Modern Vespa

Thanks for the opportunity to join the Forum.
There's not much interesting to say. I'm an old guy who's been riding for more years than most folks have lived. I regularly ride a Suzuki sports bike. Somehow, the bike's ergonomics must have changed without me noticing it because my longer rides aren't as pleasurable as I remember. Old age has a way of causing problems like that. But it's better than the alternative.
I'm hoping a scooter could offer a more user-friendly riding position and style.
So, I'm here to learn the ins-and-outs, goods-and-bads of the scooter world.
Suggestions and opinions are welcomed. Thanks again.

Welcome. You aren't alone with your situation. Many of us here, but certainly not all, are in a similar situation.

Welcome to MV from Florida, (but i do spend several weeks a year in Western NC)

You are on the same path as several contributors here, riding bikes for years but looking for something easier and more comfortable to keep the rides fun.

Scooters are a perfect answer for most.

What you choose to buy will depend on your expectations.

Do you want it for rides to the grocery store, around town, outside of town or, like many here, long touring rides?

There are scooters for each of those missions, from a 50cc to 650cc.

Many have toured the country on scooters as small in displacement as 50cc, but most wanting to venture out ride at least a 125cc.

I have crossed the country on two different Vespa GTs, 198cc of fun.

It is easier on my Yamaha Xmax, with it's 85 mph top speed, large gas tank and underseat storage.

Do some research and you will find your answer.

Bill

Follow what WLeuthold said above but I would add, if you hopefully have some dealers or perhaps a scooter club near you, go sit on the scooters. You will find the ergonomics different so find the one(s) that you feel most comfortable on.

If you just want a scooter to run errands and pleasure ride around town, you may want to take a look at Kymco scooters. They are relatively inexpensive (especially if bought used), very reliable, low maintenance and have that vintage scooter appeal so many people like. I owned a few different model Kymcos of various engine displacement before I moved up to modern Vespas and rhey were all very good bikes and never gave me any issues,

Welcome to MV!

People get to scooters by various means...I pretty much started there and it stuck. For others like yourself it might be like velcro shoe closures..you spend much of your life going "naw..." and then one day when you're bent over and grunting, they start looking good. Anyway, it's whatever trips your trigger, and we're a pretty darned satisfied bunch here...

Where are you in NC? There may be a member on here close to you that would let you take a look at their scoot.

Thanks for all the replies. Your opinions are greatly appreciated.
There are several motorcycle dealers close by who occasionally sell a scooter. There are Honda and Genuine dealers not far away. Neither have much of a selection of current models. Another dealer has a Yamaha's X Max in stock. Nice bike, but its electronic gadgetry seems over-kill to me. I don't care to return to 1970's technology, but bell-and-whistles that integrate smart-phones and tell me which route to take aren't at the top of my wish list.
There is a Vespa/Piaggio dealer in Charlotte, (T's Euro Cycles/Team Charlotte) and that's probably where I'll begin my search as soon as I finish my research.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's had dealings with those folks... Good, Bad, or Run-for-the-hills?

airhead83,

Good input from the nice folks on this forum. Good on you, but I found the riding position on sport bikes to be horribly uncomfortable. Despite this, they are very popular.

Like you, I rode M/Cs for years. When I jumped to scooters 20 years ago, I found them to be broken down into two classifications. Small frame usually under 200ccs, and Maxi-Scooters +250ccs. The first group mostly run around town and the Maxi's are freeway capable and seem to lend themselves for longer extended rides. Both are more comfortable with upright riding positions and a riot to drive. It maybe the smaller the scooter, the more fun it is to ride.

The larger Vespa GTS300 seems to be the ride for all occasions. It has the get up and go for longer rides and still super for just dshing around in the city.
At my previous body weight of 200 lbs, I found the smaller frame scoots to not have enough zip for me.

The Suzuki Burgman series (440ccs/650ccs) are excellent Maxi-Scooters. Perhaps even more comfortable with a foot forward riding position. My best Maxi Scooter was my last 2022 Kymco AD550. It was a rocket, and although still classified as a scooter, you could drive it across the USA.

So, good luck. You can not go wrong, because you could always trade up or down the size spectrum.

Bob Copeland
Minnesota

I'm in the Hickory/Hildebran area.
No "scooter dealers" nearby, but 'Team Charlotte/T's Euro Cycles' in NW Charlotte's about 1 hours' drive away.
They're the closest Vespa/Piaggio dealer, and the only place close by with a variety of inventory.
It appears you're not too far from the Charlotte area. Have you any dealings with this Vespa/Piaggio dealership? Good, bad, or indifferent?

Don't forget Select Cycle in Greensboro. I've bought 2 Vespa from them. I know Select will deliver as Ryan has been to my home in Weaverville and Rock Hill. The minimum cc I'd ride around Hickory would be a 300.

Welcome Airhead83 from across the continent! You will be fine once you determine how you'll use the scooter. It is great that you have options nearby. I have had a Vespa GT 200, a mp3 250, and now my beloved BV 350 over the years. (The bigger wheels changed my life!) Read reviews and get as many test rides as you can. Once again, Welcome.

They picked up Vespa about a year ago. They were already selling Aprilias (mainly dirt bikes) so they are carrying the whole Piaggio group now - Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio and Vespa. I went there once when I needed to order a regulator/rectifier for a GT250. It was going to take awhile to get, so I ordered from Scooterpartsco, and received it in days instead of months that they told me it would be. To be fair, they were still setting up shop when I stopped by.

Speaking of Suzuki sport bikes, I have owned 3 SV650s over the years. Best all around bikes I ever owed, and there have been many. As far as Vespas go, if you into carb scoots, the GT200 is what you want. If going FI, a GTS 250 or 300 are great scoots'

Thanks for the info on the Vespa group in Charlotte. I may ride down and check them out some sunny day.
Suzuki's SV650 is a reliable and no-nonsense workhorse. It's stood the test of time and keeps plugging along. I'm on my 2nd GSX250R. It's been an enjoyable bike. What I don't like is the cost of insurance to cover it. NC insurance companies seem to group all of Suzuki's GSX-R models under the same rating of 'SuperSport'. That may well be appropriate for the rest of the Suzuki bikes under that badge, but the GSX250R is a sport bike in name, ergonomics, and cosmetics only. It's slow and heavy compared to any other brand in the class of 250-400cc bikes. But my insurance company won't reclassify it or budge from its industry's rating. So, it is what is.