Modern Vespa

I am pretty much obsessed with the Vespa GTS, but since I have to wait for the next shipment, I am keeping an open mind. Anyone know anything about the scarabeo? Is it any good? It's the only other scooter that comes close to appealing to me compared to vespa. I haven't done any research on it, and i want to get some opinions before I potentially waste time looking into it.

Check the SportCity 250i.e. - that's Aprilia's "Vespa GTS", only with bigger tires and more aggressive looks. Hawtness...

Might help if you specify which model of Scarabeo you're talking about. Right now its availible in the States as a 100cc, 200cc, and 500cc. But there have previously been 50cc, 150cc, 250cc, and very different 500cc models as well. Overseas it has been made in pretty much every displacement between 50cc and 500cc.

I know it doesn't compare to the GTS in most ways, but I had a kitted Scarabeo 50 for a while and that little bugger kicked some serious ass. While it's not the pefect type of bike for everybody, I've never seen a truely bad review of any Scarabeo model (the only possible exception being that the 100cc is a pretty slow little 4-stroke). Scarabeos are a very different type of scoot than Vespas, but if you're still keeping things open, it definately couldn't hurt to give one a serious look.

Yeah, I was thinking of the 200 or 500. I'm not sure I want to go 500 because it might be a little too "maxi" for me.

I did a lot of research on the 200, and it seems to be a pretty good bike. There aren't a ton of reviews yet though, because it just came out a few months ago. But I was seriously considering it for a while. Part of my thinking was that I really enjoyed my little 50, so hopefully a newer and larger version of it would be just as good or better. I grew to love those larger wheels.

Although that's all before I was very pleasantly suprized to learn that I am not, as previously assumed, too short to handle a GTS properly.

The only way I would get a scarabeo is if I somehow fall in love with it and its features blow the gts away. The beo appeals to me a lot more than the sportcity in looks.

the scarabeo 250 rocked.

the sportcity rocks.

the end.

I'm pretty qualified to comment on this one. My wife has a GTS and I ride a BV500 (close cousin to the Scarabeo). I love both of them. They each do some things better than the other. You really have to ask yourself what you want to do with it. If you are a city and 2 lane highway rider with occasional freeway use...I think the GTS is the better choice. It is the one that actually is a Vespa (is that important to you?). I wanted a bigger bike that I could ride to work every day which is about 15 miles of freeway each way. I also wanted to carry a passenger...the extra 250cc comes in mighty handy there. Other real world differences...70MPG+ for the GTS (my best is 83) and for the BV500...it's more like 60MPG (my best is 71MPG)...and how big are you? I am a big guy. I fit better on the BV500.

I was where you are a while ago. I didn't want to spend more than I had to so I was looking at the SportCity, Scarabeo 200 and Vespa GT 200 (leftovers).

Eh, not so much. Although the Aprilias are nice enough, the Vespas were in a class of their own, rigid frames, quality components.

After riding both the GT and the GTS, I could not justify (despite the $1000 difference OTD) getting any bike but the GTS.

Personal preferences of course apply--that's just me.

No regrets.

P.

I have a 2008 GTS and I love it. That being said, my next one will be a Scarabeo 500

We have a ton of the Scarabeos in our club. Several members got them this year when they became available. Universally loved by its owners. It is well designed to handle people who are very long legged as the leg room is more than adequate. There are carburator issues but there is now a fix for it that Vespa Canada is making known to the dealerships here. Without the fix, the carb. was causing the scooter to stall on occasion. After the fix, no problems whatsoever.

Don't forget about the passion.

You mentioned your obsessed with the Vespa. The Aprilia is a great bike but every time you see a GTS you would regret getting the Scarabeo.

Get what's in your heart and you won't regret anything.

The Scarabeo 500 is only 9" longer than the 'beo 200. It's certainly the smallest scooter in the 400-500cc class, it's a "commuter" class (like the Piaggio BV250 and BV500), not a cross-country touring bike like a Honda Silverwing.

But yeah, if you are passionate about the Vespa GTS, get it. Nothing else will fill that need. As nice as the Vespas are, I feel that passion when looking at the Scarabeos (especially the 500, even though I really only need a 200-250cc).

Oh, and these pictures make me drool: http://www.pless.com.au/cars/aprilia/index.htm

The '07 and newer Scarabeo is a great split between the GTS and a 'maxi' scoot - I have 6k on the 500 and 8k on the GTS - is that enough miles to have an educated opinion?

The Scarabeo seating position is like the GTS - NOT like the Japanese maxi - lay on you back, lounging. It is pretty nimble, and gets up and goes, still in the mid 50 MPG range at 90% WOT (WOT on a 500 and they keep your license and you go straight to jail.)

You'll also appreciate the sportiness of the GTS differently after spending miles on the big Scarabeo.

It was fantastic on the trip to and from AmeriVespa in 2007, including a 800 mile day on the way back - with Givi Saddlebags and a rear seat bag, and on a crazy return from the Salton Sea 600 mile trip.

As for cross country travel - realistically how many times will you do that? I flipped a coin and the Scarabeo lost the toss for the current cross country adventure.

The Rotax 150 Scarabeo from a couple of years ago - ugly, but a rocketship - compared to the 250, and maybe even the 500.

The old 150 looked the best IMO.

Check out www.aprilliaforums.com - pretty decent site with some good info on the Sportcity and 'Beo. These three and the BV250 are all the ones I am considering for my next scoot. The only downside to me on the 'Beo 200 is that it is carbed and I would REALLY prefer FI. For me the 500 is waaay too big, it's nearing full size touring MC to me and I use mine almost entirely in the city.

Can't go wrong with any of them from all my research. Some of it comes down to budget, style, wheel size, etc. Good luck!

The BV250 is carburated as well. Only the SportCity and GTS are injected.

The BV500 is fuel injected.

It's actually www.aprilliaforum.com (no "s") -- I go by the same screen name over there too.

I loved my GTS and still miss it. I always said if it was a 300 it would be perfect. I love my BV 500 (same machine as the Scarabeo just styled differently) for the power, comfort, looks and handling on the highway, but still would/will trade back to the GTS Super if and when it comes to North America. If you are obsessed with the GTS I say wait.

Dave

I have both. I like the GTS for around town and errand running out to about a 25 mile radius. The GTS is an amazing shopping scooter (no surprise there considering it's heritage.)

The Scarabeo I use for commuting, riding on highways and Interstates and long distance touring. The Scarabeo is a great all around good scooter, easy to maneuver in town, good commuter and capable of being a competent tourer with a top box and saddle bags.

They've just brought a 300 version which over here is almost £800 less than the Vespa GTS 300 and gets a very good write up on the initial test ride, may be worth looking into?

BV250 is injected for '08. And yes, I want the Sportcity Cube 300!

Thanks for the input guys, it's really helpful. I think I am going to see if I can find dealers with a scarabeo, sportcity, and bv250 in stock so I can sit on them and see if any of them feel better than a GTS. I love road trips, but my needs are pretty much all urban/suburban/occasional highway use. I think the 500 would be overkill for my first scoot, right? I thought that 250cc would be enough to go on trips now and then, as long as I am not on any 75 mph highways (i.e. west virginia). Am I deluding myself?

Well, the GTS seems to be performing better as I get farther beyond the 'break-in" period. I-95 was no problem for it, and 75 is the 'moderate' lane on that. Did some of I-81 from Winchester to West VA as well: no problemo. I wouldn't hesitate to take the Interstates through WVA.

The GTS really does seem to do it all: cheap local errand running, leasurely tours, high-speed day trips - will let you know how touring/cross-country works out as soon as I can get a date firmed up. I suspect that it will handle very long distances better than I do...

They're both good bikes, but if you've got an itch for a GTS then you better scratch it!

I absolutely LOVE my GTS 250...everytime I ride it I have such a great time. It's got plenty of power to cruise back roads and highways and it gets lots of looks.

Go with your first choice...you won't be disappointed.

You've just clinched it for me. I will definitely get my dream scooter. All good things are worth waiting for 8)

Do let me know how the touring goes!