Modern Vespa

what is the diff between the 400 and 500.

Looks, cc's, storage capacity.

You probably get slightly better mileage on the 400 as well.

The cost of the 500 vs the 400 is only $200 more. So PRICE really isn't any reason to get one over the other. Which is a really good thing, because now you can get what you want and not settle because you couldn't aford the price difference.

basically its style, performance is fairly even

Ah! But around here 400cc is at the top of the insurance bracket. Add $600 per year to the price of the bike for anything over 400cc (such as the 500ie).

But I so like the style of the 500ie. Do they both have the same frame; a 400cc in a 500ie frame?

This could produce a fast nimble bike for the occasional logging road.

H

This is a great question. I have been all over the internet and this forum trying to find riding comparisons between the two.

Aside from the looks and less storage on the 500 I have only found the following:

500 has 6 more horsepower
500 has 5 more pounds of torque
500 has slightly larger rear brake
weight is the same
500 has 1 mph greater top speed (according to Piaggio brochure)

This is all I have been able to find.

Bob

500 - both lights turn on as opposed to one light with the 400 or 250

yeah, i know this sound stupid, but that was one reason i really liked the 500 more...too many people coming and telling you,

dude, you have a light out...

drives a man crazy


g

I agree 100%. This fact was mentioned upon delivery and not at the showroom. I don't think it would have mattered at the time since there were several incentives, but you never know.

how much difference is the storage?

500 has -25% in style...i am sorry but they look like off road vehicles the rednecks here in florida hunt deer with. But it looks good on you

What about the ride? Anybody ridden both? Does the 500 *really* perform better?

bob

I rode my lawnguy's 500 (yeah i think i pay him too much lol) and as much as i dislike the appearance it took off rather nicely. Handles like my 250 and draws just as many looks. I think it would be a good bike if you were on freeways alot or in hilly terrain.

I wouldn't worry about that cos' everytime they say that one light is out, I will just say "Oh! its like the superbikes! One is low light and the other is high beam."