Modern Vespa

Does every one get these questions at stop lights “what is that thing, oh a Vespa how much did it cost you”. Is it only in my area of central New York State, or does everyone get these annoying questions and anyone have clever answers for this. ?

All the time. Plus things like "can I buy that" and "I have something like that - will you buy it?"

I never mind being asked what it is, that kinda comes with the territory, but I’ve only been asked about cost once. I have a standard answer for this impertinent question, developed from another mechanical hobby, where the question comes up more often: “nothing - I took it from somebody I killed.”

(Don’t worry, it isn’t true. I haven’t taken anything from anyone I’ve killed. That would be rude. But saying that does stop the questions.)

I usually get "What kind of mileage does that thing get?"
Then after they get their lower jaw to come back up "How much did it cost?"

Questions I get:

How fast will that go?
What does it get for mileage?
How much does something like that cost?
Is that a real Vespa? I thought they quit making those years ago?

I think the ads from Pep Boys and the like years ago "educated" people that they can buy a scooter for $499.

My all-time favorite (and boosted my ego for quite a while): A nice looking lady (looked to be about my age) pulled up next to me at a stop light. She rolled down her window and said, "That looks like a lot of fun!"

I said, "Yes, it is."

She said, "Do you ever take anyone with you on it?"

"No, my wife has her own bike and she doesn't let me date."

She laughed and said, "Too bad - have fun!"

And the light turned green. That one carried me for a while. I'm guessing she went home and told her adult daughter, "I made some old guy's day today."

As far as the usual questions, I don't find them annoying. I think a lot of folks are intimidated by people on motorcycles, but find scooterists more approachable... 'cause we really do look like we're having fun.

In Italy they don't ask you these questions ... Here it is normal to have vehicles of all kinds, they will stop you to express curiosity and admiration only if your vehicle is vintage and I mean more than forty years old.

Happened on my first ride and then I realized owning a Vespa makes you a brand ambassador. There's nothing in the owners manual about that

Before they even ask any further, I simply say "65 MPH, 99 MPG & More than you think". Then I watch their draw drop. LOL

After all, I am a Scooterist...
https://marblesmahoney.com/2021/06/29/i-am-a-scooterist/

Guess I’m so new to all of this I would love to be asked anything about My Vespa.

The cost question is interesting. How about “way less than a good bicycle” ?

Nah, I've gotten those questions for ages, and everywhere I've ridden. My answers have usually depended on a combination of my mood, whether or not I was in a hurry, and how genuine the questioner is.

The most amusing instance I can remember was shortly after I moved to California. I was on a kitted Scarabeo 50, splitting lanes at a light. Some guy in an H2 next to me rolled down the window to ask how much my bike cost, "Under 3 grand," and what kind of gas mileage it got. Just as I answered, "About 100 times what you get," the light changed, and I launched across the intersection... while the monstrosity now behind me likely consumed the entire capacity of my gas tank in under a block.

Folks who were sure my GTV 250 was a decades-old vintage were amusing, too. "You keep it in such beautiful condition!" That came from a neighbor, and I knew I could joke a bit without sounding condescending. "I sure hope so, it's only 6 months old!"

You must have a very nice bicycle!

I gauge a good bicycle as one built by J.P. Weigle. I don't know exactly off the top of my head, but I believe they run around $12,000.

I have had people ask how much my Vespa cost, and I've told them, but the paranoid part of me starts thinking they're sizing it up for theft. (I deeply suspect that's not their true intent.)

My guess is that they really like it, and since it's not a motorcycle, maybe they're thinking it costs a lot less and maybe they can get one. Sort of like a golf cart compared to a car. (Granted I have no idea how much a golf cart costs.)

I don't think it is intended as a rude question - I think folks are really just trying to place the Vespa in their mental catalogue of known consumer items and their prices.

At almost every gas stop, and about half the stop lights.

I have only had mine for 4 months and 1100 miles but no one has ever asked me anything about it. Granted, very little of my riding is around pedestrians where they would have the opportunity to ask. I do see people looking at me as I ride by. I would welcome any and all questions.

It seems I collect hobbies that prompt lots of interest from bystanders; The LX, an old MG, an Xtracycle, a tiny squaredrop trailer, and previously a Smart car. Usually it is fun, unless you are in a hurry.

The previous owner of the Smart was asked if it was electric. While he was filling it at a gas station. He was quick-witted, and said "Yes it is. I'm just storing gas for my lawn mower."

And, yes, people are usually shocked at the price for the Vespa!

They are the same questions I fielded driving my VW Bus, my 928 and my Volvo. I really enjoy having cars that are out of the ordinary, and in Michigan - where scooters aren’t the norm - I still get a lot of looks and comments.

It always feels good.

Gas stations and grocery stores - almost every time - scooters are very rare in these parts. Mostly: “how fast can it go?”, does it get good mileage”?, and the best one “is that a REAL VESPA”!?

Most humorous was a middle-age couple entering the grocery store just as I walked up - obviously engaged is some sort of animated discussion. They stopped as I approached the entrance and he smiles and says, “How fast will that scooter go? Can you get on the highway?”

I say “Sure, I ride the interstate some - it tops out above 80”.

His eyebrows shoot up just as his better half punches his arm and loudly whispers “SEE! That’s as fast as your motorcycle!!”

When I had the MP3 the questions were:

Is that electric? (What... you can’t hear the idling 500cc single?)

Do you need a licence to drive it? ( what... you can’t see the motorcycle plate on the back of the quarter ton monster scooter?)

How fast does it go? ( the answer to this usually caused eyebrows to lift... on discussing two up cruising the owner of the large custom touring Harley said : oh, mine won’t do that)

I think most people associate scooters with those nasty cheap electric things that now festoon the local bicycle lanes and therefore assume they go 30 kph. I often see shocked expressions when I pass them in the fast lane on my way into Toronto on a bright yellow Vespa

Years ago I had a TGB Laser 150. Never got tags for it even though anything over 50cc is supposed to be tagged in GA. The scooter looked identical to the 50cc version and didn't say the engine size anywhere. I had it for years with no issues. Once I was driving along a 5 lane road with a speed limit of 35. I was running about 45MPH and a county cop lit me up. I pulled over expecting a ticket. All she wanted was to ask about the scooter. Cost, gas mileage. Didn't even mention my speed.

My bicycle is a Pinarello which is another wonderful Italian two wheeled vehicle. I search hard for wonderful frames on EBay and then build the bikes myself. But if I bought them new at retail, those carbon beauties would be amazingly expensive. But it gets ridden almost every day and at 70, I need all the help I can get!

I get folks at stop lights thinking I’m operating a toy. They comment about getting one for their kid to play with.
I know for fact they don’t know this is a $7,000 machine.

I’ve seen one or two of these lovely things...

Pictures man! We need pictures!

"Whatever other people think of me (or my Scooter) is none of my business..."

I get asked those two questions way too many times especially waiting for traffic lights to change. It has now become annoying to me. I just point to my ears as if to say I cannot hear you.

^^ this is great & I laughed

I'm going to stick this label on my bike in clear view and my response is going to be "It's classified".

OK ... One thing they still ask me because (incredibly) in the provinces three wheels are very rare: "what is the third wheel for?" and I: "if one tire has a hole, the other allows me to continue!".

I'm used to these questions at this point as I'm one of maybe two genuine Vespa's in my county, as far as I can tell.

What has really been driving me crazy is the people who want to record me going down the highway. I mean, I don't have any expectation of privacy on the interstate, but people put driving second to recording. I had one truck pass me, slow down to match my speed, pull in front of me and slow so I'd pass them - all while the passenger and the driver had an arm out the window with a phone recording. Your novelty isn't worth my safety.

Maybe they search to your person , not the Vespa ...

I'll bet this is going to be happening more...
I was loading up some groceries today and 2 little girls got out of the SUV next to me and said "Look mommy, a Vespa!"

Mommy said they had been watching the movie "Luca".
I did explain to them that it actually was a Vespa, from Italy, and not just any old scooter.

Did Mommy go home with you?

I should be so lucky!

I don't get many questions but mostly people reminiscing about having a scooter in the past and wanting to share their experience. I don't think I have ever been asked a question about miles per gallon.

YES!!

When I was recording my Vespa GTS 300 review I literally had someone ask me that, while I was recording. I kept the entire conversation in the video because I thought it was so perfectly fitting for sharing the Vespa experience with others lol

Aren’t these questions compliments? Pretty sure folks are saying that they find what we are doing interesting and they want to know more. Of course, not everyone does it politely.

I know I’m still very new at this. I want folks to ask!