Modern Vespa

I just joined up but know nothing about Vespas. In the past I have ridden a Honda Big Ruckus and a Honda 700Ctx. I decided, in my old age (I'm 80), I would like to buzz around on a Vespa. Primarily for cruising national parks. Now I need to learn about them. Is there any limit associated with age to acquiring one of these, assuming their mileage is low (lots of people don't seem to drive theirs much). I'm handy with tools, too. Any advice would be welcome!

Welcome Doug, There is absolutely no age limit!! Check .FB Marketplace for recent listings in you area. BTW, what area are you in? We may be able to help you locate a deal on a used Vespa!!! There is no better way to travel and enjoy the scenery.
Tony in middle Tennessee

Ha! I was referring to the age of the scooter! Is there a lifetime limit when even a low mileage Vespa would not be a good purchase?
I'm in South Central Texas - New Braunfels - Between Austin and San Antonio. I will travel statewide to get a good deal though.

Doug:

Have you checked The Motorcycle Shop in San Antonio out yet? New and used Vespas and other brands. Jason Trott is the owner and is very helpful! It's on your side of San Antonio on Austin Highway. I bought my Vespa from Jason and he is my repair guy!

Tripp

I ran across a bargain I'm trying to acquire right now, but I appreciate the input. I'll have to consider them for parts anyway.

A Vespa through the national parks would be an unbeatable way to tour them, IMO.

A friendly reminder that any used scooter will "likely" need new rubber, that's belts, tires (if over 6 years old) and possibly the intake and hoses; all fluids replaced. Just a strategy for bargaining...

Welcome to a fellow Vespa Geezer! I have an LX150, 2006, that I pootle around our village on, do chores and take myself to my volunteer jobs. I'm only 75 and I'm still thinking of a 300 soon, as soon as they make a colour I like again. Mine is a plum colour and despite my trepidations, its gorgeous!

Mine is getting its oil and filter changed and a new set of rollers as soon as I heal enough to be able to get down on my knees in the Vespa worship position. Oh and my neat turn signal mod! I can hardly wait.

I found a 2014 Vespa GTS 300 IE with 950 miles that will go for $4200.
J. D. Powers says average is $2100.
Does the low mileage add that much to the average retail price?

DougE -- I'll leave it to other folks who are W-A-Y more qualified than I am to answer your pricing questions (although as the owner of a '24 300 GTS "Classico," I am kinda biased!). But I did want to join others in welcoming you to MV...a GREAT forum with fine folks and more info than you might ever need.

I have a 50cc '01 ET-2 that is currently with her mechanic. I'm having her brought back to life after an unfortunate period when she belonged to someone else who was not smart enough to know what he did not know. Let's just say, "Hooray for the VISA card in my wallet!" But I'm having her put back on the road for my partner, who is 85 (I turn 70 in a few short weeks...). He'll not do much more than tool around our neighborhood with me, but he's quite up to the task. (He rode motorcycles both back in the 1970s and IN his 70s, so he's up to the task.)

I know you meant the age of the scoots you're thinking of buying and not your personal chronological number, but as you'll discover here, you ain't necessarily the grown-est kid on the forum!

Welcome DougE! I'll be interested to see what scoot you end up riding through all those national parks. And BTW -- we LOVE pictures of folks' scoots!

Victor

The only bonafide National Park I've ridden my GTS 300 through is the Badlands National Park here in western South Dakota, but it was an exceptional experience when viewed from the saddle of a relatively silent, smooth-running small machine like the GTS. Speeds range from 35-50 mph, right where the GTS literally whispers through the landscape, rather than sonically bludgeoning it's way along like so many other bikes do around here.

Oh, yes,....and welcome to MV!

We have a national park down here that's a great ride. Big Bend. There about 125 miles of paved roads in the park, all very interesting to cruise. Just don't come in the summer. It's way too hot. Early spring and fall are the best times. Completely stark vistas compared to South Dakota, though. Although parts might remind you of the badlands.

Low mileage seems important to sellers - but these bikes can do 80-100,000 miles without needing major surgery, as long as routine maintenance is kept up, and the odd hiccup dealt with. So don't be put off by high miles, and don't pay extra for low miles. In fact low miles, and/or no use for six months or more can be a red flag. I'd far rather have a 40,000 mile GTS300 that had been ridden regularly than a 10 year old 4,000 mile one that had languished in a garage for years unused. The former could be ridden straight away with no qualms, the other would need extensive parts replacements and fuel system cleaning etc etc.

Amen to that!