Modern Vespa

Anybody know where I can get the Honda SH 300i. I really love it, but I can not find it in the U.S.A, thanks

The only way to do it. Buy one overseas, then ship it here.

the UK dealers are sometimes receptive to this

You can buy one in the EU and in the UK, but not in the USA. Back in June '07 an MV member, dudel, explained why we don't get the SH300i in the USA as follows: There has been one interesting development since then. We haven't heard anything from Honda, but Yamaha have announced they are bringing their TMax 500 to the USA beginning this month (July '08). The TMax is another big scooter which currently is ruling the roost in Italian scooter sales (See chart of year-to-date Jan-Jun sales below). But, here's the intersting thing. The argument has always been that Honda won't bring the SH300i to the USA because it would be too expensive. However, Yamaha is bringing the TMax 500 to the US at a price point of $8000. If the TMax sells at that price point, maybe Honda will reconsider on the SH300i. I wouldn't hold my breath or anything, but it's an interesting thought.

What's interesting about that to me is that almost half of the scoots are 250cc+ and no 50ccs are listed at all. Such a different market.

And I'm one who'd buy a SH300i at a price in the GTS range.

I live upstairs from the Impala Honda dealer here in Barcelona, which probably sells 10 of these a week. Had no idea they weren't available in the U.S.

The TMax is my favorite mega scooter. It really looks the part but is too big for weaving through traffic, which is what I do the most. The SH 300 is a street rocket, but I don't like the styling and all plastic build. Honda makes a tough scooter, though. My Vision SH75 is going on 17 years old and still running strong!

The other significant event, maybe the most significant, is gas in the USA has hit 4 dollars a gallon and in some parts of Europe 11 dollars a gallon and scooters are selling like hot cakes. There is an opportunity to sell scooters in the USA to a broader consumer base that never existed before.

It's hard to imagine a company like Honda or Vespa would ignore that opportunity to market their 300 models world wide.

If both the Honda 300i and the Vespa Super 300 were available I will be hard pressed to make a decision (this will be my first scooter). To me it's the maintenance free Honda (and a postal system that does not take 3 months to deliver a package) vs the passion of the Vespa (which combined with a postal strike in the 1970s caused the mail to be dumped into the river. Momma mia, If only Cesar was still alive).

After loosing a lot of sleep over what to buy while I wait for these 300s to become available I will run out an buy the first 300 that is available (in a fit of passion of course, its in my ancestry).

I will continue to compare these two scooters and cultures as I wait!

Thanks for the sales figures they gave me a lot more factors to consider.

I would love to hear more about T-Max sales when they get some sales under there belts here in the states.

Nice review of the Honda 300i

http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/tpl/mag5/art20070115/htm/route-honda-SH-300i.htm

thanks for your informations, so If I want the SH 300i in the U.S right now, the only way that I can do is I have to travel to the EU to buy one and then ship it to the U.S right?? Anybody know where is the best place in E.U that I can buy it from and how much for it right now??? Thanks

Unlikeley to be able to register and insure it in the U.S. Believe me, I hve spent 3 years trying to convince my husband that the Honda SH300 (or the 150) should live here.

Where do you live? Around here people would kill to be first in line to buy $4 gas right now. We'll soon see $5 gas (and $6 may not be too far behind)

Maybe Honda will rethink their role in the US scooter market at some point. Hope so, they have a lot to offer.

If Hero Honda in India could make the 125cc metal bodied 4 spd (it's the Eterno I think) USDOT-worthy and export it to No. America that would be something!

The SH series is a tight little scooter and I think it would kick butt here in the states. It's not cheap to bring an MC line into a new country. Perhaps they're waiting to see ir the US Scooter binge has legs before introducing it.

BTW, Gas here is around $3.9X. I'm telling you, folks, the upper midwest is where it's at!