VESPA SPOTTING

Tom Trindell answers:

Check eBay…the sidecar is going to be hard. Too bad your not here in Indonesia because these things are everywhere and so cheap…about $800.00 US for the scooter and sidecar. You might want to consider a trip to Jakarta and then to Bali to get the example you want.

Tom Trindell answers:

Why???? Prob cheaper to buy another one here in england

Tom Trindell answers:

Vin numbers can be altered, but they are easily detected. Call the police, give them all of your information. Hopefully, you have a Certificate of Title for your bike. Scooters in a heavily conjested area are most likely not to be seen again. It pays to have a heavy chain (cost all most $100) to lock up your bike.I would have a hard time believing the Dealer was behind it. A lot of times, those so call friends or pals are the ones scoping out your new buy. Trust me I had a friend steal a CAR from one of my family members. If I were you, I would just canvas the area periodically and keep the police on speed dial just in case I see someone on it. Sorry for your lost, and good luck.

Tom Trindell answers:

Ebay Item # #7006813767
Vespa 150 GS SCOOTER! The lambretta era!

Tom Trindell answers:

If I remember correctly from what I have read concerning this…..there are no short cuts for this but rather it will cost between $300.00 to $500.00 dollars and also if I remember you will need two keys. (a blue and a brown)..

Tom Trindell answers:

If you have the Reg number you could try this site (just found out about it from another answer) to see if you get anything. You get the make and a bit more without paying. I don’t know if it works for scooters but it will only take a few seconds to try

Tom Trindell answers:

Becos all those Vespa scooters are Two cycle engines.

Tom Trindell answers:

Honda makes a 50cc Vespa lookalike, the Metropolitan. Actually they make two scooters with the same motor and drivetrain, the Metropolitan, which looks something like a classic Vespa, and the Ruckus, which looks like a piece of farm equipment. In Japan the Metro is for girls and the Ruckus for boys.

But there is nothing really like a Vespa. Japanese scooters are more practical, more reliable, longer-lived, etc. But Italian bikes are beautiful and sexy and desirable. They even have a nicer sound!

Tom Trindell answers:

I own 3 bikes (a 250cc kawasaki a 636 kawasaki ninja and a 1981 yamaha maxim) i also own a car. Scooters are great on gas but if you look aroung you will notice that the 250cc bikes are selling like hot cakes at a…at a umm…a bed and breakfast full of fat people? …anyway! The reasons? You still get around 70 mpg (mine gets 76 highway) its street legal, you can take it on the highway if you so choose (i saw why you wanted a scooter, valid reasons all of them you seem intelligent), the bike is more visable than a scooter and you are able to get on it a little more…not saying that you would but you do look cooler on a motorcycle. AND heres the kicker! A new kawasaki 250 sells for or around the same as a vespa lx50! Isnt that crazy?! So do yourself a favor look around for a 250, if gas is all your concerend with thats light years better than a scooter. But the pros for a scooter are the same just subtract 10 cool points from every one (the scale is 15 cool points maxium and a 250 is at about an 8 because its not a 600cc or better so by buying a scooter your actually at -2 cool points, but whos counting?!) either way your still saving money on gas! Good luck!

Tom Trindell answers:

Depending on engine size-under 50cc- a few states seem to not require license for adults to ride – Ohio, Colorado, Arkansas noted. Iowa, Michigan, Texas noted to issue permits to 14, 15 year olds. So- how old are you and where do you reside? .

Tom Trindell answers:

If these are the old brown card log books they have been invalid for many years so they don’t really have any official standing any more. They’ve issued I think 3 types of document since then.

Tom Trindell answers:

For the UK it’s as follows:

You must have a provisional driving licence with category p if the Vespa is a moped (50cc restricted to 31mph) or A if the bike is up to 125cc.

You must also complete a Compulsory Basic Training day (CBT) which validates your provisional motorcycle licence for 2 years.*

If the Vespa is over 125cc then you must have a full motorcycle licence which will involve a lengthier training course & theory test.

16 year olds can only ride a moped on a provisional licence. 17 or over can ride up to 125cc on a provisional licence.

Hope this helps.

*A CBT is not required to ride a moped if you have a full car licence obtained before Feb 2001.

Tom Trindell answers:

It depends largely on your needs. If you just need it for a short commute, i’d take the scooter because they are very cheap, and very fuel efficient. More fuel efficient than any hybrid or diesel car that’s for sure.

Tom Trindell answers:

Manly? No.
Cool/Hip? Yes.
Fun? Hell yes.

Tom Trindell answers:

Greetings;
I’m from the states. If i were located across the pond. I would check the local newspaper listings. Talk to the neighbors to see who selling one(in their barn or workshed). Or pickup an issue of “Scootering”, magazine published in the UK(and sold in the states). They too, have a sales listing with pictures.

Cheers.