New Vespa 

Keep watching, then go for it! 😉

I'v been riding motorcycles for nearly 30 years, two summers ago I picked up a cheap Burgman 400 on a whim for fun. Long story short, I've sold my gold wing, vstar 1300, and I'm now on a 2021 Vespa 300; go test ride one!

@@halftanuki I plan on it, nearest dealership is 100 miles away but as soon as work allows I plan on checking them out and may pull the trigger. Thanks for your input.

I started riding motorcycles when I was a kid, beginning with the Honda mini trail 50 when it first came out. I’ve owned or ridden just about every type of motorcycle. I started riding scooters around seven years ago, and I haven’t looked back. I think you’ll begin to appreciate them. ✌️ PS: I’ve owned quite a few scooters.

I'm 63 and hadn't ridden a motorcycle in well over 40 years, but I did a lot of dirt bike riding as a teenager. Ordered the exact same model and color Vespa as in this video back in February, took the MSF course the first week of May this year, got my motorcycle endorsement and the scooter was delivered a week later. I've been having a blast on mine. I've driven in traffic a few times, but certainly prefer the back roads.

Thank you. Sounds like you are in a beautiful place. The alps and the landscape around them is amazing! Now I need to get MY wife riding! 👍

It’s funny that you say that. On my ride today I was thinking that it felt like I was sitting in a dining chair!

@flatgrind rides is that a bad experience.

I’ve always thought that having a Vespa would be fun. They are the quintessential scooter. But at my age, it’ll have to be a dream left to others. Meanwhile, I’ll “ride along” with your videos!

Thank you. I hope you enjoy it and find it easy to handle. I’m guessing you will!

Grazie Alfredo. I think you will enjoy it!

I have "grigio delicato" ❤

Thanks Ken. I've been curious about the Burgman too. The fact that it's a "classic" was certainly a draw for me. It's hard to not think Vespa when you think scooter. I have little experience with other scooters for comparison, but I have been very happy with my GTS so far.

@@flatgrindrides precisely the reason we all should just ride what we like. The Burgman is a great bike but definitely more motorcycle like than scooter like. That aside, the ease of a great CVT makes a great difference between it and a regular bike. The Vespa is truly a classic. I have to look closer at those next time I'm in the market.

I’ve got a 2014 Vespa GTV300 in CA (along with a bunch of motorcycles). In TX, I found a new out of the box 2018 (last year imported) Burgman 650 Executive at a dealer in Houston. The Vespa is fun and the genuine Italian leather seat is beautiful. It even comes with a seat condum in case it rains. The Vespa is not really happy at around an indicated 70mph. The seat while pretty isn’t shaped right for long rides as you tend to slide forward uncomfortably. I did a 250 mile round trip ride with our local Scooter Posse and my butt was killing me so I bought a blow up saddle cushion that I’m going to use for my next extended ride. Obviously, the Burgman is happier at freeway speeds, but for some reason it is NOT as smooth as the Vespa even though it has 2 cylinders. The Burg’s CVT isn’t as smooth as the Vespa’s either. Coming to a stop the Burg’s CVT feels as if the belt hits flat spots and doesn’t want to come down to an idle. I passed on 2 used Burgs because I thought something might be wrong with them. When I took mine for a test ride, I decided the odd feeling from the CVT must just be the “nature of the beast” since it was new and still did it. I should mention that the word on the modern Vespas is that they have front end wobble so you don’t want to take your hands off the grips. I wouldn’t know since I don’t take my hands off the grips while riding.

Thank you for your service. I bet cruising San Diego in 1961 on a Vespa was a blast!

Thanks! I’m hearing more and more people coming from big bikes saying similar things. 👍 Enjoy!

I put an air hawk seat over my Vespa seat big difference for comfort and I'm 240 lbs 6'2"

Thanks Mustafa!

Enjoy! I think you’ll have fun.

Thanks Jayne! Hope to wave to you one of these days… 👋

I'm in Fort Collins, Colorado. This area around Horsetooth Reservoir is such a good ride.

Glad you enjoyed it!

😂👍

Thank you. Sorry about your wife's crash! It is good scootin' around here!

GOOD CHOICES! 👍😂 A man after my own heart. I wish you many happy miles!

Thanks and good luck on your trip! Camera setup: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-p3JW9ecJ13c.html

White is classic. Enjoy!

Good choice! 😉

Nice! Love to hear it when people are putting the miles on them. So much better to have them out and ridden than locked in some garage somewhere. 😉

More or less same bikes…….differs 3hp only.

Thank you! I will give my dealer a call.

Thanks Simon. Whatever you decide, happy riding!

It handles better than I expected it would.

Thanks Charles. I just recently learned about the cannonball. Might have to add that to my bucket list!

Sweet! You are really putting on the miles!

Where did you buy the impulsivo orange top case?

@@rnr1880 When my dealer located my scooter at another dealer (after mine was damaged in shipment) it had already been installed, along with the folding rear rack and medium-size windscreen. Since I was planning on getting those anyway I agreed to keeping them at a small discount. Prior to that I had shopped around and found it at SIP in Germany. Looks like they are still in stock there though shipping is not cheap.

Ah, didn’t know that. Thanks!

Thanks! Helmet Cam Setup ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-p3JW9ecJ13c.html

Thank you. That a lot of miles and great longevity on the tires. There are so many models we don't get in the US of A... especially the smaller displacement bikes!

Thanks! Hope you enjoy!

Yeah, the maintenance requirements change gave me pause too, but I decided to go for it anyway. The replacement items are fluids and filters, belts and rollers, which I would be doing (or at least inspecting) anyway. I guess the big thing is the more frequent valve adjustment interval. That’s more of a PIA, but I guess it wasn’t a dealbreaker for me. Have you heard any horror stories about the HPE engine? I’ve seen complaints about the maintenance intervals but I haven’t seen much in terms of actual problems… If you have I’d love to hear about it. Thanks for watching and for the comment!

@@flatgrindrides Other than a batch of bad fuel pumps (there's apparently a recall) and some people complaining of oil consumption I haven't heard of any issues. A lot of the guys in the UK are complaining of the body rusting below where the battery is located, but I don't think that's unique to the HPE engine models. It's been 1100 miles since my 600 mile service and I haven't needed to add oil yet.

That’s great that they did that! 👍

Thanks! Yeah, I worry about deer more than I worry about other drivers. Sometimes those things appear out of nowhere. And while we’re on the topic of wildlife, what is it about squirrels? About half the time they start out into the road, see and stop, and then run right out into your path of travel and stop again! They can’t really hurt you, but they can make you hurt yourself! 😂 I’ll be watching for the orange super sport. 👍

Sounds like it has a good home! Enjoy!

I have a gts250 in the workshop with 134 000 kms

@@nicowright9758 a friend of mine has 179000 km....still going strong!

Where would the closest dealer be? Charlotte? I hope you end up getting one, as I think you would really enjoy it. Maybe you could pick up a used one somewhere and not even worry about the dealer. Just a little local shop wrench on it if necessary? Good luck! I had some ancestors in the Spartanburg area, but that was a long time ago, about the time of the Revolution.

Just did a 1200 mile or so trip this weekend on my big bike. I think the Vespa and the big bike complement each other well. Each is versatile, but better at certain things.

They are probably more expensive, and I've never ridden one, so I can't comment on what they are like, but Piaggio makes the MP3 scooter, with two wheels up front, one in back... www.piaggio.com/en_EN/models/mp3/ Might be worth looking at too. Good luck!

That’s a tough decision. I might go for the ADV in Chiang Mai. I suppose it depends on the type of riding you expect to be doing. The ADVs might be better on dirt roads and trips up into hill country. I would also consider parts and service availability and cost. Thinking about Chiangmai is making me hungry! That khao soi! Good luck!

@@flatgrindrides Also considering the price for the GTS 300 cost about $7500 while the ADV 350 is about $5000-$6000, plus parts and accessories. I can’t wait to get there and start riding. I will looking out for khao soi, papaya salad, grilled chicken with sticky rice along the road. Been dreaming about this for many years and finally it is here. Shopping for a bike is exciting and part of retirement. Thanks for the video.

Adv/Forza 350 all day long

Nope, not addictive! 😂👍

Sorry, I don’t know anything about it. I’m new to the scoots, so I’m learning myself. Good luck and enjoy!

Helmet Cam ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-p3JW9ecJ13c.html

Opposite the shift lever. 😉

I have a TW 200 too and I much prefer the Vespa for road riding. I haven’t tested the top speed on the Vespa yet, but I’m sure it’s a bit higher than the TW with stock gearing. The Vespa is also a bit zippier and just easier to ride around town. The scooter experience is same same but different. If you can find one to test ride you should. I love my motorcycles but I love this thing too.

I wish Honda would bring the ADV350 to the U.S.

@@ranman1959 I hope you get the big ADV! Also the whole Honda Forza family is missing in the US, over here in Europe available as 125cc (that's mine!), 350cc and 750cc. On the other hand: I'm really jealous that you have the Trail 125, it's missing here in Germany. But the Dax 125 will be back soon, I think it will also come to the USA. Monkey, Grom and Cub are the same on both sides of the Atlantic...

Different strokes for different folks. 🤷‍♂️

So frustrating. Finding lots of things that used to function smoothly are not so smooth anymore. I wish you luck.

I have not been keeping up with the market lately, but looking online a local dealer here in Denver is advertising the 2023 GTS 300 for $8894 (7799 MSRP + 750 freight + 345 doc fee). Maybe some others with experience of the current market can chime in. Good luck!

That will be the subject of my next video!

In the city is no problem. The 12 miles of highway at that speed would make me think twice. Some people would do it, others would feel very uncomfortable. Tough call. Maybe there is one you could rent and do a test run to see how you feel about it?

I bet you’ll be happy with it. Good luck!

There is a company called RAM That makes a bunch of device mounts for motorcycles and other vehicles. Check them out. They make one that would clip onto the stem of the rearview mirror. I suspect that once you know what you’re looking for you can find lots of other options that are similar. Good luck!

👍 wired: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-p3JW9ecJ13c.htmlsi=2_9NyX2Hta3LSIfu

@@flatgrindrides Ahhh... perfect, thanks!

A 500 could be nice. I’ll have to look for him. Thanks!

This was a custom scooter. Piaggio doesn't make the vespa 500cc. Scooteria is the RU-vid channel.

The tank meter is not very accurate on GTS 300. I got in trouble once out in the countryside and stopped at a small general store and bought a canister of Aspen alkylate gasoline, purposed for lawn movers and such. I thought the engine ran better, with even better mileage, on that fuel compared to the standard 95 RON with 10% ethanol in it. Unfortunately, the price of Aspen skyrocketed short thereafter. My old new Vespa and I hit a Volkswagen and I got some bruises. Very soon I'm getting an insurance replacement and that baby is going to be fed on premium 98 RON containing only 5% ethanol, the same juice I use in my car with a GM Z22YH engine.

Gracias Enrique!

Sadly that’s true in many places here too.

Sounds like if you ever decide to take the plunge you’ll get a good deal! 👍

If I had a good friend that owned a dealership, I would need another good friend to build me a new garage for all my bikes!!

I would say pretty good, especially for 12” wheels.

Thank you! The camera is a GoPro Hero 10 mounted to my helmet. It is recording in 4K with the widest lens setting of “superview”. The image stabilization is set to “hyper smooth standard” and the horizon lock is turned off. When I watched the video I realized that the very wide angle lens and the stabilization settings make it look almost too smooth. The lean into the turns does not look as dramatic as it really is and the turns don’t look as tight as they are! I’m planning to do a similar ride and change the settings to see if I can get it looking a little bit more realistic. The microphone is a MOVO ACM400 in my helmet and plugged into the GoPro.

Also, the frame rate is 24 FPS and the ISO is set fairly low to I think 400 For a slightly lower shutter speed. This gives a stronger sense of motion and a little bit of motion blur.

@@flatgrindrides i really appreciate your extensive answer :). I’n from the Netherlands and watching this while i fall a sleep with the beautiful views. I have the gopro 8 hero black but no mic yet….so i’ll have a look into that one. Thanks, i wish you many safe miles!

@@FJWH love the Netherlands. We’ve spent some time in Amsterdam and rode the eurovelo 15 (Rhine River) on a Dutch bicycle ;)

Zumas are nice. They definitely charge a premium for Vespas, no doubt about it. From a purely utilitarian standpoint of function versus cost, Vespa might not come out on top. But, people have been buying Vespas since 1946. In the end it’s a personal choice about what you really want and value.

Vespa's have pretty large top boxes available in matching colours.

Burgmans are a nice ride! Hope you enjoy it! 👍