and beating the seller down on the price, and being told to go away by the owner of the red one, and someone who has always wanted a Vespa is going to see the red one and fall in love and write a check on the spot for 750-1200 more, because that's what they had in mind when they wanted a Vespa, and all they've seen before it are Silver ones.

Real world example -- my local dealer has a BV 350 (2018 red) on sale at $5099. MSRP is $6300. In contrast, the 300cc Vespas are all still showing list price. The Piaggio branded scooters never have had the cachet of Vespa branded scooters, so there is more flexibility on price. IMHO, the BV and Liberty lines are great value. That BV, for example, offers a larger engine, larger diameter wheels, ABS and ASR for substantially less than a GTS.

If what you want is a scooter, that BV is a good buy. But, if what you want is a Vespa... well, the heart wants what the heart wants.

You got that right - twice!

Got 9% off back in 2008 when I purchased my leftover new 2007 GTS from a well known So. Cal Vespa dealer...Basically covered my sales tax.

At the time there was an excellent Piaggo/GE finance offer, 0 down, 0 interest for like 60 months.

YMMV

That is when I bought my MP3 500 on the same finance plan.

The question that lies in full view of your own price question is- How big is your world to buy the new scooter?
If it's the nearest Vespa dealer then you need to simply ask them when you get seriously close.
If it's larger (mine was plus I had no such thing as a local dealer either) then perhaps a spring fly & ride is your next fun ride?
I reached out via telephone and web searches from KY to IL, OH, VA, GA, Texas and some other states and in the end you can read my old but recent posts and see what I ended up doing to buy my new 2018 model GTS.
Feel free to contact me via PM.
There's not much markup in a Vespa so don't expect a "carlike" discounting thing to happen.
I like the GTS, owned two now as it fits me well ergo wise and a fun ride too- but if I had a bit longer legs there are several other scoots I'd have seriously looked toward buying. I really had my eye on the new BMW 400 scoot as it's got more zoom and similar price point too but in the end they aren't out yet in USA nor are they as compact as the GTS-more towards the smaller Burgmans which are also great scoots as are some Kymcos and other Yamahas.
Have fun deciding.

My only break happened in the Fall when Vespa had a -$500 off
promotion. I was not even aware of the -$500 when I walked in to
buy it. They get a lot of money for their classic branding.

Bob Copeland
Minnesota

Welcome from The Salt Lake Valley in Utah. All good advice in the above posts. Pricing will depend upon the dealers motivation.

If what you want is a Vespa, you can justify putting up with Piaggio. If what you want is a scooter, learn from the Italians, They make these things and know just how good they really are.

I really appreciate all the input regarding my post. I think it has helped me approach this thing with realistic expectations.

I contacted the Vespa dealer that is relatively nearby, and asked about a price on a 2019 GTV. The deal he offered is....If I buy now and take delivery in the Spring, he'll take $400 off the MSRP. He'll also throw in the top case for free.

I have no problem at all with a Spring delivery. I won't be riding in a Wisconsin Winter anyway. The deal he's offering seems very decent. Does anyone think otherwise?

One other small glitch. I've never ridden a Vespa. It seems like I need to at least do a test ride. I guess I just bundle up and brave the 35 degree weather.

Again, thank you for all the help! This seems like a great group.

Have you ridden a scooter, Vespa or not, one bigger than a 49cc?
I'm also wondering if all 2019's incorporate the new features being discussed right now, as seen at recent shows- like LED HL and stronger engine?
Before I bought my 2018 I was talking to dealers who were selling 2019 models and there was zero discussion of the newest stuff.

One of my first motorcycles as a teen (about 50 years ago) was a Honda 100. I liked that bike a lot. I never was much of a speed freak. I then had a multi-decade hiatus before buying my Harley.

I didn't ask about the "new features". Good point, I should. To be honest, though, I'd probably be happy with 2018 technology.

In a sort of weird and yet interesting way I was fighting with the carburetor on my 1972 Honda CL 100 motorcycle much of the afternoon yesterday. Surely that wasn't you or your brother? Or was it?
After a couple o0f years of this and that I thought I was going to hear it come alive- instead I got gas leaks, fix one, another starts up, so on...
Your post reminded me that I recently watched an old video, posted online of two brothers in WI sharing rides on a same color, blue Honda as my project. They were riding a route through a pasture of jumps and twists.
Quite an overall difference in a twist and ride scoot vs. those small MC's of the past. My Honda seems like a toy as compared to my GTS which still seems like somewhat of a big toy, compared to any serious motorcycle.
HD, I cannot relate to as never rode one, owned one nor wanted one, not to be impolite just not my thing in MC's.
I'm also no fan of the GTV Vespas, thus the reason they make different people and scoots.
There were left over 2017's, 18's at several dealers I tried to buy from but only one got my deal. Several i had to wade through the car dealer like experience of the "girl who doesn't sell them just tries to set the hook" for the deal maker. I much dislike those time wasting sorts of sales tactic!
The scoot I bought had none of that sillyness! It was pure cut to the facts and a one price deal.

On the 2018 technology thing- I have 780 miles on mine and have never sensed the ABS nor the traction control. With our car/truck we feel and hear ABS each time we leave home as we get to the end of our private road at the pavement as it steep and the gravel kicks it in easily. I do feel it's newish feeling, as in a tighter overall feel, that even though my 2010 had only 3,900 ODO on it when sold. The new one is slower than the 2010 GTS as my 18 engines still isn't fully broken in. Starts a bit more sluggishly and slower on throttle response though smooth when underway.

On your deal above- I'd place little value on an OE topcase as my used but same as new, SHAD 39 is enough larger to be far more useful and cost much, much less from ebay. Black matches my white scoot well too and it has a cool, faux carbon fiber finish. I do get it that if a person likes the GTV they'ed probably like the top case in color sort of thing and the other style touches they have. They just seem more about style and less about function for my eye and cost more too.

Coincidentally, my Honda 100 was blue. But no, that wasn't me on the video you saw. There are zero jumps in my riding career!

Thanks for the comments about ABS and traction control. Good input! Also, I suspected that the top case had a fairly low dealer cost, and a high cost to the customer. Still, nice to have.

I'd be interested to hear why you don't care for the GTV. Is it a style/appearance thing?

It's an entirely an esthetics thing for me, notwithstanding that I'd have to pay more for the same performance than from a GTS.
Also figure in that deal wise there are plenty more GTS's around to look at buying.
In the end it's personal choice as most new scoot buyers can buy either one if they so choose.
HL on fender, seat and stuff like colored top cases or stylish, but impractical leather bags or baskets are not in my plan.
I still have an interest in the new BMW 400 scooter that hasn't gone completely away...
I may also need to own one last Triumph 650 from 60's /70's, before I stop riding...
ABS & traction on a scooter or MC is mostly there if you need it stuff as most of don't ride in ice level weather.

ABS works in rain too
And ABS sucks on ice, works great in snow.

Golly gee I learn something everyday.