Modern Vespa

Oregon State Beavers

University of California Santa Cruz Banana Slugs

Read an article recently about Vespas not selling among younger demographics. Which I assume is the reason for the Bieber and this 946. Vespa has an image problem. Younger people aren't buying into the cult of Vespa. I'll see if I can find the article…

There are so many reasons for that.

Price is the most obvious. I love my Vespa, have been riding since I was a teen, now in my mid 30s. I still wouldn't recommend any student buy a Vespa on price alone.

Vespa used to embody an affordable and economical means of expressing youthful exuberance, offering a ticket to freedom and fun bright colors. Now it's more of a status/accessory thing often in somber and dull shades and finishes.

Then there's the average Vespa rider in 2022... The majority more closely resemble a snooty set-in-their way senior citizen with a low-mileage status symbol parked in the garage of their mortgage-free home than they do the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed free spirit sentiment that first popularized the brand. When young people look at who's riding our bikes and don't see anyone around their age, but instead see a crowd of grumpy people their parents' age, it's a recipe to ruin a diamond's luster.

There's something wrong with Piaggio USA as well, though truthfully I can't put my finger on it and I don't know if it's just with them here in Canada, or a problem on your side as well. I don't know if they want to succeed, or how hungry they are to succeed. Prior to this year's GTS launch we haven't seen them do much to try to target younger audiences in the places these audiences are already present (I think having Chase On Two Wheels' channel at the launch was a good move for this), but besides that, has Vespa/Piaggio USA done anything to try to get a younger audience interested? The Justin Bieber bike came out about 5 years too late. I also think their prices on parts are completely absurd. I can get an OEM voltage regulator shipped to me from Germany, including shipping, taxes, and duties on import, for 1/2 the price my friendly local dealer sells it for. I suspect my retail price on it coming from overseas is less than his dealer price on the item from Piaggio USA. Piaggio USA either aren't setup for success, they just don't care, or they just don't have the sway to get Piaggio HO to do more.

If you have a link to the article I'd love to see what it has to say.

Back to the 946... I don't want a 346 lb 150cc. I like my 150cc Vespa to be around 250 lbs. The 946 is beautiful but the power to weight ratio is embarrassing. Luckily for the people buying 946s, they probably don't care about that.

Where does the Bellisima fit within this line up?
My personal favorite 946 colorway

You're right…

The 946 Belissima is a 2014 Limited Edition.

As I said, actually ONE color was supposed to be released every year, but then in 2014 there were two (blue Orgoglio Italiano & Belissima), from 2017 a break. So they didn't keep the original plan....

I've never ridden a 946 only sat on a few.

My impression is that the seat is oddly shaped and up too high.

That said, I'd love to have one.

I think this is where the designers have got it totally wrong. The 946 in a solid, established colour like this silver/grey example looks classy and many people would be happy to pay a premium for something that looks 'exclusive'.

The new pea green colour release with a 'splattered bunny' transfer is too niche for a lot of people. It's fun but it needs to be stylish.

Priceless! Please keep that banana away from me.





[size]Note only to be used externally[size=7]

You're right, I stand corrected. Fine institutions all.

Can the roadkill bunny be removed?

close the thread, we have a winner

Kermit was right

Love this movie.

Love it....I think that's the nature of high fashion...to do things which shock the status quo...

Aside from my dislike for the color and the stickers I still think that the 946 is beautiful. Like SDG once said it belongs in a museum.

The color in that photo is much more attractive but that blob bunny would have to go.

Totally agree. What the heck were they thinking! I guess next time they will be putting on a hello Kitty on it.

Your fellow Canadian from down the road in Ottawa thinks you nailed it on this comment about target market.

Thank you! Small world, I bought my Bonneville in Ottawa just a few months ago!

OK, it's starting to get weird one of our best friends owns a Triumph (bobber).

Fugly

I'm obsessed with both Japan and Italy; I have a GTS 300 HPE in the dark blue color but would love to add this one to my collection. I also like ukuleles. I'm not sure what this says about me.

I guess Bad Bunny wanted too much for a Signature Edition of his own?

Do kids even like the Beeb anymore?
The Wolfburgs/Beeb edition is just white on white with some cheap white flame stickers for an extra grand over an already very expensive 150cc bike, not nearly as cool as a good color standard Sprint or Primavera to many I'm sure.

Also old farts have good reason to be crotchety,
free world is going to he🏒🏒 in a handbag but my scooter still starts 😉
And due to delayed gratification and monk like frugality in our youth, some of our mortgages are indeed now free and clear.

No, that's why I said it was 5 years too late lol

Bieber is something like the top celebrity on instagram. I can't remember but Vespa chose him for his social media following because they needed exposure to his specific followers. I read an article that discussed vespas image or exposure problem. They sell less than 10 percent of the scooters they did 15 or 20 years ago if my memory of the article is correct.

Right, but so what? Follower count does not reflect how well liked someone is. Someone can have amassed a huge following over the years but not be well liked now.

Example 1: John Smith, a politician with more followers than he's ever had before. But he's dropping in the polls harder than a rock off a tower. His social media reach is meaningless. He's lost the popularity contest.

For another example, just look at me. Well over 100,000 people see my content a month. Thousands and thousands of subscribers. And everyone on MV hates me. If they made an Adrian edition Vespa most people would stay clear of it and I wouldn't blame you lol

No one hates you, you're just an aquired taste 😂
Your Youtube content is quite good, I'm a subscriber

Bieber is a neutral for me. I don't know anything about him. I do not like or dislike him, but his detractors are very vocal. That doesn't me they are in the majority. His Vespas are selling and being offered in 2023 still, so there is that.

I was very disappointed in the new 946, but I probably wouldn't have bought one anyways. I am not their marketing target at 57 yo.


https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2021/10/13/justin-bieber-ties-elvis-presley-and-lil-wayne-with-his-latest-top-10-hit/?sh=543f935b1351

Last edited by Cosmo4me on Sun, 20 Nov 2022 20:00:47 +0000; edited 1 time

I personally think that more people would be willing to pay such a premium price if the fairly large and heavy 946 had an engine with more power than the 150. The 300 Piaggio engine (278cc) comes to mind.

Justin's a good kid. Like most of us has had bumps in the road.

I totally dig the 946 but only sat on one.

If was a 300 I would say yes for sure.

I'd be much more interested if it was a 300 as well.

Hmm, if that's the case I'll just have to try harder lol Thanks so much!

I would not have recognized you as the youtube guy- must be the leprechaun hat & beard?

This may come as a shock, but the picture does not reflect my appearance the other 364 days a year that aren't St. Paddy's day lol

I'd just assumed it was part of the witness protection program.

Is it just me, or does adri's avatar hat look good with that 946?

Vespa opens the pre-order for the Vespa 946 10th Anniversary / Bunny Model in Europe.

Pre-order / MSRP is 12000€ (13235$ after today's exchange rate, price in Germany/Europe incl. VAT, out-the-door).

The first vehicles are expected at the dealers in mid/end of May, with most of the vehicles going to Asia.

The special "Bunny" model is limited to 1000 units worldwide and is the first version of a long-term project that will span the next twelve years. Year after year, Vespa will introduce a new Special Edition, each inspired by one of the twelve signs of the zodiac in Chinese astrology.

2023 Year of the Rabbit
2024 Year of the Dragon
2025 Year of the Snake
2026 Year of the Horse
2027 Year of the Goat
2028 Year of the Monkey
2029 Year of the Rooster
2030 Year of the Dog
2031 Year of the pig
2032 Year of the rat
2033 Year of the bull
2034 Year of the tiger

According to a press report: The 125cc version available in Germany will produce 10 kW/14 hp. Features include LED lights, digital cockpit, ASR and ABS. The single seat has burnished leather upholstery and decorative hand-made stitching. In addition to "bunny" graffiti, the special version wears a modern interpretation of the classic Vespa green hue and a numbered "10 years 946" badge.

Official technical data / features from Vespa I could not find yet, presumably there will be no changes to previous versions

......and in my Liberty 150i

O.S.

Very curious that they've upped the power! The Euro 5 air cooled unit from the Sprint / Primavera is 8.1kw (11ish hp).

Wonder if they've put together a brand new engine? If so, this suggests we might see a power increase on the Sprint / Primavera within the next year?

As for the design, the highest residual values seem to be from the brand deals with other companies - so I'm surprised Vespa didn't go down this route for the editions: Gucci, Louis Vuitton etc.