I've had a 2016 150cc LXVie in silver with maroon leather since new; have put about 6,000 city miles on it. It's a wonderful machine. I bought it when my wife died after we had taken the motorcycle certification together in anticipation of getting one someday soon. I'm in the process of selling it now, though, as it's time. But it's such an iconic brand and I constantly get thumbs up and even notes left on it.
The Vespa at 80
101–110 of 179 posts
Re: The Vespa at 80
#102Earlier quoted context omitted.
I live next to a road and combustion-engine mopeds vary from "holy fuck this is loud" to "I can't wait to move out". I used to live close to an airport and that was much better. The specific noise that mopeds make drills into your head. Funnily, I'm never bothered by nails on chalkboard or cutlery on plate, but mopeds, holy fuck, if hell exists, it's full of mopeds.
Vespas aren’t mopeds.
For better or worse, probably worse, the definitions of both "moped" and "scooter" vary from person to person or jurisdiction to jurisdiction. "Moped" is often used to describe a light motorcycle.
Re: The Vespa at 80
#103Earlier quoted context omitted.
Vespas aren’t mopeds.
For better or worse, probably worse, the definitions of both "moped" and "scooter" vary from person to person or jurisdiction to jurisdiction. "Moped" is often used to describe a light motorcycle.
No. Mopeds have pedals. That’s the “ped” part of motor pedal.
Re: The Vespa at 80
#104Earlier quoted context omitted.
Vespas aren’t mopeds.
For better or worse, probably worse, the definitions of both "moped" and "scooter" vary from person to person or jurisdiction to jurisdiction. "Moped" is often used to describe a light motorcycle.
Language changes. I guarantee if you ask 100 people to draw a moped, maybe 2 will put pedals on it.
Re: The Vespa at 80
#105Earlier quoted context omitted.
Vespas aren’t mopeds.
For better or worse, probably worse, the definitions of both "moped" and "scooter" vary from person to person or jurisdiction to jurisdiction. "Moped" is often used to describe a light motorcycle.
Scooter do not have pedals, mopeds do, hence the name.
The Piaggio Vespa is a scooter. The Piaggio Ciao is a moped.
Re: The Vespa at 80
#106Earlier quoted context omitted.
It sounds like you're describing a 2-stroke engine, which older Vespas did use. But modern ones use a 4-stroke engine and should have the same emissions profile as any other motorcycle.
I live next to a road and combustion-engine mopeds vary from "holy fuck this is loud" to "I can't wait to move out". I used to live close to an airport and that was much better. The specific noise that mopeds make drills into your head. Funnily, I'm never bothered by nails on chalkboard or cutlery on plate, but mopeds, holy fuck, if hell exists, it's full of mopeds.
I own a Piaggio 300cc Scooter, not called a Vespa because it is one of the big wheel variants (similar to Honda SH line) but it has the same engine as the Vespa 300GTS.
It is not at all noisy unless I rev it high, which I try to avoid doing most of the time. It is not loud like for instance a Yamaha T-Max, not helped by it attracting mostly complete retards.
Obviously there are always dumb people mounting akrapovic or other noisy aftermarket exhausts on any bike brand but it is also the same with cars.
Re: The Vespa at 80
#107Reading through the comments I somehow doubt that many have owned or ridden a Vespa that was built in the last 10 years or so. I've had a 300cc Vespa GTS for a decade now (alongside a few motorcycles) and the thing that is the most striking about it is how relaxing it is to drive. Despite being somewhat heavy, they are very manoeuvrable due to the low center of gravity. The suspension is very good and despite the roa…
The 300GTS is amazing. It can do anything. Split traffic on the way to the farmers market while getting waves from random people? Easy. 80mph up a hill on the way to the park? Also yes. Ride through the park to set up a picnic? Not only yes but it literally has a built in cooler. Just a total zero compromise vehicle. And you can buy one for what five grand? All other motorcycles (which I have many of) are stupid.
You're making it sound like the motorcycle equivalent of the original Fiat Panda 4x4 (well, except that you didn't mention anything about repairability, but you get the vibe I'm going for)
Re: The Vespa at 80
#108Earlier quoted context omitted.
Switched from Vespa (combustion) to Unu (electric) and Black Tea (electric) .. and the one feature I yearn for, from the Vespa era, is its noise factor. Electric is damn quiet, damn smooth, and damn fast. (And damn comfy.) And that can be a problem. Especially in a city like, say, Vienna, where people just do not check before they cross some of these little cosy streets. I became a much more alert and guarding rider…
TBQH from my experience people in Vienna are quite oblivious to single-track vehicles. No idea why but even cycling here is often scary.
I found the tram tracks more alarming than the pedestrians, but I was on those hire bikes which top out at about 25kmh and are like riding a brick.
Re: The Vespa at 80
#109I like Vespas, they're very stylish, but damn they are noisy, and not a nice rumble either but more like a very loud chainsaw. They give off a terrible amount of smoke compared more modern scooters too. I do often wonder why so few other new small motorcycles or scooters have similarly beautiful designs though. However, for me, having lived in a country with a motorbike culture for the last decade, the coolest thing…
My brother and I restored my dad’s ‘64 Vespa 150S and the thing is extremely loud! It is very smelly as well as it’s a two stroke engine, but I don’t mind that at all. Quite the opposite
A friend races Vespas. They are apparently well suited to tuning (perhaps being poorly tuned from factory?), and power is much increased. The noise seems to go up vastly.
He has to re-weld the frame from time to time due to the cracks that form.
Re: The Vespa at 80
#110I like Vespas, they're very stylish, but damn they are noisy, and not a nice rumble either but more like a very loud chainsaw. They give off a terrible amount of smoke compared more modern scooters too. I do often wonder why so few other new small motorcycles or scooters have similarly beautiful designs though. However, for me, having lived in a country with a motorbike culture for the last decade, the coolest thing…
I have to agree that the amount of pollution these things put out is really a dealbreaker in modern times, in my opinion. They really smell up a street when they go by, it’s so noticeable after having mainly electric cars and bicycles going by.
You’re likely thinking of the old 2 strokes - the newer ones are much of a muchness with other 4 stroke motos.