Modern Vespa

This is my first Vespa and I decided to buy new based on the upgrades that most reviewers feel, make the new Prima stand out. I considered a Sprint, but the longer wait, colour selection, wheels and headlamp were not to my liking.

What I like about the Primavera is the solid fit and finish. My previous bike, a white Yamaha BWS 50 (2012) was a more utilitarian, but I loved it. It had much better under-seat storage. The tires were big and incredibly good in the city. It was agile and relatively light weight. However, everyone who told me I would upgrade to a 150cc was dead on. As soon as the 50cc hits a hill, it's just too slow. The 150cc climbed to 80 KM relatively quickly, though I am being careful since I am breaking it in.

Likes:
Design, finish, handling, quality.
Ride quality is excellent, it handles bumps and the many road imperfections after our miserable winter, very well.
The seat is comfortable but I think my Yamaha BWS 50 was even more comfortable.
Acceleration off the line is quick, and it climbs steadily from there. No concerns.
Breaking is good, but not outstanding. Still not sure why the Primavera does not have disc brakes and why only the Sprint gets ABS.

(Mostly Minor) Dislikes:
Under-seat storage (tiny, compared to my Yamaha).
The brake levers seems a bit far from the grip (for my small hands).
Filling it up with gas (since it spills out so easily) - is there a trick here?
Pushing in the key to open the glove box (why not have a push button for that too).
I also have the top case and find it rather small, but it does match the scooter very well.
Lack of colour choice in Canada. At least let us order in the colour we want (I wanted Blu Midnight) but settled for Montebianco white.

Okay, I admit it, I absolutely hate the red seat/saddle. I am swapping it for the Sprint's black seat when it comes out in June. It seems to be something either you really like or really don't.

Overall, absolutely no regrets for spending what is quite a bit of money on a scooter. Let's face it though, it's a Vespa and it brings a smile to my face and everyone who sees it.

Nice looking scooter. The red seat might grow on you over time. Although you can get some cool low cost custom seats though Lou at the store you bought it from. Nothing wrong with the white either. As for your brake lever concerns you don't have a lot of choices to change. There is only one choice. The oops clunk thud dog leg levers. Again I think I saw one set in vespa toronto west. Other wise you can order from the website. They help a bit, but there is no other choice. I am also assuming the lever is the same as the lx 150 series, which is a reasonable assumption.

Very nice and the red sorta grows on me after seeing it on the white. Jay who owns Pirate upholstery might be able to fix you up but the cheaper way is the sprint seat. I hear once you get them broken in they are faster than the LX. I'd get one in a heartbeat but i'm trying to see how many miles i can get on my LX. 28,000 so far. Enjoy your new scooter and be careful.

I wonder if Patrick's levers fit the Prima..?

Actually, I disliked the red seat and trim on my BV350 when I first bought it as well, but there was then no other choice. Now I could swap it out for the black one, but quite frankly the color has grown on me and now I've decided to stay with it. (I think of it as oxblood leather )

Best color combo!! I noticed you the Metro newspaper in Toronto now, funny how it has spread, it started in my hometown, Stockholm!

This is the second time i check out this post ... i'm starting too like the red/white combo. The italians just have a knack for design and colour combinations ... Keep it for a while and see if you also come to appreciate the combo....

H.

Welcome to the madness! There is a trick to filling up. I usually take the gas cap and use it to prop the "no pet carrier" up. Also remember to never overfill - guaranteed to spill if you do. I also grab some paper towels from the dispenser and make a "bandana" around the filler opening to catch any drippings.

Looks like you got it at Lou's. She's a beaut!

I saw that bike in the showroom at Vespa West. I sat on it before you. Just kidding. I did not touch it, I swear.

Beautiful bike. How does it perform?

Don't tempt me!!

The Metro is a popular paper. I had no idea it started in your country! Now if only Canadians could embrace Vespas as much as the rest of the world.

It should take a couple of weeks until the Sprint seat comes in. I just think the colour is not for me. I love red and white together, but red in a scooter accent rather than the seat. If only they brought the midnight blu to Canada!

The styling looks great, but I don't like the red seat either. I didn't like the tan one on my GTS, so I changed it to black. Ride safe.

i love that white, this is one of my favorite scooters, looking at getting one for the wife.
congrats
turn the gas pump handle toward the front of the scooter, insert all the way into tank and dont fill past the first click.
the gas fill is the only thing on my bike that i truly hate grrrrrrr...
and since the tank is small i hate it alot

Fantastic looking scoot. I also like the design of the dash. Art in motion. I agree with you about the seat colour. I was also considering the Primavera, the blue one. But for my out-of-town riding and vacation touring the power would be just so-so.

Great looking scoot!

Welcome to the hell that is Toronto road conditions right now.

Do you mind expanding on the size? For instance, can you fit a full face helmet in there? I just got the Primavera as well but there are no top cases available over here in Vancouver yet. I previously had an ET2 and the helmet fit in that bulbous top case, but the angle in the Primavera one looks tighter.

Do you mind expanding on the size? For instance, can you fit a full face helmet in there? I just got the Primavera as well but there are no top cases available over here in Vancouver yet. I previously had an ET2 and the helmet fit in that bulbous top case, but the angle in the Primavera one looks tighter.[/quote]

No way. You can't even fit a proper jet helmet in the pet carrier.

My 3/4 Bell 500 fits great!

I thought the pet carrier was under the seat, I'm wondering about the top box/case on the back.

OZ that would be cool if they did. I don't think much from the Et-LX series fits on them,right. I suspect things from the Sprint will fit tho. Gonna be a bit of a PIA until they start stocking parts and accessories over here. Jealous of you guys but am remaining loyal to Leo (for now).

I will check that out for you and report back. I have a small full-face helmet but generally ride with a 3/4 helmet that easily fits in the top case. Will try it out and get back to you shortly. I find the top case not to have much height, and I suspect it is a design choice for Vespa rather than not going bigger for any other reason. I'll try to snap a pic too.

Thanks so much, such a tremendously helpful forum.

Congrats on your beautiful new Primavera. I have yet to see one on the road here in Toronto, maybe now I'll get to see one.

Here are some quick photos of the top case closed, open and empty and open with a modular full-size face helmet size medium. It fits (closes) without any difficulty. They were done in a rush so I apologize for the lack of sharpness!

Wow, I have a large modular helmet but it looks like there's room to spare in there. Thank you kindly for the confirmation.

Looks like you didn't get the back rest either, which seems like a good move to me. Any particular reason? Have you seen the back rest in person?

The Prima is expensive as you know. i decided that I would rarely have a passenger and so it was just not necessary to shell out more money for the backrest. It's fairly inexpensive to add later. The top case still feels small to me, because it isn't very high. Still, like buying the Prima, I have no regrets.

Does the topbox colour match the Primavera? I saw an all white (scooter and top box) and wasn't impressed. Debating if I should get the top box. Meanwhile I've ordered the euro pet carrier. Was contemplating bringing one over when I go to Europe next month but figured it would take too much room. Will look for a exhaust system instead, the 1503v motor could use a little more top-end power.

Congrats on the nice new scoot.

I recognize that street by the Market - look out for a silver MP3 ... I park just west of there by Yonge St.

Welcome! Who said scooter sales are down in TO.

When you have the time do checkout Toronto's local scooter club. TMSC
http://www.meetup.com/toronto-moto-scooter-club/

I definitely think the white top case matches. It's the red seat that doesn't!