Not been on here recently due to a massive shop refit courtesy of Kawasaki. I have been commuting to work in a Smart, but am now using my Audi (long story) and its really hurting my pocket. I work 6 days, 360 miles a week and am seriously looking at a mid range maxi as we head towards summer. I'm on a budget (£1200 tops) and have narrowed down my choice to 4! Don't want to go any bigger than 250cc. As long as it'll cruise at legal motorway speeds I'll be happy. My choices are:

Vespa GT200
Piaggio X9 250
Piaggio X8 250
Aprilia Leonardo 250

There doesn't seem to be many GT's around and to be honest the Leo is an outsider which leaves a choice between X8 and X9. Both are not pleasing to the eye, but the X9 has the Honda lump and the X8 that peachy Quasar motor... and both have a fair amount of road presence and storage capacity. Here's a couple I have my eye on:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230754997919? ... 97.c0.m619

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Piaggio- ... 2659991273

To be honest I'm pulling towards the X8, less electrical gremlins and a fuel injected lump... what do other Muppets think?

I would say the x8 , but sold mine about 4 weeks ago for £800. Nice bike and will do 85mph.

That X8 has sold....

Rumour has it that X9250 sl digi-dashes are becoming very hard to find and very expensive as a result....should you ever need one.

I was looking for the same type of scoots a few weeks ago and found a Foresight 250 in immaculate condition with fsh and only 8000 miles for £1495.
I'm very happy with the scoot and I'm sure that although its a "T" reg its got loads of life still left in it.

The other one I would consider is the SYM Voyager 250 which can be found fairly cheaply now and again and I can vouch for their reliability and they handle well and are fairly quick.
I took mine on several trips down the M5 to Weston & it held its own with the other traffic & never missed a beat.

Personally I think the X9 is one of the best looking maxi scoots & if you get the later evo model which you should for your budget it has a carburated qasar engine so more power than the weezy old honda lump. I had the original SL model X9 back when they came out both 125 & 500 versions, I wish I never got rid of the 500 & they are a far superior bike to the X8.

Kymco?

The X9 250Sl is way better for the dual carriageway than the Leo 250 for comfort. Speedwise they are about the same.

Remember the Leo/X9 250SL will need a oil change every 1750-2000 miles.

I have a X9 250 for sale.
Its on a 57 plate
Taxed and M.O.T till sept. 10500 miles and garaged from new.
Looking for around £1650.
P.M for more details if your interested.

Thanks for the offer Vince. Can't stretch to that price but we've taken in a 2006 Vespa GTS 250 at the right price that may fit the bill!