Vespa 150cc VXL, SXL review, first ride

Here are our first impressions from behind the handlebars of India’s only 150cc scooters today; the Vespa VXL and SXL.

Published on Sep 10, 2015 04:03:00 PM

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The Vespa VXL and SXL scooters come with four-stroke, 150cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled and carburettor-fed engines, that run three-valve heads. Power output is 11.5bhp at 7,000rpm, while maximum torque is a healthy 1.17kgm at 5,500rpm. CVT transmission systems allow seamless, hassle-free riding on the road, and worked perfectly throughout our short test ride.

Crucially, the new enhanced-capacity 150cc engine works to make a big difference on the road, experienced in the nippy manner both, the VXL and SXL accelerate, with strong grunt as you start off from a halt at low revs and a more robust feeling mid-range. Cruising at speeds of up to 70kph is a breeze, and feels more relaxed as compared to other smaller engine-equipped Indian scooters. There’s also excellent refinement and unblemished smoothness, just as expected and available with every Vespa scooter sold in India today.

In addition to these larger capacity powerplants, Vespa is also offering the VXL and SXL in 125cc, similarly three-valve engines.

The VXL and SXL come with monocoque steel frames, as all Vespas sold in India. This helps the latest Vespas feel solidly put together, with a nice, rigid feel when riding, more so when zipping around two-up, with a pillion. Riders are seated in a comfy, upright position that is roomy enough. The VXL and SXL’s single-sided, hydraulic shock absorbers front and rear work well to provide plush ride quality, never feeling too firm or overly soft.

To match their bolstered performance, the VXL and SXL come with lower profile, tubeless, Maxxis tyres that grip the road better, and allow easy handling with a quick flickability other Indian scooters struggle to match. Then you have 11-inch rims in front, resulting in quicker turn in. 200mm rotor-equipped front disc brakes, coupled with 140mm drum brakes at rear work well to provide effortless stops, with progressive bite at the levers.

The VXL 150 and SXL 150 make sense in India, for riding them convinces us these new Vespas do now pack in the value to back up the premium pricing. How so? By delivering solidly on the key aspects of style and overall quality, being well equipped and walking the extra mile in terms of a peppy, stronger performing, refined engine that outdoes other Indian scooters.