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Post by waterboysh on Mar 25, 2013 10:04:19 GMT -5
Right now I'm driving a Chinese 150cc. It's been working really well for me, but I don't have the mechanical know how to know how to maintain it. When something acts up, I gotta take it in to the shop to have it looked at. The only real problem I've had so far was the valves needing adjusting (I know... that's not really major, but it would have been for me to do it =D). But, I know that a Chinese scooter can be a ticking time bomb; anything can stop working at any time. For a lot of y'all that's not a big deal. You know how to diagnose and replace whatever is wrong. I just got a new job! Yay for me! I'll be working in the IT department at a local hospital. My income literally just tripled (it's still fairly low, but before it was super low... lol). I was managing with what I had before, so I'm thinking of putting some money back every month for the next year or so and getting a scooter from a reliable brand. In the mean time, I have plenty of time to ask questions and gather information. One scooter in particular that I have been eyeing is the Piaggio BV 350. I want to get something that is capable of keeping up with 55 - 60 mph traffic with ease, but is not bulky and still easy to drive around town. A good balance between more power and good MPGs. I feel like the BV 350 fits the bill pretty well. I do have a few questions though, about the "reliable" brands like Vespa, Honda, etc where you see people saying that the scooter will last forever if you take good care of it. For at least the first several years, I would really like to not worry much about maintenance aside from routine fluid changes. Is this a likely scenario or are scooter/motorcycles more prone to wear and tear since their engines are more exposed than a car? How much wiggle room do you think dealers have with the prices of higher end scooters? I noticed that the local Vespa dealer has the same prices listed on everything as the MSRP on the Vespa web site. I looked around online at other dealers and they all had the exact same pricing. Would I be able to talk the dealer down on price similar to how you'd shop for a car, or the prices more set in the scooter world? The BV 350 is a fairly new scooter, how long before the prices usually start to drop some? Thoughts on Piaggio in general. They are made my Vespa and seem like a good reliable brand to me. Does anyone here own one? I'd love to hear how you like it. |
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Post by skuttadawg on Mar 25, 2013 10:17:26 GMT -5
Hondas are great I have had mopeds , scooters , Cr and XR offroad and a few cruiser bikes all loved me . The price for a new Honda 150 scooter you could buy a decent used street motorcycle . I rode a Spree for 2 years and never hada single issue what so ever and dusted other small scooters with ease
The advantage of premium brands like Honda , Vespa , Aprilia or Kymco is a much better scooter but costs way more as does parts where China scooters parts are based on engine type rather than brand and very cheap and easy to get compared to a proprietary design
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Post by JR on Mar 25, 2013 10:18:22 GMT -5
Good brand it is probably built in India or China.
Honestly I would push you towards a Honda or a Yamaha.
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Post by skuttadawg on Mar 25, 2013 10:21:25 GMT -5
I would love a Piagiio 2T with manual 4 speed tranny
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Post by rockynv on Mar 25, 2013 12:05:47 GMT -5
Piaggio is the parent company behind Vespa and Aprilia. All three use the same Italian Piaggio engines and drive trains. The Aprilia are designed by their Sport Bike division and give you the most bang for the buck. For example the Sport City 250 was going for $2,999 just a few months ago which got you a bike with 15 inch wheels over 460lbs carrying capacity, 70 mpg and speeds upwards of 80 mph.
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Post by spandi on Mar 25, 2013 12:28:29 GMT -5
If I were buying a new brand name scoot and were not mechanically inclined I go with a Honda. Back when I knew absolutely nothing about what went on under the "tupperware" I ran a Honda all over creation with nothing more than an occasional dealer visits for maintenance. The Piaggio might be more stylish, but nothing beats turning the key and driving off.
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Post by waterboysh on Mar 25, 2013 12:52:34 GMT -5
Good brand it is probably built in India or China. Honestly I would push you towards a Honda or a Yamaha. I was looking at some Hondas (granted I have not done much searching, just a quick look at their newest models for a quick comparison) and they don't seem to have much in the middle performance. I see up to 150cc and all of a sudden it jumps up to 600cc... I don't want one that big. I don't necessarily need a brand new scooter, but I'd prefer one that is fairly new. I'd rather put the first 50k miles on in rather than the last 50k miles as my dad always told me. Are y'all saying that Piaggio/Vespa is not the same quality wise as say a Honda? |
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Post by skuttadawg on Mar 25, 2013 13:24:10 GMT -5
Vespa means Wasp as old man Piagio named it that due to the sound of the 2T exhaust . ANY of the Italians scooters are good to get
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Post by spandi on Mar 25, 2013 13:31:09 GMT -5
I stand corrected. Given what you want, (and since Honda does not make a 300cc bike) your choice of the BV 350 is a good one.
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Post by skuttadawg on Mar 25, 2013 13:35:05 GMT -5
Check out Kymco too
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Post by jwalz1 on Mar 25, 2013 14:05:29 GMT -5
If you are not too tall, I would strongly recommend you look at a Kymco Downtown 300 (or maybe even the People GT 300) if the BV 350 is in your sights. One will fit you better than the other depending on your height, the Downtown for shorter, the People for taller, but they are a blast and well built, and dealer can be talked down some of MSRP too, trust me.  FWIW I have seen a used BV500s or two in the $4k range last summer. The Sym Citicom 300 is also back and fuel injected for a list price of $4600. It is a good scooter, but not as powerful as the BV or the Kymco's. My 300 will do a little over ninety real world speed, so highway speeds are no problem. The SYM RV200 EVO is only about $3500 and won't do 70 all day long, but it will do stints on the highway up to 65mph pretty easy. |
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Post by skuttadawg on Mar 25, 2013 15:56:06 GMT -5
My Echarm has 14,5xx miles only changed the oil , upgraded to DRP sliders and new belt at 12,000 still hauls hiney and instant start ups
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Post by imnts2 on Mar 25, 2013 17:46:05 GMT -5
Congratulatons. Very sincerly, you are thinking good. Glad you are starting to make a decent wage and having success at work. Make continuing to be a success at work a high priority. The rest will be easy to take care of. The constant valve adjustment thing of China Air Cooled scoots will settle donw after awile. aparently you have found a decent scoot mechanic that takes care of your scoot promptly. You will find the better China scoots are far more reliable and the water cooled 150 - 250 's far more reliable. And of course
someof the new EFI equipted scoots are even better. It is not that the are china built, it is that many of them are cheaply built, poorly services , fly by night brands. Honda's are gear scoots. built in china too. It is not china itis cheap. I remember when Japan stuff was often poorly built.
I like your thinking about saving a bit and workig out a deal. Take you time. Nothing wrong with offering a low price. nothing wrong offering less than you think hw will take. Gradually you will develope knowledge and confitence. I ride an 06 Yamaha Majest I bought 2 years age with under 6000 miles, not a scratch on it. The fellow was asking $2600. Have not spend more than $ 30 since for another 5000 trouble free miles. I still have not installed the new tires I bought for it. So - welcome to the group.
I am sort of cautious with European production. I love the stying and handlening and preformance, but check out consumers reports on cars. European reliability often trail American and Japanese and Korean ( all of which use a lost of south american and Chineses parts and components.. I love Italy and Italian machines, but I would prefer to have a good italian mechanic to keep it going.
Cheer
lefty2
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Post by prodigit on Mar 25, 2013 17:51:03 GMT -5
kymco, Piaggio, Honda, Suzuki, all depending on what scoots the dealers around you fix.
I wouldn't go with a Vespa. It's overpriced, much like an apple. A good scoot, but not worth the premium price.
You can get better for lower price.
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Post by waterboysh on Mar 25, 2013 20:02:44 GMT -5
I wouldn't go with a Vespa. It's overpriced, much like an apple. This is exactly how I would have put it. The Vespas seem to have the exact same engine as what's in a Paiggio, but then they give it a retro look and charge $800 more. I like the Vespa look, but not for that much more. I probably will at least check them out. There's only one dealer around that has them though and they have a really bad reputation. They are constantly posting on Craigslist about needing mechanics, and they have lots of negative reviews on various web sites. Here is their latest craigslist post for mechanics. |
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