6 Alternatives to Vespa (to save $$)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 มิ.ย. 2024
- You do not have to spend premium money to get a great scooter that also looks great. There are plenty of scooters with some key features or have the Vespa vibe that you'd like, so let's chat about alternatives to Vespa scooters. 🔽🔽🔽🔽
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0:00 Jump to what floats your boat or scooters your scoot
0:46 Kymco Like
1:26 Genuine Scooter Co Urbano
2:20 Honda Metropolitan
3:16 Lance Havana (& Cali) Classic
4:00 Sym Fiddle
4:19 Genuine Scooter Co Buddy Kick
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As a dealer, I like your list. Just my opinion on the list:
6. Kymco Like 150i (Chinese made but best by a large lead on anything from China). In 2020 Kymco fired everyone at their distribution center and this obliterated dealer relationships nation wide. Ever since then, they have been trying to repair the damage they did to their name, also Parts are hard to get because of their antiquated parts portal. Its very hard to correctly order the right part because of the hundreds of different Powersports products they carry, scooters are merely a small part. Overall, the Kymco quality is solid though.
5. Urbano from Genuine. This bike is too new and its made in China so we dont know yet how its gonna turn out. The Rattler was also introduced with the Urbano. Both are fuel injected so thats great but Time will tell on the factory. Ive taken chances on brand new models put out with L vin numbers and I was very angry in the end. (Taiwanese made scooters start with an R in the vin number, thats what I trust, not the L vin number from mainland China). I was very surprised to see Genuine (normally all Taiwanese scooters) try and cut corners to produce these models. Ive bought a Rattler before, and so far its not disappointed the rider, but IMHO, Id rather buy a Buddy which is proven to be effective.
4. Honda Metropolitan. Japanese Made. For the money, its simply too slow. A 50cc has unacceptable performance. The only reason people buy them is to dodge licensing or registration in certain states. Texas is not one of those states. Just a tip, you are more likely to be hit by a meteor than pulled over or given a ticket for riding a scooter without an MC license. Whats more likely is, you will be rear-ended because this scooter only goes 35mph and has no acceleration. Id rather pay a ticket than end up in the hospital. And why spend money on a Honda when you can get a 125cc Lance for the same price and it goes twice as fast. Safety is paramount.
3. Lance Havana or Cali Classic. Taiwanese made by SYM so great quality. These are absolutely worth the money, perform ideally, hold up to 10s of thousands of miles and look great. Only complaint is the very limited storage under the seat which Buddys have them beat on that, however you can pack lite or buy a rack and trunk. Other than that, its an excellent choice for a scooter. Good pick! You can also choose between different engine sizes too so Fuel Injection is an option. These also tend to be ore affordable than Buddy.
2. SYM Fiddle. Definitely high quality, great seat storage, ground clearance and seat height. Easy to work on like all Lance and SYM. The Fiddle deserves its place on the list as it combines good traits from many different scooters into one affordable product. I know a guy with 26,000 miles on his. The Fiddle 3 or Fiddle 4 are both 169cc fuel injected and look very similar to a Vespa Primavera but about $2000 more affordable. I would buy the Fiddle mainly because its more affordable to service too! Vespa aint cheap yall... and neither is service.
1. The Buddy KICK from Genuine is approachable for any rider and instantly satisfies. It would be my desert island choice too, along with a Cabo 200i and Buddy 170i. The great thing about the KICK is that its fuel injected, low to the ground for smaller riders, short in length with TONS of seat storage. It has front and back disc brakes and can hit 55mph in a pinch. It doesnt surprise me at all youve selected this bike and you are correct, its a best seller and for good reason.
As a dealer since 2010, I know what Im talking about. For my area in Dallas Texas, I can tell you, the BEST SELLERS for many years now are:
Buddy 170i and Cabo 200i
Buddy 125cc, Havana 125cc/200i and Buddy KICKs and Fiddles
Kymco's Like, Super 8 and Agility are solid choices as well, provided Kymco gets their name back to being trustworthy and makes parts easier and faster to order.
If youre loaded, then spending a lot of money on a Piaggio Liberty or Honda PCX is understandable... but remember, service costs alot too...
For FAST scooters, consider SYM Citycom or that Kymco 550 this channel mentions. At some point though, if you want to ride Interstates, buy a Motorcycle as scooters CVT style transmission dont make sense at those speeds. Engineering and physics competes for balance and storage space.
I appreciated reading all your highlights and breakdowns. I just have to ask though... why are electric scooters so slow to penetrate the market?
I understand that typical motorcyclists enjoy the power, noise, mechanical understanding/tweaking/modding/maintenance, and traditions of combustion motorcycles, but I feel like the "easy neighborhood" appeal of scooters specifically would match up with the benefits of electric motors. It seems so many models from Europe and India just have no US roadmap in public sight. The best option and the most serious manufacturer effort so far I've found (ignoring the expensive Vespa and slow US-available Piaggio EV scooters) is from Niu, with a few US dealerships (nearest to me is a 7 hour drive away) and almost no storage capacity unless you get a model with a box on the back (at least they have that option).
If you know about any electric scooters that I ought to look at, or if Genuine, SYM, or Kymco intend to release EV's next year, I would really like to know about them!!
Kymco isn't Chinese.
Kymco is from Taiwan.
A very old brand.
Use to make engine's for Honda.
Quality is the best, even better than vespa.
In my part from the Netherlands thay say, if it's Italian it's made to brake.
@@martinvanbakel3950 I agree with most of what youre saying but the VIN numbers on mainland Chinese scooters start with L. I agree that KYMCO is quality, and not comparable to junk brands you usually see from China, but the VIN doesnt lie. KYMCO makes awesome scooters, that is agreed but they from China. They are the exception to the rule. Some KYMCO stuff IS made in Taiwan though because the Spade150 has an R VIN number, like Taiwanese brands SYM, Lance and Genuine. The main issue I take with Kymco is the leadership. Theres alot behind the scenes you dont know about.
@@evshrug The problem with Escooters is twofold, Range and Time to Refuel (Recharge). Its unacceptable to wait HOURS in order to ride another 30 miles. Among other glaring issues with EVs, the range and chargetime are a bust. Try to understand, a gas 125cc fills up in 4 seconds (not four hours) and has a range three times further. Ive done the math. Even if gasoline was $20 a Gallon, it would still be more convenient to ride a gas motorscooter than an electric one because you dont suffer range anxiety. The common rebuttal is "oh, but you havent heard about ABC new battery or the eco-mode range booster or whatever." That same horsecrap has been bandied about for 20 years... but the fact is, if an EVs claimed speed isnt a total lie, the range is. Gas products are more affordable, go further, fill up faster and top out faster. These are unpopular opinions given the mania going on the last few years, but I learned all these lessons from 2009 to 2013. Theres been dozens of Lithium Ion powered eBikes and full size Escooter distributers the last 15 years. They pop up and disappear every season. My business, we sold only electric the first few years. I will never go back. Show me an Escooter that can hit 55mph, with a Range of 80miles, that recharges in a few minutes and costs less than $3800 Out the Door. You cant. Its beyond the physical limits of this universe because a battery cant do that. ICE is superior to EV, that is the objective truth. Gas scooters are not hard to own, it takes about 5 minutes to do an oil change. Peoples fear of gas scooters is ignorant and their trust of EVs is misguided.
@@martinvanbakel3950 Kymco builds in China and Taiwan. The Like 50 I used to own had an L VIN number and somewhere said Made in China. SYM and Kymco both build in China and Taiwan. Heck, the BMW C400 is wholly built by Loncin in China.
Just got a Honda ADV 150, your videos really have helped me in getting comfortable while I ride. Good tips for beginners! Thank you!
I agree with everything you've said. BUT, If you can afford a Vespa, I would buy one. First is the quality, the Ride and the materials. It is not a flimsy plastic scooter from China. Think of the spare parts. Do you expect to get any spare parts after 5 or 10 years from China? If you want a scooter for very short trips now and then, then a cheap one will serve you well. And yes, I love my Vespa. It is white with the big windshield and a red cascade. 😍
The stripes almost fooled my eye but I stayed focused and I’m glad I did! Great video!
I was so happy to find your video! I am 70, 5’3” and ride a Buddy 50. It was my learning scooter. I am in the market for a 150, and was a little worried about the larger size. Basically I need storage, automatic and something I can handle. I only use the side kickstand because I am not strong enough to pull the scooter on to the main stand, and the Buddy is a small light scooter….though it hasn’t been a problem. And no matter what scooters I look at, I always come back to the Vespa. I just love the styling. It was nice to find someone who felt the same. I just want a Vespa...
I love your videos Renee! Would you make a video about the clothes you wear when riding in Texas winter? How much cold protection do you need? Other youtubers talk about their experiences in colder climates, but how about in your city? Thank you!
Took me a year to find a used scooter for sale that I was happy with. It was a 2009 Yamaha Vino 50cc that I bought in 2018. It was kept indoors by a car dealer who used it with an RV for camping trips. I was shocked that I couldn't find rust on it. He added fuel stabilizer every time he got gasoline. It goes 39mph in the flat (or slight uphill) and will go up steeper portions of road in Pennsylvania at about 20mph. It gets close to 100mpg. The Vino was produced for 17 years and they didn't stop providing it in the US until maybe 2-3 years ago. The service manual was also available online, and it made inspecting the vehicle a lot more practical. I found a rodent hole in the coolant tank, and someone put JB weld in the coolant drain plug (probably because they couldn't identify the leak). Because it shares a lot of parts with the more popular Yamaha Zuma 50cc (engine included), I was able to get new or used replacement parts online.
I still have the Vino and no other scooter. Yes, I wish it had ABS/traction control and top speed of 55mph; but I've put 3000 miles on in the morning on weekends to destinations I can possibly reach without going on any roads above 45mph. I pull over where needed if I'm going to be in the way of anyone. Staying warm while riding seems to be the difficult thing. Military surplus cold weather gear seems to help a lot underneath, but I won't ride if there is ice or snow on the road. Hospitals are too expensive to visit for a leisure activity. :)
Glad I found your channel. I’m thinking about a Vespa. I have a Wolf now, which people don’t mention 😅 It’s been a fun first ride for me.
Love the video and coverage of the options. I just started riding scooters 3 weeks ago and the Genuine Urbano 200i is the scooter I went with - largely due to your recommendation I'll add. Loving it so far!
Congrats on the scooter!! Which color did you go with? Hope you get lots of miles & smiles!
@@ScooterNewbie Thank you :) Went with Green. already approaching the first service. Having a blast!
They say that you meet the nicest people on a Honda. That may be true and you might be cool on another scooter but you will only be Steve McQueen cool on a Vespa. Loved the video flick. Mahalo!
Ive had three Metro's and now I have a Kymco Compagno 110i it's a Daily rider, love it. It has a more narrow taper to the tail light... Great improvement as far as keeping up with the flow. Honda Mets are super dependable but can't keep up with traffic.The Compagno has virtually the same tiny footprint as a 50cc but it can ride comfortably at 45-50
I am as new as you were when you started. I am taking my MSF course in June. Thank you for all of these videos! You are making my pre-scooter life a lot less stressful!
I’m happy to help. June will be here before you know it! So excited for you!!!
Great video Renee! Your enthusiasm for scooters is contagious. You're not just a talking head reading off of a cue card...you actually love these things, and it shows. 😀
Riding a Vespa is like wearing a Rolex watch. There's no denying that they're a premium product, beautiful to look at, and a joy to ride. Unfortunately, most of us don't have unlimited play money, so we have to be realistic in our purchases, especially if we're new to scootering. The scooters you describe are all quality products that will give years of service and won't scare the daylights out of a newbie rider. Learning to ride on a Vespa is like learning to drive in a Rolls Royce...very intimidating because of the high cost.
I look forward to your next video...keep 'em coming!
Appreciate your comment. I like the Vespa, but I’m more concerned about the scratches and scrapes that might appear... If I let a friend take it for a ride-a very experienced trusted friend-but he slips and lets it rock over on its side..., I would have an easier time absorbing the harm on a cheaper scooter...
If someone actually wants a 50cc, the Honda is very hard to argue with, the fact it has fuel injection while still being cheaper than the carbureted Honda Ruckus is very impressive to me. I wouldn't want to own a 50cc, but if I did it would almost certainly be the Metropolitan. I have just never had problems getting parts or having premature failure on a Honda scooter
It is awfully slow, even for a 50. My Buddy 50 is MUCH quicker!
I bought a Piaggio Liberty 150. I am quite happy with it. It has the same engine as the Vespa. I enjoy your videos.
I was considering buying a Liberty 150, unlike Vespas the price was reasonable, but the shipping/setup charges were just too high. I do sometimes wish I had the bigger wheels though. The Liberty is built in Vietnam, probably why the price is low, but as long as Piaggio is running the factory it shouldn't really make any difference where it's located.
Love that Liberty! How long have you had yours? (And thank you!!)
@@ScooterNewbie Going on year 3 now!
Service for all brands in Piaggio Group is not cheap.
I'm actually planning on getting something 50cc this next year or so, mostly just for putting around on country roads around here, but also cause I don't want to go through all the hassle of getting an endorsement without knowing whether I'll actually enjoy it or not. Either way with this I'd be getting experience that would help if I do decide to take the exam.
Thank you!! This helps!! Could you tell me if there are models to stay-away from? I’m learning, and trying to sort the myriad!
Great video Renee. This will be helpful for those that might be searching for a scooter now or down the line. I remember that Kymco Like 150 that was Red, White and Black with a Checker Flag design on the real. I was tempted almost get that one because of the style look of it. LOL. I’ve had a couple of Managers at my office interested in a scooter and they sure loved my scooter when I have taken to my main office and parked it in our garage. Plus, I’ve met a few other people that liked my scooter and we talk about it and point them the Motorcycle Shop. Plus, take about getting their motorcycle license and safety gear. So, this video will definitely help those looking for a scooter. I’m going to share this video with my co-workers and a couple of friends.
Go Marty! Your mission, should you choose to accept it - BRING YOUR COWORKERS TO THE SCOOTER SIDE! 😂
@@ScooterNewbie I sure will bring them to the Scooter Side My Master! Haha 😂.
Would love to see you review some of the SYM models like the jet14 200i 😁
Personaly I own two Japanese scooters. Suzuki and Yamaha. The only others I would touch are the Kymco or Sym after that Vespa and Chinese.
Reliability service and Parts. Though the heratige of the Vespa is amazing.
Nice videos and Hi from Australia.
I am a 64 year old retired auto mechanic, and lifelong motorcyclist. I retired a few years early because I was starting to develop some disabilities. I was having a hard time getting my leg over motorcycle seats. I got my first scooter back in 2005, basically as a toy. I was at a motorcycle dealer for parts, and they had it on sale, and I bought it. A Yamaha Zuma 50 2 stroke. It turned out to be a blast to run around on residential streets on, but not so good for actual main streets, where the speed limit is 45 mph, and everybody goes around 55 mph. A 50cc scooter will barely hit 40 mph, and takes forever to get there. Sadly the Zuma got crushed by a truck in a parking lot. So I replaced it with a 2007 Honda Metropolitan. Yep, another 50cc scooter. I put over 10,000 miles on that one, riding it like a bicycle on the shoulders of rural roads in southern AZ. I took day long trips on it. I finally decided I wanted something bigger, and replaced it with a 2009 Yamaha Vino 125. I managed to put over 30,000 miles on that one in four years. I took two and three day trips on it. It would go everywhere but on the freeway. I traded it for a 2012 Yamaha Zuma 125. I didn't keep that one very long. It was very cramped, had a very tall seat, and had EFI, something I am not very fond of because of all the problems I've had with it as an auto mechanic. I traded it on a new 2015 SYM HD200. I really liked that scooter, but less than a year after I bought it, I found a like new 2006 Vespa GT200 with 1800 miles on it, and bought it on the spot, and sold the HD200. I still have that one and have no plans to ever get rid of it. I have also had two other scooters that I owned at the same time as the ones I listed. I bought a new 2009 Genuine Stella, which is basically the same as a vintage Vespa P series. All steel, 150cc 2 stroke, manual shift, manual clutch, kickstart only. It's a blast to ride, and I still have it. Last one was a used Lance Cali Classic 125 (I prefer the Cali Classic over the Havana Classic because of the motorcycle style handlebars) I got that one to try scooter commuting. I tried for a couple of years, but it is so miserably hot here in southern AZ that I kept going back to a car. I finally gave it to my oldest daughter to sell. I am now down to the 2006 Vespa and 2009 Genuine Stella. They should easily last me for the rest of my riding life.
While pretty much anything but a Chinese scooter is going to be decent (Taiwanese scooters can even be better than Japanese) there really is nothing that can compare with a Vespa. The quality, fit and finish, and high degree of refinement is several steps above anything else. I noticed that you finally did get a Vespa.
I own a Sym fiddle III 125cc and I love it. Its so comfortable and easy to ride. It looks great too. I'm about to personalise it. Top speed is 60mph so it keeps up with most traffic and it's so inexpensive to run.
If you're not looking for the Vespa aesthetic, the Genuine Rattler 200i and Hooligan 170i are great options. They both use the same 168.9 cc engine that is used in the Urbano 200i. Also the Rattler is around $600 - $700 cheaper than the Buddy Kick 125s while offering more power and more storage space.
I have a red 2013 kymco 200i like and it’s my baby- I love it so much! And I’m able to ride it even tho I’m 5 ft lol
That’s so good to hear! I was nervous at the height, but it’s such a small difference really!
I just bought a 2023 Yamaha Zuma 125. I've never ridden another scooter so I can't say if it's better than others. But I like it. It has the new Blue Core engine. It is priced at $3900.
It's dangerous watching your channel!!! Had my GTS since June and still ordering new things for it. Got my front rack this morning and just finished installing it.
While I love the performance of big bikes and Maxi scoots like the AK, I've found that the 200-400cc range is....I guess the word is peaceful. Enjoy your videos.
Now I'm searching to find options for extending riding range for the GTS betwixt fill ups. This seems to be the only place that saves me $$$ hahahaha.
I'm seriously considering the Liberty as a 2nd member now.......
That’s crazy about the GTS & potential Liberty! I have a bad memory, but I distinctly remember AK comments! Come over to the dark side… 😂 I do not enjoy the AK as much, but I really think it’s because it’s not very nimble in the same way even the GTS is.
I just ordered a fuel container this week! It doesn’t have great reviews, but I’ll let ya know if it doesn’t leak & does what I need it to do- get me some miles on long trips between stations!
I’m very close to buying my first scooter 👍. It’s gonna be a 150cc Vespa and I’m just a little scared because I’m 5’2 but I’m getting it at a really great price ! Thanks for your scooter tips !!
So glad you found a good deal!! Can’t wait to hear how you’re feeling a few weeks in. It will be an adjustment, but I’ll be rooting for you!!
I'm stuck on a Royal Alloy 150. Lots of pros and cons but love is blind. Very old school style which is for me.
That was so key about the Buddy Kick's gas cap. Every time I had gasoline all over my stuff. Every time.
Hello! Thank you for your channel! Really appreciate all the details you share! Would love to hear a video on accessories for the Vespa, as well as helmets!
Also - where did you get the Ukraine sticker (?) to fit over the Primavera emblem on the front? Thanks!
Please do a review on the honda metropolitan. I am at the point of visiting shops to compare
Hey Renee!
Did you finish the cannonball run? I would love to hear your thoughts on everything.
I rode my Zuma to pikes peak that same week. 2031 Miles in 4 days and I missed the EF-3 tornado in Perryton by 15 minutes. It was the craziest adventure I’ve been yet. Everything from 100 mph crosswinds, hail, severe thunderstorms, snow and 21 nails in my new tires. Best part was coming home to a new puppy named Tator tot 😁
I have a lot of fun with my Kymco 125 like. It"s more plastic then a real vespa but it drives great
Hi Renee, I love your channel so informative and you don't drag anything out. It's really helpful insight as I make a decision about purchasing a Scooter.
A big question for me... SHOULD I BUY USED OR NEW???? If a used 300cc is a less or at least negotiable in price, should I go for it? (yes, I am thinking of a vespa)
The ONLY issue with used is if it’s sat up a long time, but even that can be no big deal if we’re not talking years. Parts are easy to come by for a Vespa, so I’d do it!
Would love to see an update on the AK 550 and how it’s holding up etc. Miss the vids, hope all is well.
I don't think it's available in the states but Yamaha has a scoot called the Fazzio. Love the scoot.
I love my 70cc 2 stroke Vespa. It's light, perfect for zipping around town and gets insane gas mileage.
After crashing my car, all I've got is my 2015 KYMCO Agility 125. It was made in China. The odometer reads in kilometers, even though it was sold in the USA. It has 5099 kilometers and is running OK. The oil has been changed and the original services were done. The battery for the clock failed twice. Everything else works.
The suspension is really rough. Sometimes I wonder if it works. It does but not smoothly. The mpg calculation was done this week and it has improved. It is rated by KYMCO at 75 mpg US. For a while it got 83 mpg in city riding at 3500 feet above sea level. Now at 550 feet above sea level it is getting 90.51 mpg in 105 degree heat in Dallas Texas. This was with city riding at speeds no faster than 45 mph and mostly 35 mph. When I was commuting across the city with twenty miles or more riding at 50 mph the mileage was around 50 mpg. I had to refill the tank daily.
I hope it lasts for at least another twenty-thousand miles. I doubt I could afford a car before then. Maybe I could afford a SYM Citycom or Royal Enfield Himalayan in a year. Life isn't great earning $14 per hour with lots of bills.
Honda scoopy in our country only cost 2nd hand $300-700 . My mom's scoopy havent got oil change in 2 years lol still running
My favorite is the one I could afford. A Chinese DF-Moto brand "Razor 150". (149 cc engine) $979.95 dollars for a 2021 model new, $1200.00 with shipping right to my door. Had it a year and a half now and I absolutely love it. It uses a Gy6 engine which is a clone of a popular Honda engine. Parts are cheap and plentiful through Amazon. Insurance is 100 bucks a year. I have had zero problems with it.
Yes!!!! Whatever has you on the road outside of the car is a win to me! How many miles have you put on yours? It’s been awhile since I caught up with you!
@@ScooterNewbie Only about 574. I'm a busy guy that moderates an internet show twice a day on top of my normal daily activities so I don't get to ride much.
I know that struggle! I’ve been working from home even more again with a project, AND I spread my miles between the scoots to some degree. When this project is over I’ll be back to lunch rides!
Keeping up with a daily show - much less 2 - sounds exhausting (but hopefully fun!!)
I'm a first time scooter buyer and am looking at the Genuine buddy kick 125, buddy 170i, or urbano 200i. My main use is commuting 5 miles on a 2 lane 40mph speed limit road that can have a lot of traffic during rush hour but only 3 lights. However, I'm also 20 miles from the beach via a 4 lane 55 mph (cars going 70) limited access divided highway and can see myself wanting to use it for a quick trip to the beach. The area I leave in is very flat. I certainly would appreciate any suggestions/advice.
Hey! Did you decide? I’m voting the Urbana (coming from someone who loves the Kick!) And the 170i I’d pass on, personally over the 125 or 200.
Here in the Philippines we have another option that somehow resemble the looks of vespa. Benelli Panarea 125
If I were to consider cheapish new scooters, I think the Yamaha Smax would be my #1 consideration because it gets over 80 mpg and can go over 70 mph. But I'm still happy with my 21 and 14 year old Honda Reflex and Suzuki Burgman 400.
Thanks for listing these as options! I kinda like the look of the Helix, but they are asking SO MUCH for a very old used one, that I’m looking at newer models. Upper Michigan here, and costs of newer Forza’s and such are about $1,000 more than Helix..? I’ll check into the Yamaha .
@@randykaminski6214 The Helix is over-rated unless you are willing to have frequent changing of the rear tire yourself without complaint. I already put a car tire on the rear of my Honda Reflex and about to on the Burgman.
Thank you!!
If they made a 125cc version of the Honda Metropolitan, I’d have my Dream Bike. Yamaha did this for their retro style Vino, which is gorgeous in both sizes but us now discontinued. It’s tough to find them used. But I have a secret crush on the Metropolitan, fits me like the proverbial glove. I live in NYC and with the exception of the interstates you don’t need more than 30mph to core the city. My first scooter years ago was a Yamaha Riva 125 I got on a whim without trading or education and after dropping it a few times I walked away because I was scared. Otherwise I would have started with a 50cc and worked my way up. Getting back on the horse!
I know the love for the Metropolitan! I just saw one in the wild recently, and I was crushing on it!
I hope your next time on a scoot is much more enjoyable at a pace you can work with!!
I really like the topic of this video! I've been wishing for a scooter for years. But... why Renee, do you never cover or discuss the potential of electric motor scooters?
I haven't been able to find many models yet, but so far the clear winners in the USA look like the Niu brand (Depending on budget and speed requirements, but really lacking in storage), smaller companies like CSC motors has a few nice 150cc-125cc model equivalents (lovely Super Cub look-alike! but they're all out of stock!), and I'm really looking forward to Ola bringing their EV's from India to the US, as well as Honda (just submitted a patent with an interesting slimmed-down super cub look, deeper footwell like a Vespa or Genuine scooter, but also lacking storage or space for a pillion seat or rear storage rack... so we'll have to see what and how many EV scooters they actually release). electrek (and the other blogs the presenter runs) has covered these options and a few more.
I personally like the idea of less maintenance and charging from home/solar/anywhere with an electrical outlet. The options I mentioned are indeed cheaper than the Piaggio and Vespa electric scooters, but they're also like a less expensive taste of owning a Tesla or other electric vehicle, many offering smart options like location tracking/immobilization, more detailed trip statistics, firmware updates, and more. Just like I enjoy using Ryobi batteries that swap between my lawn mower and other hand tools (and the charger), the Gogoro Battery idea (supported by Honda and others) of having a "standardized" enclosure and connections for swappable batteries sounds interesting as well; Imagine not worrying about battery lifetime wear, swapping a battery instead of recharging, and more organized/effective recycling, repurposing, and waste management of batteries.
You explained why I don’t talk about electric scooters really. Availability & storage were the first reasons. Plus I really don’t talk about 50cc options, and the electric available are 50cc equivalents.
I’d love a Tesla scooter equivalent. They have a ways to go to get scooters close to that at 60 mph WITH storage! As soon as I saw the battery eat up the storage on the Niu, I turned away. I lie. I did ride it, but still! 😂
@@ScooterNewbie Thanks for the reply!
The Niu have 125cc and 150cc equivalents! The Ola S1 is like a 125cc, with storage, and a cool battery that pops out of the scooter and springs out wheels, like a suitcase… but it’s only available in India right now :/
It’s kind of strange that there are so many electric pedal scooters (basically moped bikes) are well set up for cargo and such, even though there isn’t really infrastructure to use bikes for commuting unless you live downtown in a city or if you have deserted roads in the country (are any roads really deserted anymore?) It does seem like the powerful EV scooters in the US right now have less storage, but it looks like some cool options might be on the horizon. We have the technology! Hopefully they release in the US soon!
Down in Panama where I am retired the best scooters are Honda. They sell the Elite and the Navi. Plus they have cheap 125 and 150cc motorcycles. Plus, they provide parts support. Parts are hard to come by for most brands down here. Hands down I prefer Honda.
If you want a good scooter for your money Freedom Scooters has a maci scooter for under 6,000 msrp and they have other models that have a sporty look as well.
Hey - What helmet do you recommend? Vespa helmets seem nice, but you mentioned preferring a full face helmet. Thanks.
I love my AGV K6. It's quieter than the cheaper version I had at first, better vents, and it happens to be on sale (if I'm not too late here!) scootersfornewbies.com/recommends/agv-k6/
Love to know which you landed on if you try a few out!
I just couldn’t pass the 300 gts Vespa 2023. I really tried over n over. I just kept going back to it. Ugh. Got sucked in Lolol
A scooter garage/scooter rental mechanic just told me that the Kymco Like 125 is a far better scooter engine wise. They have 1 kymco in repair compared to 6 vespas. Kymco's are far less in the workshop. They even had a Kymco Like with half a tank of diesel, it just continued to ride, smoking ofcourse, but it did pull through. Do this with a vespa and 500 yard and you're stranded.
Nice video.. But you talk about short scooters for shorter riders.. Thats cool.. But I don't think you mentioned anything about a taller scooter that fits taller riders.. Don't forget about us taller dudes.. (I'm 6' 3" and need a bigger/taller scoot).. Thanks and I like your scooter video;s .. lots of great info..
Ya know.... what's funny is that it never occurred to me. I thought it would come across off with MY height, but now you have me wondering. Any chance you're near Houston & wanna be in a video? 😁
@@ScooterNewbie Wow.. Thanks for your kind offer. I am stuck up here in Indiana.. but it would be a total honor to whip down and help make a video.. You are super awesome!!.. Although its tempting to jump on a bird and fly down there to help make a video, but I probably can't make it.. I am a bit camera shy and I have to stick around here to help take care of my aging mother.. But thanks for the kind invite. Right now, I have a 2009 Yamaha 50cc w/ 10k miles and it is a great little machine - but getting old. I actually sit back where the passenger would sit and it really works well. It has big fat tires that help it take the bumps.. (comfort and a smooth ride are important to me).. But I am starting to look for a replacement. The Kymco Like looks like an early contender ( and maybe the Piaggio Liberty, and Verpa Primavera too ). Thanks for your great review of the Kym. Like - and other scoots. I will keep looking.
Most important take away is; there is a goldilocks zone for motorscooters. Its not black and white, Vespa or China... No, there is a zone where Quality and Price shake hands, that zone is Taiwanese Made scooters like Genuine, SYM, Lance and Kymco. I have 12 years experience in selling and riding motorscooters. Those brands I just mentioned are Seasoned Brands that have been around for decades or much longer. They are not shoddy, lowest bidder distributers that pop into existence, sell a bunch of crap to gullible people online and then disappear. You dont have to dump tons of money at a Vespa or Honda dealer to get a scooter that will last 10 years or 30,000 miles. Find a scooter dealer in your town or nearby who carries these brands.
My metro hits like 41 stock
Have you ever tried a two-stroke manual shifting scooter?
At that point it's just a slow motorocycle, lol😛
@@andrewpark7242 the lines certainly get blurred :)
At one point I believe Kymco actually made all the BMW branded scooters.
NICE 👍
Do you still ride. You haven't posted videos in a while.
Be really good if we could get the Genuine Buddy or Urbano over here in the UK.
I’m so amazed at what’s available where?! Do y’all have access to PGO scooters? I’ve seen some on Carribean islands surprisingly.
I've seen so many scooters made for the UK! I felt like you guys (and especially people in India, China, and Japan) are spoiled for choices in scooters and compact cars... I guess the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence (pond)? We in the US can't even buy a Honda E or Volkswagen ID.3 locally, without importing them!
Another note, I am a fan of the compact, utilitarian hatchback, my wife and I own a Honda Fit and a Volkswagen Golf, but both models are discontinued (we have to pay $30k USD for a GTI now, I got my golf in 2013 for $19k!), so many brands have dropped hatchbacks AND sedans, it feels like the United States is becoming a wasteland of single occupant SUV's and trucks purchased for that one time they may need to park on grass, haul a couple kids, and not need to rent a truck/van when moving to a new house.
@@evshrug getting like that over here with the SUV to half of them don't know how to reverse on the small single track roads round by us in Wales 🙂
@@ScooterNewbie nothing on offer from PGO over here that I can find. ☹️
@@glowskulls100 Doh! I was hoping it was one of the extra offerings for Western Europe. Seriously - if the US has it, Asia & then Europe seems to have had it for years first as far as scoots go!
Great video, Taiwan makes the best scooters.
Scooters have increased in cost due to currency devaluation. Even used scooters are expensive. Best Scooter now is Yamaha XMAX.
While people will howl in protest The Urbano, Fiddle 4 and Lance models are all built in China with the Fiddle and Lances all built in the same SYM Chinese factory. Here's another tidbit that I haven't investigated fully but according to an industry source the 170cc K (QMK) block motors were conceived and built to power small ATVs. They have a slightly more robust engine than a 150cc J (QMJ) block. That may pay dividends in the long run.
I got a wolf scooter
1;55 "i have dubbed this the best fake vespa for the money"
While there are many alternatives in the scooter world to a Vespa, I have to say they all pale in comparison to me. Granted, the Vespa costs more and if that is the only metric for comparison, the Vespa looks awful with its premium pricing.
But where I've found all the other brands to fall short is in the "feel" while riding and the styling. The steel mono frame of the Vespa along with its single-shock front end provides a solid, grounded feeling while riding that is different from the Honda, Kymco, Sym, Yamaha, and other scooters I've ridden.
And then there's the styling. While the other manufacturers seek to be like the Vespa, their designs feel mechanical and inelegant.
I understand the lure of lower prices. And I already cringe at the thought of having to replace my GTS with a new one. But after 15 years of service and many miles on the road, the cost has been well worth it.
Could I be content on a Honda or Yamaha scooter? Probably. Is the dealer service network better than Vespa? Absolutely. But it remains difficult for me to get past the elegance of the Vespa. Maybe it would be like a lifelong Land Rover Defender driver having to switch to a Ford Escape. They both will take you where you want to go. The Ford is much less expensive. But the Land Rover has a unique feel that will never be found in the Ford.
Anyway, my rambling three cents...
Rambles and scooters are magic!
@@ScooterNewbie Yes they are.
@@ScooterintheSticks Ah yes, Steve but feel is a state of mind, not a mechanical guarantee. Tests show that by GPS a Vespa 150 peaks out at 59 mph while an SYM Fiddle III runs 62 mph flat out. Reliability leans more towards the SYM.
@kz1000st1 why are people obsessed with speed
Our Honda dealer has closed it's doors. The nearest Honda dealer is over 60 mi away, but we have something better... a Kymco Suzuki dealer that is olde-time terrific.
Wow! I’m so glad to hear you have options! So are you Team Suzuki or Team Kymco?
My metro will haul me at 40mph easily.. it's a 2009 .. I bought it used for 300 bucks.. all it needed was a battery.. the deals are out there..
And yes Honda is the way to go.
I get about 38 mph out of my Metropolitan.
Why does Vespa not just reproduce a vintage looking scooter like the Roman Holiday,and be done with it.I would buy it in a New York minute.
I got a 2018 Honda pcx 150 for $3,000
I'm disappointed there was no mention of Bintelli .
I’ll give that brand a look. I simply haven’t had one cross my path!
Same reason Tao Tao or Icebear or BMS arent on here. They charge alot of money but you arent getting a Taiwanese-made scooter. Those brands sell ONLINE and are notorious for being cheap quality. Hey, we've all rode them... thats how we started but eventually you get tired of the quality. Just saying.... I put up with 4 years of those before I made the switch to Taiwanese or better
@@blitzmotorscooters1635 I bought my scooter at a dealer.
@@MrBobsathlon2 Have fun on your scooter. Be delicate. If you ever feel like upgrading, well, it only gets better from there... I only wish you well bro.
A restored Lambretta , better looking then any on the list , better built then any on the list and handles a thousand times better then any on the list ,and remember you`ll be able to get parts for a lambretta when you can`t for any on the list , and finally while all on this list will lose you money in their value the lambretta will go up
One day we’ll have better access to beauties (I hope)
I disagree completely with everything you just said. LOL. wow
so sad becuase not only i will never be able to afford a vespa but neither any of those (i'm an art student in a third world country)
Every scooter is fun but nobody make a proper vespa alternative yet that is why is expesive and they know it
I have an electric scooter which looks a lot like Vespa, but it's much cheaper!
Oh yay! Which brand and model did you go with? I’ve started some electric scooter research, but that’s it. Only started!
@@ScooterNewbie brand name is Sakura and model is Havana. It's made in China. I will probably buy a real elecric Vespa next. I do enjoy riding the electric scooter, it's very quiet and clean!
Vespa all the way.....if money was tight,2nd hand Vespa over any of those imitations
do all of these scooters have fuel injection , it's very fatiguing to watch scooter reviews and not get even the basic information.
Kymco AK550 is much better than any Vespa. Vespas are the same like the old 2-stroke Vespas with new 4 stroke engines and improved brakes and suspension. They should use large wheels, more powerful engines, better electronics, and better aerodynamics. From my experience, Italians do not know how to make reliable machines. I hope the new Vespas are reliable.
I’m about to take our AK550 back in for more warranty work. 😞
All the new vespa scooters are goofy looking and to skinny,bring back the original design.No fat seat.
Just my opinion,had one in 65 was a beautiful machine in a cream color.
U get what U pay 4 scooter lady ! n when people ask U what kind of scooter U have , U can tell the i have a Ying yang yio , n when its time to sell it , maybe even the recycle man wont take it ??
My $979.00 Chinese 150 cc scooter doesn't look as "premium" as some of the scooters on her list but I didn't buy it for looks. It's a solid machine that has tons of parts available though I haven't had to replace anything in the year and a half I've owned it. Sometimes I think "you get what you pay for" is just a marketing ploy. When people ask what my scooter is, I tell em Chinese DF-Moto brand with pride.
@@DivergentDroid amigo U are living in USA the richest country in the planet , even in china they dont buy chinese scooters , come on get a second job , n buy a Japanese one !
@@simonkaraoglanof1146 That's the silliest comment Ever.
You woke up today and this is what you brought to the world? Go away, buddy.
@@thewilberforce get a 2nd Job wilber there are signs on the windows everywhere , n when someone asks U what kind a scooter it iz U can say proudly a Honda , or a Vespa , but not a Yian yang Bro ??
As a motorcycle mechanic, I advise customers to avoid Piaggio/ Vespa scooters. The build quality is awful on them. Typical Italian electrics that fail far too often. If you want reliably and good build quality buy a Honda or Yamaha every time.
Does your experience include models less than five years old or are you talking about scooters from the 90s and 2000s?
But that ain't like a Vespa, plus you can't get parts. honda metro, 10"", wheels. is 45% lessmachine. Ha. Its cute. Piaggaio.
I don't think there are ''alternatives'' to Vespas: there's Vespa e NONVespas
Glory to Ukraine! Please make more videos!