Top 10 New and Used Scooters

Categories: Motorcycles

Which Motorized Scooter Should You Buy?

The time-tested virtues of using scooters to get around are undeniable. Scooters are more affordable than standard motorcycles or cars. They get excellent gas mileage. They are smaller than conventional motorcycles and are easy to operate. Scooters have been popular in Asia and Europe for decades, and the market is growing in the United States, especially as people strive for economical and eco-friendly transportation alternatives.

If you are interested in buying a scooter, where can you start? You can start by looking at our top 10 rated new and used scooters for 2023. These are the most popular scooters based on site traffic to Motorcycles on Autotrader from 2022.

Table of Contents

• #1 Honda Ruckus
• #2 Vespa GTS 300
• #3 Suzuki Burgman 650
• #4 Honda Metropolitan
• #5 Honda PCX 150
• #6 Suzuki Burgman 400
• #7 Yamaha Zuma 125
• #8 Honda Silver Wing
• #9 Piaggio MP3 500
• #10 Vespa Primavera 150
• Best Motor Scooter for Adults
• Frequently Asked Questions

#1 Honda Ruckus

The 50cc Honda Ruckus is known for its rugged, bare-bones appearance and unique off-road styling. This scooter is big on personality and has attracted an almost cult-like following. One upside is the wide variety of available after-market modifications if you want your Ruckus to stand out from the crowd. For more information, read our Honda Ruckus Buying Guide. The Ruckus maintains its #1 ranking for 2023 and was the most viewed scooter on our site from 2022.

Honda Ruckus for sale, model years, MSRP, and typical used price:

• Honda Ruckus for sale
• New Honda Ruckus scooter for sale
• Used Honda Ruckus scooter for sale
• Manufactured from 2003 - Present
• 2023 MSRP: $2,899 (+$100 from 2022)
• Typical used price range: $2,000 - $2,700

#2 Vespa GTS 300

The second Vespa to make our Top 10 list, the GTS 300 is a stylish, comfortable, powerful, 2-passenger scooter. With an estimated top speed of 80mph, the 300 can handle freeway driving and longer distances as it is the fastest and most powerful Vespa currently available. The GTS is at the top of the price range compared to other Vespa models. ABS brakes became standard starting in 2015. For more information on the GTS 300, see our Vespa Scooter Buying Guide. The GTS 300 rose 5 spots to #2 from #7 for 2023.

Vespa GTS 300 for sale, model years, MSRP, and typical used price:

• Vespa GTS 300 for sale
• New Vespa GTS 300 for sale
• Used Vespa GTS 300 for sale
• Manufactured from 2009 - Present
• 2023 MSRP: $7,799 (+$700 from 2022)
• Typical used price range: $4,600 - $7,500

#3 Suzuki Burgman 650

The Suzuki Burgman 650 has one of the largest engines on our list. With standard anti-lock brakes, an estimated top speed of 110mph, and an electric windshield, this Maxi Scooter is tuned for luxury riding on local roads or the highway. Discontinued in 2018, the 650 is the highest-ranked scooter available only as a used model. The Burgman 650 held on to its #3 ranking for 2023.

Suzuki Burgman 650 for sale, model years, MSRP and typical used price:

• Suzuki Burgman 650 scooter for sale
• Manufactured from 2002 – 2018 (Model AN650)
• 2018 MSRP: $11,049
• Typical used price range: $4,200 - $8,100

#4 Honda Metropolitan

With its curvy profile and retro appeal, the 50cc Honda Metropolitan is adorable, sophisticated, and reliable. Best suited for flat terrains, the Metropolitan scooter has been a perennial favorite on Motorcycles on Autotrader. The Metropolitan kept its #4 ranking for 2023.

Honda Metropolitan for sale, model years, MSRP, and typical used price:

• Honda Metropolitan for sale
• New Honda Metropolitan scooter for sale
• Used Honda Metropolitan scooter for sale
• Manufactured from 2002 – 2009 (Model CHF50), 2013 – Present (Model NCH50)
• 2023 MSRP: $2,599 (+$100 from 2022)
• Typical used price range: $1,400 - $2,499

#5 Honda PCX 150

First sold in the US for 2009 as the PCX125, the Honda PCX series boasts an oval-shaped windshield and sporty, upward-sloping side panels. The PCX’s engine was upgraded to 157cc’s in 2021. This scooter is available with optional ABS for an additional $200, which was introduced for 2019. The PCX 150 kept its #5 ranking for 2023. You may also want to consider the Honda ADV150 as well.

Honda PCX 150 for sale, model years, MSRP, and typical used price:

• Honda PCX 150 for sale
• New Honda PCX 150 scooter for sale
• Used Honda PCX 150 scooter for sale
• Manufactured from 2009 - Current
• 2023 MSRP: $3,899 (+$100 from 2022)
• Typical used price range: $2,700 - $4,300

#6 Suzuki Burgman 400

This 2-passenger scooter with standard anti-lock brakes is available in a metallic matte sword silver finish for 2023. The 400 represents the middle of Suzuki’s Burgman range of scooters, which also includes the Burgman 200 and 650. It can reach an estimated top speed of around 85mph. The Burgman 400 kept its #6 ranking going into 2023.

Suzuki Burgman 400 for sale, model years, MSRP, and typical used price:

• Suzuki Burgman 400 for sale
• New Suzuki Burgman 400 for sale
• Used Suzuki Burgman 400 for sale
• Manufactured from 1999 - Present
• 2023 MSRP: $8,499 (No change from 2022)
• Typical used price range: $3,300 - $7,200

#7 Yamaha Zuma 125

Modern and compact, the Zuma 125 2-passenger scooter was redesigned for 2022 and returned to its roots as a dual-sport scooter. We think the styling could be improved, but with safety features such as standard ABS brakes and an estimated fuel economy of 101 mpg, we can’t complain too much. A USB port allows you to charge your smartphone while driving. The Zuma 125 rose three spots to #7 from #10 for 2023.

Yamaha Zuma 125 for sale, model years, MSRP, and typical used price:

• Yamaha Zuma 125 for sale
• New Yamaha Zuma 125 scooter for sale
• Used Yamaha Zuma 125 scooter for sale
• Manufactured from 2008 - Present
• 2023 MSRP: $3,799 (+$100 from 2022)
• Typical used price range: $2,200 - $3,700

#8 Honda Silver Wing

One of the first maxi-scooters to be introduced in the US, the Honda Silver Wing made up for what it lacked in fuel economy with speed, style, and touring capacity. Production ceased with the ABS version in model-year 2013, but the Silver Wing remains a popular scooter on Motorcycles on Autotrader. The Silver Wing improved one spot to #8 for 2023.

Honda Silver Wing for sale, model years, MSRP, and typical used price:

• Used Honda Silver Wing scooter for sale
• Manufactured from 2002 – 2013
• 2013 MSRP: $9,270
• Typical used price range: $3,200 – $6,400

#9 Piaggio MP3 500

This three-wheeled 500cc scooter, with its unique style, is powerful and handles extremely well but comes with a hefty price tag. Although production ended for the U.S. market in 2013, buyers can still purchase the MP3 500 Sport or the 500 HPE, which shares many similarities to the 2008 – 2013 MP3 500. The MP3 500 dropped one spot to #9 for 2023.

Piaggio MP3 500 for sale, model years, MSRP, and typical used price:

• Piaggio MP3 500 scooter for sale
• Manufactured from 2008 – 2013
• 2013 MSRP: $8,899
• Typical used price range: $5,500 - $7,999

#10 Vespa Primavera 150

The second Vespa to make our Top 10 list, in 2015 Vespa revived the Primavera name it had used for a scooter in the 1960s and 1970s. Featuring the classic Italian styling associated with the Vespa brand, the Primavera 150 is one of the most popular Vespa models. For more information on the Primavera 150, see our 2022 Vespa Scooter Buying Guide. The Vespa Primavera 150 fell eight spots to #10 from #2 for 2023.

Vespa Primavera 150 for sale, model years, MSRP and typical used price:

• Vespa Primavera 150 for sale
• New Vespa Primavera 150 scooter for sale
• Used Vespa Primavera 150 scooter for sale
• Manufactured from 2015 - Present
• 2023 MSRP: $5,499 (+$150 from 2022)
• Typical used price range: $3,500 - $5,100

Honorable mention:

Falling just outside the Top 10 but still worthy of an honorable mention is the Yamaha XMax, which has a liquid-cooled engine and starts at $6,099.

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Best Motor Scooter for Adults

Considering all the scooters named to our Top 10 scooters list, we picked the Vespa GTS 300 as the best scooter for adult riders. With a 300hp engine and speeds of up to 80mph, this scooter would provide a stylish and powerful ride for two adult riders. The GTS 300 was the most viewed Vespa model on our site for 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions About New and Used Scooters

• What is the best used scooter?

  Although all the scooters from our list of Top 10 New and Used Scooters would make a solid choice, we would recommend buyers to consider one of the following. We limited our answer to only those scooters still being manufactured.

  1. Honda Ruckus
  2. Vespa GTS 300
  3. Vespa Primavera 150

• What is the best new scooter?

  From our Top 10 New and Used Scooter list above, we think buyers looking for a new scooter should highly consider these three models:

  1. Honda Metropolitan
  2. Honda Ruckus
  3. Vespa GTS 300

• What is the best value scooter?

  From our Top 10 New and Used Scooter list above, we think buyers will get the most value from these three scooters since all hold their value for years, are very reliable, and can be purchased new for $3,900 or less:

  1. Honda Metropolitan
  2. Honda Ruckus
  3. Honda PCX 150

• What is the most reliable scooter?

  All Honda scooters are extremely reliable, so you would be making a wise choice selecting any of their models, either new or used. On the other hand, it is hard to argue with Vespa’s build craftsmanship, and they use the employ the highest standards. Special mention to Kymco, who has steadily built a consistent reputation over the last ten years. Kymco was originally a Honda parts supplier, and all their new scooters include a 24-month warranty which is supported by their large U.S. dealer network.

• What scooter can I buy instead of a Vespa?

  If you’re looking for retro styling matched with reliability, we think Honda’s Metropolitan 50cc scooter is a fantastic choice. Plus, the MSRP of a 2023 Metropolitan is almost $1,600 less than the comparable Vespa Sprint 50.

• What is the average fuel economy for a scooter?

  Scooter manufacturers often claim their scooters can reach 90 – 100 MPG or even more, although scooter owners frequently report 75 to 95 MPG under real-world conditions.

• What is the top speed of a 50cc scooter?

  A 50cc scooter typically has a maximum speed of 30 to 40mph (48 to 64 kph), but this can vary depending on the weight of the driver and road conditions. From our Top 10 New and Used Scooter list, this would include the Honda Ruckus and Honda Metropolitan.

• What is the top speed of a 150cc scooter?

  A 150cc scooter typically has a maximum speed of 50 to 60mph (80 to 97kph), but this can vary depending on the weight of the driver and road conditions. From our Top 10 New and Used Scooter list, this would include the Vespa Primavera 150, and the Honda PCX 150.

• Can you use a standard driver’s license to drive a scooter?

  In most states, yes, if the scooter has a 50cc engine size or smaller, you can use your regular driver’s license. Keep in mind that each state has specific regulations on titling, registration, helmet, and insurance. Check your state’s DMV to ensure you follow all state laws.

• What is the minimum age to drive a scooter?

  Each state is different, and a few states allow drivers to be only 14 years old, but typically, most states have a minimum age of 15 or 16 years old. Check with your state’s DMV to ensure you are following all state laws.

• Which scooters have the best resale value?

  Typically, all Vespa models and the Honda Ruckus have been known to retain their value. It isn’t uncommon to see 2 – 4-year-old models priced almost as much as a new model. Each also has substantial consumer demand, which could also impact your resale value on the used scooter market.

• How does a Honda Ruckus compare against a Vespa?

  The Honda Ruckus is a 50cc scooter, and the only Vespa models with 50cc engines are the Primavera, the Sprint, and the Elettrica, with its all-electric equivalent engine. These Vespa models cost at least $1,200 more than the Honda Ruckus, and they have more technology and features than the stripped-down Ruckus. Plus, you’ll be paying for the appeal, the Italian styling, and brand cachet when you buy a Vespa. Bottom line: this isn’t an “apples to apples” comparison, and you will be making a good choice buying any of these scooters.