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2009–2013 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
Steel Soul, City Native
The S 125 i.e. is Vespa doing what Vespa does best: a steel monocoque body, small wheels and a clean retro face, built around a modern fuel-injected heart. The engine is an air-cooled 124 cc single making 10 hp at 8,000 rpm and 7 lb-ft at 6,750 rpm, sent through a twist-and-go automatic and belt drive. Wet weight is 265 lb (120 kg), the wheelbase a compact 50.4 in (1,280 mm). That's no plastic commodity scooter with a badge stuck on. In a class full of interchangeable shells, the steel body and the Italian styling set it apart. Real metal!
Read the spec sheet and the purpose is obvious: this is a city tool. A 30.9 in (785 mm) seat, an 11-inch front and 10-inch rear wheel and that short wheelbase point straight at dense traffic, narrow gaps and cramped parking. Fuel economy is rated at 84 mpg, and that stretches the 2.2 gal (8.5 L) tank a long way between fill-ups. Who's it for? You, if you want style and low running costs on short daily runs. Simple as that.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 10 hp (7.4 kW) @ 8,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 7 lb-ft (9 Nm) @ 6,750 rpm |
| 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 |
| Wheelbase | 50.4 in (1280 mm) |
| Seat height | 30.9 in (785 mm) |
| Wet weight | 265 lb (120 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.2 gal (8.5 L) |
| Fuel economy | 84 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Drivetrain
I've been hearing about this Vespa for years: at the paddock, from owners at club nights, and in the messages riders send me directly. The picture that comes out of it is consistent. Owners love how it rides and how little it asks at the pump. They're just as open about where it falls short.
Riders consistently say the ride surprises them. Despite the small wheels, owners describe it as plush and vibration-free, soaking up rough city pavement with ease. Several point out that fuel stays cheap even though it wants premium. Many still call it a fashion statement as much as transport. Comfort wins them over.
The most common gripe is pace. Owners say it's sluggish off the line and struggles on steep hills, so the faster roads outside the city aren't much fun. Just as often, riders bring up the cost of the badge: it's expensive to buy, genuine parts cost a lot, and workshop bills run higher than on Japanese rivals. Some also say the underseat space takes only a small jet helmet, so they add the optional top box for commuting. Style costs extra.
Engine stalling when hot
Several owners report the engine losing power and cutting out after reaching operating temperature, often traced to a failing fuel pump or clogged injector.
Battery drain and starting problems
Frequent short trips or lack of use can drain the battery; in some cases, the rectifier or stator fails, preventing proper charging.
Where this Vespa S 125 i.e pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the S 125 i.e is actually built for.
This is your best fit here: 265 lb, a 30.9 in seat and a short wheelbase make slipping through traffic and grabbing tight parking spots easy, and 84 mpg keeps your commuting costs low.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
It handles your city half well and looks sharp at the meetup, but with 10 hp it's a stylish San Francisco runabout, not your weekend ridge-road machine.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
