Modern Vespa

Hi there,

I'm selling my car and looking into buying a Vespa as a cheaper (and by the looks of it very fun) way to get around. Only thing is I know nothing about them and the first time I sat on one was in the local dealership last week.

Just wanted to know a couple of things to get me started really, the first being ease of learning. Is it easy to pick up having had no experience?

The second is insurance. I'm 23, female and have had a full car drivers license for 5 years with no convictions and 1 year no claims bonus. I'm looking at buying a Vespa: LX 125. Can anyone give me a rough idea on how much insurance will be?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated on running costs and anything else relevant!

Thanks in advance

Holly

xxx

Aloha and welcome o the forum. I live in the USA and things are WAY different on this side of the pond. However i will say that most people can learn to ride and i think you guys have instructors to teach you or maybe one of the cool GB gang has a beater scooter and could help you out. I do know you have to take a course and get a great big L plate/sticker for a while Your going to love riding a scooter. Very practical for where you live. Sorry i can't be of more assistance but if you add England to your topic title you'll get the right advice from the people who live there. Good luck

Hi Holly

Welcome. If you've had absolutely no experience riding a powered two wheeler before, you might want to arrange for some sort of lessons, or at least a test ride, at one of the motorcycle training places near you. Some are listed here:

http://www.begin-motorcycling.co.uk/c_herts.htm

If you decide two wheels is for you, you'll need to do the CBT anyway, which the same place can arrange using one of their scoots.

The LX is easy to ride, particularly in town traffic. On longer higher speed runs many experienced riders would suggest the heavier GT style body, although you'd still be restricted to 125 until you passed the full motorcycle test.

As you're selling the car I guess you'd be commuting to work ? What kind of distances, and roads ?

Insurance is difficult to guesstimate as it depends on many factors.

Try here for an online quote for you, based on the LX:

http://www.footmanjames.co.uk/classic_modern_bike.aspx

On average, actual running costs in fuel terms should be much less than a car, road tax too, but don't forget to factor in the initial costs of a helmet and protective clothing.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

BTW. Picking up a brand new scoot from the dealer is one of life's thrills. But consider buying second hand. Someone else has paid the deprecation and if it gets a scrape, you may not feel as bad

Hey,

Thank you to both for replies

I looked on Footman James but sadly you have to be over 25, had a quick look on gocompare.com and it was quite expensive but haven't done the CBT yet so hoping that'll go down when I do.

Also had a look the Begin Biking website as well which looks great and I'm definitely considering getting some lessons!

Thank you

xx