2021 Vespa Primavera Pic Nic 150 Review

You’ve got to hand it to Vespa: the Italian scooter icon knows its target market incredibly well, and it’s surely hit a home run with this special edition, the Vespa Primavera Pic Nic 150. 

And look, let’s make one thing clear from the outset: if you’re not into scooters, or even if you are but you’re not into Vespas, this Primavera Pic Nic isn’t likely to push your buttons. Although pulling up on one amid a group of Harley riders, the knee-down brigade or even the Uber Eats boys (and girls) would surely spark some interesting debate! 

In any case, Vespa knows the value of playing to its heritage and its devotees love a special edition, and this Vespa Primavera Pic Nic ticks both boxes. 

It’s basically a Vespa Primavera 150 with a choice of three distinct colours – White Innocenza, Green Relax (pictured), or Grey Materia – and it’s fitted with a Pic Nic themed array of model-specific goodies. 

The list runs to unique two-tone brown seating with a tiny ‘tricolore’ flag on the saddle strap; front and rear chrome carry racks, and a Vespa Pic Nic signature plate on the front compartment cover. Each example also comes with a Vespa Pic Nic gift set comprising a rattan basket, picnic blanket, tumbler and tote bag. 

And for beaming new owners who really want to embrace the Pic Nic concept to the full, a branded fedora hat and t-shirt are also up for grabs (sold separately).

Green with... relax? 

Our test scoot was all but glowing in its ‘Green Relax’ hue with white 12-inch rims, which contrast nicely with the brown saddle and chrome trim. Ours was also fitted with an accessory windshield ($239). 

And if the looks lure you in, you won’t be disappointed by the Pic Nic’s performance. Sure, with just 12.9hp and 12.8Nm on tap, you won’t see this Vespa at your local drag strip. However, it’s a compact little thing and it only weighs 120kg fully fuelled, and it’s got a surprising amount of pep when you wind it on.

Admittedly, it only has two effective throttle settings – closed or fully open – but it's super-easy to ride thanks to its 'twist and go' auto transmission and it gets away from a standing start nicely, keep ahead of most cars once the lights turn green. This is all with my 188cm/90kg bulk on board mind you, so it’s actually pretty sprightly. 

And while it’s really for city and suburban streets up to an 80km/h limit, it surprised me on the open road, where I achieved an indicated 100km/h without too much fuss. That’s tapped out, mind you, and any decent hill will see velocity drop back accordingly, but if your commuting involves the odd short stretch of motorway I wouldn’t rule this Vespa out. 

It's surprisingly stable too, despite its relatively basic suspension (with adjustment limited to four-step preload at the rear) and those diminutive 12-inch wheels. It’s a better ride than most other scoots of this capacity I’ve sampled. 

The brakes are a bit wooden but decent stopping power is achieved when using both in unison with a fair squeeze of the levers. They’re fine for the Pic Nic’s intended usage and the front stopper is equipped with ABS (no such luck at the rear, which is an old-school drum). 

Frugal progress 

As you’d hope of a 150cc single-cylinder engine, fuel economy is frugal. I achieved 3.8L/100km from a mix of suburban and motorway riding, which equates with a safe range of around 170km from the 7.0-litre fuel tank. Or possibly more – curiously, Vespa quotes that fuel capacity with the caveat of +/-0.5-litre. Go figure. 

But I must make mention, as I have of previous Vespas, of the poorly designed fuel filler. It's quite narrow, so you can't really see the fuel coming up to the top when refuelling, and if you're not careful the fuel shoots back up the filler and all over everything stored in the underseat compartment. So don't go putting your picnic sandwiches in there!

While it’s small, the Vespa Primavera Pic Nic 150 is also quite accommodating in terms of its ergonomics. I’m no jockey but I can fit on this thing just fine, although I did have to hunker down behind that accessory screen on the open road to reduce drag (every km/h is precious!). 

But the saddle is broad and comfy, there’s good legroom and the front shield keeps you dry during light downpours, which is a plus. And it’s practical in all the ways a scooter should be. There’s a handy storage compartment under the seat that will fit an open face helmet, though not a full-face one. That’s pretty standard for this scooter category.

There're no shopping hook or manual park brake though, although I do like the electric seat release.

There’s also a cubby hole for your phone in the front storage compartment, with a USB charging port nearby. 

This Vespa is so nimble, narrow and agile, it slices through traffic congestion with ease. It really is a super-efficient way to get around town, in terms of fuel costs and time. And when you reach your destination, it takes up stuff-all space, and requires minimal effort to raise it up on its centrestand (the sidestand works well too). 

The instrumentation – a large analogue speedo and small digital display – is clean, classy and easy to read, although some of the switchgear feels a smidge cheap in its operation. The digi display has a fuel gauge and a clock, plus a trip meter and an odometer. 

The decent lighting adds a touch of class, though the horn is about as muscular and threatening as you’d expect from a vehicle like this. As in, not very. And I found the ignition on our test scoot to be pretty sticky – sometimes I had to fiddle a bit to remove the key. But our Pic Nic did come to us brand new out of the crate, and I’m sure the issue would be easily rectified. 

The verdict 

If Vespas are in your wheelhouse, you’ll love this Vespa Primavera Pic Nic 150. In the city it draws admiring glances like no other scooter I’ve sampled, and its curvaceous lines and many elegant design cues will have Italophiles swooning from 50 paces. 

At $8990 ride away, it’s at the top of the pricing spectrum for a 150cc scooter, but that’s probably not an outlandish sum for those who love a little Roman Holiday romance in their transport... 

Specs: Vespa Primavera Pic Nic 150 

ENGINE 
Type: Air-cooled, four-stroke, three-valve, single-cylinder 
Capacity: 154.8cc 
Bore x stroke: 58mm x 58.6mm 
Engine management: Electronic fuel injection 

PERFORMANCE 
Claimed maximum power: 12.9hp (9.5kW) at 7750rpm 
Claimed maximum torque: 12.8Nm at 6500rpm 

TRANSMISSION 
Type: CVT automatic 

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR 
Frame: Steel 
Front suspension: Single arm, non-adjustable 
Rear suspension: Double-acting shock, adjustable for preload 
Front brakes: Single 200mm disc with twin-piston caliper, ABS 
Rear brake: 140mm drum 
Tyres: Maxxis – front 110/70-12, rear 120/70-12 

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES 
Wet weight: 120kg 
Seat height: 780mm 
Wheelbase: 1334mm 
Fuel capacity: 7.0 litres 

OTHER STUFF 
Price: $8990 ride away 
Colours: White Innocenza, Green Relax, or Grey Materia 
Test bike supplied by: