Discussion
In a nutshell, I wish to get into biking whilst holding onto my Brighton Mod roots. I'm doing DA and (hoepfully) getting one of these...
I think it's a stunning piece of kit with a suitable bit of oomph so I won't end up having to do 15mph to get up the hills of South Wales.
Any reports on how good it is or suggestions for suitable alternatives? Traditional style without having an engine bigger than a 500 is preferable!
I think it's a stunning piece of kit with a suitable bit of oomph so I won't end up having to do 15mph to get up the hills of South Wales.
Any reports on how good it is or suggestions for suitable alternatives? Traditional style without having an engine bigger than a 500 is preferable!
For traditional style, I would strongly recommend the new four speed version of one of these.
Not only do they have a lot of chrome accesories included in the price, they are faster, more reliable and keep the sticky mess on the inside instead of the outside.
They do nought to wedding cake mix in about 11 seconds. Want more power?? Fit a big bowl kit and a set of forged spatula's and your really cooking.
Rockers rule - apparently
Not only do they have a lot of chrome accesories included in the price, they are faster, more reliable and keep the sticky mess on the inside instead of the outside.
They do nought to wedding cake mix in about 11 seconds. Want more power?? Fit a big bowl kit and a set of forged spatula's and your really cooking.
Rockers rule - apparently
@ simon . if your doing the mod thing you have to get an original vespa , that thing looks just like every other happy shopper chicken chaser on the road .Vespa GT 250- people try to put us down, just because we get around.
I love Vespas. Mine is parked deep inside my garage. I use an old two stroke bike instead. Vespas are, in my opinion, dynamically inferior to motor bikes...wheels and tyres are small and, thus, braking is somewhat compromised. Weight distribution is sub-optimal with a distict bias to the rear. I always favoured the weight distribution on Lambrettas, although I'm not sure I'm justified. Locking the back brake is not advised.
On the other hand you have better weather protection, and a surprising storeage capacity. Mine has a front rack, a rear box and spare wheel. I once saw an old Vespa pootling along with Mum, Dad, child and dog. Not in Balham, though, it was in Greece.
Mine is only an 'S' reg, with Dinky toy brakes, and 90cc, with less power than a lawnmower (aprox 3bhp! but still often quicker than a Lambo in London rushhour.)
There are numbers of dealers in restored Vespas. I've passed one in Lower Marsh, near Waterloo Startion. I'm sure scootering magazines will have adverts for restored 'classic' Vespas.
I have found an interesting outfit on eBay. Based in Vietnam with a UK base near Bath, they have some smashing looking machines. Have a look here:
http://stores.ebay.com/Harrington-Gro
I'm sure you could happily fritter away a morning looking for new/old Vespas and Lambrettas on eBay. I really think the older ones are MUCH more attractive than these new fangled things...although disc brakes and electric start are great.
I bet you could get an everso cheap one in Italy and have a free holiday on the saving, though!
I love Vespas. Mine is parked deep inside my garage. I use an old two stroke bike instead. Vespas are, in my opinion, dynamically inferior to motor bikes...wheels and tyres are small and, thus, braking is somewhat compromised. Weight distribution is sub-optimal with a distict bias to the rear. I always favoured the weight distribution on Lambrettas, although I'm not sure I'm justified. Locking the back brake is not advised.
On the other hand you have better weather protection, and a surprising storeage capacity. Mine has a front rack, a rear box and spare wheel. I once saw an old Vespa pootling along with Mum, Dad, child and dog. Not in Balham, though, it was in Greece.
Mine is only an 'S' reg, with Dinky toy brakes, and 90cc, with less power than a lawnmower (aprox 3bhp! but still often quicker than a Lambo in London rushhour.)
There are numbers of dealers in restored Vespas. I've passed one in Lower Marsh, near Waterloo Startion. I'm sure scootering magazines will have adverts for restored 'classic' Vespas.
I have found an interesting outfit on eBay. Based in Vietnam with a UK base near Bath, they have some smashing looking machines. Have a look here:
http://stores.ebay.com/Harrington-Gro
I'm sure you could happily fritter away a morning looking for new/old Vespas and Lambrettas on eBay. I really think the older ones are MUCH more attractive than these new fangled things...although disc brakes and electric start are great.
I bet you could get an everso cheap one in Italy and have a free holiday on the saving, though!
Ignore these folks and go for it!
It's had some great reviews
www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2005/06/04/mvespa04.xml
and I've been thinking about getting one myself for the short commute to work.
It's had some great reviews
www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2005/06/04/mvespa04.xml
and I've been thinking about getting one myself for the short commute to work.
Could always stick a turbo on it.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?doc
>> Edited by r5gttgaz on Friday 17th March 10:13
http://video.google.com/videoplay?doc
>> Edited by r5gttgaz on Friday 17th March 10:13
Blimey...I checked both preceeding posts and also went to Vespa UK...I'm very tempted, too. What about those Peugeot turbo jobbies, though? Have you see them?
You could get a superior second hand bike, though, for that sort of money -£3,250 seems like quite a lot to me. If you didn't mind crossing over to the greaser style you could get a nice Bonneville.
I think the big advantage for the Vespa, though, is the probability of arriving cleaner due to the weather protection.
If you live in London, the Vespa will utterly TRANSFORM your life...give it a go!
You could get a superior second hand bike, though, for that sort of money -£3,250 seems like quite a lot to me. If you didn't mind crossing over to the greaser style you could get a nice Bonneville.
I think the big advantage for the Vespa, though, is the probability of arriving cleaner due to the weather protection.
If you live in London, the Vespa will utterly TRANSFORM your life...give it a go!
bombshell. It´s a work of art and great to ride. Consider the 200cc. I constantly get stares at the intersections. Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff