Modern Vespa

I've found a prospect in my search for my first scooter.
I talked to the seller on the phone today (about a four hour drive away) and they said that the scooter has been sitting, and needs a new battery.

Other than the battery, what else should I look for? It's a nice scooter, with low miles on it. I'm just apprehensive about it sitting. What can go bad from it being inactive?

Depends on how long its been sitting.

For example, suppose it was a 2007 with 800 miles on it. Sounds great, right?

Wrong.

All the rubber bits are 10 years old. Tires. Hoses. Belt. Changing those out are necessary and can cost hundreds of dollars.

So factor costs like this into the decision to buy,

i most certainly will. it is priced very fairly so a little extra cost isn't too bad.

where would i buy a new battery for it? any ideas on where to buy one not online?

You can get a battery online. Look for MotoBatt. More expensive but worth it. Yellow in color.

How long has it been sitting? Before that, did it receive maintenance somewhere or was it DIY repairs? If there's a shop involved, do they have a record of what's been done to the scooter?

One of the best things that I got when I got mine was the assurance from the place that gave it maintenance (Modern Classics in DC, just in case you're close by) that the scooter was in top shape.

TL;DR: search for maintenance history. If there isn't a shop involved, get one involved.

the seller said it's been sitting for a year or so. when i talk to them next, i will ask about service history and all of that stuff.

A year or so is no problem. It's when it sits for 3+ years... Gas gunking up the system, rubber and plastic bits that tend to get replaced but don't. Or my personal favorite, sits for 3+ years, then gets ridden a bit, and a bit of "maintenance". Found out the hard way on that one.

Hm. interesting. I'll still go ahead and ask about everything to be safe. I plan on riding this all over my state and maybe even midwest this summer.

Lol outride I don't think you need the tldr thing when you only write a paragraph

If you don't want to buy online, I'll suggest the Batteries+Bulbs, a.k.a. Batteries Plus stores. They're good batteries and the stores usually have what you need in stock.

sears and walmart or other big box stores.

Minimum it's going to need new tires,belt,roller and all the fluid changes. Rubber degrades over time and while some will disagree on the belt being changed i always err on the side of caution. Belt braking at speed isn't much fun. That said the 250's are a solid bike. Somebody over here has one and they have over 40,000 miles on it. She keeps up with the maintenance and it's good to go. Good luck

Thanks all! This is very helpful.

Does anyone have a video or picture of where the battery is located? I plan on changing it out right when I get there.

Under the floorboards between your feet.

Hey man you never know. Vespisti go fast.

If someone with a GTS250 could do me a favor, and measure how tall the scooter is with no windscreen, i would be eternally grateful. I might have to take my mini van and pick it up, and I want to see if it'd fit.

Mine is 53" over the mirrors.
47" over the headlight cover if you take off the mirrors.

Most importantly, make sure it has the brick-red key. Its the master key and the only one you can program new (blue) keys with. If it doesn't have it, I sorta remember people talking like $800-$900 to replace the ECU (electronic control unit I think).

Cheers.
Miguel

All set and ready to pick this scoot up tomorrow.

Does anyone have any tips on how to go about strapping it down in the back of a pick up truck?

They don't like to be caged like that.

Scooter Transport

Old gas can make motors hard to start, if the stuff hasn't outright evaporated away, so you might take a gallon of fresh gas with you, as well.

is there a way to drain the gas tank?

Several places can clone a blue key so I works without needing the master key but if you only get one key you better try and get a clone or another spare ASAP or you could be looking at that ECU replacement.

If you're going to be doing this from time to time invest in these:

Canyon Dancer:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-Front-Rear-Wheel-Handlebar-Transport-Bar-Tie-Down-Strap-New-/112044011460?hash=item1a1657efc4:g:uM4AAOSwXeJXdeeR&vxp=mtr


Cam straps:

http://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-capacity-6-ft-x-1-in-heavy-duty-cam-buckle-tie-downs-4-pc-60761.html

Soft loops:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4pcs-Motorcycle-Tie-Downs-12-Soft-For-Harley-Handlebar-Softy-Straps-Black/391566943297?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D41395%26meid%3D54dfe87f15594cfdb6e262402f458af7%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D391566941357

You might want to mount a wheel chock to a piece of plywood for easy in / out.
http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-wheel-chock-97145.html

Search the forum. There has been a lot said about the subject.

Hey undying, I have done some several days rides around Michigan. Northwest part of the lower peninsula is fantastic for riding. Smooth roads and little traffic and very scenic. You should really like your new ride.

any place i should check out in particular?

My friend just got a FREE MC that had been sitting with gas in it (ethanol gas and no seafoam) for 3yrs. Here's what his gas tank looked like. Good thing he didn't try to start it. Clumpy stuff used to be gas.

We've been cleaning the rust out of our gas generator in preparation for hurricane season. Even with Stabil in it the ethanol wept water. Petcock was clogged with it.

Start around Ludington work your way up the coast to Sleeping Bear Dune, Leelanau peninsula, Mission Point, Charlevoix, ride around Lake Charlevoix, Bay View, Harbor Spring, and then the Tunnel of Trees (M-119) all the way to the Mac Bridge. Some of the prettiest riding in Michigan. Rode that a few times.