Which Vespa? Suggestions and Advice for my trip to South America

[Lola Rides]

Hello everyone,

I am planning a long trip in South America on a Vespa scooter. I am a Videographer and filmmaker and I want this to be my first big project, both as a trip and as a film. I have come to the conclusion that Marilyn, my LX150, is too small and slow for the trip, so I am looking to get a bigger one, either a 200L or a 250 GT. I know that the 250 GT is faster, more modern, and you can find them for about the same price, but I was told by a couple of people who have traveled down there that it is better to get the 200L because the engine is more common and with a carburetor it will be easier to get serviced in small towns if something goes wrong instead of having to find someone with a computer thingee to attach to the brain of the 250 GT.
Does anyone have any suggestions? It will be about 8000 miles over three and a half months, and I don't want to spend it in a shop waiting for parts.

Lola

[inuyasha]

Hi Lola
If your worried about problems do get the simpler model that would be easier to have repairs done on
On a plus side any vespa you choose is going to be very well made so problems should be few and far between
Either one should serve you very well
You have my best wishes and prayers for your trip
Do enjoy your self
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

[scootnwinn]

I think you will be fine on either one they both have pros and cons it really is a coin toss I think. Though carbs are more common they are also more likely to give you issues as you are varying your altitude. With a decent fuel filter and a spare one it is unlikely fuel injection will give you any issues.

[prodigit]

A vespa may be a stronger bike, that breaks down less than a china scoot, but I'd be worried if it does break down, where you can find parts. also, if you do find parts, they're more expensive.

[scootnwinn]

Vespa has a world wide network of dealers parts will not be that big of an issue it is unlikely any will be needed any way...

[spandi]

Although I naturally lean in the direction of more power, as Murphy's law would have it something will go wrong. (usually in the middle of nowhere) and since the quality is the same, better to have something that can be fixed locally and be able to keep rolling down the road. So by a slender margin I'll go with the 200L. Btw, have you considered taking some critical parts with you?

This link is on the differences between a Vespa GT200 carbureted model and the GTS250. (not exactly the same, but gives you a rough idea.)
http://modernvespa.com/forum/topic66272

[prodigit]

We're talking about brasil, that aside from the cities, has very few networks available.
Like, try getting your bike fixed in the rainforest.. LOL....
Though most of Brasil is rain forest, there's more than 30% farmlands, and wasteland, where aside from a few cows, you won't see much mechanical.

If I where to choose a bike, it would be one that will stand the road abuse.
A Vespa scoot comes close to $4k. If I where you, I'd get a cross bike (motorcycle) for that price.
It'll well outlive your vespa, with road abuse and dust flying around everywhere.

I don't know if Brasil is tough on traffic laws, but if you can get away with a much cheaper dirt bike, I'd do that... Dirt bikes are the same as cross bikes, but don't have lights or mounts for tags etc...
They're much cheaper too... The choice is yours.. Just suggesting a possibility you might not have thought about...

[8307c4]

So, you want to go on a trans-continental trip with a vehicle that is made for putting around town.

Tune in next week for the episode detailing the climb up Mount Everest in flip flops and beach shorts.

[inuyasha]

So, you want to go on a trans-continental trip with a vehicle that is made for putting around town.

Tune in next week for the episode detailing the climb up Mount Everest in flip flops and beach shorts.
Hi
How did you come to that conclusion?
The scoots shes considering the Vespa 200L or a 250 GT are hardly that but in reality high perfomance vehicles capable of interstate travel and speeds 70+mph
If i where to get either one it would be with that type of long distance travel in mind, for just putting around town a vespa 50 is more like it
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

[spandi]

It always used to crack me up, seeing the expressions on people's faces when I hit the interstate access ramp on my "moped" :lmao:

[scootnwinn]

The look when you fly past them is better...

[spandi]

Yep. Done that, 18 wheelers are particularly fun to whizz past.

[scootnwinn]

No doubt, I agree even more fun with a decent crosswind ;)

[cranky]

would love to watch your finished project, please let us know when its done and good luck and be safe!! \m/

[st@rt]

Any updates on this? Im eager to hear about your travels as well. Be safe.

[Girlrider]

I second the suggestions to go for a 200. I was also going to recommend you take some basic spare parts but someone beat me to it. :) If it was me I'd probably take a course on scooter maintenance before leaving as well. The whole thing sounds like an amazing adventure - can't wait to see the end result.

[Mclovin]

Lola's doubters would do well to Google the late Giorgio Bettinelli and Rupert Wilson-Young. Amazing stories.

http://www.thescooterist.com/2012/01/giorgio-bettinelli-rip.html
http://scoot.net/faq/Touring

Both should be placed on The Hardcore wall of fame. Bettinelli knew nothing, by his own account, about scooter (Vespa) mechanics. He said that even in remotest Africa, whenever he had a breakdown, he would sit and wait for someone to come along and he was always able to get back on the road.

[spandi]

Lola's doubters would do well to Google the late Giorgio Bettinelli and Rupert Wilson-Young. Amazing stories.

http://www.thescooterist.com/2012/01/giorgio-bettinelli-rip.html
http://scoot.net/faq/Touring

Both should be placed on The Hardcore wall of fame. Bettinelli knew nothing, by his own account, about scooter (Vespa) mechanics. He said that even in remotest Africa, whenever he had a breakdown, he would sit and wait for someone to come along and he was always able to get back on the road.THIS is really neat stuff! thanks for Posting! I wonder how far one can go in a rebuilt China scoot? :thanks::scoot:

[Mclovin]

You're welcome, Spandi. I'm not sure how far these folks might have gone, but it looks cool: http://youtu.be/XwtGh9wbGIk

[inuyasha]

Hi
Check out this, its very inspiring and quite cool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atkysvMHFUM
Main site
http://www.melawend.com/
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

[Mclovin]

Wow! Is that a Honda Elite? I suppose that would be pretty reliable. I'm sure one can see a lot on a well-maintained GY6. On an Aprilia, definitely.

[spandi]

You're welcome, Spandi. I'm not sure how far these folks might have gone, but it looks cool: http://youtu.be/XwtGh9wbGIkWell I just looked at the video on Youtube, and from the looks of things they went at least several hundred miles. Thanks for posting this too!

[spandi]

Wow! Is that a Honda Elite? I suppose that would be pretty reliable. I'm sure one can see a lot on a well-maintained GY6. On an Aprilia, definitely.
Yeah, Looks like an older model Elite 250.:nod:

[inuyasha]

Hi
"Melawend" is a 1985 Honda elite 250
http://www.melawend.com/melawend.htm
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

[spandi]

Sure was. Thanks Hank!

[imnts2]

Hi. I am near the West end of Florida. May I suggest you view "wrong way around" and "Wrong way down " both streamed by net flix. that is really a big adventure I think. Very risky.
Certainly suggest you do a few US trip/shoots first.Sort of a way to test yourself and the machinery. Trying to ride a scoot 200 miles can be a bit of an adventure in itself. I ride a Majesty and am not at all sure I want to tackle even 300 miles on it.

But I do hope you find a way to make frequent posts on this forum.

Cheers lefty2

[cheapeto]

A videographer should do the Cannonball 2014 run. I think it's a complete reality show season, if done correctly.

[Castle_Rock]

Just last month I ran over 230 miles from Indianapolis, IN to Gary, IN with no issues on my stock GY6 Roketa 150 bike, not saying I could do it again and have no issues, but just sayin, their just as reliable than what most shops say.