Way to go? Advice please.

[roxxo]

Looking to buy my first Vespa.
I have been used to big motorbikes and while I am looking for a totally different experience and know that you cannot compare a scooter to an R1, I would still like to keep up with A road traffic.

I really want a 50/60s looking 2 saddle scooter.

So do I go for a standard 125/150/160
or a restored model with a newer electronic ignition engine?

Then what about a standard 125/200 or 166/210 kit?
What do you guys reckon?

Many thanks

[Spence]

I know you have experience of maintaining your bikes, but I would recommend keeping your engines as standard as possible. The more you mess about with them, the more you have to.

[roxxo]

Thanks for the reply Spence.

There seem to plenty of Classics that have had a PX125 engine slotted in ( I saw that article in the current Scootering mag. about yours. Nice.), but is a 125 powerful/torquey enough?

Why don't folk make more use of the 200?

What sort of speeds do you guys travel at?

[dazh]

plenty of tuned scooters will reach 70mph, some with realitive ease, the problem is on small wheels they are not the best handleing things.
if you want something nice go for a early p200e or something sensible like a 200 disc model, great breaks, good engines, elec start, indicators etc.

debating to go oppersite way to you and buy a big bike for fun days either r6 or r1, i dare say the r6 would be the sensible choice, biggest ive ridden is rd350 ypvs in the 80's and nearly messed myself when the front end started lifting under acelleration

[roxxo]

Hi Dazh

My eldest son has an 03 R6 and it is a super little bike. Light and very easy to ride. Plenty quick enough.
I have had big bikes for the last 20 years and the power has gone up and up.
It just isn't necessary. I have done trackdays on my Honda VTR1000 SP1 where you can use superbikes. On the Queen's highway you just have to have so much self discipline.

Needless to say my 9 points show that I cannot be trusted :-)

To be honest you have to be a certain age to afford the insurance and by then your eyesight/reactions are failing and if you haven't built up the experience of riding more and more powerful bikes, you can really come a cropper, big time.

Having said that the handling/steering and braking of superbikes have improved out of all recognition from even 10 years ago. They can be very forgiving and you can get away with antics now that once would have had you in the hedge.

There is so much bullsh*t surounding superbikes but IMO it's about egotrips/look at me/the size of my manhood.

But you know if you do serve an apprenticeship, so to speak, big bikes can be very rewarding. I had a Honda Blackbird for 7 years and my wife and I have been all over Europe. Effortlessly.
This year I have been to Germany, France and Scotland on my R1. No probs. Great solo bike to tour on. So light and flickable.
Carol has occasionally been on the back of the R1. We did 240 miles one day and she didn't complain (much).

Final point.

Life is too short not to do what you really want to do.

Whatever bike you fancy, get it.

If you don't get on with it, sell it. At least you can say you've been there,done that.

While I will still keep my big bikes, I really want a scooter for the days when the sun shines both sides of the hedges and I can daydream.
Ah.. La dolce vita
;D

[bryno]

I'd go for a P200 or a classic with a P200 motor, IMO 125's are a bit too gutless if you are heading out in modern traffic (depends on where you ride of course), my T5 with a 172 kit is fine for speed, but needs to be revved hard and is bloody noisy, fun but not very relaxing!