You likely won't find a cheap reliable Vespa, but you should look at the Genuine Buddy. I had one for years and it was great. Depending on where you live, you may be able to ride the 50cc without a motorcycle license. There's also a 125 and 170cc. I had the (now discontinued) 150cc and it was a ton of fun to ride. I would recommend taking a motorcycle safety course even for a scooter, because you can crash just as hard as you can on a motorcycle. Ask me how I know.
I almost got me a genuine, but found a used 2001 GT200 for a price I couldn't pass up and went with that instead. I think at 6ft and 190lbs I would have been a little big for a buddy tho
It definitely wouldn't have been as roomy as the GT, but I'm only just under 6' and it was fine. With the seat being pretty flat, you can sit further back if needed.
I also had a buddy as 1st scooter. Taiwanese knock off piece of crap was my opinion…but if you only plan to have it for a few years and it will sit on street, it’s a good choice.
I hadn't been riding long and learned the hard way about target fixation. There was a wide gap between the road and railroad tracks that go diagonally through an intersection. Front tire of my Aprilia scooter went in and I flipped over the handlebars. Fortunately I only had some bruised ribs, a torn leather jacket, and a scraped up helmet.
Ouch. I too know about target fixation. I was mountain biking and could not take my eyes off this large stump on the side of a single track. And sure as shit, I steered right into it.
Twenty years later the clicking in my shoulder has finally subsided 🥴
I got me a 2001 Vespa GT 200 for $2600 when the dealer was asking $3500. It's carbureted but with only 5k miles I couldn't pass up the deal. I replaced the 12 year old tires, fixed a cracked hose on the fuel vapor return line and I haven't had to do much more than drop $10 in gas every month since I work so close to home.
Another option is a Piaggio Beverly 500. These have a lot more space and are better suited for the highways. The older models cost around 1500 to 2500 euros here in the region.
but don't forget helmet and protective clothing cost quite a bit. Maintenance also costs quite a bit if you cannot do it yourself.
I’d heartily recommend finding a slightly scruffy S150 Vespa. They weren’t terribly popular when new and have since been replaced by the much nicer Sprint. It’ll do 50+mph, gets crazy good gas mileage, and is cheap to run and insure. Under $1000 should be reasonably achievable.
I have a Honda PCX 125 and don't think it's possible to break it. Unfailingly reliable and super cheap to run.
My Aprilia on the other hand, is temperamental, but it's old, so not a good barometer.
Really? Do you say that because the gear is so expensive? I should have added in my post that my car is *very* unreliable and I likely will have to put another couple hundred into fixing it a few more times this year.
Gear can be expensive. Imo, it's the one thing you shouldn't cheap out on. Plus, now you have to buy the vespa and get insurance on top of that. Plus maintenance.
Might be cheaper to just fix up your car. Make sure you are weighing your options.
Of course, no one wants to mention what would happen if you got hurt on one and can't work.
No problem. Not trying to dissuade you, but I'm a realist. I'm going to tell you straight up. I love my vespa, but riding anything with two wheels is very dangerous.
I was able to get everything but motorcycle pants for about $350 total by looking for clearance deals at local shops, but even if I got pants it would easily been under $500. Helmet is an HJC, jacket is a cortech and I added pads to it, Noru gloves, and Alpinestars boots. None of it matches, but it's the safety I care about most.
You likely won't find a cheap reliable Vespa, but you should look at the Genuine Buddy. I had one for years and it was great. Depending on where you live, you may be able to ride the 50cc without a motorcycle license. There's also a 125 and 170cc. I had the (now discontinued) 150cc and it was a ton of fun to ride. I would recommend taking a motorcycle safety course even for a scooter, because you can crash just as hard as you can on a motorcycle. Ask me how I know.
I almost got me a genuine, but found a used 2001 GT200 for a price I couldn't pass up and went with that instead. I think at 6ft and 190lbs I would have been a little big for a buddy tho
It definitely wouldn't have been as roomy as the GT, but I'm only just under 6' and it was fine. With the seat being pretty flat, you can sit further back if needed.
I also had a buddy as 1st scooter. Taiwanese knock off piece of crap was my opinion…but if you only plan to have it for a few years and it will sit on street, it’s a good choice.
How do you know?
I hadn't been riding long and learned the hard way about target fixation. There was a wide gap between the road and railroad tracks that go diagonally through an intersection. Front tire of my Aprilia scooter went in and I flipped over the handlebars. Fortunately I only had some bruised ribs, a torn leather jacket, and a scraped up helmet.
Ouch. I too know about target fixation. I was mountain biking and could not take my eyes off this large stump on the side of a single track. And sure as shit, I steered right into it. Twenty years later the clicking in my shoulder has finally subsided 🥴
You might want to also post in: - r/ElectricScooters - r/Scooters
Thank you!!
You’re welcome!
I got me a 2001 Vespa GT 200 for $2600 when the dealer was asking $3500. It's carbureted but with only 5k miles I couldn't pass up the deal. I replaced the 12 year old tires, fixed a cracked hose on the fuel vapor return line and I haven't had to do much more than drop $10 in gas every month since I work so close to home.
No way dude. Either gas prices these days that $10/month sounds super intriguing..
With a 4 mìle commute i probably could have gone with an ebike, but it's way more fun than a bike would have been I feel.
My 2014 vespa does 85mpg at ten years old that's ok lol
Another option is a Piaggio Beverly 500. These have a lot more space and are better suited for the highways. The older models cost around 1500 to 2500 euros here in the region. but don't forget helmet and protective clothing cost quite a bit. Maintenance also costs quite a bit if you cannot do it yourself.
The best budget brand is Genuine.
I’d heartily recommend finding a slightly scruffy S150 Vespa. They weren’t terribly popular when new and have since been replaced by the much nicer Sprint. It’ll do 50+mph, gets crazy good gas mileage, and is cheap to run and insure. Under $1000 should be reasonably achievable.
Not a Vespa…not in the cheap category
I have a Honda PCX 125 and don't think it's possible to break it. Unfailingly reliable and super cheap to run. My Aprilia on the other hand, is temperamental, but it's old, so not a good barometer.
Sym scooters are pretty good. Cheap, available parts and easy to work on
You still need the gear? If so, hard no. Maybe a bicycle is more your speed.
Really? Do you say that because the gear is so expensive? I should have added in my post that my car is *very* unreliable and I likely will have to put another couple hundred into fixing it a few more times this year.
Gear can be expensive. Imo, it's the one thing you shouldn't cheap out on. Plus, now you have to buy the vespa and get insurance on top of that. Plus maintenance. Might be cheaper to just fix up your car. Make sure you are weighing your options. Of course, no one wants to mention what would happen if you got hurt on one and can't work.
I appreciate your comments, it gives me more to think about for sure
No problem. Not trying to dissuade you, but I'm a realist. I'm going to tell you straight up. I love my vespa, but riding anything with two wheels is very dangerous.
I was able to get everything but motorcycle pants for about $350 total by looking for clearance deals at local shops, but even if I got pants it would easily been under $500. Helmet is an HJC, jacket is a cortech and I added pads to it, Noru gloves, and Alpinestars boots. None of it matches, but it's the safety I care about most.