New Potential Buyer

Welcome to the BurgmanUSA forums Rob. Glad to have you join us.

For in city, I think the way you intend to ride will have an impact on the better bike for you. The vespa would be more nimble weaving tightly thru city traffic. Being on the cautious side, I don't often ride that way. I tend to ride a bit more sedately. For any kind of open road, the Burgman 400 would be a much better choice. I use mine to commute to Nashville (83 miles each way) and it does very well in both city traffic and on the interstate. I'm a bit biased (as most of the people here will be) and would suggest the Burgman 400. I like the power and comfort the 400 provides.

If possible, I would suggest taking a test ride on both machines. See how they handle and perform in different conditions. If you plan on doing any touring, look at the storage of each bike. You need to consider how much power each has if you plan on carrying a passenger.

If you have any questions, just ask as we have several very knowledgeable and friendly people here.

I am perfectly equipped to answer this question as we own both kinds of bikes you are refering to.

If you are going to limit your speed in the city to "city speeds" as in under 60MPH with 90% of your riding under 50MPH, I would get the Vespa or the even better suited Aprilia Scarabeo 150.

My wife's 150 will run almost 70MPH (not uphill or against the wind), gets 60MPG plus in the city, and has advantages over the Burgie for this kind of riding. Under 40MPH it accelerates almost as well as the Burgie 400. The 16" wheels are better able to cope with the potholes and bumps you will be encountering. It has a REMOVABLE trunk which means you can actually carry your stuff inside by just taking the trunk along with you. Also, because of it's size and appearance, you can get away with parking it in "alternate" places and chaining it to a light pole or bike rack as most folks think it's just a moped. It also turns almost as tight as a bicycle.

The disadvantages are that, at least in our area, the dealer support is spotty and the bike new is way overpriced. But if you can find a used one for $3000 or less, I would go for it. The drivetrain itself is made by Rotax and seems to be very solid.

Of course, if you are looking at some weekend touring at highway speeds or are going on the big roads, you need a Burgman 400.

I am well biased and balanced in the sense that I have a chip on each shoulder.

The Vespa is nimble and OK if you like retro.

The 400 is the best for both jobs you have in mind and has the pizazz and wow factors !(Legend has it that you have to fight the chicks off :wink: I am still waiting for that). For commuting into work the 400 is the most practical in terms of storage. For the leisure trips the 400 is a no contest winner.

At 6 foot you are getting near the limit for both machines (probably too tall for the Vespa) so get a test ride on each.

During your test rides try and take a variety of routes to include an hour at an indicated 90 mph!!

and then buy the Burgman

Oh- and welcome to the forum Buddy! :wave:

Yes, Aprilia is going to be owned by Piaggio

pauljo said:

ted clement said:

In some parts Aprilla/Piaggo are a rarity.

Click to expand...

Has anyone seen any articles on the Web from official sources confirming the purchase of Aprilia by Piaggio????

Click to expand...

8)
Aprilia World Service Inc. Confirms Agreement With Piaggio Group

8/13/04 Woodstock, GA – Aprilia World Service USA Inc. announced today the industrial and strategic agreement between Piaggio and Aprilia. In theagreement, Piaggio will obtain a 100% stake in the Aprilia group.


“We are extremely pleased by this progress and are anxious to embrace the new resources that this merging will bring to both Aprilia and Moto Guzzi,” says Aprilia World Service USA General Manager Tom McDonald. “We know that there is exciting new product in the pipeline for both brands and now the product introductions can now be finalized.”

“The combination of Piaggio, the largest European two wheel manufacturer and the Aprilia Group, the second largest, creates a company with considerable resources. We are excited about the synergies created, ranging from product development and production capabilities to business infrastructure, marketing resources, and brand management,” continues McDonald.

“The employees of Aprilia and Moto Guzzi want to thank our customers and dealers who have kept the faith in our brands. We look forward to the growth of this new evolution of the company.”

Below is the note sent from Italy, by Mr. Francesco Nepi, Director Aprilia
World Service SpA.:

Milan, August 12th, 2004
The Aprilia Spa Board of Directors, assembled today in Milan, examined the state of advancement of the negotiations aiming to ensure the intervention of a qualified Investor to entrust the re-launching of the Aprilia Group. By the suggestion of the president, Mr. Fois, the meeting was chaired by the founder and shareholder of Aprilia Group, Mr. Ivano Beggio. Also invited were the associate advisors of Caretti & Interbanca, who were involved in the negotiations with Ducati and Piaggio.

The preference of an agreement with the Piaggio Group, putting the whole packet of Aprilia shares at their disposal, was decided. T he proposal of intervention of the Piaggio Group is oriented towards the increase of the value of the Aprilia Group from an industrial and strategic point of view. Furthermore, it guarantees the suppliers' integral payment, the satisfaction of the bearers of obligations still less the integral repayment of the new finance supplied last May, together with a supply contract with an important and positive financial effect on the management of the Group.

Mr. Beggio pointed out that the proposal presented by Ducati, while much
appreciated, under the industrial and strategic profile, is less adequate to
the immediate management demands and the expectations of important
stakeholders. The Board of Directors, sharing the evaluations expressed by Mr. Beggio with the support of the Advisors, has approved unanimously the proposal to direct the foreseen agreements with Piaggio & Company. granting the powers
to the President Candido Fois and the Managing Director Franco Cattaneo, to which, the management of the Company will be assigned, together with a new member of the Board of Directors to be appointed by Piaggio, till the closing of the operation for the subscription of the relative agreements.