Modern Vespa

Hi everyone! I'm about to purchase a scooter with the money I'm getting from selling my car. I have about $4,000 to spend, and would love some advice, as I'm trying to make up my mind. (I haven't been able to test ride anything yet, fyi; i'm posting because i can't stop thinking about scooters!!)

So I'm considering either the Vespa LX50 or the Stella, which is 150cc. I'm going to be riding to work, never above 35, on residential roads. I'd love to not have to get a motorcycle license, which is why I'm considering the LX50, but also have been reading that a lot of people recommend going for the faster scooters right off the bat.

I'm leaning towards the LX50 just because I'm a bit of a name-brand kinda girl and love the look of a real vespa, and am also 6ft tall and assume they're a bit bigger. I just need to hear what you all think about cruising on a 50cc....or any other advice you have for a scooter newbie! I have been perusing this forum a lot and it's been really helpful. Thanks in advance!

I think there's very FEW people on this forum that would tell you to buy the LX50 ... they're sort of a waste of money for the displacement.

I would advise you to buy the stella, personally. I think you'll find it to be way more fun than the LX50. Regardless of the fact you only PLAN on doing 35mph commutes ... you're going to want the extra speed at some point, and you're going to be left wanting with the LX50.

my 2 cents ...from someone who gets bored if they aren't shifting.

-Eric

Lx50 is a four stoke and lacks power in a 50cc.
If I wanted a 50cc I would go with a Genuine product as
they are all two stroke in that displacement.

Yes, or if you want the Vespa name consider a used ET2 (another 2-stroke). Piaggio Typhoons are also recent 2-strokes with a LOT of pep, but not as much leg room as the Vespa, so you might want to sacrifice some speed for both the name and the size and go with the ET

Love mine

You'd save some of your 4k in the process too!

I would definitely go for a used vespa. You could find a nice used ET4 on craigslist for under 4k. It's 150cc, automatic, and a solid scoot.

With a 50cc you will be happy for a few weeks... with a 150cc you will be happy forever, or until you want a 200+. Don't know much about the Stella, but with 4,00 dollars why not shop for LX150 new or used or a used ET4? Both are Great scooters and can be found in your price range... shop classifieds, Craigslist and E-bay for used, I have bought 2 ET4's from Craigslist and both have been low mileage scooters in perfect condition... be patient and the deals are out there. I had a 50 cc... for a few months.

I got my 2005 ET4 (1700 miles) from Craigslist for $3100...with a matching Vespa helmet and top carrier. It even came with it's own scrapes and dings so I didn't have to cause the first ones (they are pretty small and don't show much).

There's a safety factor to consider. You want to be able to accelerate out of congested traffic or get out of the way of an aggressive or out-to-lunch driver. You want to be able to meet or exceed the speed limit going up hills so drivers aren't taking chances trying to pass you. You want to be able to carry the occasional passenger without things getting pear-shaped. A 150 is simply safer than a 50.

When I was considering an LX150, the dealer sized up my 6-foot, 215-pound frame and tactfully suggested he could sell me a left-over 2006 GT 200 for about the same price as a 2008 LX150. I took him up on it and I'm glad I did.

In Honolulu, there just aren't that many alternate routes and, although I try to avoid the freeway, sometimes it's the only way to get where I'm going when I need to be there. If I'd settled for an LX50, that wouldn't be an option -- you can't legally ride a 50 on the freeway. Yes, you need to get an MC license, buy some insurance and get the bike registered, but it's worth it.

Don't know if the happiness will last a few days or weeks, but I agree with ScooterBeagle - you will regret getting the 50cc. There are many adventures out there for you to explore; you will like the flexibility the more powerful scoot provides

+1 on more power.

I bought my GT200 used, thinking the fastest I would go was a 45 mph stretch of road near home. Before you could say Granturismo I was taking highway trips at 55 mph and then had it on the freeway at (ahem) 70 indicated.

If I do much more freeway riding I'll want to upgrade to the new 300, but the GT200 is a really nice scooter. My husband is 6'4" and has borrowed it a time or two, and he just sits farther back on the seat. I'm 5'10" and it's great for me. It would be a good size for you too.

Long story short...go take the MSF class and get your motorcycle license, then get any of the great scooters folks here have recommended. (I vote for the GT200!)

Best of luck!

I just bought a LX150 and it is awesome. Perfect amount
of speed and thrust, as well as perfect style and classic
look. I love it. Save a few more bucks and upgrade.

I bought the 50 2 years ago without doing any research first. Listen to everybody else's suggestions and 1) Take the MSF course and get your license and 2) Buy something with more power, i.e. 150 or more.

I rode past a guy on a Yamaha 50 (one of those new, square looking ones) the other day. He caught up to me at the light and complained that his scooter was too slow. He was wishing it were faster and said it topped out at 40 mph. Later in the day, I passed him on Coast Highway and he was riding in the BIKE LANE. You don't want to be that guy. Get the 150.

I would avoid the LX50, and go with a 150. The extra jump in power is just enough but not excessive. You might try looking for a used ET4. My wife and I both have them, and we commute through the city with ease and enough power to get out of some sticky situations. If you buy the 50, I have a feeling you will be wanting a "little more."

Sure, I'll offer some advice. Avoid 50cc scoots. They are underpowered for riding in traffic and it will cost you substantially more to upgrade later than to just go with a 125/150 scoot now. Also, why do you think it is desireable to avoid licensing, safety training, and insurance. Take a good safety course, get licensed, take this seriously - ride safe, have fun.

Never use the term 'scooterer' again.
Ever.

stella.

i don't want to say the lx50 is worthless, but...

Skip the LX50, look at a Stella like Eric mentioned or look at a LX150 or even better the Buddy 150. Its better to have the speed to get out of the way, than to ride a scooter that doesnt go much faster than a Moped.

Good Luck
Manny

used ET4 all the way. light and nimble in the city and can cruise happily at 60mph all day long.

You may want to look into the S 150. Pretty much the same scoot as the LX `50 for a couple of hundred bucks cheaper. And PLEASE DO NOT BUY a 50cc scoot. I tested the LX 50 before I bought my s 150 and it is night and day. The 50 was worthless.


Apologies to any 50 drivers, I mean worthless for my needs.

If you want the style and capability, then save up for the LX150.

If you want the style leaning a bit more to the modern, consider the used ET.

If you want some of the style (or a different classic style) and capability, go with Stella.

If it's just a matter of a few hundred extra, or even a grand, you would be happy you went with the LX150 if at all possible.

Good luck

Just for the record - and I am not attempting an argument here - why assume 50 cc riders fail to take the road or their ride "seriously?" I myself advised against an LX50, and certainly it seems the majority here wouldn't ride my ET2 either, but what is to say any person seeking a 50cc is trying to find a cop-out for a "real" motorscooter?

Again, I really don't want to hijack the thread or start a debate, but I feel if any potential buyer has been duly warned of the possibility they will want a larger scoot in the future, they should feel free and informed in whatever they choose after.

Remember that not all roads are "speed limit 50," and half the safety in riding comes from one's own awareness of the environment. There is nothing to stop a 50cc rider from taking a safety course.

So new rider be warned that you might want more zip than an LX50 can deliver (I myself did!), and you may want more zip than my ET2 or a Typhoon can deliver. But maybe you won't. Given the majority here, perhaps it is more likely you will...

In my case I am a starving graduate student who already pays insurance on a number of things, and parking is VERY difficult in Boston, so a motorcycle is not in my books any time soon, and I think anyone else who might be in a similar situation should be comfortable with it

No offense taken - that was my point just above, that not everyone has those needs. Downtown Boston traffic can't keep up with ME at 45, so I'm a very happy Vespa rider.