If you're looking for a legit scooter for students with timeless Italian style and an enviable reputation, you've come to the right place. Welcome to the new Vespa Primavera.
The small Vespa has been around in one form or another since the 1960s; in 1968, the Primavera model appeared. This model remained popular with youngsters for a decade until it was replaced by the larger Vespa PX model. The model is back, and although it no longer has a two-stroke geared engine, Piaggio is rightly proud of the latest member of its impressive Vespa family.
The Primavera replaces the popular Vespa LX model and gets its fuel-injected three-valve, 10.59bhp engine. At first glance, the Primavera's stamped steel bodywork is very similar to that of the LX, but if you look closely, you'll find a number of significant differences. The Primavera borrows some styling elements from the expensive £7,800 hand-built Vespa 946. For example, the front foot covers and horn cover more than vaguely resemble the limited edition model, but the Primavera has its own style with a sharper rear end and raised central tunnel. Up close the Primavera looks very stylish, the paintwork (in all six colours) is stunning and is accentuated by the cleverly executed body lines which are carefully crafted to reflect light in all the right places. Minor aesthetic touches, such as the chrome headlamp and rear parapet elements, are part of the evolution of this iconic name that brings the Primavera into the 21st century.
Sit on this lightweight scooter for the first time and you'll notice the seating area is spacious, as the space between the seat and handlebars has been increased (compared to the LX) and the footrests have been reduced to make them narrower so shorter riders can touch the floor more easily. Storage space has also been increased so that a full-face helmet can be comfortably placed under the seat; there's also extra storage in the glove box. Look down at the modern blue backlit digital dial and crystal clear display that shows time, two trips, mileage and fuel readings. The central analogue speedometer sits at the top, and the instruments are set in a trapezoidal frame - another important hint of the vintage Vespa's heritage.
Start the scooter up and it's ready to go, which isn't surprising as the previous LX was no slouch either. The Primavera feels very light and agile as we head into a busy Spanish town, hunting for brakes and filtering through with 'enthusiasm', so it wasn't long before we had a chance to check the brakes were effective, don't worry - they're very powerful, it may be 'just' front disc/rear drum but they're very good. In fact, I'd say the rear drum brake is the best I've ever used on a scooter, and pairs well with the Michelin City grip tyres. The Primavera's suspension has also undergone some changes: both the front and rear suspensions are new and have been designed to reduce vibration and provide a much smoother ride compared to the LX. We tested it on very rough terrain and I have no complaints, it handled beautifully. Speaking of urban scooters, it's hard to find a more agile machine, it's very light and stable so you can dive into cracks, cruise slowly through traffic and brake slowly and you'll have enough power to accelerate most cars out of traffic lights and still look chic on this latest Vespa model.
At the end of the day, four of us managed to get away from our drivers and take an unsupervised ride, with the Primavera finally starting to work well for our group of British explorers. We took to the motorway to check the top speed (70mph), then lost ourselves in the tangle of streets of a busy city. I have to admit that the Primavera worked fantastically and, more importantly, I enjoyed the drive. It reminded me how much fun you can have when you're riding on two wheels, regardless of their size. Maybe it's time to find out for yourself, treat yourself this winter...
