Modern Vespa

Said goodbye to the GTS on Friday. Sold it to a couple from Dallas, recently moved from San Francisco. Multi-bike family: Big Beemer, Ducati, and a GSXR-750, but he wanted a more practical bike to commute to work, and maybe for her to ride on weekends.

Shopping for a big Burgman. At the end of the day, the Vespa was just a bit too twitchy for me on the interstate, and lacked reserve power for long grades and passing. Best seat and mirrors on anything I've ridden, though. Plus, it was gorgeous.

Best of luck to you all. You're an interesting bunch.

No need to run off because you sold the Vespa. There are others who have parted with their machines but have stuck around.

Regardless of your choice, good luck and ride safe!

Sounds like a solid plan for your use. Don't be a stranger here!

Dang it. I watched that bike for 2 months and kept fighting the urge to drive up from Houston for it. Well now the temptation is gone. Hope it's well loved by its new family!!

I think it will be. They're both motorcycle enthusiasts and she mentioned riding two up with him as soon as they got it registered.

Plus, there's a real scooter community up and down the I-35 corridor.

Buying a big Burgman ?

I owned one and liked it a lot, bought it new .
Referred to it as my Goldwing lite.

The problem comes when you want to sell one,
they have almost no resale value .

There are usually some for sale as pre owned , but I would be careful as to how it was maintained .

I hear ya. I bought a new 650 Burgman in NC back in 2006. I was still working, though, and never had a chance to ride it, so I sold it a couple of years later.

I'd like a lightly used 2008 or later Burgman or Silverwing with under 10k on the clock. They're out there but you have to be ready to pounce.

Pickings are very slim in this Harley crazy town-I have to shop CL and Cycle Trader to find good used bikes (that's where I found the GTS). Then I do the e-mail/texting dance and, if the answers seem reasonable, I'll block out a couple of days to rent a trailer, drive to the bike, and make a decision. It works out more often than not-I've only had a couple of walk aways in the last 10 years.

It's a hobby and a sickness.

Which of the two big Burgmans are you thinking about?

Have you considered an Aprilia Scarabeo 500ie?

fried okra

Sorry to see you go but you know you can stick around. Hell I don't think half the people here have a Vespa.

Of course I'm going to say have you thought of a BMW C650GT . But if you got your heart set on a Burgman so be it. It

I don't own a Vespa anymore and I'm not going anywhere.
Make a Burgman thread when you get it.

i don't see where you're considering the TMAX. It's a fine scoot'.

I've got a BV 500 for sale.

Hmmm....

Just like Herpes, you'll be back.

Bill x

How does your mind work? lol

... i couldn't have said it better ... truth.

Hahahaha!!! Bill joke...

Here is the thing with owning a Vespa. If they really mean something to you , you will probably always have one. As a Mod from the revival I will always have a thing for Vespas and owning one brings back memories and puts a smile on my face. Saying that I will always have another bike or 2 until I get older and can't handle bigger bikes. Then it will be only Vespa. 300 CC to start and when the real golden years hit I imagine a 150.

Mind you I do think a properly modified Vespa (and even an "as is" one) will do most of what you want. I have no issue with mine on the freeway even if it's moving at over 80 MPH. Is it as stable as say the BMW? Well no but it still feels just fine and I never worry about loss of control or things like trucks. That just comes down to trusting the scoot to keep you upright and so far so good.

However if owning a Vespa does not have any or little emotional value to you then you bet there are better/cheaper options out there. Only a Vespa is a Vespa though and I'm sure that other riders that are loyal to their brand (Triumph, HD, etc) feel the same way.

... mah .. I had only one Vespa in my life (PX 125) and then I succumbed to the lure of Japanese scooters; when I thought I had a modern I was addicted to the Yamaha brand ... what about ... ride what you like but you're fine. Right..?

Right.

Let The Rider Decide.

Fixed that.

Yup. Nothing wrong with loving a certain brand though at the same time. This is a Vespa forum after all and no shock there are more than a few hardcore Vespa riders here. The most important thing is that you ride however I will say for a forum that is geared towards a manufacturer this is about as mixed as you get.

But yes, the most important thing is to love riding. I challenge you to find a Japanese scooter forum as open or as busy as this one. You think maybe there is a reason for that?

Here's a hint. People are passionate about Vespa.

Here in my area but even further away I am so famous for my ten-year passion for motorcycles and scooters that when I go to a rally only Vespas accept me as one of them. Believe me if I tell you that scooter riders here are not well-liked by motorcyclists; we are considered inferior but many of them have hidden a scooter in the garage and are waiting for nightfall to savor true freedom.

If you come to Italy, rent a Tricity 155, you'll love it ... at least as a second scooter.

Yeah, there's no need to leave because you're leaving the product behind.

Why not stick around and make a nuisance of yourself , just like I do.

You're welcome.

Bill x

Self-harm ..? Yes ... it may be an idea ... if good or bad the time will tell.
A very deep quote Bill, congratulations.

Interesting factoids:
1. 67% of the global population under 50 has Herpes Type 1.

2. 11% of the global population between 11 and 49 has Herpes type 2.

I'm back. With a Silverwing.

Thank you all for the positive feedback. This is the best owners forum I've found (and I've joined a lot of them over the years).

Found an '08 Silverwing with 8K on the clock for $2800. PO (college student, second owner) trailered it to me from 120 miles away after we swapped a few texts.

It has a cut down Clearview vented windscreen and a Ram gadget mount, but appears otherwise stock.

It starts and idles smoothly, no leaks, minor scratches, seatcover flexible and untorn, everything works.

The tires are badly squared off OEM Bridgestones, with 2007 date codes, and the last service of record was a 6K dealer service in 2014.

I'm trailering it to my local dealer Tuesday for tires, hoses, drive belt, fluids, and an 8k service.

Photos once I get it rideable. Might keep my GTS photo avatar, though.

Sneaky.

Congratulations on the new bike. In all honesty the Silver wing is a much better bet than the overly heavy Burgman 650 (assuming that's what you had your eye on above). A used Burgman 650 can be a real liability especially one prior to 2013. Belts break and cost thousands of dollars to fix. That's why they have very little resale value. I speak from experience of riding and fixing them. Your 'Wing' should be trouble free. Good luck bud!

I also recommend the replacement of brake fluid and radiator fluid with electric engine cooling fan.

Agree. Regardless of mileage, Honda recommends replacing coolant and brake fluid every 2 years. This was last done in 2014, so it is due.

Thanks. It's a beast compared to the GTS and I hope to put a lot of miles on it while I'm able.

Is the clock ticking then ?

Bill x

Each of us in his/her own way.

In my case, a degenerating lumbar spine and ulnar nerve damage in both arms. Physical therapy has had limited utility. My middle, ring, and pinky fingers go numb after about 30 minutes of riding. Only my thumb and pointer finger can grip at that point. A throttle clamp helps on the highway (and should allow me to take longer trips), but around town it's short errands.

And my lower back aches in direct proportion to how long I ride at one sitting.

Small potatoes compared to what you're fighting, but it takes a lot of the enjoyment out of riding.

It is the spirit that prevails, i have prosthesis in the left leg and in the left hand, i no longer have the abdominals (operated several times) and i am blind to one more eye i have glasses to see. I get tired soon when i drive the scooter but i make a little break and then i leave ... They give me a fool, according to my family, i should be sitting in an armchair but i'm not ... I'm not.

The mind works thats why it makes these kinds of statements. It gets the conversation to the next level i.e. Vespa sold but don't have to go away, interesting conversations are always good to have.

Wow, I didn't expect an autopsy on that joke.

I thought that it was funny and not particularly offensive.

I was trying to draw attention that there's no reason to stop coming here as many of us don't own Vespa's so why leave ?

It's just the way that I see the world.

Bill x

I certainly wasn't offended. I enjoy your dry wit. Take care.

You're right. It's the spirit that counts.

I've visited San Vito, Vicenza, Venice, and Rome. Stayed long enough in Vicenza to get my Codici Fiscale card so I could get a phone for my apartment. Northern Italy is my favorite part. Lots of interesting scooters. Everyone dresses well.

Take care of yourself.