Jan 23, 2015 12:22 PM
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Hi MSians.
This is a review about my Vespa LX 125 which I've been using for about 2 months. Review contains everything including before buying.
Disclaimer: this review might be long.
History
Prior to buying the Vespa I had owned Splendor, Yamaha RX100, Yamaha RX135 and Yamaha RXZ. Been riding these bikes for almost 10 years. I had developed a pain - can't describe how - inside the butt(pelvic?). The pain was only slight when I was using the RX100/135/Z. But I had to sell these bikes owing to the huge maintenance time/costs and non-availability of spares of the Z. That was when the butt troubles increased on the Splendor. So decided it was time to change.
Some years back, I was using my friend's Honda Eterno, and found that the discomfort disappears only while using a scooter, so the decision was made to stop using Splendor, and shift to Scooters.
Search for a bike - Phase I
Since I have mainly driven geared bikes, the first choice was the geared scooter. Only thing is - no longer in production. The last proper geared scooters that were sold were the Honda Eterno and some version of Chetak 4S, but all around 10 years ago. Most of them were not in the best running condition owing to difficulty the owners had in hunting for spares(NOT non-availability of spares).
Search for a bike - Phase II
Search criteria was now changed to include ungeared new bikes. Since I needed a powerful bike, restricted myself to only 125cc bikes.
Activa 125, Suzuki Access, Suzuki Swish and Vespa LX(in that same order).
Activa 125 had a waiting period of 3 months. Hence ruled out. The Suzuki twins were looking good till I realized limited service centres in Chennai. So the automatic choice was Vespa.
Dealer
I took my Splendor to the Vespa dealers and bought the Vespa from whoever gave the maximum exchange rate. Orange Motors, Chennai gave the best deal. Another thing I liked about the Orange Motors was that the sales person(Mr. Jayaprakash) was very knowledgable about the Vespa. He tried to make me take the VX with disc brakes, but I ruled in favour of the LX since disc brakes might cause a heavy vehicle like the vespa to skid. I had a harowing experience getting registered, but the fault was more that of the RTO and not the dealer.
Using the Vespa
Whenever using the Vespa, remember that it is a scooter. It was built to travel from point A to point B without any hassles. It was not built for overtaking or racing. So ride it conservatively.
It can carry load in the under-seat carriage, and also in the glove box. The under-seat carriage is detachable, I call it a revelation. Once I had carried sugar from the market in the carriage, and the packet burst. I could remove the carriage and - not even one grain of sugar was lost! I don't think that's possible in any other 2-wheeler.
The maximum speed I have taken was around 85 kmph. However that was on open highway with nothing in sight. Travelling solo, I feel the Activa 110(not 125) pulls better. With a pillion, the Vespa is the clear winner. It pulls with lesser effort than a geared bike. Even on an incline, you can continue going onwards on half-throttle. Even while going fast, I felt it could go faster, but more on that later(brakes).
Mileage
I get a stable mileage of 35 - 40 kmpl based on traffic. I didn't expect more prior to buying, so I could say it met the expectations. Maybe the mileage will increase if I keep it switched off during signals. To measure mileage I calculate from when the needle reaches the 2nd red line, since this one has no reserve tap, and no low fuel blinker.
Starting troubles
In the beginning, I had a lot of starting troubles. However, since I used a scooter in the 1990s learnt this trick and it always works today.
In the mornings, with scoot on main stand, give two kicks without ignition.
Then switch on ignition, give gentle kicks, similar to starting a generator. Don't use throttle / choke. The engine will run for a few seconds and get switched off on its own.
Repeat two times. The idling time will slightly increase.
Then take it off the stand and start it with electric starter and choke and throttle. For the rest of the day, it will work fine without choke.
But you get used to it. Always remember . this is a "retro" vehicle:-).
Braking(Danger)
The only big flaw I had so far was with the braking. A lot of people say that the drum brakes aren't powerful enough. I agree that it is not more powerful than the bikes. But for city riding, more than enough. However the real danger comes in balancing while braking. This scooter is built like the conventional scooters of the 1970s/1980s. While braking, it does something popular during those days called the "Brake Dance". The scooter actually dances while braking suddenly, and it took a while for me to get used to it. City roads are famous for "vanishing vehicles(now you see it now you don't)" and unruly characters, hooligans who don't know / don't care. The only way to use the Vespa is to ride super-defensively. One time while panic braking I skidded and nearly fell. I don't think disc brakes would have made any difference.
But you get used to it. Always remember . this is a "retro" vehicle:-).
Other experiences
Apart from stock condition, I also got the bigger grab rail, and the foot rest. The stock seat was the light(brown-coloured) one, not the black one(pic attached). On-road price came close to 80, 000 rs. I would feel it is overpriced.
Looks are subjective. I feel it is ok, but there are two extremes. Several people have asked about it. The common question I get asked is about the mileage.
The headlamp is one of the best. Get good visibility at all times in the night.
The rear-view mirror is where it loses out. In order to maintain retro charm they have given a retro rear view mirror. That visibility is fine to ride in retro traffic. But it is not safe for modern roads. Bigger mirrors might ruin the looks. I feel the Vespa S mirrors could be fitted to the LX(after-market).
I have checked most of the speed-breakers, and feel that the ground-clearance is very good for city riding.
Advice to prospective buyers
This bike needs a more experienced rider. Theoretically, one can learn using this, but it is not advisable for learners. If you ride it carefully with minimum throttle, it will serve you well. Any questions, get back to me, happy riding.
