Question to Roger - why BMW but not Vespa?

[axiom]

Hi Roger,

I recall you mentioned you own an R75? This(or maybe another airhead) is certainly a fine bike, no doubt about it. However, I'd like to know why you chose that over a Vespa? Or have you considered Vespa at all?

I am asking perhaps is because I may be facing this decision... soon.

And also why did you choose your Defender over a VW bus? Or have you considered a camper at all?

A.

To others:
What would you choose if you are to make this decision. And why?

 

[tunalegs]

I may be missing something here, but in what way is an R57 comparable to a Vespa? (aside from having two wheels and a motor, obviously).

 

[Keith]

I missed the point too ... when did Vespa make something capable of cruising all day fully loaded with a pillion and luggage at 140 k +?

 

[bob338]

Why use a Leica when you can use an Olympus SP?

Vespas ain't motorcycles.
VW busses ain't Defenders.

 

[pakeha]

now if you had written Ducati instead of vespa😉
regards

 

[Richard G]

Safety. A scooter has no stability for the rider in any quick manouevre: you have to straddle a motorcycle to have proper control.

 

[tunalegs]

Safety. A scooter has no stability for the rider in any quick manouevre: you have to straddle a motorcycle to have proper control.

Obviously you have never witnessed the shriners on their cushmans. 😀

 

[Roger Hicks]

Well, I'm old enough to remember the Mods and Rockers. I had a few friends who were mods (I was a very tolerant rocker) and I once tried riding a Lambretta 200 for a few yards on a potholed road. It scared me silly: tiny wheels, no stability. I've never ridden one since. And the Lambretta was very much better regarded than the Vespa. Also, as others have said, if you want to go any distance, a motorcycle is a vastly better bet. Even my old Velocette LE 200 was a better long distance tourer than a hair dryer on wheels.

As for the Land Rover, mine isn't a Defender: it's a Series III (leaf springs, not coil). Dead easy to work on (utterly unlike any rear-engined VW -- I had a Beetle in the 60s)and goes anywhere: I like exploring unsurfaced roads in Southern and Eastern Europe. Or anywhere, for that matter. Also, beyond a certain age, you begin to appreciate ever more the convenience of an hotel room with an en-suite bathroom, and I can't stand the smell of chemical toilets.

Cheers,

R.

 

[FrankS]

You can't beat cubic inches. (or cm)

But it's also about the diameter of the wheels, if comparing these two.

 

[Roger Hicks]

You can't beat cubic inches. (or cm)

But it's also about the diameter of the wheels, if comparing these two.

Dear Frank,

Hmmmmm....

Within reason, true. But I'd rather have 980cc of BMW flat twin than 1340cc of H-D with the 'knife and fork' con rods, inefficient breathing and cooling, and hellish vibration. Power's about the same, too, as far as I recall -- though my R100RS (note to OP -- not R75) is lightly got at and now delivers about the same power (70 bhp) at the rear wheel as it did as the crankshaft when it was new (gas flowed heads, revised oilways).

Cheers,

R.

 

[tunalegs]

I guess as regards the OP, it would also depend on what you plan on doing with it.

If you just need to run round to the post office, a Vespa very well might be an excellent choice. My friend has one and it's lots of fun. You could take it cross country if you really wanted to (I've seen people take a Velosolex cross country even) - but that's not what it is really made for.

If you really want to get into it there are lots of small bikes out there beyond Vespas too.

 

[bigeye]

Roger, I don't think Frank is necessarily talking about harleys. Not everyone fits the Guardian's pork rind profile here.

.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Why use a Leica when you can use an Olympus SP?

Vespas ain't motorcycles.
VW busses ain't Defenders.

But to many Leica has to be a Nikon dSLR. Makes ya fink!

 

[axiom]

Thanks for the responses everyone, especially Roger.

Why am I comparing two vastly 2 different animals?
Perhaps I am really comparing the living styles those 2 animals offer rather then how good they are at doing the same thing.

Having said that, I do plan to do some cross state/province rides on a (modern) Vespa (if I get one), just at the Vespa pace.
I believe a Vespa offers more easy storage than a conventional bike, and also the modern techs might have eliminated the reliability or stability concerns over the old Vespa.

 

[Rogier]

And I prefer a Scooter because you can pull over much easier and take a picture.
Parking a 400 lbs beast and slinging a leg over that saddle gets old quick causing you to zipp right by that interesting looking subject.

Saving for a Vespa 300 to start extended road trips across the US with camera and audio recorder in hand.

 

[axiom]

And a lot easier in getting your gear out of the storage too

And I prefer a Scooter because you can pull over much easier and take a picture.
Parking a 400 lbs beast and slinging a leg over that saddle gets old quick causing you to zipp right by that interesting looking subject.

Saving for a Vespa 300 to start extended road trips across the US with camera and audio recorder in hand.

If my mind isn't changed, Im down for a GTS

 

[axiom]

If you really want to get into it there are lots of small bikes out there beyond Vespas too.

vespa is unique in the way that it offers great easily accessible storage,
Back rack, front rack, between legs, underseat.
On a conventional bike tho, things will have to be stacked up like a mountain.

Within the scooter style(front guard, leg room etc), vespa offers a sturdy frame that potentially allows more loading, and a more stable ride.

But if you of other small bikes that offer something similar, please let me know

 

[aad]

Well, a modern Vespa is a very different animal to a PX or earlier unit-and I'd happily tour the country on one.

In fact, there are very good reasons to use a scooter for a real tour-you'll likely see and stop more, you will be more approachable-and the fuel mileage may be a lot better. I say maybe, because my wife's ET4 uses more fuel than her 500cc X9.

In any case, yes, a BMW will be a MUCH better mile eater, but as I have learned, that is not the best way to see the country.

And the last REAL Land Rover was the IIa-those series III things have PLASTIC grilles! How can you grill a rabbit over your campfire with that?!

 

[aad]

BTW, my latest requirement for a true adventure bike is one you are able to walk away from if needed, without trauma.

 

[ferider]

I ride 60-70 miles on my R1100S every day.

Would never dare to take a Vespa on the same freeways ....

Now my "scooter" ('99 Fatboy) is a different story 🙂