BEO 500 Owners...Please Help!

[Expraesto]

I have owned a BEO 2009 500ie for three years, and find it great for both city traffic, and high-speed highway riding. You won't be sorry. And a 250 surely seems too little for highway use.

Also, seriously consider CDwise' comment about the Aprilia Mana. It's an 850cc automatic, with a following just as enthusiastic as the BEO riders. 2009 models are on sale, if there are any left. Aprilia has also rebranded another bike with the same drive-train (Gilera) as an Aprilia maxi-scooter. I really enjoy the BEO, although the Mana is my next bike.

[tomd]

Keep us posted on that Mana Ive heard some horror stories Why Im waiting ..

[dleasman]

Kinda late to chime in on this one, but I wanted to give my take on this.

I own a 2006 500GT, which is a huge bike. I am 5'4" and weight about 280, and this bike is perfect for me. The bike has tons of storage, plenty of power, and great handling in and out of town. However, the 500IE is very different. I have a friend who has a 2009 IE, and I had the opportunity to drive it a bit. It's not like my bike at all. It feels smaller, lighter and more exposed, but a bit smoother and quicker too. For storage, a top case and tunnel bag would make a big difference. Though 500GT has a large top case, and side cases too, it has absolutely no other usable storage anywhere like the 500IE.

In the end, having driven both models, they are both strong in thier own way. As for the video, I think these guys are idiots who probably spend most of their time on motorcycles, and not on scooters. They probably rave about the Honda Silverwing, or the Yamaha Majesty, were I do not like those bikes at all. The Suzuki Burgman is actually quite nice, but I still prefer the Beo500GT over everything else I have ever seen.

A scooter, like a car, is a preference thing. I have a friend who thinks his Trans-Am is the end-all-be-all of cars, but I think it's crap. And he hates my Audi S4 (4.2 V8 Quattro) like poison... To each their own, I guess.

I suppose that's why there is a variety of scooters available... Because people like variety.

-Dana

[tomd]

Old Audi Gt coupe Quattro setup kinda like Michelles car (factory driver) also Audi S4 coupe 5 cyl Turbo . They sit almost all year long

[Vernon]

Yep, the Scarabeo 500GT reminds me of a Pontiac Catalina with a 428ci engine, the Beo 500ie is more of a Pontiac GTO

Vernon

[dleasman]

Yep, the Scarabeo 500GT reminds me of a Pontiac Catalina with a 428ci engine, the Beo 500ie is more of a Pontiac GTO

To put it in my own terms... The GT is kinda like an Audi A8L 4.2, where the IE is more like driving a new A4 2.0T. The A8 you kind of have to man handle around, because it's big, but it's a luxury ride, where the A4 is still really nice to drive, but much more snappy, and easier to maneuver.

What's my point? Once again, I probably don't have one...

Oh, wait... I know...

Aprilia is to scooters what Audi is to cars (today). Elegantly designed, high quality, well refined driving machines... But they are not alone in the market. I CHOOSE Audi, because they feel the best to me. I CHOOSE the 500Gt for the same reasons. Others may choose something else, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. What we all NEED to do the same is DRIVE and/or RIDE SAFE!

-Dana

[IAGolem]

I've read that Aprilia is going to offer the SRV850 in the US for 2013. A whole 'nuther dimension.

[TomR.]

I've read that Aprilia is going to offer the SRV850 in the US for 2013. A whole 'nuther dimension.

It's for sale now in U.K. for $12,200 USD. Yes, when it hits our U.S. market it could shake things up quite a bit, particularly for those currently with maxi's.

[Bob Walker]

The new BMW scooters are also scheduled to be here this fall. Speculation is that their price will be less than $12,000.

[tomd]

I want thee Bimmer Concept E scoot Elec 125 mile range at 85 mph plug er in 8 hrs on a 240 V connection..nice design etc

[IAGolem]

I'm waiting for the BMW scooters to arrive. Bob's, the BMW dealer up the road from me, will have some of the first in the US I'm sure. They seem to have an "in" with the factory.

[tomd]

I need better Gas mileage than my Gas corolla 1zz engine gas! and just Some of the reliability .. So Far Beo S5 Stranded me twice in a 22 month period Corolla Never.. Hell Corolla Never in 23 yrs and 10 different year models from 72-02 Toyoda Does make a Bike just not readily Avail.. Prolly Made for them actually/.. So we not quite there Yet.. Woulda Made 10 K this summer, Budget blown.. electric looks promising but costly and mileage limiting Would need 2

[Bob Walker]

I wonder how long it will take for their to be great deals on used BMW scooters. I bought a new 08 500ie last month because of teh good price and to keep me from being temped to buy one of the new BMWs. I am thinking of doing some long distance touring and as much as I like my 500ie I think that a slightly bigger bike would work better.

[IAGolem]

electric looks promising but costly and mileage limiting Would need 2

I'm really unimpressed with the electrics that I've seen reviewed. Their range is severely limited, you'll need a place to charge (many hour process) at your destination, your electric bill will be astronomical, and you'll be replacing the battery every few years at more than the cost of the bike. I'll wait until the technology catches up to the hype or a fuel cell bike becomes a reality.

I wonder how long it will take for their to be great deals on used BMW scooters.

Many, MANY years, judging by their motorcycle prices. You should be able to track down a few decent sales (factory incentives) on new units perhaps a year or two down the line. Used two-wheeled BMW anything holds value extremely well.

Opinions only; YMMV.

[schmizz]

Bob's told me the price of the BMW scooters is going to be about $10,000. Too much 4 me. They do look sweet tho.