Newbie Questions

Used to own a Honda City Express a few years ago, when I was 16. Soon got
rid of that when I got my car but now starting to miss the versatility and
swiftness of a bike.

Therefore I'm looking for the answers to a few of my questions:

How much would an older Vespa/Piaggio/Lambretta model go for? (it's gotta be
a classic scooter!!)
What makes/models do you recommend? Gotta be manual gears, up to 125cc,
60/70 mph top speeds.
Any idea where to go for one of the above? Internet sites, dealers?

Thanks for your help.
Alton.

 

Donegal Paul is probably your fella for this, but there are others who know
the way of the scooter.

Personally I wouldn't be too sure about a classic 125cc scooter getting to
60-70mph, but then I could be wrong.


Vaguely and generally speaking:

If you know what you are doing then eBay or similar can be very good and
very cheap. If you don't relish the thought of buying a basket case and
fixing it up, then a specialist dealer would be the way to go. Not any old
dealer, but a specialist (assuming that your knowledge of bike mechanics is
shaky to say the least.... If you know what you are doing then ignore most
of this).

TBH, a classic will end up costing way more than a modern bike and it will
never be as reliable, it won't handle as well and it won't be as fast. To
put it in perspective I've got a 20 year old Honda two stroke. At 20 years
old it's way newer than what you are talking about. But just to get it in
some sort of reasonable state would've cost twice what I paid for it. To
get it into the state I *want* it to be in is costing around 9-10 times what
I paid for it. So far.

In summary, buy a newer one for now and, when you've got the
time/patience/cash, get an old scooter as a Sunday toy.

Dave

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Bear amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

LOL.

LOL.

LOLOLOL.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Cane amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

A feral noodle broke loose from my lips.

 

Bear yik-yakked:

Arf. That made oi larf.

 

Vespa PX125 or a T5 would do a good enough job, with the T5 being the faster
but slightly more fragile of the two and they should not be too hard to find
for reasonable money. If you`re not a fat bastard, you could also look at
getting a Vespa Primavera. Fat bastards look silly on Primaveras. Especially
pink ones. Trust me....

As for Lambrettas, an Li 125 would be nice[1], but good luck with finding
one.

[1] For lambretta values of nice.

 

I dunno. What can you do with modern youths[1]?

Dave (aged nearly 36 and fucking showing it.... )

[1] I'm sure Sir.Tony can send us a few pointers from his bezzy mate.......

 

Some old classic Lambrettas go for thousands.

 

[snip play script]

Very good.

But is the impending election not exciting enough for you that you have
time to write stuff like that?

--
John

SV650
Black it is
and naked

 

Bear wrote:

<snort>

nice.

--
Dnc

B1200 - +30bhp ~|~ VS800 - borked
TS150 - squatting ~|~ V2300 - flat cap and rug

MIB#26 two#54(soiled) UKRMMA#26 BOTAFOT#153 X-FOT#003

 

Oh, how that made me laugh. Good un Bear.

--
Mike

SV650
UKRMMA#22
Skype: muddycat

 

Some old classic Lambrettas go for thousands.[/QUOTE]

Some just don't go.

 

Bear yik-yakked:

Absolute quality.

Way too much time on your hands, but beautifully used to craft such a
masterpiece.

Of course, the irony would be if those very words had been used before
too, but hey ho. 10/10, that man.

 

In good condition, shed loads.

You won't find a stock one AFAIK. In an automatic, yes. Piaggio X9
125, GT125, both suitable for taking test (but auto and restricted for
two years). Manufacturers quoted top speeds might seem low, but they
are realistic, not optimistic as in most speedos. Both the above will
do 65mph+ as measured by GPS, speedos show 70+.

Piaggio have just introduced the X8 in this country as well. Tons of
on-board storage.

I believe there is a geared GT180 available, BICBW, suitable for
after-test use.

Go ask one of the few honest scoot dealers, JT at Thompsons, St Albans.
Google for it. Many satisfied sceptical and miserly customers...

Don't get too hung up about the 'geared' bit. Auto has pros as well as
cons, just as with cars. And two wheels has got to be better than four,
however it's done.

 

Bear wrote:

lol
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 155 TS
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

There's a pre-reg Lambretta, a non-runner, at the local bike workshop
bought from eBay for £1,700.

What's more it's a D1 not the L1 - or something - the buyer thought.