Modern Vespa

Hi,
I have been contemplating getting a Vespa. I've done a lot of lurking (on the Internet) for information. Haven't visited a showroom, or ever even ridden a two-wheeler of any kind. But I am athletic, and have a good attitude, that I think I will take to riding on two-wheels.

I originally wanted to wait for the two-wheel Hys (hybrid) scooters. However, I do want something now--I don't want to wait for whenever these things actually do show up. So I've focused my attention of the GT200, for their: safety (more safe with a bit more power, bigger wheels, etc.), and the noise factor (I've read that they are a bit quieter than normal).

*Anybody with at GT200, I sure would appreciate a PM from you. I'd love to pick your brain a bit.

Anyway, I'm posting about cost because I wonder why people think paying $5,000+ is such a hard thing to swallow. (Having said that, please don't think I am wealthy. By no means is that the case.) But if you think about the kind of cars people buy, what's the difference between a $30,000 car and a $37,000 car? If you think about getting a Vespa (which by many accounts, takes the place of all your local driving needs), I don't know why people think paying $6,000 for a scooter is so bad?

I guess I'm asking the wrong people, cuz you guys obviously love your rides. But when I read about how apprehensive people are about paying "so much", I kinda wanna know what I'm missing? Maybe I'm too loose with my money.

No. You're not too loose with your money. Most people on here have paid a premium for their rides including their scoots.
I highly recommend Thousand Oaks Vespa if you are anywhere in So. California. At least I have had several great experiences with them in every aspect from sales to service.
Just my fiddy cent

I think it's because you can get a scooter for $1,000 (some crappy mail-order ride, but available nonetheless), and $6k is not that far from a low end new, or real decent used, car.

Regardless, I love my Vespa and I paid the pretty penny. It's my daily rider and the first motor vehicle I ever bought. So I have no complaints.

As for advice, I'd recommend visiting a few showrooms and looking at/sitting on/etc a number of different brands and models, just to give you a sense of perspective.

In addition, take the MSF course. It'll help a lot.

Welcome to your first step toward full blown scooter addiction...

I have a 2007 GT, "Stephanie" and, in short, it is fantastic! Over 5000 miles since the end of January (Sept and Oct dont count as I have not been home) with no probs at all---just maintenance and tires. I chose the GT cause I wanted the carb and analog dash, and I had to have "Daring Plum" which is the fastest color. The Vespa quality and reliability to me are well worth the price over the "no name" brands. Art

I bought a new genuine buddy this summer and a used vespa gt this fall. I bought the buddy because I wanted to find out if I liked scootering before spending lots of money on a vespa, but it was a better quality scooter than really cheap ones and it fit me really well size and powerwise. Plus I could not find a used one this summer. I decided fairly quickly that I did want a bigger scooter and found a used gt which I love. My partner is just starting to ride the buddy ( it will be short lived due to winter). I could not justify to myself the cost of a new vespa for various reasons. But there are many reasons that a new vespa is well worth the cost to many people. There are many reliable brands out there with 200cc+ engines- I did not like the way most of the ones with 200cc looked. I think with vespa you pay a premium for the name, but I really like the looks of vespa over the other brands and genuine (I like the way my little buddy looks too) does not have a 200cc buddy.

If it had anything to do with being athletic, I'd be screwed.

Haha... you know what I mean.

Thanks for all the posts so far, guys and gals.
I do acknowledge that part of my (wanting a Vespa) is because of the classy look. I don't like the idea of put-putting around on a jaloppy. (sorry if you have a jaloppy I just don't think it looks professional to see your teacher sputtering to school on a smoke-coughing ride.) So part of it is appearance.

However, again... going back to my original analogy. People are perfectly willing to pay money when it comes to their cars. My last vehicle was a Toyota Prius (which I had to total, due to an accident ). And I recall people making a fuss about paying the "extra" premium for the hybrid vehicle.

To me, I thought of my Prius like a Mercedes or any other higher-end vehicle. It made a statement in and of itself; but it also performed superbly. Yet people would always point to the premium as a hindering factor.

Same with the Vespa. I mean, spending 35,000 on a car... isn't that practically the same as $30,000 on a car + a $6,000 scooter that you'll use all the time?

Keep the thoughts coming! It's appreciated. (BTW, any winter So Cal riders? I'm interested in if you ride year-round.)

Er, when you say you've never ridden "a two wheeler of any kind", you DO mean a POWERED two-wheeler (PWT)? If you can't ride a bicycle, you can't ride a scooter or a motorcycle either. Maybe an MP3, a powered tricycle (with two wheels in front).



As for paying over $6,000 for a Vespa, the competition isn't just el-cheapo jalopies (as you put it) for $1000, but also more moderately priced modern scooters from Honda or Suzuki or even Piaggio scooters (the same manufacturer as Vespa) that are around $3,000 for a 150cc ride, and under $5000 for a 250cc. (The BV250 is really quite nice, and shares an engine and other components with the Vespa GTS, which costs about $1,000 more.) What the Vespa has though is a metal frame, and gobs more style.

You could also get flak from some quarters for not getting "a real motorcycle" for $6,000, meaning some 500cc cruiser or sportbike standard motorcycle. Whatever. The main reason for riding a scooter (aside from the stylin') is to have a smaller ride for an urban environment, not to eat up highway miles (though some people do that also on a scooter!).

Don't let that fool you though. Riding a scooter is riding a motorcycle. Don't think it's easier or safer to do! Most motorcycle accidents happen at speeds under 40 MPH and in local street riding, involving either a car at an intersection, coming out of a driveway, swerving into your lane or otherwise "not seeing you". This is just as likely, probably more likely when you're on a Vespa as when you're on a big-ass cruiser. You'll hit the road just as hard. Learn to ride safely, take it just as seriously and wear the proper gear!

A slightly more pertinent question is that, if saving gas and riding on two wheels is your goal, why not a 250cc motorcycle like a Honda Rebel or something that will cost $3,500 new and even less used? Now we're back to the style question, and also carrying capacity. Scooters have underseat storage and can easily accomodate large top cases (or milk crates bungeed on...). There's a reason delivery guys in the city usually ride scooters, not motorcycles!

Finally, a modern scooter has a CVT "twist-and-go transmission", no clutch and shifting necessary to operate it. This can be a great boon to the new rider and to the in-city rider for the same reasons as a car with an auto tranny is useful.

I'm in SoCal and ride throughout the year weather permitting. I don't like rain or high wind but other than that this is scooter paradise.

Because that's more than I paid for my Honda which I can use on all roads, in every season?

By all means, if you have $6K to spend on a scooter, go for it. That's just too pricey for some of us.

Happy scooting! (And yes, definitely take the MSF course.)

Thank you robardin & the rest thus far,

robardin--you're really putting me to the test with your questions. Thanks. The scooter (Piaggio) and the motorcycle (Honda) you mention, I just looked at online. After seeing them, I guess more of my desire for a Vespa can be classified as style then.

I thought my reasoning might've been for more practical reasons (i.e. gas, traffic), but when you lay it out like you did--I guess style is much higher than I would've admitted.

(BTW, when I say first two-wheeler--yeah, I do mean motorized two-wheeler.) I guess what I'm getting at is that people (who I'm certain are much more fiscally knowledgeable & wise) talk about the high price tag, but if you have a Vespa and a Toyota Corolla--isn't that better than just a Toyota Camry? (In other words, isn't it kinda about semantics, to piddle over ~$5,000 when most people end up paying that sum on a car who's value is, in some sense, arbitrary? (feel like I'm getting too philisophical here )

If you can't ride a bicycle, you really don't want to try to ride an MP3. You will fall right over.

If you can afford it, go for it. You can always shop savvy and buy used. I don't see much wrong with picking Vespa brand over something else for primarily aesthetic reasons - we all cite build quality and so-on but there is more to it than that for most people, and it often includes style and legacy. The fact that it could still be running 20-30 years down the road is just one of the many perks of a Vespa

It is true, don't discount other options, including other scoot brands or names (Piaggio or Aprilia will save a thousand bucks while giving you the same great Piaggio engine). And don't discount non-piaggio powered scoots either. But if you can afford a Vespa, really want a Vespa, and just want some justification for the cost... that'll have to come from within, Skywalker There are plenty of good reasons to own one, and like I said, if 6K makes you sick but you really want one then don't buy a new one! I've seen used LX150s and GTs go for good prices well well below $6,000 as the fall has set in. If you save enough buying used you just might be able to afford a project P200 or something along the way!

I bought a used '07 GT200 a few weeks ago. I was debating between the lower cost options, the 150, and the 200. A good deal on the 200 was what cemented my decision; the seller was moving up to a motorcycle and the 200 had <500 miles. It was sort of fortunate that his wife had a 150 so I could sit on both back to back. The 200 feels far more substantial and while the aircooled engine of the 150 was attractive, the increased umph won out.

Comparing a Vespa to a lower cost scoot is like comparing a HD to a Honda. You pay for things like the metal body and the single sided, aircraft style front suspension. Whether those things are important to you is a personal decision. I personally hate the design of the modern cars, with the cheap, crappy plastic bumpers and molding. An old BMW 2002 or Porsche 356 is timeless and lasts; their new counterparts last 10 years and are designed to be tossed out and replaced.

Some of that same mentality is carried over on the Vespa (although not completely). In ten years, it will still be worth having, I doubt whether that is true of the Zuma's or Vino's.

Really? I honestly thought that was one of the selling points of the MP3 -- "greater stability", i.e., you can't tip it over while it's parked, which also means you can't drop it while sitting astride it no matter what. Sure you can fall OFF the trike, but to get it to end up on its side you'd have to hit a curb sideways, or actually FLIP it over.

It tips sideways as easily as any two-wheeled machine. The tilting mechanism can only be locked when near or at a standstill.

It isn't a fixed axle at the front...

As I understand it, you can still highside or lowside it and you can also dump it at low speeds (or stopped without having the upright locked).

The MP3 isn't a trike. Trikes don't lean, making them perfect for people who want to ride but some medical issue might prevent them from doing so.

MP3s are potentially safer because there are make a larger visual profile to vehicles that are in front of you, have three disc brakes and three tires making contact with the road, and (potentially) the ability to stay upright during a front tire blowout.

I would encourage you to buy a lightly used quality scooter (not necessarily Vespa) for a first go around. I mean, how do you know you'll enjoy it? Riding isn't driving, there's some inherent risk involved; that message was brought home when a SUV passed me, in my lane, to beat a red light. Scared the bejesus outta me.

You're likely to find many used scooters with 3,000 miles or less on the market.

It's not uncommon to drop a scooter in the early days of riding. Low speed handling can be tricky when you're a new rider, and drops while parking aren't unheard of.
Modern plastic scoots are less expensive to buy, and are generally less expensive to repair if you have an oops, because plastic panels are replaced, unlike metal bodied Vespas which need body work.
Finally, if you find scooting isn't for you, reselling is less traumatic.
After a few months riding you'll have a much better idea if you want to buy your Vespa. Have fun!

Regards
Harvey

I guess I agree with Harvey. Try to find yourself a used Buddy. Then in a few months when you're ready to upgrade, you can.

Also? NEVER, EVER let anyone else ride your scooter. Everyone will think it's cool and it is...until they smash into something with it.

It never fails to amaze me the number of people who want to ride it, that can't. No license, no training, no common sense. I'd never dream of asking someone to ride their scooter. (This advice goes for non-scooter riders, especially.) The scooter is more powerful than people guess and it will get away from you easily.

#1 reason I've been told it's bad: "You could buy a motorcycle for that price!"

Justifying the cost of a Vespa vs any number of less expensive models comes down to this...you can find a dependable scooter for less money and get from Point A to Point B just fine. Are you looking for basic transportation or are you more interested in the RIDE and everything that involves? The comfort, the handling, how you look, how you feel about it. These are intangibles that only you can decide if they are valuable enough or not. But picture this..if you settle for less, are you going to feel those pangs of envy every time you see a Vespa? If that is your heart's desire then spend the extra money and get it. I also suggest watching Craigs List...it appears to me that a lot of people purchase Vespa's and then find out after they get it that they are not cut out for scootering and then sell them with very few miles...you can save some serious money by buying a lightly used one.

Also please heed the advice that the these are just as real as motorcycles and to take them seriously. AND TAKE THE MSF! Your life depends upon it!

Good luck!

My wife and I just bought our first scooter- an '09 Vespa LX 150. I may be a bit different though, in that it wasn't the idea of riding a scooter that attracted me first (I'd already ridden and owned motorcycles), but rather the Vespa itself that caught my eye. I've always enjoyed classic, well designed European 2 wheeled transportation, so the additional cost of a Vespa didn't concern me, as other modern scooters weren't really something I wanted to own.

On the more practical side, the metal body and better ergonomics for taller riders are good reasons to own a Vespa over other brands.

If you're gonna buy a scooter, it better be a Vespa- that's what I say!

I agree with Harvey about buying used. My scooter (my first) is a 2005 Bet & Win 250 that I bought with 1,600 miles on it. Now, granted, it's been in the shop for the past two weeks waiting for a replacement fuel pump, but it certainly did cost less than new (I talked the previous owner down to $2,500). I figure I'll cut my teeth on this for a while and then get an Aprilia Scarabeo 500 or a Piaggio BV250 or BV500.

And I also want to echo OfftheMap's suggestion of taking the MSF course. I highly recommend it.

I believe they discontinued the GT200 so if you want one new you better jump on one. I think Vespa Austin only has a couple left. After that there are no more new ones so if that is the bike you want and a GTS250 will not do you'll have to make up your mind pretty quickly.

Thank you for all the comments all... I will look into used, and now having said that... I saw one on craigslist. I'd like your opinions on (I sound like I want your approvals, like some loser--I just don't know about the scooter game, and this community seems to have the best at heart).

Here is a link:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/mcy/897148154.html

Of interest to me is the scratch (if that's a big deal, or comes with the territory with a scooter), and the price in relation to the # of miles he's put on.

Thanks all. This is helpful!

I think it's priced a wee bit high.

The seller says "retails new for $5900", which is not entirely accurate. First, it may have when he bought it, but these days you can get a new 250 for $5900 and in the first few months of '09 you'll be able to get a 300 for $6200.

The mileage.... it's kinda high but not off the charts or worrisome. Same with the scratches. Most everyone has a nic or two (here in NYC some folks have huge dents too...). I'd say both are a personal preference, are you ok with those miles?

I'd say no more than $4k (but I might start $1k less then asking and negotiate a bit). But that's just me.

Nice scoot. It seems a little pricey to me. I got my 06 GT used on craigslist for only $4400 with only 1k miles on it. I don't know what the market is doing right now though. I know when gas prices were up so were scooter prices... but gas is down...? Who knows. The GT is a great scooter and I totally recomend buying one. They are, indeed, no longer being made so getting one wil lbe harder and harder. Do not settle for less than Vespa. It will kill you every time you see one on the road if you are stuck riding a buddy or Honda... just my 2 cents.

I had the $ war too when I was looking and it came down to this: I can't afford a nice car but I can afford a nice scooter! If you want something nice that people will stop and talk to you over, get a Vespa. For styling, comfort and quality you can't do better. Cheers.

Yes. Especially if the request is prefaced by "Oooh, that's so cute (or, so neat)! Can I try it?", as if it were a cowboy hat instead of a motor vehicle weighing more than they do that can reach 50+ MPH.

A: you get what you pay for
We've owned four scooters. 1979 Vespa P200e, 2007 Genuine Buddy, 2006 Genuine Blur, 2008 Vespa GT200L. Price ranged from $1500-$5000 and in all four cases, we've gotten exactly what we paid for.

B: if you can ride a bike, you can ride a motorbike, but take it slow. Take the MSF and practice lots in parking lots before you venture out in traffic. Wear the gear and take the right parts of it seriously and it's a real joy.