Modern Vespa

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and to Vespa's as well, I'm sorry if my question is a bit basic.

I'm considering getting a Vespa to commute to work ( i currently have an old car which is costing too much to run).

My work place is 25 miles away, I've worked out i would do approximately 10,000 miles a year and am not sure if that would be too many miles for a 125 Vespa.

I'm considering buying a new Primavera or Sprint.

I've always wanted a Vespa.

thanks for reading,

Julie

They aren't toys. So long as you can afford the maintenance it can handle the miles.

I never meant to imply they were toys, I was just wondering if a 125 engine was designed to do a lot of miles, when i see them on TV they just seem to be nipping about towns and cities.

Ignore my first remark. three hours sleep makes me a bit snarky It can handle the miles.

Of course listen to the 'experts' here, but with proper maintenance that shouldn't be an issue at all. I put over 8000 miles on my Buddy 150 in the first six months of ownership.

Aloha and welcome to the forum from Hawaii. It will cost you a bit to maintain it but it will do it. I have 27,000 miles on my LX as i write this. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Good luck

Thanks for the replies, if I get one it will be really well looked after with the correct servicing done. at the right intervals.

One reason I was not sure about milage was because on looking at Vespas for sale on eBay, most have really low milage, in most instances amounting to less than 1,000 miles a year.

People get them and then they don't ride it for various reasons. Over here it's because of gas prices. The first time they get scared it's in the garage and not used. I suspect it might be the same over there. The more you ride it the less problems you have.

Welcome to the forum. There are many people who purchase scooters or motorbikes with the best intentions of riding them, but often it does not work out, and they end up riding very little and selling with close to no milage on the clock.

A previously owned scooter is a great way to get into riding. If the seller is as meticulous as you plan on being with service then you might get a low milage bike hasn't even been broken in.

That's exactly the sort of mileage they are designed to cope with - and many do in Europe.

Only YOU can determine which scooter style is most suitable. Include in your research some "less twitchy" 14" and 16" wheel models offered by Piaggio, Kymco, Sym, and Yamaha. A flat-floorboard offers enhanced utility for transporting various items, and the engine kick-start lever on carburetor models (typically not offered with fuel injection) may avoid having to make a service call.

Thanks, I'm trying to make an informed decision, it will take me a while to save up for one so I will be spending the next few months researching.

Come to scootering for the joy of riding and don't be swayed too much by the idea that it is an economical alternative. A new Vespa is not so cheap to maintain, especially when used as a primary mode of transport. 10000 miles a year will stack up significant service costs, it will eat through rear tyres and drive belts. A new wardrobe stocked with riding gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, rainwear, etc.) is not insignificant either.

Good luck and ride safe.

Easily do the miles. Max speed will be lower than your car, but you'll do the miles no problem. Plan on a belt change and tyre change 2 or 3 times every couple of years, and think about synching those changes to minimise time at the dealers, but basically - YES.

We just serviced a 2007 LX150 with 42000 miles on it and off he went into the mad mad world he rides in.

It absolutely can, they just need maintenance.

Good luck!

SDG

Thanks, that's something to think about, I suppose if the ongoing costs turn out prohibitive for doing such high milage I will have to consider getting a car for work and use the scooter for recreation.

Thanks, I don't think speed will be an issue, my trip to work is mostly country roads and I rarely if ever get above 50mph, usually less.

I work 4 days on 4 days off so lots of time for it to be in for service.

I'm getting excited that this is actually achievable, I went to a local dealer a few days ago and fell in love with the bikes

That's good to hear, thanks

The overall cost of ownership of a scooter is quite similar to that of a car in the UK - and can be considerably less if you do your own maintenance.

The plus side to using the scoot for commuting is you're hardly ever held up by traffic. In a car, if there's some transport problem what would normally be an hour's commute can turn into two hours. On the scoot it'll always be around 30 minutes.

You can leave later and get home earlier - and arrive each end with a grin on your face, ready to face the world. *That's* the true benefit of using a PTW for commuting!

(Powered Two Wheeler if you hadn't seen the PTW acronym before.)

Don't forget the big picture. 20% the cost of a car, 30% the cost of insurance. Try looking at a Fly 150, 10,000k (6000 miles) between servicing.

Hi Julie

Remember in uk I think u need a provisional bike licence for a 125 but can ride a 50 on a car licence which is what I do

Have fun !

Loz

The newer Vespas (3v engine) have 10,000 km service intervals, will happily sit on 80kph + all day and will get you there in style.
Get a front screen and top box.

Sounds like 10,000 miles of bliss to me. Have fun!

Change the rollers and belt, keep the oil(s) changed. Grease the right places and it will run just fine. Good advice David.