Modern Vespa

I live in rural eastern Washington State, USA. I'm shopping for my first Vespa, which will also be my first scooter. I rode a Honda 100cc dual sport for a few years, around 10 years ago. My focus is commuting and exploring.
I'm looking at the GT200 and ET4 150.
I'm leaning heavily to the GT200. The only things I don't like, so far are no kick starter and about 100 pounds heavier than the ET4 150.
Are there differences in:
charging, how many watts are available for accessories?
heat in leg cover from the cooling system?

Welcome to Modern Vespa Road Less Traveled. Neither the ET4 or the GT200 are in production, so keep checking Craigslist. The GT200 is 'possibly' the best scoot Piaggio ever made, but parts are in short supply. Could I talk you into a GTS 250? Newer, slightly more ccs, better parts availability.

Hello, and welcome. I have a GT200, 2006 edition, and it is a superb scooter. It being of a (ahem) certain age, parts can sometimes be challenge to procure but when everything is sound and working well, there is much to like. I can also vouch for the quality of the GT250, itself an excellent scooter.

Compared to the Primavera 150, the GT definitely feels less "flickable", but a lot of my riding is on rural roads with 50 mph speed limits, where the GT is very well suited.

I have not found heat from the cooling system to be excessive, but then I'm typically not riding in the temperatures that you will find in the summer. I have a USB charging port that I'm waiting to install, so can't yet comment on capacity, but there are some seriously geeky folks here who can do/have done the math and can tell you what you have available for charging.

If you have reasonably good mechanical skills, you should be able to cover most of the regular maintenance and minor repair items needed to keep it running well. This forum is an excellent resource for when you reach the end of those skills and need an assist. Having access to a shop or an independent mechanic familiar with Vespa products is a plus when "phone a friend" won't do it.

Keep us posted on how your quest progresses, including photos, if you find something worthy.

Cheers,

Bob

Welcome to MV, Road!

I agree with Syd and the Curmudgeon -- start checking for 250s or 300s. I'm currently on my second 300 GTS, and I'm here to tell you she quite simply rocks in every scenario I've put her in. As for heat around the legshield, here in the SoCal desert, I don't even think about that. That's the LEAST of my heat worries! The scoot is pretty much always comfortable to ride. My experience with Vespas is that they hold up quite, quite well. Sorta the "you take care of them and they'll take care of you" thing. I'm not mechanical by any stretch, but I can make sure my two are safe to ride, and I have a good relationship with an independent mechanic who LOVES Vespas! He stops working on whatever Harley or Honda or Kawi he's knee-deep in when I ride up and need something.

And you'll get lots of good info here on MV. Just take most things I talk about with, say, a box of coarse Kosher salt!

Victor

You could likely install a kick starter on the GT200, and unless you're planning to carry it, you shouldn't notice the difference in weight. As far as the electrical system, it is going to be the same on the two bikes.

70 pounds difference and while that sounds like a lot, the GT is riding on 12 inch wheels, has a 4.5 longer wheelbase while the ET4 is on 10s. So even with more weight, the GT is not as nimble, or not as twitchy - depending on your point of view, but with the bigger wheels (and wheelbase), the GT carries the additional weight well. It really comes down to what you will be using the scoot for. The ET is a city bike first, but will do backroads alright. The GT can do all that and handle the highway too. It just won't be as flickable and is the cruiser of the two. Lastly, in all honesty, the kick start was not the best design. Just keep a good battery in either scoot, keep up with the maintenance and you'll be fine.

Thanks for the welcome and replies, everybody!

I'm looking at those two because I like them and they're available. The other huge factors are the weight, price and distance. I see a few GTS250s, and they look good, but cost thousands more dollars and are heavier. I wish the GT250 were lighter, I'm not sure I can handle anything heavier!

Ha ha! I can relate, I'm of a certain age and wearing out, too! Yeah, I figured. I have to ride hilly highway posted 60 mph to get anywhere that I want to be. I must compromise to get the hill climbing power, speed and ability for me to handle the machine on/off road. I should have been more clear, I meant heat for warming under a lap cover. I should be good skill wise. I definitely need to learn a lot of Vespa specific stuff and get a few specialty tools. Parts, manuals and the hive mind are my biggest concerns. The nearest dealer is a 4-6 hours drive, on the freeway. So far, I haven't found any Vespa shops any nearer.

Here's hoping all my quoting worked!

They look good, but are thousands of dollars more and are heavier. I'm already concerned about the weight of the GT200. I should have been more clear. I meant heat available to warm under a lap cover when it's cold. I can do most of my own work AND I want to find a shop like that. It's a 4-6 hour drive on the freeway to the nearest dealer. I haven't found a Vespa shop that's closer, either.

I'm looking into a manual starting backup.

The weight is a concern for when I drop it or lay it down. It won't be a pampered machine!

I'm sure the weight is fine when things go well. I'm concerned about the weight when I drop it or lay it down. I'm a puny man! I want to ride on and off road, carry lots of stuff, be comfortable and use less gas than an SUV or truck.

I'm looking into manual starting options. At times, I'll be hours from help, with no means of communication and no expectation to see a human for hours to days. Having a manual option is important.