Retro Vespas

Have the high gas prices been affecting your pocketbook more than ever before? With record high prices at the pump, many drivers are scrambling to find alternative methods of transportation as a way to ease the pain of high gas prices. At one time the best defense to higher fuel costs was to own a small, fuel-efficient car and try to drive less. While these efforts are wise, it’s just not enough for many. Even a small car can cost more than $50 to fill, which is just too expensive for people struggling to make ends meet.

Of course public transportation is an option that can help alleviate the high gas prices, but with its somewhat unreliable service and rising costs, there just has to be a better option. For many drivers the answer to high fuel prices is a motor scooter. Motor scooters have come along way since their inception and for years have helped to ease the burden of fuel costs for countless countries around the world. Consider post-World War II Italy. The nation was struggling for its survival and needed a way to cope with high fuel costs. At the time a company that was producing airplanes for the war decided to focus its effort into building fuel efficient gas motor scooters. With gas prices at rates beyond what the average citizen could afford, this was exactly what was needed. Within a decade, millions of these cute little scooters were produced and this helped to get the Italian economy back on track. Today we know this company as Piaggio which is the maker of the iconic Vespa motor scooter.

For too long, motor scooters were thought to be the preferred method of transportation for hippies and college students, but times are changing. With the rise in fuel prices to record levels in the summer of 2008, motor scooter makers are seeing record sales levels. Even governments are taking notice of the trend and are opening the road up to alternative forms of transportation such as electric mopeds, which were not previously allowed on roads in certain jurisdictions.

Countries in Europe and Asia have dealt with high fuel costs for years and their streets are full of everyday people riding around on scooters and mopeds. For decades the western world has had low fuel prices which allowed them to drive SUV’s and trucks which burned excessive amounts of fuel without ever using the capacity of such a vehicle. Now when fill-ups can easily cost over $100 for these large vehicles, drivers are having to take a second look at scooters as a great method of transportation.

Scooters and mopeds come in many different shapes and sizes and each is suited for a different kind of driver. Most popular are gas powered scooters which can be anywhere from 49cc all the way up to 400cc in engine size. The smaller scooters travel at low speeds and are suited to city streets only. In many states these smaller sized scooters are not allowed onto interstate highways or roads were the speed limit exceeds 55mph. Expect to get anywhere from 70 to 125 miles per gallon with these little gas savers!

Mopeds and electric bikes are another form or transportation that are gaining in popularity. These vehicles can have either an electric or small gas engine as well as pedals. Riders can choose to ride them as bicycles or if they’re feeling tired or lazy, turn on the engine and go. Usually these are limited to very low speeds and not recommended for busy roads.

Within the gas scooter market there exists a niche of motor scooters which is seeing tremendous growth. This growth is in the large scooter market with scooters ranging from 150cc all the way up to 400cc. These “almost motorcycles” are better suited to highway driving and long distances but have many benefits over a traditional motorcycle. One of the biggest advantages is the fuel economy. These larges scooters like the Piaggio MP3 and the Suzuki Burgman still maintain great gas mileage and a quiet ride, but come in a comfortable and more capable package. One complaint from older motorcycle riders is that as they age, they find it hard to mount their bike without losing their balance. A large motor scooter still comes with seating that makes it much easier for an older driver to get on and off.

Overall, motor scooters and mopeds have a bright future as we continue to see gas prices rise. Not only will they save thousands in fuel costs for their owners but they will also help to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions which will ensure a brighter future for all of us.

2005 Vespa PX150 NEW OLD STOCK US $3,400.00 (4 Bids) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 13:04:55 PST

VINTAGE VESPA STANDRA 1966 RESTORED & FREE SHIPPING !!! US $2,240.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 6:17:18 PST

VINTAGE VESPA STANDRA 1967 RESTORED & FREE SHIPPING !!! US $2,240.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 6:31:02 PST

VINTAGE VESPA1967 RESTORED ACMA STYLING & FREE SHIPING US $2,000.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 6:33:56 PST

1964 VNB Pristine all Italian vintage vespa scooter US $2,025.00 (9 Bids) End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 10:12:52 PST

Vintage 1956 handlebar model Allstate Vespa scooter US $510.00 (2 Bids) End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 14:12:46 PST

1961 vespa 150 vbb vintage scooter US $1,500.00 (8 Bids) End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 20:38:52 PST

Vintage 1965 Vespa VBB scooter free shipping BUY IT NOW US $2,200.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 5:46:12 PST

1979 Vespa P200E Italian Scooter 7375 Orig. Miles US $1,450.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 5:49:19 PST

1961 VBA Vespa scooter 150cc free shipping "BUY IT NOW" US $2,200.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 5:52:26 PST

1968 Vespa VLB scooter free shipping with "BUY IT NOW" US $2,200.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 6:17:20 PST

1968 VLB Vespa scooter free shipping with "BUY IT NOW" US $2,200.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 6:47:08 PST

Vespa VLB150 Sprint68 Italian PRISTINE RESTN Memorable! US $3,480.00 End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 9:33:03 PST

vespa 100 sport small frame scooter vintage US $504.00 (9 Bids) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 10:12:54 PST

Vintage Vespa / Stella US $555.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 10:29:38 PST

1979 VINTAGE VESPA BY PIAGGIO P200E SCOOTER-39 MILES US $1,725.00 (23 Bids) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 15:19:15 PST

VINTAGE ITALIAN SCOOTER VESPA VBB 1962 - FULLY RESTORED US $1,800.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 0:19:24 PST

1969 Retro-style VLB VESPA 150 cc - Save Gas, Be Cool US $777.77 (2 Bids) End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 5:19:46 PST

Vintage 1967 VLB Vespa scooter free shipping BUY IT NOW US $2,200.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 8:24:50 PST

Vespa VLB150 1947 MP6 stying PRISTINE RESTN Vintage! US $5,412.00 End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 9:30:55 PST

Vespa VLB 150 Sprint '67 Italian PRISTINE REST'N Magic! US $1,990.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 19:46:28 PST

1967 VESPA SCOOTER SS 180 SUPER SPORT RARE RUNS GREAT US $1,125.00 (4 Bids) End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 22:30:51 PST

Vespa Motor Scooter Vintage Fully Restored '68 Bla/Teal US $1,025.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Nov-25-2008 10:31:53 PST

Vespa Scooter 1968 Candy Red/Tan US $1,025.00 (2 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Nov-25-2008 10:31:55 PST

Vintage Vespa 1970 SideCar Scooter -- Powerful Motor ! US $3,500.00 (10 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Nov-25-2008 18:27:06 PST