Piaggio X-9/BV500 vs Atlantic/Scarabeo

[scuderdude]

This is all new to me. I have never bought a scooter and have not ridden one for a long time.

I am comtemplating buying a maxi scooter which would be taken on the interstate highways. I do not want to go any lower than 450cc.

I like the looks of the Piaggios. However, overall can anyone tell me that basic differences between the Aprillia 500's and the Piaggio 500's besides cosmetic. I am concerned about performance, service and parts.

I like the idea of 16" tires on the Piaggios.

Jim K.

[sd2003]

... can anyone tell me that basic differences between the Aprillia 500's and the Piaggio 500's besides cosmetic ... I like the idea of 16" tires on the Piaggios. Jim K.

The basic differences are cosmetic ... they share the same motor and other parts. The Scarabeo also has 16" wheels/tires.

[fire1427]

I JUST went thru the same process ... The BV was nice but lacked windsheild for long highway ... The X9 was a close second ... I liked both the X9/and the S500 , The X9 I prefered the dealer/customer support,disliked the riding stance...The S500 had great looks/awesome riding stance very comfortable especially for long rides(prefer it to my goldwing) with 4000+ miles already I LOVE the S500 ... I bielieve you can't make a mistake between the 2 ...

[rchris50]

I agree about the windshield on the BV500, way too small. Both the BV500 and the X-9 lack a lot of storage space. And one thing to keep in mind, the Scarabeo 500 or the Atlantic 500 both come with a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty as opposed to the Piaggio's 1 year warranty. Also, be sure that you're comfortable with the dealer you buy from in regards to getting service after the sale. I know my local Piaggio dealer has been waiting for about 3 months to get parts to fix the X-9 that he received damaged in shipment. My Aprilia dealer keeps most parts in stock for the S500 & A500 (at least the critical parts and normal wear and tear parts).

[fire1427]

I've got the exact opposite around here my Vespa dealer stocks all the parts ect the Aprilia dealer couldn't do my first service due to no filter had to make two appointments and wait two weeks for them to get a filter ... The Vespa dealer stocks partsdid my service on a drive in no call in deal ....
My friend bought a AA500 the battery spilled and ate the trunk liner been waiting for that since June ...

[JoeKher]

My dealer carries both and each brand has "issues". He stocks most wear and tear items and Aprilia was really good about parts until this last year. Piaggio/Vespa is horrid as far as parts/accessories supply goes. Anyone who thinks that things will get better with Aprilia now that Piaggio is incharge is a fool! Piaggio has to be the worst parts support I have ever seen. It is easier to get parts for vintage bikes than new! That's because of the aftermarket, not Piaggio!

[pappy]

My dealer carries both and each brand has "issues". He stocks most wear and tear items and Aprilia was really good about parts until this last year. Piaggio/Vespa is horrid as far as parts/accessories supply goes. Anyone who thinks that things will get better with Aprilia now that Piaggio is incharge is a fool! Piaggio has to be the worst parts support I have ever seen. It is easier to get parts for vintage bikes than new! That's because of the aftermarket, not Piaggio!

So far, my experience with our Vespa is FAR worse than my experience with Aprilia. Seems ANYTHING Italian is a waste of time! You can not talk to anyone human, voice mail IF you are lucky, response? NEVER! For "me", will be glad to see them ALL go the way of Fiat for all their abuse of their American customer relations...... :pissed:

[dave500UK]

Any 'foreign' bike will have parts difficulties and those with the least will be the one with the best dealer. A good dealer will ensure that service items and wear and tear parts are always in stock. Unusual failure items will be orderd on demand and 2 weeks is the longest I have ever had to wait for an X9 mirror.
Poor or financially struggling dealers will always short-cut the parts stock level as it is money tied up. If their relationship with the manufacturer is also poor due to late payment or poor financial references, they will get dealt with after the more favoured delers are sorted.
So as to whether Piaggio, Aprillia or Yamaha is your preferred steed, it is your local dealer with whom you will have a long term relationship, that will determine which bike is best for you.
As all three bikes you list share the same mechanics there isn't a huge difference in performance and reliability in general, although the electrics are quite different and each are hardly faultless or totally reliable. Some of the X9's electrical gremlins don't apply in the US as you don't have the centre stand which is the European X9's biggest failure.
The Atlantic though uses the 'old' X9 500 SL engine/transmission (not the new Sprint which uses the X9 Evolution unit), and coupled with the larger frame and bodywork and softer, cruising rather than harder sportier suspension, gives the two a totally different character. The Atlantic isn't very popular or common in the UK, the X9 is by contrast a good seller with a enthusiastic following but again it is the dealers that determine owner satisfaction unless you are a complete DIYer in which case it is irrelevant.

[sd2003]

So far, my experience with our Vespa is FAR worse than my experience with Aprilia ...

Parts, service, or both?

[pappy]

Parts, service, or both?

BOTH. BOTH Brands too. Have NO e mails responded to. NO phone calls responded to. I responded by switching to Honda. The wife was warned in advance. SHE is on her own...... :rolleyes:

[JoeKher]

Any 'foreign' bike will have parts difficulties and those with the least will be the one with the best dealer. A good dealer will ensure that service items and wear and tear parts are always in stock. Unusual failure items will be orderd on demand and 2 weeks is the longest I have ever had to wait for an X9 mirror.In the states everything shipped out of Europe for Piaggio, Aprilia or Moto Guzzi takes a 1-2 months. Here the MANUFACTURER does a poor job of stocking anything. Even good dealers who carry inventory need to restock and when those parts are backordered the dealer is screwed. My dealer has always been good about wear and tear inventory but often is waiting for his restock orders to come through. Another customer is still waiting (2 months) for some typhoon body panels. Is it that hard to get panels? There are only 2 colors available!

Accessories.....don't even start! I spend a lot of time at my dealer because he is a friend and I see his pain. Things are only going to get worse now with Piaggio incharge as they have been worse to deal with than Aprilia/Moto Guzzi ever was!