Re: Scooters 101?
Oh I can help you with this, partner. My avatar is my scooter! I would like to know whats annoying about watching someone slip by you making 70mpg when you're making 12. Oh yea, nevermind, that would annoy me too!
The only reason I would not go with the brands mentioned above is access to a dealership. The big 3 have dealerships easily available and local. Those other names are much harder to find dealerships that service them.
I'll try to make this halfway brief. I don't know what you're looking for. An urban only commuter? You might be able to get away with a 125. You would do better with a 250 as it has highway capabilities. If you want to go on the interstate take a 400+ monster out there. They can go in the triple digit speeds if conditions are right.
As far as reliability, stick with the name brands. Avoid chinese. This does not include Kymco, which is a really good Taiwan scooter. Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda all make reliable machines that can give decades of service if taken care of.
Prices: 125cc Vino Yamaha about 3000.
250cc Honda if you can find one or Kymco, around 4500.
400cc Suzuki or Yamaha around 5800
600cc Honda or 650cc Suzuki about 7300
The reason I would say stay away from Vespa is that they are a fancy name, powerful scooter for their size and very expensive. A 150 Vespa is almost as much as a 250 Honda.
Those prices are new. Used, cut about 1/4 off the prices. If you want to buy a used machine, that's fine. Personally, I prefer new IF YOU PLAN ON KEEPING IT. Don't buy new and then take the hit on depreciation when you sell it a year later. I would also recommend NOT getting a new scooter if he's never ridden a motorcycle before. He's going to drop it. Everybody does. New bikes hurt more when you drop them.
Anything above 50cc requires a full motorcycle endorsement. If your state requires training, your son would have to do that as well. I would recommend he take one anyway. Training is always good. Also, I recommend a full face helmet and full riding gear. Why? Because 50mph on a scooter and 50mph on a crotch rocket hurt exactly the same. And scooters can kill you just as fast.
I hope this helps!