In the world of scooters, one name stands above the rest: Vespa. The name Vespa and the word “scooter” are one and the same for most people. Ask a child to draw you a scooter, and chances are it’ll look like a Vespa. Yet it isn’t just name recognition that Vespa has going for it. Vespa makes what are arguable the finest scooters available on the market. In fact, we’ve carried other scooter lines in the past, but nothing compares to the features, the quality, or the style of Vespa. Here in the city, it’s tough to beat a quality scooter for getting around the easy way. Doesn’t hurt that the Italians know a thing or two about how to make a beautiful machine too.
Model year 2016 brings us a lot of familiar faces in the Vespa and Piaggio lineup. Whether you’re looking for the classic lines of the Vespa, or the modern practicality of a Piaggio scooter, this year’s lineup has something for everybody. Engine sizes range from 50cc on up to 500cc, and prices start at just $1,999. Let’s dig in.
Get the wheels turning on your new Vespa or Piaggio scooter today. Email our Sales Team or call
(312) 738-4269.
New 2016 Vespa Scooters
This year doesn’t see any all-new models for Vespa, but we do see some new colors, new accessories and new a handful of special editions. Let’s start small and work our way up.
The 2016 Vespa Primavera
The mainstay of the modern Vespa small frame, the Primavera comes in two engine sizes: 50cc and 150cc. For 2016, the Primavera sees a handful of clever upgrades, including LED daytime running lights up front and LED tail light in back, plus new wheel designs and an updated digital readout on the dash. These are a nice refresh from 2013 when the Primavera first debuted.
Like all Vespas, the Primavera utilizes a one-piece, steel monocoque chassis. The frame and the body structure are one and the same. This approach is not only lighter, but more rigid than tube-chassis designs found in all other scooters. This means the Primavera not only looks terrific with its flowing lines and quality trim, but that form serves a very real function in helping the Primavera handle better and be more comfortable on the road.
For those looking to travel in style, the Primavera is even available in Touring trim. Complete with luggage racks and a windshield.
The 2016 Vespa Primavera 150 will do better than 59 mph and sip fuel to the tune of 117 mpg under the right conditions. The Primavera lineup starts at just $3,649 for the Primavera 50, $4,999 for the Primavera 150, and $5,399 for the Primavera 150 Touring.
The 2016 Vespa Sprint
Fraternal twin to the Primavera, Vespa’s other small frame scooter is the Sprint. Vespa positions the Sprint as the premium small frame model. While identical to the Primavera in most respects, the main difference between with the Sprint is in its angular headlight and ABS as standard. The two scooters are indistinguishable from each other when ridden, so it’s mostly a question of whether you want ABS and which look do you prefer. We think there’s a terrific his and hers opportunity between the two Vespas, but to each their own.
Pricing for the Sprint 50 starts at just $3,749, the Sprint 150 ABS at just $5,299, and the Sprint S 150 ABS caps the range at an MSRP of $5,399.
You can read about our riding impressions of the Primavera, the Sprint and even the Vespa 946 right here on BEHIND THE MOTO.
The 2016 Vespa GTS 300 Lineup
Moving up from the small frame to the large frame Vespas, that brings us to the GTS series. Truthfully, among all the bikes we sell, the Vespa GTS might be our favorite — especially for aggressive Chicago city riding. It’s the ultimate do-everything, stylish transport. It’s small enough to tuck into tiny parking spaces, but powerful enough to blast 80 mph down the freeway in a pinch. It’s also comfortable. With an adjustable rear suspension, updated front suspension and that legendary Vespa chassis stiffness, the GTS rides as good as it looks. All that power and good handling are nicely tamed by ABS and ATC traction control systems, both of which now come as standard equipment on the GTS.
The GTS comes in two primary trim levels: the GTS and the GTS Super. Like the Primavera and the Sprint, the difference between the GTS and GTS Super is mostly aesthetic at this point. It’s a choice between the clean lines and bright color of the GTS, or the sportier lines and louvers of the GTS Super and GTS Super Sport special edition. The way we see it, with ABS and ATC now standard across the whole range, there are no wrong choices here.
The 2016 Vespa GTS ABS has an MSRP of just $6,699, the GTS Super ABS is just $100 more at $6.799, and the GTS Super Sport ABS and it’s rad flat gray paint is only $6,899.
You can read our in-depth review of the Vespa GTS right here on BEHIND THE MOTO.
The 2016 Vespa LXV 150 and GTV 300 ABS
As classic as the Vespa brand is, there are two models in the Vespa lineup that exist purely to celebrate that heritage. Those models are the LXV 150 and the GTV 300 ABS.
The LXV 150 is actually a carry over from the LX generation of Vespa, the best-selling bike in the history of Motoworks Chicago. While the Primavera and the Sprint have taken over for the regular LX lineup with next generation technology, the LXV remains as almost a double tribute. It’s open handlebars and exposed, chrome headlight harken back to the early model vintage Vespas.
The GTV 300 ABS carries the classic Vespa torch for the large frame class. The “fender light” edition, as it’s often called, the GTV harkens back to the original Vespa prototype, which wore its headlight on the front fender. There’s no mistaking this bike’s classic lines, despite its modern underpinnings, including ABS and ATC.
The 2016 Vespa LXV 150 has an MSRP of just $4,999, and the 2016 Vespa GTV has an MSRP of just $7,499.
The 2016 Vespa 946 Emperio Armani
The Vespa 946 took the scooter world by absolute storm back in 2013 as the most rarified, stunning, and expensive production scooter ever to come to market. The bike was a statement as to Vespa’s future as an iconic brand and as a catalyst in bringing technologies like ABS and ATC traction control to the scooter market for the first time. Each one was hand built in a special wing of Vespa’s Pontedera factory.
For 2016, Vespa have partnered with Emperio Armani to take the 946 even further into the rarified air of halo object. While certainly not for everyone, we admire Vespa’s brass for continuing to build this bike simply because they choose to. We likely won’t have a 946 Emperio Armani in stock for the sake of having one in stock, but if this bike scratches your itch, let us know. We can most certainly get you one. The 2016 Vespa 946 Emperio Armani has an MSRP of $10,999.
New 2016 Piaggio scooters
While Vespa is the famous name, Piaggio has been Vespa’s parent company from day one. Originally an aircraft manufacturer, it was their expertise in making lightweight steel monocoque structures that led to the Vespa’s iconic chassis design. The company was later split into two: one for aircraft, the other for ground transportation. The aircraft division makes gorgeous, unconventional business airplanes to this day, while Piaggio as we know it for scooters sells a terrific lineup of modern-style two and three-wheel machines. Sharing much of their underpinnings with their wasp cousins, the Piaggio scooters offer a terrific, high-quality alternative for folks looking for modern over classic.
The 2016 Piaggio Fly
The mainstay of the Piaggio lineup has been the Fly. Now in it’s second generation, the Fly 50 and Fly 150 are essentially a modern tube chassis version of the Vespa Primavera. The Fly 150, for example, shares the same efficient, powerful 150cc 3V engine as the Primavera, Sprint and 946. Yet its modern lines are far more subtle than is sculpted cousins. A terrific all-rounder, it’s tough to go wrong with the Fly. The 2016 Piaggio Fly 50 has an MSRP of just $2,299, and the 2016 Piaggio Fly 150 has an MSRP of just $2,999. You’ll not find higher quality scooters at a lower price.
The 2016 Piaggio Typhoon
Speaking of affordability, if you’re on an especially tight budget, Piaggio’s entry-level models, the Typhoon 50 and Typhoon 125 offer a lot of bang for the buck. While not overflowing with elaborate features, the Typhoon line does offer Piaggio quality and engineering in a price range often reserved for scooters of questionable provenance. Before you buy some no-brand piece of garbage shaped like a scooter, give the Typhoon a look. The 2016 Typhoon 50 has an MSRP of just $2,299, and the 2016 Typhoon 125 will run you just $2,899.
The 2016 Piaggio BV350
One thing Piaggio offers that you won’t find in the Vespa lineup are some larger engine sizes. For example, the Piaggio BV350 offers that little bit of extra midsize engine grunt, making it a terrific do-anything modern scooter. The BV350 feature a drive-train all its own, specifically designed to be nimble in the city, and take on light highway duty as needed. Distinctly modern in its lines, the BV350 is a handsome machine with a proud lineage of Beverly scooters that came before it. It stands now as the flagship of the Piaggio lineup, as far as we’re concerned. For 2016, the Piaggio BV350 features both ABS and ATC traction control as standard, and has an MSRP of just $6,199.
The 2016 Piaggio MP3 500 Sport ABS
Easily the weirdest scooter on the market since its inception, the Piaggio MP3 is unmistakable thanks to its unique three-wheel configuration. Riding the MP3 is as natural as riding any other two wheeler, but you get the advantage of twice the contact patch, twice the braking power, and twice the suspension up front. With one wheel perpetually kicked out to the inside of the turn, it’s virtually impossible to low-side an MP3. Add to that the practicality of its storage compartments and the power of its 500cc engine, and this second generation MP3 has a lot going for it. While certainly not for everyone, we love the way the MP3 500 Sport continues to let its freak flag fly. Like so many other bikes in the Piaggio lineup, the 2016 Piaggio MP3 500 Sport comes with standard ABS and ATC traction control. All with an MSRP of just $7,499. That’s a lot of clever weirdness for your buck.
Get the wheels turning on your new Vespa or Piaggio scooter today. Email our Sales Team or call
(312) 738-4269.