What is it about a Vespa that drives people to shout "Give us a go mate!" through a pub's window as you sit at a red light? It's probably the same thing which prompts passing strangers to blurt out how they owned one as a youth - or how they'd love to own one again now...
Yes, after a week or so of getting around Melbourne on a Vespa LX125, it was plainly evident this stylish Italian icon has lost none of its allure in recent years; allure that has seen the model snapped up by the container-load since its mid-2005 debut.
There's nothing especially earth shattering about the LX125 - its engine format is relatively basic; it doesn't feature a multi-function onboard computer and its brakes and suspension won't re-write any rulebooks either.
That's because the true beauty of this little Italian lies in its melding of style and simplicity. It does what it says on the tin - just with a generous serving of Latin chic thrown in.
But don't think 'simplicity' equates with 'average' - especially when it comes to performance. It will outrun most four-wheelers up to 40km/h, and it's peppy enough beyond this, up to an indicated top of around 100km/h.
This makes freeways fair game, although zipping through the city traffic, with its narrow width and claimed dry weight of just 110kg, is what it does best. It'll even handle a pillion without complaint. Its coil spring suspension does an impressive job, and its brakes, though a little wooden, pull it up well.
On the practical side, under the flip-up seat you can fit a full-face helmet; there's a pull-out shopping bag hook; a digital clock, a fuel warning light and a good pillion grabrail. Filling an 8.6L fuel tank shouldn't break the bank, especially when that tank is good for over 200km, giving an excellent average economy of 27.5km/L.
Complaints? Not many. I'm not a fan of the self-retracting sidestand, and I found it's easy to overfill the tank due to its narrow filler. That's it.
Those minor irritations aside, this is a great little runner that will proudly continue the Vespa love affair that has intoxicated people for the last 60 years. At $5990 plus ORC, the LX125 has achieved that most elusive of goals for automotive manufacturers - transport that is affordable, yet stylish and oh-so cool.
Specs: Vespa LX125
Engine: 124cc, air-cooled, four-stroke, SOHC, two-valve, single-cylinder
Fuel system: Carburettor
Power: 10.3bhp @ 8000rpm
Torque: 9.6Nm @ 6000rpm
Transmission: CVT automatic
Frame: Pressed and welded steel
Front brake: single disc with single-piston caliper
Rear brake: drum
Seat height: 785mm
Wheelbase: 1280mm
Claimed dry weight: 110kg
Fuel tank: 8.6L
Price: $5990 plus ORC
Colours: Dragon Red, Optical White, Graphite Black, Dawn Blue, Excalibur Grey, Diamond White, Sky Blue or Midnight Blue
Warranty: 24 months/unlimited kilometres
Web: www.vespa.com.au
Protect your Vespa. Call Shannons Insurance on 13 46 46 to get a quote today.
