Modern Vespa

After much anticipation and reading about the updated model I really wanted to see one in person. Today my dealership had an openhouse so I decided to stop by and see what they had. The last few months have been pretty lean on scooters there. They had some Vespas, a couple MP3's, and then I was looking at some BV 500's. While looking around I noticed a Blue scooter with a tan seat and midsize windscreen. I thought it was another BV 500 at first and then noticed 250 on the side.

Woohoo, finally, I get to see one up close and personal. And of course I took the oportunity to take a seat and look over the controls and layout. I asked my salesman and he said the bike had just arrived and it isn't totally finished being prepped. (Boohoo, that means no test ride. ) So I went back and sat on it for a while longer. To me the overall feel was comfortable and the layout of controls was very similar to my S 150. Of course it is a bigger scooter and I could feel a lot more bike around me. Man am I confused now because I think I love this bike and I was so set on getting an MP3 next year. My big old bum sure did find that seat to be very comfortable. I do need to take a short test ride on a BV 250 though, it looks and feels like it should be a very pleasing ride.

They are sharp. I almost bought one in August. T'Town Motorsports received a '09 BV 250. I really liked it but held out for my GTS Super.
I also test rode the new 250... wow that joker rides so smooth.

The BV250 is a great bike and the Tourer is a nice update. Definitely take a test ride. You won't be disappointed.

Ditto- The BV's are substantial scoots.

Agreed on all points. I got the feeling that the BV is a very nice ride setting there in the showroom. Hope they don't mind the little drool marks I left...

I'm sure they will let me do a little test ride soon. Going to be back there on Tuesday to go over something with the shop. They were filing my maintainance reports and realized they have the VIN number wrong so that will give me an excuse to stop in again, hopefully the 250 will be ready for me to give it a test. That is if the lady setting on it when I left hasn't already bought it. I was really talking the bike up to her and her friend so who knows.

Stopped by my shop today to pick up my new Corazzo 5.0 jacket and a large Piaggio/Vespa windscreen. While there, I sat on a BV 250 Tourer that they had in the showroom. My first impression was how comfortable the seat was compared to my GTS. Like night and day! I wish I could get that seat on my GTS. It's a nice bike...good price too, (compared to the GTS).

How much was the MSRP on the BV250 tourer? I know my BV500 was only a couple hundred more than the GTS and the same price as the GTS250 Super.

Couldn't say with any authority. I recollect that it was in the "fours" somewhere. 42 something...or maybe 48 something. I remember what I paid for the GTS and this was substantially less. That's what impressed me, seeing that they have the same engine. Dave (Vespa Thousand Oaks) can give you an accurate price.

--- edited to add... ---

Just checked the web site. Picture is wrong (last year's model), but lists for a 2009 model. MSRP listed is 4899, which sounds like what I might have seen on the headlight, (where he posts his prices).

Can you comment on the underseat storage? It was one of the factors that influenced my purchase of the GTS instead of the older BV 250 over two years ago. Have the redesigned it for greater capacity yet?

I have an '09 BV250 and the underseat storage is pretty good. From what I recall of the '07s and one '08 I saw, it's the same. Definitely more than the BV500, however.

I agree with the other posts. I'm about to cross 900 miles on mine (after 6 weeks) and am loving it. Mostly commuting and running around but did take one ride with the local scooter club and it was a blast.

I saw my first 09 BV250 Tourer yesterday, as well. I was very much impressed by the cosmetics and ergonomics (at least for my frame). However, I was horrified to find out I couldn't even fit a size "M" (I wear a "L") Scorpion EXO-200 3/4 under the seat. I can't imagine anything bigger than a 1/2 fitting there. Not happy....

Compared to my GTS, the underseat storage of the BV 250 is pretty bad. If I were to take a guess on capacity, I'd say about half, and in a shape that doesn't allow much. I can carry a 12-pack of sodas in my GTS underseat storage bin, with room left over for my extra pair of gloves, Xena disc alarm, my disc lock reminder, a bulky OnGuard chain and padlock, an assortment of rags and my special gasoline absorbent rag for taking care of spills when I full up, and my helmet lock extension bracket. Still room for some more stuff, but I'd admit, little stuff. The BV bin is just too weird of a shape to carry much of anything of any size. Okay for small stuff, but nothing with any shape.

Agreed, it is oddly-shaped.

I wasn't able to get the keys to see under the seat yesterday. While underseat storage is important. I am thinking of this bike more for touring and plan to add a pretty large top case and probably saddle bags. My S 150 is a great commuter bike and I do some rides up to 120 miles total on the bike but the seat, even with my new pad, just isn't a good long ride seat.

I have plenty of time to explore my options for my longer distance ride, so I am going to do some test rides and a lot of evaluation before making my final decision. The BV 250 does look like a contender as well as a few other scooters.

I went back again today and set my bucket back on that seat again

Also today I got to check out the underseat storage and it is kind of an odd shape. Checked out the 500 setting next to it as well and was amazed how little storage is under that seat. I could still get enough gear under the seat of the 250 that it is ok for me especially with me planning to put a nice size top case and some saddlebags on board.

I'm definitely going to keep the BV 250 in my list of contenders for a touring ride.

What, no pictures? what's wrong with you?!

Is everybody saying that the underseat area of the BV250 will NOT store at least one helmet?

It'll most likely store a 1/2, but I don't believe there's any way an adult 3/4 of any size is going to fit under there with the seat closed. There is still a hook for a D-ring as usual, but that does my wife and I no good without the addition of a topbox if we want to go somewhere together and not carry at least 1 helmet with us.

I agree that the 2009 BV250 looks better than the prior model that had the headlights in the legshield, but the seat was a big disappointment. The pilot's portion of the seat is way too small compared to the seat on say a GTS 250.

I test rode both the 2009 Vespa GTS 250ie Super and the 2009 Piaggio BV250 and really liked both of them, but the Vespa has a much better seat.

Here are some photos of both scoots, taken with my cell phone camera:

I'm not taking any pictures until I decide what I am getting and have it here in the stable...er garage. Good thing I have a nice long driveway so I can get some outdoor shots of both my S and my second ride when I get it. 8)

I'm glad I found this topic! I've been in the market for a scooter and have stumbled across the 09 BV Tourer. It's such a beautiful scoot -- Piaggio did the right thing in going back to the older style look for the BV.

I've been comparing this with just about EVERY 250 under $5000 on the market -- from the maxis (SYM RV250, Kymco GV 250, etc.) to other similar scoots (Sportcity) and I think this one might come out on top.

I didn't realize that a 3/4 helmet couldn't fit in there, though! I opened up the under-seat and it looked pretty big to me, but I didn't try to put a helmet in there. That's definitely a downside! I'll have to go to the dealer and check this out tomorrow.

P.S. aren't you glad piaggio finally put an electronic fuel injection system in their 250 line? it was about time!!!

I have a BV500 and it has way less storage. I eventually got one of these and it was awesome to have the additional storage. I just throw all my gear in there when I stop and it is so convenient. It has a remote to lock/unlock the trunk so I don't have to fumble with the keys. It also automatically locks itself.

Wow! Way cool case. Who makes it/sells it & how much?

Where did you get the storage box? Love it!!!

agreed.

It is a coocase wizard. It is an up and coming company. There is one place to get it from in the US and that is www.twistedthrottle.com. Mine is the Wizard model. It is actually less than a GIVI case and has more features including what I mentioned above. I also have it wired to my brake lights as it has 4 LED lights in the back that turn on either when I apply my brakes and they also blink when you have the case armed. It has a built in alarm on it as well.

I had to do some homework as they do not have any brackets of their own. For the new BV models you can buy the Givi adapter and drill a couple holes to mount it.

Oh and mine has the optional smoke lenses which I swapped out for the red ones.

Which mounting plate did you order? There are two Givi adapters listed on their site.

I ordered the E344. It took me awhile to figure out what one to order because GIVI thinks that anything past 2006 is not supported. Here is the thread on my search.

Grrr this topcase situation is frustrating me. (BV500)

Question: Did the BV250 have silver or darker gray wheels? In the photos I've seen they look darker than the '08's and earlier models.

Bob

I believe the 'Tourer' models have the darker rims. Or it is the '09 models that have them. Mine are the darker color (mine is a BV500) but I think the rims are similar on the two bikes.

I think the rims are darker on the Tourer I was looking at. It's hard to say because the lighting is not too good in that part of the dealership. I'm thinking about adding a coocase too. Checked out their website the other day and was impressed especially with the built in tail lights. The other goodies like the alarm and remote release are very nice too.

I'm glad I posted this thread, seen a lot of good info about BV's on here so far so let's keep it going.

I'll throw my hat in the ring.. Mine is a BV200. It has almost 13K. Except for the evaporative hose needing disconnected from the carb (something that seems to only be a concern on LEADER engines) it has been completely trouble free. It gets low 70's in mpg. It does need a set of tires now. Would buy another in a heartbeat.

Bob

Thanks for your endorsement, Bob. Maybe I should have been looking at the BV models and not thinking about my initial cost. My Fly 150 is great, and. like your BV, has been completely trouble-free. Now, if it could just cruise a bit faster.

Well, I finally did it. After a lot of lurking here for great information, I traded in my vino 125 this past weekend for the BV250. I couldn't be happier. What a smooth, stable, well-planted ride.

I also wanted to put in a plug for one of the area's newest Vespa/Piaggio dealers: Twigg Cycles in Hagerstown, Maryland. It's a well-respected family business that just got their first stock of vespas and piaggios about a month ago.

I'm looking forward to warmer weather...

Congrats on the new ride, Chris, and welcome to Modern Vespa. I grew up in your neck of the woods & remember that Hagerstown is quite a few miles up the highway from Winchester. Did you drive the BV home or haul it?

Thanks a lot. It's good to be here.

Hagerstown is about an hour north. I had intended to ride it home, but the rain intervened, so I had to trailer it and postpone the first ride.

Chris,

I'm living in Baton Rouge, LA now but I'm originally from Hawthorne, NJ.

When I go home a large part of my trip is up I-81. While I haven't done it yet I'm planning a trip home on my 07 BV 250. Due to the time limit of my trip I have to take interstates all the way there and back.

As I finalize the details I'll let some here know my itinerary.

May have time to stop and have a cup of coffee with you. Who knows.

I'd be up for that. A scooter ride and a cup of coffee sounds like a great combination.

Please, please, take the Natchez Trace Parkway and/or the Blue Ridge Parkway and/or the Skyline Drive to get from LA to VA and back.

Its the only way to do it......particularly on two wheels

Most of I-81 these days is heavy truck traffic bumper to bumper. Not fun.

fried okra

I don't know about the ride and coffee. I only have 2 days to make the 1400 mile one way trip up and another 2 days to make the same trip back.

Coffee would be good though.