Modern Vespa

Hi group,
Just needing to get an opinion or guidance regarding my dilemma with my new 2023 Piaggio Beverly 400 S that is too big for my height.
I purchased the bike in December of 22 online and never had the chance to sit on it before purchasing it.
I am 5'5" and cannot secure my feet on the ground. And with the 16 & 14 inch tires, I am not confidant maneuvering the bike. It has only 120 miles on it.
I am sure the dealer wouldn't swap or trade another bike and unfortunately I will take a loss by selling it.
Any suggestions or comments I would appreciate.


Sal

5'5" is 165cm.
I see what you mean. I am 178cm and sitting on the saddle of the BV I can only have the tips of both my feet stable on the ground. Which is OK if it does not take too long.

I do not know if you like driving the BV and if it is at your liking, but if you do, and if it is, then it is a pity you would not keep it and suffer quite a loss of money.

Maneuvering the bike should not be a problem, whatever your size. Once it is in motion it is quite stable and with some exercise you will be able to handle it at a level you feel comfortable with.

So about the stopping.

You can shift all the way to the front of the saddle. That is the lowest part of the saddle. Did you try that?

Why should a dealer not be interested in offering an exchange (possibly with additional payment) for another scooter? That you will not get what you paid should be clear. I'm sorry for you, but that's how it will be.

Should you fall over it will only get more expensive…

How much are you missing to the ground? Ask someone to measure the distance of your verses to the ground when you sit on it.

You could achieve a few centimeters by padding and narrowing the seat.

Not sure of your riding experience but the better your skills get and as you get use to your BV 400, the high standover height will likely end up a non issue for you.

My daughter had the same issue with a Primavera 150, no way did she ever think she would be riding it with confidence but after a few months riding a Buddy 125 the tall(er) standover on the Primavera 150 was no big deal.

Rode my buddies KTM super wazoo 1290 dual sport a few months back, could barely touch my toes to the ground but was still easy to ride.

Leg inseam is the best gauge for fit. I can flat foot with 32" inseam. There's a thread where someone used a heat gun and pressed down the helmet hump on the plastic seat frame. You will lose storage space.

Hi Sal. I'm an inch shorter than you, with the same bike (a 350, but apples and apples). I had the same issue. Here's how I "fixed" the issue.

1. Scooch forward a little bit on the seat. It's tapered toward the front making it much easier to put a foot down flat. I usually have my right on the ball of my foot, and my left foot mostly if not all the way down. Once you're moving, scooch back if you like.

2. I bought boots with a thicker sole (Doc Martens, RedWings).

3. Remember that when you're on the bike 90% of the time, you're moving and your feet need to be up, not down. Most of the time you're moving.

I hope this helps. PS my inseam is 30. Depending on where you are in NJ, maybe we could meet up sometime. I was super anxious after I got my BV in 2019, but those things (especially scooching up in the seat to where it's tapered), really helped. Now I can wear my Vans if I want. Or any other shoe.

Thank you for the responses to my height dilemma on riding the Beverly 400.
I reached out to the Vespa shop where I bought it to see if we could swap the bike out and awaiting their response.
If I cannot, I will learn to adapt to the bike.

My spouse had the same problem as she is the same height. We solved the problem with a pair of Daytona M-Star riding boots. I don't recall how much height they give but it was like 1.5-2 inches and made it so she can ride the BV as well as our other bikes.
JEB

Many (if not most) motorcyclists can't flat foot. Bikes are very tall these days.
Learn to lean to one side or the other when you stop. It's easy, and your scooter is light, compared to most motorcycles.
With a scooter, you can lean to either side, since you don't need to keep a foot on the brake pedal.

After a couple of rides, it'll be second nature.

If you're trying to get them to trade it for another new scooter, that won't happen. They will take it in trade on another scooter, but you are going to take a hit in terms of the difference between what you paid for it and what it's now worth. They are likely going to tell you it's worth $3000-4000 towards a new vehicle. And you're going to pay sales tax and license fees again.

I think the move here that is most cost effective, and effort effective is to modify what you can. This seems like a strong reaction to something with easy fixes, albeit with some effort. I think you're going to get screwed by the dealership, lose money, on what is actually a really great bike. That being said, if you're okay to take that financial hit and don't want to do the other things, then moving forward with the dealership and bike trade sounds like the move for you.

As mentioned above, the seat can be shaved down a bit. Thicker soled boots will also help.

I am also inseam challenged (30") and I rarely put both feet down when stopped. I typically put my left only down and lean very slightly.

You also might check the suspension pre-load setting. If the rear shocks are adjustable, set the pre-load to the lowest setting, allowing the shocks to compress a bit more while you are on it.

Good luck and hopefully you'll figure out what works for you.

The OP has received lots of good advice, but surely it is his call in the end. If he wants to spend more time trying to adapt to the bike, his call. If he concludes the bike was the wrong choice for him, that is certainly also his call. Definitely it will cost him some money to trade his now used bike for a different new one. A dealer is hardly "screwing" him by looking at market values and his own interest at making some kind of profit on sales. Any of us should expect some cost associated with making a wrong choice and backing up to correct it.