Modern Vespa

I have the same interest as the Gelding...visiting the daughter next year when she goes to college 1200 miles away...

The 500 is what I've been looking for...the new three wheel system coupled with an engine which will have no difficulty maintaining interstate speeds while lugging me and my junk around...

Wow...

Sign me up!!

Bob

yes...that third wheel makes highway driving so smooth...important 5 hours into a 7 hour ride

would love to see the storage too

and is that windshield standard in the US?


g

one other thing....

PIAGGIO...please make the speedo for the US to have MPH in the big numbers and KPH in the smaller numbers for the MP3s coming in 2008

thanks

g

Under seat storage is situated much different than the MP3. Will have more pics tomorrow.

I think MP3 400 and Fuoco500 are targeted at different customers.
Mp3 is more elegant, (AFAIK) has more luggage room, it is more comfortable and meant to be a 'tourer'.
Fuoco500 is sportier and more aggressive, both in engine and general setup. First reviews state that it has a more nervous handling.

I do not think the difference of price will be very important, since a typical MP3 driver will not buy a Fuoco500 and viceversa.

I also add that I do not know US situations about driving licences and assurance fees. In Italy 400 and 500 are very distinct markets, as I wrote in a previous post.

As to power-weight ratio, I think the 400-34hp is more than adequate to the MP3.

harumph, that doesn't look like it could fit a full face....

maybe a halvsies...?

mmmm...that isn't much room...

of course i would probably just bunge stuff to the back when i travel to phoenix or go camping (like i do currently on my stella)

but i was hoping to not have to carry helmet from bike to work like i do now...

would like to see that with a full face in it...

g

I'd like to ask our European MVers to take some photos of the Gilera and post them here. At least it will give us something to drool over for the next few months.

Thanks In Advance!

ps...any word on the windshield...that image at top is the first time i've seen the fuoco with anything other than the small black shield....

is the windshield an add on item or standard?

g

Congratulations Mark - I want to be the first to give you the big thumbs up for putting down the cash.

I think Piaggio is doing a remarkable thing giving us both 400 and 500 - especially in Canada where the 400cc is entitled to lower insurance,

Great stuff, Diana

I have had 2 people from Italy email to let me know that a full face WILL fit under the seat, just hope my XXL will cause I got a huge dome, lol.

More pics:







Sorry for the large pics, I figured you guys would want the high resolution pics so you could see all the minute details, but if you guys want me to resize them, let me know and I will.

Ill start a new picture only thread later on tonight, ive amassed quite a few pictures in the last 2 days.

thanks for the photos....though i think scaled down would be helpful


and it looks like my scorpion full would fit nicely...not so sure about my nolan flip up though

g

ps...please start a thread with a few of your fuoco photos that you think we would like

[quote="Vespa Pomona"] Now lets see, the MP3 250 MSRP is $8995 and that is with the CAN $ at around .95 compared to the USD.

b) the 250 will be $9200 CAD, the 400 will be $11100 CAD and the 500 will be $11400.

So when the heck are we gonna quit getting screwed here? We now have a $ at near par (they figure the CAD will be worth more than the USD in the new year).

I will not be robbed by the canadian supplier but will look at importing in some way/shape or form, will not get screwed over by importers/Piaggio.

According to this article, the CAD should reach parity next week.

So Canadians are getting robbed day by day from Piaggio. and all the other foreign importers to our respective countries.

All Canadians please grab your ankles for the privilege of living in the land of screw U over royally!

AND, you don't have the PST, Imagine the screwing we get here in Ontario with 8% PST, for a total of 14% on top of most purchases.

Thank you Diana,

I'm absolutely stoked. I figured the US would get the MP3 400, and I would have been happy with that but when I saw that they were re-badging the Gliera as a Piaggio I couldn't believe it. The Fuoco is what I wanted in the first place, so thank you Piaggio.

Now if they want to re-badge the Nexus, the Runner, the GP800...well you get the idea

well i put down my deposit...should have the first black fuoco in new mexico sometime around feb 08...

now i have to start thinking of what custom paint job or vinyl i want to do

g

I do not think it is a good idea to rebadge the Fuoco for the US. I mean, they could as well sell it as Gilera using Piaggio dealers' network.
In Europe, Piaggio's marketing strategy is rather clear. To build an analogy with the car's industry, Piaggio is like Fiat (vehicles meant to everyday usage, practical and cheap to run and buy), Aprilia like Lancia (classier, with attention to advanced features, design and nifty touches), Gilera like Alfa Romeo (the sporty side).
Vespa and Scarabeo are meant to be brands on their own, like, say, Mini and Smart.

So, why do not promote the Gilera brand in the States, especially if you have something as unique as the Fuoco?

Maybe because no one even knows the Piaggio brand here yet. When I tell people about my scooter, I have to answer the quizzical look on their faces by saying, "Piaggio is the company that makes Vespas."

Next time they see me it's, "So, how's your Vespa?"

I agree that this would be perfect for the US market.

Here it is;

http://podcasts.autobloggreen.com/2007/09/19/piaggio-will-bring-gilera-fuoco-500-to-america-as-the-mp3-500-an/

I sure would like the 400cc version, but I just cannot swallow 5 digits for a scooter

should be just under 10,000 i figure...

400 is 8,699 plus freight (500), tax and tags should be about 500 also

500 8,899 plus above...just about 10,000

yeah that's alot for a scooter, but cheap for a harley or a trike...

g

I think the 250 looks better; more space age. The 500 looks like a military type vehicle. Personally, I think the 250 is great for what it is, a scooter. If you need more power and want to go faster, wouldn't you get more for your money by buying a motorcycle? I've been up steep hills with mine and if I get enough momentum, I can easily maintain 75 up a hill. With no momentum on a very steep hill, I've gotten down to 55-60, which in my mind is still fine as well because it only lasted 2-3 minutes before I was going down the other side. It's unlikely that most folks with be going up and up and up for long periods of time. The bigger Mp3s have more weight and less storage room, for what, an extra 15 mph top end? Besides, how do you know the pickup time off the line will be any quicker? I had a 150cc that was quicker off the line than the mp3. Bigger is not always faster from a stop.

I was out riding today with a fellow MP3'r and we stopped at San Diego Vespa..Jayson gave us these 2 papers and said they will get 1 MP3 500 in January and only one..He said the price will be over $10.000..But I'm happy with my 250 so far..

Nice score on that one! Its good to see one of the dealerships was will to drop some info for you. However it will be a cold ass day in hell when I pay $10k for a scooter.

Are there any other dealerships that have info for us out there?!?

The problem with the price is that the dollar is getting weaker against the euro.

So...just tell them new Vespas have three wheels, now

This is such a distracting "Fluff" post. So annoying

Monty will get it.

ok..so talking to my dealer...he said that the seat on the 400 provides more legroom but that the 500 has the same seat as the 250 and is more cramped. He is about 6'1"....

Anyone else who has experienced them side by side???

Are those MP3 badges on it?

To me it's just a Fuocco with MP3 badges on it...

It's doesnt' even look like an MP3

Is that because the "Gilera" brand doesn't exist in the USA?

If you use the search function you'll find this:

NEW GILERA FUOCCO 500 ANNOUNCED

NEW GILERA FUOCCO SITE

I was actually rather surprized at the amount of get up and go the current mp3 has. Before I bought it all I heard was how underpowered it is, but I feel its comparable to my old GT, not as quick as the GTS but way more then the 150s (plus it still has a VESPA engine)