Sprint 125 (MY2022)

The Sprint 125 is a Vespa in the proper sense: the steel monocoque body is the frame, not a set of panels hung on one. You see it in the crisp lines and the rectangular headlight, and you feel it in how solid the thing is for its size. Power comes from Piaggio's air-cooled i-Get single with three valves, 124 cc, 11 hp and 8 lb-ft, delivered through a belt final drive. It rolls on 12-inch wheels with a short 52.8 in (1,340 mm) wheelbase and weighs 287 lb (130 kg) wet. Electronics stay simple: ABS is standard, and that's the whole rider-aid list.

Ride it where it belongs and it's hard to fault. In dense traffic it changes direction with almost no effort, it's easy for a new rider to trust, and experienced scooter people will enjoy how precisely it slots into gaps. Running costs stay low: 94 mpg and a simple air-cooled engine don't ask much of your wallet. The honest caveat is the size of the envelope. You get 11 hp, a fork with no adjustment and no traction control, so this is a city tool with style, not a do-everything machine. You buy it with your heart, then find it actually works. Fair deal!