Modern Vespa

So. Hi. I'm new.

Been lurking awhile now, doing every possible avenue of research for my impending purchase of my first scooter, and wanting to be a two-wheeler since I was 12. Took the MSF course at Harley Davidson about 4 years ago, but was too chicken buy a motorcycle, so I didn't. Then I finally decided I'd rather a scooter. So here I am at 25 and finally got the proverbial balls to do it. I went to Vespa of Baton Rouge yesterday, and sat on my baby. When I save up the rest of the money I need, its mine.

My girlfriend is the one taking the picture. I asked her how I looked, but she's a bit biased. So... how do I look?

you do look like you freakin out with excitement, just wanting to get out and tear up the roads, and you will.
just remember it has been 4 yrs since your class and to take things slow and build back up to your solid comfort level before you become a "bad ass"
congrats on your new scoot and AGATT

Yeah, you do need AGATT -- those flip-flops are not DOT approved. But, heah, go for it!

Quite honestly, having taken the course 4 years ago with *NO* riding time in between, it might not be an awful thing to take the course again while you are getting your finances together.

Thanks for the kind words, guys. Totally getting some serious gear (I've been obsessing over it for a while). I have a helmet already, and I've been looking for a protective but breathable jacket for hot and humid southern Louisiana days. I wear flip-flops almost everyday of the year (even in winter, but it doesn't get too cold here), I plan on keeping a pair under the seat so I can take off my riding boots and throw on a pair of cool and comfortable flip-flops. I can't even imagine wearing closed shoes on summer days... ew.

I recognized that store picture before I had looked at your username or what you wrote :p Hello fellow Baton Rouge person! I am currently waiting for VespaBR to get the next shipment of MP3 400s, and to take the MSF class myself in August. Have you already received your endorsement? I too have wanted a motorcycle/scooter for years, and finally went ahead with it.

I'm pretty excited too. The longer I wait, the more gadgets and accessories I end up with, and no bike to put them on. Curse you Ebay and your devilishly cheap prices.

hey there! nice to see a native on the board. MP3 huh? I'm sure I'll see you on the road at some point then... they're pretty noticeable! When is the new shipment coming in?

Where are you taking the MSF class? Harley Davidson or the Louisiana department of education?

No, I haven't gotten my endorsement, but I will be taking the written test in the next few weeks for my permit. Since it was so long ago that I took the class, I'm going to have to do the riding portion of the test at the DMV. Not sure how thats going to be. We'll see.

you look badass!!!!

are you guys just gettiin one scooter? After I got my second scoot, I managed to get my g/f into scooters too..Now she has two and I have three..They are a blast, especially when you have a riding partner..

keep us updated with your purchase and post pics!!!

I'm taking the classes from the Harley dealer. The Vespa dealer said that they were already being shipped the next delivery when I put my downpayment, that was on the 8th of july.

Looking very fine!! You can believe your friend!

In New Orleans Toreador Pants (=all the gear all the time) is going to be tough

While motorcycle boots are much better,
I wear these hiking boots instead when it's hot and humid:


Key features to look for:
Well-protected toes (really key--please don't wear flip-flops)
Tough material on the ankles (to protect them if your ankle gets stuck between the moving scooter and the pavement)
Nonslip soles (to avoid embarrassment when you're starting & stopping)
Ventilation in areas that are not likely to be scraping the pavement

I also recommend a DOT helmet and mesh motorcycle gear for the rest

Have fun! You're going to love this, you look like a natural

you look ready.... just do it!

keep us posted!

you look MARVELOUS - even in your flipflops!

good choice in scooter, I have the exact one but in Dragon Red - I love it! I like your glasses too

you know when you get your in no time your g/f will want too.

Who cares how you look... how do you FEEL? My guess is you feel like riding, and once you get it the feeling will only intensify.

Enjoy.

you look like your itchin to ride that thing! and i don't blame you. don't forget piaggio/vespa is running free financing for a year right now. take advantage but make sure you pay it off within the year or you'll get slapped with retro-intrest. get it tomorrow!

you can't ride two up with the S. so if you want your lady on the back pay the extra couple hundered and get the lx.

good luck!

Looks like you're making the right choice

Thanks for all the advice and support. Y'all are all so nice here!

My girlfriend is stoked. She's looking to get into a MSF course, and I may take it again with her when she does, just cuz it couldn't hurt. I foresee another scooter in our future, but it may be awhile since we are still new (we just moved into our first apartment together), and still trying to figure out finances.

nickandsusan: nice scooter, loved the white too!

pcmommy: thanks! I love how the rectangle headlight matches my glasses, but I'm a nerd like that.

viva sicilia: do you have to be approved for that? because I have dismal credit.

Your GF might feel more comfortable if you took the class with her... A little less intimidating.

And not to deter you from Vespas at all ('cause they are nice), but since it sounds like you might want two scoots in the near future and money is a little tight...

Here are two suggestions:

1) Consider two non-Vespa scoots. Kymco is a highly-regarded Tawainese scooter manufacturer and for the 2009 model year, they've added the 150cc Super 8 for $2299:


You could basically buy TWO Super 8 scooters for the price of ONE Vespa S (donning my flame-suit for the Vespa diehards to start flaming me).

If you want to stay with the Piaggio/Vespa/Aprilia family, you look at TWO Piaggio Fly 150 scoots (retailing at $2899 each + setup/delivery).



2) The Vespa S150 is a one-person machine -- you could look at getting one larger two-person scooter to alternate rider/pillion (passenger) privileges on. Vespa, Aprilia, and Piaggio all have plenty of nice two-person options. You could flip for it, alternate rides, whatever.

You'll go through less gas with a single scooter and have few expenses (one scooter for tags, one to insure, etc.)

The Piaggio BV250 is quite nice retailing at $4899:



The single larger scooter option might even be cheaper if you go used. Since the Vespa S150 just came out, there really aren't a real quantity used, and even if there were, they demand a price-premium. You can probably find a 2006 Piaggio BV250 with about 1,500 miles for $4000 (and no add-on fee for delivery/set-up).

Later on, you could add a Vespa S150 to your "stable".

Well, that's my -- I'm sure others will have some good input too.

i believe you do have to be approved. maybe a co-signer? i see that someone here is giving alternate suggestions for you or your girlfriend. just to let you know the piaggio fly 150 is the same engine as the lx150 and hear its a little faster because it's lighter. i'm no expert. this is just here say. piaggio is also running a special for college students (with valid id). purchase a fly 150 and get the top box free and a 50 gas card! can't beat that! some people will say "it's built in china" it is. so what. it's still a piaggio.

noob - save up and get the Vespa S. I have had mine since May and I still can't keep from looking at it in awe everytime I go into the garage!

p.s - and I have a big yellow Hummer H3 sittin next to her!

You look like you're trying to hold back the world's biggest grin in that picture. I think we all probably looked like that when we first sat on our scooters. A lovely shot! Happy scootering!

-Joe

http://scootindavalley.blogspot.com/

Just out of curiosity, can't you just put a different seat on the S and ride pillion?

yes. you could get the touring seat that is made for the S. it seats two

Thanks, thats what I thought.

Hopefully you wont ride it shorts or flip flops, good luck.


Manny

from noob to another...may i just say the vespa s150 is amazing!

i bought one rather unexepectedly in june (i was just going to look and ended up walking out an owner) and it was delivered 2 weeks later.

i took the motorcycle safety course out here in CA with my boyfriend (the other user was RIGHT! you should definitely take it together!) and now we're ready to ride!

he's more into the dual-sport bikes, so he won't be joining me in the wonderful world of vespa's, but i'm just glad we can ride together and i've got an aunt and uncle that tour on moto guzzi's, harley's, and scarabeo's. we're quite the little addicted family now.

feel free to hit me up if you've got any questions as to the s150 or learning how to ride on one!

oh and PS:

i looked at the piaggio fly 150 as well, i didn't care for the style much and it seemed like too much plastic compared to a metal vespa. then i found out the fly's are made in china and the vespa's will hold their re-sale value better, i immediately settled on speding the extra grand or so and getting the vespa s150...it's what i really wanted anyway!

Thanks! I'm debating with myself on practicality here of a Vespa vs. something cheaper. I'm about 85% sure I'm getting the Vespa, but the Fly is so much cheaper... but so much less attractive in my opinion. I also want something that will last. I'm hoping to make this my daily commuter. I'm fretting over my unsure 15%. I still have a little time to decide as I save up the finances.

I thought about other manufacturers too, but the closest dealers for these (kymco and genuine) are in New Orleans. It would suck to have to take it an hour and a half away if somethings wrong. Besides, I just love the look of Vespas.

i agree, there is nothing like the look of the vespa, but you, and only YOU know what you can afford. the fly is a really good deal, who gives a crap if its made in china, most vespa parts are probably made in china but assembled in Italy. are you really going to drive it and say, "this is a piece of crap, it was made in china."
i can give you this advice, if you buy something and are not completely happy with it, you will never be satisfied. sometimes good things are worth the wait. if you love the vespa that much (as much as i do ) save up and get it, then ride around with a stupid, happy grin on your face (like i do ).

+1 to what Sandra said:

If you can personally get past the "made in China" (under Piaggio supervision) and not quite as good looking as a Vespa part, then buy the Fly. Many MV members have them and no one has reported bad things about them.

Keep in mind that the general population has no idea where these things come from. If it looks like a Vespa, they're going to assume it's a Vespa! (small wheels, scooter-style frame) Vespa is another word to many people just like "Kleenex" and "Xerox".

At most, they might say to whoever they're with: "Hey, look at that guy on that scooter.... He sure looks like he's having fun!"

If you can't get past it, and you have your heart set on the Vespa S, then wait and get it when it's appropriate, because nothing is going to patch that need.