User Review of S by Nikhil Gadkar

About the Reviewer

My love for scooters was born since i was an infant, riding everywhere on my dads bajaj. So when it was time for my new ride it had to be a scooter. Specifically, the vespa s which simply was one of the most charming resto-modern vehicles. Timeless is the word that comes to mind. My buying experience of the wasp wasn't the best. With the quadros vespa (margao) dealer refusing to sell us the vehicle for not agreeing to pay the handling charges. The same issue followed at veljee motors (panaji). Although finally veljee gave us a discount on the handling charges and that's how i ended up with my bright orange vespa. If i have to talk about what my vespa s really means to me, i'll end up writing a story, not a review. So let me keep it short. The vespa s for me was one of the most charming resto-modern vehicles. Timeless is the word that comes to mind. There are very few vehicle that manage to look this good, for me the bike equivalent of this has to be the triumph bonneville or the street twin. However what makes the vespa s great is not the design or the brand, it is the brilliant engine. It's not really about just doing high speeds, but managing to do it for a long time. I remember the time when i rode all alone from bengaluru to karwar (approx. 550 kms) in less than 10 hours. Not once did the scooter heat, not once did it feel tired and not once did i feel like i had a vehicle that could not handle the highway. That's called as a good engine, no a great engine. The exhaust sound too is unique, while some people will call it a canal boat like sound, it does have a very nice energetic sound to it, which sounds brilliant on the open road. But like most italians vehicles (i know, i know the vespa s is made in baramati, but still) it has its quirks and issues. For me, it's mostly been the electricals where the battery or fuses give up. But thankfully I've never been stranded on the road. But by far the greatest issue that is there in the vespa (and aprilia) is the extremely poor service network. There have been times when roadside mechanics simply refuse to touch the scooter. Then there is the issue of spare parts, which are only available at the service centre and mostly are out of stock. These are places where vespa really needs to pick up and stop us from being so dependent on the vespa service centres. I mean how hard is it to sell those parts online? isn't that more important than selling vespa branded caps and mugs and stuff on amazon??So to sum it up, here are the vespa s' pros:- excellent engine- amazing looks- beautiful little details and features (dc lighting, removable under seat storage, retro instrument cluster)- excellent highway manners (doesn't heat up at all!)- extremely stable and vibration-free even at speeds that could make policemen angry- gorgeous paint finish, my almost 4-year-old vehicle still looks new- huge 8 litres fuel tank- makes heads turn, no matter where you go - the biggest pro is the fact that it always puts a smile on my face, no matter how long or short the journey is. You will simply love to arrive anywhere on the vespa. No vehicle no matter how expensive is perfect, so here are the cons. - poor service and spares network- terrible brakes (front is slow and rear brakes simply wants you to drift)- the price!!! - no front number plate mount!! - headlight that's inspired by glow worms - the absurd cost of accessories - common recurring issues (clutch sound, this is a rs.200-250 fix every time you service. The mirrors that keep moving and have to be tightened with great difficulty )At rs.85000 (on-road goa) this is not a vehicle you buy with your head, but one you buy with your heart and it does do its job of making you feel special perfectly.

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