I thought I might have a look at some restored Vespas next week. I'll obviously check out a few scooter websites as well but does anyone have any pointers, maybe Thai-specific issues / pitfalls / practices I should look out for? I'm thinking mainly about safety.

Just make sure you take your wallet!

Shop around.  Some are not good restorations.

 

^ Indonesians ! At it again.

Gotta love the imagination and skill these builders have, and they are using nothing but what is lying around !

Kudos !

More imagination from Indonesia.

 

 

Buy a Honda instead.

Vespa with book ,1983, 139,000 Baht  Sorry sold already.

I was a bit quick posting this originally. I have now had a close look at the Thai Vespa site and found there were 60 Vespas for sale from June 2019 to date and all are sold . One guy had 20 for sale, no books requiring restoration all now sold. Starting price was from 55,000 to 109,000 baht.

 

You didn't ask where to buy one but maybe you want ideas: Personally I would visit Chinatown (Yaowarat Road). There are many people who ride those Vespas every day and I imagine there should be enough shops who specalize in those bikes.

 

I googled for Yaowarat and Vespa and I found this and a lot more. 

 

 

I asked an older Italian guy about his 300 Super and he said I should buy a new PCX ! 

 

I also noted , when visiting the new Vespa shop in town , that parts/accessories were surprisingly expensive. Like a rubber floor mat at 1500 baht !

If you have plenty of money to spend on a scooter for local scoots then sure buy a Vespa. Remember everything is imported for them and they will cost a lot to service and repair. I've had 4 Vespa's in my life, and loved them all, but now as I live in Thailand I've not bought one here. I drove mostly now so I can't see the need for a vespa for a few short rides a week. (got Honda ADV 350 and love it).

There are some great Vespa restorers in Bangkok who are very well respected. I'd suggest joining the Vespa Club of Thailand and going through them to find the best deal and restorer to maybe buy from, or an owner enthusiast to buy from in the Club. There's a few great F'Book club pages too.

Definitely a great and very comfortable smooth ride, and the quality of the machines is definitely felt when you step on one after a Japanese bike. Of course if you love the sexy feminine Botticelli shape of the 'wasp' then why not. My last was a 250 GTS Volcano red and it was so sexy n cute. The girls loved it too ????

Always take out the storage compartment and use a torch to carefully look for rust. Best to put the bike up on a bike service-stand and get under it and again look for rust, and weld compromises in the monocot frame. I'd suggest you get an independent specialist to look over the bike before you buy. Worth the small investment to make sure the innards or the bike are ok as well as the outer visible parts.

On 4/19/2021 at 12:18 AM, Tropposurfer said:

I'd suggest you get an independent specialist to look over the bike before you buy.

Seems like a good idea but I don't know how I'd get in touch with someone like that. With recent developments I've shelved this plan for now but will pick it up next time I'm in Thailand.