Modern Vespa

Hi all,

I am in the market for a PX, but can't decide whether to :
a) buy a older, rarer 200 and then spend the money respraying it, or
b) buy a newer, available everywhere 125 and fit a 177 kit to it.

I very occasionally travel to London or Brighton from West Sussex and would like it to be able to keep up on A roads, or the (very occasional and brief) highway stint.

Am I deluding myself that a 125 will achieve this?
Should I really be focusing on a 200?
Does it affect the insurance that much if you declare it?

For performance and consumption, the 200 is better (for 125 the kit 177 makes him run more but it's suicidal)also because it seems to me that some models had separate lubrication (oil / petrol mixer). Surely in the Not-so-modern section of the forum you will find more informations. Ciao

I have never ridden a 200 but my PX has a DR kit which won't make a noticeable difference in acceleration compared to some kits but is reliable for long runs. I don't feel comfortable on faster roads still so use the GTS if I need that.

Buy a 125. Put a 177 and 60 crank to make it a 190cc. Cruise at motorway speeds and race the L plate 125 bikes. Much more fun than a museum piece.

I just picked up a PX200 Disk, just across the water from you in Dublin. I had a 125 20 years ago, and even with this year's in between, I can tell the difference in power with the 200. Plus once you start messing with kits, you are into long term messing. They are slightly less reliable (sic)

I am aware however, that the 20nyear old bike I bought will need a respray in the next two years, so I'll need to save for that...

A proper 200 is a gorgeous ride with power in all the right places, and it will never let you down, but good ones are getting hard to find. Plenty of ropey or modified ones around. If you get a PX125, try to buy a good pre-2008 MY example, and get it kitted and tuned properly. I had a 2012 with a BGM 177 kit and it was a great engine, but the build quality of those 2011+ PXs is often shocking.

There is no dilemma really. A P200 always over a conversion px125. But saying that, getting hold of one in good shape is tricky. I live in bognor and although many years ago would travel hundred miles on a PX, that enjoyment is not so much now as its quite straining. A drive to portsmouth or brighton is fine on a nice sunny day, i do so now on a 180 PX conversion but i certainly wouldnt fancy driving to london on a PX. Thats why you have a PX for nostalgia and hacking about local then also have an auto 300 GTS for these longer trips.

You might be right ferriswolf.
Maybe it's time I looked at a 650 Burgman Executive instead.

At that rate, just go for the BMW GS... You can stand up on the pegs when your back begins to give you jipp..I believe you can make it through Mongolia and Russia and still get home in comfort...

Just get both! A bergman 650 and a PX for retro kicks. Lifes too short. Those who die with the most toys wins is my mantra.