Best scooter for NYC?
This one's made for you. It's light, parks anywhere, gets around 60 mpg and asks nothing of you in stop-and-go traffic. Just keep it off the freeway.
Made for Austin · Los Angeles · Miami Beach / Miami
2009–2014 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
LX 125 i.e (MY2009_LX125ie)
Iconic Steel, Effortless City Grace
The Machine's Character
The LX 125 i.e. is the Vespa for riders who want the shape and the steel without any drama. You get the classic silhouette and steel bodywork, a fuel-injected, air-cooled 124 cc single and a belt-driven automatic that does all the thinking for you. It makes 10 hp and 7 lb-ft. On paper that looks like nothing, but it's exactly enough for city traffic. At 243 lb (110 kg) wet, it's light enough to flick through gaps and roll into a tight curb spot. Italian style, zero intimidation.
It's built for the urban grind: short hops, stop-and-go and parking wherever you find a gap. Expect around 60 mpg (US), low running costs and basic mechanicals that hold up well. As it ages, watch for two things. The first is an unstable or stalling idle, usually a faulty lambda (O2) sensor that a replacement cures. The second is surface rust on the chrome trim, fork lowers and front wheel arch if it lives outside all year. The honest caveat is reach: 62 mph (100 km/h) flat out, no ABS and tiny wheels. Keep it in town. There it shines.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
Show full specs & equipment Hide specs & equipment
| Power | 10 hp (7 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 7 lb-ft (10 Nm) |
| Displacement | 124 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Front brake | 200 mm |
| Front tire | 110/70-11 |
| Rear tire | 120/70-10 |
| Seat height | 30.9 in (785 mm) |
| Wet weight | 243 lb (110 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.3 gal (8.6 L) |
| Top speed | 62 mph (100 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 60 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Manually Adjustable Rear Suspension Standard
Comfort
- Luggage System Optional
The Truth on the Street
What follows comes from years of listening: paddock talk, owner chats, club-night chatter and the emails and messages riders send me directly. On the LX 125 i.e., owners mostly agree. They praise the way it looks and the way it's built, and their complaints are about rough roads and hard stops.
Looks first, refinement close behind
The loudest praise goes to the all-steel body, the chrome accents and that classic silhouette. Owners consistently call it a commuter you choose with your eyes. Right behind that comes the engine: riders describe it as refined and linear, and they mention reliable cold starts and clean running. Build quality and overall reliability score well for a scooter this small. In traffic, owners single out the tight turning circle and narrow profile. Style with substance!
A firm lever and a firm ride
The gripes are fewer and quieter. Some owners say the front brake is slow to bite and needs a firm pull, and a few wish it had more stopping power. About as many report sharp hits coming straight through the chassis on rough roads. One owner adds that real-world economy trails some Japanese rivals. That's the whole list.
Known issues
-
Idle stalling due to lambda probe
Some fuel-injected models develop unstable idle or stall intermittently, often traced to a faulty lambda (O2) sensor; replacement resolves the issue.
-
Chrome and exposed metal corrosion
Chrome trim, fork lowers, and the front wheel arch can develop surface rust, particularly on year-round commuters.
The Expert Benchmark
Where this Vespa LX 125 i.e pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class
Head-to-head: Vespa LX 125 i.e vs. its rivals
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
The 'Should I Buy It?' Score
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the LX 125 i.e is actually built for.
Best motorcycle for Bay Area?
For city errands and looking sharp at the meetup, it delivers. On ridge-road runs, 10 hp and a 62 mph top speed will leave you wanting a proper motorcycle.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
Alternatives to the Vespa LX 125 i.e
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
