This question is one of the most commonly asked by visitors to our shop.   And it is also one of the toughest to answer.  We have seen recent model Vespas sold within the last several years with as many as 55,000+ miles on the odometer and still climbing!   One local owner of the more diminutive Genuine Buddy 125, has over 41,000+ miles!  These kind of examples have been strictly and lovingly maintained by their owners, and is a testament to how well these little machines perform and deliver if properly maintained and serviced.  That said, we have also seen a few disasters with relatively low miles come through our service department, due to neglect and lack of proper scheduled servicing.  Like so many things, a little preventive care and general maintenance, will go a long way in keeping your scooter running like a top for many years and many miles!

We are often asked if we sell mopeds, or visitors to our showroom will ask how much our Mopeds cost.  The truth is, we DO NOT sell mopeds.  We do sell scooters, which are markedly different from mopeds.

So how do they differ, you might ask?  The big difference between a moped and a scooter is the size of the engine and the amount of power it can output. Generally, a moped has a relatively smaller motor and is classed as a vehicle with a displacement of below 50cc. In most cases, the fastest a moped can go is around 30 to 35 miles per hour. Therefore, mopeds are designed to be ridden on streets and roads rather than freeways.

When looking at the body of a moped, it looks somewhat like bicycle.  In fact, mopeds are built as a bicycle but with a motor built-in.  Most cities, but not necessarily all, have legislated that mopeds must have pedals to be legally defined as a moped.  In addition to being safer, it also allows for a younger riding age in a lot of locations.  Also, mopeds can usually fit only one passenger.

Scooters, in comparison, have a bigger motor and are mostly between 50cc and 300cc. The motor of a scooter is normally located in the back of the scooter and underneath the driver’s seat. Scooters are usually a lot quicker than mopeds, which can allow them to ride on highways and carry an extra rider/passenger.

In short, we do not sell mopeds. See below for the difference.

Why buy a scooter? Consider the following:

1) They get amazing gas mileage. A champion performer like the Vespa LX150, for example, will get around 65 MPG. The Buddy 125 gets 90 MPG! Even freeway class scooters, such as the Vespa GTS300, get 60 MPG!

2) They are Sooo easy to drive. All the new scooters we carry are automatic with step through frames.  Our Scooters are engineered to be comfortable and easy to drive, this is the whole premise behind the “scooter” design. Bringing transportation to the people.

3) They’re inexpensive. Compared to a car, the Vespa Primavera with it’s low MSRP  is a fraction of what a new Honda or Toyota would cost. Combined with the gas mileage (as well as maintenance and insurance costs) owning a scooter is also a lot less expensive than owning a car.

4) Two-Up Riding. Most scooters are equipped to handle two riders.  So bring your friend, your wife, your partner, your husband, your boyfriend, your girlfriend… or even your favorite four legged pet!  Riding together is twice the fun!

5) They’re free to park (or nearly free). More cities are accommodating the increase in motorcycles and scooters on the road. In San Francisco, new motorcycle-only parking meters are sprouting up in downtown areas and they only cost around $3/day, compared to $30/day for a car. Many parking lots offer free parking for bikes and we have even heard that meter maids will sometimes turn a blind eye to illegally parked scooters! As a result, you can usually park very close to your destination. Scooters also fit nicely between cars—just leave enough room to get out.

6) They’re cheap to insure and maintain. Most personal scooter insurance rates are under $200.00 a year for full coverage.  Rates will obviously vary depending on your personal circumstances, but it’s definitely cheaper to insure a scooter than a car or motorcycle.

7) Scooters look cool. The Italian scooters—Vespa and Piaggio—lead the pack every year with their elegant design while models like the Buddy and Stella are not far behind. Fans of Quadrophenia will especially dig Vespa Sprint model with its Euro square headlight and chrome trim. If you’re searching for a more modern look, the Piaggio BV350 has a nice, aggressive stance with tons of power, comfort and cutting edge style.

8) They’re really fun! Perhaps the best reason to ride a scooter is due to the universal ‘Fun Factor’ these incredible machines provide.  Young or old, guy or girl, all agree that riding a scooter is the most fun to be had in two wheeled personal transportation! Test-ride one today and you’ll agree: owning a scooter is a blast.

9) And a million more. there’s just not enough room on the internet to write all the reason to own a scooter.

Protect Your Investment

The answer is… YES!

According to California DMV regulations,  insurance is required if you want to ride legally on the streets or highways. In most cases, this means that you won’t be able to get a license plate or renew your registration for a motorbike without showing proof of insurance to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles authorities. There are a number of distinct types of policies you can select. Such protections can include:

• Bodily Injury Liability
• Property Damage Liability Limit
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage
• Collision Coverage
• Comprehensive Coverage (includes Theft)
  

Protection against motorists lacking insurance is recommended for motorcyclists. Why? Because nearly 1.5 in 10 motorists lacks insurance. Since automobile drivers are often the culprit in crashes with motorcycles, it is critical to safeguard oneself monetarily.

California Liability Coverage Minimum Requirements

In California, the mandatory type of scooter insurance coverage is minimum liability.  Minimum liability covers you in financial terms if you are found to be at fault for personal injuries or damages to a 3rd party.

California has regulations mandating the minimum degree of liability coverage you must have. Typically, you will see these liability coverages posted as three cash figures. In California, the minimum requirements are currently $15,000/$30,000/$5,000.

With a Vespa, the all steel body and automotive quality paint finish results in costly repair bills so that just knocking over your bike in a driveway can, potentially, lead to the bike being written off by the insurer.

Always remember that standard liability coverage fails to offer protection to the rider, the machine being ridden, or passengers – only your legal risk as required by the state of California.

One saving grace with scooter insurance, is that it’s very affordable next to car and large motorcycle insurance. Since the scooters we carry are relatively low displacement engine size (under 500cc) your insurance should be pennies a day. We’ve heard of rates from $200 to $500 per-year.

We do not offer in house insurance, but we have partnered with one of our customers who’s specialized in finding the right insurance for you:

Daiju Yamaguchi
Farmers Insurance
3609 4th Ave Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92103

License Number: 0F51803
 daijuinsurance.com

There’s a lot of confusion surrounding California’s motorcycle license requirement, which is why we get asked “Do I need a license to drive one of these scooters?” more than any other question. The short answer is that you do need a motorcycle license to ride a scooter, no matter the size of the scooter, if it has an engine and 2 wheels you will need a Motorcycle license to operate it in California. For evidence of this, see the DMV’s page “Motorcycles, mopeds, scooters defined.”

Most of the confusion on this issue comes out of how the word “scooter” is used. We always use this word to refer to Vespa and Genuine scooters etc., but the California Vehicle Code, for instance, defines “scooter” as something completely different from the Vespas and other scooters that we sell at Vespa Motorsport. Legally then, the scooters at Vespa Motorsport are either designated “motorcycles” (if they have 150cc or more) or “motor-driven cycles” (if they have fewer than 150cc). At the DMV page linked above, for instance, they show an image of a 49cc Yamaha and define it as a “motor-driven cycle” that requires an M1 motorcycle license.

Thus, a motorcycle license is required for all of the “scooters” we sell, and scooters with 150cc or more are freeway legal.

One caveat: if a scooter or motorcycle has 3 wheels, such as the Piaggio MP3, it does not require a motorcycle license in California. A class C, car license, will suffice for these. That being said, we still highly recommend a Motorcycle license to operate one of these vehicles.

How do I get an M1 license in California?

To get a motorcycle license in California, there are two easy steps:

Step 1: Take the DMV’s 25-question permit test. You can take a sample test, schedule an appointment, or find the motorcycle handbook all available on the DMV website Click here.

Step 2: Take a motorcycle safety course (OR take the DMV’s driving test after you complete step 1).

That’s it! The good news is that getting a license in California is a pretty easy, 2-step process. The further good news is that once you get an M1 permit or an M1 license, you can visit Vespa Motorsport and test-drive some of our scooters!