Modern Vespa

looking into buying new either am LX 150 or FLY 150.
what are the differences between them?
the price difference is $1500...but i can't figure out why.
is this mostly a difference of looks (the LX seems more styly)?
or is there a significant difference in quality, too?
they seem to go the same speed, have the same specs...
thanks, lesley

just read the many posts on this theme...think i have my answers, as filled with differences of opinion as they are. thanks!

I'm sure that you read that the 2007 Flys will be built in China as well then and that is another reason that the price will be lower on that vintage of Fly. 2006 Fly were built in Italy, if you can get your hands on one you will get one at a good discount at this point in time.

The biggest difference is the accessories.

The LX150 has tons of accessories that you can get for it,
While the Fly 150 is pretty limited.

The wheels on the Fly are bigger 12" front and rear, The LX150 has 10" rear and 11" front.



Dave

I say buy a low mileage ET4/LX used and save a bundle for accessories

The LX and Fly are both good bikes, but you should definitely shop around outside Piaggio before making a choice.

There are a lot of other 150s out there that are worth looking at, in a wide range of prices. If nothing else, at least look at Kymco and Genuine, their quality rivals Piaggio's, they generally get better gas mileage, and they're pretty reasonably priced.

I have a Blur 150 and my friend has a Fly 150 and I'd say they're very comparable in price and quality. The new Blur 200 will be cheaper than an LX150 and will probably be a good bit faster AND get better gas mileage. The Buddy 125 is as fast or faster than most 150s, and cheaper. All the Kymcos are great bikes too.

LX: steel

Fly: plastic

Both have their advantages; it's up to you to decide if that's worth $1500.

Walking is cheeper than a Vespa also...
Yea I would purchase a Vespa or Piaggio or just walk.

Hi Lesley,
The Fly: Sexy Style, less money, same company, the bad: not alot of aftermarket stuff.

The LX Standard Vespa Style. Good supply of aftermarket stuff.

I dislike alot of Scooters that are not from Italy. Yea I guess I am a snob. But your in San Francisco so just for fun take a look at SF Scooter Center and look at a Buddy Scooter. I think I will get one for my Daughter. I think the Buddy is about as low as I would go.

Other factors are what size you are. If you never skip a meal then maybe you might consider a Vespa GT200.

Maybe their is someone on here that could say they purchased the perfect scooter the first time. But I would consider your first Scooter purchase just a taste of whats to come.

I like both the Fly and the LX either way both are a great choice for a first scooter. When and if you want a bigger scooter save that first scooter as a backup.

Welcome to Modern VESPA

thanks for the advice! very helpful.
how does a bigger/wider tire affect the stability or ride?

This is the only time that it is so true.. Bigger is Better.

Tires last a little longer. Bigger tires dont get stuck in pot holes as much.
Its a better ride...

Fine, be a snob about Vespa, they have the history and all and if you wanna pay $1500 for a good backstory and a bit more metal, fine. I've been riding vintage Vespas for 12 years and love them to death and all...

But if you're gonna make it a style argument, the Fly is about the blandest scooter made, and I honestly don't think the quality is any better than most of Taiwanese and Japanese scooters. Kymco has a couple big-wheeled scooters in that displacement/price range I'd rather ride than a Fly. And it's a shame we don't get the Honda SH150.

As far as I'm concerned, if you want vintage, get a vintage bike, and if a brand image is more important than fuel economy or price then go with a Vespa, but if you want a quality modern-styled bike at a reasonable price, Piaggio has a lot of competition.

We've got an ET4 and a Fly in the family and I have to say that the Fly's larger wheels make for a more stable and sporty ride. I love my Fly. It may not be metal, it may not be a Vespa, but it is everything I wanted out of my first scooter and I personally like the way it looks and plan to keep it for a long time.

It all comes down to what you want out of your scooter. I commute on mine and liked the way the larger tires felt and the fact that the large top case is easily removeable with a turn of the key (although you could get a Givi for the LX). The price difference between the Fly and the LX was too large for me to ignore. I also kind of like that there aren't so many available accessories or else I would be broke

I would second the advice to look around at Kymco and Genuine as well. They offer a great line scooters and may have just what you're looking for. I had a great time visiting all the different scooter shops before making my decision.

Thirding the advice to look around at the competition before making a decision, if only becuase you'll be a better and more knowledgeable consumer. I have an ET, which I bought at closeout prices once the LX was available. I like it a lot and prefer it to the LX, though when the Blur came out I had my first doubts.

I'm thinking about adding a bike / upgrading to a higher cc, and I'm looking across the board -- the MP3, Aprilia SportCity, new Blur 200 and others are in the running.

Well, this is the Modern Vespa forum...

I bought the Fly because I liked the look and feel of it (I don't think it is "bland"). It has a very nice ride, good acceleration, and a lot of support online (this forum in particular). However, I did think about the Buddy and the Yamaha Vino (didn't know about Kymco yet when I was shopping), but I decided on the Fly, and I'm happy with it. I would still consider the competitors though, it all comes down to what you want.

A big factor for me in choosing the Fly was that the head tech at my Local Vespa Emporium (are you out there Glen?) was riding a Fly at the time and couldn't stop raving about it. He'd been on a GT200 earlier in the year and later switched to an LX150. He still loves that Fly. The big wheels make a big difference, the underseat storage is better for a full face to name two things.

Personally, I love my Fly. I appreciate the Vespas but the guts are the same and the wheels are bigger on the Fly and I'm mostly a commuter so the whole history thing is pretty irrelevent to me on a daily basis.

Illnoise has some great points, and his experiences make him at least worth listening to. If Bryce joins in on this conversation, he would echo the sentiment. Both are wll respected scooter enthusiasts (e-zine and real-zine)

Yes, we are a Modern Vespa forum, but don't dare turn that into a snobbery tool. We have always welcomed anyone interested in participating here.

I have the LX150, but I'd be the first (well, rourth or fifth now) to recommend at least trying out the Fly, Blur, Buddy, and Kymco. The 125 Buddy leaves me behind and gets better fuel mileage. Plus it is cheaper out the door.

On top of that, if you are new to scooting and have any qualms about dropping your scooter, you would get off tons cheaper repairing the plastic panels (over tube frame) of the Fly/Blur/Buddy/Kymco. With its pressed steel frame, even small drops are going to require $ubstantial repair$ (as many here can attest.)

So why do I have the LX? Because it is *the* scooter that *I* wanted. My reasons probably are not the same as anyone else's. Same with everyone else's choice. Try them out, and get what matches your expected needs and wallet.

You are more than welcome here whatever you ride!
Steve

Steve, I'm pretty sure we've talked online before, but I just realized you live in Avon, OH.

If you live in Avon, you surely know Phil, and if you know Phil, I've surely met you, but I can't place you... Is it possible we haven't met in person, or am I just not matching your name to your face?

B.

I in no way meant it as any kind of snobbery. I almost picked a Buddy or Vino over the Fly, if I was a "Vespa/Piaggio Snob" there wouldn't have been a choice. I took his comments as pretty harsh towards Vespa/Piaggio scooters and that the main/only reason to purchase them is for the brand image. My decision for the purchase wasn't based on heritage alone, but of course a good brand does count. I just found it odd that someone asking about the LX150 and Fly150 was basically answered with "don't pick either they aren't worth it, unless you just want the name." I do, and did, encourage looking at the competition, as I did also.

No offense was intended in my comments.

I, personally would pass up anything made in China. The Fly is a terrific scooter but If I were buying today I would go for the GTS. Don't get me wrong but that lands the Buddy as the competition until Taiwan is taken over by the mainland Chinese. It's a shame that they moved the production from Italy to China. As for aftermarket parts, everyone is dead on.

Sorry Andrew, I wasn't specifically pointing at you. Just the tone of a couple posts that were leaning toward snoberism. Maybe I overreacted, and I might have worded my response a little better had I read it again.

I didn't read what you did in Lesley's post about "don't pick either they aren't worth it, unless you just want the name." I saw that he/she was wondering why the LX was $1500 more than the Fly with no apparent difference to him/her other than styling.



Brian, I don't think we've met (other than here and Modern Buddy, and possibly on the BBS.) I'm a relative newbie to scooters. I've been to Phil's shop maybe four times, and have been on some rides with him. I haven't been on any of the POC trips though, nor any away rallys. Only the VCoC Vespa 60th rally we had here, and a few rides Irish Tim put on. I've met a few of the Rovers, as well, and Eric's parents live about 3 miles from me. In fact, the day I got my LX I went riding through their neighborhood not knowing they lived there and that Eric happened to be visiting. Eric steered me to my SS180, and Phil's getting parts for it.

Sorry, I was referring to illnoise's post.

(And I took some offense to the Fly being bland comment of his )

But if you're gonna make it a style argument, the Fly is about the blandest scooter made, and I honestly don't think the quality is any better than most of Taiwanese and Japanese scooters. Kymco has a couple big-wheeled scooters in that displacement/price range I'd rather ride than a Fly. And it's a shame we don't get the Honda SH150.



I guess when I think about the Fly the picture of Sarah with a big smile on her face made me take a little closer look at the Fly. I think its kinda cool scooter but I could be wrong maybe it's just Sarah that's cool.. I will have to think about it more...

I guess I just care more about Piaggio and Vespa. To me it's just disrespectfull to ride anything else.. he heeeee...unless its a Lambretta of course.

signed
The snob that likes Italian Scooters

I guess I'd better jump in here since we have one of each in our household.

Fly - pro's : I've notice it acclerates better and is more stable because of the larger wheels. It handles corners and curves really smooth. The top case is much nicer and better quality than what is out there for the LX150. It idles much smoother than my Lx. Any scoot in Dragon Red will go faster that any other colors
con's: Dh has acutally had two Fly's. The first one he traded in at 75 miles because it kept stalling out all the time, even when you were just cruising along. Last I heard, the dealer still could not figure out what was wrong with it and it had left many of their employees stranded somewhere. Dh had to have the dealer install a manuall fuel shut off on the second fly because it would flood very easily. Choice of colors, only 3 at this time that I know of.

Lx150 pro's: nice classic look and more color choices. Lots of accessories.
I have not had to install a manual fuel shut off on mine and I think I have only flooded it once. It rides a little lower than the Fly which is good for my size (5'5"). The pet carrier acutally comes out and makes for easier access to the engine . I thought it was very easy to change the oil on the 150 but I can't compare it to the Fly because Dh wouldn't let me change the oil on that one.

con's: not many. Top case isn't as nice. The acceleration and idle as mentioned above. Tires are not as sporty.

I also pretty muchagree with all the previous posts,( except for the one about the Fly being "bland")

test ride them both. You can't go wrong with either one, IMO. Really, the only reason I went with the Lx150 is I wanted a classic look and I love Daring Plum.

When I started looking at scooters I saw the Kymcos and Genuines first. I thought they were nice. But when I went to look at the Vespa's I knew that's what I had to have.

Since then I was still shopping around trying to help hubby find a scooter for himself. He didn't have the same attraction to the Vespa that I did. Neither of us were excited about the Fly. The performance may be similar to the LX, but the styling was pretty basic.

He ended up back at the Kymco shop and choose a People S200. It's actually a 163cc and very cool style for the money. It's about the same price as the Fly and a lot sexier. Bigger wheels, digital guages, luggage rack. It's just nice. He got it in Silver.

Heck, I'm a total Vespa gal, but if you're looking for something different check out the Kymcos for sure. My next scooter will be either a Vespa GTS 250 or stick with the Piaggio brand and get a BV250.

good luck!

No one ever seems to mention the difference of the front suspensions..The Fly being a twin telescopic front end and all Vespas using single sided ..old world technology..(I was being very kind here).. Metal versus Plastic??To each his own on that one..I dont see the price difference as justified..

Just the fact that your considering the Fly tells me the Vespa name doesnt have all that much meaning to you.. Shop and test drive a few different makes..If you like the bike, dealer and the price "JUST DO IT"

Russ

What about the feel of the ride on the Fly versus the LX150? I've never ridden a Fly, but I went from a Yamaha Riva 125 to a LX150 and it was a WORLD of difference in how the ride felt. The LX was just so much nicer -- tighter, firmer, quicker response, smoother idling, firmer breaking. The Yamaha felt "mushy" after riding the LX -- big flabby seat, loose suspension, etc. Does the fly maintain that nice Vespa feel?

Just curious.

-Dan

I've test ridden the Fly and noticed that compared to the LX the floorboard on the Fly was a little higher off the ground. It sat pretty nicely, solid feel to it, rode it around for a while, but when I went to put my feet down on the ground it surprised me for a sec. Its something I could have gotten used to. If you have shorter legs it could be a problem trying to touch the ground. It might be a similar frame but as mentioned before the wheels on the Fly are a little bigger. That could be the difference from floorboard to ground.

i test rode both the fly and the LX today and although i am a total newb i instantly recognized the sportier feel of the fly. at least that's what i felt. it leaned nicer and felt a bit more flickable even though i was only in a parking lot. the lot was situated to where there was a tree planter in the end so i was able to make a wierd sort of figure 8 and really practice a tight turn to go around it. it also had a real rough asphalt to it. the lx seemed bumpy on it (could've been the low speeds though). the fly felt a lot smoother. as far as performance the fly does it for me. style? well, the lx wins hands down. though i will say the fly looks so much better in person than in the pics. i think it's a good looking bike. the seat felt more comfortable- a bit meatier. leg room is real nice too. the lx wasn't a bad ride. just not as "sporty". is that the right adjective? this price of the fly cannot be beat though. especially now.

hmm. maybe i should....

Just to add my .02 about the Kymco line. Our first scooter was a People 150. We went with the GTS and a BV 250 for more power because we live in the mountains. We still have the Kymco for around town. I like the looks of it and it's got plenty of pep. (Just not at climbing to 6300ft)

I'm with the others who say to look around at all brands. Personally, I wasn't wowed by the looks of the Fly and the LX would be too close to the Kymco to make a difference climbing the mountains.

Whatever you pick, do it fast because rally season is here and you'll need to practice before you ride with the crowd!

You already know what you want. Just get it and don't second guess yourself. Or you're never going to be satisfied no matter which one you choose.

ok? ok.

The Roadbum

I got a fly and recently I have been trying to decide if I want to get a GTS250ie. I just want more power. But when I was looking at the Vespa 150 and the Fly 150 I chose the Fly because it didn't look like a girls vespa, it had full face helmet storage under the seat, and bigger wheels. NOW, I am more interested in that "vespa look." I realised that scooters in general are kind of a novelty and when buying a novelty you might as well have a good one and not some cheap knock off.