Modern Vespa

no problems with my mp3 250. love it and keep it serviced and odds are you will love yours too.

lemons seem to be few and far between with piaggio but they are possible, as with any manufacturer.

In before the lock. I've been dying to say that. You are going to lock it...right? I've had my GTS for over a year, have 10,000 miles on it and couldn't be more satisfied. Sorry you got a lemon.

Mine has been very reliable. Maintain it properly and you should be fine. You can probably do most of the basic maintenance yourself. Except for a couple of flat tires, both due to punctures, (can't blame that on the scooter) I've never been left stranded in 6 years.

I'm the poster child for screwing things up , and I've managed to keep my scooter on the road pretty much on my own.

Still, like any vehicle, things can happen...I ride all year round and from time to time I see two wheel vehicles that aren't Vespas broken down on the side with their riders sullenly calling for help, too. Ain't nothin' perfect.

I also haven't had any problem with parts for basic maintenance either. European Motorcycles of Pittsburgh (North Hills) stocks brake pads, filters, tires, etc. for my scooter (ET4) and repairs what I can't or won't do myself. What they haven't had, they have been able to get quickly. I also tend to order wear parts online before I need them. I keep my own stock. This can help reduce downtime.

There have been a few "teething" issues from time to time, but most people here are aware of them and can help you through them.

Just ask. 8)

My GTS has been totally reliable. That includes communing daily Mid-March to Dec (whenever it's above freezing), a few long trips and one 15 hour ride. My dealer stocks no parts, aside from oil filters, and my scooter hasn't missed a day's ride yet. I can order parts through my dealership (and wait until they come in) or order online. I do the maintenance myself.

We've also had two 'identical' 50cc Honda scooters. The first one was as reliable as you'd expect a Honda to be, the second, a two year old one still at the dealership, hasn't. It needs a good fuel system clean out. When we took it to a local dealer, they returned it as running fine and not in need of repair (BS). A second dealer cleaned the carb ($120), but it's still running poorly. I'll have to dig into it myself. Of course, I don't have the workshop manuals for it (almost all the Vespa manuals can be found online).

Good luck with you choice!

Harvey

2005 et4
6500 miles
Ridden hard and put up wet all the time.
Never serviced by dealer.
Changed the spark plug one time (didn't need it)
Changed oil every 1500 miles mobile 1 (over kill)
Replaced the rear tire one time at 3500 miles.
I am a porfessional mechanic and would by a second vespa in a minute.
Vespa will be my next bike but it is giving me no signs of needing replacement.
Every machine has there problems there not just doing oil changes and tire rotations at the Benz dealer.
If vespa scooter are not number one in reliability then who is!
Chris

dbarker. My first Vespa was a 2006 LX150. Nada, not one single problem. I wanted to trade it for a larger Vespa, but my wife took the 150 and I bought a 2007 GTS 250. Again, not one single issue. Eventually we traded the 150 for a 2008 GTS 250 for her. Her scooter has been back to the dealer 3 times for 3 separate issues, but nothing major, i.e. air in the brake line, the radiator hose leak, (bad clamp) and something else, but it too was very minor. I can only echo what others have said about their dealerships. I'm very pleased with mine even though it is 75 miles away. I could have bought a Honda or Suzuki locally, but I wanted a Vespa, so the drive is well worth it, plus it gives me and wife a reason every once in a while for a road trip. Good Luck in your decision, but if I had it to do all over again, yep, it would be a Vespa.

Nope, I'm not going to lock it, especially now that you posted that.

Thanks folks!!! Your info has been very informative. Sounds like for the most part Vespas are very good. Many years ago I owned a Fiat X/19 sports car( Manufactured in Italy). The car was fun to drive and looked good. However parts availability and reliability were a problem. That's has been a fear of mine about Vespa(Manufactured in Italy).
The Vespa model I'm interested in is the LX150. The dealer I'd be purchasing it would be European Motorcycles of Pittsburgh. I saw one post
from someone who dealt with them. Has anyone else had any experience with them?
I'm a long time motorcycle rider. The carefree nature and practicality of a scooter appeals to me. I plan to sell my Harley and purchase a scooter soon.

My Fiat Spyder died at 13,000 miles, never to ride again (in my possession). The guy who bought it from me, towed it away.