I'm faced with looking at getting a second mode of transportation and was wondering if anyone has ever had a Vespa. I'm thinking of breaking down and looking at buying one. Any stories ?
I've never owned one. If you're buying a new one, however, keep in mind that they are expensive. If I were to get a new scooter, I would look at an Aprilia or perhaps a Yamaha or Honda before I looked at a Vespa. If you like the style of the old Vespas but again you want a new scooter, Genuine Scooters offers a model called the Stella which is in many ways identical to an old Vespa model. Bajaj offers a similar model. Good luck!
Vespa is an Italian brand of motor scooters right. Ya scooters are good on gas, really good. I say scooters are the most inexpensive yet still street legal moterized way to travel. On the other hand, I have a City Rider brand gas scooter which is a smaller more crude version of a motor scooter. I just take it out on the neighborhood every nice sunday I dont use it for transportation because in Conneticut, you cannot legally drive any motorized vehicle ,no matter what size the engine, without a driver's license. The engine on it is about the size of a weed wackers but it can really move. My scooter will go forever on a gallon of gas. I also have a Razorback brand gas scooter that is broken. I dont think you would have as much problems with a moter scooter than a gas scooter simply because they are built better. I have had many problems with my scooters. As I said the Razorback is now broken. I blew the clutch on my City Rider once, the brakes failed, fasteners vibrated loose on both of them, the vented gas cap broke causing the engine to run poorly and stall. I fixed most of the problems now the only things wrong with it are the brakes stick and one of the engine fasteners vibrated loose and fell off. Other than that its been ok. The point I am trying to prove is that gas scooters are not low matinence vehicles but they are fun to drive and really good on gas. You shouldnt have these problems with a moter scooter though since they are built better than gas scooters.
i have a honda elite 50cc and i've never had any major problems with it. it has been relatively low maintainence... just don't buy a cheapo scooter and you'll be doing alright. 110 mpg!!
..just curious, what year is that scoot? I second this! There are many scooters being made in communist China sold here. They sell for under $1,500 or so and often have engines under 50cc. Their quality is suspect at best and the warranties are often mediocre!
I really want one for college. I like to drive cars but since I'm going to be up around Boston, I don't trust my city driving in a car. I know in Georgia, you have to get a motorcycle license to drive one, but then they're legal everywhere. On the provisional license, you're just restricted from using the highway.
smaller scooters really aren't for highway, esp now that our oil and gas hungry impatient commuter class is into SUVs at 70 mph. A 55 mph road is really top speed on some of these babies. Hard on those engines! I'm dreaming of bajaj delivery van or auto rickshaw.
PhatBoy 4 Stroke Gas Scooters Phat Boy G35 gas scooters feature a 4 stroke C.A.R.B. approved 35cc Robin/Subaru engine, no more mixing oil with gas. Giggle Phatboy G35 4 stroke gas scooter: $575
MF10D PRO SERIES FOUR STROKE 150cc---65 MPH $1495.00.00 plus $129 S&H* MF10D PRO SERIES (4 STROKE): 150cc Displacement Fuel Economy 60 MPG Max speed 65 +/- MPH 225 lbs net weight Two seat design for up to 400 lb. riders Rear foot rests for passenger Larger, more stable 12" wheel 4 stroke air cooled single cylinder engine Front Hydraulic Disc Brakes w/ABS!! Rear Drum brakes Huge under seat storage Front glove box High performance carburetor High performance belt CVT transmission Electric start (kick start backup) 1.6 Gallon fuel capacity Automatic step less transmission 99.9% FULLY ASSEMBLED http://www.scootercompany.com/mf10d.html
There are supposedly some that can go 75 to 80 mph. More expensive, obviously, but still much less than a car. If I get a scooter, I'm going to need one of those models or else I'm just going to beg some rich relative to buy me a hybrid. There's really no where around where I live now that I can get to without driving on a highway.
Get a used motorcycle if have to do lots of highway . scooters dont hold up well under extended long distance highway . if do get a scooter make sure is not a 2 cycle engine. 2 cycle is ok for short trip on slower highways . plus 4 stroke engines last longer and uses less gas once is past 100cc .
With all due respect, this is just the type of scooter and company that both StaggerLee and I warned about. The warranty covers parts only (not labor) and is good for only three months or 1,000 Km (approx 625 miles). Sure, a Kymco, Honda, Yamaha, Bajaj, Aprilia, Piaggio or Stella will cost more up front, but you'll have a much more substantial warranty and the scooter will likely be much more durable. Other considerations: First, the above companies pretty much also have proven track records while many of the 'off' brands do not. Second, When you need to buy parts or get the scooter repaired, you'll need to have necessary parts and service outlets. The more obscure the brand, the harder it will be to will be to find both parts and mechanics who are knowledgeable and competent. Here, I would have to agree and would probably recommend a motor of at least 250cc for extensive highway driving. If you do instead decide to get a motorcycle, get one with at least a 500cc motor. A Kawasaki 500LTD, Honda Shadow VLX, or a Suzuki Savage would be good choices.
a 500cc twin or 650 twin motorcycle . you might even find a 600cc 4 cylinder non super sport model. even a very low miles bike from the late 1980s or early 90s well do. just make sure the motor is in good condition.
I've got an '88 Honda Rebel 250cc that is great for getting anywhere I need to go. With gas prices creeping ever so high, scooters and small bikes are the way to go. I've even rode with with 3 year old granddaughter on board. Strap on a back pack or bungee a pack behind you and off you go.
Hey, Nice to hear about motorcycles.. Iron Goth started a bike forum here.. all move over to smoke signals.. for the time being i'm driving a Suzuki AN400.. and that's enough to speed on the highway.. i drove a Vespa Cosa 200cc for about 5 years.. kick+electric starter..great.. no speed enough for highway trips..:& Emiel
I had a cpl Honda Elite 250's and I had more fun on these than any of my motorcycles (I've had quite a few). Once you get the feel of the little scoot ( short wheel base + low center of gravity=very nimble. One cylinder = lots of torque) you can smoke rice rockets on a twisty mountain road.
Unfortuantely, Honda has eliminated all Elite models except for the 80cc version. http://powersports.honda.com/scooters/
