Modern Vespa

Hi, I am new to this board. How you'll doing? Good I hope. Anyway, I am thinking about getting a Vespa but in doing my research I have come up with a few questions. Hope you don't mind I run them past ya'll.

What is the difference between these two scoots (ET4 & LX150)?

Why is the ET not listed under Products on the VespaUSA website but when you do a Google search for Vespa ET4 there is a page on the Vespa site about it?

If you were a new rider which Vespa model would you purchase? (Assume that you were a 6' 235lb guy, didn't ever really want to ride on the freeway but want more then a 50cc scoot)

Thanks all for the responses in advance.

Jason

Well, the ET not being listed on Vespa's site could be because they discontinued the line a few years ago in favor of the LX. From what I understand, the LX was intended to replace the ET.

ET = 10" front tire, 42 mpg
LX = 11" front tire, 72 mpg

taken from vespausa.com

i think the LX is much better looking.

I agree. Though when I go to the dark side, it's going to be for a GT or GTS.

Hi Jason,

when I was looking into a scooter, my BIL, who is a dealer, advised me to go big capacity, no LESS than 250cc.

I bought a GTS250ie and am glad I did.

It has the power and handling I need to move my 196cm/124kg frame around, and can still take me and my missus (when we're legal) (in pounds shillings and pence I am 6 shilling 6 sixpence tall and weigh £250 odd). I'd love to be 6" shorter, it would mean I fit better on the GTS - everything else is for the vertically challenged.

The extra power is handy to get out of sticky situations - well worth the extra peso's. I don't ride freeway, (yet).

Hope that helps

6-foot, 235 lbs......i'd suggest looking at a GT200

ets get much better gas mileage than that, i get around 65mpg. i prefer the look of the ets, but that's just me.

ET's can be bought for (usually a lot)less money used-better buy IMO.
That being said a 2006 LX150 (in red no less) with under 1000 mi sold on eBay yesteday for under $2400! Can you say riding season is coming to an end?

et's are faster. not by much, but they are. i also prefer the looks of the et.

ET4 is heaver. Looks better too

I don't think that weight comment was right. I know what the manual says, but some mag did a scooter comparo and the weighed the ET4150 at a lighter weight, which makes since if you ride them both, back to back. It definitely FEELS lighter. I'll have to find that link.

And that gas mileage statement is definitely wrong too. I do feel that the LX isn't as squirrely at the handlebar as the ET. The LX feels really planted, whereas the ET, not so much.

That said, they're both great bikes. If you're going the Piaggio route, don't count out the Fly150 either!

i have both an ET4 (although a 125) and an LX150.
i agree with the comment that the LX feels really planted compared to the ET, maybe because of the bigger front tire?
why do ET4 owners feel that it is faster than the LX? but i feel the same, not knowing why.

I would say a et4 is faster, but when you pop an et4 up on the centerstand vs a LX the et4 feels much heaver

Et's aren't "offcially" sold by Vespa anymore. Usually you can find them used for cheaper. Same engine, I guess the 10 inch front wheel and design differ.

I'd look for an ET with low mileage on craigslist, ebay and even on here in our sale section.

If not, go with an LX, I LOVE mine!

I don't weight 235 and I have no intention of riding a Vespa of any displacement on the interstates in Northern Virginia so I chose an LX 150. That displacement gives me sufficient speed for 45 mph posted secondary roads and parkways and saved me almost 2 grand over a GTS and about a grand over a GT. If the 150 can haul you around, and it should, I would recommend the LX 150.

Seems most of us love whatever model we currently have. I have the ET4, but it is modded with a 190 cylinder kit. I bought it used for about 2500 US. I'm happy with it, and don't feel too shy about doing engine mods since it isn't new with warranty.

You might find a used ET4 or LX with a cylinder kit for around 3500 or so. The torque and acceleration is closer to the GT200 but top end is still only about 65.

I guess it comes down to style. Oval headlamp vs round.

...and front signals/running lights, and wheels - those are my two biggest (cosmetic) reasons for preferring the LX to the ET. I'd still pick up an ET in a *snap* if I found the right deal on one, though!

As others have said, the LX150 replaced the ET4. I love my ET4-- It's nimble, and for me, it ably handles the stretches of local highway at 50-60mph that are part of my commute. I'm also one of those who prefers the ET's looks: more Euro-sleek, IMHO.

We've had a couple of forum members [all guys] who upgraded to one of the GTs, and switched back to the 150cc models, preferring their agility.

I get *much* better gas mileage that the vespausa figure-- was that a marketing ploy to boost LX sales?!

That said, to each his/her own. If you can, demo a couple of different models, and decide what suits you best, and what kind of riding/roads will be the norm for you.

Good luck deciding!

--Deborah

ETs rule, LXs drool.

The ET3 was the only ET worth discussing.

-Eric

Eric be nice

I'm playing. Though don't you think it's weird they used the same naming convention? I mean ...they could have called the ET2 and ET4 something so you didn't think the ET3 was even remotely similar.

Same with the GT, GTV, GTS, etc.

Vespa ALREADY HAD a Vespa GT in the early 70's. It was a budget model!

Why not just make a different naming convention? *shrugs*

-Eric

They had left over badges they needed to use.
Didn't want to waste the worlds resources making
new ones. It's all about green.

I suppose the ET was used as the ET2/4 was a modern Vespa smallframe.
Know what you're saying though..
And what was the ET1?

ET2=2 stroke
ET4=4 stroke
ET3=3 stroke?

This has probably been discussed here before, but as long as we're on the topic ...

There WAS an ET9 that was sold only in Japan. It's an ET4, but the word for the number 'Four' in japan is "Shi", which also means "death"....so there's a cultural superstition about saying this word / number. When counting, Japanese typically use the word "Yon" for "four" so they don't have to say "shi". So, for marketing reasons they didn't call it the ET4 there, and renamed it the ET9.



-Eric

ET9=9 stroke

Eric...wasn't that the ET8?


*puts on anorak*...

yes yes...8, sorry. My bad.

ET= Ernest T.
As in Ernest T Bass, the scooter enjoyed by more
rock throwing hillbillies.
Oh, that would be me

don't you come on here,telling US about obscure MODERN Vespas....


1-0 to the "moderns"....*dances a jig*...

And i would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids!

*shakes fist angrily*

Scooby Doo!

it was the ET8 and it comes from Taiwan not Japan

You forgot to mention that the number 8 is a lucky number in many Asian cultures.

and that the ET8's variator is stamped Piaggio and TGB?