Modern Vespa

Newbie to the forums, and new to thinking abut this kind of thing, so please bear with me.

I've been riding a 2006 LX150 around NYC for about 5 years. The streets can be brutal and honestly....I'm not that gentle. :/

She's been nickle and diming me to death with repairs and maintenance, and now has an electrical problem (that I posted about here and got some good advice about, thanks MV!) - but repairs will have to wait until it's warm enough out for me to sit a good while and work my way through, so I've had my eyes on ads thinking about buying something a little newer and came across...

A 2007 LXV 150 - with 1200 miles! This bike looks like it's lived a life of privilege - indoor parking - ride across town on Sundays, that's it. Looks like she went over once or twice while parked, so a few minor blemishes, but you lift the pet carrier and it's like a brand new engine in there.

I snatched her up at below bluebook.

I've got her buttoned up tight right now waiting for the weather to get a little better, but two thoughts occur to me...

A) is this thing that looks too good to be true actually too good to be true? I did a VIN search - clean. Had the original 1 mile title, no liens etc. She runs beautifully. Starts cold. I have the brown key and the card. Tires were replaced some time ago, not brand new, but not original and plenty of tread. Etc.. anything I should be on the lookout for?

And the big question -
B) There's a small voice in my head saying that maybe I should tuck her away for another 10 years and leave her with 1200 miles at 22 and she'll be a real vintage classic. Before I beat her to death on NY streets....

and I guess I'll add C)Maybe more realistically, am I in for more nickle and diming because she's just old. I imagine some rubber hoses may still need replacing eventually based on age vs. use

Any thoughts, ideas, etc would be welcome.

TIA,

RotR

Ride it

Bill

I agree, ride it.

Ride it.

Bill x

Why is it that I'm pretty sure anyone that has been around here a while would not be the least bit surprised the 2 Bills and I say ride it?

Bikes are meant to be ridden and enjoyed. So pick it up and ride the hell out of it. Life's too short.

Actually, I'm going to spin it around -

Why would you buy it and not ride it ?

Bill x

love it.
Thanks for the replies...
Bill, the only reason it crossed my mind is that it's so pristine and already 12 years in, it might be worth sticking with the pristine route.

It's like finding a bottle of wine that's 10 years old and will be good, but might be amazing at 20... or something.

Ride it, even in NYC.

Nothing special about the year/model, everything rubber will have to be replaced at the end of its hibernation, and how would you go about keeping it pristine? Doesn't that have a carry cost as well?

If you want to celebrate your good fortune, spend on things like protective rails that help keep the body unblemished after a tip-over, a top case that makes it more convenient, and other stuff that makes it work for you.

You bought the scooter for YOU to ride, not the future owner.

I picked up my 2006 LX 50 2 years ago with 660 miles on the odometer. It's had zero issues other than ones I've caused with my upgrades.

I'm with the above responses. Ride it. If you really want to save one for the future, keep you eyes open. Another pristine, super low miles LX will show up again.

Is the brown key the only key you have?

Predicting what becomes a classic is impossible. Of the modern series, I think only the early ET's and limited production models will be collectible.

Letting it sit may preserve the aesthetics but occasionally riding it will keep the mechanical parts happier. I'd suggest using your LX as a daily driver for city riding, crappy weather, etc. and using the LXV for sunny/clear days, longer trips outside the city, etc. Best of both worlds: it won't get beaten up and you'll be using it enough to prevent things getting gummed up.

And even with the ET or an early GT, a really nice low mileage one still does not attract a premium price around here. I don't think there is much sense buying a modern Vespa and garaging it while you wait for it to appreciate.

It actually wouldn't surprise me if depreciated if inflation isn't taken in to account. Certain scoots will always hold their value like an old Rally or a 180 SS but hell even those I'd ride and smile while doing it. I wouldn't be surprised if one day 2-strokes and older bikes will be banned from the roads unless you have a parade or filming permit....

I love the smell of 2-stroke in the morning...

No question in my mind; ride it.

You know what? After 6 years, just before I turn 10,000 miles on it, I'm gonna turn my P200 into a vintage collector's dream. I'm gonna make millions!

It's not a Ferrari or some kind of special limited edition, just ride it.

I agree, I remember the local-ish, now closed Ducati dealer couldn't give away the GT1000. Now try to buy one. The CBX, GB500 Honda, the SRX 600 Yamaha, BMW and the ST and Mystique, Triumph Trident etc.

Collectible vs. cult-ish is a fine line. The Big Ruckus, Morphis, Gyro and etc.

Availability in your country is another issue, 1000's sold Worldwide and none in North America, or only offered 1 year.

My vote ride it till it's all 9's. 99999 Miles on the ODO.

the '07 LXV hit my local dealership just after I bought my '07 LX150. I was tempted to trade it in for that ride! I would've swapped out my midsize screen and the full chrome kit for the LXV...

I didn't and I should've done it. So for me, ride her!!! Ride her hard around Manhattan as she deserves to be!!!

Ride it. It's not perfect and it won't be a classic.

The pretty ones are out there. I bought my 2001 ET4 on christmas day 2015, only had 650 miles on it, Had been in storage for 14 years.

How do you know you'll be alive in ten years?

Ride it. Enjoy it.

Locking her up for years should be reported as scooter abuse! No Vespa wants to be locked away, man, they're made to ride!

Of course ride it. Like Bill said, why buy it if not going to ride it?
You're tired of being nickel and dimed so you bought something nice. What's your option? Buy another one in worse condition that'll also nickel and dime you?
IDK if your comment about keeping it unridden for 10 years for an investment was at all serious, but even if you did do that, it's not like it's going to fund your retirement. At best it'll be worth twice what you paid for it.

Ride it, but not like you stole it! Look after it and just enjoy it. I got a mint 98 Yamaha Zuma for $400. Dumped another $600 into it for new tires and such and a Corbin seat. I ride it but not in the rain. Park it in the garage. Keep it waxed and spotless. Its a classic but will never be worth enough money to be kept locked away.

Well that's pretty unanimous!

I'm sold.

Thanks for all the advice

To whoever asked - I do have two keys - I know the drill, thanks.
And I'm absolutely less likely to be alive in 6-10 years than if I didn't spend my time tooling around the city on the Scoot - at least according to my mother and alarmist friends - but what do they know!?!? ;p

So yeah... she's coming out next weekend, but I'll definitely look into crash bars and maybe pay more attention to routine maintenance and being a little more gentle with her.

(But keeping her in a garage is sort of impossible. I'd spend more on parking than I paid for her within the first year.)

Appreciate the lively discussion and group here. I think I'll stick around and see what more I can learn.

Four Words: You can't take it with you.

You have discovered a beautiful woman who lost her virginity to a cad who deserted her after the engagement.
Since then, she has been pining away for lack of affection and love.

Would you NOT marry her and give her what she needs...?

That's six Am!

On second thoughts perhaps you can......When you die, get someone to construct a sarcophagus (like the ancient Egyptian pharaoh's did) which will hold you and your scoot, then you can ride it in your after life.......

(Looks at watch) Yeah, me maths sucketh, 'specially past dinnertime...