Best scooter for NYC?
This is exactly your bike. It's light, compact, cheap to run and easy to park, and it has more style than anything else in the bike lane. Short daily hops are where it shines.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
2015–2021 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
Sprint 125ie 3v S (MY2015_Sprint125S)
Nimble Steel With Italian Character
The Machine's Character
The Sprint 125 S is the sporty small-frame Vespa, and it wears the role well. You get the steel monocoque body that defines the brand, a 124 cc air-cooled 3-valve single making 11 hp and 8 lb-ft, and a belt-driven twist-and-go automatic. The S trim adds black details and red-tinted suspension, which give the classic shape a sharper, more purposeful stance. ABS comes standard, and so does a center stand. On paper it's modest. In town, the numbers matter far less than how the thing handles: few scooters feel this light and this easy to place. Small, quick, stylish!
It's easy to live with. At 287 lb (130 kg) wet, with a 31.1 in (790 mm) seat and a 52.8 in (1,340 mm) wheelbase, it slips through traffic and into parking gaps without any fuss. The engine feels lively around town and goes easy on fuel. It's for riders who want real style that still works as everyday transport. The honest caveat: top speed is 57 mph (91 km/h), and between the 2.1 gal (8 L) tank and the 12-inch wheels, freeways and long hauls aren't what it's built for. It belongs in the city.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
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| Power | 11 hp (8 kW) @ 7,700 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 8 lb-ft (10 Nm) @ 6,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 124 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Front tire | 110/70-12 |
| Rear tire | 120/70-12 |
| Wheelbase | 52.8 in (1340 mm) |
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Wet weight | 287 lb (130 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.1 gal (8 L) |
| Top speed | 57 mph (91 km/h) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard
Safety
- ABS Standard
Known issues
-
Possible low-speed stalling
Anecdotal reports suggest a tendency to stall when coming to a stop, possibly linked to a tight decompression device setting; not widely documented.
The Expert Benchmark
Where this Vespa Sprint 125ie 3v S 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 Sprint 125ie 3v S 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 Sprint 125ie 3v S is actually built for.
Best motorcycle for Bay Area?
It's a great choice for the city leg of your week, and it gets you noticed. With 11 hp and a 57 mph top speed, though, the weekend ridge roads call for something bigger.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
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