Modern Buddy

your Buddy, Stella or Blur company what would you buy?

GTS300. Definitely a scooter for long distance riding.

Skootz Kabootz wrote:GTS300. Definitely a scooter for long distance riding.

^this. What I had first intended to buy, then quickly realized that I didn't quite have that much money to blow in a day.

Id have to find a GTV on sale... love that fenderlight style...

buy a used blur and a used 125 then u and a buddy can go cruise together , or go get the new people gti 300 ,299cc ,29! horse power ohh boy

Mulliganal wrote:your Buddy, Stella or Blur company what would you buy?

The stella. If any would even happen to mine that I own now I would buy the same one again.

I *would* of said a GTS300 before my lovely experience with Modern Vespa mechanics and dealers, but these days... not so much.

As for keeping my P200e company, it's hard to say. If we were only limited to one bike I'd have to make it a REAL good one, such as a GS150 if I looked REAL hard. But, if multiples, I wouldn't mind a Buddy 170i or a Stella with a matching sidecar, since I'd want to keep a P-frame light for cruising myself and the hack for me and my wife.

By new do you mean "currently produced" or "new to me"?

The GTS 300 is pretty tasty, but I'm not sure I'd choose it over the Scarabeo 500 ($6400, but could probably get one for less). If I'm going to go big, might as well go big. But not Burgman big. Not my thing. I actually think the 'Beo 500 might make a better long distance/touring scooter than the 500.

If I could buy vintage new, well…
For $6K? Fuji Rabbit Superflow? Hell, too many to choose from.

Like so many things, I think it comes down to what do you want it for? Long distance or higher speed cruising? The big Vespas or BVs sure are pretty, or even though it's new, the People GT300 looks tempting. You want in town, or lower speed rides, maybe a redone Vespa, Lammy or the Rabbit (drool).

Like someone said, so many models.

Syd wrote:Like so many things, I think it comes down to what do you want it for? Long distance or higher speed cruising? The big Vespas or BVs sure are pretty, or even though it's new, the People GT300 looks tempting. You want in town, or lower speed rides, maybe a redone Vespa, Lammy or the Rabbit (drool).

Like someone said, so many models.

Vespa SS180. I would get rid of every other scooter before that one

xTomBx wrote:Id have to find a GTV on sale... love that fenderlight style...

Different strokes!

Personally I find the GTV hideous. To me it was like they said "Hey...let's make a modern version of a super classic vintage wide body....OK....move the light to the fender...OK....we're done...let's go to lunch."

I like the concept, but just seems that they put little effort into pulling it off. For riding it's a great scooter

I'd find a used silverwing in good condition for about 5k and then put the other 1k toward having it custom painted

Probably nowhere near 6K, but, if I could find one, it'd be an Italjet Dragster 180. Already have the Helix for cruising/commuting, so this'd just be a toy for those "I feel like a bad boy" days.

I figure that I could use whatever remained of the 6K to buy more medical insurance.

If my wife and I really get into scootering we're going to need a larger around town scooter and the GTS300 is on my list. The Stella 4T is a great scooter and I really like mine, but for two-up riding it just doesn't cut it for my wife. If we get more into this hobby we will probably end up with three scooters, my Stella, her Buddy 50cc and something like the Vespa GTS300 or People GT 300i.

Six grand? I'd buy a pink Buddy 50, a Buddy 50 Italia, and with what's left... I don't know, a cheap used moped of some kind, I guess.

To those who want a Rabbit SuperFlow...I'll sell ya mine for $6k today

If someone gave me $6k to spend on a scooter, well, that's a lot of money. I've never spent that much on a single bike before. A pristine Goggo, Heinkel, Maico...something German and I would still have money left over.

jasondavis48108 wrote:I'd find a used silverwing in good condition for about 5k and then put the other 1k toward having it custom painted

How about I deliver my Silverwing to you in very good condition for $2.5K (instead of $5K). You keep the extra $2.5K to fund your paint job and a long roadtrip and I'll use my frequent flier miles to get home where I'll buy LMC's Scarebear? Sort of an all-change kinda thing.

jrsjr wrote:

jasondavis48108 wrote:I'd find a used silverwing in good condition for about 5k and then put the other 1k toward having it custom painted

How about I deliver my Silverwing to you in very good condition for $2.5K (instead of $5K). You keep the extra $2.5K to fund your paint job and a long roadtrip and I'll use my frequent flier miles to get home where I'll buy LMC's Scarebear? Sort of an all-change kinda thing.

A three-way trade on MB! Now that's exciting!

Now there's an idea.

Let me know if you two want to think about that trade.

The GTS Vespa is a great scooter. The GTS 250 is presently also a great buy. Get one, ride it, be happy .

BuddyRaton wrote:

Syd wrote:Like so many things, I think it comes down to what do you want it for? Long distance or higher speed cruising? The big Vespas or BVs sure are pretty, or even though it's new, the People GT300 looks tempting. You want in town, or lower speed rides, maybe a redone Vespa, Lammy or the Rabbit (drool).

Like someone said, so many models.

Vespa SS180. I would get rid of every other scooter before that one

Yeah, if it was down to vintage, that would be my first pick but it'd be a lot less than $6K. Maybe that and an SX200.

siobhan wrote:To those who want a Rabbit SuperFlow...I'll sell ya mine for $6k today

If someone gave me $6k to spend on a scooter, well, that's a lot of money. I've never spent that much on a single bike before. A pristine Goggo, Heinkel, Maico...something German and I would still have money left over.

Hah, I didn't say I have $6K for a Superflow! (There's a pair of running Rabbit 90s FS near here at $1800 for both! Pokey, but cute…)

The Maicoletta is pretty much the pinnacle of scooter design for me, but not as easy to find as even a Heinkel. A Goggo… Can you get one for $6k? I've never seen one for sale!

ericalm wrote:Hah, I didn't say I have $6K for a Superflow! (There's a pair of running Rabbit 90s FS near here at $1800 for both! Pokey, but cute…)

The Maicoletta is pretty much the pinnacle of scooter design for me, but not as easy to find as even a Heinkel. A Goggo… Can you get one for $6k? I've never seen one for sale!

Javaspeed had a white Goggo with red seat for $4500 for sale for a very long time when I first moved up to PVD. We stupidly bought a house when we moved here and "fun" money just wasn't to be had. I used to visit it and watch this video and feel sorry for myself. I'll probably have one eventually as it's weird that none of my scooters or bikes are German. I like the little Rabbit 90s...if you think they're pokey, you've never ridden the 200. It's like 0 to 50 in about 10 minutes.

a "Big Ruckus" with all the bells and whistles

Honda SH150i

Probably a Silverwing, since I have no other scoot. It's big but doesn't seem to have quite lost its scooterishness compared to a Burg 650. Still, it would cover all the bases, although

You really can't go wrong buying anything with the Honda name on it.

laurafulbusch wrote:Honda SH150i

The sh150i is super awesome for an in-town ride that can do alright on the highways. I love mine but I wouldn't mind having something bigger for longer rides or rides where I knew I was going to be doing a lot of highway riding. For that sort of riding I'd really like to have an sh300i but Honda hasn't brought that one over to the states and it's not liley to do so. Therefore the silverwing seems like the best option to me. Hopefully I'll be in a position to buy one once my wifes grandvista is paid off.

We probably won't get the Honda 300 but what about that Kymco? The regular scooter, not the little maxi.

I'd get a used MP3 400. Lots of storage, very easy to ride 2 up, and very stable over potholes, railroad tracks, bumps in the road.

2nd on the MP3. I already have a cranky classic, a project in pieces (the 90), and my Stella 4T. Would be nice for rainy days and/ or anytime I had to get on the freeway or just for really long trips.

Vespa S 150 i.e.
With a few accessories, tax, doc, setup....it would probably hit $6K

ericalm wrote:

BuddyRaton wrote: Vespa SS180. I would get rid of every other scooter before that one

Yeah, if it was down to vintage, that would be my first pick but it'd be a lot less than $6K. Maybe that and an SX200.

SS180s restored and with the original piston ported motor are getting pretty rare. Granted mine is a 68 and the rarest of the 180's but I have had unsolicited offers of well over $5,000 for mine. If I found a good condition SX200 for $6,000 I would jump on that deal!

I already have 3 scooters. I'd just buy an older VW bus and fix it up to haul my keyboards and amp to gigs.

--Keys

BuddyRaton wrote:

ericalm wrote:

BuddyRaton wrote: Vespa SS180. I would get rid of every other scooter before that one

Yeah, if it was down to vintage, that would be my first pick but it'd be a lot less than $6K. Maybe that and an SX200.

SS180s restored and with the original piston ported motor are getting pretty rare. Granted mine is a 68 and the rarest of the 180's but I have had unsolicited offers of well over $5,000 for mine. If I found a good condition SX200 for $6,000 I would jump on that deal!

I've seen decent SS180s go for around $3500-$5000 here, but I haven't had my eye out recently. Too heartbreaking to see them go… and go… and go…

Keys wrote:I already have 3 scooters. I'd just buy an older VW bus and fix it up to haul my keyboards and amp to gigs.

--Keys

He is on to something... nothing was said on a scooter-hauler. It was just said to spend it on something to keep your scooter company.

Very cunning.

Keys wrote:I already have 3 scooters. I'd just buy an older VW bus and fix it up to haul my keyboards and amp to gigs.

--Keys

You mean you want to "ride the magic bus?"

For me the choice was easy. I targeted lightly used GTS 250's and 300's because I didn't want to spend the full $6K. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying a new GTS isn't "worth" $6K, I just didn't want to spend that much. When I first tested a GTS, back in late 2006, I was very impressed. And, for my daily commute and most other uses, it's perfect for me. I bought it in July with 340-ish miles on the clock and it's just about to hit the 1000 mile point. I absolutely love it.

Had I wanted something bigger or more highway-capable I'd probably opt for a T-Max over the competing Honda and Suzuki models.

Thanks for passing that one. Beautiful pics and lots of them.

The Lambretta is really set off by those chrome bits, especially on the sides and rear.

Problem is, If I had one in that condition, I'd be afraid to ride it. I'm better with something I can ride the wheels off without fear.

Wonder why nobody makes a modern repro of a Lambretta, since faux Vespa copies abound?

Bodge!

Southerner wrote:Thanks for passing that one. Beautiful pics and lots of them.

The Lambretta is really set off by those chrome bits, especially on the sides and rear.

Problem is, If I had one in that condition, I'd be afraid to ride it. I'm better with something I can ride the wheels off without fear.

Wonder why nobody makes a modern repro of a Lambretta, since faux Vespa copies abound?

Actually, they do. They just don't sell them here.

It is funny how there are hundreds of pics of the body but none of the engine. I wonder what's in there?

The centerstand boots aren't clear yellow, what are the hallmarks of a VLammy?

Syd wrote:what are the hallmarks of a VLammy?

Not sure. Loose rubber band on the floorboard?

Must be an "in" joke.

Just sayin'...

Listed under 'for sale by owner', but the phone number traces back to these guys:

http://www.haverhillmotorcars.com/newandusedcars.aspx

"Fully-restored" Lammy from a used car lot?

Ferrari stickers?

I smell lemon grass.

Southerner wrote:Must be an "in" joke.

There is a collection of well known markers of nice looking vintage Vespas that come out of Vietnam (generally). Clear rubber centerstand boots, un-vintage two-tone paint, and vinyl tunnel covers are some, I think. They look nice, but the frames are often pieced together out of parts of other Vespas, filled with bondo. They have been known to fall apart when riding them. The engines too are salvaged from whatever is laying around, and are not to be trusted.

But I have only heard of vintage Vespas being bodges, so I was wondering if there was a different set of criteria for Viet-Bodge Lambrettas. It is suspicious that the pictured Lammy seemed to have been just unwrapped from stretch wrap, and it is all done up nice and pretty too, so Eric is probably right (oh, he knows tons more than I do, too).

Syd wrote:

Southerner wrote:Must be an "in" joke.

There is a collection of well known markers of nice looking vintage Vespas that come out of Vietnam (generally). Clear rubber centerstand boots, un-vintage two-tone paint, and vinyl tunnel covers are some, I think. They look nice, but the frames are often pieced together out of parts of other Vespas, filled with bondo. They have been known to fall apart when riding them. The engines too are salvaged from whatever is laying around, and are not to be trusted.

But I have only heard of vintage Vespas being bodges, so I was wondering if there was a different set of criteria for Viet-Bodge Lambrettas. It is suspicious that the pictured Lammy seemed to have been just unwrapped from stretch wrap, and it is all done up nice and pretty too, so Eric is probably right (oh, he knows tons more than I do, too).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Custom-p ... 3cbc6964db

Yes, they bodge Lammys, too. If you're buying a Lammy, I would hope that you would know a thing or two about them. We've been really lucky with our Lammys...one was an apple orchard runner; one was from a known Lammy guy in Queens; and the third one was from a moped guy who I had previously dealt with on other scoots.

As for getting a museum-quality bike...you won't ride it so what's the point unless you're running a museum. I want rust. I want dents. I want charactah!

http://www.nycscootering.com/2009/10/04 ... bodge-101/

siobhan wrote: http://www.nycscootering.com/2009/10/04 ... bodge-101/

My VBB is one of those from Retrovespa mentioned in the ad. I would concur it's totally a mixed bag. In case anyone is ever on the fence about them (they get some good and some bad press), I would not have bought it if I had to do over.

If I were to restore a vintage scooter, I'd forego trying to dig for one in the Craigslist world and just get a frame from Scooterworks, build up a new engine and title it as new "special construction". May end up costing more, but you're getting a TRUE custom bike that you know has the parts from the right places. If it doesn't, then you only have yourself to blame for buying the wrong parts:P

But, I'm happy with my P200e (I get it in my grubby hands Tuesday!!!).

ericalm wrote:

Syd wrote:what are the hallmarks of a VLammy?

Not sure. Loose rubber band on the floorboard?

Bodgers have gotten away from the yellow boots.

I'm far from a Lammy expert (more of a Vespa guy) but even I can tell that all that flashy chrome is a warning, the spare tire mounted on the leg shield and the cover is incorrect, the seat is wrong and the exhaust is wrong.