Vespa GTV or Piaggio BV 350?

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 2:10 am

Is the Vespa worth the extra $1,500?
I saw a capacino 2012 Vespa GTV, wow what a sweet looking scoot.
I guess the point I'm driving at is I have been drooling over the BV 350 for 6 months now, mainly because of the promised performance, however the Vespa (to me) trumps the BV in looks. So for those of you who have a Vespa 300 is it capable of touring 2-up for extended periods of time at 55-60 mph?

Witch · Post by **Witch** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 2:50 am

I've got the GTV 250, and it's totally capable of that.

The GTV is basically the top of the line luxury model in a line of luxury scoots. You get that leather seat, the chrome wheels, and (now with the 300) the stock front rack. All of which you could also slap onto a standard GTS. The fenderlight is also mostly a cosmetic thing when you get down to it (although much harder and more expensive to add to a GTS).

If you don't count the new 350 engine so much, these two scoots are form vs. function. The Vespa can do pretty much everything the BV can do. But if you're going to be doing mostly higher speeds, and/or mostly with a passenger, the BV will win in the function department due to the larger wheels and better passenger foot placement. If you want the classy old-school look, obviously the GTV is the choice.

Go do a test ride of both the Vespa (at least a GTS or Super--they handle exactly the same) and the BV. That will give you a lot of information you can't get otherwise. And be sure to sit a good while on the GTV seat. It isn't the best for everybody, especially very tall folks (you can switch it easily with a GTS seat, but not everyone wants to bother).

All that said...
Get the GTV. I'm not saying that because I am biased in any way...

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 3:04 am

Thanks for the input. The reason I want a bigger scoot is that my wife realy luvs cruising around on the back through the country side. I am currently making some mods to the buddy that will make her rides more comfortable (real foot pegs, and a seat extension) but we are limited to 45 mph roads. I just want to be able to cruise at 55-60, no interstate (I hate the interstate

). I have few routes planned for some trips to New Mexico and Arizona, all on smaller highways. It makes the trips longer but I have traveled all my life and to me its the journey not the destination. I have been thinking of an older small cc motorcycle, like a Honda CB 350/400, but I like the idea of a capable scooter alot better.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 3:24 am

Sort of a big wheels vs small wheels thing, and of course the love of scooters. Which are somewhat different from big wheeled scoots.

That said, for your stated purposes I would have a hard time not choosing the BV350. Plus, its less monies and could be less maintenance and repair. Or so I have read. At least down the road.

Here are a couple of threads from another forum which may help you decide. This first guy actually bought a BV350 for himself and a Vespa 300 for his wife the same day. So, it's a good thread to read comparisons

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=789266

and here is a general thread from owners of the Vespa 250 / 300, and their respective experiences

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=783232

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 3:49 am

Oh, and you probably have thought of it and idk if you have an Aprilia dealer nearby, but folks really seem to love the Scarabeo 500. And apparently great deals can be had on leftover units. I have read they can go for as low as $3999

I like them because they still manage to look like a scooter. Just a giant one. Its also said they are DIY friendly.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 5:58 am

The GTV is all about style. If that is what you want, then nothing else will do

. Now, if we are talking function. The GTS/GTV works best as an around town, country roads, and occasional trip sort of ride. It can do 2-up when you want but is limited on hills and the like with a load. The BV 350 has substantially more power for longer distances and higher speeds, if that is your preference. It is not so stylish in a classical way as the GTS, but it is a lot of scooter for the money. It all comes down to what you want to do with a scooter, and how important classic styling is in making your choice. Obviously I was unable to make up my mind

.

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 1:01 pm

Its all good, either way I don't think I'll be disappointed. On the Aprilia, yea I did look at them, however my nearest dealer are not discounting the older/new models like on the west coast, they are still asking $6,400 + delivery charges for the Scarabbeo 500. I still might look at the Aprilia, they do look good. Well, when I have cash in hand I'll get serious and go test drive them before I make up my mind. It should be around the first of the year, maybe I'll get a good deal in the middle of winter

.

BTW is there any difference between the 2008 Scarabeo 500 and the newer versions?
I went surfing cycletrader and found a new 2008 for $3,999 in North Carolina

.

Howardr · Post by **Howardr** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:12 pm

Just finished reading a review about the BV-350. They loved the power and style of it, but said that it is much better suited as an in-town, commuter than as a touring bike. Said that there is essentially only one place to put your feet and so may not be too comfortable for touring.

Howard

cdwise · Post by **cdwise** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 2:00 am

2wheelNsanity wrote: BTW is there any difference between the 2008 Scarabeo 500 and the newer versions?
I went surfing cycletrader and found a new 2008 for $3,999 in North Carolina .

I love my Scarabeo for touring. It has the most comfortable stock seat I've ridden for distances and I've ridden over 3,400 miles in one trip. It is lovely two up. It has more horsepwoer than the BV 350 and will easily do what you want. I've hit mumble, mumble 96mphs on it and the BV 500 (I was crossing Nevada on the BV where everyone, well when you actualy saw someone, was going 85-95 but gas mileage sucked at that speed (aka 52mpg).
Besides the bigger engine, more horsepower you have shorter service intervals on the the 500 than the 350 which is a newer engine and only been in production for less than a year. Its specs are good and the folks who have it say it is very nimble and handles well two up for touring but there are still unkowns about whether it will turn out to be as reliable as expected.

cdwise · Post by **cdwise** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 2:04 am

Howardr wrote:Just finished reading a review about the BV-350. They loved the power and style of it, but said that it is much better suited as an in-town, commuter than as a touring bike. Said that there is essentially only one place to put your feet and so may not be too comfortable for touring.

Body of the BV 350 isn't much different from the BV 500 (or 250 for that mattter) though it has more underseat storage than either. I've done 3,700 miles on a BV divided 1,600 on the way out and 2,100 on the way back (big loop from Colorado to California, up the coast and back across to Colorado) and had no issues with finding more than one foot position. Which review did you read and where is the person who is doing the review coming from? I saw a similar type review of the Scarabeo 500 saying that it should stick to in town for "smaller" riders written by sports bike riders who said it didn't corner "well". Strange, I keep up with my borthers on sports tourers and their friends in the twisted sisters without problems. However, it does feel different since there is no gas tank to hug with your knees which I think explains a fair bit about their review.

Post by **ericalm** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 5:06 am

Performance-wise (power, acceleration, top speed), the BV350 will probably win out. Horsepower is equivalent with 400cc version of the engine in the GTS/Super/GTV.

I'm eager for the engine and transmission in the BV350 to start showing up in other models and other displacements. It won't show up in a Vespa-branded scoot for at least a couple years, and may never trickle down to the smaller scooters. (:()

A lot of dealers were slashing prices on the Scarabeo 500, which I think might be a better long-distance tourer than the GTV300, and IMHO one of the better-looking maxiscooters. You might want to expand your search. The older BVs might also be on clearance.

Howardr · Post by **Howardr** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:36 pm

cdwise wrote: Body of the BV 350 isn't much different from the BV 500 (or 250 for that mattter) though it has more underseat storage than either. I've done 3,700 miles on a BV divided 1,600 on the way out and 2,100 on the way back (big loop from Colorado to California, up the coast and back across to Colorado) and had no issues with finding more than one foot position. Which review did you read and where is the person who is doing the review coming from? I saw a similar type review of the Scarabeo 500 saying that it should stick to in town for "smaller" riders written by sports bike riders who said it didn't corner "well". Strange, I keep up with my borthers on sports tourers and their friends in the twisted sisters without problems. However, it does feel different since there is no gas tank to hug with your knees which I think explains a fair bit about their review.

As it turns out, the review i read was from Scoot!:
https://www.thescootclub.com/reviews/sc ... io-bv-350/

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 3:22 am

Howardr wrote:Just finished reading a review about the BV-350. They loved the power and style of it, but said that it is much better suited as an in-town, commuter than as a touring bike. Said that there is essentially only one place to put your feet and so may not be too comfortable for touring.

While the comment about the foot position on the BV 350 is certainly true, this is hardly unique to this bike. It describes virtually all scooters except a few of the large Japanese bikes like the Burgman and Silverwing. In those cases, the seat is quite low and the rider sits in something of a legs forward, body back position which, also, does not suit many riders. I have personally ridden the 350 several hours at a time and prefer it's upright seating position. Now, criticism of the seating position for a tall rider would be a different discussion. Like most Piaggios, the seat is fairly high off the ground but somewhat forward - could well be uncomfortable unless the seat were modified to allow a tall rider to move further back. The removeable "stop" on the seat is interesting and it might be possible to modify it or change it out for a taller rider.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 5:24 am

Personally I would go with the BV...especially if you're drooling over it!

The GTV is a great ride but as far as style...and I know I'm in the minority...I think the GTV is the stupidist looking design for a modern Vespa ever (yeah...that includes the Cosa)

It's like they said.."Hey...lets do a super cool retro design going back to the old fenderlights...yeah....move the light to the fender...OK...we're done!"
So much more potential for a really rocking modern scooter and they blew it.

hg3 · Post by **hg3** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 2:22 am

Just saw a BV350 today - oops Blur

the more time I look around the more difficult the choice is becoming - at least this gives me time to save.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 2:51 am

hg3 wrote:Just saw a BV350 today - oops Blur
the more time I look around the more difficult the choice is becoming - at least this gives me time to save.

If a Blur works for you, you won't have to save nearly so long

. There are some really good buys out there on new and low mileage used Blurs.

hg3 · Post by **hg3** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 3:26 am

220i ? I need to look for one of these used maybe.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 3:41 am

hg3 wrote:220i ? I need to look for one of these used maybe.

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