Modern Vespa

First off, thanks for providing this great forum. The community here has provided me with a ton of information as I'm looking forward to buying my first scooter.

Now I've looked around, read a lot of opinions, and I'm getting close to purchasing a scooter finally. It has to be a vespa (the girlfriend insists on a cute scooter - no matter the price difference), but I'm debating a brand new LX150 or a used GTS250.

I have no experience with scooters, so I'm really debating whether buying new (and with warranty) is a better idea - or getting a nicer scooter that could have a few issues with it. From what I read here, everyone recommends getting more power than you want (i.e. the GTS250) because you'll end up wanting to upgrade anyway. But, for a first time scooterist who could probably use the peace of mind that comes with a newly warrantied machine, would the advice be the same?

I suppose a follow-up question with regards to my situation is: What steps should I take if I do find a good deal on a used GTS? I assume I'd need to take it into a dealer to get it all checked out and make sure it has a clean title - but are there any other things experienced Vespa riders would recommend I do before buying a used machine?

Thanks for any advice. And again, thanks for making this forum a vibrant place & a great source of information for newly interested people like me!

Get a 200 or a 250cc. From my experience, after riding a 150cc for a year (similar to an LX) I just had to upgrade since I commuted 60 miles round trip for work about 3 years ago. A used one is fine so long as it's been maintained. Vespas that have been down with minor damage will keep on ticking. I know a few who currently own dropped, downed, or crashed Vespas and they still run like new. But if you want a piece of mind, getting a new one with extended warranty is not a bad idea since you're new and all...it'll just cost ya. The GT (especially the GTS) has enough umph to get you out of hairy situations. They're heavier than the LX. It's best for you to test ride a few to get a feel of what's right for you.

I think it depends on your personality and needs. Are you comfortable with handling a scooter? How far will you ride, in what weather conditions, on what kinds of roads, etc.

When you are at the dealer, try putting a 150 and then a 250 on the centerstand. Imagine parking it on level or hilly areas.

We bought a LXV150 because that was the one that my wife was the most comfortable with. If it was going to be my daily rider, I would have preferred a 250ie...and now that my wife loves hers, I know that there will be one in my future!

Thanks for the advice. I do think test riding will help me the most with my decision. I'll be paying a visit to Vespa Brooklyn soon - unless anyone has any other specific recommendation for a dealer in NYC.

One other quick question : While I live in a busy city (Brooklyn. NY), I may want to take weekend trips a little further afield. (Long Island, CT, etc) Can the LX150 get me there fairly comfortably?

My opinion - if you go with the GT/GTS/GTV choice and weight isn't too much of a concern - after a few times of putting it on the center stand it will be easy peasy for you. The 1st time putting it on the stand for me was a tad different but after a few more times of doing it, smooth as buttah. Good luck with your decision!

Depends on your level of comfort...
I ride a LX on the interstate but I am a little bit mentally unbalanced.

City riding LX is great, speeds or distance go for the larger scoot...

Do you think the LX handles better than the GTS in the city then? Is that the general opinion?

If so, I suppose that's where I'll be 90% of the time anyway and maybe the LX is the better fit - though I'll test ride both myself for feel I suppose.

One of the reasons I went with the LX instead of a GT or GTS. Part of me wanted the bigger bike for doing more touring/distance riding, but primarily I was going to be riding through the city daily, and the smaller more nimble body of the LX seemed like a better fit in that respect. And its still no problem to do touring with it, just gotta consider a couple more things when planning routes, but no big deal. I wouldn't say that it handles better, necessarily, but I felt that the smaller size of the LX gives me a little more flexibility. Not sure how much of a difference that would make in the big scheme of things.

Some say that the larger Vespa weigh a little more and are harder to handle...
Some people say that a stick is harder to drive in the city also..
All depends on what you are willing to become used to.
LX will slide into/around anyplace I want it to.
I wish I would have held out for the extra weight and torque of the larger Vespa.
I never once thought I would cruise the interstate in this..

my first scooter was an 8-year-old ET4 with 14,000 miles on it. no warranty, and no worries - but i did buy her from a mechanic who was tried and trusted by a couple of my biker mates. buying a used machine from a reputable dealership is a viable option, but if it's your first scooter i'd hesitate to buy from an individual unless you've got the option of getting it checked out thoroughly by a mechanic that you trust.

i bought my second scooter sight unseen, off ebay, but by then i knew enough to spot any serious issues when i went to pick the scooter up. there were a few minor problems that needed sorting out but she's now my daily rider.

i ride the ET4s on A-roads and motorways (the equivalent of your freeways) and have never had any trouble, but by the sound of it, lane discipline is a bit better over here. a heavier scooter will definitely give you a smoother more stable ride at speed - the ET4 (which weighs about the same as the LX) starts to get a bit squirrely around 60mph.

Well thanks again for all the advice!

I'll have to test ride and really just consider what I can afford then, regarding the GTS vs LX decision. And I'll have to get to know a scooter mechanic in New York then so I have someone to check out the used option! The craigslist postings sometimes look like such good deals... but I wouldn't want to spend good money on an awful scooter from Vietnam, not knowing what to look for myself.

Actually, if anyone sees this - any dealers or mechanics recommended by Modern Vespa forum-goers in New York?

I'm thrilled with my LX purchase. It was a terrific starter bike for me. Still, if the scooter was just for me and not to be shared with my 5'1" wife, I would have gone with GTS. She just didn't fit the GTS well so we had to go small and I don't have any regrets. I do occasionally take the LXV onto highways with 65 mph speed limit for 10-15 mile stretches and generally feel comfortable with it, but I know the added performance of the 250cc engine would be great to have in those situations.

If you're doing mostly 2-up then you should go with the larger scooter. It'll also be a better choice for out of the city rides. If it's mainly just you riding in the city then the 150 will be plenty. Test ride them both!