Modern Vespa

Do you agree when people compare MP3 500's to Harley Davidsons?

I am not trolling here, but I am just hearing this a lot since I've starting looking into Piaggio and the brand info on the web. People say they are both overpriced compared to Japanese and European bikes with equal or better performance and reliability, that you are buying a brand, that it's an image thing, etc.

There does seem to be a bit of that- e.g., like Harley riders, I suspect that most of us don't simply say, "I have a scooter," but rather, "I have a MP3 Dragon Eater." I don't think the guy on the Vino, Vespa, or Elite says that. It is a brand that no Japanese or BMW bike can match.

Any thoughts on this question? Do you agree that there are some similarities or does it make you angry or defensive

Never heard it - and there's no comparison.

I don't think buyers of 'new technology' buy into a brand - and the 500 here is sold as Gilera anyway - it's just that (in this field) they are early adopters. That always carries a price premium, regardless of the device in question.

Both are slow? True.

Both attract a lot of attention? True.

Both are way too heavy? True.

Both are ridden by people who don't know better (meaning that objectively they are not as good as the Japanese competition)? True.

Both are overpriced? True.

Both are living on the fame of the past rather than any modern achievement? True.

Both are more expensive to own and operate than the competition? True.

Both have rabid fans who will defend them with every last breath (justified or not)? True.

Both will be acknowledged by their owners as overpriced and inferior pieces of junk when their owners get a little drunk? True.

Both are often ridden home from the bar (a little buzzed)? True (but not recommended).

Both are considered "all show, no go" by those who know better? True.

Yup. Sounds like there are a lot of similarities.

You're right about everything except one:

Both are overpriced: False

Why? Hear me out. I worked for a company that made "hobby" items for nearly 10 years and constantly had to defend prices. When you make something unique, how can it be overpriced? If there were ANOTHER scooter or even motorcycle out there that leaned on three wheels with two in front, then you would have a basis for a comparison. But you don't. Let me repeat that...you don't have anything to compare it to. You can argue that it cost more than a Japanese superbike, but the superbike doesn't have 3 wheels or get the gas mpg or have the storage. It's apples to oranges. You can say that other scooters are less, have more storage and get better gas mpg, but they don't have the 3 wheeled tech which is obviously why the mp3 was bought by most. When they compare Honda Prius to other vehicles, they don't line it up to a Ford Explorer truck, a smart car, and an all electric bycycle. Harleys ARE overpriced because you CAN do a point by point comparison with other cruisers and then start comparing reliability, costs, etc. Whenever I think of people balking at the costs of the Mp3 when I tell them on the street, I think to myself, "Oh yeah, so how much did your 3 wheeled, leaning, scooter cost? Oh that's right, THIS IS THE ONLY ONE!"

I disagree with Roja on everything except for "Both are overpriced: TRUE"

The reason for this is that we have some bad suspiciously "GREEDY" dealers in the USA like Vespa Thousand Oaks and Vespa SF



I think the apparent brand induced marekting strategy of Price Fixing, market Rigging, and Market Allocation Scheme that have been played apparently by some dealers hurts the brand, caused dealers to close (deadweight loss), and caused our "MP3's" invesment to loose value "become a rich mans toy" due to an artificaly set price which is not reflective to the real market. $10500 for a MP3500 :Come on,. You have to be joking.

Many of us use these MP3's as a necessity and I wish Piaggio released the scooter in a more colaborative cost ecconomial way instead of the manipulated way it did in a failed method to apparently maxamize profit. If it wen't for the games played back in 2007 and 2008 we would see greater popularity in the Mp3 and more friends on the road.

Slower than what? A crotch rocket, yes. Mine goes fast enuf, thnx.
Attract attention? Why not? Sure. OK.
Too heavy? Too heavy to what? Lift them over my head?? Why would I?
Nice, low weight = road hugging, I like it.
Ridden by people who don't know better? Better than whom? Depends what you want to do on your bike, regardless of which bike you own.
Overpriced? It's worth what you're willing to pay for it, either way.
Living on the past? Harley's just keep getting better and better, and how many three-wheelers were there in the past, kiddo???
Rabid Fans--OK, you got me there!!
Your next two questions don't deserve an answer...
All show, no go? Again, who knows better than I what I want to go with, and show up on (don't diagram that sentence, please.)


I traded in a '06 Street Glide for my MP3 500. I loved my Harley(s), never got stranded riding them, and love my MP3. So far, so great.
What do I care what other people think? Picture me snapping my fingers.

Ride Safe, Have Fun, and
Fuoco 'em if they can't take a joke!



RitaMaeRide (and she does!)

I love how the guy riding a LX 150 listed mp3 riders as "living in the fame of the past rather than any modern achievement"....think about that...how much was that 150 compared to a scooter of its size in another brand?

That's slightly more than we pay in the UK - but I suspect the difference is down to shipping costs and local taxes, plus the extra cost of 50-state approval.

Yes, you can buy a new small car for less - but that's apples and oranges again...

Oh, and leave off specific dealer-bashing. Totally against forum rules, watch it. You don't know their costs or business model. Dealers sell what they can for as much as they can, fair enough. If they priced too highly buyers would go elsewhere. Anyway, it's not the purchase cost that's all-important, it's the ongoing standard service costs. Now there are some dealers (here and elsewhere) who *do* charge over the odds, and there's no need to. Either charge for the job as done, or more fairly over time, charge a standard fee for a standard service, all included.

It's after-sales service that makes a good dealer, not the sale itself. And we all need those good dealers to remain happy to stay in the business.

I agree with your go somewhere else thoughts. I just took issue with the scheme where some dealers build ivory towers declaring unusaly huge territories with prices that are apparently artificial leaving people no wheres to go in an effort to obtain a fair and reasonable price.

I disagree with the statment that MP3's are heavy and underpeforming/living on the fame of the past. Thats crazy talk.

nobody would or ever has compared a mp3 500 to a harley.

you want your mp3 to have the same mystique as a harley well it never will. it can't.

the sound of a harley alone says, i'm tough, i'm cool.

people are intrigued with the mp3 because they think the thing can't fall down and would make a good ride for the elderly or infirm. we who enjoy the mp3 know that it is just like any other motorcycle and if you throw aunt may on it after her stroke she will dump it sure as shnitz.

Stop worrying about the issue. ride what you like and ignor all dumb bastards.

As mentioned above, we are "paying" for that "New tech". Lke the latest Ipod or phone. Early market items usually have a high price tag, to help reclaim the money of development. Another year or two the price may adjust down some. Look at the used market drop on these bikes, pretty steep in my eyes. One reason I bought a one year used one, saved about $3000.

How does a dealer "Declare" his own territories? Piaggio sets up territories not dealers And dealer has the right to sell at what ever price the market will bring. You do understand the "Free Market System" the US has set up right? If he asks to much or to little he will go out of business.
You are one of the first people I have seen say anything bad about this dealer.

Wayne B

In the past 40 years, I've owned 6 Harleys, 5 BMWs, 2 Yamahas, 2 Suzukis, 2 Hondas, and 2 MP3s (250 and 500). I loved all 19 of them. I've never owned a 150 scooter, but I would probably love riding it too. These days, I smile every day when I am on my MP3 500.

I agree with Roja that the MP3s attract a lot of attention. If you don't enjoy talking to curious strangers and sharing the pleasure of riding, I don't recommend the MP3.

Where I don't understand Roja are his thoughts that they are:
A) Slow - I thought both my 250 and 500 were anything but slow. They are very quick off the line and can cruise all day at highway speeds. Is a crotch rocket faster? Sure, but they are not even similar.

B) Heavy - To me, the weight is part of the stability. Most bikes with 250 - 500 cc engines weigh less but to me, the dramatic improvement in cornering, braking and stability more than justify the extra weight of the second front wheel and suspension.

C) Overpriced - Is a Rolex overpriced? I think so. Any $15.00 quartz watch from Kmart keeps better time. On the other hand, the Rolex is an amazing mechanical masterpiece.

D) Living on past fame - Harley has a proud past that includes racing, building important vehicles for WWII, serving police forces across America and creating a lifestyle image that has probably done more to grow the sport of motorcycling than any other manufacturer. As for the MP3, unless one is referring to the original MP3 250, there is no past. The fame which is growing rapidly is all due to the radical technology, extreme appearance and enthusiasm of the owners.

E) - More expensive to own than the competition - Have you priced a CanAm Spyder? It seems to me to be the closest competitor and costs thousands more to buy, operate and maintain.

Roja - have you ridden an MP3?

best quote of the year

The whole premise underlying this thread is that someone, somewhere cares a fig for what someone else thinks. Nothing wrong with caring, I just don't fall into that category. I'm with OAD - Fuoco them is a great line.

When I got my 250 they ask i told them why not. If i wanted a Harley I would have bought one. Some say what the hell is it I'll tell them its mine and payed for.

slow, sure.

the attention a 3-wheeled scooter is different than a blacked out chopper. i personally wouldn't want to talk to the people who love the pirate/skullcap/black chopper look anyway.

too heavy, true. i'd love if my MP3 250 were 350 lbs if not 300. scooters get the shaft in terms of materials and technology, similar to how most H-D rides are eons behind their euro and japanese competition.

objectively not as good? i'm not convinced of this for the MP3. the japanese marques didn't offer a compelling non-obese (no burgman 650s or silver wings) non-pixie fuel-injected scoot, let alone one with the awesome tilt-lock and extra traction.

overpriced: true, but not ridiculously so.

living on the fame of the past? this isn't vespa we're talking about. the MP3 has been out since 2007. this comment is positively ridiculous.

more expensive to own and operate? hasn't proved to be the case thus far, after the up front cost, that is.

rabid fans? sure. but not all. jimc has a GP800 and an X9 250, and there are those amongst us here, myself included, who would love to add a 2-wheeler or three to the stable as well. (and that 2-wheeler won't have a CVT, mind you!)

overpriced and inferior pieces of junk? now you're just being an inflammatory idiot.

ridden buzzed? i'd think not. for better or worse most MP3 riders tend to be older and more risk-averse. hell, that's what led them to pick an MP3 in the first place. (note that i'm the second but not the first at a spry young 27.)

"all show, no go" by "those who know better"? what would you have me ride instead? the MP3 suits what i do better than anything else i could find on the market. does this mean it's the ultimate machine and has no drawbacks? of course not. but does it mean that wankers like you have the right to dismiss it? NO.

you're a troll. go back to your cave and wank to race rep posters or mod paraphernalia or whatever you do.

Lol. Troll?

Both are slow? On my 400 I almost never need more speed or acceleration. I have no desire to race a power-ranger, so: slow? No.
Both attract a lot of attention? True. Sure. But I would say not the reason MP3s are bought. Not for me anyway.
Both are way too heavy? Way? No. Could be lighter? Sure. Need them to be? No. They are sturdy (I was driven into from the side and it was very stable thanks)
Both are ridden by people who don't know better (meaning that objectively they are not as good as the Japanese competition)? There is no competition because there is nothing that does or is all the MP3 does and is. Many MP3 riders have ridden LOTS of other makes and their experience have lead them right here.
Both are overpriced? With the MP3 you are not paying much for brand or shiny stuff, unlike the Harley. You may well pay for import and for rarety of dealer/mechanic, but you hardly get conned.
Both are living on the fame of the past rather than any modern achievement? Totally no. The MP3 is nothing like trad Vespas and is all about it's modern capabilities.
Both are more expensive to own and operate than the competition? There is no competition. If there was a cheaper machine that does what the MP3 does, I'd have one.
Both have rabid fans who will defend them with every last breath (justified or not)? Everything has rabid fans from Barbie to 747s.
Both will be acknowledged by their owners as overpriced and inferior pieces of junk when their owners get a little drunk? Troll, troll, troll!
Both are often ridden home from the bar (a little buzzed)? Not even funny, but I have to say the MP3 community seems to me to be much more sensible than other bike/scoot communities.
Both are considered "all show, no go" by those who know better? The only way another rider of ANY make could get to work faster than me would be to risk their lives unduly. How much 'go' do you need?
Yup. Sounds like there are a lot of similarities? Nope.