Korean Job Discussion Forums

[smwood]

My Korean friends & colleagues are always warning me about theft and are worried that even the three (!) locks I have on my Delfino are not enough to protect from the bad folk bent on nicking my ride. I do know one English teacher in a nearby town who had his [unlocked] scooter ripped off, and there have been posts here about the problem.

That said, where I am, I really don't think it would be much of a problem. I'm in the countryside. The biggest concern from my Korean friends is about vandalism: apparently a lot of high school kids like to 'borrow' scooters and take them for joyrides. If they can't grab the bike because it's locked they'll bust it up.

I dunno how much of this is Korean paranoia/friendly concern for my property. I'm not too bothered by it, as the bike is insured and although it'd be a pain in the arse it would not mean the end of the world if I lost the scoot. A 2007 Red Vespa LX, on the other hand, would be way more difficult to replace, and maybe even more difficult to get parts for if it were vandalised.

As owner of many old Italian scoots I know better than to advise caution to a fellow scooter fiend; we are irrational and tend to not think in a linear way, right?



I do think you might want to have a good think about it. The scooters you saw unlocked at Yongsei were probably Korean run-of-the-mill ones. It might be a totally different story for your LX.

~ smw

[purephase11]

Hey guys,

There is a new(ish) Vespa shop selling modern scooters on the north side of the Hannam Bridge. It's on the right side (west) heading south over the bridge just before you get on. I can give better directions if needed but you can't really miss it. The prices are reasonable compared to the states. The strange this is the models. They have an LX125 (it's a 150 in the states) and of course the beast 250. No GTs (the 200cc model) that I've seen. Nice enough guys and can answer your questions about add ons and prices (beyond that, if your Korean is lousy, bring a friend). The prices are 4,250,000 for the LX and 6,800,000 for the 250 I believe. The vintage looking manual (PX?) 125 runs about 4,200,000. I still can't quite figure out what the deal is with the 125 vs. the 150 in the states (possibly and Asia only bike). They've got testers as well if you'd like to give them a spin. Keep us up to date on the bike hunt. I return back to Seattle in two months and am keen for a 200 or the LX myself.

[Wangta01]

[smwood]

Excellent news, sirs.

Dude, if you are heading back to Seattle give me a shout. I might be able to hook you up with some scooter fiends [sic]. I'm from Victoria, BC, and there are lots of links between the scoot folk there and the Seattle/Washington crews. I'm sure you'll find some kickass scoots waiting for you...

~ smw

[mack the knife]

They don't cut through locks here, they burn through them with torches you can buy at any bike shop for $10.

If you lay down serious cash for a serious bike in Korea, you need serious protection. Not some dippy lock.

[purephase11]

Hey SM,

Will give you that shout. I know (knew?) a couple scoot kids in Seattle but who knows who will be left when I finally get back (it's been 4 years). The PXs are flying off the lot of the place. I would say I see at least one different one per day on my commute from Itaewon just over the Hannam bridge. Lemme know if you roll down there and pick one up. The LX seems like a steal compared to the beasty 250. In fact, if the import taxes weren't brutal (not sure what they are but I would bet Seattle is rough) it might make sense to buy here and have it shipped back on the slowboat (possibly via B.C.). I've got no idea on the logistics of all of this but would love to be kept updated. Good luck all.

[karoly]

Mack the Knife has it right when talking about security, etc. I had my Citi 100 ripped off once and found by the cops (I turned off the gas valve so the idiot didn't know enough to turn it back on), and then for good.

The school kids and Chinese market are thought to be probably culprits. Since the bikes are small and portable, the Chinese market goes for them big time; they don't raise eyebrows like the bike bikes.

I use the simple lock on the front disk now; so far so good, but I'm waiting for the next theft. I don't know if insurance covers you but I'd be amazed if it did. Best case scenario is that there's a trace available through your serial number being logged somewhere.

Given the chances of mischief, I'd seriously buy a beater. Afterall, why would anyone touch a pig. That being said, I've got a Vulcan 800 cruiser. No one has touched it yet (too big to steal, and hard to get the ignition parts for without raising eyebrows), but I'm waiting for the day.

If your gonna spend large, then for crying out loud get a theft alarm that can't be circumvented, and then get another one. When it comes to a couple man Won or waking the neighbors; take the latter. Best, if you can get underground or observed parking; a couple bottles of Soju to the watchmen goes a long way.

[mack the knife]

[karoly]

[Wangta01]

[mack the knife]

[JongnoGuru]

[karoly]

I didn't have an alarm. I think it would help until they figure our which kind it is and how to circumvent it.

[Wangta01]

[mack the knife]