Modern Vespa

Hi all,

I'm about to buy my first scooter in 20 years. I'm a big guy, not tall but heavy. I have test rode a 300 it was nice, but I'm concerned it will not be adequate if I want to do a longer trip, 300 miles plus.

Any opinions???

Thanks Mike

I have a GTS 300. I weigh 225lbs,and it does well on trips. Rode to Amerivespa from Wa. state no problem.

I also have a GTS 300, weigh 240, plus 40 lbs of gear, computer, etc and it still accelerates well in city and goes 80 on the freeway. I recently took a road trip of about 150 miles and my butt was sore from the stock seat, but I know that most who ride the GTS for touring tend to get custom seats fitted. I think both are excellent choices - it's down to personal taste preferences with the BV vs. GTS.

I'm about 210 and I ride aggressively... had a 250 GTS (I've tested the 300) and a BV500. I took both of them on several extended highway trips of 300 to 500 hundred miles. Both did very well. I'm thinking about my new ride for next year as I write this... 300cc's is not enough for me. Yes it will keep up to traffic but there is very little in the way of get up and go at high speeds. I want more in reserve than 278cc's can give. I must add that at least 60% of my riding is at highway speeds though.

I've got my eye on a Peugeot Satelis 500 at the moment. (BV500 drive train)





Dave

The stock seat on the 300 is a bit harsh on the butt. I weigh 245 plus I've had a rider on and could maintain 70-75. If you were touring back roads the 300 would be fine. I ride highways that average 75-80 and the 300 keeps up but that's it. It would be hairy in bumper to bumper at those speeds. The 500 would give you more flexibility at those speeds. M-F I prefer to ride my bike on the highway. I save the scoot for Sunday ride to work. If I could only have one scooter no bike I'd shoot for that 500 or maybe a Tmax, Burgman or MP3 500/400.

I can't argue with that - the GTS has zero reserve at higher speeds on the freeway, which usually isn't a problem around here, but would be a huge problem in LA traffic. For crazy LA-style freeways, I'm liking the Aprilia Mana 850...

I weigh 225 and the 300 is fine. It does 80 mph with ease and I do 40-50 mile rides all the time. I wouldn't consider it a touring bike, but more like a fast and comfy 200 mileish commuter. If you plan on doing a lot of long Touring, I'd get the BV500.

I have no problems riding on LA freeways with my 250. You just ride accordingly. I go as fast a I drive my Jeep Wrangler...

Neither for longer rides if you are anything like me. As an owner of a BV500, 6 foot, 200+ lad I have to say I don't like it for longer rides. I lover it for around town but as I've said before its just limiting in seating positions, foot positions and the seat is way too soft for long rides. It has all the power you could want but if touring was in my sites, I'd be looking at one of the Japanese bikes until Piaggio decides to bring the Gilera 800 over here.

If you are really into touring, and need the highway speeds (new for 2010):

http://powersports.honda.com/2010/nt700v.aspx

I own a BV500. One thing that influenced my decision over the GTS250 and the BV500 was what some others have mentioned on here. If you are doing a lot of freeway riding and the flow of traffic is moving pretty good. (Often gets up to 80 here in Texas) and someone decides to take your lane you can either brake or speed up to avoid the accident. Sometimes it is impossible to break because someone is too close behind you so you need to speed up. If you are already doing the top speed of your scoot to keep up with traffic then you'll wish you had the extra CC's. Plus the BV500 has much more braking power.

Now if you are heavy like I was at 315 pounds when I bought my scoot then you'll definitely want the BV500 for touring.

Now let me give you the negatives for long distance. I have never been 2 or 300 miles but I have ridden it about 70 straight without stopping and here were my observations.
o Mechanically the bike was more than capable and did well at highway speeds for that long.
o The seat sucks for long distances. My but HURT after riding for 70 miles. I think it is the same with the GTS seat. You'll definitely want to consider getting some work done to the seat with maybe some gel inserts.
o I am taller and the BV500 has less foot room than the GTS. It is more difficult to stretch out on the BV500 than on the GTS for 2 reasons. 1. you cannot slide back on the seat to stretch your legs because of the 2 step design. 2. The foot boards are more molded and just aren't as roomy.

I am actually probably going to get my seat reworked. I want the driver portion to be raised and the passenger portion to be lowered. This hopefully will let me slide back and forth on longer runs. I am 6'4" so I have no trouble touching the ground.

Yamaha Tmax.

Good straight up comments. That gel with the Italian road tests.Myst was correct too by their standards.

Having said that the Bev is a major seller over the X8 in Italy.

I realise that our traffic flow speeds are appreciably slower in NZ than LA, but I think even I would have second thoughts re LA freeways!

Hold on though, if commuting, speed may not matter, as the traffic may be crawling in that case a GTS would be fine.

I have to agree with a prior response and would rather freeway commute//tour on say a Miata and keep the GTS for everything else in LA. That way you can enjoy the music or conversation with one's fair lady!

You are a crazyperson Desmolicious

I hesitate to deal with LA freeways in a cage, much less a scooter!!! I guess it's all relative and it depends on which ones we are talking. I am used to the 10, 210, 15 which go between 85 and 5 and 85 and 5 and 85 in all lanes with lots of freeways joining and splitting every few minutes... Throw in the Santa Ana's, fires and whatnot...

Back to the original topic, let us know what you decide Mike, because I am wondering whether it's worth it to upgrade my seat or just work myself up an excuse to get another scooter for touring ;o)

Well I got the BEO 500. I tried the Bev and BEO. The BEO just seemed a better fit. I talked to the mechanic for quite a while. He really insisted that he thought the Aprilia was a more mechanically sound machine. I drove it home 26 miles. It was crazy fun and didn't seem as stressful as when I ride a motorcycle.

Regardless, thanks to everyone for their opinions and help!

My GT200 is plenty of power on the highways/bridges around new york, and it go me across the country in the cannonball, but I still keep my BMW for when I'm going out of town. It's been said, but it's always good to have the extra power when you're taking long trips. If you plan on doing a lot of it I'd think about a bigger bike.