(update - purchase made) Piaggio BV350 versus Honda Forza
 

I'm looking to buy my first scoot and think I have it narrowed down to the two in the subject line

The Piaggio seems to have the edge on wheel size, warranty and CCs but the Honda just looks so nice :-)

Is there any reason to go with one or against another? I thinking in terms of aftermarket parts and maintenance etc

Any others I should consider in the same price range and with the same power (min 250cc)

I'll hopefully be using it to commute to/from work which has just become ~100 miles (but only once or twice a week)

I've spent time over at Modernvespa.com and they are crazy about their scooters. BUT. Some of the problems they have are breathtaking. Plus they think if their scooters last 30,000 miles it's a Crowning Achievement. If you want "Mystique", then the Piaggio is for you.

If all you want is a scooter that performs really well, will last forever and not give you any headaches in terms of repairs then the Honda is totally the answer. Also with a Honda if you do need parts you will get them and quickly. Piaggio is not known for good part acquisition. Many of the Modern Vespa people have had to wait for much too long for replacement parts and their scooters collect dust in the process.

Thank you. This is just the sort of info I was after!

Another good choice in this category would be the Kymco People 300i/Downtown 300i.

I ride a Honda, so I'm a bit biased, but when i got back into 2 wheels after a couple of decades of no interest in any of them at all, it was Vespa and Piaggio that got me looking again.
However after reading and lurking about on as many scooter sites as I could, I settled on a 150 china knock off. I just loved riding it!! WAY more than I expected too.

After a few to many *repairs along the roadway* I got wandering eyes, and found a used Honda Big Ruckus, for less then half the Blue Book value.
We'll be together until the end, but it is about 50cc's light in the ass, for Interstate riding, comfortably.
Most of the time, we do just fine, but some mountain areas, and we struggle to to keep up to speed limits.
With the Forza, that extra power is designed into it already.
Honda lightened up the rollers, added the extra cc's, making her a dart.
They gave you some storeage, with great suspension, and killer exhaust system.
Fuel milage to die for!!
I'll own a Forza one day, I'm just a not willing to pay showroom prices, so I hunt for used ones.
Since I'm in no hurry, I wait for the *I hate you* deals that always come along.

Yeah, I did look at those and the Downtown looks really nice but it was the same ballpark figure as the Honda/Piaggio so I didn't see a compelling reason to prefer it.

Thanks for the insight... I think I'm going with a Forza unless I see an amazing deal on a Burgman 400 :-)

This is a pretty good writeup and video review. I don't agree with the Vespa winning because it's most expensive and its durability is not exactly stellar.

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs...er-melee-video

I lust for the Piaggio BV. Its performance envelope seems perfect for me. HOWEVER, I would spend my hard earned money on the Honda for the better reliability.

Of the bunch I would still take the SYM. They are really well built, has the big wheels and a ceramic cylinder for long engine life. Of course a Honda CB 300F is a lot less...but that's another story.

I'm not opposed to the SYM, but their site shows no dealers within 100 miles of my zip.

I didn't think of that. Yes, if you're going to rely on a scooter as a reliable ride you need a dealer nearby to service it. Where I live the nearest scooter dealers are all far away.

Not to pile on with my feelings about Piaggio but here's a first hand rant from a Piaggio BV 250 owner.

http://scootindavalley.blogspot.com/...on-blocks.html

Thanks to the sage advice received here I purchased a Forza yesterday. The second closest dealer to me had a new 2014 available for a discount so took the plunge.

Unfortunately, they were going thru the pre-sale checklist and found it needed a fuel distributor swap (I think) and they didn't have the part so I don't get to take it home until Saturday

Let use know how you like your Forza. I might be looking for a Scoot with more HP . Just bought a SMax & liking it a lot . Will know more after my planned 400 mile road trip. Keep us informed.