Three very different scooters caught our eye today.

First up is a 2003 Honda Ruckus 49cc which is a scooter all it’s own. It’s got a paltry 1,300 on the clock (presumably a season’s worth) and the asking price is a square grand, roughly half the MSRP of a 2009 model. Posting here.

Second, a scoot I caught site of in Brooklyn yesterday in Boerum Hill, a 2004 Yamaha VIno 125cc, that looks a little more “loved” than the Ruckus. About 5,100 miles worth of love. The asking price on this baby is $1600 but could maybe talked down a little more given the MSRP is around $2500. Posting here.

Finally, for the vintage enthusiast, a bike that shot past me on 4th Avenue presumably on its way to its owners in Bay Ridge last night, a 1983 Vespa PK 125cc small frame. Looks like a nice bike and reasonably priced at $2200 but you’ll want to get a closer look at the owner’s paint job (which can either go wonderfully well, or horribly bad) before making that call. Posting here.

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Personally, this was a factor in me purchasing the Vespa S150, which with the removal of the glove compartment opens up the leg room for a taller rider (I’m 6’3′.)

Based on my height, the article recommends the Kymco Super 9 or the Aprilia Scarabeo but hey, I’m prepared to suffer a little lower back pain for the classic styling of the Vespa.

For shorter folks, particularly women who need to ensure their feet fall flat on the ground for safety, Naomi de la Mora of San Francisco Scooter Girls recommends the Genuine Scooters’ Buddy, the Yamaha Vino or the Honda Metropolitan.

Head on over to NPR for the full article.

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In the market for a scooter but not sure to go Italian, Taiwanese or Japanese?

During the gas crunch of last year, the La Times’ throttle jockey Susan Carpenter put together a fantastic video and written review comparing three new scooters in the 125-150cc range:

• The Vespa S150
• Yamaha Vino 125
• Kymco People 150

After spending time with all three, Susan had great things to say about each scooter depending on your requirements as a rider.

Susan had no doubt voting the Vespa S the big winner on style and performance, but also noted it as the most stable out of the three especially freeway riding. In fact, it was the only scooter out of the three that she “felt comfortable riding on the freeway.”

In contrast, Susan had the most fun tooling around on the Taiwanese Kymco People, which she found to be very nimble, but not stable at speed due to the the thinner-set tires.

Finally, the Japanese Yamaha Vino was her choice for the budget scooterist. Reliable, economical and with probably the best storage out of the three.

For the full written and video reviews, head on over to “Scooting around the gas crunch” at LAtimes.com

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$2400. From the post:

Great fun for getting around/great way to save on taxis, subways.
Like-new Vespa-style scooter.
Still under warranty.
Runs perfectly.
Includes helmet, high-end Kryptonite security chain/lock, cover.
Only 25 miles.
Garaged care.
Silver.

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