NBR: New Vespas

[Southerner]

Yes, I know there's another forum for this but........

I got an email today telling me "The New Vespas Are Here!"

But they look just like the old Vespas to me.

Don't get me wrong; they do/did look good but there's nothing to differentiate this year's from last, at least to my untrained eyes, so why the ballyhoo?

[Drum Pro]

So I take it no Vespa px Evo or the 946?

[Southerner]

Not that I saw.

Actually, a Vespa would be on my "aspirational" list except for the fact that they, like, it would seem, all Italian bikes, have that parts problem. The unchanging thing could actually be an advantage in that you don't feel your new toy will be obsoleted by next year's model. Also your model's survival over a long period of time should ensure parts availability for a very long time. That's one of the unmentioned advantages of a HD, for example.

[Alexbv200]

There are 2 special edition bikes that were added for 2013 along with new colors.

On the LX 50/150 i.e:
Aquamarine replaces the Celeste Blue
Volcano Black (Metallic black) is back.
The 2013 LX 150 also gets new horn cast cover and new rubber mat that says Vespa on it.

On the S 50/ 150 i.e:
Titanium and shinny black are discontinued.
Colors are Montebianco and Red (back for 2013)
All the S now come with black rims, black instrument cluster, black grill on the horn cast and black crest on the front fender.
New model added is the S 150 i.e Sport, which has all of the above plus Satin black paint, ribbed seat, "Sport" badge on the right storage compartment, and graphics.

LXV 150 i.e:
Portofino green is discontinued and replaced by Sienna Ivory which returns after a 2 year abscence and will be offered alongside the Espresso Brown.
Seat is now a deeper and richer brown and more suptle leather.
Folding Chrome Front rack is now standard just like the GTV.

On the GTS/ GTV 300
GTS: Bronze is back and replaces the Plum.

GTS 300 Super: Dragon Red is back and will be offered along side the Montebianco.
Titanium is discontinued and the Satin black that was offered for 2012 will now only be offered on the GTS 300 Super Sport model which also has ribbed seat and graphics.

GTV 300:
Just like the LXV, the Portofino Green is discontinued and replaced by the Sienna Ivory and offered alongside the Espresso Brown.

The International Motorcycle show is next month in Milan and we will now if all the rumors are true:
GTR 350
PX 125/ 150 i.e Automatic
PX 200 i.e Automatic
Production version of the 946
And more..

Stay tunned.

[Alexbv200]

Not that I saw.

Actually, a Vespa would be on my "aspirational" list except for the fact that they, like, it would seem, all Italian bikes, have that parts problem. The unchanging thing could actually be an advantage in that you don't feel your new toy will be obsoleted by next year's model. Also your model's survival over a long period of time should ensure parts availability for a very long time. That's one of the unmentioned advantages of a HD, for example.

I really don't see a parts availibility being a problem with the modern Vespas seeing how many are being built..

[skully93]

Euro standards for parts are now pretty hefty for cars. do you know if the same applies for scoots? I think the rule for cars is now that multiple decades after a model is discontinued, you have to still have parts available.

[Dooglas]

a Vespa would be on my "aspirational" list except for the fact that they, like, it would seem, all Italian bikes, have that parts problem.

I really don't see a parts availibility being a problem with the modern Vespas seeing how many are being built.

I have owned several Italian scooters in recent years (Vespa and other Piaggio models). I also own a Japanese motorcycle and have owned other Japanese and Taiwanese scooters and motorcycles in the past. I don't experience any greater difficulty in sourcing parts for my Italian bikes than I do for any others. In fact, the longest delays I have experienced have been for Buddy parts. That could be just coincidence of course .

[Southerner]

I'm glad to hear it. Maybe that's one of those worn-out cliches like "Harleys fall apart" which dates back to the 70s.