Vespa PX200 vs LX150

[HenryDorsetCase]

OK, so I am thinking about buying a scooter to zip about on: easier and more conwenient than the big bike, cheap to run, and it pushes itself along, rather than me on my pushbike having to push it along.

I've test ridden a few, and the conclusion Ive come to is that you have to ride it like a motorbike, and you need more than 50cc to keep up with or beat traffic. And the throttles have two positions only: off and all the way on....

My shortlist is Kymco 150, Kymco 200, Suzuki AN125, Vespa PX200 or Vespa LX150. If my Lotto based retirement plan works out, I will also get a Piaggio MP3 simply because I like the look of them, but assuming that doesn't happen, we are left with the five contenders.

I was all set to buy a PX200 except they have a manual gearbox, and they're two stroke. Sure, thats part of the charm, and 200cc 2t go OK. But I do so love the whole CVT trans thing.... so easy.

LX150 seems perfect: CVT (and four stroke) but so so expensive. I am NOT spending 7 large for a new one!

The Kymco's review well, ride well, are Taiwanese rather than Chinese, and go pretty well. Price is good (not as cheap and nasty as the Chinese made ones I've seen) and there are a couple second hand locally which are decent buying.

The AN125 is just plain vanilla, cheap scootering. But its a Zuki, so should be OK quality wise and reliability wise. Plus they're cheap.

Interested in opinions on any of the above, and if you have a cheap but nice LX150 or PX200, lets talk.

Apart from the "want a Vespa cos its a Vespa" thing, I am relatively emotionally uninvolved in this purchase, which is a change: unlike buying a big bike where you are dong the Sophie's choice thing.....

All input appeciated (even from people who say "Scooters are for fags buy a proper bike" - thanks, Ive got a couple of proper bikes already..)

[Spearfish]

Have you found this site?
Is a bit stagnant at the moment but is a good start.

http://www.thescooterreview.com/reviews/comparison-tests/382-midsize-super-battle


The px200 just goes and goes but like you say it has gears to play with. Lots of "go a little faster" parts for them and a good resell value and shyt loads of info on the net.

The sym vs150 scoots go well, but sym are imported by triumph.

The little 50's have a very narrow band versatility the 4T 50's even smaller.

Anything Taiwanese is ok, they are all companies started by "bigger known brands".


The bella a vespa knock off built in india seems to cook pistons if given a hard time.

But as you know its just a case of try as many as you can they are all so very different.

[UberRhys]

Buy mine: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=344731523
:woohoo:

[Kickaha]

(even from people who say "Scooters are for fags buy a proper bike"

Scooters are for fags buy a proper bike or the next best thing a Gilera DNA 180 4t (that's if you can find one]

[HenryDorsetCase]

Buy mine: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=344731523
:woohoo:

I asked you the QN about it today. Thanks for your response (I like your username on tardme too...) Your scooter is cool as hell, but honestly a little more money than I want to spend. I am getting a quote from biketranz for shipping, just to see how much to send a scooter from Orkers to churchur.

[Kickaha]

Why not a FXR150?, not that expensive to buy, parts are cheap and you can Bucket race it on weekends

[Spearfish]

This one could be a hoot if your hands on engine wise.
It would need the plug checked often for a little while though.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=346288456

[avgas]

italjet or nothing
that is all

[avgas]

there is a dirt cheap one on trademe

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters/auction-346431014.htm

[UberRhys]

I asked you the QN about it today. Thanks for your response (I like your username on tardme too...) Your scooter is cool as hell, but honestly a little more money than I want to spend. I am getting a quote from biketranz for shipping, just to see how much to send a scooter from Orkers to churchur.

If on the off chance you were interested, I could meet you half way in Wellington... :msn-wink:

[HenryDorsetCase]

If on the off chance you were interested, I could meet you half way in Wellington... :msn-wink:

:)

the last time I did that it cost slightly more than shipping. Plane to welly was IIRC $100 or so, ferry passage for bike and rider $120. breakfast lunch and coffee and gas, plus a whole day of faffing about..... Still it was a day adventure, I'm not complaining really.... Now if you're talking meet half way in Picton, thats a different story....

[UberRhys]

:)
Now if you're talking meet half way in Picton, thats a different story....

hehehe.... Queen Charlotte Sound perhaps?

[HenryDorsetCase]

I've taken the plunge, so to speak.

I rode a bunch of scooters and did a lot of pretend buying on tardme.

I have bought a Suzuki AN125. secondhand but hardly used, reasonably priced, fairly well specced and surprisingly quick. I saw 80kph indicated on the way home!

keeps up with and beats traffic no worries, hopefully cheap to run.

If i decide I want "more" in terms of performance I can flick it and buy a Vespa or something.

Vespas were too dear, and in the end I had instead of a budget of $3k, a budget of $2k, so this makes sense.

Hilarious. its a toy, but it goes 80kph (indicated) and I dont have to pedal it. Plus I had somewhere to put the Chinese takeout on the way home from picking it up.

[Spearfish]

I've taken the plunge, so to speak.

I rode a bunch of scooters and did a lot of pretend buying on tardme.

I have bought a Suzuki AN125. secondhand but hardly used, reasonably priced, fairly well specced and surprisingly quick. I saw 80kph indicated on the way home!

keeps up with and beats traffic no worries, hopefully cheap to run.

If i decide I want "more" in terms of performance I can flick it and buy a Vespa or something.

Vespas were too dear, and in the end I had instead of a budget of $3k, a budget of $2k, so this makes sense.

Hilarious. its a toy, but it goes 80kph (indicated) and I dont have to pedal it. Plus I had somewhere to put the Chinese takeout on the way home from picking it up.

Well done I didn't think you would in the end.
Chinese take out or 4ltrs of paint they are like a little ute.

[Fatt Max]

I've taken the plunge, so to speak.

I rode a bunch of scooters and did a lot of pretend buying on tardme.

I have bought a Suzuki AN125. secondhand but hardly used, reasonably priced, fairly well specced and surprisingly quick. I saw 80kph indicated on the way home!

keeps up with and beats traffic no worries, hopefully cheap to run.

If i decide I want "more" in terms of performance I can flick it and buy a Vespa or something.

Vespas were too dear, and in the end I had instead of a budget of $3k, a budget of $2k, so this makes sense.

Hilarious. its a toy, but it goes 80kph (indicated) and I dont have to pedal it. Plus I had somewhere to put the Chinese takeout on the way home from picking it up.

Good choice there I reckon, the Suz scoots are good fun and run forever.

I did have Yamaha Jog once, only a 50cc but with a few 'modifications' the fecking thing would run at 65kph with ME on it.

But yes, they are a laugh to ride and cost bugger all to run.

The Missus has a Vespa LX50, goes well but like all Italians, can be a bit temperamental

Enjoy mate