Modern Vespa

I thought I would ask for some advice from my friends here as you have all steered me in positive directions.

I Have a 1978 p125x kitted to 177cc. Live downtown where the speed limit is never over 35 mph.

My questions is, would it be wise choice to trade my scooter for a vintage vespa 50cc scooter? I am considering this mainly for my girlfriend. I like the idea of a small frame for her. Am I just being ridiculous? I can always kit the 50cc for speed. I would prefer to just purchase a 2nd scoot, but with a house purchase on the way, that is not possible.

Help me friends!

Respect!

Unless the 125 is giving you problems...
Keep it !!!!
Get her used to the power..
You and her will never regret it...

Are you giving her the scoot? Or just thinking of a way she can ride it when you aren't?

If you still want to ride the Vespa, you probably won't be too thrilled when it is your turn I would think. Very noble of you anyway if that is the case. I've never driven a vintage 50 cc, but I had a '77 Puch Moped, and my ET2 is MILES ahead in performance... I can't even believe it is the same size engine.

If you still want the Vespa to be your own, would it make more sense for her to get her license?

post deleted by Salima

Yes you are being crazy. Don't lose cc's for a girlfriend. If it is going to be an issue in your relationship, trade the girlfriend, not the scooter.

Most, if not all our riding is around 30 to 40. That is why I am torn. There is nothing wrong with the 125, minus a few cosmetic issues, but I cold care less about that.

A 50cc would be easier for her, as it is smaller, lighter, as she is not all that tall 5'1. But I am content on a vintage and not a new specimen. In a year or two I could always buy another scooter for myself.

I rarely see small frames or 50's for sale anyways, so maybe I am thinking too far into this.

I'm totally showing her this! Jk.

I'm 5'3 and drive a 150cc.... She'll get used to the heavier frame just fine.. She may have to stand or lean to the side at stop lights (I lean), but she'll work it out.

I can't imagine your 125 being bigger than my GT200 and my little wife gets around just fine on that even though she was a little unsure when we first got it. If she rides it more and builds up her confidence then she should be able to handle it. Unless she is leprechaun-sized, and then you have a whole host of other problems on your hands...

I have friends with a vintage Vespa 50cc. They rarely ride it and when they do, they are on two scooters so that the bigger on can block for the little one that is very slow.

I didn't think it'd make a big difference, but when my gf was just getting into it, it made a big difference for her to be on the 50cc first. Depending, I suppose, on how adepts she is on two wheels in the first place, it can make a big difference. The big difference was in choosing one that was not only less powerful, but physically easier to manage--shorter, thinner, lighter. Her inseam is a reeeeeal tiny 25 inches, so the difference is huge.

Paige, that was what I was concerned mostly about. Good point. By no means is the p125x a speed demon, but that extra cc's is beneficial. I agree with the advice here. Keep the 125. Thank you.

Also valid. Wasp, what does she ride now?

If she wants to learn to ride, a Honda Metro, Yamaha Vino or the like will give her confidence and control. She can ride for a few months then sell it for the same/ more than she paid for it. (Like a lease!)

I think it's partly the cute factor. 50cc's are cuter so she says. Plus, a 50cc is cheaper than a ring!

+1 on the scooter instead of a ring!

I think faster is cuter than "cute".

Hilarious!

The vespa 50 special is REDICULOUSLY slow.... like ...slow in an unsafe kinda way. Yes...you can always kit it up ...but there's more to it than throwing on a new top end / carb / exhaust ...you gotta change out gears too....so in teh end you're looking at the cost of a primavera engine or something.

The P series is the largest feeling of all the vintage bikes ... and i can understand your wanting to get the smallframe because ultimately the floorboards are less wide, so your girlfriend has to 'straddle' less and can put her legs almost straight down for them to reach the floor.

Anyways ...if you're going to trade a P125 for a smallframe, trade it for a primavera ...NOT a 50 special. The only good thing about a 50 special is it gets .... . ready? ( this is according to Vespa specification docs ) 135 MPG. It does that by having a tiny 16mm carb and a restrictive exhaust...and limits your revving so you have to drive it like an old lady.

-Eric

She's got the Vino125, and I've got the LX150. She started out on a used rebel 250, and scared the crap out of herself. She moved to the vino50, and really started developing a sense of confidence--finally discovered what counter-steer meant when she convinced herself to trust the lean. I suppose the twist-n-go nature of it helped her focus too. On the Vino, things were just less intimidating, which allowed her to enjoy it more, which meant more saddle time, and that's a big part of it. After about 6 months, she moved on to the Vino125. There was no way she'd have gotten on the rebel as often, simply bcs it was kind of a scary challenge for her all the time...what's the fun in that? The LX is still a bit too tall for her comfort. I was glad to have gone the small scooter direction myself, simply bcs she really enjoyed being in the saddle much more. I had grown up on bicycles, throwing myself down mountain biking trails, so I was totally out of touch with her circumstance. When you're short, and not too experienced on two wheels...I guess every little inch counts.

*bites tongue*

I would totally consider a primavera. Anyone have one lying around

There was one on Scoot.net 2 days ago for $600 ..and it was original paint. It probably sold in about 13 seconds. Still, might be worth seeing if the seller still has it.

http://scoot.net/classifieds/forsale.html?id=13156

Keep your bike. She can learn to ride it...or not. If not, the she can buy her own....or not. Either way, you get to keep a bike you enjoy and if she wants to get into riding she can do it without any pressure.