Modern Vespa

Hello all!
My fiance and I are considering trading in her 89 BMW 735il (75000mi) on a new MP3 ... I've been lurking around here for the past week. It seems like I've got the tunnel vision turned on and the only thing I see is an MP3 at the end of the tunnel.
I do have some questions though ...

1. I'm in AZ, apparently I can get a learners permit which allows me to ride surface streets during the day on a scooter (I think this would include an MP3) ... so if I just get that I'm good to purchase my MP3?

2. I was reading some discussion about about 250 v. 400 ... and after all the 500 owners chimed in it got me thinking: I'm pretty sure we'll be going with the 400 for for the extra power ... but what's all this about the 500 having less storage space? isn't it essentially the same scooter with a bigger engine?

3. I have aabout a 70 mile commute to school during the week (reason for scooter) ... but am worried I won;t get to ride as much as her because I have to take my golf clubs with me to school some days during the week ... any thought on this?

4. I already mentioned the tnnel vision and my heart being set on an MP3 ... even though I may be barking up the wrong tree, can anyone give me any potential negatives about the mp3 besides the obvious (storage space v car, death more likely in accident, etc.)??

thanks to all in advance ... i used to own an 05 VW GLI and was on a forum...y'all have a great thing here...keep up the good work.

No one with any suggestions or answers to my quesry?? please???

You should be able to get most but maybe not all of your golf clubs in through the rear hatch of the 400. You'll have to leave the hatch open of course. I've done this with a outrigger canoe paddle.

The 500 has a lot less built-in storage space.

Phew! You DO SOUND excited! Well, lemme see if I can help...
1. I don't know the exact laws in AZ, but I'm doubting you can get by with the learner's permit for the mp3. You'll have to check with your local DMV, but the mp3 is classified as a motorcycle. This is a good/bad thing. Good thing is it means that many states will let you drive it where scooters might not be allowed(freeways, etc). The bad thing is the laws are sometimes more strict for driving it. Like I said, just check with your DMV.

2. and 3. The 500 does have a bigger engine and a couple of other little quirks, including of course, the body style. The 500 underseat is actually a little deeper, but this doesn't make up for the fact that it doesn't have a trunk storage area anywhere near the size of the 250/400. You're best bet for golf clubs is the 400 because you can basically open the trunk and put the clubs all the way into the seat and then bungie them and the lid as shut as it will go. Another option might be available, but I can't think of one.

4. Well, there are some negatives besides accidents and storage I suppose...
-You do get A LOT OF QUESTIONS EVERYWHERE YOU GO. A lot. Did I mention a lot? A lot squared. You actually get a small script down pat within a week...65 mpg, its Italian, its new, its an mp3, it leans, the wheels are independent, it cost X, etc.

-Rain...nuff said
-Cold...can be conquered, but will take some extra gear. I've been in Arizona. I'd plan on about $600 in 'extras' to cold proof yourself if you want to ride year round
-Hmmm...only other negative is parts can be a bit sparse. It is Italian and so you kinda have to use this forum and shop around to find some items and often there might be a wait.

Overall though, these minor things which really come with all nice scooters don't come close to outweighing the joy, fun, and absolute thrill of the machine! Based on your desire for some extra power with more storage, I'd go with the 400.

hey thanks so much for your reply ... I appeciate it. I think the "motorcycles learners permit" will allow me to ride on surface streets (non-highway) without a passenger and only during daylight ... I will have to check with them.

So during a typical week commuting with your mp3, you may fgas up once or twice for 14-15 USD or so? I'm spending about $320/mo in gas now with a Mazda Protoge so I feel like the scooter will pay for itself in gas mileage alone ... but then again, at this point it's hard for me to see any practical negatives besides the obvious ones ...

Thanks again for your reply man ...

No problem, I'm the only guy on the East Coast awake! lol
My fill ups go something like 3 times a week(if I'm scooting around town while at school too). The good news is that it only cost me around 6-8$. The gas tank holds 3.2 gallons, but the light comes on when you get it to around 1 gallon or so left. So figure just over 2 gallons at just UNDER(YAY!) $3 a gallon. As for 'premium' I either get that, or sometimes I just go cheap and add an additive from a bottle under my seat.

Yeah, I feel your pain. I bought my mp3 250 over the summer. I have a Ford Ranger truck with over 250K miles on it that gets around 10-12 mpg. I was commuting 100 miles a day! I was spending round $18 A DAY FOR GAS!! When I got my mp3 that dropped to about $3-4 a day on gas. Luckily for me, my commute to school got cut in half(closer campus) and that allowed me to 'pull back' on mpg savings a bit and upgrade to the 500.

Michaeltrent41,

I have been running the streets/highways of Southern AZ since April 2007 when the first MP3 in Tucson was available.

1. Enroll in the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) Class in your area. When you pass the written test, you have a learners permit for 6 months. When you pass the skills test you get your license.. Living in the Desert Southwest, presents its own set of challenges while riding and the instructors will go over that with you. I can count 4 times that the training received saved me from being in a MVA.

2. Purchase an aftermarket windshield, Do a search to find which one would work best for you. Purchase a Piaggio Top Case. These items transformed my MP3 into a daily commute.

3. I would have upgraded to the 400 or even 500 but I am waiting for the 800 MP3 that is coming out supposedly in 2010. My 250 travels on I-10 and I can keep up with traffic. One just has to plan farther ahead when on the on-ramps and passing and such, With a 400 or 500, you will be fine.

4. Make sure you get a back-pack type golf bag for your clubs. This should allow you to carry them while riding.

My MP3 is my daily commute. I have had no real issues. I enjoy the open road. I hardly drive cages anymore. Enjoy!

Best,

Tucsonrider

For the love of good pictures...Pleease take a pic of you on an MP3 with a back pack of golf clubs...Oh please....

+1 on the MSF course...I took it and it has helped me beyond words...The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) says that by taking the course a rider adds 2 years of "good" riding experience to their riding skills...I took the class for a very selfish reason... The course offers certification for the street riding portion of the licensing tests...By taking the course, I avoided having to furnish a driver for the cop to ride in a car behind and judge my preformance... The riding test in the course was Very easy and Well instructed. They, also, prepared me, through class time for the written part of the licensing exam at the DMV.... The money spent on the course is the very best thing you can buy for you, your scoot and your family...

You will need riding gear....Another motorcyclist was injuried, not killed, recently...He was wearing low top hiking boots, jeans, tee shirt and helmet....He had a low speed laydown and his ankle was crushed under the bike...oh, and...Oh God, the road rash was terrible....So Please, get all the gear....Toreador Pants...That's the acronym for All The Gear All The Time....The cost of the gear and the trouble to put it on is Nothing compared to bandages, therapy, doctors, nurses, hospitals, convalescence, pain and scares or even being dead..sooo.....ya know..do it. I joke about my emsembles and tease about being all geared up, but in reality I take every advantage to get ahead of the other guy (cager) or the statistics... I am quite cold blooded about having the advantage...The gear, the class, the forum, further education is all for one thing: so I can have fun and do what I want to do... and live to tell the tale...

Welcome...Ride Safe and Share your journey...Use the Library and How tos.....The mods are coming....
And pleeease take pics of you with your golf club backpack....That will be terrific if you decide to get that....
Cheers...jacquie

If you need storage go with the 250 or 400... I ride mine daily and toolin around. I have been able to get thirty pounds of dogs onto my skoot and leftovers from lunch and a three legged stool (all at the same time). You'll get the clubs on there if you really want them.

Your one brave soul to dive I-10 in Tucson!!!!!

hope u get it soon. its awesome i fill up today and it was 7 bucks that will take me about 180 miles.. my daily conmute is 60 miles so maybe i will be fillin up again thursday or friday morning... ahhh some of my drive is on I 10 on san antonio tx...

Hi Tucsonrider (and Michaeltrent41),

Excellent point about the back-pack type golf bag. I don't have that but I do have a back pack type softball bag for my gear (bats, gloves, balls, shoes, first aid kit, etc.) & have taken my 250 to the softball tournament with it on. Didn't restrict my movement at all and actually felt quite comfortable. When first contemplating the purchase of the MP3, I did bring my bats to the dealership to see if they would fit in the underneath compartment (they did) but after adding a few mods, the bats don't fit anymore