My feeling with modern motorcycles and scooters, the big brands — everything is pretty well made.

My Vespa has been pretty much bombproof. I’m really hard on machines in general and don’t spend a lot of time caring for them. I keep the oil, filters and stuff clean and current but otherwise I tend to run things into the ground. Cameras, tools, cars, scooters. Spend one winter riding through salt and you learn to detach from things…

That said, the Vespa has been reliable with only a couple minor hiccups that I chalk up to normal wear and tear.

Complaints I’ve heard from other Vespa owners have more to do with distance from service providers, technicians who aren’t really trained, trouble getting parts, etc. Not with the machine itself. I remember one fellow who had his machine in and out of a dealership for a long time and the problem persisted. Only when he went somewhere else was it easily diagnosed by a more experience mechanic. But by then he was convinced the Vespa was junk.

Myself — I would ride it anywhere (except water crossings) and but another in a heartbeat. I expect to have a Vespa until I leave this mortal coil.

I most certainly love my Beemer and adore the Guzzi – and keep thinking a Vespa is in my future especially since I’ve been reading this blog, but that data certainly gives me pause and makes me wonder about the intersection of mojo and dependability.

That said, good luck with the scoot. There is something about ’em that is simply unmatched.

I’ll make a note about the trailer.