Menus
- City flower
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Contact
- In the city
- Highway
- Braking
- Comfort
- Consumption
- Convenient
- Conclusion
City flower
Fashion is revival and Vespa is no exception, surfing on its iconic model, available this time in a Primavera version, unveiled a month ago in Milan in three engines: 50 cm3 in 2T and 4T and above all a 125 cm3 version. The Primavera is reminiscent of the 946 and this is normal because designed by the same Italian design office. Without having the look, the Primavera comes close and especially for a very small price, at "only" 3,799 euros. Test….
Discovery
The Primavera takes up the classic style of the brand that made its success, with in particular a pointed and elongated rear part reminiscent of the first Italian prototypes. If the apron is close to tradition, there are LED indicators and position lights, thus perfectly combining modernity with 50’s style. The two-seater saddle is particularly elegant with its topstitching as well as its red dress, both on the blue model and the white one, the most beautiful effect. The passenger takes the opportunity to now benefit from a chrome handle. Finally, we notice the small wheels with 11-inch alloy rims, a guarantee of maneuverability. And tradition requires, little plastic but metal for the body, with a design based on welded parts of stamped sheet.
In the saddle
The 1.70m rider puts both feet perfectly on the ground, despite a saddle height of 780mm and thanks to a relatively thin saddle. Under the eyes, we discover a new trapezoidal shaped counter, using the old guns of the brand. Particularly readable and even more at night with its bluish background. It offers speed, partial double trip, totalizer, clock and more rarely on a 125: a particularly precise stick fuel gauge. The hands come together to hold a small handlebars. In fact, on board, it almost feels like a 50cc rather than a usually larger 125cc.
Contact
The Primavera snorts quietly and you can’t even feel the vibrations of the single cylinder. Vespa had announced to connect the engine to the body by an arm system with two degrees of freedom against one degree on the previous series with in addition a stop with double rubber buffer and this development is clearly reflected in comfort and the virtual absence of vibrations, especially at the saddle handle and footrest. As soon as you turn the right grip, the Primavera springs up briskly, reacting instantly to the action on the grip. It’s really dynamic and fun, all the while going smoothly. However, there is no screaming increase in speed as on the Piaggio Beverly and quite the contrary, a direct, almost silent, very pleasant launch. We quickly get out of the red light, ahead of all the other 125cc lined up on the starting line.
In the city
The small wheels make the Primavera excel in handling and turn around in a pocket square. We weave our way between cars like a bicycle, with a particularly impressive steering angle because it is so short. The steering even feels almost too light at first, especially coming off a heavier and apparently more stable Beverly. Apparently only, because the Primavera takes no effort to stay on the line and conduct itself mindlessly. Its light weight also contributes to this. Suddenly, we literally slip between the lines in traffic.
Riding in Michelin City Grip is really excellent and appreciable from day to day, giving you confidence in both dry and wet conditions..
Highway
Of course, it’s a 125, but the Paris ring road will be its only highway. Because if the Primavera sets off dynamically, up to 60 km / h, it then runs out of steam quickly to climb timidly to 80 km / h, or even 90 km / h once well started but will drop back down to 80 km / h at the first dimension. Admittedly, well launched, on a slight slope, it will manage to titillate the 100 km / h but it hardly reacts any more really beyond 80 km / h. We will therefore spare him the expressways to make him return to more friendly or even viscinal paths..
Braking
The Primavera brakes very well, offering quite a good feeling. Without ABS the rear can block, but only in the rain. Even a strong front does not tip the scooter excessively forwards.
Comfort
An excellent saddle combined with a good positioning of the shock absorber provide excellent comfort. Even the small bumpy streets go by without worry, both solo and in duo.
Consumption
With its three-valve engine, the air-cooled mono has benefited from further development to reduce fuel consumption. Far from the 4.5 liters of a 125 cc Beverly, the Primavera consumes on average only 2 liters per hundred! This gives it a theoretical autonomy of nearly 400 kilometers…. Beware of the misleading gauge; the first of the seven sticks only descends after 70 km, but the others follow each other every 20-30 km, before arriving at the last which descend more slowly.
Convenient
The saddle barely leaves room for a jet and rain pants. Without being small, some 125cc offer a larger capacity.
There is no side stand. It can be seen as an anecdote, but day by day, when you stop, you are forced to put the scooter on its power plant systematically. While that’s okay with a long stop, it’s more annoying when you stop in front of your garage to open it or everyday just to put a letter in a box. Fortunately, light and well positioned, the crutch is done without thinking and without effort.
Compact, we manage to park it everywhere, without getting in the way. The scooter slides easily between two other two-wheelers, unlike larger 125 cm3.
Conclusion
Elegant, manoeuvrable, the Primavera is particularly pleasant to drive in the city, in particular for its extraordinary dynamics over the first 60 kilometers hours but also for its comfort which makes you almost forget the defects of the road. If its look already appeals to you, its character will conquer you to combine charm, fun and pleasure from day to day. Only its price of 3,799 euros, will perhaps make you hesitate and ogle other models possibly more powerful and able to get you out of town.
Strong points
- punchy motor at low speed
- consumption
- line and aesthetics
- silence
- comfort
Weak points
- price
- Maximum speed
Datasheet
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