Not the little stand-up-on Razor type, but the full-size Vespa (too expensive) type.
I’ve looked at rating sites suggested by replies on another thread, but there isn’t much info. So, I thought I’d give Doper Wisdom a try.
I’m leaning toward the Yamaha Vino 125. I weigh over 200 lbs, and don’t think 50cc would fill the bill. I want power ;), but not a motorcycle. I can’t check Consumer Reports because they pissed me off and I cancelled my sub.
So, any advice or opinions from the SDMB would be appreciated.
I’m in the US, btw. California. 86F and sunshine. 
Peace,
mangeorge (Hell on wheels)
Consumer Reports doesn’t, as far as I know, rate scooters. So you didn’t miss anything.
Yeah, Vespas are too expensive, but there’s nothing else like them out there, unless you want to go for something like a Suzuki Burman, which costs about as much as a Vespa and a half, or a plastic Honda that will fall apart after a couple years.
I’d say look for a good used Vespa ET-4 on eBay or in the local ads. Don’t buy a new one from any of the official Vespa dealers in the LA area, because they’re all owned by the same crew of horse’s patoots. Don’t get me started on Vespa Sherman Oaks. Those guys go looking for ways to piss people off, at least in my experience (bought a new ET-4 from them in June '02).
There’s a Kawasaki dealership in Burbank that also sells Vespas, so that might be one place to try.
(psst, Mom … I think mangeorge is from a wee bit further north in this long-ass state 
)
For those of you who are following along at home, that is indeed my infamous mom, and I’ve ridden “bitch” on her ET-4. That thing has surprising power – even with two riders and a fairly steep hill, it had no problem getting good acceleration. It made me want a scooter, but even if I had the money, my car would never forgive me.
I looked at used Vespas. They cost about 35 cents less than new. 
I don’t use ebay. Too timid, I guess.
There is a dealer in SF I hear is pretty ok. Maybe I’ll re-think. Four thousand bucks. Whew. They don’t state a price on the site for the new 200cc Granturismo. Yeah they do, only $4899. Buried in the fine print. Hmmm.
Another thing;
Is keeping these things from being stolen especially problematic?
I had a Moskito, ran great. I would buy another one.
Why a scooter? A small engine motorcycle would cost a lot less, and at least in CA they require the same license over about 50cc IIRC. The only real difference I can think of, other than looks, is having to learn shifting, and to brake with your right foot.
Just MHO, but you could spend a lot less.
I would suggest a Stella, made by the Genuine Scooter Company. They are an Indian company who jwere licensed to build Vespas, then Piaggio backed out, leaving them with all the body molds, diagrams and such. The Stella looks just like a “P” style Vespa from the eighties and MSRP is about 2900.00, but you can usually get them cheaper if you look around.
Good luck…I’m out to ride my '64 gl this very evening. I love springtime in Colorado!
Let me see if I can explain.
Shifting has nothing to do with it. In fact, shifting might be a slight advantage.
Looks is very important. That, and attitude. Scooters, with their rounded shapes and flat floorboards, are much cool imo. Motorcycles are so ordinary. Besides, they’re chick magnets. Chicks being 40+ women.
And there’s the fact that I’m 59, single, and have too much money. That means, my friend, that I can do pretty much anything I want to do. 
Does that make sense? I hope not.
I checked out the website. Sound’s great. Excellent, in fact. Problem is they can’t sell them in CA. Emissions, I suspect.
But thanks for the reply. Enjoy your ride.
Peace,
mangeorge
About the only advice I can give you is my experience from having owned and used a bright-red Yamaha Razz for almost 20 years and 6000 miles.
Of course, if you don’t like the 50cc aspect or scooter appearance, nothing I say will make a difference. For my uses, local scooting around small, local roads in the summer, it’s ideal, and the 100MPG can’t be beat. It’s my main transportation on non-rainy days as long as the temp is above 50F.
The good:[ul][li]It was cheap to buy ($550 new in 1985!)[]cheap to maintain (one new rear tire, 2 carb cleanouts, the usual spark plugs, batteries and a few nuts & bolts tightened is all)[]easy to store[]The finish (fiberglass) still looks like new with absolutely no care[/ul]The bad:[ul][]no rider protection (but no worse than any open vehicle)[]narrow tires cause problems on tracks and metal bridges[]too small a gas tank for long trips; have to plan for gas stations sometimes[/ul]I would highly recommend two options if available on your model. A windscreen and a “trunk.” These set me back about $100 originally. The windscreen keeps the bugs out of your teeth, and the trunk is big enough to carry, dry & enclosed, a small bag of groceries plus emergency supplies, celphone, etc.[/li]
I have noticed that the latest models in the Yamaha line are deliberately copying the traditional Vespa design, sort of a retro-look. Maybe you don’t have to buy a Vespa to look like one!
Sorry about that mangeorge , I didn’t see you location. Good luck!
No problem. We just got our “location” feature back, so you couldn’t know.
I, for one, am glad to see it.
Check around (Tower Records is a good place to start) for a magazine called Scoot Quarterly. (Google them, they have a web site too.) They have good information about various kinds of scooters and they carry ads from dealers all over the USA. There are a couple of good-looking dealers in the SF area.
Is keeping scoots from being stolen problematic? I’d say yeah. Two average size guys can pick one up and move it without too much trouble. I won’t ride mine to work precisely because it’d be two guys, one pickup truck, gone in 60 seconds. There is no place I can lock the Vespa to while I’m at work. I yearned for a Vespa starting when I was 8 years old and there’s no way I’d leave my little cobalt blue baby in harm’s way.
Alas, Stellas are illegal in California.
mangeorge , if you do pick up the Vino, have the dealer take off the governor. If they won’t do it, ask around, someone will have the knowledge. It will give you quite a bit more umph. I’ve seen those things keep up with my 150.
Let us know how it all turns out!
During my 10 years in Taiwan, where the humble scooter is king of the road, I found that the Yamahas were the best of the Japanese machines. The Bride had a 125cc “Fuzzy” for her daily driver for about 8 years, and it’s still going strong a year and a half later with her crazy brother at the helm. The Vino seemed pretty solid, too, but was too new for many of the foreign crowd to have obtained one so I didn’t have much direct experience. Of course, there’s no real replacement for a Vespa, but they could be had used for ~US$300 in pretty good shape over there. I’d go for no less than 125cc if you’re going to do any hills or longer rides, but you seem to have worked that out by yourself. Guess I’m just excited to find a question I’m competent to answer!
I believe Honda has a recent model that looks similar to the classic/retro Vespa, and Yamaha has one as well. I’m sure both are priced considerably less. I’ve always wanted a Vespa, but I’m not an expert at all and have never even ridden a scooter. Please keep us posted as you research more and start shopping around, as it will be interesting reading. And good luck!