Menus
- Affordable neo-retro
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Contact
- In the city
- On the highway
- Departmental
- Braking
- Comfort and duo
- Convenient
- Consumption
- Conclusion
- Lambretta video test
Affordable neo-retro
If there are scooters that have remained symbols of the Dolce Vita, it is Vespa and Lambretta, two competing manufacturers, one with an almost flawless longevity and the other which has known many difficulties, including the closure of its factory in 1970. The brand was distributed again in France in the 2000s then saw its distribution stopped in 2012 and relaunched again via the Austrian consortium Lambretta-Innoncenti-KSR since 2017. The Lambretta V-Special finally relaunches the myth in 2017 with a style derived from from the Swiss design office Innocenti and three-cylinder 50, 125 and 169 cm3. But this is the 125 cm3 version that we are testing over a few weeks.
Lambretta V-Special 125
Discovery
The first Lambretta M from 1948 had a practical look but did not really fit into the canons of design. It was not until 1969 and the Grand Prix DL model for a real design and Italian lines. It is this latest historic model that inspires the V-Special 125 for a final design achievement. We therefore have the look of an Italian scooter, but revised by the Swiss and in line with the best in terms of neo-rero. It’s trendy neo-retro. In other words, how to offer small modern machines with a 1960s look. If Vespa likes a rather round design, Lambretta displays tighter lines with a few angles, for a look all its own and without being yet another copy. The saddle in particular brings finesse. The lights adopt LCD. And if the ABS equips the 200 cm3 model, it is indeed a combined system of the CBS type which equips the 125. For the rest, we are in a standard size of 125 cm3 scooter, big enough to be rewarding but thin and light to go everywhere.
Lambretta V-Special 125 Scooter
Under the fairing and between the double steel cradle frame, there is a small 4T single cylinder with electronic injection cooled by air of 124.7 cm3 developing 10 horsepower (7.5 kw) at 8,500 rpm for a torque of 9.2 Nm at 7,000 rpm min. A mill that we already know since it was built by Sym. We will appreciate the fitment of original Pirelli Angel Scoot tires which do the job very well in dry and wet conditions, without saving an Asian fit as we can often find..
Single cylinder, 4 stroke, air cooled, single overhead camshaft timing, 2 valves
And because the colors are a matter of taste, the 125 is available in seven colors, from white to gray through an Italian red and this navy blue with a paint that looks slightly glittery for the most beautiful effect. And for those who want to stand out, there is even an orange! And for those who have the means, there are also carbon options but which increase the final bill by 1000 euros. Without going that far, you can have different stools (black, brown or red). And the brand offers helmets matching the same color as the scoot. A must !
The finish is at the rendezvous with the logo in particular both in the headlight and the rear light, but also as a label on the saddle or the drawing at the floor level. It is even found on the fuel cap, however hidden under the saddle..
LED headlight
In the saddle
The saddle is quite high for the category, about the height of an Xmax at 800mm rather than a Primavera at 780mm. The official documentation indicates around 800mm, which seems more lived than the site which indicates 770mm. Because the driver of 1.70m does not put both feet on the ground, even if the weight of 134 kilos, dry, allows an easy handling.
Flat floor and wide seat for the driver
Under the eyes, there is a digital dial of the most effect at night, under a more arbitrary analog meter displaying 160 km / h in the red zone. No worries, the 10 horses should not be able to reach this speed..
The digital dial greets its driver when starting with a hello, good afternoon or good evening. Then there is a 6-stick fuel gauge, a huge, very readable tachometer, the battery voltage, the clock and the choice of partial trip or the totalizer. On the practical side, we would have liked to see the speed displayed in digital because the analog meter is not easy to read while driving.
Despite their size, the mirrors offer limited vision to the rear but are still useful.
The overall position is natural, without raising the knees like other scooters. There is room in front for the knees, although the switch on the right may interfere with older children.
LED rear light
Contact
The V-Special snorts gently, barely feeling the vibrations of the small single-cylinder. The reaction to the throttle is instantaneous with good dynamics on the first turns of the wheels, including in duet.
Maneuverability and ease of driving in the city
In the city
The small mono is voluntary, especially in its urban use on the range 0-55 km / h (odometer). The fairly closed caster angle gives tremendous maneuverability at low speeds, making it easy to squeeze between cars. The V-Special does not have the smallest template on the market and there is even more maneuverability, but it is a real urban tool, easy to handle from the first meters without surprises..
Having tried it in the middle of winter, with temperatures close to zero, the apron protects the driver very well, including at night and when there is wind and rain..
The great outdoors do not scare him
On the highway
The V-Special has a tiny 10 horsepower mono and will therefore find itself struggling on the highway. Because if it is dynamic up to 70 km / h and it can launch well, hang a 105 km / h counter, it is in fact a real 95 km / h. A speed that it will be difficult to achieve as a duet on a flat unless it has a good momentum and it will come down at the slightest false flat. However, it holds the pavement and is stable but will not appreciate being overtaken by trucks. We will therefore rather avoid.
105 km / h odometer
Departmental
The departmental now limited to 80 km / h will therefore suit him very well. The raises are nice even in duo and do not force, like other models, to keep the knocking handle all the time in order to be able to start again. We drive effortlessly, the V-Special offering good stability and handling on all occasions, with a healthy chassis that never twists. Better, despite the initial fears, we do not feel the vibrations of mono, whatever the speed and engine speed. We will appreciate the powerful beam of the front headlight at night offering excellent visibility on country roads and we can even see the beam illuminate the road in town !
Healthy behavior on the road
Braking
The 125 offers a good feeling and a good bite. CBS braking is effective with two fingers and does not require full hand braking. It must be said that we still have a 226mm disc at the front and another of 220 mm at the rear and that the scooter is therefore well supplied. The driver may just be hampered in the case of the duo, with a passenger preventing him from having his arms straight when braking. But for those who have the motorcycle license, the 200 version offers a Bosh ABS.
CBS combined braking with single 226 mm hydraulic disc,
Comfort and duo
The saddle is thin, but the suspensions are rather effective in erasing the major defects of the road. It is much more comfortable than an Xmax for example. On the other hand, the passenger must hold on to the driver. Because if there are theoretically grips for the hands on the sides (which can be seen clearly under the saddle when lifting it), on a daily basis, there is not enough room for hands with gloves and therefore we don’t use it. There is no strap either. We will therefore be housed in the same boat as a Vespa S for the hands. On the other hand, the footrests are well placed and allow the passenger to be comfortable at this level..
Saddle а 770 mm
Convenient
There is a storage compartment at the front, which closes (unlike some scooters whose front storage compartment is open) with a USB socket, very practical for charging a smartphone.
Under the saddle, we have a good trunk to place a large lock or a single jet, but not a full. There is much bigger but also much smaller.
Box under the saddle that can accommodate a jet
The luggage carrier becomes essential here. And as it exists as an option and that in addition it adds a great look, it must be foreseen / negotiated during the purchase. We can provide two since there is one for the front and another for the rear, for an overall GT look. And while we do, we will add side protections to protect the bodywork, especially in the Paris region..
The side stand does the job very well while the original center stand requires little effort for use on sloping ground..
Consumption
Lambretta announces an official consumption of 2.8 l / 100. The first stick falls after 60 km, then the following ones every 20 km on average, so that we see the reserve light up after 140 km. And we refuel as a precaution at 160 km, even if there is still officially half a liter in the tank. We are therefore closer to a consumption of 3.3 liters, with a maximum range of 180 km with the 6-liter tank. There are larger tanks and lower consumption offering more autonomy.
6 liter tank
Conclusion
A Lambretta is to reconnect with Italian history, with a neo-retro look offering a good alternative to the Vespa look for a very reasonable price, since the Lambrettra appears at only 3,399 euros, a price close to some scooters Piaggio but cheaper than equivalent Vespa versions. Look and price, despite modest performance make it a good choice in terms of quality / price ratio on the market.
Strong points
- look
- braking
- price
Weak points
- performance
Lambretta 125 technical sheet
Test conditions
- Itinerary: small varied roads + interurban motorway
- Motorcycle mileage: 250 km
Lambretta video test
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