Dealers vs the Vespa owners

[Stig / Major Tom]

On a Vespa forum I asked why so few posts regarding the new Piaggio Liberty....

Was it due to the "reverse squeaky wheel syndrome?"
"Maybe owners are just riding them....and smiling. No issues and too busy to post?"

A Vespa owner said, "no they just aren't promoted nor are they big sellers, like the Vespa line is."

Interestingly -  the #1 Vespa selling dealership in the USA said they sold over 30 of the new Libertys last year. They said they like them and owners like them.
Texas dealer chimed in to say the same.
An Italian Vespa owner said that these big-wheel Piaggios are much more popular in Italy.

Dang, to imagine over 30 Liberty's zooming around in that one California city!

I do see my share of cows here, in Ohio.
So....there's that.

Stig
PS: as always - do wish Kymco offered a 125 or 150 big wheel step-thru here in the States.

[Tromper]

Right there with ya as my HD ages, & gains more miles (~18500 so far).  The newer People scoots have v. nice specs.

Wotcha think Stig.  Are big wheels not as much of a thing cuz folks just don't have the emotional connection that they have with the vespa shape when they think scooter or ?

....
Stig
PS: as always - do wish Kymco offered a 125 or 150 big wheel step-thru here in the States.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Wonder how many Vespa owners have ever tried a big wheel scooter?
Also, my plastic Piaggio isn't going to start rusting at the belly seam after 6 mos.
Stig

[Neil955i]

Wonder how many Vespa owners have ever tried a big wheel scooter?
Also, my plastic Piaggio isn't going to start rusting at the belly seam after 6 mos.
Stig

Not many Stig, as they've fallen for the (admittedly) style-icon nature of the Vespas.  If you can see beyond that though, there are many better all-round scooters out there IMO.

[CROSSBOLT]

I would like to add the reminder that "big wheel" scoots like the People GTi300 with the 16" wheel rims hardly boast an overall outside, rolling diameter 1 inch larger than the Downtown 300i with its 13 and 14 inch rims!

[Neil955i]

Ha ha!

[Tromper]

If ya do the arithmetic (c=2?R) it's gonna be enough noticeable, but I do agree that a fatter tire on a smaller rim is not a terrible thing at all to a point.
In the end I'll probably wind up with an XMax if nothing better comes along before my SYM bites it.

I would like to add the reminder that "big wheel" scoots like the People GTi300 with the 16" wheel rims hardly boast an overall outside, rolling diameter 1 inch larger than the Downtown 300i with its 13 and 14 inch rims!

[leomagnus]

Vespas are not as popular in Italy as one would think. Those small tires suck going over the cobblestone roads and even worse when they get wet... I road my friend's Vespa(wasp) one day in Rome and absolutely hated it. Most people drive larger wheel scooters in Italy, especially in towns with the cobblestone roads.

Dean