Buddy seems jealous...

[gt1000]

So, I've been looking for a used larger scoot for a while. Always loved the Vespa 250 GTS so I've been watching the classifieds at MV and CL and lately, there have been a bunch of 250's and 300's up for sale. Would've loved to pick up a 300 but the prices are still a bit high compared to late model 250's. Looked at two 250's over the past week and fell head over heals for this one, a 2009 with under 400 miles on the clock. Fortunately, the current owner's partner is an avid rider (multiple other bikes) so they properly maintained this relatively sedentary scoot. It's perfect and I'm beside myself.

Noticed desmolicious' new addition and figured I'd add this to the mix. Hopefully I'll have it registered tomorrow.

[Raiderfn31]

Good luck.

[Plisar]

Gorgeous bike. That's one that is definitely on my must have list (along with the Piaggio BV300). I think i want a larger cruiser if I end up in LA (but my life is so up in the air right now).

Congrats on your new family member. Make them play nice.

[desmolicious]

So, I've been looking for a used larger scoot for a while. Always loved the Vespa 250 GTS so I've been watching the classifieds at MV and CL and lately, there have been a bunch of 250's and 300's up for sale. Would've loved to pick up a 300 but the prices are still a bit high compared to late model 250's. Looked at two 250's over the past week and fell head over heals for this one, a 2009 with under 400 miles on the clock. Fortunately, the current owner's partner is an avid rider (multiple other bikes) so they properly maintained this relatively sedentary scoot. It's perfect and I'm beside myself.

Noticed desmolicious' new addition and figured I'd add this to the mix. Hopefully I'll have it registered tomorrow.

Excellent! While the speed of the 250 and the 300 is basically the same (300 is a touch perkier from the stop), the 250 gets much better mpgs, and has full instrumentation.

[batgirl101]

that's a great scoot, congrats! here's my other one(Grey) that won't be seeing much action since i got Max (170i)

[Skootz Kabootz]

Nice scooter! Looks showroom new! The 300gts is actually a 278cc so I wouldn't sweat the difference between that and the 250 (which is actually a 244cc), I hope to own either one of those some day soon for longer distance, highway, scooting adventures. My Buddy will always be my everyday city vehicle. Can't be beat.

Have a great time with your new toy!

[neotrotsky]

It's the same color as my old GTS250

They are truly awesome scooters, but one of the things to look for is to see if the previous owner replaced the exhaust coupler that was on recall. Dunno if it was for the '09, but it seems the previous exhaust system had a weak coupler and required a replacement made of a sturdier construction and materials. Not a complex thing, but it can blow out and cause damage to stuff under the cowls if you don't keep an eye on it.

Expect to start taking local freeways just to freak everyone else in traffic out. I always loved the double takes and the "WTF? Was that a scooter that just passed us... on the FREEWAY?" looks

[BuddyLicious]

It's the same color as my old GTS250

They are truly awesome scooters, but one of the things to look for is to see if the previous owner replaced the exhaust coupler that was on recall. Dunno if it was for the '09, but it seems the previous exhaust system had a weak coupler and required a replacement made of a sturdier construction and materials. Not a complex thing, but it can blow out and cause damage to stuff under the cowls if you don't keep an eye on it.

Expect to start taking local freeways just to freak everyone else in traffic out. I always loved the double takes and the "WTF? Was that a scooter that just passed us... on the FREEWAY?" looks

And the fuel pump,check into if it was replaced.

http://modernvespa.com/forum/topic72156

[batgirl101]

So, I've been looking for a used larger scoot for a while. Always loved the Vespa 250 GTS so I've been watching the classifieds at MV and CL and lately, there have been a bunch of 250's and 300's up for sale. Would've loved to pick up a 300 but the prices are still a bit high compared to late model 250's. Looked at two 250's over the past week and fell head over heals for this one, a 2009 with under 400 miles on the clock. Fortunately, the current owner's partner is an avid rider (multiple other bikes) so they properly maintained this relatively sedentary scoot. It's perfect and I'm beside myself.

Noticed desmolicious' new addition and figured I'd add this to the mix. Hopefully I'll have it registered tomorrow.

Excellent! While the speed of the 250 and the 300 is basically the same (300 is a touch perkier from the stop), the 250 gets much better mpgs, and has full instrumentation.

my friend on her 300 pretty much kicks my butt on the freeway--me WOT, her with throttle to spare.

[gt1000]

Thanks everyone for the replies and tips. I did a bit of advance research over at MV before taking the plunge so I was aware of the exhaust gasket and fuel pump issues. I'll talk to my service people when I make my appointment for the first service.

As for it looking showroom fresh? For all intents and purposes, this bike is new. I looked at a few other other 250's (2007-09) and walked away from all them because I had misgivings about each of those bikes. We all know that riding isn't for everyone and an awful lot of scooters and motorcycles sit idle after they're bought. If you're not in a rush and have the patience to wait for the right bike, sometimes your patience will be rewarded. I hope I got lucky this time but I'll know more a couple of years down the road. For what it's worth, I trust the seller at face value and feel pretty confident, although I was really hoping to buy from an MB/MV member.

And yeah, the GTS is everything I remembered from my first test ride back in 2006 (I think). I wanted something capable of the occasional freeway shortcut but I don't intend to use this bike regularly on the freeway. It's kind of my jack of all trades bike and I'll likely add additional storage and a wind screen. I have high hopes for a satisfying, long term relationship.

[desmolicious]

So, I've been looking for a used larger scoot for a while. Always loved the Vespa 250 GTS so I've been watching the classifieds at MV and CL and lately, there have been a bunch of 250's and 300's up for sale. Would've loved to pick up a 300 but the prices are still a bit high compared to late model 250's. Looked at two 250's over the past week and fell head over heals for this one, a 2009 with under 400 miles on the clock. Fortunately, the current owner's partner is an avid rider (multiple other bikes) so they properly maintained this relatively sedentary scoot. It's perfect and I'm beside myself.

Noticed desmolicious' new addition and figured I'd add this to the mix. Hopefully I'll have it registered tomorrow.

Excellent! While the speed of the 250 and the 300 is basically the same (300 is a touch perkier from the stop), the 250 gets much better mpgs, and has full instrumentation.

my friend on her 300 pretty much kicks my butt on the freeway--me WOT, her with throttle to spare.

How big are you, how big is she?
Any windshields on the bikes?

Most people in comparisons actually state the 300 is faster accelerating to about 60, but the 250 has a higher top end. Same gearing but it revs higher.

[neotrotsky]

Don't worry about buying "Nearly New": It's what I did on my bike because dropping $8,000 on a new scooter is VERY hard to do, and I was able to save a few grand for only 1,200 extra miles on the clock. Just make sure you find a GOOD shop if something goes wrong.

Because, if it all goes pear shaped, a new engine for these runs $4,000 and it will take MONTHS before it even gets to the US And, it seems it's easy for a moron to FUBAR these, especially grease monkey morons who spend their time banging on Harleys with hammers and claim to be a "warranty certified" shop

[BuddyRaton]

Yeah check the fuel pump and gasket....really no biggie as long as you are aware of it. Other than that


NICE FREAKING RIDE DUDE!

Personally I just don't see that much of a difference between the 250 and 300. Kinda like comparing a Buddy 125 to a 150. A couple of little differences but really you can't go wrong either way!

[peabody99]

congrats. Obviously I am biased, but I don't think you could have 2 better bikes than a Buddy and GTS. My GTS is nearing 10,000 (bought it used with 1400) and I have not had a lick of trouble.

[gt1000]

Don't worry about buying "Nearly New": It's what I did on my bike because dropping $8,000 on a new scooter is VERY hard to do, and I was able to save a few grand for only 1,200 extra miles on the clock. Just make sure you find a GOOD shop if something goes wrong.

Because, if it all goes pear shaped, a new engine for these runs $4,000 and it will take MONTHS before it even gets to the US And, it seems it's easy for a moron to FUBAR these, especially grease monkey morons who spend their time banging on Harleys with hammers and claim to be a "warranty certified" shop

Totally agree on all counts. And this GTS is not my first used bike, just my first used scoot. Saving over $3K on the out the door price of a new 300 has all sorts of benefits. If I could, I'd only buy used but it doesn't always work out that way. In this case, I had all the time in the world to look for the right scooter at the right price. Finally, I have no reason to believe the scoot isn't anything other than what was advertised. I do, however, want to get that first oil change done ASAP and Denver has a couple of great scooter shops.

And peabody99 and BuddyRaton, couldn't agree more with both of you!