2014–2021 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
Style That Actually Moves
The Sprint 125 is the Vespa for riders who want the icon and still expect it to move. The body is a steel monocoque, so the part you look at is also the part that carries you. That gives the whole scooter a solid, tightly built feel. Power comes from an air-cooled, fuel-injected 124 cc single with three valves: 11 hp and 8 lb-ft. Those are modest numbers, but they get you off the line quickly and up to city speeds without drama. ABS is standard. What sets it apart in its class isn't speed. It feels like a finished, grown-up product. Style with substance!
Day to day, it's about as easy as motorized transport gets. It rolls on 12-inch wheels and slips into gaps and parking spots that bigger machines can only look at. A full-face helmet fits under the seat. At 107 mpg (US), the 2.1 gal (8 L) tank goes a long way, so running costs stay low. It's for the city rider who wants something beautiful to ride every morning without any fuss. The honest caveat: 11 hp doesn't leave much in reserve once traffic speeds up, and the front fork has no adjustment at all. A city scooter, pure and simple.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 11 hp (8.1 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 8 lb-ft (10 Nm) |
| Displacement | 124 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Front brake | 200 mm |
| Front tire | 110/70-12 |
| Rear tire | 120/70-12 |
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.1 gal (8 L) |
| Fuel economy | 107 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
Over the years I've collected what Sprint 125 owners tell me: in the paddock, over coffee on club nights, and in the messages riders send me directly. The picture is consistent. Owners are happier with how this little Vespa rides and stops than its looks would suggest, and their main complaint is about equipment, not character.
Riders consistently describe the Sprint as agile and settled on rough city streets. They credit the steel monocoque and the upgraded suspension for that composure, and the word that keeps coming up is fun. Taller owners also say the redesigned riding position gives them room while the seat stays low. Small scooter, grown-up manners!
The brakes get more praise than you'd expect on a scooter. Owners talk about strong, progressive stopping from the front disc and rear drum with good feel, and several rank them among the best in the class. And there's a safety net behind them: ABS comes standard. Strong stoppers, with backup.
Where this Vespa Sprint 125 i.e. 3V pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Sprint 125 i.e. 3V is actually built for.
This is your scooter. It's small and light, it barely uses any fuel, it parks anywhere, and it looks great doing it. Just keep it off the fast highways and it'll handle your daily grind without complaint.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
For the city half of your week and the coffee-stop crowd, it's a gem that looks great in every photo. On long, fast ridge roads, though, 11 hp will leave you wanting more.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2007–2013
Slim Steel City Slicker
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
