Modern Vespa

Hey guys,

long time lurker. Finally decided to register as I am ready to buy my first vespa.

Looking at a 2005 px150.

I've gotten a few opinions. More would be helpful.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-scooters-pocket-bikes/city-of-toronto/vespa-px-150-2005-pinasco-prima-3500/577518714?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Any advice?

Also, a helmet. I want this one but they don't have my size. Anyone know where I can get this in a medium....22.5 inches.

help....please!

There is an ad in Craigslist for Phoenix, AZ. The price is $1500. $3500 seems a little steep to me.

The helmet you want is the one that fits properly. The way to find if a helmet fits properly is to go to a real shop and try it on. If you find one that fits, buy it from that shop, don't be a jerk and then get it online cheaper.

Rant over

The seller didn't list the mileage. Or at least I couldn't see it listed. That and tone of his ad, makes me a little skeptical of making a purchase from him. I know you'll see the mileage when you get there, but it should be listed up front with the price.

9 year old Vespa PX for 70% of the cost of a new 2013 LX???????????? What did they sell for new 9 years ago? Get the loan while the rates are still low enough. New Vespa smell, Yeaaaaaaa!!!!!

The mileage (3223 KM) is visible in the second picture; the seller probably didn't realize that few could read it in the ad presentation. I'd be more worried that anybody who'd install "go fast" goodies on a relatively low-mileage bike, may well have beaten the crap out of it. As for the price, there's a number of new bikes that are not far-off, that I'd rather have.

Aloha and welcome to the forum from Hawaii. I'd go new. I see problems ahead like Fogie just said. A friend has that helmet and she bought goggles to go with it. You'll need them. Works fine. Will ask her about the fit. She bought hers on Ebay i think. Will ask her about that also. Good luck

What if he wants to actually ride and not just turn a grip, oops I went there.

The 2T manual shift PX is an old design and can be fairly high maintenance compared to modern 4T Vespas. If a shifty is what you want and you are good with a wrench, it will probably be fine. If the PX was just the first thing you saw on Craigslist, you should probably consider other options.

Didn't they reintroduce a new version of the PX 150 recently?

For starters I'd pass on this bike. Thats not a good deal.

Also why are you leaning towards this bike? Is it the only Vespa for sale nearby? How mechanically inclined are you?

The reason why I'm asking is because shifting scooters need a little more upkeep than a modern automatic bike. Carburetors get dirty and need to be cleaned or cables part and need to be replaced.

If you have no idea or interest in turning a wrench I'd avoid this particular style of bike. If you're cool with it, look for a used P200. The 200cc is much better for keeping up with traffic and carrying a passenger.

Piaggio is again selling the PX 150 in Europe in order to compete with the LML Star. Still pretty much the same design. That model is not available in North America, however. The OP is talking about a 2005 PX, same as the last year we saw the PX in the US. (the big buzz here, of course, is the new Stella auto - essentially an upgraded PX with a 4T engine and CVT transmission )

Thanks DOOG. 8)

I would beg to differ the "upgraded statement" they destroyed the monocoque px chassis to fit an engine that goes against the whole heritage, the lml 4t was one thing but a px that isn't vibrating and puffing 2t oil is just another scooter in the sea of scooters.

The vintage px heritage ended after the discontinuation of the stella 2t and original vespa px in the USA

Why not a Rally.There desirable and can be found for same price.

Absolutely get a Rally over a P200! That is if you can find them.

Where are you finding Rally's for the same price as a P200?

I don't disagree that you are talking about a whole different scooter with a 4T engine and CVT transmission. On the other hand, the 2T Stellas were not selling well and the Stellauto seems to be hitting the ground running. Call that an "upgrade", call it a new era, call it what you will - it promises to get scooters into the hands of a bunch of new riders.

I think the new sales market for scooters like the px is just over in America, people don't want to manual shift anything, enthusiasts like a lot of us on here is it. Honda is starting to push forward on larger automatic motorcycles and others like aprilia already have them on the maeket, its a dying skill of manual shifting

Mjrally I was saying cheaper than the px150.Scootnet has one for $32 and I've seen them as little as $700 in past 6 months but not often.lol

It's a clean looking PX, but it's hard to determine from the pix. Not everyone is cool with riding a bone stock bike, and it sounds as if they have done some nice upgrades. I agree that these bikes require tinkering, but if you're mechanically inclined, that works towards one's therapy. If you're looking for a steal, this isn't the bike, but it's doubtful that it could be replicated for the asking price. If you're interested, take a look and give it a spin. I would personally rather have a PX200 based hotrod, but the 177 pinasco kitted bikes run good if they're done correct. If it floats your boat, go for it and set sail.

I agree. That's a good looking PX with a lot of nice parts on it. and it sounds like the work was done by pros. The seat and clutch lever are aftermarket, and while it's not my first choice, the Pinasco top end is fairly robust. The jetting has been figured out, and it's very clean. If you really like the bike, and like the way it's set up, it's a fair pricel. This is the second time around, so he's probably a little flexible and at $3000 it's a really good deal. Only thing I would get rid of is the Prima pipe, but I'd probably leave that alone until it broke. Add up the cost of all the performance and aftermarket parts, and cut it in half, add that to the value of the bike stock, and you will get a pretty good idea of what it's worth.

Thanks boys.

Took a look at the bike and it is very clean and VERY WELL maintained. The guy was a Vespa mechanic. Really took care of this bike apparently.

I ended up getting it for $2500 since I found a few dings and made a fuss about it.

Well done. that is a beautiful Vespa, and it makes sense that the owner was a tech, because the mods make sense together and make a very reliable street bike.