VESPA FOR SALE

What scooter should I buy? Selecting your first vintage scooter can be very difficult. There are three different basic models that are considered to be the best choices for a first bike. Your first bike should be reliable and low maintenance, but still something that keeps your interest. It would be nice if everyone entered the hobby riding a ’59 Vespa GS150, but unless you are already a competent 2-stroke mechanic, it would be a little impractical. There are three good options for a first time scooter owner (there are many more models but these are the most common popular choices). These are the Vespa P-Series, The Vespa Small frame, and the Vespa Rally200. I have individually reviewed all three below.

Vespa P200-P125

I have owned several P200’s and used them as my main source of transportation. The reliability can’t be beat by any other vintage scooter. The styling of the P200 leaves a lot to be desired compared to the earlier bikes, but it still has the same shape the Vespa has always had, and is considered a vintage scooter by collectors. A properly built p200 should be capable of cruising at 60mph all day long, I have had some that would get up to 70mph stock. A p125 should be capable of 55mph stock, and cruising at 50 no problem 2-up. I have ridden stock p125s that would cruise at 60mph 2-up. Both bikes can be upgraded to do 85mph+ no problem. There is however a trade off, the more performance mods you do, the more likely you are to blow something up in your motor. P200’s have electronic ignition, were as p125’s still use a points and condenser system.

The Pro’s:

1. Reliable, very reliable

2. Quick

3. All parts readily available and cheap

4. Lots of accessories and performance parts available

5. Still lots of P-series scooters out there to be found for affordable prices

6. P-series scooters are equipped with an Auto lube system, no more oil/gas mixing.

The Con’s

1. 80’s styling, not as rounded as the earlier models.

2. They are very reliable, you won’t get to many chances to practice your mechanical skills

3. One of the taller scooters, harder to hold up if you aren’t 5’6 or so.

Vespa Rally 200

I own and ride a Vespa Rally 200 everyday. I put anywhere from 200-600 miles on it a week, sometimes 200+ miles in a single day. For a vintage scooter I think it is the best choice for me. It has the looks and styling of the earlier bikes, but has a higher level of reliability and the most powerful engine Vespa ever sold in the USA. It does require a little more maintenance to keep up then a P200 or newer bike, but being as I am a scooter mechanic, the trade off is more then worth it to me.

The pro’s:

1. The Rally 200 has the same body style as the mid ‘60s scooters

2. It is the fastest bike they sold here in the USA

3. It is pretty reliable

4. It is easily capable of freeway speeds

5. Parts needed to rebuild the motor are readily available.

The con’s:

1. Not as reliable as a P200.

2. One of the more expensive Vespa’s to buy, and much harder to find then a P-series.

3. Has a poor flywheel side bearing design.

4. Unique electronic ignition setup, very hard to find parts for and can be finicky.

5. Not a good motor to do performance mods to, but it’s fast already (I’ve ridden mine at 65-70 for 200 miles straight on the freeway)

6. Poor lighting, 6v electrical system.

I love my Rally 200, and am sure it will supply me with years of reliable service. If you are just looking for a weekend rider, this is by far your best choice. If you want a daily rider, these are great bikes, but remember they are 25-30 years old, and require more TLC than a P200 or newer bike. Here is a picture of me on my Rally 200, riding over the Santa Suzana grade on the 118 freeway.

http://www.scooterrepair.com/images/rally200.jpg

The Vespa Smallframe

The Vespa smallframe is an excellent weekend rider type bike. They are very reliable, most models other then the 50cc bikes produce enough power to keep up in traffic. Unless you get an ET3 or PK model you won’t get electronic ignition. If you can find a bike w/ electronic ignition, snap it up. They are excellent bikes and the addition of elec. Ignition makes them extremely reliable. A smallframe is fine for daily use, but I wouldn’t recommend it if your commute is more then 10 miles each way, they aren’t as comfortable over long distances as the larger bikes. They are however shorter and lighter, making them an excellent choice for someone who isn’t comfortable with a bigger bike. The smallframe line includes:

The Vespa50- 50cc, very slow ok to go to the corner store, but don’t expect to get much more then 35mph out of it

Vespa50ss- very rare if you find one buy it as there are only a couple of these in the USA, quick enough to keep up in traffic, but so rare most people don’t ride them.

The Vespa90- The average run of the mill Vespa, about a 45mph top speed, very reliable, quite common and cheap.

Vespa90ss- also very rare, as fast or faster then the 125cc bikes. There are only a few of these in the USA

The Vespa 100 sport- a quicker version of the vespa90, bigger carburetor, third port in the barrel, 12v electrical system. About a 50mph bike, very reliable.

The Vespa Primavera and ET3 (125cc)- Excellent bikes top speed of about 55mph, enough power to cruise 2-up at 50mph.

The spare parts for all of these bikes are readily available, and there are tons of upgrades and accessories available. An excellent choice for an around town, or weekend bike; or if you’re smaller an excellent all around choice.

Pro’s

1. Affordable

2. Reliable

3. Parts readily available

4. Lots of performance upgrades and accessories

5. Small and light weight

Con’s

1. Small and lightweight, can get uncomfortable on long hauls.

2. No auto lube system, you have to mix your own oil/gas

3. Not as fast as the larger bikes

These are just my observations over the last 10 years I have owned almost every model of Vespa, and ridden and repaired/rebuilt pretty much every model built since 1951. I currently own 3 Vespa smallframes (Vespa90, Vespa90ss, and Vespa 100sport), A Rally200, and a 1959 Vespa 150. When selecting your first Vespa it is best to bring along someone who knows scooters pretty well, they will know what to check for to make sure you are getting a bike that won’t just sit in a corner while you through money at it.

If you are looking for a Vintage scooter, and live in the USA, I would recommend checking vespa for sale site they have tons of scooters in stock at a time.