New member requires advice Sortcity 08 or Scarabeo 08

[djfila]

Hey all, Im in need of advice regarding which of one of these fine scooters to purchase. I like them all for different reasons.

Vespa gts250
Scarabeo 250 08
Sportcity 250 08

Someone help me make the right decision on which one to buy plz

[Buckeroo Bob]

...if you go with the Scarabeo for 2008, I'm pretty sure you'll be looking at 200cc and not 250. But, I could be wrong. I have a Sport City 250 and love it, but I sore like the Scarabeo 200 I've been photographing for this forum. You have a tough choice. I have no experience with the Vespa. Pricier and less sophisticated suspension, but I'm thinking their support and parts will beat Aprilia hands down. Parts are the "Achilles heel" of the Aprilia line. I've been waiting for months for a windscreen that should have been available as soon as the scooter reached US shores. Go figure!

[djfila]

Cheers mate, actually down here in Melbourne, Australia we have the sportcity 250 and the Scarabeo 250 both 08 models ...tough choice. Anybody else have an opinion?

[Xanthos]

the new Vespa GTS 300i should be released soon - could be an option too

[Kneedown19]

Can't comment on the other two but I ride my GF's Sportcity regularly. Apart from the odd niggle (which you get with any bike) I have to say it has impressed me as far as scooters go.

Being a racer and hardcore sportsbiker I was sceptical about how much fun the scooter would be, but having had it in the garage for over a year now (and 6500km+) it has proven to be realiable, comfortable, cheap, hassle free and fun to use.

Not sure about Melbourne, but in Perth the local Aprilia dealer is not too bad however I have not required any spares or repairs to our SC up to now. As for consumables like oil filters, plugs etc I get them from Scootertrap in the US and do the servicing myself.

Good luck with your decision!

[williamr]

Depends to some extent on how you use it - what for? how many miles? what sort of traffic?

Rob

[djfila]

Primary use would be to and from work about 27kms each way with freeway usage and slow traffic maneuverability a prerequisite and with the occasional passenger.
What are the real difference's between the Scarabeo and the Sportcity? do they run deeper than cosmetics? Love the whole romance of the aspect of the Vespa. Though practicality may rule it out.

[SubSeven75]

Originally Posted by djfila

Primary use would be to and from work about 27kms each way with freeway usage and slow traffic maneuverability a prerequisite and with the occasional passenger.
What are the real difference's between the Scarabeo and the Sportcity? do they run deeper than cosmetics? Love the whole romance of the aspect of the Vespa. Though practicality may rule it out.

Scarebeo is a ton more comfy, and can be more geared to touring.(hard luggage)
The Sportcity is faster, smaller, lighter, and has better brakes. It is more nimble and manuverable too. It is not an uncomfortable bike at all, but the scarebeo is much better in comfort IMO.

Is there anyway you can go sit on both and decide which one you like better?

[Lorenzo]

Originally Posted by SubSeven75

Scarebeo is a ton more comfy... the Scarabeo is much better in comfort IMO.

Is there anyway you can go sit on both and decide which one you like better?

I agree with SubSeven75 100%. I rode both scooters today and the Scarabeo was indeed more cushy. The SC got the speed and torque; but the Scarabeo seemed more refined and easier to live with, also less shaky. (Is the Scarabeo 200 really made in China? How about the SportCity?)

--Lorenzo

[SubSeven75]

Sportcity is made in Italy, Scarb 200 made in china.

[hobojoe]

The Vespa 250 & Sportcity are fuel injected, the Scarabeo 200 is not. We here in the USA didn't get the 250 yet! If you wear tight pants and have a want in your eye then get the Vespa. Other wise the Sportcity will make you feel more like nutter! Sort of a mini hooligan. Cheers

[Marcster]

Video reviews:

Sportcity 250: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRmUwakzGB0
Scarabeo 250: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD518QqdV6Q

I like the looks of the 'beo much more, but that's just me.

[jimscoot]

I'm riding a Vespa at the moment while my Sportcity is in the shop for repairs.
The vespa is far more superior in every aspect when compared to the Sportcity IMO.
The jarring/jolting effect that I get through the Sportcity handlebars is somewhat annoying and dangerous.
I thought it was normal until I rode the Vespa.

[Buckeroo Bob]

I've never ridden a Vespa, but I can say that the Sport City has a very solid ride (once I addressed the tire wobble issue) I can't say that I've ever experienced jarring. The Sport City is what I call "nimble and responsive", so I guess it might be a matter of rider's style and desires from a scooter that separates the Sport City from the Vespa. I guess one person's "nimble" is another person's "twitchy". An extended test ride of both would help you make a decision.

But I'll have to give this edge to the Vespa. The accessories for it have the Sport City beat...hands down...on the touch screen!

[Lorenzo]

Originally Posted by hobojoe

We here in the USA didn't get the 250 yet! Cheers

Hey, hobojoe

Tight pants, huh?? When you say "We here in the USA didn't get the 250 yet!", do you have info to show that we will be getting some later??

Hi, Buckeroo Bob

Thanks for refreshing our memories by resurrecting the Quang Nugyen A/V-plex Vespa...

--Lorenzo