Modern Vespa

Hello

I post for my questions regarding buying New Vespa vs Used one
but it seemed i post-it in wrong section

So, here am i re-post within general discussion:

Hello Everyone

Need please to ask your kind for an advise

I'm Planing to buy a Vespa. it seems nothing extraordinary with that
but

feel lost choosing between one of two options:

1) An used Vespa Primavera, 2016 Model, clean, with low mileage 9000km (Fuel Injection)

2) A company bran new Vespa VXL, 2020 model (Carburetor)

Both with same price..but will i will face, shortly, a mechanical issues with the used Vespa (because its used)?

beside that's its hard to decide..there's the Fuel Injection vs Carburetor thing.

Does really there a difference that i can feel? does the maintenance of each one differ than the other?

I thought i have enough experience/knowledge to easily can decide between most of the vehicles & Motos

but i was wrong.

Also i copy/paste few more questions from my earlier post:
- What about the engine? to be in FI..does not smooth the drive?
- The sound? in carb engine might be more loud/noisy?
- Vibration/s on carb?
- The burned fuel/oil on carb..will be visualized as a smoke out from the exhaust after some time?
- Perhaps fuel conception will be noticeable in FI?
- Engine/maintenance parts of carb is more available & cheaper than FI?
- Worming the engine before use does not apply to FI..but to carb?
- long lasting life? (taking well care of)

Appreciate all possible help from the experts
Thank you for your time given

Hi

Welcome to Modern Vespa from Rochester, NY.

New vs. Used, definitely pros & cons.

I purchased both my Scooters Used. Both were in good shape and had low mileage. I have had no regrets.

I'm sure others will chime in.

Kim

I dont have an answer for your technical questions but I was between the same options. I tried the VLX Carbureted that is made in India and tried the Primavera and decided for the 2015 Primavera (I decided mainly for the look, to be honest). I liked how smooth the ride on the primavera was and the throttle response. I am aware that maintanance of the VLX is easier and almost any mechanic can take care of it and the Primavera service will have to be done at dealership or a more qualified mechanic.

I was in your beautiful county 5 years ago, what a paradise!

Is the VXL sold by a Vespa dealer that will give ongoing support for parts and service? They are grey market in many places.

Get the used Primavera. Its faster yet will use less fuel. Easily the better looking bike.

Welcome to Modernvespa from Latina (Italy).
The transition from fuel to carburetor to the FI occurred mainly due to the anti-pollution regulations that required a catalyzed muffler that had to communicate with the ECU through the FI system with sensors; another factor is the transformation of fuels with polluting chemical additives that are not easily catalyzed with others such as bioethanol and others. The fluidity of delivery and engine consumption have improved, slightly less torque.
Carburetor fueling is now mainly used in countries where the fuel is not exactly clean and / or of controlled composition, it is easy to clean and disassemble and the only weak point is the depression membrane which generally changes every 20,000 km ( notices this due to engine malfunctions) and can cost from EUR 20 (commercial) to above EUR 50.
The enrichment in the starting phase is the same for the two systems is the same, it occurs automatically with rare cold difficulties for the carburettor in cold climates.
But I think it's hot enough for you, worry about cleaning the air filter often.

Ciao.

PS: you understand my bad english well?

My first question would be what are you buying it for? To replace a car? For a daily commuter? For nice weekend riding? All these are good reasons to buy one!

Also how long are you planning on keeping it?

From your questions it sounds like you don't have an extensive mechanical background. Nothing wrong with that. None of us were born knowing anything about repairing scooters.

On a scooter the difference between FI and carb is pretty much a wash. The carbs are pretty easy to set up and work well. FI is great for riders that change elevations often. With a carb you can kick start most scooters but a fuel pump will not run for the FI.

As far as ride, the motor doesn't really care how the air and fuel get there. I have never really noticed a difference in vibration between the two.

With a new scooter you get a warranty. Something breaks within the covered period they fix it. But that will depend on the dealer network, parts availability to them etc etc.

Used you can save a ton of money. Someone else takes the hit for the Vespa badge on front and you pay a reasonable price for a good scooter.

Personally I would go for the Primavera. It's a well built bike, if it has not been abused any warranty issues should have shown up by now. If something does need repair you'll still be ahead.

Remember that bought new or used sooner or later every scooter is going to need some kind of repair.

Get the one you like best and keep us updated!

Having owned both fuel-injected and carburated bikes, there is no real difference in riding enjoyment.

I have bought all my Vespas used, and ownership has been a joy. I bought my 2006 LX150 with ~3,000 kms (sold it with ~25,000 kms on it), my 2010 GTS with ~25,000 kms (sold it with ~53,000 kms on it), and my 2016 GTS with ~6,000 kms. I didn't have any major mechanical issues with any of them.

I saved many thousands of dollars buying used.

Let us know what you decide to do and post pictures. We love pictures.

If I could choose I would opt for the carburettor, more complex but also maintenance within everyone's reach ... then, if you want to do a DIY upgrade there are many more possibilities; the problem is given by the ECU which manages many engine parameters but programmable after market ECUs also exist, this also applies to versions with FI but the injector is fixed and its flow rate is difficult to manage in a personalized way. That's why in upgrades on FI engines (now all of them) it is almost mandatory to buy together with the modification of the cylinder also the personalized ECU; prices are high, generally from EUR 300 to EUR 800 excluding labor (about EUR 200 - EUR 300) these are the prices from my areas. It must be said that the increase in power is modest, at least without the engine having damage ... the upgrade is to have more torque and little more speed such that I can say that it is a "side effect" of the upgrade.
Returning to the topic, my conclusion is that, in the face of higher consumption but little, the carburettor adds a little more torque.

My very appreciation for all of you
Sure your info benefit me allot

Thank you All for your valued feedback..& i shall post an update once i choose any..only FYI

Best

I have owned 11 scooters during my checkered riding career. 5 of them have been carbed and 6 of them have been injected. Yes, in theory the carbed systems are simpler and should be simpler to repair. In practice I have found that the carbed systems are much more prone to issues. They don't run as smoothly, they are affected more by old or dirty gas, and are often subject to problems when stored over a winter. The fuel injected units start and run more smoothly. They usually go for years with no required maintenance of any kind to the fuel system. Yes, if an injection system gives out, it usually means a new injector or ECU. On the other hand, if you do your own wrenching, neither repair is particularly difficult. These days, I intentionally choose injected scooters.

The Vespa in Valvitola's photo is of a color that makes you want to lick it.

My first Vespa was brand new 9 years ago. Boy that was a mistake. It did not end well.. since then only used for me. When I buy another one it's definitely going to be used and fuel injected.

Not trying to hijack this thread but is a new 2020 worth $100 over a new 2019?
Not that important but they happen to be the Yacht Club models. Kinda a silly name.
Want buy a new or like new Vespa 300.

Oh yeah ... The yacht club model. It was just another brilliant marketing strategy to cater to the rich and famous who obviously own a yacht and probably a private island somewhere. When they came out I thought it was very clever and a great idea. I still do so.

If you are a millionaire, a $100 difference for the latest model sounds doable. Otherwise they're basically the same bikes.

Think I will go for a 2020.

In the US big changes.
2019 Old Motor
2020 HPE Motor = More Power and Quieter.

^^^^
Thanks.
I also watched