PIAGGIO VESPA LX125 (2005 - on) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Annual servicing cost: £250
Power: 10 bhp
Seat height: Medium (30.9 in / 785 mm)
Weight: Low (243 lbs / 110 kg)

Prices

New £2,799
Used N/A

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Now that the iconic Vespa PX series has been killed off by emissions laws, the LX twist-and-go four-stroke is just about the closest thing to the original Vespa look. Underneath the classic looks they’re a modern scoot – and the pink scooter in our pictures is thankfully a limited edition colour!

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Vespa LX125 isn’t a sporty machine, and it has tiny wheels, so the chassis is suited to sedate commuting only – throwing it around an abusing it ties it in knots. It’s well-balanced, has a good turning circle and fits through traffic well – common to most Piaggios the suspension crashes a little over bumps, but it’s OK.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Piaggio 125cc four-stroke engine is used here – like it’s other applications, it accelerates the Vespa LX125 forward smoothly, quietly and fuss free. It’s an unintimidating power delivery that new riders won’t have a problem with, though you’ll be wishing for a bigger motor if you’re used to bigger machinery. But then that’s not who a 125 is built for anyway. Fuel economy is good too.  

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Vespa is a nicely designed machine put together neatly, and although most of the bike is concealed the bits that aren’t suffer with corrosion. The design means every panel on one side gets damaged even in a small drop. Look after it though and it’ll still be cool for years to come.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
3 out of 5 (3/5)

Value is a subjective issue with a Vespa – on paper it’s a lot of money for what you get – another bike from Piaggio’s own range would give you a better spec. But the Vespa LX125 comes with a huge dollop of style (and girly chic in the limited edition pink!) you just don’t get with other scoots. You probably already know if you want one – buy one and you’ll be perfectly happy with it. Find a Vespa LX125 for sale.

Equipment

2 out of 5 (2/5)

The Vespa is a fashion scooter, so it’s not as well appointed as dedicated commuter. There’s still room under the seat for a bag of shopping or an open face lid, and two small people could fit on the dual seat. There’s locking cubby hole in the leg shield, and the dash has a fuel gauge and clock for your convenience. Compare and buy scooter clothign and parts in the MCN Shop.

Specs

Engine size 124cc
Engine type Two-valve air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke, CVT transmission
Frame type Tubular steel cradle
Fuel capacity 8.6 litres
Seat height 785mm
Bike weight 110kg
Front suspension None
Rear suspension Four-position preload
Front brake 200mm disc, twin-piston caliper
Rear brake 110mm drum
Front tyre size 110/70-11
Rear tyre size 120/70-10

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 73 mpg
Annual road tax £25
Annual service cost £250
New price £2,799
Used price -
Insurance group -
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 10 bhp
Max torque 7 ft-lb
Top speed 62 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range 170 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

Introduced in 2005 – colour changes since.

Other versions

Vespa LXV 125 – Similar idea, but a separate chrome headlight and speedo plus bare handlebars mimicking the look of early Vespas.

Other Piaggio Vespa reviews on MCN

Owners' reviews for the PIAGGIO VESPA LX125 (2005 - on)

3 owners have reviewed their PIAGGIO VESPA LX125 (2005 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your PIAGGIO VESPA LX125 (2005 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 3.3 out of 5 (3.3/5)
Engine: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Value vs rivals: 3.7 out of 5 (3.7/5)
Equipment: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Annual servicing cost: £250
5 out of 5 Vespa Power
30 May 2023 by West London Vespa Commuter

Version: 125ie

Year: 2010

Annual servicing cost: £250

Excellent, reliable and cheap to run bike. After 13 years my vespa hasnt lost any of its shine, like all bikes used for all year commuting it has corroded in the usual places, like the fromt wheel arch and under tray. But with a little care and DIY attention this can be dealt with easily and to couple that with regular servicing the single cylinder motor and transmission hasn't dissappointed. My odometer currently reads 96500km and I hope to break the hundred this year! For inner city commuting you really don't need anything larger than a 125 and with its nimble and small frame this bike will carve through any level of traffic congestion you can throw at it. Even the occasional Marlyebone Rd blockage here in London (west london commuters will know what I refer to ;-))

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

No ABS, no traction control, just pure pleasure!

Engine 5 out of 5

Everyone wants more power don't they, just take pleasure in the little things this bike does best such as coasting past the big bikes stuck in traffic.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Vespa Quality at its finest!

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Brake pads amd shoes last forever! Oil change and filter required every 6k and belt and rollers at 12k. Simple engine and it really shows in its reliability

Equipment 5 out of 5

Seat hook and under seat storage are brilliant additions, thr amount of shopping you can carry on the hook will really surprise you. You really don't need any other additional storage!

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer for around £3100 way back in 2010.

4 out of 5 Sheer Joy
18 December 2010 by davidjbutcher

I purchased a 2009 piaggio LX 125in March 2009. My wife and I go touring in our motor home and we take the Piaggio with us on a bike rack on the back, we have just come back from Spain where we spent 7 months there, during that time we did over 7000 kilometres on our Piaggio and although this scooter was is not built for touring we found that 150 mile round trip was quite bearable, once you got acclimatised to it, it performed very well with two up, with an amazing 73mpg, not bad for two 12 stone heavyweights on, and one Yorkshire Terrier in the top box, Just had to take it easy on the bends, I must take my hat off to Piaggio, it performed far better that I was led to believe. I am now going to part ex it for a Xevo 400 for our next trip, we would like something with a bit more power and comfort, to be able to go further distances.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5
Equipment 3 out of 5
3 out of 5 Stylish but overpriced
14 July 2009 by BDAbye

I've had a black LX125 here in Bermuda for the last 14 months and done around 11,000km on it (not bad going for a small island). (I have a full UK motorcycle license and used to own a Yamaha DT125R years ago). The handling was good for the first year. Now I am starting to feel a disconcerting vagueness in the steering probably caused by wear and tear. Tyres don't last forever on such small wheels and the standard tyres are very quick wearing. A rear tyre will manage about 3,000km. Equipment is pretty good. Big speedo, useful seemingly accurate fuel guage and clock. After heavy rain condensation inside the speedo is a problem though. Quality is a slight let down. At first the bike feels solidly built but now there are plenty of irritating bodywork rattles. Rust is a problem on some of the chrome work. Reliability is pretty good so far. Performance is not inspiring- but no 4 stroke 125 ever will be! I miss my 2 stroke DT! I reckon these bikes are a little overpriced for the build quality but still like it for the style factor.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5
Engine 3 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
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