Modern Vespa

Hello all! I am trying to decide between buying a used Vespa, circa 2006-2010, or a brand new 310.

I want a scooter that is super reliable and that has enough power for highway riding. I do a very small amount of wrenching, so I don't really want any labour-intensive vehicles. I am good with doing oil changes, but replacing a drive belt would be borderline. I can do it, but I don't really enjoy doing it.

I do both city riding and the occasional long trip (1000+ kms).

So what do you guys think of the following used Vespas available in my area? Are they a good idea, considering my criteria listed above? Or should I just buy a new 310? Money IS a consideration. I will buy a 310 if it is "worth it" in terms of reliability, features, and power. But if an older scooter can be almost as reliable, I would be happy saving my money. Right now, a new 310 costs about double what these used scooters are asking.


1) https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/788603160273730/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post

2006 Vespa gts
CA$4,100
Listed 3 weeks ago in Vancouver, BC
About this vehicle
Driven 3,500 km
Automatic transmission
Exterior color: Red · Interior color:
2 owners
Seller's description
Vespa 250 gets 2006 this bike was completely recommissioned by Vancouver Vespa Metro last year , completely redone fuel system,new tires new battery body work looks like new, it has fuel injection so it starts a runs beautifully. This scooter is fast and highway speed capable.Needs nothing I have gone in a different direction


2) https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/764463729851445/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post

2007 Vespa gts
CA$3,500
Listed 5 days ago in Surrey, BC
About this vehicle
Driven 1,600 km
Automatic transmission
Exterior color: Silver · Interior color:
2 owners
Seller's description
2007 Vespa GTS 250 ie
Sweet ride! Fun and economical commuter. Excellent condition. Cover, charger, locks, helmet included.
$3500 OBO Moving, must sell


3) https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1623550011647953/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post

2010 Vespa gts
CA$4,500
Listed 9 weeks ago in Vancouver, BC
About this vehicle
Driven 17,000 km
Automatic transmission
Exterior color: White · Interior color:
Seller's description
Vespa super gts300ie - 300cc - 17000km - $4500

white with leather seat and handles.

*Special custom seat - $1225

Don't buy a Vespa! Don't buy a scooter!

I'd go for the 2010 GTS300 - the 250 is great, *but* has the LCD screen beside the speedo, and this can 'fade to black' without warning. PITA to cure or replace. I had a 250 in the UK - swapped it for a GT200. Apart from the display it's a good bike.

However - that seat on the 300 would be great if your inseam is on the short side, otherwise insist on getting the original seat. Just because it's 'custom' doesn't make it worth any more.

Full disclosure - I have a 2010 GTS300 from new, it's done well over 40,000 miles (64,000km) and it is not just as good, but better than when I first got it. With prompt attention to maintenance these bikes go on seemingly for ever!

Unless you have significant mechanic skills and considerable patience, I would not recommend a 15 to 20 year old scooter.

Don't buy anything with a carburetor I typically always buy NEW...but that's me....

If it's been well maintained, in a relatively rust-free environment, why not, despite being without major mechanical skills. Age doesn't mean redundant! None of those do - so irrelevant.

What is your experience with scooters and motorcycles?
If limited or none, I would go for a used one.
When it is your thing, then you can after some time replace it by a new one.
When it is not your thing you can sell it with little loss. Vespa's keep there value quite well.

I've been riding motorcycles for over 30 years, and have been riding a Piaggio Liberty 150 for two years.

I'm usually able to do most mechanical jobs on my bikes with the help of YouTube or a shop manual. I used to adjust the valves on my CB650. So far, I've only changed the oil on my Liberty. Not looking forward to the belt and roller replacement! I'm just getting lazier as I get older. I can do it, but I won't enjoy it!

So far, I totally love my Liberty. I took it on a 2500 km trip from Vancouver to Calgary. It was WAY underpowered, but I had a blast.

How many miles a year do you plan on putting on it, and how bad does your butt pucker when you write out a check for maintenance? If you have deep pockets, and don't mind opening your check book go for the newest you can find; otherwise, follow Jim's advice and get the 2010. It will do 95% of what a new $11,000 Vespa will do, with much less ongoing maintenance costs, and a hell of a lot cheaper to buy. I myself fancy the last few years of the 300 before ABS. I don't want or need HPE, I have no use for ABS, I do enjoy fuel injection.

I agree, unless you can find some original owner that garaged it and really took care of it with all services and receipts.

You're better off buying a much newer Vespa maybe 5 years old, or only cry once and pay the Canadian $11k for a new Vespa. I cant put a price on piece of mind especially on longer rides etc vs worrying about being stranded somewhere because some older part failed because it was at the end of its use...

New for us

If that is the case and you want to have a Vespa then I would say: go for a new one, and enjoy it for many years.

Truer words were never spoken!

I'll probably put between 1000 and 3000 kms on a year. I normally never pay for maintenance. I have always done bike maintenance myself, but I am considering getting some basic stuff like valves and belt done at a shop. Sadly, I would pucker a little, but it would only need to be done once every few years.

Can you explain why a 2010 would be much less maintenance that a brand new scooter?

A lightly used second hand scooter is good for dipping your toe into scooters and avoids you selling a lightly used second hand scooter that you bought new.

Pull up the maintenance schedules side by side for a 2010 300 and a newer HPE 300. Valve check, belt roller service, and throw in a rear tire every oil change on the HPE. If the ABS unit goes, the part alone is around $500. If I were chosing between the scooters listed above, I'd take a long hard look at the refurbished 250. What kind of warranty does it come with? Any wear part on those is still available. That's probably the most reliable modern Vespa engine ever built. Damn fine scooter. I'm all about output per unit of input. You drop over 10k on something, you better get an insane amount of output from it. Output isn't just top speed for me.

why?

my 2007 GTS just did the cannonball AGAIN this year, I did not baby it in the least. no issues. it finished 3rd in class 25th overall out of 250 starters and was the #1 vespa finisher.

Lots of parts for it available all over the world

The 250's and early 300's don't have all that fancy ABS and electronic key fob and blue tooth funky crap to take a dump or have to have a firkin lap top with diagnostic programming to see what screwing up.
easy to do the valve adjustments and maintenance, Gas and go go go.

Amen Brother!

Thats interesting!
I changed my 300 2012-> 2024 model and here these 12 models are like 2500e and 300 was 9000e (310 is 10 000e)

So, you could have 5 2012 Vespas, Oh 4!! for price of new

My 2012, I drove 33 000km with nothing problem ever, so I call it reliable. But there is some big things which are coming some day: and one is "silent block" If that gone, riding is "riding an ooold one" type of feel.

But that idea to get one just before electric gimmicks is not silly one: ABS came, year 2015 ?
So, low mileage 2014 is target?

Don't be afraid of counting from 0 to 1

I've had my carbureted 2006 GT200 for almost 7 years now, and the only fairly serious issue I've had with it was.....electrical. Not one single problem with the carburetor.

Thats one idea: Buy 4 Vespas, they sure are at least as dependable as one new -and something to talk with neighbours: "See, I just had to have a row"

Having a back up ride really is a good idea and peace of mind.

I'd buy the two GTS 250's in your shoes.

Of course a 250 is still powered by 0s and 1s. Might be best to go with a GT200 with all that carb stuff

That's not so daft as it might first appear - the GT200 is an excellent machine. It's powerful enough to keep up with traffic, fine on the motorway, and you can drive it to its limit - not so easy to do with the 250/300, where the rider's limits are the deciding factor. So great fun, even if it doesn't have quite the exhilarating acceleration of the 300 with Dr P's.

This bit

when replacing the silent block order the bracket that already has it in . much easier than struggling with trying to press the old out and new in.

Those are 3 good options, but that 2007 seems like a real bargain. Don't let the LCD dash-fade issue sway you. I've had an 2009 with 30K mile and a 2007 now with 9K miles with no issues. Both were/are parked in a garage when not being ridden, so that might be a factor in my favor.

The split seat currently on that 2010 might not suit you properly, hopefully they still have the original seat.

In other words, you do have significant mechanical skills. And I suspect you are also pretty strong in the patience department. (we do read your posts )

I recently purchased a second hand GTS250.

I did my homework, and had seriously considerd purchasing a new 310.

But, when I dug into the "modern updates", I did not want them!
Key fobs, and ABS were red flags (remember, these are Italian machines like a FIAT, "Fix it again Tony)

My reading indicated there are no real performance advantages to the newer / larger engines, though that may be subjective.
The body style through the years has remained beyond reproach, though the "horn light" is a real perk on the old ones!
I read that the under seat storage on the 300/310 is a tad wider. I'm not sure that matters. I bought a Bell helmet that fits nicely under seat. ( Funny, I would not consider riding out on my motorcyle without the full face Arai helmet, but a Bell shorty and safety glasses is fine with me on the Vespa)

This older (2006) GTS has a nearly new look, keeping with it's low milage (3600mi) but the hoses and plastic are a bit brittle. The fuel evap canister fitting was hardened and broken. I capped it off at the injection manifold.
I replaced both tires to have fresh rubber, Tire failures are no fun at all!

I think I will appreciate riding the 20 year old "modern Vespa" more than plunking down the $$$ for a new one, as the years roll by. Service intervals and requirements seem to remain equal.

I do have some concern regarding both electrical contacts and engine coolant plumbing components regarding age and deterioration. I have "gone over" every accessible electrical connector and "refreshed" the contacts including a smear of vaseline! Getting under the floor board to acess the voltage regulator is something I dread. I have fitted a USB plug with a volt meter to keep tabs on that component. A worry spot from my reading. Strange, that same "voltage regulator issue" follows my Honda VFR. I have done the repair and replacement there.

All in all, I tend to like the old stuff. I still would like less plastic and more steel, but hey! Plastic does not rust!

Not putting out $9K on a toy also has it's draw. I paid 1/3 of that, and it is "like new". just Old

Like me!

..... but it does become brittle with age. Just be extra careful when removing body pannels with the plastic tabs.

Over here, the Netherlands that is, the older modern Vespa's are priced very high.
A New 310 sells for around €8000.
A 10 to 15 year old 300 for anything between €4000 and €5500.
Sellers even ask €3000 for older (2010 up to 2015) 250's in nice condition.

Around the change from 24 to 25 I sold my heavily used 2006 250 GTS for €1500.
It has dents and scratches all over and just prior of selling it had an electrical hickup causing random complete engine cut outs.

Anyway, long story short: I regret selling the thing.
So after lot's of searching and considering I set my max budget at €5000.
And found a 2022 HPE, sold for €5000. What also is the average asking price for a 2015 300gts.

New they are expensive, and used they are still expensive.
But usually used they come with ridiculously low mileage.

An example: https://www.motomarktvrints.be/nl/tweedehandsmoto/gts-310-super-b22e
It is a 2025 GTS 310, asking price is appr 1500€ below new. The thing did 1100km.

My two 2006 GTS 250's both have the voltage regulator behind the legshield, above and behind the right side radiator. The connector is under floorboard but once the legshield is off, the floorboard is a piece of cake.

stop using vaseline, use dielectric grease, you can get it a tube or a spray. don't forget to to the light bulbs as well.

the water pump: don't try and do one of those rebuild kits for them just order the complete cover with water pump already in it for a couple extra bucks.

the biggest PITA rubber part is the silent block, there again don't try and press out the old block just order the bracket as it comes with a new block installed. still a pita to remove it and replace having to line up the engine mount bolts just right.

the rear shock rubber bushings are easy enough to replace. I went ahead with upgrading the shocks front and rear.

I sent my water pump to Scooterwest for rebuild. About $120 if I remember correctly

Yes, I have studied "robot's" how to video. That appears to be a lot of effort to check the connections.
I do wonder what the actual failure rate of the original voltage regulator is, and what is the cause.

Tales of "burned" electrical connectors does not suggest a bad regulator, but would be reason for that component to fail. Bad connections, especially grounds, can raise havoc. And then the true issue is "fixed"
during the replacement process.

The ABS unit for an HPE is actually $1200 before tariffs, for the part alone. Add dealer labor because you need a dealer-only scan tool to pair the new ABS unit's control board to the scooter's ECU. I just learned all this the hard way. Apparently ABS failures are not rare for the HPEs… mine's a 2020.

Belt and rollers every 6K is also starting to wear me down. The new GTSs are nice, but if I had it to do over I would opt for a clean GTS250 with less electronics.

Same belt and rollers from 2008? So hadly newer ones wear those more.

I agree the grounds are the weak point. you can add an additional ground wire from the battery terminal to the engine or frame. The radish connect under the seat has been known to melt but I agree with the ground statement that could be the culprit , make sure you dielectric grease that connection. piaggion has used that same VR in alot of other models and they don't seem to have issues from my observation.