Modern Vespa

So the wife's parents are getting older, and since they are in need of assistance with daily activities, we've decided to pack up the kids and the house and move back to England next summer. We seem to be on a seven-year rotation with moving countries, and this will be my third and the wife's fourth Trans-Atlantic relocation.

Having done this a few times before, we've learned a number of things about what to take, what to sell, etc. I'm having trouble deciding what to do with my scooter, however. It's a 2007 GT200L, with 8,000 miles (probably about 15k when we move next June) and I have two sets of belts, rollers and tires already purchased, so I'm kind of invested in it. I've also got a couple of screens, a top box, and a Leo Vince pipe.

The only thing I can imagine needing to change for SVA type approval would be the headlight (last time I moved over, I took two cars with me, and the SVA was a nightmare).

So keep the Granturismo, or sell it and get a different scooter when I get over there again? That's the debate. I can see the argument for both. We'll be in Croydon again, so I could go smaller like one of the PK50's or the PX125 that I had last time I lived there. I used to ride the PX from Croydon to Walthamstow six days a week, and never really felt I needed a bigger scoot, but the extra power of the GT at least makes the M25 accessible. I'd really like a shifty again, actually. But the GT is brilliant, I already own it, and it would easily fit into the shipping container. Thoughts?

I'm quite happy to be coming back to London, and hopefully will be able to meet up with some of the interesting MV'ers that I've come to know on here.

Oh, and if anyone knows of a Vespa dealer in the southeast that'll be in need of a tech next year...

Sell it and get an LML Star 200 ie?

Sell it and buy another one on arrival.

I wouldn't trust it to arrive in the same condition.

Bill x

Bust. Everytime. Definitely, Bust.

I put my HD sportster in a crate and had it shipped with other personal effects when we returned from a sabbatical posting in Colorado Springs in 1994. I had no trouble licencing it here in England. As I recall the only paperwork I needed was the US title as proof of ownership, year of manufacture, and VIN. I don't recall having to make any modifications regarding lights, etc.
John W.

I'm leaning towards agreeing with the "sell it" camp (of which my wife is a part). Any ideas on MPG and general review of the new Euro 3 PX125's? I've had a 1977 and 2004 PX, so I'm familiar with the machines. Just wondering if there are any nuance differences with the newest new ones?

About that LML 200; build quality?

You funny guy, you!

I have to agree. I am a bust man, too.


I mean, who would want to go to Croydon?

Ahem.

There are some good moving companies out there you know!!!

What do you know about logistics ?

Smiles.

Bill xxx

Why don't you figure what it will cost too ship, register, etc...vs selling and buying another over there. I'll bet up it will be cheaper to sell here and buy another. You can sell the parts on here in the for sale section. One less headache to deal with.

Anyway, you will enjoy shifting again. I would get a px150, I have no love for a LMLs. You can always kit the 150 - even more fun.

The two LML Star 200 owners I have met loved them, but they were only 6 months old at the time.

The new PX's have a somewhat new ignition system (variable spark advance) to meet the new emissions standards. That's all I know.

I'm sorry, couldn't resist it

I grew up in Penge myself, so you know.. could be worse!

Well, after a lengthy discussion today, the consensus is that I'll sell the GT and get a PX back in Croydon.

I was hoping for Cambridgeshire myself, but as the wife is a Purley lass, I didn't have much say in the matter. Her parents are converting their semi-detached into two flats, and we'll be upstairs while Mum and Dad are downstairs.

The two points Tierney made were the two biggest selling points, actually. I think it'd be false economy to think that shipping the Granturismo would be the cheaper option, and I really do have a desire for another shifty.

That, and I also said if Palace beat Cardiff away today, I'd sell the GT!

Now, if that Rally 180 at our shop mysteriously comes into my possession before then, that may be another story...

Oh, and Matt6974, I know Penge well; I've avoided it on many occasions!

Penge just sounds like a skin disease to me.

I've got a bad case of Penge.

Bill xxx

You'll be disappointed with the new PX125. Gutless due to emissions tuning. An older one may be fine.

I was born and raised in Croydon and went to Ashburton Boys....what part of town are you from...its a small world at times.
cheers Mike

Brighton Road up between South Croydon Station and the tip. More Purley than Croydon. The whole family went to Riddlesdown.

The newest PX I had was a 54 reg 125, and that was perfectly adequate. I'm not needing speed too much, as I'll never really get out of London with it. I had a Polini pipe at jet kit on it, but other than that I left it alone. I'd be perfectly happy with a PK50 again if they made a new one.

That would've been a great choice 8)

Definitely sell it. I could spend paragraphs on the legal, logistical and financial issues of moving a motorized vehicle but let me save you the reading. Simply stated, it isn't worth the effort. I have moved abroad several times and owned a scoot and a car. In both cases, it was way more hassle than you can even imagine. Get it detailed, put it it up for sale and once sold, bank the money and wait until you get back to the UK.

small world....I was born in south croydon and my gran lived in Coulsdon just up the road from Purley...Im in the sell it and buy another when you get back in the UK ...I ride a GT200 too.

cheers happy days Mike