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So, you want to enter the world of scooters? You're up to the challenge of battling our schizophrenic weather, have finally put your money on your lucky colour, and told your friends and family of your intentions (several times, in fact).
The problem, though you'd rather not admit it, is that you're a little afraid. The prospect of fiddling with a clutch, keeping your balance and watching out for incompetent drivers who seem intent on putting your defensive riding skills to the test are enough to take the fun out of even the most enthusiastic novice riders.
Enter the LX. Vespa's latest offering does away with worries one and two, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the ride.
The problem, though you'd rather not admit it, is that you're a little afraid. The prospect of fiddling with a clutch, keeping your balance and watching out for incompetent drivers who seem intent on putting your defensive riding skills to the test are enough to take the fun out of even the most enthusiastic novice riders.
Enter the LX. Vespa's latest offering does away with worries one and two, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the ride.
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Classic Design
After almost 60 years of designing scooters, Vespa's styling crew have produced their 139th model in the shape of the LX ('60' in Roman numerals), and it doesn't fare too badly in the looks department.With its round headlamps and silver chrome-plated rear-view mirrors, it has enough street cred to make vintage Vespa enthusiasts take a second glance and perhaps even consider a trade-in.
Despite the fact that the LX is designed to replace the popular ET8, it bears more resemblance to its popular big sister, the GrandTurismo, which also combines similarly classic touches with modern mechanical bits.
Beneath the shapely steel body of the LX lies an environmentally friendly 150cc, 11.7 bhp four-stroke power unit. Operating the Vespa is a cinch with the convenience of a push-button start and automatic twist-and-go motion.
That's right, no more worries about developing an oversized wrist. Simply hop on, fire up, twist the throttle and you're off.
Low-Cost Grunt
That convenience is paired with economy. With the current sky-rocketing fuel prices, you can feel smug at the LX's cost-effective fuel consumption of 37km to the litre.And unlike its predecessor, the 125cc ET, which felt underpowered at times and toy-like for a normal-sized grown-up, the LX has enough grunt to hold its own against most dime-a dozen-cars.
With a top speed of 95km/h, it's not about to win any races, but the LX gets top marks is for zipping around town with its agility and keen acceleration.
This is where the beauty of the LX really comes into play. Offering steady handling at speeds up to around 70km/h, it manoeuvres nimbly and like a dream in the heaviest of traffic jams and cramped parking lots.
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Got shopping? True to its purpose as a scooter, the Vespa offers numerous storage options. Other than the obvious topbox, take advantage of the bag hook on the front of the saddle to store any fragile or bulky bags. Extra space also comes in the glove compartment on the inside front shield and under the seat-easily accessed with the touch of a button.
Full load notwithstanding, the LX engine has got enough reserve grunt for a steady burst of power to zip out of any cranky driver's path. And, as any rider will tell you, just cruising through any peak-hour jam is enough to make you worship the tarmac this scooter treads on.
Full load notwithstanding, the LX engine has got enough reserve grunt for a steady burst of power to zip out of any cranky driver's path. And, as any rider will tell you, just cruising through any peak-hour jam is enough to make you worship the tarmac this scooter treads on.
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Business Class
But what are style and performance without comfort? Thankfully, the large footrest paddle is more business class than economy, doing away with nasty foot cramps over longer rides.Your friends will be happy too, as the generous wide saddle seat offers comfortable seating for two, without having to get inappropriately intimate.
Which leads to perhaps the biggest problem-playing chauffeur to your overly enthusiastic pals. Sure you know the top box top box has enough space to comfortably store two helmets.
Of course whether you chose to make use of that fact is totally up to you.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Model Vespa LX150 Price $6,344 without COE
Engine 151cc single-cylinder four-stroke with two-way
catalytic convertor and electric starter
Power 12bhp at 7,750rpm
Torque 12Nm at 6,000rpm
Transmission Continuously Variable Transmission
Front tyre Tubeless 110/70 R11
Rear tyre Tubeless 120/70 R10
Length 1,800mm
Width 740mm
Wheelbase 1,280mm
Seat height 785mm
Dry weight 110kg
Fuel tank 8.6 litres
Speed 95km/h
Contact Piaggio Asia Pacific, 6547-4266
- Clear, legible graphics dominate the instrument display. You can tell by the modest speedometer that the LX is no rocket.Thanks to its furgal engine, that needle on the right stays up for a pretty long time
- Like its predecessor the ET, the LX's under-seat storage still can't quite fit a full-sized helmet in,but bag hooks along with glove compartments under the seat and inside the front shield also help with storage issues
- The original top box not only complements the LX's lines, it also transforms the little Vespa into a practical scooter that takes you to work and will even have space for the groceries on the way home as well
- A padded top box lid with matching upholstery not only keeps the LX's stylish lines and colour scheme intact, it also makes it an extremely comfortable ride for your pillion, even on long road trips.
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