New chap! No idea about Scooters! Buyin advice pls

[iamsnippah]

Ello!

Been thinking about Scootering (vespa) fora while, I live in Brighton; so sooper handy for getting around ( cars are a parkin nitemare in town). The girlfriend wants to get involved as well

Anyway I don't have a CBT, so gonna get that sorted... been looking at Scooters on Ebay - like the look of the GT's.

Is there much diff between 150's and 200's perf wise? What about the Vespas that are restored in Vietnam and sold on Ebay. Should i avoid? They seem well priced? What to look for in a Vespa??

Any advice appreciated!!!! thanks!!!

[bryno]

Welcome to the forum..

I'd suggest start by deciding what you prefer the look of, classic (i.e. pre 1980's like the Viet ones you have seen), PX range (80's to date) or modern auto's. And be clear about what you want from it, i.e. originality, practicality, modern performance etc.

Good starter scooter would be a PX125, loads about, learner legal, made from end of the 70's to today so all price ranges, very robust, easy to ride, cheap to own. In same PX range you can also get a 150 and a 200cc motor.

If you prefer the older style Vespas again plenty about, imports are fine if you know what you are looking for/or use a dealer, personally I'd not touch one from Vietnam via Ebay, but there are UK dealers who buy stock from Vietnam then sell over here, least you get some sort of warrenty then.

Downside is lack of provinance/history, lack of originality etc, but if that's not an issue, could be worth a look, you can buy a classic looking Vespa with a modern PX engine for reliablity..

Hope that helps a little, do some surfing to narrow your options..

[bryno]

P.S. Re performance, my classic 150 will max at maybe 45MPH, a PX200 will be closer to 65MPH, there are lots of differences with Vespa engines, it's not just down to the CC..

[Lucia]

Hello new chap, welcome to the forum ;D

[iamsnippah]

Thanks all, that little bit of info has really helped loads, looking for px 125's at the moment.

For my first Vespa I'm not too worried if its a Vietnam one, as its not going to be a long termer, just something to get used to it. Once Ive got my CBT i'll get used to it, then do my full Lic so I can use 200's. Some lurrvelyones about.

I take it engine mods are like cars to a certain extent? Exhaust etc etc - ??

Perfect for Brighton

[bryno]

PX will be a UK supplied scoot, Vietnamese imports are pre the PX range..

Only really effective engine mod on a scooter is increasing the CC with a conversion kit (bigger piston & barrel), you could do that if you get a PX 125, thou personally I'd sell it and get a stock 200

If you wish to take your test on a scooter (and ride anything afterwards) you will need to get a Vespa T5 125 or a LML 125, they are the only 125 scooters quick enough to be used on the test.

Good luck with your search..