Looking at Scooters in the Muddle of California

Duck Dodgers

New member
I am in transition; last motorcycle sold TWO days ago, bike-less, on the northside of 60. Not putting the helmet away yet. Looking at scooters; less hip pressure=no leg over. Less to take on, take off=bags, side case etc. Built in storage. Only put 3000 miles on my bike in 2 years. Rode it at least once a week, to the store, hardware, post office and 4-5 times out of town. This all screams scooter to me.

The C650GT is on my short list. So is the Piaggio BV350ie ABS and Vespa GTVie 300. All of these are from the same dealer. My dealer of choice. (50 miles away) I am sure a few of you have been down transition road. What made you stop at C650GT Boulevard?
 

Scorpion56

Member
Hi Duck and welcome. I've had the 650GT for just over a year and about 7K miles. I find that the best features of the bike are that it is super comfortable riding. I can stretch my legs way forward. A full day of riding does not fatigue me. It's great for around town errands, yet I think of it as perfect touring bike, without the shifting. Heated seats and grips are huge, as is the adjustable electronic windscreen. Side stand doubles as a parking brake - a unique and nice feature. Gives a nice ride at highway speeds (it's a heavy bike). Also loads of under the seat storage. Four full grocery bags are not uncommon for me. Now for the feature that can be off-putting.....the seat height...about 30". I'm 5'-11" and at stops have to balance on the balls of my feet, or put one foot down flat and lean the bike over a few degrees. This is not a two-flat-feet bike. It is also just under 600 pounds, so it takes getting used to. Also getting on/off doesn't require or even allow for leg-overs and also takes getting used to. If you haven't already, take it for a test drive and see how the seat feels to you. The 650GT has had some recall issues. Three that I can think of, which have caused its owners some concerns but seem to now be in the rear view mirror. Oh yeah, a lot of owners don't love the mirrors. I added stick-on convex mirrors to solve that problem. All in all, I love my C650GT. It is super comfortable, provides a great riding position and is well appointed. Gets a lot of comments too. I decided to buy mine after 5 minutes into the test drive. Start with the test drive and you'll have a good idea if it's for you. Having a 750 cc cruiser as well, I understand your wanting to let go of the clutch and shifting. Maybe that is the best part of any scoot - stuck in traffic!
 

Xian Forbes

New member
I stopped at C600 because I was interested in touring with the missus as well as still remaining sporty enough to compliment my juvenile attitude. About the only thing I'd say to consider is the weight. 550 lbs is not overly tubby but when compared to a GTS it's huge. Out on the open road it's a dream. When I'm bopping around Monterey wharf or Cannery row our Vespa 946 is better I'll admit. Personally I didn't even consider a BV or Silverwing or any of the middle weight contenders. I either wanted light and sprightly or the full Monty. As far as economy goes the BMW gets about the same or sometimes better mpg than the GTS (out on the highway) but where it gets expensive is in the tire dept. There are only a few choices and them are not $60-$80 each like the 12" GTS. If your really only riding 3000 miles per year, I'd take a closer look at GTS. Not that the BMW isn't a fine choice, but it's strengths are in touring and two up riding. The Vespa has every bit of the same level of quality, style, accessories and can perform right along side the bigger BMW. The big Beemer is faster (not quicker) and has creature comforts not available on the smaller Vespa. Plus the GTS is thousands cheaper in acquisition costs, service calls, and tires. Resale on Vespas is also quite strong as it speaks to a very broad group of riders. Accessories costs are about the same as both are high quality machines.
Hope this helps with your decision.
 
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TN_Sooner

Member
I own a GT and a BV 350 (plus a MP3-500). They are both great bikes and can both do the same things.

The BV is a blast for jetting around town and for short trips - love the bike for this purpose. If I'm jumping on for a errand trip or even a ride thru the countryside for an hour or 2, BV is an easy choice for me. Easy to ride and maneuver and just a bunch of fun. I've taken it for a weekend to the NC mountains ~300 miles away and it did fine for that trip. I carried it out to colorado and rode all around and up over 14k feet. It did fine.

But my touring choice is by far the GT. I see it superior to my other bikes in all phases and is significantly more comfortable for long trips. Love the power, I can stretch out pretty good and I just love riding it. GT is totally capable to do all the around town stuff that I love my BV for, I just enjoy the BV more.

If I could only only keep one, I would keep the GT. If money is an concern, the BV at ~half he cost of a GT is a fabulous buy.

I love the look of the Vespa and nothing holds value better. However, to me, the Vespa is all about the looks. If you don't love the looks, the BV is cheaper and offers much better performance. Also, Vespas are cramped for me and I cant ride more than an hour or so without needing to stretch my legs. Not a problem on the GT and I've fitted footpegs on the BV.
 

grey.hound

New member
Nothing new to add except make sure the BV350 is ABS. It wasn't available in the U.S. last fall, not sure that has changed. I don't think you can go wrong with any of your options; as long as it has ABS.
 

Skutorr

Active member
I am in transition; last motorcycle sold TWO days ago, bike-less, on the northside of 60. Not putting the helmet away yet. Looking at scooters; less hip pressure=no leg over. Less to take on, take off=bags, side case etc. Built in storage. Only put 3000 miles on my bike in 2 years. Rode it at least once a week, to the store, hardware, post office and 4-5 times out of town. This all screams scooter to me.

The C650GT is on my short list. So is the Piaggio BV350ie ABS and Vespa GTVie 300. All of these are from the same dealer. My dealer of choice. (50 miles away) I am sure a few of you have been down transition road. What made you stop at C650GT Boulevard?

You can also go for the Plushmeister ride and get Suzuki Burgman 650 for $10,999.00, or go lighter and more performance-oriented and get a Yamaha Tmax 530 for the EXACT SAME $10,490.00 as the BMW....
 

Xian Forbes

New member
The more I think of it the more I appreciate the BV. I saw one yesterday and got to thinking of this thread. It might be a fair compromise of size, speed and cost. Bigger wheels are of course a plus. I've just been a vintage scooter boy for 20+ years so I naturally gravitate towards Vespa/Lambtetta. Whichever you choose, you are guaranteed many smiles per mile.
 

SteveADV

Active member
......The C650GT is on my short list. So is the Piaggio BV350ie ABS and Vespa GTVie 300. All of these are from the same dealer. My dealer of choice. (50 miles away) I am sure a few of you have been down transition road. What made you stop at C650GT Boulevard?

A picture of a tmax with a tank bag is what started me even considering a maxi-scooter. Cool bike but to small for me. The designs of some bikes are a work of art, especially some Italian designs, IMO. But its all subjective when it comes to looks. Besides, I switch bikes like I switch women, so many many look good to me. (That's a joke boys....Ive been married for 48 years.) So, functionality becomes a key factor. And, there are so many good choices from that point of view it is tough to narrow it down.

Buy the C650GT. Be prepared for even more great bike adventures whether you are going to the hardware store, cruising to see a sunset, or doing a coast to coast.
 

Scorpion56

Member
My previous (and first) scooter was a Honda SH150i. I loved it but realized I was limited to non-highway rides. After owning the 650GT, I could never ride anything smaller again. I agree with Steve. It's fun to ride it just around town, commuting or an all-day cruise.
 

Sparkrn

Member
With a new season of riding ahead,I had to look at my aprillia sportcity 250 and if it was cuttin what I wanted in a scooter. I too looked at the piaggio bv and just couldn't buy it because it was too light. I like getting on all road types and and was finding the lighter bikes a little scary onto big road. I ended up buying a gt yesterday and must say I feel good owning a BMW. I'm sure the bv is a great scoot if you don't hit the 65 mph roads.
 

wsteele

New member
I see that the dealer you have been going to is a Piaggio/Vespa dealer you may want to look at the Piaggio MP3 500 they are importing them into the USA again I have a Piaggio/Gilera Fuoco MP3 500 (2010) very capable bike they have upgraded this bike with larger tires and ABS brakes. The bike will do 100 mph if you like going fast,you can cruse at 70 mph all day gets about 55 mpg just something different. PS I also own a 650 GT great bike you won't go wrong with it I have over 16000 miles on it, has become my favorite bike I also own a Honda Ctx 700 (2015)
 
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