Modern Vespa

Hi folks, I've been offered a 2014 LX 125 3V at a very reasonable price and am considering purchasing it. Just wondered whether the new Primavera is much better than the LX, or is it pretty similar aside from styling? Thanks

The new models have bigger wheels and updated front suspension.

The Primavera has 11" wheels front and back. The LX has a 10" wheel at the rear and an 11" wheel at the front. The Primavera has a redesigned front suspension and the newer 3V engine. The Primavera body has been restyled compared to the LX and has some resemblance to the 946. In the US the Primavera does not have the ABS/ASR system which is provided on the Sprint. I have read that some Primavera models in the UK may.

Biased but i like the styling on my LX better than the new Sprint or Prima.

Have you done any distance riding on your LX Judy?

I understand top speed is around 60mph, but is that a comfortable cruising speed or is that pushing the scooter to its max for long journeys?

Styling is subjective... I've ridden the LX (owned one, rather) and test rode a Primavera. The handling is night and day better on the Primmy... Unless the deal for the LX is "can't pass up," get the Primavera. Alternatively, if the LX deal *is* that good, buy it and ride it for a season with the intention of selling/trading up to a Primavera next year.

I used the scooterfile website's comparison article and others to help me make my Primavera buying decision.

This link looks weird but should help narrow the search for the website if you copy and paste it in your browser.

a 2014 Primavera: In-Depth Specs and Comparison | ScooterFile
www.scooterfile.com oems vespa-20...

That is pretty much the top speed WOT on the level. The scooter cruises at about 50-55 mph.

Any idea why the handling is (or at least feels) so much better on the Primavera? Can be just down to the larger rear wheel?

Thank you everyone for your input so far, really helpful and much appreciated

I'd think it is more likely the front suspension. The GTS has a similar front suspension redesign, and that will certainly be my choice with my next GTS.

I live on a island but have 35,600 miles on my '07 LX. Respectable mileage. I think it's the highest mileage LX on the forum. I can get 70 out of him going downhill. I can get 60 out of him going up one of the mountain roads out of here. Unless it's straight up,with a steep gradient. Then it drops back to 50ish. The other road up the mountain is straight up. I'm slower going that way. For me riding isn't about getting from point A to B fast. I enjoy the ride and scenery.

Alas, the scenery is a little non-existent here in Fenland The speeds you're getting would be quite adequate for me, but then I guess you have the 150cc model. Maybe I should knock 10mph off those speeds if I'm looking at a 125cc version?

Nah, not that much. I rode a rented LX125 around Tuscany for a week on my honeymoon a few years ago. The difference in performance was barely perceptible. I'm guessing maybe 5mph difference in top end, max.

Thanks, that's good to know

My Vino 125cc is slow but i'm guessing a Vespa 125 wouldn't be that much different than a 150. SS has actually ridden one so i'd defer to him. He's had his 150 (ones kitted) for a long time. His is a year older than mine. I'm sure Finland has some beautiful scenery (spring and summer and maybe fall). I just like the looks of them better. Good luck in whatever model you get. Also i prefer a carbed bike. We don't have a good dealer so if i got a injected one i'd be screwed. I assume they have a diagnostic machine but i'm not so sure they know how to use it. Carbed bikes can be worked on by you or any scooter shop. Good luck.

Judy, only my LX is kitted, the LXV is still stock... so I have a pretty good baseline for the performance of the stock LEADER 150. I also still remember how the LX performed before I kitted it, so I can appreciate the improvement.

Hi Judy & SS, I've taken the plunge and bought the LX 125. Picking it up tomorrow!

See you for the Kettering toy run then Matt

Tony

I wish Got my nieces christening on the 6th, then I'm away on 13th, so I miss the Kettering toy run and the ride down to St Albans. Gutted!

Boooooo !

Enjoy!

Congratulations!

SS i thought i wrote one and said the other one wasn't. That's why you could compare. Not enough coffee. I did say you had ridden a 125 tho.

Well I've had a busy day but managed to pick up my new LX and ride it to the office, then back home.

So far I'm very impressed! But then to be fair, my scootering benchmark is my 1969 Vespa 50L, so all it takes to impress me are a speedo and mirrors

Seriously though I think it's a great bike; the seat is super comfortable, it quickly gets up to 30mph and then 50mph and cruises happily at those speeds, which is quite enough for my commutes and mid-distance rides

Congrats. Do you have any pics? What color did you get? Have fun and their great scooters IMHO.

It's an kinda turquoise/aquamarine colour Judy, I wasn't keen on the colour at first but it's growing on me

Got a pic from a ride today, same spot that I took a pic of my 50L at a few weeks back.

Very nice. All the Piaggio colors are cool. Always look better in person. Enjoy your new ride. 8)

Looks great! The aquamarine LX is one of my favorite Vespa colors.

Yeah I've really come round to liking it! I think the anniversary colour 'Azzurro 70' looks super - can't wait for that to arrive in showrooms next year.

I saw one a while back (5-6yrs ago). Might be a slight difference when it comes back out (the Daring Plum's aren't the same) but it looks better in person.

Congrats, beautiful LX! With the popularity of the Primavera/Sprint, I am seeing incredible deals on Craigslist for LX's. I wish those deals had been out there when I was looking for a twist-n-go scoot last Spring! Stoked on my Sprint, but the economy and overall performance of the LX is impressive. The LX feels substantially better than any similarly sized Kymco or Buddy, and now you can find them cheap used! Good on you!

The leg trim on the Primavera are shinier and flatter. Much better looking.

If you're still worried about riding at wot for long periods of time then don't be! I've had an s (or lxs) for a while now. Owned it at 1000 miles, the speedo then broke for a few thousand miles and now the new speedo shows over 10,000 miles (the odo is optimistic though!). At around 7,000 miles I threw on a ported and flowed head with pretty much zero previous experience with that kind of thing. The engine has survived a further 3,000 miles with no hic ups what's so ever, all at pretty much wot.

I can hop on it and ride a couple hundred miles confidently and without having to worry about breakdowns. I do all all my own services engine wise and I do admit the leader engine is bullet proof.

Its in bed for the winter though, first winter its had off. But that's only because of licensing issues. Never had to little traction in the winter months, its a solid ride.