OK, tell me I'm crazy....

[Too Many Toys]

OK, tell me I'm crazy. I'm thinking of selling my 2010 BMW F800GS to get a Vespa GTV300. The 800GS is at our Arizona home and barely gets ridden. The Phoenix area has some active scooter clubs and I think the wife & I would get more enjoyment out of that scene. Thoughts?

P.S. I have a WR250R for off-roading.

[shovelmike]

If it matters to you, Vespa's are manufactured in China now. I was thinking of buying one myself, but that changed my mind......they sure charge a lot just because of the name plate.

[redhandmoto]

If you're planning on riding two-up, I strongly recommend that your Mrs try out the pillion seating position before you buy.
It is notorious for torturing passengers - do a search over on modernvespa.com. The Vespa body is very wide and the swing-out passenger pegs are way too short. Passengers complain of extreme discomfort after only a few minutes aboard, even the most leggy and double-jointed.

Some have solved the problem using homemade extensions for the foot pegs - I made mine of PVC pipe section that were slipped over the factory pegs to extend the total length, easing lateral discomfort on the passenger's knee joints:



Otherwise, the GTS/GTVs are great fun, smooth & with plenty of power.

And, ah, I believe that only two low-end models are made in China ( or maybe one) - the rest are still manufactured in Pontadera, Italy at the Vespa plant.

[kiznile]

go test drive a few scoots! The new vespas are really nicely made machines..

Ignore the comment about Modern Vespas being made in China, that is just not true...The parent company Piaggio has a few models made in China, including my Aprilia Scarabeo 200(awesome machine by the way) but the Vespas themselves are made in Italy.

[gogogordy]

Originally Posted by shovelmike

If it matters to you, Vespa's are manufactured in China now. I was thinking of buying one myself, but that changed my mind......they sure charge a lot just because of the name plate.

US market Vespas are built in Pontadera Italy. Of course they have numerous chinese components in them, but then everything does anymore.

Vespas are priced for a premium, however.

The Piaggio FLY 150 is built in China....

[redhandmoto]

Originally Posted by gogogordy

US market Vespas are built in Pontadera Italy...
The Piaggio FLY 150 is built in China....

precisamente!

[wannabe1]

I don't think your crazy at all. A lot of us have made the switch from bike to scoot. Ideally it is nice if you can keep both and you do at least have the dirtbike for that. I can't vouch for the 2-up ergos of the vespa, but if you are not totally sold on that name at least try to sit on some other makes. Since you got the money, how bout a t-max?

[Too Many Toys]

Originally Posted by wannabe1

I don't think your crazy at all. A lot of us have made the switch from bike to scoot. Ideally it is nice if you can keep both and you do at least have the dirtbike for that. I can't vouch for the 2-up ergos of the vespa, but if you are not totally sold on that name at least try to sit on some other makes. Since you got the money, how bout a t-max?

We only have a 2 car garage at our Arizona home, so 3 bikes & 2 cars won't work. :(

I've had a TMax, nice scoot. But I'm ready for something a little different, i.e. not Japanese. LOL

[Too Many Toys]

I was told by the stealership that all the large displacement Vespa's were still built in Italy. Is that true? Not sure it matters, have had both English & Thailand built Triumphs and didn't notice a quality diff.

[kiznile]

Originally Posted by Too Many Toys

Not sure it matters, have had both English & Thailand built Triumphs and didn't notice a quality diff.

This is that critical point, "do i care?" haha. The vespas are nice, my only problem with them, is those rinky dink wheels..sure lacks a sense of stability at speed, however the low speed maneuverability is fantastic.

I guess the big question is, what will it be used for? Around town "Put Put-ing" or occasional highway sprints.

[gogogordy]

Originally Posted by kiznile

The vespas are nice, my only problem with them, is those rinky dink wheels..sure lacks a sense of stability at speed, however the low speed maneuverability is fantastic.

The steering on my DR650 seems downright lethargic after riding my Vespa GTS250. The stability is fine, at speed IMO and wind poses less effect on my Vespa than my DR.

The ability to ford potholes and rough pavement with 12" wheels is an issue for me, fortunately the steering is so responsive avoiding those potholes and rough spots is a no-brainer. Those 12" wheels are a hoot in the handling department at any speed.

Size does matter!

[redhandmoto]

Stability at speed...well, I regularly took my GTS on I66, I95, I64, etc., etc. YMMV, but for me, it was solid as a glob of mud. Though I was running a medium-sized windshield, I never felt in danger from a "sail" effect, side-gusts or the blast of slipstream from passing semis. It wasn't ideal for the superslab, but neither was it dangerous. JMHO.

[kiznile]

I dont even look for potholes much anymore, with 16's i can just plop right over them without much drama...

Side gusts are my only issues on the highway

[gogogordy]

Originally Posted by redhandmoto

It wasn't ideal for the superslab, but neither was it dangerous. JMHO.

My sentiments exactly. By the same token, short of a Maxi scooter the superslab isn't really the sweet-spot for most scooters....yet they can still get you anywhere you want to go.

Rode mine to Reno NV and back from Temecula, with a mere 63 miles spent on the interstate. Best ride ever!

[MotoRandy123]

I sold my BMW F650GS and got a Kymco Yager. Just as much fun at half the cost!

Unfortunately scooters historically haven't had very good wind protection but if you
get a bigger one and add a windshield they can do just about anything. They don't
get as good gas mileage as bike though, which is one of my pet peeves. But they
usually have lots of storage options and are easy to just get on and ride!

You might look at some of the 200i and 300i's from Kymco, nice scoots and good
prices!