Modern Vespa

on a 2006 GT200. Some of you may recall my various questions as I've moved closer to buying this scooter. I'm ready to do it, but the last question is about . . . whatelse . . . money. Not the big question. I've already decided that, for me, it's worth the basic money. But I'm down to what to make of the various "add ons" that at several dealers lead to essentially the same result--about $6000 OTD (roughly based on the list price plus $300 destination, $200 inspection or prep, $50 processing, and the $200 state sales tax). Of course, there's nothing to say about the sales tax, and I realize there's some variation likely based on different geographic markets, but does anyone have anything to say about the add-ons generally that might help me? Thanks.

Edit 11/13/05: Please see my later post.

What you need and what others need will depend on your circumstances. These are some of the things that I have found have been helpful (some necessary):

- Helmet(s)
- Good lock and chain
- Scooter cover (I keep it outside on my patio)
- Rain wear
- Riding gloves
- Battery tender (charger - has been quite useful on some very cold winter mornings)

I'm sure others will have some good suggestions, too. Congrats on your pending purchase. You are going to love it.

Kevin

I got mine with a mid-sized windscreen and a top box.

The top box because my briefcase won't fit under the seat and the windscreen because I planned to ride in almost all weather conditions (and it looked great on my scooter in the showroom).

As for personal gear - Right from the start I made sure I had a full face helmet, good motorcycle gloves, heavy denim pants, a heavy leather jacket and decent boots. I have since purchased a proper leather "biker" jacket with soft armour and a removable Thinsulate lining.

That's all sound advise. You should be good to go with the sundries now. If you haven't done so yet, you should seriously consider getting professional riding instruction. Please consider taking the MSF basic rider course. Stay safe.

If by add ons, you mean things like a top storage case, fender guards, windshield, etc....

My GT 200 has no extra add ons. My previous ET4 had a storage case which I miss having. I use my scooter for just about everything and having the storage case allowed me to haul more things around. The storage area under the seat will not hold a full face helmet (which I highly recommend for anyone). So a top storage box would solve that if you want a place to store and lock your helmet. This is one add on I would recommend. In my case, I would have to have it custom painted to match my bike.

Some people like the windshields. With a full face helmet, I have not found the need for one.

And all the riding gear mentioned so far, I pretty much have and I would recommend all of it.

Your in for a lot of fun!

I bought my scooter first then slowley started getting all the "stuff". I did buy my fullface helmet with the scoot. Hindsight being 20/20 The stuff should be bought with scoot.
Definition Of stuff: gloves, jackets (cold weather and hot, both with armor), riding pants (overpant or other), good sunglasses.
My list keeps growing as I realize what I need of course. I have added a face cover, gauntlet gloves, and getting ready to order a riding pant with liner. All for cold weather.
Good luck enjoy the ride, stay safe, have fun, Beale.

Oops. I don't think I asked my question clearly. Sorry.

First let me say, I really appreciate all your advice on gear or "stuff." It's really helpful. And yes, I have taken the MSF course, twice in fact. Everytime I see the course mentioned in this forum I think that maybe there ought to be a sticky on advice for "new scooterists" that would have taking the MSF as item number one.

But what I really meant to ask was whether the numbers ($$) I was being quoted (for the "add-ons" to list price I mentioned, prep etc.) seemed right, at least close enough not to get hung up about. Any thoughts about this?

(And while I'm at it, I can't say enough good things about this forum. Even though it's been going for only a short time, I've been helped greatly by it in moving toward my decision and really like the tone of the discussion. Thanks to all.)

One problem with scoots is that many of us are stuck buying them from dealers who sell motorcycles first and scooters on the side. So they try to sell them on motorcycle terms. no fun

On a $14,000 BMW or a $16,000 Ducati, an imaginary $300 destination charge and bogus $200 "prep" fee is not a deal breaker. It's like adding 3% to the price. But on a Vespa LX it's a rip-off to add $500 in fees, a 15% premium, on top of a $3100 price. Yikes!

We bought a couple of Yamaha Vinos in 2002 and the dealer (when we finally found one that would talk to us) tried to tack on $650 in BS fees onto bikes that cost $1700. Again, this would have been more realistic on a $10,000 purchase, but I told him he was full of hoo-hoo if he thought we were going to pay a 50% premium over MSRP when there are three other Yamaha dealers in town, especially considering we were buying two units at one time. In the end we got a $100 discount off MSRP on each and paid $200 setup charge on each.

I think my Vespa/Ducati dealer in Denver charges about $500 in "delivery and handling" and "document fee" charges on each unit, last time I checked. When I pointed out how high that is, I got them to knock $100 off the purchase price. OTD after everything, including sales tax, was $5564

I think if the dealer you are talking to is the only one around, you are stuck with the fees they charge. Doesn't seem like a negotiable item from most accounts.

As a reference, the Honda dealer where we bought my wife's Metropolitan added nothing but tax and a $50 document fee, and had the MSRP discounted by $50,despite the fact that he was selling everything he could get in. My LX150 from VespaCleveland was MSRP plus only $295 prep and freight, plus the $50 document fee and taxes. So, by comparison, I felt like I got pretty good deals on both scoots.

Rosieandnat,

I would definitely recommend negotiating accessories in the deal. Dealers may not have a lot of room on the price of the scoot, particularly now with the increased popularity lately. I purchased my 2005 GT200 msrp of $5000 back in May for $6800 out the door. Whoa!! $1800 more?!?! You might think thats is a lot, but let me break it down for you. First of all, tax is 8.25% on the bike and accessories so thats $500 right there. I think I got overcharged on the helmets a bit (a vespa open face, and an icon full face both for $500 total) but you add the icon gloves, and the goggles which were thrown in, then it's a little better. Then the shipping for $200 and the crating/inspection/prep for $300. Then you have the 3 year warranty for $320, the vespa gt cover (the good one) for $145, the topcase for $350. Don't forget the DMV documentaion fees for $45 and the State plate and registration fees for $85 (I wonder if $130 for all that DMV plate/registration/processing whatever is fair?) I don't know, but I am happy with the deal. I got a check for $68 back (1% credit card cash back) and I have a fixed rate of 2.9% on the card until I pay it off so ther you have it. Damn I'm rambling on....sorry.
Hope this helps,
FireLeo
2005 GT200