OP
@llazy1 avatar
UTC

Hooked
Piaggio BV200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 262
Location: Oregon
 
Hooked
@llazy1 avatar
Piaggio BV200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 262
Location: Oregon
UTC quote
Hi- In the last few years prices on almost everything have gone up.
We've had dealers mail us letters trying to buy our car for more than we paid 3 years ago.
Which made me wonder- have prices for used scooters gone up substantially too? I've got a 2003 BV200 with very low miles that I'm considering selling due to living where the weather is usually wet (among other reasons). If their prices have gone up that might motivate me. Thanks.
UTC

Hooked
GTS300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 103
Location: Utah
 
Hooked
GTS300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 103
Location: Utah
UTC quote
Two years ago, with major supply chain issues, product shortages, surging demand, you'd have a bidding war.

Now, high interest rates, shaky market…you're not going to get as much for it now.

But depends on your local market as well. Check Craigslist or Facebook marketplace to see what they're going for.
@bluside avatar
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Addicted
2020 GTS 300, 2011 LX150ie
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Posts: 857
Location: Jupiter, Florida
 
Addicted
@bluside avatar
2020 GTS 300, 2011 LX150ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 857
Location: Jupiter, Florida
UTC quote
There are quite a few Vespas on my local Craigs List that have been posted for quite a while. Their prices are pretty high, so I imagine that is why they haven't sold.

Seems like they want to recoup their dealer and tag fees.
@happy_wanderer avatar
UTC

Hooked
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
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Posts: 132
Location: Durham, England, U.K
 
Hooked
@happy_wanderer avatar
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
Joined: UTC
Posts: 132
Location: Durham, England, U.K
UTC quote
It is similar in the U.K with people (and especially dealers) inflating prices, often by silly amounts, together with over-used superlatives such as classic, collectable, an investment and so on. It is always the rule, that a vehicle will only sell for what the buyer is prepared to pay, with the possible exception of those who get carried away in the madness of auctions!
UTC

Molto Verboso
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Molto Verboso
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UTC quote
I am a bargain hunter, I look for cheap stuff I can resurrect which is what led me to buying a used 2006 BV 250 not quite two years ago.

I also wanted to try a maxi scooter to see if I liked them. A test ride isn't enough for me I have to live with it for a bit to decide.

I also kind of wanted a research project. Part of the reason for buying a high mileage minimally maintained scooter was to see how they hold up.

My bike had just short of 32,000 miles when I bought it. It had been laid down at least once quite possibly more than that as evidenced by some broken plastic and bent/broken brake levers.

What I discovered was that it needed a ton of maintenance stuff but that some was due to use and lack of regular maintenance and some was just due to age.

All the rubber bits (just like tires) wear out over time regardless of mileage. Fuel lines, vacuum lines, silent block, coolant hoses...all of these if over ten years old probably need replacing.

Fork seals, wheel bearings, steering head bearings all of these again just from being old regardless of miles are suspect and might possibly need attention or replacing.

Then there is the engine. These are great bikes and the engines according to the forum collective good for 50-60 thousand miles but carburetors need rebuilding, valves need adjusting and the water pump may need replacing. I am thinking a low mile water pump more suspect than a scooter that was used regularly and has higher miles.

Unless you plan on doing the work yourself with today's extremely high shop rates it costs way more than the scooter is worth to have these things addressed.

I think the Vespa's might hold their value a little better than the Piaggio"s because they are more popular. I think those like me who prefer the Piaggio regardless of price are in the minority.

I am relatively new to scooters but have been a motorhead and motorcycle/bicycle fan all of my life. My recent experience with my old beater BV 250 has taught me a few things...

I enjoy working on them but have way too many other projects going to find the time and while they seem to hold up very well even with low miles I suspect that after 10-15 years they pretty much need to be gone through.

The real bargain is a 5-6 year old ( or less ) with low miles. If you go over 10-15 years old or new you are going to take the depreciation hit or the maintenance hit with the maintenance being discounted susbstantially if self performed.

It should sell quick at about $1,500
@dooglas avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GTS 300ABS, Buddy 125, Buddy Kick 125
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Posts: 13509
Location: Oregon City, OR
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@dooglas avatar
GTS 300ABS, Buddy 125, Buddy Kick 125
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Location: Oregon City, OR
UTC quote
skids wrote:
If you go over 10-15 years old or new you are going to take the depreciation hit or the maintenance hit with the maintenance being discounted susbstantially if self performed.
You are talking about more than a "depreciation" hit. All scooters depreciate including ones with low mileage and regular maintenance. One that has been dropped more than once and has received little scheduled maintenance over a period of 10-15 years; has substantially degraded compared to other vehicles on the market.
@rickster333 avatar
UTC

Hooked
2001 ET4 "Mona"
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Location: South Jersey
 
Hooked
@rickster333 avatar
2001 ET4 "Mona"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 236
Location: South Jersey
UTC quote
I watch the prices on Craig's list and Marketplace just out of curiosity. It seems to me that prices are down a bit this time of year from what they were in the spring.

Of course there are a ton of over priced machines but that's folks with unrealistic expectations. If one can be patient, something will turn up. It took me almost 3 years to find what I wanted for what I was willing to pay. When you find it, move quickly or it'll be gone.
@mjrally avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
73 & 74 Rally, 76 ET3, 80 P200, 61 Ser 2, 65 Silver Special,, 2015 HD Road Glide Special
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
@mjrally avatar
73 & 74 Rally, 76 ET3, 80 P200, 61 Ser 2, 65 Silver Special,, 2015 HD Road Glide Special
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Posts: 5259
Location: Oceanside, CA
UTC quote
Gone up, yes. Substantially, no.
@bob_copeland avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
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Location: Minneapolis USA
 
Ossessionato
@bob_copeland avatar
2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3805
Location: Minneapolis USA
UTC quote
We have met the enemy and it is us. Inflation is the ultimate boggeyman behind all the price increases and sticker shock. A situation that is entirely controllable. We simply have elected not to control it. Yes, there was Covid and supply change issues but, the real elephant in the room is inflation.

So scooter prices, food, and most everything is up. The price on my new 2022 Kymco AK550 is up $1000 in 2023.

Bob Copeland
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7569
Location: Tega Cay, SC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
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Location: Tega Cay, SC
UTC quote
Skids, I agree 100% with your comments, I am right there with you. A couple of years ago, people were getting checks in the mail. The local motorcycle by me could not keep up with the sales because many people decided to get out and ride alone versus staying at home. But no more, things have gone soft in the world of PTWs sales. That same local shop is struggling keep the doors open and surviving mainly thru parts and service. A lot of those same people that bought during the Covid epidemic want to move on to other things and there is a surplus of scoots sitting up for sale with less that 3k miles on them. There is a local lady with a 2018 Liberty150 that has been up for sale for 33 weeks with 785 miles on it. It was up for $3500 - not one peep. Now at $2700 and listed on the adds on here - still no action. I told here it would sell briskly at $1800 - half what she paid for out the door. To say she was shocked is an understatement. Nothing wrong with the machine - beautiful scoot, just a lousy time to sell, that's all.
@dooglas avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GTS 300ABS, Buddy 125, Buddy Kick 125
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Posts: 13509
Location: Oregon City, OR
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@dooglas avatar
GTS 300ABS, Buddy 125, Buddy Kick 125
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Posts: 13509
Location: Oregon City, OR
UTC quote
Tierney wrote:
I told here it would sell briskly at $1800 - half what she paid for out the door. To say she was shocked is an understatement.
Let's review. A 5 year old Piaggio scooter. Offered for sale for the OTD price when it was new (that includes taxes, registration, and various fees as well as MSRP). No small wonder that no one was interested in that price or anything close. A 50% depreciation of a vehicle 5 years after purchase new is hardly unusual. Yes, some owners have unrealistic expectations. Usually the marketplace sobers them up.
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7569
Location: Tega Cay, SC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
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Location: Tega Cay, SC
UTC quote
Dooglas wrote:
Let's review. A 5 year old Piaggio scooter. Offered for sale for the OTD price when it was new (that includes taxes, registration, and various fees as well as MSRP). No small wonder that no one was interested in that price or anything close. A 50% depreciation of a vehicle 5 years after purchase new is hardly unusual. Yes, some owners have unrealistic expectations. Usually the marketplace sobers them up.
Well, I thought the same - $2,999 plus fees and a small windshield brought it up to $3700 out the door. Asking $3500 seemed to me to be wishful thinking. But the seller is not alone - most prices I have seen a generally a $1000 too high.
@greasy125 avatar
UTC

Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 15080
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
 
Sergeant at Arms
@greasy125 avatar
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 15080
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
UTC quote
let's review the facts: a 20 year old bike that didn't sell well in this market to begin with and that carries specific proprietary parts which were damn near impossible to get ahold of when it was new...

the BV200 was a wonderful bike, but clunky and well ahead of its time. the low mileage is a plus, but a gold mine it is not. priced right, it'll sell quickly.
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
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Location: Tega Cay, SC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
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Location: Tega Cay, SC
UTC quote
greasy125 wrote:
priced right, it'll sell quickly.
Words of wisdom
@motovista avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GT 200
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Posts: 9256
Location: Main Street, Watts
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@motovista avatar
GT 200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9256
Location: Main Street, Watts
UTC quote
Bob Copeland wrote:
We have met the enemy and it is us. Inflation is the ultimate boggeyman behind all the price increases and sticker shock. A situation that is entirely controllable. We simply have elected not to control it. Yes, there was Covid and supply change issues but, the real elephant in the room is inflation.

So scooter prices, food, and most everything is up. The price on my new 2022 Kymco AK550 is up $1000 in 2023.

Bob Copeland
Inflation is down significantly compared to same time last year, due largely to the actions taken by the Fed to control it. Bloomberg is an excellent source of information about the US and world economies.
@madison_sully avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
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Posts: 7668
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@madison_sully avatar
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
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Posts: 7668
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
UTC quote
Bob Copeland wrote:
We have met the enemy and it is us. Inflation is the ultimate boggeyman behind all the price increases and sticker shock.
Mmmm, sort of.
I have met the enemy, and it is "them". "They" seem to be willing to pay more for stuff, and that drives up the price of stuff. Or at least in some cases, I hope so, but in other cases, not so much.

To me it's a bit funny how people complain about high prices until they want to sell something.
Or to put it a different way, complain about inflation but when they go to sell something they price it high. Facepalm emoticon

Oh, and don't get me wrong. I price depending on my mood; high if I feel like taking time, low if I just want to be rid of a thing.
What's odd to me is that pricing something at $0 is more of a hassle than some nominally low price.
Amazing the crap I've gone through in the last year or so trying to give stuff away.
@greasy125 avatar
UTC

Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 15080
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
 
Sergeant at Arms
@greasy125 avatar
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 15080
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
UTC quote
this thread is barreling toward politics. reign it back in folks.

we're talking about the value of scooters, there needn't be an economic symposium in that regard.

consider this as an admonitory narrowing of eyes and looking about the room.
UTC

Molto Verboso
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Molto Verboso
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UTC quote
As a bargain hunter I gave an estimate of what I thought would be a bargain price for the scooter in question.

It may well go quickly for more than my $1,500 estimate but what I have learned just recently, and my opinion only is that the best bargains are the relatively new used scooters that have had the maintenance kept up with.

If you do the catch up maintenance yourself on an older scooter it is less money out of pocket but you should I think at least consider that your time is worth something. Even if you enjoy it as I do in my estimation the older than say 7 year old scooters are not worth the cost of the catch up maintenance.

I very much enjoy these threads about estimating value. It is a question I enjoy thinking about and I learn from others opinions in the thread, I value the different points of view. I don't want it to get shut down because of politics or heated differing opinions.
@kz1000st avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Dongfang 170cc, CF Moto Fashion 250
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Location: Hyde Park, New York
 
Molto Verboso
@kz1000st avatar
Dongfang 170cc, CF Moto Fashion 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1900
Location: Hyde Park, New York
UTC quote
I've been considering a new big bike of late and the inclusion in the market of Chinese options has made a 650cc model attractive. A Kawasaki Versys or z650 lands near the eight grand area. A CF Moto 650 goes for $6500 to $7k. CCS is selling a 650 with a Norton designed engine for $7200.

Then I went to the ads. Leftover 2022 Royal Enfield 650 INT models can be had for $6k in a couple of places near me. The ones with a better paint job cost $6200. I'm old. I don't need water cooling and 48 horsepower will get me down the interstate.

Prices don't have to be high if you keep your eyes open.
@bob_copeland avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
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Posts: 3805
Location: Minneapolis USA
 
Ossessionato
@bob_copeland avatar
2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3805
Location: Minneapolis USA
UTC quote
As stated, some of the best values are in newer used bikes with low miles. The old paradigm that the original owner though he would be out riding and it just sat in the garage is often repeated. Good way to also buy boats.

When I sold my beloved Burgman 400, I put it out there cheap so it would move quick. Bill Dog bought it in one day and rode it all across the USA.

Bob Copeland
@californiacruising avatar
UTC

Addicted
2015 Sprint 150, 2018 GTS 300
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Posts: 894
Location: SoCal
 
Addicted
@californiacruising avatar
2015 Sprint 150, 2018 GTS 300
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Posts: 894
Location: SoCal
UTC quote
bluside wrote:
There are quite a few Vespas on my local Craigs List that have been posted for quite a while. Their prices are pretty high, so I imagine that is why they haven't sold.

Seems like they want to recoup their dealer and tag fees.
I think a lot of the sellers imply there will be no sales tax if you buy their previously enjoyed Vespa.
Not sure of other states but in CA you will pay full pop (9%ish) sales tax on selling price every time a motor vehicle is resold, sure you can cheat on the selling price paperwork with a stranger but that's very poor risk to reward.
UTC

Molto Verboso
Joined: UTC
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Molto Verboso
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UTC quote
CaliforniaCruising wrote:
I think a lot of the sellers imply there will be no sales tax if you buy their previously enjoyed Vespa.
Not sure of other states but in CA you will pay full pop (9%ish) sales tax on selling price every time a motor vehicle is resold, sure you can cheat on the selling price paperwork with a stranger but that's very poor risk to reward.
In Nevada there is zero sales tax on private party used sales. None zilch zip nada...

Not only that Nevada doesn't care how much money is owed to the California DMV in back fees. That really makes for some bargain prices on vehicles here in Reno (the new northern california) when you don't have to pay tax or back fees!

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