Why would anyone buy a Vespa? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

jackM50black · 01-03-2007, 12:05 AM

A buddy at work. bought a new Vespa scooter about three months ago. Its a 250 cc scooter (I think). Before he bought it I suggested that he look around and either get a small lightweight motorcycle, or get a more powerful scooter. He spent about 6000 bucks on it, and only got 250 cc. Geezus...for that kind of money he could have got something better such as a motorcycle: like a 500cc bike, or he could have got a Burgman (maybe up to 650 cc) which is one of the best scooters there is right now.

Why would he get a 250cc Vespa ?

azoazc · 01-03-2007, 06:07 AM

So he has a nice surface for his rainbow stickers?

Apertureguy · 01-03-2007, 08:01 AM

LOL!

To be honest, I thought the same thing at first too. However, there's actually a fairly large group of them in NYC and they take their "style" of biking seriously.

Many of them have opted for smaller (50 cc) scooters which they then modify with an odd assortment of stuff to get them up to 90 or better cc's.

A whole slew of them (30 or more) meet regularly and have a Wed night short ride & then a 120+ mile Sunday ride which they do each week. All of it on little automatic scooters that can hit around 80 mph.

They're big into promoting wearing gear and I see them when I'm out on rides. Trust me...these boys & girls do a lot of miles.

I think it's a fear of shifting which keeps them from getting a real bike. Either that....or it's the economy. Those things can get 70 or better miles per gallon.

bat4255 · 01-03-2007, 09:15 AM

Like most scooters, there are several reasons come to mind
1 -Automatic
2- Easy to mount (Step through design)
3- Storage (some can hold up to 2 helmets)
4 -Easy to maneuver in town, lightweight

Vespa from what I hear, is a very good scooter, but whith the old school "Retro Styling".

I don't care for the looks, but there are those that do.

Simular to a new cruiser, that wants to look like a '40s & '50s bike.

**Clint** · 01-03-2007, 10:58 AM

So it's the Harley marketing mentality applied to metrosexuals?

S2Design · 01-03-2007, 11:18 AM

The amount of scooters in major metropolitan areas in Europe is overwhelming. I know in Rome they seem to outnumber cars 2 to 1, possibly more.

bat4255 · 01-03-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

So it's the Harley marketing mentality applied to metrosexuals?

Could be! The marketing could apply to any ride, if that's the mold your trying to fit into.

Posers
Squids
Metros
Any "Wanna Be" in General

Or, may you really like it, for what it is.

**drgibson** · 01-03-2007, 07:59 PM

I had Vespa when I was in the service... she was easy to mount.

Rockhead · 01-03-2007, 11:20 PM

With those small tires and the amount of potholes around here, no thank you.

jackM50black · 01-12-2007, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

So it's the Harley marketing mentality applied to metrosexuals?

My bud from work..... he is a very Metro guy (he does like girls though). He checks out my bike and is amazed that I wanted it and not a scooter. I guess there is something for everybody.

MagnumForce · 01-12-2007, 10:41 AM

Scooters are really popular in Hawaii. The 49cc models especially because per Hawaiian law, motorized bikes less than 50cc does not need to be insured or plated like a regular motorcycle. The big scooters are popular here too. Probably because they're easier to ride in congested traffic. Still, I can't help but wonder why some motorcycle riders want to diss this two-wheeled vehicle. I see it as a very practical mode of transportation which happens to be very fun to ride. I wouldn't mind adding a large scooter to my collection, perhaps a Silverwing or a Burgman.

01-03-2007, 12:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
jackM50black Looking for trouble Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: Suzuki Boulevard M50 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 258	Why would anyone buy a Vespa? A buddy at work. bought a new Vespa scooter about three months ago. Its a 250 cc scooter (I think). Before he bought it I suggested that he look around and either get a small lightweight motorcycle, or get a more powerful scooter. He spent about 6000 bucks on it, and only got 250 cc. Geezus...for that kind of money he could have got something better such as a motorcycle: like a 500cc bike, or he could have got a Burgman (maybe up to 650 cc) which is one of the best scooters there is right now. Why would he get a 250cc Vespa ? __________________ This message brought to you by the workers at People's Tractor Factory No.5.

01-03-2007, 06:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
azoazc Kickstand Operator Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 259	So he has a nice surface for his rainbow stickers? __________________ www.banditalley.com www.wnysportriders.org If water feels like concrete at 100MPH, what does concrete feel like? WEAR YOUR GEAR!!!! Edited by ME

01-03-2007, 09:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
bat4255 Squirrel Target Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: Burgman 650 K3- 29,100 miles as of 10-20-08 Location: Dodge Co. Wisconsin Posts: 663	Like most scooters, there are several reasons come to mind 1 -Automatic 2- Easy to mount (Step through design) 3- Storage (some can hold up to 2 helmets) 4 -Easy to maneuver in town, lightweight Vespa from what I hear, is a very good scooter, but whith the old school "Retro Styling". I don't care for the looks, but there are those that do. Simular to a new cruiser, that wants to look like a '40s & '50s bike. Last edited by bat4255; 01-03-2007 at 09:29 AM.

01-03-2007, 07:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	I had Vespa when I was in the service... she was easy to mount. __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

01-03-2007, 11:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
Rockhead M-J.Com Master Poster Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: M50 Location: 1060 West Addison, Chicago Posts: 3,767	With those small tires and the amount of potholes around here, no thank you. __________________ Greg Biffle #16

01-03-2007, 08:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
Apertureguy Throttle Jockey Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 3,267	LOL! To be honest, I thought the same thing at first too. However, there's actually a fairly large group of them in NYC and they take their "style" of biking seriously. Many of them have opted for smaller (50 cc) scooters which they then modify with an odd assortment of stuff to get them up to 90 or better cc's. A whole slew of them (30 or more) meet regularly and have a Wed night short ride & then a 120+ mile Sunday ride which they do each week. All of it on little automatic scooters that can hit around 80 mph. They're big into promoting wearing gear and I see them when I'm out on rides. Trust me...these boys & girls do a lot of miles. I think it's a fear of shifting which keeps them from getting a real bike. Either that....or it's the economy. Those things can get 70 or better miles per gallon.

01-03-2007, 11:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
S2Design Member Investigator Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: '03 Santa Cruz Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,022	The amount of scooters in major metropolitan areas in Europe is overwhelming. I know in Rome they seem to outnumber cars 2 to 1, possibly more.

01-12-2007, 10:41 AM	#11 (permalink)
MagnumForce Throttle Jockey Joined: May 2005 Bike: 05 M50, 06 CBR600F4i Location: Sitting on the can... duh! Posts: 3,160	Scooters are really popular in Hawaii. The 49cc models especially because per Hawaiian law, motorized bikes less than 50cc does not need to be insured or plated like a regular motorcycle. The big scooters are popular here too. Probably because they're easier to ride in congested traffic. Still, I can't help but wonder why some motorcycle riders want to diss this two-wheeled vehicle. I see it as a very practical mode of transportation which happens to be very fun to ride. I wouldn't mind adding a large scooter to my collection, perhaps a Silverwing or a Burgman. __________________ "I love the smell of toner in the morning… it's the smell of victory!" MAJ M, Staff Officer

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