Get Smart. Get a Vespa.
If you’ve known me for long or read my Bucket List, you know that I don’t drive but I plan to learn this year.
Well the price of gas combined with the facts that I’m a new driver so my insurance rates will be astronomical and I’m a geeky quirky girl at heart have led me to the decision to buy a Vespa scooter instead of a car.
My good friend Johnny has had a vintage Vespa since shortly after we finished high school and I’ve always loved it so a few weeks ago I made the firm decision. Vespa for me. After looking at the various models online (and some other brands of motor scooters, including Tomos, Honda and Yamaha) I’ve decided to buy a 2008 Vespa LX150 in July. I’m already signed up to take a motorcycle training course which is designed for Vespa drivers in July and I’m quite excited about it.
Current gas prices here where I live near Toronto are running just under $1.30/litre which works out to about 100km (62 miles) for $10 in gas when driving the Vespa. I spoke with the owner of the Vespa dealership closest to me and he says that this spring sales on Vespa and Piaggio scooters have gone through the roof this year. By mid May he’d already sold all of the stock he purchased for the entire summer and has had to re-order. I guess a lot of folks are parking the SUVs and using motor scooters when and where they can.
Yesterday I learned that in the upcoming Get Smart movie Maxwell Smart (actor Steve Carell) will be driving a Vespa LX150 rather than the stereotypical lamborghini or Aston Martin you would expect a secret agent to drive.
I don’t know whether I feel more geeky quirky or like a sheep now that I’ve heard this. Either way… a red Vespa LX150 will be coming home with me in July and I cannot wait! I guess I’ll go with quirky… after all… when I think Vespa I think Quadrophenia… not Get Smart!
P.S. A little piece of trivia… apparently Vespa means wasp because the motor on these little beauties sounds just like a wasp buzzing around 
Love it. The Vespa has been VERY popular in my homeland Italy for many decades. Kids start early with them and it continues into adulthood. Makes perfect sense in these daze of gas gouging. Great stuff, M!
Pai
Don’t know if you saw this, but Ben McConnell talked about his scooter at the Church of the Customer blog the other day.
And you’re not a sheep — you’re just a harbinger of a big new trend.
@Pai I’ve been wanting a Vespa (love the look of a classic Vespa over it’s sister Piaggio Fly 150 model) for years so I’m really excited now. Be prepared for dorky “Merlene on Scooter” pix throughout July & August hehe.
@Twalk Thanks for the link to Ben’s post. I love that other people are starting to see how much sense (and cents) a scooter makes. Harbinger. I like it.
Yay for gas sipping vehicles and for geeking out.
It’s a good alternative to a 4-wheeled vehicle. Please make sure that you wear all the safety gear. This includes a helmet, boots, gloves, everything. Consider your Vespa a motorcycle with all that that entails, but much less powerful. Also, folks in cars will not notice you - even if they appear to be looking right in your eyes. Always drive defensively and get used to the notion of leaving your ego at home when you get on the scooter.
Ride safe.
Best,
Dan
My sister and I have joked for years that we wanted to get little pink and black Vespas, old school helmets and cute little goggles and ride to Daytona for Bike Week. With gas prices what they are, I’m seriously considering it now!