Modern Vespa

That seems like an awful lot of aesthetic plastic for a "touring" style scoot that isn't even 200cc. I will say I'm impressed that they managed to get it to look enough like a larger touring bike that I'd probably do a double-take if I saw one out in the wild.

I wonder what the cost is. Love it or hate it, it's a head turner. I won't be buying one but I'm sure someone will. Miguel

I am lucking forward to the Ruckus Gold Wing edition.

Neat concept on that PCX! I look at it and think mini Silverwing. My wife's old Silverwing was a highway runner!

Dooglas, I have a co-worker who had the most pimped out Ruckus! I wish I had a picture of it before it got stripped and converted into a 2-stroke Zuma powered stretch build. That Ruck had a huge top box, side cases, one-off windscreen that was HUGE, multi-position pegs, front rack and much more. It was epic! The original owner used it as his full time transportation and dressed it for his needs.

"...riders who have high mobility but are still stylish..."

What the heck does that mean? Old guys that can still mount up but not so old that they still shower and shave?

Whoever wrote that script was bending over backwards to distract the viewer from reality.

Depending on price, IF that was a 350-400, I'd be very interested in something like that.

Last edited by JBacklund on Tue, 14 Mar 2023 15:46:15 +0000; edited 1 time

In my opinion that very ugly. I don't see myself riding that!

jBacklund,

I am with your call on this Honda. I really do not know how
you can call a 160cc a touring scoot.

I am a fan of all things Honda. If this was in the your suggested
350-400 range I would buy it. I do like the styling.

I expect they are marketing to the world market where small
displacement scooters rule.

I just can not imagine going down the express way two up on
this 160cc machine. But in Asia, you can go two up with three kids
and four chickens with 40mph just fine.

Again, much plastic under powered.

Bob Copeland


The Honda has more front fairing and rear plastic then my 2022 Kymco 550.

"I expect they are marketing to the world market where small
displacement scooters rule."

With only 160cc's, small people are important too.

Not enough buttons

Goldwing styling? Meh.
Integral sidecases? Build 'em onto a 400+cc scooter and you've got my attention.

A test ride is in order. 106 mpg with 2.1 gallon tank makes 180 mile range reasonable.
On the PCX board someone posted a photo of a bike(PCX or Forza) with integrated bags (that was about 8 years ago or so). It looked great.
But I still like step through better.

English is not their first language, it sounds like they used Google Translate or something similar.

That PCX looks like a mini police scoot made for beach patrol. It would also compliment someone in Stormtrooper garb.

You mean like "That's a nice shiny helmet you got there FN-2187"?

It clearly said "front and rear disk brakes". Look at 1:32. That brake lever/cable looks just like my SH REAR DRUM BRAKES. Honda's favorite way to maximise profits in the U.S.
Oops. That might be a parking brake. I can't get a clear view of a rear disk.

106 mpg??? Not the way I drive... It's less than 80 mpg.

Mine is a 2022 and the rear brake is indeed a drum brake.

Anything with extra storage gets to call itself "touring"... https://storeusa.vespa.com/primavera/primavera-touring-150.aspx

That seems a bit ridiculous. All that plastic, weight, and wind resistance for 160cc? I have owned two real Goldwings, a 1985 Interstate 1200 and a 1993 Interstate 1500. Both had a max load capacity of only 400 pounds. With the huge fairing, saddlebags, trunk, covers, and computerized gadgets, there must have been at least 200 pounds of that stuff on it. A Goldwing is a large touring bike designed to carry 2 people and a lot of stuff cross country. I weigh around 240, so a 160 pound passenger would have used up ALL of the load capacity, with nothing left for stuff. What were the large saddlebags and trunk for? I couldn't find what the load capacity of a PCX160 is, but I can't believe there would be much of it left after putting all that stuff on it.

Maximum weight capacity of the 2022 PCX 150 is 366 lbs., per the Owner's Manual. The Primavera claims a maximum capacity of 672 pounds, but I think that might include the vehicle's 278 pound curb weight? Maybe? I think 672 extra pounds on a Primavera is a lot of weight... No?

C'mon guys, it's a styling exercise. Molded plastic is just that, it's not an engineering project. If they can sell some of these at premium prices (a.k.a. high profits), congratulations. If you don't like it, don't buy it. Will they try to sell them?

Bob, how do you like the 550? I keep looking at that and thinking I rally need to have one. Have you owned a GTS? If so, how does it compare? I have a GTS and a '79 P and my wife has a Liberty 150. I thought about selling the GTS so we could get/ride the 550 when she does not want to drive and if she wanted to ride single, then I would just ride the P.

Not everywhere. The Euro PCX has disks front and rear.


It really does look like a Police bike.

msprygada,

Thanks for your inquiry. For 16 years I owned a Burgman 400
for long rides. It was an unbelievable great scooter for extended
rides with my riding group. The foot forwarded position made
it much more comfortable for extended rides. It had power and
comfort. I sold it to Bill Dog on this forum who rode it all across
the USA. Well serviced and bullet proof - never failed me.

When the 2022 Kymco 550 came out, it had the same weight
as my old Burgman with much more power. I bought it
immediately to replace the great Burgman. It took me some
time to deal with the increased power. It is a rocket with the
increased power. The Burgman would accelerate slowly.
the Kymco would jump forward with throttle control.

I had initial problems controlling even speed while leading group
rides because of the power. I have adapted this. the machine is
amazing. The difference is I like the liter weight because it gives
a better smooth ride than heaver machines. It is more like
riding a smaller scooter.

Hey, I am nuts about Vespas. The classic look is what I always
wanted. My Vespa GTS 300 Super is wonderful. I will keep
it forever. Just not as comfortable for long extended rides due
to the upright riding position.

So, I have the best of all worlds, my vespa in town, and my
Kymco for long group rides for more foot forward comfort.

Bob Copeland

Thanks for the detailed response. Longer rides are what we would do with the 550. Have you done any 2 up with the Burgman or the Kymco?

msprygada,

My blushing bride is not into riding - she is more like "go play
with your friends". So, very little two up experience on either
machine.

I think two up has as much to do with the weight of the riders
as power of the machine. I also think a back rest is safer and
more comfortable. My Burgman had a super back rest. My
Kymco AK550 does not. I expect you can purchase a back
rest for the Kymco.

I have rode the majority of the time solo. I expect more power
would be the better choice for extended two up riding.

Bob Copeland

That entire channel is all useless junk like that. Almost all of those faceless channels are basically worthless.

That's why I put my ugly mug on my videos. Though I'm not sure if it helps...

I think it won't come here if they do build it but let's expand our thinking. This country is criss crossed with State and Federal highways. Is it so impossible to imagine someone using a touring scooter with long range amenities? I recall a story of a couple scooting from Virginia to Tail of the Dragon and back on a 150 Vespa and Royal Alloy a couple of years ago.

It happens all the time. Go to adventure rider and you will see all kinds of people doing just that on all kinds of rides from 50cc and up. You don't need a huge bike to see the country. In fact you will see more of the country traveling slower on a smaller slower bike taking back roads that blasting 80 miles per hour on the super slab. I never saw the appeal of riding on highways.

msprygada,

You said it all. Back country roads, slow speed, taking in all the
scenic vistas. And you are right, the smaller the scooter the more fun.

I even used your same metaphor - no fun cruising high speed on
the expressway. And yet, some of the big bike boys like that cross
country fast riding. You do get to see some country - but for me no fun.

Obviously, there will me a good measure of folks on this forum that
have a need for speed - not I.

You would love my scooter riding group. We do all back roads between
30-45 miles per hour. We rest stop every hour and find the best
spots for lunch.

Bob Copeland


Here is what my group says to the fast slab riders.

I forgot who said this: "It's more fun to go fast on a slow bike then it is to go slow on a fast bike!"

Miguel