Modern Vespa

So, the FLY150 and the LX150 seem about the same except that the LX150 is Vespa and it has a steel chassis. Are there any other differences that I should be watching out for?

I am a first time scooter buyer.

Also, the dealer is quoting $1000 over the MSRP on the Piaggio/Vespa websites as the out the door price. Is that too much?

Thanks!
sahgol

Not sure where you are located, but I would be shopping around a little if someone was quoting me $1000 over list.

Where are you located? On a Pacific Island? Lip of an active volcano?

$1000 seems high even if it includes setup, tax and title. If it doesn't include those items, it is way too high. Again, location may influence that price.

I am in Austin, TX and they are the only authorized dealer here. What is the normal addon to the MSRP at other locations?

That is too much in my opinion - shop around

Get a Vespa - It is stronger and holds its value better

Look for a used one. It's a buyer's market. Even though you cant tell that (yet) when you walk into a Vespa Dealership.

Herb Chambers (local dealership) quoted me way above MSRP for a FLY 150 (something like $3700 and then tack on a few hundred for all the fees)
They wanted 3200 for a used Fly 150.

I'm all into supporting dealerships, but they have to be reasonable.

Instead I got mine on CL for $2500 with about 1000 miles (topcase, and delivery to my house was included (about a two hour drive in her pickup)

I'm sure you can get something even for even less money now.
One guy on MV got his Fly 150 for $1000

Just my 2 cents,
Dani

And i would suggest getting the FLY over the LX.

I've never ridden the LX, but the Fly is an awesome (same) machine for less money.

But I do have a soft spot for the all metal bodies 8)

Having now ridden and worked on the original all metal scoot (P200E) and the modern Vespa "all metal" scoot (ET2, GT200, LX150) I think I would be tempted by the Piaggio. I find that the older all metal, really all metal is pretty easy to work on, and its really all metal, no plastic in the body to speak of. The newer Vespas are monocoque metal frame, but there is a lot of plastic there and you have to remove plastic panels to get to anything. And for some reason everything is arranged in such a way that it is hard to access even when the panels are off.

Just my tuppence.

LX = Class

Fly = Just another wana be.

Go for the gold and don,t be afraid to pay for it. Thats why we have

monthly payments.

Paul

If you say so.... Same Machine.

Got nothing to do with class, its all about taste..... and coughing up extra borrowed (in the case above) dough.


There are plenty of worthwhile things to borrow money for...... (see https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic11717?highlight=sex+vespa )

Class? Heh. Well maybe the scooter has some but some of the advocates leave a little to be desired. Shallow much?

The choice is easy: Sit on them.

Buy the one that feels better.

I sat on the S150, the LX150, the Fly 150 ... and 6 or 7 other models from other makers.

The Fly Fit.

Buy what fits you. Ya gotta ride the damn thing, you know.

My vote is the Vespa (and I don't even own one) if you are sure you want a 150cc scoot. The reason is resale value. Most people move up after owning a 150cc scoot for a year or more. If you were looking in the 250cc category - my opinion would be different. But based on a 150 - you have to consider resale and the Vespa's hold their value way better than the Fly's.

Have you considered looking for something used that's a little bigger? I found a beautiful Aprilia Scarabeo 250 with 136 miles in showroom condition (it better be with that few miles) for about half the price of a new Vespa 150. This way you don't have to worry about resale and moving up.

I was a bit wacky when I went shopping. I went out and bought a Piaggio BV500 as my first scoot. They let me try out a few scoots in the parking lot at Scooter Centrale. I tried a Vespa LX150, a Buddy 150, a Kymco People (either 150 or 200 - I forget), tried to get on a BV250 but it was too tall for me, and then the BV500. In the parking lot, I could tell that anything less than 200cc's probably wouldn't be good for me long term and I prefered the larger wheels of the Kymco and BV's to the small wheels of the Buddy and Vespa (because of the road conditions here in New England). So I bought the BV500.

Boy did I have buyers remorse at first! I thought I bit off more than I could chew with the cc's and overall size of the scooter once DH drove it home. Sure - it was fun in the parking lot and it didn't feel that much bigger than the Vespa when I was riding it - it just felt more solid and stable. (I didn't put it on the centerstand - the sales person did - and if I had tried that would have scared me away from buying it)

Having the BV500 sitting in the garage next to DH's Harley and looking almost as big really scared me. (Plus I couldn't get the darned thing up on the center stand to save my life!) That's why I bought the Scarabeo - I figured I would get a used 250cc, learn how to put it on a centerstand and not worry as much if I dropped it. But suprisingly I wanted on the 500 within about 1 week and have been riding it ever since (DH took the Scarabeo). And the center stand is a breeze once you know what to do. Don't get me wrong - I still love the Scarabeo - but it's nice to have the power to go 90 and get out of someone's way on the highway if I need to (The Scarabeo will only do about 65). And now the BV500 doesn't feel like a big scooter when I'm riding it - it feels like a nimble fun machine. But I know I would regret a 150cc if that's what I had purchased - because my requirement was to be able to get on the highway to get to work - and the Vespa 150cc sure wouldn't work for that around here (I'm not sure if it's even legal on the highway in CT - they have weird rules about cc's and tire sizes)

I strongly recommend test riding a few different ones in a parking lot (or more) if they'll let you. And don't be afraid by buying something a little larger than a 150cc if your requriements are that you might get on a freeway or highway. You may just find that you are glad you did once you've owned it for a few weeks.

I have a Fly 150 and really enjoy it. Price was a factor in my purchase as was it being new. I do not regret buying the Fly. Runs, rides and handles great.

Well I would agree with Dani 100%

check Craig's List.

there are some new middle displacement models coming from Vespa, and I personally would want to wait to see what they were like. I got a bit confused as to whether it was a 125 or a 150 (or both), but the important thing is the tech in the GTS series is coming down to the little guys--4 valve heads, fuel injection, etc.

When you said OTD (Out the Door) price it may include the following:
- Sales Tax (CA 9.75% on $5,000 is almost $500 - thx Arnold)
- Dealer Prep ($100-$370) - definitely shop around from dealer to dealer
- Documentation fee ($100)

So if it's $1000 over the MSRP I think it's reasonable but I encourage you to look around.

As for the Fly versus LX - if price is not that much of an factor - I would go with the Vespa for two reasons:
- prestige/looks
- resale value (in case you need to sell it)

The Fly also has larger wheels.
Really though, the difference is that one is a Vespa and the other isn't. If the Vespa name makes your heart beat faster then any other scooter will leave you disappointed.

Personally the name doesn't mean that much to me so I got a Fly and love it. Based on riding with friends with LX's it seems significantly faster too 8)

I would suggest a used ET4

too bad you are not near Philly, one of the local dealers has a few 2009 fly 150s that they are selling for $2699 with no prep charges

Say what you wish about the fly, that is a NICE ride for less than $3000 out the door.

http://www.importcarsofwestchester.com/

I have no affiliation at all with these guys - but it seems like a really good price.

I own an '08 Fly 150 and love it. Great ride! The thing I like about it versus a Vespa (other than the price difference), is that you see a lot more Vespas on the road than you do Flys. It's nice to ride something a little different. I delight in educating people that the Vespa is a model, not a company, and Piaggio actually makes the Fly, too.

As other posters here have said, ride both and then make up your mind.

Good luck and let us know!

-- LauraQ

I purchased 2 new Vespas at the height on the "boom" last year and paid about list price out the door - even with the very high demand at the time. I heard a lot of "we are selling as many as we can get" and I just asked the owner how much he wanted to sell me the 2 scooters - and he came up with a price that we were both OK with.

These days you should be able to do that for sure. Or better. There is not much selling these days, a lot of the "boom" scooters are on the used market, and there is a lot of inventory around.

Check out the Athens scooter company in Ohio for a reference - they are currently showing the LX 150 for $3739. Even with tax and prep you would probably end up below list.

http://www.athensscooterco.com/pre_owned_list.asp

Call around and ask for a deal - you will probably get one.

Maybe its changed since 2007, when I had a Fly. But then it was very hard to get parts. Waited months for parts for a broken speedometer that came with the scoot and several weeks for them to get shocks for it.

I also feel safer (now with Vespa GTS) having a metal body between me and any impact in an accident. Had one with the Fly (minimum impact) that shattered the plastic body and then bent the internal frame resulting in a totaled scoot.

The two main advantages of the Fly is price and larger wheels then the LX.

+1 on the ET, be different and possibly save some good money doing it.

Regarding Fly150 and LX150 - same engine as has been said. Definite difference in the frame construction and appearance, but should perform similarly. Fly might be a little faster and more stable with the lighter body and larger tires.

If I wasn't hung up on getting a "vespa," yeah, I'd probably go with the fly. More bang for your buck.

But flys sell for so little right now... I heard the going rate for a used fly150 is like 1400. That's less than my ET2 (50cc) cost used.

If you want a more solid frame or better resale, get the vespa. Or pull a REALLY smooth financial transaction and get a used fly. Damn fine steal in that price range.

Tim you haven't ridden with me on my LX 150 yet though. 8)

Parts issues are Piaggio USA related and not because you had a Fly.

With respect to the metal body, I doubt there is any advantage to it in a crash, it was never designed for crashes, it would just crumple up.

I agree check around. I had my shipped to hawaii from california and still saved a chunk of change. I have a LT (like a fly) and a LX. Personally i like the handling of the LX much better. Try out both of them and see what YOU like. Good luck and happy hunting

Benny's right, check out what happens to an LX in an accident:
https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic48586?highlight=lx150

There is a chance, barring frame damage, you can replace the plastic body panels on a Fly. For what it is worth. Coming from a Vespa rider and fan.

Vespa is put together better. Little things like the glove box and storage compartment fit & work better. The seat is also better on the Vespa.

If cost is an issue, the Fly is a great way to get on a scooter.

I bought a Fly for my wife to ride because I wasn't sure she was going to ride it a lot. It's a good scooter, but not as nice as the Vespa's.

Performance will be about the same on both bikes.

Looking at a used LX150 on craigs list. Thanks for all your advice.

Both scooters have pluses and minuses.
I paid 3400 out the door for my FLY last year in July.
Fly $1000 cheaper
Tubular metal body, Plastic outer body panels(but easy to be replaced)
only options are flyscreen, topcase and alarm.
Same engine and rear suspention.
LX better seat
all metal body
Better front end suspention?
Holds value longer( but starts out higher)
top case, flyscreen and more crome bars and guards can be installed.
LX seems to have more postings on MV(more general info, not a bad thing)

The vespa, because its a vespa, and because this is Modern Vespa.
I'm sure you'll get a different opinion on the Fly site, and another opinion on the sym site!

Price is right...

Sales tax in Tx are 6.25%.
With a dealer freight and prep at $500, out the door is about $1,000 more than M.S.R.P.
Oh and before people think they can haggle on the price of the Fly.... you should know that the FLY has a mark up of... less then $200....

Vespas have better resale value but the decision should be based on how you feel on the bike. How does the bike fit you? Take your time & sit on a few. Also, I agree with the others that you can get a good deal buying used.

laura

Thanks for your story, my current plans are to buy a 250ish scoot for excursions
and a smaller 125ish scoot for around town. I plan to buy them both used and to negotiate hard since I am a lowly wage earner. I am single on the other hand and only have cats to feed.