Rev Up, DC!

Vespas scoot into a new Georgetown boutique.

By Michelle Volpe

The Anti-Motorcycle

The ultimate in urban cool since the prototype was created in 1946, Vespas emerged after World War II and were immediately popular around the world. Because the war had shattered the Italian economy as well as many of its roads, there was great need for economical and practical transportation. So, Piaggio, the parent company and creator of Vespa, decided to focus on the increased demand for personal mobility.

Vespas had widespread appeal: they were cheaper and easier to maneuver and park than automobiles, and with their sleek wasp-like design ("vespa" means "wasp" in Italian), they simply looked cool. Plus, the bench-style seats appealed to women, who could ride without straddling the seat (unlike motorcycles) and wear skirts if they wanted.

Vespas deliberately were not meant to be like motorcycles: they aren't as loud, dirty, or expensive to operate; they use less gasoline and they require less from their riders (no special balancing skills are needed for turning corners). "They are the anti-motorcycle," explains Pierson Lamb, the boutique's assistant manager who, interestingly, owns two motorcycles.

"There's no chain [which can dirty the rider's clothing] and no heat from the engine...they're just made to be friendlier." (One should note, however, that DC, Virginia, and Maryland consider Vespas to be motorcycles, so a motorcycle license is required to ride one. More information is available at the boutique or the DMV.)

American Idol

Over the years, Vespa popularity has been spurred by several cultural icons and movements, such as Hollywood celebrities like Audrey Hepburn and Marcello Mastroianni, who rode them in their films. In the '60s and '70s, the subversive, well-dressed Mods appropriated Vespas for their stylish, music-centered lifestyle. But in the '80s, the popularity of Vespas -- at least in the US -- seemed to wane.

In the mid-1980s, Piaggio withdrew from the US motor scooter market because Vespas violated new EPA emissions and noise requirements. If you wanted to own a Vespa, you had to search for a used one. And while there is a certain cachet to vintage wheels, for reliability, according to Lamb, most people -- even die-hard enthusiasts --prefer new scooters. In 2000, to the delight of many Americans hungry for new Vespas, Piaggio rebuilt the engine to meet the EPA's standards. New boutiques began opening around the country in late 2000, leading to the recent resurgence.

But why open a Vespa showroom in DC? "The timing was right," explains Phil Mitchell, the boutique's owner. Abysmal parking and traffic in the city and a foundering economy created the perfect climate for an "economical and fun" transportation alternative.

"I can park just about anywhere, and it's large enough so that two people can very easily fit comfortably on it," says Natalie Wilkison of DC, who shares a Vespa with her boyfriend. She adds, "I think that for city dwellers who spend countless dollars on cabs or wait impatiently for the next Metro train to come, a Vespa will not only pay for itself in the long run, but will give people a sense of enjoyment and freedom that can't be found in a car."

Getting One

If you're thinking about buying a Vespa, you should first decide whether you want a vintage or new model. If you crave vintage, check out the Internet (http://scoot.net/classifieds/), newspaper classifieds, scooter magazines, and area scooter rallies, races, and club meetings. According to Wellesley Scott, an enthusiast from Virginia, the most reliable vintage Vespas for everyday riding are the Rally 200, P125, P150, and P200.

The ultimate vintage Vespa -- the one that makes collectors swoon -- is the Gran Sport 150, also affectionately called "Wasp One" and "The Big Wasp." The appeal of the GS-150 dates back to 1957, when it debuted as the first Vespa to feature a two-person seat and 10-inch wheels. According to Lamb, it also had "more aggressive styling and a 150cc engine," allowing it to reach up to 60 mph, which was "very impressive at the time."

Scott, who used to own a GS-150 in addition to his current five scooters, says it's his favorite because it's rare and that "it was the sportiest of its time."

It takes time and patience to care for a vintage scooter, so most people prefer new models for everyday reliability. Also, buying a new Vespa is a little more straightforward. The boutique's staff is knowledgeable and helpful, and you can do some preliminary research online. Here are the essentials:

Basically, there are two models: the ET2, which has a 50cc 2-stroke engine and reaches up to 41 mph; and the ET4, which has a 150cc 4-stroke engine and can reach between 60 and 70 mph. Both models are fully automatic, made of steel, and come with one-year warranties and roadside assistance.

As far as transporting your stuff, they come with an under-seat compartment, a glove compartment, a rear luggage rack, and a nifty little hook that pulls out from right below the seat, which is convenient for hanging groceries. Other storage options that are available separately include a locking hard-top case and an Italian leather case that attaches to the luggage rack.

There are nine colors available, including that ultra-cool, retro light green, which originally was used for airplanes, and two-tone customization. Aside from a matching helmet, other slick accessories are goggles, a windshield, a scooter cover, a suede seat, and chrome trimming. And, in addition to a variety of messenger bags, briefcases, and purses, you can purchase a hard plastic "Boblbee Backpack" that is impact-resistant and actually helps maintain your posture while riding.

A Lifestyle

Vespa owners range from people just looking for alternate transport to serious enthusiasts, also known as "vespiti," who really get into their scooters and subscribe to the lifestyle. Scooter owners can, for instance, join clubs, attend rallies, or subscribe to scooter magazines. One event convenient to the DC area is the annual Summit Point Scooter Rally in West Virginia (www.scooterso.com/summit), which took place this past September. The Rally is, as Lamb describes, "a freak show for scooter enthusiasts," where people can dress up in vintage clothes, race their scooters, or just hang out with like-minded people.

Another option is the scooter club, The Saints, which meets periodically at either Tryst in DC or Misha's Coffee House in Old Town Alexandria (http://www.motostrada.com/saintssc/). John Stafford, one of the clubs co-founders and the self-described "cruise director" of the club, says that lately he has seen "more new faces show up" for their rides and meetings.

"In some ways, we really are selling a lifestyle," says Mitchell of the clubs, cultural associations, and history that go along with the scooters, as well as of his boutique's trappings. There is plenty of Vespa paraphernalia to choose from: shirts, key chains, patches, and even a model of the aforementioned GS-150.

The fact that a motorcycle license is necessary to ride a Vespa can be a drag, because it means spending money and time on a learner's permit and classes, though a little safety training never hurt anybody. Also, keep in mind that Vespas and the highway don't mix. It's illegal to ride the 41-mph ET2 on the highway. But because the ET4 reaches upwards of 60 mph, you can technically take one on the highway. Even so, as Mitchell puts it, "why would anyone want to ride it on the Beltway?" Good question.

Vespas are meant--and perfectly suited--for local jaunts to work, shops, and nights out on the town, or touring the city in style. And based on the interest the new boutique has been garnering, many in DC agree.

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Michelle Volpe's dream Vespa is a Pearl ET4 with a chrome kit. While she doesn't own it yet, she did purchase a logo-embossed leather key chain.