Vespa Review in June issue

[YellowDuck]

Yes, the 300 cc 4-stroke Vespa is lovely to look at. But it is a NINE THOUSAND DOLLAR ($9000!!!!) scooter, reportedly with negligible on-board storage space.

Seems like a pretty favorable review for what is, clearly, a hideously expensive niche-market fashion accessory.

I am sure that that was in no way influenced by the glossy, full-page add in the same issue.....

[KZDon]

Seems like a pretty favorable review for what is, clearly, a hideously expensive niche-market fashion accessory.


Sure, this article talks about an urban niche fashion accessory (a gold mine of a market), but it could also refer to the cruiser-chopper market (also a gold mine) for three times the price.

[yzf1000jon]

How much is a 100mph 650 burgman with enough storage to take the kids with you on a trip (not necessarily in the trunk)? $11,000? Just because it says harley, um, I mean Vespa you have to shell out the big bucks?
ps why isn't my copy here yet?!:(

[hixmistian]

Yeah, I've had my issue lying on the coffee table open to the title page of that review for days. It's a really good looking scooter. The thing about Vespas is that compared to other scooters that they exude quality, like a Bentley parked beside a Ford. Sure the cheaper ones go just as fast and last pretty well at a fraction of the cost but they are rattley and flimsey. People spend more because they want a better product.

At 300cc this scooter is the ultimate urban assault vehicle. Giving up utility to gain power is a well tried design solution. It works both ways. Consider the Yamaha C3 scooter for an example of the opposite extreme. If you want utility, there is the scooter to be looking at.

[yzf1000jon]

The thing about Vespas is that compared to other scooters that they exude quality, like a Bentley parked beside a Ford.
Not so sure about that, the all steel body construction with no frame makes for a flexy flier on the smaller models, and a hint of rain starts the rusting process in a hurry. There's a medium sized Aprilia in my garage and the quality it shows is very nice for thousands less than the equivalent Vespa. That and I can't quite believe that a single sided front wheel is better than a traditional one, that's just me though. It doesn't matter to me what it says on the tank, as long as the price is equal to the quality and performance, one reason I don't understand an $35,000 Harley running late 1980's technology. Paying more just because of a name smacks of elitism and kinda bugs me, in my honest opinion.:o

[stan wagenaar]

I agree, 9k is way too much for a scooter, no matter what the name is on the side. I would never pay 20k for a Multistrada, or 30k+ for a loaded up Harley either. But, I might pay 9 thousand for a Honda Shadow RS. Why, you ask, would anyone pay that much for a Sportser rip with little hp and a higher cost than the real deal? Cuz I likes it. I also like the fact that, if you want, you can spend a little or a lot on painfully practical or luridly overblown motorcycles of all makes and sizes. This diversity gives almost any one of us a bike that is just what we want. Even if it is an over-priced scooter.

[Kootenanny]

No matter what anyone says about Vespa, they got the best ads...they'd never put up a pic of some guy in a jacket, jeans, and boots anywhere near their scooters...unless, of course, he's in the company of some hot chick...;)

[yzf1000jon]

When you're right, your'e right. Beat the crap out of those horrible Icon ads.

[KZDon]

Right up there with the "this is an Allstate agent" ads in which the said agents all look like they woke up on the wrong side the bed and then smelled a bad fart.

[Ivor biggin]

When you're right, your'e right. Beat the crap out of those horrible Icon ads.

I`ve got a love/hate relationship with ads, especially the T.V. variety. Firstly they drive me nuts but then they give me a reason to bitch and complain, which is about all I ever seem to do right now.:D I keep a bunch of rolled up socks handy to throw at the T.V. each time this girl comes on, the one with enough teeth in her mouth to choke a horse, to tell me "I`m challenging my husband to....". Or that little prat who jumps onto the arm of the sofa and declares that she isn`t getting any love till he gets some meat. Man I`d like to give him some F@&$*!G meat.
I.B.