Modern Vespa

So are you gonna get an MP3 when available? If you are going to get one, please select based on USA, Canada or Euro!

I am getting one for the wife and have confirmed my order with the local Vespa dealer here in Calgary. The wifey wants the Excalibur Grey and I like the Cherry Red...But hey she is the one who is gonna ride it

I am gonna keep my BV250 and if/when they come out with a bigger engine for the MP3 I may trade/sell the BV.

Alt

I doubt that I will buy one, but I will be more than happy to ride the demo bikes at work!

You need an option like "Not anytime soon, but I wouldn't rule it out."

Or...
I'm gonna wait a year until all the bugs are worked out of it
and the spare parts are stock piled in the America's.

Dave

Who is the target market for this vehicle? Will motorcyclists convert over? Are first time riders going to buy one? Will traditional Vespa enthusiasts pick an MP3 over a GTV? My guess is that Piaggio may convert some Burgmann customers over, but will likely only cannibalize their own X9 sales.

Engineering marvel or not, just because it is being made doesn't mean that everyone will want one. Take the segway as an example. Revolutionary, wide media coverage, expensive....relative failure to achieve its initial goals. I may be mistaken and time will tell, but I see the MP3 headed down the same path.

hehehehehe......

I want some of what you are on!!!!!

Piaggio USA can't supply parts for LX's and they have been out for 2 years.

It isn't much better for ET's.

It costs money to inventory parts and that doesn't benefit the corporate bottom line. They still haven't figured out that if they want these to be a TRUE alternative to 4-wheelers, they need to be able to repair them in a prompt manner.

Heck, quite frequently they don't have the accesories I want and that does add a lot to their profit! I had a topcase and rear pad on order for almost 3 months!

And another one like "Would if I could, but can't afford one" for us poor folks on the forum.

Sad but true...
I'm still sitting on the fence on which scooter to get next though,
I've narrowed it down to either a PX 150 or a Classic.


Dave

I am intested in the 400cc MP3 and the new Scarabeo 400cc.

I'd buy one a bit further down the road...if only to have when I get too decrepit to ride my GTS (I'm 60; I figure I've got another 20 years; then I'll move to the MP3).
Bill

Not right away.

I've ridden it, I'd own it as a 250, but my preference would be the 400.

haven't ridden one yet...local dealer is getting a silver a red and a black in by march or sooner...only 250s...he doesn't know if the 400 will ever sell in the states, but i think he wants to make sure he sells the 250s...plus piaggio is famous for not keeping dealers in the loop about products coming out

that said, i'm with bryce in that i would buy the 400 immediately...but i just might pick up the 250 and then upgrade later.

it would still be a boost up from my 150cc stella...will still use the stella for around town and scooter rallys, using the MP3 for faster roads and for twisties and for bad weather....

but the 400 would be much better for highway driving, longer trips and for just crushing those twisties between albuquerque and santa fe


has anybody rode the MP3 250 and the GTS on the same day?? would be good to compare the ride, the speed, the take off between these two...is the MP3 alot slower, a bit slower or just about the same?

g

I voted 'no' but I don't think they are ugly, I just spent all of my Vespa money for awhile. My LX150 and GT60 were both purchased in the last three months. The MP3's look like a blast to ride. All I need is more cash and storage space!

Not sure when they will be available in Canada, in particular, in my area.

My dealer, in Windsor, THINKS they will be here in March '07. The dealer in London, says late '07.
I will believe it when I see it.

I voted no but I don't think they are butt-ugly. I just don't want one. I want a Vespa.

Keeping the Vespa, but may trade my BV.
The problem is that...I really, really love my Bv200.
I might end up getting one.

I am, I am! $ on deposit with Demon Larry at Vespa Medina/State 8. Their first red one's mine!

thinking of making a deposit also...if not too personal, how much is the deposit? no biggie if you don't want to tell

g

I'm waiting for the 400cc model.

According to an email I received from Vespa Canada, they will be available in Canada In April/07. The MSRP $8500 CAD.

Alt

yeah, dang i just wish i knew when that model was coming...

if it was 250 in march and 400 in july...easy, wait for the 400

if it was 250 in march and 400 next year...then i would get the 250 and trade up to the 400 in 2008



my other concern is that the 400 never comes and i find the 250 too slow for serious highway use...then i might just get a mini cooper s and use that for long trips and keep using my stella for local riding...been a year and a half without a cage, gonna have to get one sooner or later

g

Five Ben Franklins (the folding ones).

I'd be interested as a gateway into a 250cc or better yet 400cc ride. I am worried about service...

I put Nope - because I'm not going to get one - don't really think they are 'butt-ugly'

The reason I'm not really too worried about service is because it's all technology they've been working with in other models, for the most part. It's got two forks instead of one, but they are pretty much like GT/GTS forks. The electronic locking mechanism is the only thing I'd be worried about.

Tnx for the info, Altaman, you're better informed than my locals.
I should have contacted Vespa Canada directly.
The $8500.00 is a little steep, but with the technology, I guess about right.
Wonder if the NA versions will have ABS or linked braking?

carrelro

don't thinking stopping will be a problem




g

[quote="thegelding"]


don't thinking stopping will be a problem




HOEWELLY POOP!!!

I stopped the GT just like that the other day - a dog - big sucker - German Shepherd - ran out in front of me from behind a hedge.
Believe me, my braking system was sure linked then.

carrelro

I'll take one.

I am not planning to get one, but then I am not planning to get any other bike right now. But I know a lot of London scooter riders who have them on order, and I have seen them on the road.

People I know who have test ridden them are amazed by the wet weather road holding and braking and are very convinced!

Will probably be a year or two until I add another scoot to the stable. But the 400 will be near the top of my list when that day comes.

I'm still on the fence regarding this machine, but I believe the target audience is the "baby boomers" that might have lost some of their sense of balance for one reason or another. This machine would also be a great 1st bike for an older rider!

we'll see how it plays out in time. I'm anxious to ride the demo at Vespa of Walnut Creek tomorrow or the next day.

Cool new technology but would not be interested. If it were not for Vespa I would be riding a motorcycle, and not a 3 wheeled version.

Who is the target market - time will tell.
It was difficult to tell the background of those clustered around the MP3 at the Seattle show - and I heard rumours of "lineups" in Toronto.
I can't even see any pattern to the MP3 lust being shown on the forum.

All I can say is that, I'm female - and with Altaman's wife - there are at least two women who are very excited about this bike.
Imagine 65 litres of storage space - under the seat and via the cool hatchback !
Ladies, let's go shopping !!!!!!

The recently posted video shows just how the MP3 excels in the twisties c/w the GTS - although heavier. That's serious food for thought.

And so is this review:

http://cars.uk.msn.com/Motorbikes/Bikes.aspx?cp-documentid=1355192


The author asserts:

"Forgive me for saying this but, if anything, the MP3 is actually more fun to use than any bike or scooter I've ridden in the last 20 years."


The MP3 is going to be huge....

I would tend to agree with that author. It is one of the top 5 most fun bikes I've ridden. I think Piaggio has really proved a concept that will be more widely adopted once people realize that it offers breathtaking performance. Assuming people can see it for more than more than this: I'm not picking on you, because that was my opinion of it before I actually rode it. After that, I got it. Pretty much everyone else on the press trip thought the same thing until riding it. Once the concept was proven, the general consensus was wanting to see how well it works on other types of motorcycles. The limits are so high and the bike is extremely forgiving.

Hummm it must be a woman thing, when I told the wifey about the storage space, the first thing she mentioned was shopping

It is neat to see her excitement with the MP3 and she is just going by pics and my word!!! It is nice to see her interest in something as much as mine (scootting in general), other things were just, ok hun if ya wanna try it! When I won the GTS, she stated she would try it but there was some hesitation (due to arm/knee issues). So when I told her that the MP3 was coming out and instead of taking the GTS I could pay the difference and get her the MP3 her eyes actually lit up and she is thinking very positively about it.

I still think that deep down she wants Cherry Red, not Excalibur Grey

Alt

Put me down as a Yeh!!!!!!!
Gotta go with technology. This is the future.

I'm sure the performance is stellar. However, if one were to map out the purchasing criteria for the majority of scooter buyers it would likely resemble this order: 1. Cost; 2. Style; 3. Color; 4. Fuel Economy 5. Fit (seat height/space); 6. weight; 7. Traffic Speeds; ......resale value; shopping storage .....with track performance probably close to the very bottom for hard core scooterists.

IMO unless they can get the price point below other competing products, It'll remain only a really neat niche product (unless other manufacturers rush to copy the idea as you hinted).