Modern Vespa

I stumbled across this while looking for something else so i took some screenshots for your amusement.

Piaggio now has a bike feature "Custom Riding Mode" unlocked via the app for the Moto Guzzi V85 MY2024.

I've no doubt that we'll see this in some Vespas in the future. Could you imagine the speed limit of an Elettrica being controlled like this? Pedantically you could argue the navigation licence in the Supertech and others is sort of like this (first 3 years are free), but I feel this is a bit different.


PS, price in screenshot is in Aussie dollars.

That's ludicrous.

I look forward to Piaggio remotely disabling our scoots

I'd love that feature right now!

Only what KTM are doing on their bigger steeds. When you buy the bike everything is " unlocked " to allow you to try it. Apparently after a period of time things like cruise , cornering ABS are turned off unless you pay!

They call it demo mode , ha ha ha

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/ktm-demo-mode

I'm pretty certain that they did that when they blew up my drive belt at 6200 miles.

I think I'll just keep on buying 43 year old Hondas, the more vehicle manufacturers hose their customers into these sort of traps, the more I appreciate flat metal ignition keys, starter systems that don't require a pulled in clutch to start the engine, fuel petcocks that must be manually repositioned for 'reserve', things like that.

Of course, not having an ABS braking system could be an 'inconvenience' at critical times, but nothing is perfect, is it?

You just need a bike old enough to have drum brakes :/

They've partially done it twice to me - making my throttle bodies wear out. (I think I've found what happened with them thanks to the vespa 450 project, might post about it more)

Don't forget clutch and brake cables, and inner tubes, and easily replaced headlight (H4) and tail light bulbs......and a mandated 85 mph speedometer (US, of course)....and sarcasm, lots and lots of jovial sarcasm.