Modern Vespa

...but I definitely feel a sense of pride in owning and riding a REAL Vespa around these parts.

I know it's not necessarily 'better' than other mid-sized scooters, but it's, as they say, the 'real deal'.

A modern Vespa is definitely different than any other scooter I've tried. Feels different to ride. Looks different. Sounds different. And performs fine.

I can't see myself ever riding a different scooter.

You guys with your twenty-first-century bikes are certainly not the elite!

I've owned a Piaggio Fly, 2 Vespa GTS 250, Vespa P200, and a Yamaha SMax. Also rented a SYM Citycom 300 for several days while on vacation in Hawaii a few years ago.

The GTS 250 has an overall different feel than the others. It feels very solid and planted, and quick enough to go as fast as I would want. The switch gear all feels very good.

The SMax is a great scoot and excellent in the corners, but above 55mph it struggles is accelerate. It will get to 70, but it takes a bit of patience. Passing cars above 55 takes careful planning and execution.

The SYM Citycom 300 was a very fast bike and pretty stable even at 70 mph. But the switchgear felt weak and the opening and closing of the glovebox and seat did not inspire a lot of confidence.

You will pay a premium for the Vespa - it's top of the market for many reasons.

Like it or not, new Vespas are NOT real Vespas. They're twist and go scooters in a Vespa shape. REAL Vespas are in the NSM section…

Join us…

Thanks, but although I like looking at 'real' Vespa scooters, I have zero desire to own one.

If I didn't know better, I might construe your post as an example of snooty scooter elitism.

I think you're missing an Emoticon or two in your post here pal.

I've seen many vintage Vespa scooters. They look sweet. But the sound, the smell, well, I think I would feel I was being punished if I had to ride one.

I like my machines to be as invisible to me as possible within whatever mechanical engineering they present. Light, quiet, simple to operate, no fuss.

A modern Vespa is like having someone mow my lawn. The vintage ones are like doing it myself...

I suppose that I could probably make a pretty good case that I'm not a 'real' scooter rider anyway, only a part time, casual and occasional scooter rider.

I probably spend as much time on this forum as I do on the seat of my GTS, either posting stupid stuff or just looking through the posts of others, but that's just another part of the total experience.