Modern Vespa

So I am joining my wife on a trip to Brighton UK in late March (supposedly the unofficial home of the mods)

As I am sitting here on a beach on vacation i was thinking… by March I bet there should be some great options on accessories for my pending 2023 Supertech.

My question, anybody ever bought something (rear crash bars, windshields) and brought them back home or shipped them back home and to what additional ( duty taxes) costs should I expect.

Ie. am I better off just getting through my local dealer… Five hours away… In Toronto Canada or could this be a positive thing for me to do and cost savings or at least in selections… I.e. a matching new Vespa helmet

I was going to mention tax-free shopping, but our dear PM when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer did away with tax-free shopping for tourists in 2021 when the UK left the EU.

So buy it online from an EU source and get it shipped to the US tax-free - the shipping should be well below the VAT that you'd otherwise pay.

You can still buy it without the VAT if the shop ships it directly to address outside the UK but not if you carry it home. If the shop is set up for it you don't pay the VAT at purchase but if they aren't you can file to reclaim it as long as you have the receipts. Easier just to order online though.

jimc & cdwise pretty much summed it up. It's not worth the hassle of purchasing parts in person from a UK retailer, besides very little merchandise is made in the UK these days so the savings would be minimal, if at all.

Instead, visit the Brighton sites, The Pier, The Pavilion and of course Quadrophenia Alley (bone clothing) MOD shop and treat yourself to a Ben Sherman shirt. If you go at the weekend you're bound to catch the sight of true modded Lammy's & Vespas on a day ride out from London.

If I was coming all the way from Ottowa I would get out of Brighton as quickly as possible.

It's no longer a great place to visit and over the past 10 years or so it's really lost its shine.

I'd suggest that you'll see far more if you jumped on a train and headed for London and used Brighton purely as a base to eat and sleep.

The irony is many London types ( The Downfor's = Down from London ) have houses and apartments there and do the reverse.

The "Lanes" is the best of it, especially at the weekend but there's not much else of any note to see once you're done.

How long are you down for ?

This is a little walk out of town https://www.brightonmoto.co.uk

Just Brighton for 3 days for my wife's conference so I am locked there.

We are heading to Paris for a couple of days at the start and visiting friends we met in the Dominican in Brusssls.

It's always interesting to hear a locals perspective. As someone who used to work for a tourism buereau it's interesting how locals view their area.

Thx for your thoughts and sharing that link @BillDog.

Which Station are you coming into in Paris ? Gare Du Nord ?

Brussels is incredible as is all of Belgium. It's like France Light.

Can I suggest the Automium ? That's really worth a visit.

Are you into Vintage Cars ? Sorry, that sounds a bit creepy. Try this https://www.autoworld.be/en/

Oh, one more thing. If you choose to use the Metro and buy your tickets from a machine try and keep out of the eyesight of the Gendarms as a friend of mine was spotchecked and her tickets were viewed as being invalid so she was fined £60.00.

Yup, seems fair.

If you are coming into the Gare Du Nord I'd suggest that you get out of the area as quickly as possible because it's not the best that Paris can offer.

Thx so much for your tips bill!

Not sure what our time will hold but I know it will be well spent with our host.

https://modernvespa.com/forum/post2570191#2570191

Brighton is a great city! If you've watched Quadrophenia, the alley still exists next to a MOD shop and is very popular. There's a MOD weekend in August.

I've just joined the Brighton Vespa club, but haven't been to any rides as yet. Hoping to join in on one at the end of January.

Edit: If you get the chance, I'd also suggest a bus to Steyning. It's an old village built in the 1600's and is a good contrast to Brighton itself. Small quiet village with nice coffee shops.