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Unleash the Vespas!

Posted by: Heather Green on July 01

Vespa junkies, rev your engines. The first blog in Vespa’s campaign of working with fan bloggers launched today. Called Vespaway, the blog is being co-written—for free—by two hard core Vespa-ites, Jonathan Ogilvy and Neil Barton. The campaign idea, outlined at Vespablogs.com, came straight from Steve Rubel of Micro Persuasion.

Ok, so, it’s obvious why Vespa’s owner Piaggio would do this—free marketing and the attention of the blogosphere. But why would Ogilvy and Barton be interested? The only financial compensation they will get will be Vespa schwag and invites to events. (Check out the Vespablogs FAQ).

After speaking with the two yesterday, it appears that Vespa is right about its bet that real fans really do want to write about the products and brands they love. Even for free.

“Why else would I do this without getting paid, if it weren’t something I completely believe in?” says Ogilvy. “I think the world would be a better place if everyone rode a Vespa.”

I guess it shouldn’t come as such a surprise, after we have seen how Tivo, Blackberry, and Netflix afficianados can be such cheerleaders for the brand. But I would bet that actively recruiting bloggers for a company would only work for these kind of cult products.

This is new territory. Cheerleaders can become gadflys. And Vespa is handing over the keys the the two bloggers. It claims it won’t control what they write. But it is protecting itself by asking the bloggers to agree to a broad ethics guideline.

Generally they can't personally attack fellow bloggers or Vespa customers or dealers; they have to check what they post for factual accuracy, and they can't post information that violates copyrights or trade secrets.

Will it work? I really think it comes back to how much they love their lifestyle and want other people to be part of it. At first take, it looks like Rubel chose well or got lucky with his candidates.

In their blog, the two will be writing about urban living, with a good mix of scooter life thrown in. Both ride their Vespas instead of taking other transportation. Barton lives in New Jersey and works in New York City and takes the Holland Tunnel to work. Ogilvy says he got back into riding a scooter when he moved back to San Francisco five years ago and now writes about it on his own time for print and online magazines.

Next up: a Vespa blog in July featuring two female bloggers, one who is new to Vespas and the other who is an old hand and will help the newbie find her scootering way.


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Reader Comments

Elliot

February 4, 2006 03:33 PM

Not certain why anyone would buy a Vespa. I knocked the neighbors one off the kickstand and it fell over onto the left side. The estimate for repairs ranges from $1500 to $3000. I can just imagine what it would cost if it were actually in an accident. Why buy a $5000 bike that cost $3000 to fix if it just falls over.

Rupert

May 21, 2006 06:06 PM

Elliot is completly off base. Firstly, most Vespa repairs can be done by yourself and require little outside help. Knocking a Vespa over would indeed cause cosmetic damage but I highly doubt ANY damage to the engine would be caused. The engine is enclosed by side panels that are meant to take a beating.

Lastly, it takes a bit of effort to knock ANYTHING off its kickstand..do I sense a little jealously? :)

Rupert from Toronto

gwen

August 20, 2006 05:40 PM

I have a Vespa 200 GT that I really love.
However I don't ride as often because of the center stand. It is difficult to put the bike up on the stand. I am thinking about a side stand.
Vespa dealer says Vespa doesn't recommend one.
Looked on the web and saw some. Is is safe to use a side stand.

ROBIN FOSTER

February 21, 2007 05:38 PM

I HAVE AN 06 250 VESPA WITH A SIDE STAND AND DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS BUT I KNOW IT WOULDN'T TAKE MUCH TO PUSH IT OFF THE SIDE STAND AND IT COULD FALL OVER IF SOMEONE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING WITH IT
I ALSO HAVE AN 06 STAR ROADLINER AND WHEN I AM JUST GOING TO AND FROM WORK AND RIDING AROUND TOWN I JUMP ON THE VESPA. I HARDLY EVER RIDE THE BIG BIKE ANY MORE. THE DIFFERENCE IN WEIGHT IS CONSIDERABLE AND I LOVE TO TAKE SPINS ON THE VESPA. I RIDE IT TO AND FROM WORK ALMOST EVERYDAY. CAR AND TRUCK SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY AND ROADLINER SITS IN THE GARAGE MOST OF THE TIME. CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE VESPA.

Gary

March 26, 2007 09:44 AM

My first set of wheels was a Vespa that I bought used in 1961, paid $75.00 for it. I rode that scooter all over northern california and southern oregon for eight years and never had a problem with it. Sold it in 1970 for $500.00, not bad.

Erik

June 1, 2007 10:27 PM

I'm looking into buying a Vespa. Mostly, just to putt-putt down to the boat,local fun trips for foliage, etc. And, of course all the local trips that its just ridiculous to drive a SUV around for. This question might sound silly, but does anyone have a GPS hooked up to their Vespa?

chris hill

June 18, 2007 07:10 PM

I have 2001 ET4 that has a 'no start' condition.
Seems fuel related. Battery strong, cranks fine.
Any suggestions?

Carl

June 22, 2007 05:01 PM

I recently bought a new Vespa GT200 for myself and a new LX50 for my girlfriend. I love the 200, but find the LX50 slightly under powered, however, she usually rides on the back of the 200 with me. We love riding the scooters. So much so that the new car sits in the carport more and more. Every errand has become an adventure. I highly recommend switching, or at least, adding a scooter to your life.

Daniel Lipton

July 25, 2007 08:31 PM

Just wondering if any one out there knows about vespa/piaggio performance parts? I just bought a 2006 piaggio bv500. The power doesnt kick in as quickly as i would like it to? Any suggestions to improve low end torque? It seems sometimes a little slugish untill getting up to around 50mph...someone please help!! Thanks, Dan

jean

September 9, 2007 05:03 PM

my son is looking at buying a new piaggio bv500 was just wondering what your opion is on this scooter and also about the product itself

bob

September 18, 2007 12:35 PM

I've hooked up a gps (Garmin 3+) to my Vespa gt200. I installed a power socket in the left side plastic piece that covers the electonics (on the right side the platic piece covers the radiator fill opening). I bought some clamps and hooked the GPS to the base of the rear view mirror. It works beautifully.
bob

Debbie

September 26, 2007 07:39 AM

Is anybody familiar with the Piaggio BV 250?
Pluses or minuses?

Scootsite

April 23, 2008 12:13 AM

Vespaway has long since been abandoned. Guess maybe the marketing budget for this got cut or something.

Please visit http://www.scootsite.com for scooter information, news, and community.

Alex LaBree

September 6, 2008 08:23 AM

All I have are vespas, 12 to be in fact, and a lambretta. They are great, fun scooters, and I dont think the chinese scooters can compare!

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