vino 125 or Stella?

[Wayne]

I have a '04 Vino Classic, and want to add a second scoot to the family. I need a two seater and am currently torn between the vino 125 and the Genuine Stella. Any thoughts?

[King Vino]

Wow, that's tough. As much as I love the Vino and YMC, I'd go for the Stella.

[isoscelesjones]

I was torn between a Stella and Vino 125 - I decided on the vino 125 in the end. The clincher: Vino 125 is an automatic, Stella is a manual. And I suck at manual transmissions.

But someday I will have a tangerine Stella!

[Wayne]

What speeds can you reach on your 125? How does it handle two passengers?

[Wayne]

What about the Stella would influence your choice?

[Davey-boi]

*Vino 125*
4 stroke (legal in all states, much more environmentaly friendly, virturally un-modifiable), Automatic. Cheaper, ~$2,500 msrp. Less heavy (plastic body). Great styling which is kinda subjective, I personally like that new-retro design. It goes 63mph max (thats at least what the folks at the yahoo group have told me). Yamaha product (easily servicable, finding parts is not a problem, very reliable). 85mpg realistcally.

*Stella*
2 Stroke (150cc's not legal in CA :( , not so environmentally friendly,easier to work on yourself, easily modified... exhaust, 170cc kit, ect.) Manual old school transmition. More expensive at ~$3,000 msrp. Vintage vespa styling, you can even deck her out in full crome trim from the old p200's!!! Around 60-65mph (but with a 170cc kit on, 75mph tops). Heavier (metal body, but easier to fix if you got into a spill). Ginuine product (not as big as yamaha). No clue on mpg.

Those are the figures I've come up with. So basically it's mainly a desition that comes down to your personal tastes, cuz both are very fine scooters. If you live in CA, then the decision is easy haha! Do you feel more comfortable sittin on a 2 or 4 stroke motor? Vintage or retro? Now the best way I can describe the two is like this... Stella's are like butter, the real deal, all metal manual scooters... while the vino 125's are more like margeraine. If I was in your shoes I'd go for the stella, cuz you already have a reliable yamaha vino. So if one day you wanna ride retro, take the vino... the next you wanna roll vintage, then you can take the stella!
***As for riding with 2 people, I assume the stella would be better (far more sturdy), but thats just a guess.***

[erich]

Davey-boi has a pretty good run-down.

The only thing I would disagree with is maybe the environmental thing. It is true in a general situation 2 vs 4-stroke, but the Stella does have a catalytic converter that puts it in the same neighborhood as the 4-stroke. If you base that fact solely on the fact that CA doesn't let them in, then you have to look at the laws. CA does not let anything on the road that is bigger than 50cc 2-stroke, regardless of the emissions.

As for me, I went Stella. The steel scooters weigh more, its true, but it is not much less manuverable, and is a ton more stable. From what I have heard the Vino125 only goes 55mph, and thats stretching it. Someone please correct me if i'm wrong, as this is second hand info from people wanting to make it faster.

[King Vino]

The vino 125's top end is 55. Personally classic style scooters look great but aren't exactly the most aerodynamically friendly scooter at speed. Now what I really like about the Stella over the Vino 125 is that manual transmission and the all metal body.

[Davey-boi]

You guys are right, the vino 125 does 55mph. The reason I said 60mph was because thats what it says on the speedo, but in reality (digital tack), they do 55. I think even the regular vino speedo is like 4mph quicker than your actually goin.

[marylandmark]

Ditto on nice write up Davey-Boi.

I would go with the Stella-

faster, more stable and I like 2 bangers

[King Vino]

How about a Bobcat with a saddle on it's back?

[Ronnie]

yep I like the stella, but then again it's the epa thing and in 2006 all two strokes are to be banned on us highways. I think? the vino 125 is cool but slow for a 125 at 55 mph, and the stella well it cool. but pricy almost 1000 more is the stella 2899.00+ and the vino 125 can be had for 1999.00 at most dealers. :D

[isoscelesjones]

and the vino 125 can be had for 1999.00 at most dealers.

which dealers are those? I searched everywhere and not only did every dealer I spoke to not have a 125, but they were all axing for the full msrp

[marylandmark]

2 strokes banned on US highways in 2006????????????

[Davey-boi]

Yup, same here. The dealers weren't asking more than msrp... but it sure is heck wasn't any less! If you want one new, my dealer said you gotta put a downpayment, cuz they just VVVrrrrooooOOOMM off the showroom floor :D

[isoscelesjones]

Yeah I hear that - I had to put a down payment on mine to reserve it.

[Wayne]

Thanks for all of the great input. I found out pretty quickly that is was only an academic question anyway. I was leaning toward Stella, but wanted to at least give the 125 a fair shake. I couldn't find a dealer around here that had one, and they had already pre-sold their allocation for '05. Gonna get my Stella!

[Basenji Guy]

It's got lots more power, off the line, and up top; it's all metal, derived from the Vespa, and it's got Mojo! And, it's built in the East by folks who use their scoots like we use our cars and SUV's. It's a quality piece.

[King Vino]

Their Stella hasn't been around here that much for us to really know how well it holds up to fat American asses and how we beat things. My Bajaj was nice, the Stella is nice, but my car is faster :p IMPORT A SKYLINE !!!!

[Wayne]

Okay, lets throw the Vespa et4 into the mix. As I said before, I can't locate a Vino 125. I will have to make a day trip to shop for my Stella. The same dealer sells Vespa. So now I have another option to consider. Any recommendations?

[Davey-boi]

I'd get the vespa for sure! Why, cuz it's a vespa.... nuff said.

[King Vino]

I thought you got the Mojito.

[Wayne]

I still havn't gotten anything. I've got a two hour drive to the nearest dealer, and have to juggle the work schedule, kids' schedule, and wife's schedule. It's given me a lot of time to research, read the forum, and be a really informed customer. For now, we're still using the vino and buddy seat to get around.

[Davey-boi]

Ohhh no, out of those three choices (vino125, stella, or vespa) then I'd get the vespa. But yeah, I'm mojito man myself and I'd pick one over all the choices given! :D