Modern Vespa

Hello everyone, My wife and I are going to buy a scooter sometime soon, I am interested in either a new Piaggio BV 250 or a used 2006 BV 500 with about 1800 miles. Anyone have any experience with the 500? any known problems or defects I should look for? Are they reliable?
The reason for the used 500 would be the attractive price probably $1000.00 less than the new 250. Although I don't really know how much they depreciate. Could any one tell me what kind of discount is reasonable on a new 250. I am in upstate- western New York.
I am sure the local dealer reads these sites, I know I would, but any thoughts you might have on these two scooters would be very helpful to me.
Thanks in advance.

they probably won't budge on the price of a new scoot. but they both have lots of power, and 1500 miles is nothing on these bikes. personally i would buy the one you think looks better unless you ride highway all the time, then i would get the 500. good luck with the bikes, and they are pretty bullet-proof.

I'm the proud owner of a BV 500. I have logged on 3500 miles so I feel like I've gotten to know the girl pretty well. I ride both in town and on the highway trying to keep up with my husband on his Triumph. I have no trouble at all! She is smooth and stable at speeds of 70-85 and is a real joy taking off from stop lights. As you can tell, I really like my ride. I have had the seat cut down as I'm 5'2" and also cut down a wind screen so as not to look through it. I wish you luck in your purchase.

Go for the new BV250 unless you really need the 500 (i.e., if you're heavy or riding two-up on a regular basis). As far as I know, the 2006 BV500 isn't fuel injected and has slightly less underseat storage than the 250. I LOVE my BV250; the BV500 would be more power than I need and was more $$$.

In Arizona we have been able to negotiate discounts on BV's both in Tucson and in Phoenix. I bought a new 2006 BV 500 in Tucson. Was able to get it for roughly a 10% discount to retail. With the tax, license and other small fees, it brought the price back up to about full retail. We bought my wife a new 2009 BV in Phoenix last December. Similar deal - out the door for $5700. The BV 500's are fuel injected from 2004 and up I think. The BV 250 is fuel injected on the 2009 for the first time. I can't say enough about both bikes. You would love either one. The 250 is about 85 lbs lighter but is as fast up to about 45 mph as the 500. After that the additional CC's kick in. They both do well on the highway. 70-75 is a nice speed for both bikes, but the 500 will top out at around 100 indicated - the 250 at around 80-85.

I have an 06 BV500 and it's great. There's a known issue with the fuel pump that needs to be corrected. It's easy and there are instructions posted on this site. Mine is fuel injected and is so much fun to ride that I miss it on rainy days like today!

ALL BV500's are fuel injected. They are very reliable machines. (I own one).

Hi Tabby
Welcome to Modern Vespa.
Good luck with your scooter research and purchase.