Modern Vespa

Hi all,

I have always been interested in two wheeled transport and a recent trip to Italy and Paris have made me fall in love was with the Vespa range. I am strong considering purchasing a Vespa S 125 as my first scooter. I like the styling and I feel the 125cc will give me enough pull to get me out of any hairy situations.

What I was hoping for was an honest pro's vs cons with regards to this. It would be for fun and not to replace my car as a transport option. I'm obviously concerned about safety too..

Your thoughts would be much appreciated

claude

Do it. But the Vespa LX has an immobiliser and is cheaper than the S in the UK. It is the better buy. Probably cheaper to insure too due to the built in security.

The S is sooo much prettier than the LX though. Depending on the area you live in it might not affect your premiums (premia surely? ) a massive amount, the difference in security equipment. If you're buying it as a toy you might not even care.

Engine-wise, a 125 is capable of going anywhere. Can get a bit hairy on 70mph roads but still does the job. Not necessarily 70mph but close enough that you'd have to overtake some folk. I get some crazy crick in the neck if I do it for any length of time though: makes a fair difference how much rider you can tuck behind the wind-facing silhouette of the scoot to your top speed.

Mine's a [now] tatty old bastard and not particularly well maintained (being honest) but I'd pretty much trust it to take me anywhere in Scotland and since I'd be willing to go that far that same range covers half of England too, although it can get pretty boring sitting at max speed for extended periods.

As I said though, if you're fancying it as a toy you'll never look back if you do it.

I'd go for an LX rather than the S. The instruments on the S are not as accurate as most of the others... If you do some real searching you can find yourself a real bargain in the current climate. Was speaking to a my local dealer Scooter Power in Hampstead and times are slow for all dealers

Ack! I don't get the spirited argument about S vs. LX. If you see a good deal on an S, get it. If you can't secure your scooter where you park it, get an LX/GTS for the immobilizer or plan on locking it through the wheels. If you want square mirrors and lights, get the S. Etc.

At any rate, on the 125 power, I think that's a good way to start. I started with a 50 and I grew out of it too quickly - had I been patient and waited for my motorcycle endorsement to get a S150/LX150, I would probably still be riding it.

Thanks for the input;

I much prefer the styling of the S and given I'm buying it as a toy i feel vanity will win over.

What sort of gear should i purchase? is there a particularly good helmet gloves etc i should look at.

I am concerned about safety and as a med student I've seen first hand what these things can do to their drivers due to other reckless road users. Essentially i want to protect my brain..

Many thanks

Claude

The best safety device to start with is a motorcycle safety course. Learn, Learn, Learn.

Odd news that the S is MORE expensive in the UK, it is $200 CHEAPER in the US than the LX.

I hated the way the S looked when I first saw it, but now it is my favorite looking Vespa.

I have gotten the impression that some form of training is mandatory in the UK. Would one of our UK friends please correct me if I am wrong.

Upon a little searching, found this, which says training is compulsory.

Al

Hi Al. It is mandatory. You need a Provisional Motorcycle licence then completion of CompulsoryBasicTraining which gives you a certificate valid for two years, allowing the holder to ride a m/c (manual or auto) up to 125cc and 15bhp.

Believe or not, I got my full motorcycle endorsement back in the 60's by proving I had owned and registered my Vespa VNB 125 (or any other PTW) for at least two or three years (can't remember which) and held a valid driver license during that same period. The state had just instituted the requirement for scooter riders to have an endorsement, but there was a "grandfather clause". If you could prove ownership of a non-endorsement required PTW for the required period of time, they simply gave you an unrestricted motorcycle endorsement. No test of any sort.

Times have truly changed.

Al

here is what i love about the S, the fact is does not have the immobilizer or the code means that it can't break those parts and that avoids a real pain. but i live somewhere where scooters are not stolen so that was a plus for me, one great thing is that the et4 the lx and the S all have the same motor, so parts are readily available. the lx and the S are almost the same bike, just a few small cosmetic differences, and i have also heard that the S has a stiffer suspension. But also just throwing it out there, if you ever want more power just buy the 150cc vespa top end (cylinder and housing) because the s125 and s150 are exsatally the same with just a deference in the piston and cuff. so this won't affect durability if installed correctly. but i would buy the one that you like the best, i love the S looks so i bought it. but if you like the more relaxed LX look get that one. they really are about the same xcoot.

The OP is in the UK - no chance of riding anything more than a 125cc until he passes his test. Which is NOT a trivial, cheap or quick exercise in the UK.

Very true indeed jim, took me awhile to pass the new test ..wish id brought a 250cc gts now to be honest. But like you say the 125cc is all a newbie can ride, .. So claude think very hard.....would you want more power sooner than later......as i think you can get the larger cc, then de-restrict it or something ?......good luck whichever you get.mart

I have to say, a light 125 is just fine for anyone before their test - and a 250/300 more than enough for a while after. Then a 400 perhaps, then whatever after two years.

For those who actually want to ride, rather than just have a commuting tool, the progressive regime works very well, and a darn sight cheaper than doing DAS (Direct Access).