Modern Vespa

Great video and photos:

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/aprilia/2009-aprilia-mana-850-gt-abs-ar65134.html

I really like the look of that fairing. The naked bike doesn't do much for me but the GT (especially in blue) really catches my eye. I wonder if we'll see it in Canada anytime soon?

Dave

I like the look of that too. I'm not a big fan of the naked bikes or of the higher seated(motard ?) style bikes. I just cant get over the fact that they all look like motocross bikes to me. Still, I think the fairing and adjustable windshield is a step in the right direction...now if they'll get off their lazy bums and make a series of adjustables for the mp3s...

The estimated $13,000 price seems a bit high though considering that the differences are ABS (a $500 adder on the Honda Silver Wing), top case ($390 from AF1), windshield and front faring (the most expensive windshield from Piaggio is the one for the MP3-500 at roughly $500). This totals out to $1,390. Surely the faring is not worth an additional $1,710. Even though I would really like to have ABS, I think I will buy the NA and then farkle it the way that I want.

Pretty nice for a two wheeler

Agreed. It is missing one wheel.

I do like the blue color.

ABS and an 850 engine would be sweet on an MP3.

I begin to wonder what the difference would be on a trade in!

You'd lose one wheel, but gain a whole year of regret .

I went that route with the standard 850 a while ago and was only offered around $5K for a trade in. At the time, my 500 only had about 1200 miles on it. Needless to say, I'm still riding my 500!

Cool bike though and very fun to ride. I also like the white color option on the GT.

What, no room in the stable for both??

I agree. It would be nice to have the MP3 for commuting and around town and then the 850 GT for sportbike like fun on the weekends.

I know I said the naked Mana 850 didn't do much for me... But this naked bike sure does: Suzuki Gladius. I went to a local dealer who is open on Sundays and poked around the thing. Once I swung my leg over - that was it. I can't recall in the recent past a motorcycle that felt so damn right. My legs are on the shorter side but I'm able to flat foot this one very easily. The handlebars are in the exact perfect position for me. My only concern is fitting a windshield on it... but I'm sure it can be done. A 3 case luggage set up is available from Givi. I didn't test ride it but I did start it and blip the throttle a few times - very intoxicating sound.

The biggest problem I have though is the fact that I love scooters so damn much and can only justify one machine....








Dave

I want one.

Actually, there is little room( or money)! My garage was built in 1926 for maybe a model T.
I have been getting rid of scooters of late to free up room. Down to 3 at the moment.
I do want a Mana, but I never seem to learn! I would be getting rid of a bike no one seems to be able to work on ( the front end), for one that no one would be able to figure out the complex transmission if it went wacky.
Maybe you just buy and plug in a new computer, if so.
Fool me once.....

Well if you are looking for reliability and easy maintenance get a 1977 Honda CB550...mine was rock solid back in the day even if it did lack in performance.

Back in '77 I wanted one of those sooooo badly. Fortunately (or is it unfortunately?) I'm old enough and wise enough to understand how to use performance in a reasonable manner. With that statement on the table I just know I'd kill myself on a ZX14

Dave

As many of you know I am selling my 500 (next week) and have an Aprilia Mana reserved at the dealer. I test rode one and it seems a reasonable compromise between scooter and motorcycle.

I came from VERY fast motorcycles. While I enjoyed the 500 its performance was anemic and the thing was just too heavy. The riding position was very poor for carving canyons.

The Mana has a rake and trail that mirrors sport bike dimensions and turns in fairly quickly. The suspension is way too soft and dives under compression in turns. However, the engine and transmission performed very well and the suspension can be fixed easily.

While I don't use a top case except except when doing overnights, I will order the new hinged Givi case with remote control and just keep the mounting plate on during weekly use.

I truly missed the maneuvereability of a motorcycle and am glad to be back on two wheels.

Keep both! Horses for courses (at least here).

Jimc, it is so funny you should write "keep both". I was talking with my husband about the new Aprilla Mana this very evening and thinking of one if I get a job and need to commute on the highway. So his question was "well you would sell the MP3 right?" I was completely boggled by his question. He stared at me as if I was daft. If he asked the question in the first place there was no way he would understand my response as to why I would keep both. So we left it as we each felt the other was nuts.

Dale

The day you both realize each other is nuts is the day you've pretty much stepped over into the "married for life" category . I used to work in a nursing home and all the couples there knew their spouses limitations. One day in the sitting room, I was talking to an elderly woman and she was trying to remember her grandson's name. I said "Why don't you ask your husband?"(who was sitting maybe 10 ft away reading a paper), she kindly replied, "Why would I ask him? He's a complete dumbass." They had been happily married for over 50 years.

88, have you seen the new BMW S1000RR??
For a meager $13800. you get 193HP on a 404lb bike.

I can see that leaving holes in living room walls up and down the country... that's a whole lot of HP for a bike, over the magic 1:1 ratio for bhp/ton

As for the new Mana - what happened to the belly pan? This would get incredibly messy in the UK, not to mention stones kicked up at your nice new bike...

Nice bike though! The white looks v. nice.

so, I got intrigued by the posts talking up the zen of the Mana 850 annd went to the cycle shop in Folsom to sit on one and perhaps ride a demo...I found the shop, it did have a Mana 850, I sat on it, and they let me turn it on....it had a nice growl to it but I was surprised by a few things:
1) there is a slight lean forward in riding position
2) the bike feels 'short' front to back
3) sweet sounding engine

I'm 5'10 on a good day, and guess I'm too used to the 500 fit, got no trouble with canyon carving on my 500

Sometimes it's good to follow thru on your 'bike lust', and try a new bike fit once in awhile, just for the information.

My lust for the Mana 850 has definitely cooled!

Just my 2 bits 8)

You might, however, love the GP800! Pester Piaggio US to introduce it!

stopped by my piaggio dealer the other day, just to see whats new...he drug me out back to the shop, the mechanic was giving the just arrived mana a "going over", he didn't know how to set the automatic. I said it would be fine in the touring mode. Lo and behold, the salesman hung a plate on it and said see what you think.

It very well may be my next bike.

I had to remember to put my feet down....and to use a foot brake again...but was impressed by the smoothness of the "tranny", the immediate power, and its overall balance. A very nice package.

This means giving the mp3 to my wife....so I can have the Mana.

My buddy Bob and I looked over the Mana in a local showroom, and it seemed larger and heavier than we had expected. I suppose being used to the step through design of the Mp3, I look at motorcycles and think they look topheavy with so much apparent weight where I am used to having none. Probably just wrong thinking on my part, but my old Scarabeo 500 felt topheavy, and I really never want another bike that feels that way.
We did not take it out for a ride ( I never ride anything I am not really prepared to buy that very day) so we can't comment on how riding it feels.
Most people like it alot it seems. And if I was getting something else, certainly it would be the first thing I would test ride.

However, the point being, we looked at that and quite a few other bikes that day, and at the end of it all, decided we really like our MP3s, and at the moment we really don't want for anything else.

The thought process of most Motorcyclists is that you must always want something bigger, faster and more powerful. That an Mp3 is only a "good start" as someone in a local shop commented ( much to my testiness).
I for one, am pretty happy with mine and how it does so many things so well.
It may lack power in some circumstances, but it more than makes up for it in other ways.
For the moment, I guess I am staying with what I have got.

88, did you get the mana yet? I'd love to hear more about it when you do.

Ya, me too.

Hmmm....

I only enjoy the GP800 more than the Fuoco on open free-flowing country roads. There it completely out-shines the Fuoco.

Anything else and either they are even-stevens or the Fuoco is better (particularly on urban roads, but that may be the J Costa talking).

This just in folks: Although this is an artists rendering, there is a rumor that Ducati will be introducing the "Scootster" (a contraction of scooter and monster) at the November EICMA motorcycle show. It is said to be powered by the Mana 850 engine and transmission.



Dave

That looks awesome. Just in time for Christmas

That could be fun......if it has the Mana engine, hope it has the "smart" mana CVT too.

Just remember the Ducati saying.
"Making Owners into Mechanics since 1946"

Really nice bikes, just REALLY expensive to service if you don't do the work yourself.

Wayne B

Sorry to be negative with my first post but why would Piaggio/Aprilia licence their drivetrain and engine to one of their biggest competitors in the sportsbike market to have them become a competitor in the maxi/sports scooter/twist-and-go bike segment? This doesn't seem to make sense, but I have been wrong before.

//Dennis.

I wondered about that too. But figured there was a payoff for Piaggio somewhere.......

As for the Ducati all I can say is - "now we're talking!"

If that is real and it is an automatic I guess me and my husband are just going to have to come to an understanding - he has is toys and I want mine!

Maybe Ducati has an agreement with Piaggio, or Piaggio has a financial interest in Ducati. Maybe Piaggio is going to buy the Ducati company like they did with Moto Guzzi.

Piaggio is already selling it's 250, 400 and 500 engines and cvt's to Peugeot for their scooters.

From the article at Motorcycle Daily: I just had a conversation with a source at Piaggio, who told me Piaggio loves to sell powertrain units to anyone who'll buy them. "Would they sell one without heads so Ducati could install Desmo heads," I asked? "Sure" was the answer.

Dave

Quite - and why not? I just hope that whoever uses the Piaggio 850 uses the Mana electric variator - I wish it was on the GP800.

As fate would have it, we ran into a nice guy with a new Mana, and we spent the day riding with him. My friend Bob and I both took short rides on it, and both liked it alot ( not too hard to predict).
We both thought it did not seem as big and heavy as we perceived it to be sitting inside the showroom.
No doubt too, that the extra power would come in handy on the open road ( the one place the MP3 can seem a little anemic, at least here in these mountains). I agree with Jimc, around town it is hard to beat the Mp3.
The lack of any left brake lever would take getting used to. But I am sure would become second nature soon enough.
All in all, we both would love to have one as a perfect compliment to the MP3s we have already.
Just the usual problem of money, not only for bikes but building a larger garage to put them all in as well........