Modern Vespa

which of us?

I'm really disappointed by this whole thread.

but you normally eat popcorn? did the Keas steal yours?

and I really should zip tie my lips together

not my rules, highly suggest you write the US federal government vehicle division and voice your complaint to them that they are fucked up according to you.

Ah, looks like your message was posted just seconds before mine. I didn't mean you. You're way too calm and normal

The noticeably irritated old man, on the other hand, he's bringing the passion. This shit seems paramount to him lol

It's the internet. The trick is to never set your expectations too high. Don't even set them high at all lol

This is categorically false.

Generally speaking (with a number of notable exceptions), the model year designation in the US is the major dividing line between old and new designs. These might be an entire redesign of a model, or major aesthetic changes, or functional changes under the hood. The model year designation is what is generally used to determine parts compatibility, for instance.

The US automakers have been using the model year as a major dividing line between old and new for almost a hundred years in the United States. The fact that it isn't aligned with the calendar year is a feature, not a bug.

I say again: US model years ARE the most significant categorization of a model, and this system does actually convey meaningful information between the automakers and the US consumers.

Which notably does not include Piaggio.

The logical issue you're having trouble with is not because of the US system, which is in fact self-consistent. The issue you're having is that Piaggio doesn't give a rat's ass about the US model year designation, and usually doesn't have anything actually new to offer anyway. Piaggio might arbitrarily change model year on some random Tuesday because they felt like it, not because there was any actual difference in the bikes compared to the ones they made on Monday.

That's a Piaggio problem. Not a problem with the US model year system.

I know you don't mean it like Piaggio has an actual problem, but, just for clarity...

Having worked for a few automotive giants, if Piaggio is able to switch production at the drop of a hat, regardless of what anyone's calendar says, that's an asset.

Piaggio isn't alone in doing this. Looking at you, BMW and Triumph. Sometimes what makes the most sense for a corp. isn't what makes the most sense for the consumer.

On the list of manufacturer concerns, KPIs like bottom line, market share, units sold, growth, brand, and value to shareholders rank supreme... They have smart analysts being paid a lot of money to help them explore from every angle and make the best decisions they can for the situation they're in at that moment, based on the 5-6 KPIs that matter to them most. Mixing things up isn't a problem. It's the machine doing it's job. It's just annoying for us end-users sometimes.

Just because I am curious: Which model year has the current Primavera?

Is it still an asset if the entire re-tooling operation at Piaggio consists of changing one digit of the VIN stamping die? Because that doesn't seem like an asset to me, more of an IDGAF on Piaggio's part.

I agree. Very odd that the MY is over a year past the manufacture date. I would expect that since my VIN plate says 06/23 that it would still be a 2023 model since I'm used to the MY not changing until around August, so if it was 09/23 I could see it being a 2024 MY. The VIN plate says 06/23, but the paperwork all says it's a 2024 MY. The VIN is ZAPMD39M9R5400019 let me know what you decode from that.

The date 6/23 on the VIN plate is irrelevant. Well, not irrelevant, but not what we're after here. The 10th digit of the VIN itself declares the model year. This one says 'R', which does in fact mean 2024.

So at least according to the US model year system, it's a 2024. Given that this is also a Piaggio product, that might mean nothing at all.

Depends on the cost benefit analysis of people who know way more about their operations than either of us do.

Sure. And my main point here is that SteelBytes should be directing his ire at Piaggio for sitting on their thumbs instead of at the US model year system, which does in fact align major changes with the model year designation.

Maybe a born on date would solve it
Everybody knows when that is.

that's the date on the metal plate with the vin number. Date of manufacture. but is still not the model year date.

Are the Vietnamese and Italian production lines making the same bikes on the same day?

I'm assuming the USA models all get done in batches?

Al explained it numerous times. This was his latest post about it:
https://modernvespa.com/forum/post732301#732301

Those of us who refer to the 2023 GTS as an "HPE2" are referring to the style changes and it's a way to differentiate between a pre/post 2023 model. It's not enough anymore to call your local shop and say, "I have a Vespa GTS HPE and I need a windscreen." The "old" HPE windscreens don't fit the 2023 and later models. The leg shield beading (trim) was changed, etc etc etc. The next time Vespa updates an engine on that bike it will likely be a higher cc (350 or 400) whenever European emissions standards decide that engine cannot be cleaned or quieted down any further and they'll likely call it something different than HPE because there won't be a need to differentiate it from an existing engine.

Back to the EICMA rumors — we're excited to see what gets announced. If we had to guess, we'd bet that the 150cc scooters (Prima and Sprint) are going to be keyless. Our sales reps told us production was ramping down and the new models will arrive in March. That's the same thing they said/did when the GTS went keyless. The MP3, BV, and GTS are already using FOBs - it would be the next logical step to get the 150s on board.

Full ABS on a 150 doesn't seem to make sense unless for some reason they were going to switch the drum brake to a disc in the US market. Doubt it.

It's only 8 days away - we'll see!

Lastly the new beige and orange GTV is shipped as a MY24. Says right on the MCO.

it does in australia. can't sell the current here anymore.

(I'm assuming by 150 you mean primavera/sprint not gts150)

Is the 2024 946 getting revealed at EICMA or do we need to wait until January to see the first actual official real wood (dragon) Vespa?

Vespa Portland nailed it. As a heavy seller and daily shipper of modern Vespa parts, we at Scooter West/Vespa Motorsport had to come up with a name for the new 2023 GTS300. Hence, HPE2. This has helped minimize problems with our mail order parts, but we still have to ask for individual V.I.N. numbers, so we can help steer customers toward the correct parts that will fit their 300.

People who like Vespas often love Vespas. Those of us who are emotionally invested often relish new technology, new styling, colors, etc.details which sometimes are announced at EICMA. So all I was hoping for when posting was any news to share.

I'm content with my '20 GTS300, even with it's few sort of annoying foibles (relatively short drive belt life being the main one), so I'm not looking with much enthusiasm to a '24 model Vespa as long as my 'old one' makes me happy, which it undoubtedly will for a long time to come

HOWEVER!!!!

(PLACE NSR WARNING HERE)

At the risk of raising the ire of some for even mentioning it here, I AM very interested in the 2024 40th anniversary Kawasaki ZX-14R that my friendly local Kaw/Royal Enfield/Yamaha dealer introduced me to the day before yesterday. He won't have one of these in the shop for a few months, but I must admit that I've been obsessing about it already.

I have no idea how I could afford to buy one though, things being what they currently are for me financially, but I've always seemed to find a way when I develop enough 'wood' for a particular bike, and at my age that doesn't happen nearly often enough anymore.

Good Lord, I love this thing in this color scheme.

(Anyone want to buy a slightly used trombone?)

Don't hate me.

so are we getting a bv 400 in blu zaffiro ?color for 2024?
if so when can we order them and get one?

So.
Now someone sure knows what are the differences of
2022, 2023 and 2024
of 300 GTS Supers?
Are the uglier mirrors the only thing changed inside this line?

Actually I'm interested of the motor -as said there was oil consuption, but no more? When that happened, and what was done?