Modern Vespa

Hi All,

I am brand new to the site.

I am trying to decide between the Primavera 150 and the GTS for my wife and me. I have noticed that both now have the 12 inch wheels. The wheelbase is only 1.3 inches longer on the GTS (54" vs. 52.7").

So the question is, other than the obvious power difference, would the ride really be that different?

I am assuming that with a single rider, the power of the 150 would be fine, as we do NOT plan on any expressway riding (only 2 lane highways, etc.).

If the ride is that different then the GTS is certainly in the picture. We are 58 and 57, respectively, and we want a nice ride.

Welcome from Italy.
For two people, the 300 is better.

Grazie for the kind welcome!

Sorry I was not clear. My wife and I will each be getting a Vespa. I take your comment above to imply that the Prima 150 would be adequate, correct?

P.S. Are you near Campoverde?

Yes but difference is only substantially in maximum speed...

12 km from Campoverde and I live in Borgo Piave, why?
I worked for Recordati Pharmaceuticals for 8 years.

OK, thank you.

I retired from Abbott after 28 years and traveled to Campoverde site a few times. It is now an Abbvie site.

I know, the surroundings of Latina are full of pharmaceutical plants ... What job did you have at Abbott?

Mostly logistics related based in Chicago area Corporate HQ. Most trips to Campoverde were related to serialization requirements for Turkey and EU. I used to stay in Roma at the Shangri La Corsetti


I know Recordati was active in the Turkish market as well.

I was in maintenance, I am (I was) a technical expert specializing in hydraulic and industrial mechanics.
Then I graduated in industrial design and moved on to designing furniture for large hotels and theaters ... It was a better paid job. I finished my working days as a kiwi farmer. I am now retired

Welcome to the forum.

Do you mean two 150cc bikes or one that you will ride pillion? If the later you might want to consider the 300cc option if you plan longer rides.

Hi Johny,

Thanks for the welcome.

I mean we will get a bike for each of us (2 bikes).

I would assume highway trips no more than 2-3 hours (most between 1-2 hours). Certainly no interstate (4+ lanes) riding.

The GTS is awfully nice, but not sure we really need that size engine.

From my limited research, I understand the 150 tops out about 60-65 MPH, which seems adequate to me.

Always open to suggestions though!

The GTS comes in 125cc in Europe also. For what you describe 150cc sounds fine to me. I owned a few 50cc bikes which are great for a lot of things I used them for.

Yes, I think that is the direction I will go.

Thanks!

If you are going to do some highway riding, 50 to 60 mph stuff, I'd rather have the larger engine so the motor lives a less stressed life on the highway. Also should the spousal unit not feel like riding her own bike but would rather take the easier ride on the back of your's once in a while, as my own wife sometimes does, the bigger machine is nicer. Maybe one of each to cover that option?

Having said that, check the fit of the bike as well, the GTS is a bit wide in the hips and the reach to the ground can challenge those whose arses are too close to the ground as a result

Consider the Piaggio Liberty.

Thanks Fritz!

Very good suggestions.

I just rode my Liberty 150 over 200 miles today and it did just fine. The Prima 150 and Sprint 150 have the same engine. I have 16,000 miles on it and its been super reliable. If/when it "wears out" I'll be ready for something new anyways. So that being said, I prefer the 150cc engine for kicking around town on. Oh, and it handles a passenger just fine. My 2 cents. Though I do like the GTS series.

the GTS is more stable especially at higher speed.

the extra power of a 300 or HPE vs a 125/150 is very handy at intersections. That extra acceleration reduces that paranoia of getting hit at a cross roads or merging into moving traffic etc.

Will do! The difference in price is quite substantial.

It all comes down to whether you plan to ride the scooters on roads which require the extra speed, acceleration, and hill climbing ability of the GTS. That is an important question as you need to keep up with traffic where ever you plan to ride. Now, if 150s (Primavera or Liberty) will be suitable in the places and on the roads you plan to ride, the lighter weight of the 150s would be an advantage - especially for inexperienced riders.

I'd say the 150 is a good option up to 55mph but after that you're at the mercy of the wind and hills.

Yes, the purpose of the 150 is also to have that little bit of extra engine torque for better pick-up when you accelerate. I also took a 150 (155 not Piaggio) to get a little extra help on uphill and standing starts. The maximum speed (real) in my case does not exceed 108 km / h (67 mph) but I never exceed 80 km / h (50 mph) for reasons related to the type of roads in my region (after Rome there is only a 60 km (38 mi) freeway I never carry a second person.
If Hawkeye can buy a Piaggio Medley 155 it is better, it has 3.5 hp more than the Liberty 150.

It sounds to me that your plan of using the scoots is just on the border of 150/300

Based on my experience with a 125cc Sprint (=Primaveras with a different makeup), I would choose a 300 GTS for your trips.

I chose the 125cc because you could feel the weight difference, I preferred the more slim shape of the Sprint/Primavera and my usage was almost only within town speeds. I had experience on motorcycles, but I was looking for a 'traditional scooter experience', hence I liked it to be small and light. Oh, and I really liked the square headlight of the Sprint, contrary to so many others...

I did venture out for some trips using larger roads. Almost like Znomit wrote above, I found the Sprint to fine up to ~50mph. After that, myself having been used to the stability of larger wheels, felt that the scoot was a bit light footed, vulnerable to wind gusts and yes, the acceleration started to be a limited too. Within town speeds, say up to 40 mph, very, very comfortable and smooth scoot.

A 300 does feel a lot more powerfull than a 125/150 Vespa. This was not important for me, but just saying.

For short hops, I would take a small wheeled scoot again, just because they feel super agile like scoots should and look the part For longer trips, if my bike would have to be a scoot, I might also look for a larger wheeled version. I personally like the bit of extra stability and better abily to handle occasional potholes, wet spots etc. than small wheels.

The Medley is not sold in the US. The Liberty S 150 is a 155cc machine with 12.9 hp. Is this the hp to which you were referring?

Great thoughts. Thanks!

Yes, I am very much on the boarder at this time.

Yes ... sin.
Sometimes I forget, here in Italy practically all models of scooters and motorcycles from all over the world and not just Made in Italy are on sale.
Well ... I will say my thoughts (already expressed at other times) on the issue of displacement; I have been on the road for many years with motorcycles and scooters and I think I have gained a certain awareness ...
The scooter is by its birth a utility vehicle and simplicity is its trump card starting from the displacement, it was born of 98 cc immediately brought to 125 cc and from that moment the need for an adequate drive torque was already understood but also for guarantee access to the motorway (this is how it works in Italy) and therefore the engine capacity of 150 cc was born (originally on the Vespa it was 145 cc).
The 200 cc was the evolution for long-range tourism; today it still is.
Therefore removed the 125 which is the basis for newbies, the multipurpose displacement is the 150 cc but for the use of two and the trips start from 250/300 cc and the Vespa and the other "real scooters" end there.
Above there are other things, good too but different and with a different spirit.
But what is a scooter then? We have asked ourselves countless times all over the world and there have been a thousand and a thousand answers and I know what it is ...
It is a dress that should be comfortable for us, it makes us feel protected, it keeps us warm or cool but above all it gives us happy feelings.

Well said!

Pardon me, I'm not familiar with the Chicago area, but how hilly is it near you?

I have a Fly 150 and a GTV300. Non-highway back roads around me are normally posted 45mph but are functionally 50-55mph in normal traffic. On flat roads, my 150 can hang at 50-55 all day long, but on hills, not so much. On my commute to/from work, I have to cross a hilly ridge with a long steep stretch of road, and on the 150, I'm maxed out at 35-40mph. At "rush hour," that means a line of cars behind me by the time I get to the top. On the GTV, I have yet to find a hill that I can't maintain 55mph with room to spare.

So even if you never set foot on a highway, you may or may not max out the 150, but you would never have that problem on a 300. If I lived someplace like Delaware, a 150 would probably suit my needs just fine, but here in hilly Central PA, I am thankful for the 300!

Hi. In my area it is occasionally hilly but not extremely so. I'm leaning toward the Prima 150 or the Piaggio Liberty 150S. Still have to test ride though so nothing is 100% decided.

Thanks for your thoughtful input!

Your choices are good.

The Primavera and Liberty 150's are fine scooters.

I know a few people who bought 150's though, who ended up trading them in for 300's as they found a need for just a little more power and speed.

Of course, many have kept their 150's and still love riding them.

I only offer the advice to think hard about the way you will be using the scooters.

Bill

Thanks, Bill.

Yes, we will certainly think long and hard about the choice. I appreciate your thoughts!

Back to how you will use these scooters. You now have a 125 Zuma which does not differ very much in capability from a 150 Vespa. Are you talking about riding on roads and in areas where you would feel comfortable on your Zuma, or are you and your wife wanting to include some trips you would not make on your Zuma?

Pretty much comparable to what I would ride for the Zuma, but with some extension of that. I'm not a deeply experienced rider, so I am hesitant about the GTS to some extent.

Right now I almost exclusively ride the Zuma at my daughter's horse shows, with some limited street riding (I do need to get my motorcycle license though ).

And now as I type this I am wondering again about the additional horsepower of the GTS.

I had a Zuma 125 and it was a slow dog. Even with a 155 bbk it was still a slow dog. The Liberty is much faster and more stable than the Zuma ever was. If you go Liberty order the Malossi lighter rollers that AF1 Racing sells. They really wake up the take-off and mid-range.

Have Chicago roads improved? The Piaggio Liberty has 16" and 14" wheels (14" in back). Bigger wheels can help in worse roads.

Well, you seem to be saying you really aren't sure how or where the scooters will be used. If you are willing to restrict your riding to places you can easily keep up with traffic riding a 150, then that is the right answer. Just understand you are running some risk you will outgrow the 150s and feel the need for an upgrade for safety as well as capability. if that were to happen, you wouldn't be the first.

If he likes the Vespa look there is little to choose from, otherwise there is a wider range of scooters to indulge in.
Among the high wheels there is also the BV but if you leave Piaggio there are several alternatives.

The Smax is the only 150 scooter that compare to my Honda SH150 in power and top speed.

Piaggio/Vespa 150's = 12.5HP
Smax/SH 150's= 15.5HP

Now all you have to do is decide if you want pretty/iconic or power/top speed.

P.S. I found a cream puff red 2010 Honda SH with less than 2000 miles on it. Let the mods begin!

No improvement in Chicago area roads. There are only 2 seasons in Chicago: Winter and Road Construction

I'm sure.

I think at this stage we will not venture over 50 mph too often. If/when that time comes, I can sell/trade and move up.

XMax 150 not sold in the United States.