Modern Vespa

Got a text from my favorite salesman today. He said "You need to come visit me. Not telling you why but let's just say it's a beautiful day for riding"
This is sitting out for all to see:






I'm a sucker for new bikes. He handed me the keys. I handed them to my friend who met me there. I walked around and enjoyed the variety on display while he rode 11 miles. He said it was quicker response and smoother than the 300, but wasn't worth upgrading again as he had already went from the HPE to the HPE2. I went back and asked about the new Blue BV400. Lucky for me he didn't have it in stock. I got a feeling one will arrive soon and I'll get another test

About your comment on the BV400… the current bike has been out since 2021. Don't you expect at least a facelift or something for the new model year ? I'm thinking about a new BV but am hesitant. The last batch of an outgoing model will loose value faster, plus you're possibly missing out new features.

I have a testride on the new GTS 310 in an hour and a half. Never ridden a Vespa and am just curious. It's more of an elimination test ride as the BV will probably better for my intended use. Which is a once a year road trip from Switzerland to Portugal (to PT in autumn, bach to CH in spring)

I really like that blue they have introduced this year. Its really striking. I saw it on a Sprint 125 at my dealers recently.

No. MY2025 Beverley: https://www.fulland-vespa-store.de/news/der-neue-piaggio-beverly-my2025-neue-farben-und-eine-zusaetzliche-hubraumklasse

With the new model year I mean 2026.

How did it go, and how does it compare to your BV350?

The BV400 seems to be a bit tighter and more restrictive on sitting position, but the ride seems more comfy maybe due to the larger wheels.

The 310 feels like the 300 to me when just sitting on it. I didn't ride it. My friend said it felt more responsive than the 300 but not enough to upgrade. He did upgrade from the original HPE to the HPE2.

The Vespa has more options for accessories/mods available to make a trip more enjoyable.

So why did I choose the BV? I just liked the looks better. As far as riding and 200+ mile rides/day, the Vespa is a cargo ship of fun. The BV is yet to be evaluated. I've already purchased one of those inflatable cushions in foresight of the other posts saying the BV isn't as comfy for longer rides.

Another thing is that all the large frame models have enough rack options to make a U-Haul obsolete......
Ok, not completely, but you get the idea.

I was pleasantly surprised at how good the Vespa was. I was very concerned about the small wheels making it feel all wobbly and unstable, but this was not the case. It took a few 100m to get used to it and after that handling was fine, even in the local twisties. Handling is not as good as the BV though. I also went on the autobahn to see how it would fare there. Again stability at 100kmh and 120 kmh felt fine, I did not feel unsafe, Power wise there is a clear disadvantage compared to the BV350. 100kmh (65 mph) is easy but above that it starts to struggle. The BV does 120kmh (75mph) without any problems but the Vespa is clearly struggling. I am however one of those people that goes 100kmh in the right lane on cruise control. I prefer the mental relaxation slower speeds bring, don't want the mental stress and having to pay attention that comes with constant lane changing and overtaking. It is not a 'keep your lane' system here.

The big thing with the BV for me though is the bad seat, I am tall (6ft4) with a 36" inseam and the seat of the BV forces me too far forward. I constantly feel like I'm sliding off the front of the seat. And this is where the Vespa shines, the practically flat seat allowed me to sit in the middle. This gave a more comfortable knee angle and there was no sense of sliding off the seat at all.


Sooo, the testride was meant to discount the GTS but this has not happened. My options are now to keep the BV350 but this requires a new more comfortable seat and a big service. It's at 10000 km and with the upcoming 2500km trip it will also need new tires and a new drive belt / rollers. So I'm looking at a cost of roughly 1/4th of the new GTS. One major advantage of the 350 is that I have the topbox for it. Or buy a BV400 which does not come with a topbox, but this will also need a new more comfortable seat as it has the same problem as the 350. Plus the BV400 is now in it's 4th year, I think it might get a facelift for the 2026 model year. This would be bad for the value of the current BV400, making it not a good time to buy one now. Or get a GTS 310. For the GTS I would just get a rear rack and maybe a front rack, not a top box.


I still have the nagging feeling though that the BV will be better suited for such a long trip. But the Vespa will make it more of an experience, will force me more to take the smaller scenic roads (where with the BV you can just stay on the autobahn the whole way). Decisions decisions…

Thanks for sharing.

I am shorter than you are. 1,78m, and the sitting position on my BV for me is really comfortable.

My BV is a 300ie from 2012 and did 35.000km. It has been a completely trouble free scooter, with only 1 drawback: quite a hard suspension.
I am a bit tempted by the new BV 310. That 310 engine offers 25% more power than my 300, and it is new, and it has ABS, and maybe it has an improved suspension.