Modern Vespa

So I found a pretty sweet deal on a 2007 GTS 250 from a guy out in Maryland. I was in the market for an LX150 and didn't really need the power of a 250, but its a great deal and I'm thinking about jumping on it.

The reviews I've read are all positive, but they do mention that its a bigger scooter and that it's less maneuverable than the 150. I'm concerned, because DC driving can be hectic, and occasionally you need to move quickly to avoid some dipshit commuter from VA or MD that has decided to treat a pedestrian filled Connecticut Avenue like its the beltway.

I'll be driving in the burbs occasionally, but this scooter will be driven in the city probably 95% of the time. So should I go for it? Or wait for a deal on something a bit smaller?

Thanks!

personally id go for it. i have an lx 150 and although it is great i now wish id bought something with more power.

Thanks, niadvance.

What about the city driving aspect though? Is most of your riding in the city, burbs, or country?

Grab it...
Everyday I try to control the urge not to trade mine in on a larger one..

Go for it. I just bought a GTV from Vespa DC and my first ride will be from Georgetown to Fairfax. If you are a safe driver, have taken the MSF and pay attention, you should be fine in DC. Better than Fairfax where the unwritten speed limit is 80 on surface streets.

My wife and I both ride GTS250's and I live in the capitol of Illinois, city driving and handling is no problem for the GTS and in fact I prefer the extra power if I need it.

Thank you all for the advice...you've answered my question about the city driving issue. Also hearing how you LX150 owners want to trade up to GTS250s has convinced me a bit too.

SanGimignano - Is that your last name? My mother's side of the family are all Sangiminos. Distant relative perhaps? Congrats on your new purchase, and be careful on your ride back to Fairfax. Maybe stay off of 50 and I-66 for your first ride?

San Gimignano is the town in Italy my wife and I were married in two years ago. She is Italian (by heritage) I am Irish (by heritage, but isn't everyone nowadays?).

I am planning a very circuitious route from Vespa DC to Fairfax, probably out to Chain Bridge to Tysons then Vale Rd out to Fairfax.

Then I'll spend the rest of the weekend on Clifton Road getting used to the twisties!

Is the bike you are looking at the burgundy one I saw on craigslist?

I drive from the Valley to Culver City in LA everyday on my GTS and could even use more power. I only take surface streets and find myself needing the power of the gts. You never know when you need to get out of a tight spot. go for it!

And DC drivers are what exactly? Most DC drivers I see over here should have their licenses taken away and not be allowed within 50 feet of a set of car keys on pain of death.

No one on this board though, I'm sure.

<ahem>

As far as your question, get what fits. The LX150 is fine up to 40-50 mph. even with hills and wind. IMHO if you don't intend to leave the city (or leave it much), you don't need the bigger scoot and it becomes an issue of whether the extra power and fi are worth the extra dollars. Speaking of fi, if you intend to ride year round (or close to it) that also might be worth some money as it starts more reliably in the cold then a carburetor.

On the other hand, if the GT is too big it is too big and nothing will fix that. Do you feel comfortable when you sit on it off kickstand? If not that could be a big issue that won't go away. If you do fit at a stop you can learn to ride it without too much trouble so don't worry.

[quote="BoomieMCT"] I do not know what you are trying to say..
The sign says Welcome to Washington D.C., Don't litter and keep the streets clear..
I just do what the signs says...

If a big black bike with an airhorn toots at you - that's just me saying 'hi'. I ride back there all the time as it is an easy close-by stress reliever.

i live in a small town and got my scoot for back and forth to work. im on call alot at a hospital and some weekends i might get called in 20 times. eats up a lot of gas. anyways i love my lx 150, i just wish i had gotten one with more displacement so i could go out on the hiways. my only regret.

I'll keep an eye out for you, Boomie!

I'll be on a Siena Ivory GTV with a big grin on my face.

[
On the other hand, if the GT is too big it is too big and nothing will fix that. Do you feel comfortable when you sit on it off kickstand? If not that could be a big issue that won't go away. If you do fit at a stop you can learn to ride it without too much trouble so don't worry.[/quote]


Seat height can be fixed. He can send the seat to Pirate Upholstery and they can lower it.

Also speaking of riding in the Clifton area, be VERY CAREFUL come September. That is when the rut is and that area is jam-packed with hormone dazed whitetail. The Clifton area gets more deer strikes then Great Falls. Hitting one on a scooter would ruin your day.

Ihad a choice btwn both of them, and ended up with the LX150 as the city scoot. It's small size kinda won me over. The GTS is nice, but man that's a big scoot.

Oh great, and my scoot has a white tail.

I sure hope my bike doesn't get molested on the way in.

I will keep it in mind and perhaps take Braddock in during September.

Thanks for the head's up.

Yes, Watch the deer in Clifton in the coming months. I haven't seen many lately except after dark. I live in Clifton and ride either my ET4 or Harley from town almost every day. We just got back from Amerivespa in Chattanooga and had a great time riding up the mountains and in the city. My ET4 (150cc) was great!

DC has PLENTY of native dips too!

Back on topic, the GTS handles well in the city. The GT200 handles less well at low speed and would have been a poor choice for the city.

Keep in mind - it's a big scooter. Really big. It actually has a longer wheelbase and is wider overall than my last motorcycle. It isn't going to be easy to sneak parking spaces or throw one of these on the sidewalk for a bit.

That's the GTS I want! I gotta move on this one!

Does anyone actually even drive in DC anyway? In my experience there I mostly just wait in traffic.

go get it Ratstar !!! quick LOL

IMHO, a GT/GTS is the perfect scooter for city riding. I speak as one who learned to ride on an ET4, and immediately switched to GT200 for riding in New York City (Manhattan and Queens), which is certainly a similar situation as you find yourself considering.

It's still very maneuverable. And, more importantly, having the larger wheels (12" to 10") means you handle potholes, cracks, lumps and whatnot much more comfortably and safely.

You also don't mention how big you are physically. Since you're concerned about "too big" I'm going to assume you're a small framed person yourself, but I'm pretty tall (6'2") and the ET4 was definitely too small for me; I was hitting my knees on my elbows. At any rate, don't be afraid of a larger wheel/displacement ride because you're a new rider; you'll get used to that in just a couple of days. The real skills you need to develop, those of street and traffic awareness, will not come any quicker on a smaller scooter. If you can sit on the GTS and reach the ground with your feet (preferably flat-footed but at least the balls of your feet), you'll be OK.

After two years I moved up to a BV500, which I can tell you is somewhat less able to flick around, but it only makes a difference maybe once a month when filtering through gridlock at low speeds: I end up having to sit in traffic for one red light cycle more than I would have on the GT. That's it. (When actually riding at speed, the larger wheels add stability and traction, rather than reduce maneuverability.)

My friend, the whole point (IMHO) of riding a scooter in the city is that traffic becomes something that mostly Happens To Other People.

Perhaps you aren't familiar with the brilliant traffic device the traffic circle? D.C. is chock full o' em.

So sorry Ratstar, I snagged it. I waited until the seller was holding it for me before I posted here anyway...I assumed there were some other DC residents in the market perusing the forums. Good luck with your search though!

Thank you everyone for the great advice. I test drove it before purchasing it and made sure that it didn't feel too large to control or clumsy- those were my biggest concerns. They proved to be unfounded though...the scooter is PERFECT! I love it and am so happy I went for it.

Having said that, I could see how it would be too big of a scoot for a smaller rider...I'm 5'10", 165 lbs for the record. My girlfriend is 5'0" 110lbs, and felt like it was a bit too large for her when she sat on it. Guess she will just be my passenger until she picks up one for herself.

Is that a turtleshell paintjob or just the way the picture came out?

Its just the vintage red factory paintjob that they were doing in '07. Just snapped a pic in better light.


What does 'turtleshell' mean for my future reference though?

Maybe I was thinking of tortoise shell. You know, that kind of veiny cracklly pattern. Perhaps I should have asked if that was solid red or if it had a subtle pattern in it.

Gotcha....like the pick guard on an acoustic guitar, right?

That would be a pretty sweet color for a scooter!

Yeah. The first picture you posted looked like it had that pattern. Maybe it's just my monitor. . .

Word of advice.....
Do not use that cute little loop under the frame to lock your scoot...
( Too easily cut )
Either around the frame or through the rims...
Install an alarm when you get a chance also...

Can you recommend a good one that's not too pricey?

Don't know if it is any good but I'll be taking an alarm out of a friend's BMW soon. Don't have much use for it once its out. I'll also check on what brand it is.

That first picture on my monitor makes your GTS look like a sort of a brown/burnt orange color which would be a sweet if Vespa would paint them that color.

FTR-your scoot is beautiful. i love the color combo.

Except if you're using a standard steel chain, then it really doesn't matter, bcs that's a fairly soft steel as well.

Personally, I use the hoop to lock the disc lock to. But I have the wheel chained to the hoop via an Onguard Mastiff 5019LP which is like a new york noose-style chain. Very secure. Alternatively, I take the Mastiff and hoop it around an immovable object, and use the disc lock around one of the spokes of my wheel, but I'm not sure if you could do that on a 250. Still...a very flexible arrangement.

Alarms

Check this out.
Kevin likes this one and is a DC resident..
Looking for something like that on mine also...
I checked with company..
Between $125-$250, depends on options.