Modern Vespa

Hi,
Apologies if this seems like a really stupid newbie question to ask but I've never had a scooter and I'm a bit clueless.
I'm looking at getting a new 125GTS SO MY g/f and I can potter around cities and towns on it. I appreciate that it won't be super quick but is a 125 enough cc for a pillion? We are both quite light. The alternative (as I need to pass bike test) is to get a second hand GTS300 but for the same money they've done well over5k miles it seems.
Would appreciate any advise.
Thanks

Hi, i have 125 super, it is fine for two-up riding.... Tops off at about 95 kmph compared to about 105 when i am alone. We are also both light weight. Hope it helps. Dan

A 125 two-up can feel very underpowered, especially when touring. As you're going to have to pass a test anyway to carry a passenger, I'd recommend doing the DAS (Direct Access) test on a big geared bike (to get over it once and for all), then getting a used GTS300. 5,000 miles on a GTS300 means it's just about fully broken in and loosened up - a perfect mileage for a second-hand bike.

Thanks for the quick reply Dan. On urban/city roads does it accelerate quickly enough to keep with moving traffic?

Thanks Jimc

What kind of mileage would you expect a scooter to last for? I assume they're not going to last 70-80k miles like a car before you have lots of issues?

A 125 will do just fine in the city.

It is fine, for European roads...US freeways, as Jim noted, could make it feel underpowered. But for most daily riding 125 feels fine, aven after my Ducati 750 cc. I think you have to keep it in a perspective that it is not a motorcycle, but a scooter. Dan

Thanks for the help all.
Like you said Dan - I'm actively steering away from a mbike and appreciate a scooter won't be as powerful. As long as it's nippy at 30-40mph with a pillion that's more than enough.
It just worried me that it'd hold everyone on roads up if 2 of us on it.

Great move to get a GTS. I think you're asking us to tell you what it'll be like before you commit (which I can understand) when really there's no substitute for experiencing it yourself - so my suggestion is any dealer worth their salt should be prepared to take you out as a pillion on a demonstrator, and then swap you for your girlfriend, so you'll both have a first hand impression. You might find the 125 is fine. You don't say in your Avatar where you are in the UK, but if you're in the Midlands or London then one of us UK MVers might well offer to give you a spin as a pillion...

I'm ashamed that it didn't even cross my mind to ask for a test drive or to be taken out as a pillion :/ Just saw it and kinda fell in love haha. It could be useless to ride!

Appreciate the suggestion though - will be doing that very thing tomorrow.

I second jimc - DAS is well worth it and opens up your riding world to, well, anything! (If you're over 24)

Sounds like you've got somewhere in mind, but here's the Piaggio dealers list for the UK by county if you need it... http://www.uk.piaggio.com/piaggio/UK/en/dealers.html

Good luck 8)

PS The 'falling in love' bit is how we all started

As I have to do direct access for pillion will do so (on larger bike) just in case I want a bigger bike in future.

Thanks for help!

Yeh I'm Manchester based and have been to Joules. They look great but as never been on one wasn't sure. CBT booked very soon so can then test ride (125 one) and see.

I've seen new ones on auto trader or eBay for 400-500 less than dealers. The dealer said these likely to be imported (grey market) - you think that'd be the case?

Good man! I did it just last week. The problem is, I have a 125cc Vespa LX at the moment, but now I really want something with over 50bhp and 600cc's....

Haha that's what worries me too!