For many it has replaced the car, especially in urban centres, for many others it is the real alternative to the complications of traffic for those who do not drive a more orthodox motorcycle. The scooter is now a part of our mass culture and occupies a well-defined market segment. Its strong points are comfort, load capacity, reduced consumption as well as low management costs. When purchasing, however, the prices are often on a par with motorbikes. Let’s see which of these comfortable and agile two-wheeled vehicles can be bought new with a budget that does not exceed 3,000 euros.
KYMCO LIKE 125 Sport
A not too careful look could confuse it with a Vespa model, but Kymco LIKE 125 Sport rightly misleads with the attention to finishing and the vintage elegance of its line. Compact, the capacity of the underseat is sufficient for a jet helmet, while the flat footboard is comfortable for the legs, in front of which the glove box with USB socket is placed. The frame is a double cradle with traditional fork and double rear shock absorber. The wheels are 12″ and to improve the center of gravity the tank is in a central position. The disc brakes have the CBS combined braking system and for the passenger there are retractable footrests. The engine is a single-cylinder 11.2 HP and consumes very little, covering over 18 kilometers on one liter of petrol. It is an excellent product for those who move around the city, especially alone and want a beautiful, agile and well-finished vehicle despite the low price. Starting from 2,490 euros.
IMOLA 125 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Derived directly from the sports scooters that were once the dream of fourteen-year-olds, Mondial Imola 125 perfectly interprets their essence, with taste and style. Feisty just by looking at it, its single-cylinder 4-stroke, 4-valve, air-cooled engine develops a power of 11.8 HP, excellent for daily use, but also for a few outings to test the 13″ tires around the bends. sportier and more reliable. The frame is made of steel tubes, the 30 mm fork and the rear monochrome include a separate gas tank. The underseat compartment is very small and you have to rely on the hook in the rear shield for backpacks or small bags, but in a sporty model it was preferred to leave room for the tank, just as the front shield is narrow to resist less air. The position is comfortable and guarantees space to move the legs and keep the arms comfortable thanks to the ergonomics of the handlebars. Reliable when braking, the Imola has one of its strong points in cornering, especially for those who love sporty driving. A real gem, the keyless ignition with remote control to keep in your pocket. Starting from 2,190 euros.
PEUGEOT TWEET 125
Pioneer of mobility, since 1901 Peugeot has been producing motorcycles that are always in step with the times. It is called with a name dear to millennials, Tweet 125 is after over a century the best synthesis of what the French brand has always offered, performance, robustness, reliability and an excellent quality-price ratio. High 16″ wheels are a guarantee even on ruined roads and even with a classic chassis, it is suitable for the French countryside, with a comfortable saddle for two people, also softened by the double rear shock absorber. The 11.4 HP of power released by the air-cooled single-cylinder are in line with the category and keep consumption low. Also in this case the 5.4 liters of the fuel tank occupy the underseat which cannot accommodate more than one jet helmet and the storage space is also limited. The simple instrumentation offers everything you need, but the value of this scooter culminates in above-average handling. Starting from 2,549 euros.
VOGE SFIDA SR1 350
With a European design and made in the Italian Motor Valley where the masterpieces of the motoring world are born, Voge Sfida SR1 125 is the first scooter from the Italian-German company, a physical translation of the concept of freedom and living the city to the fullest. Very modern, it is powered by a 124.9 cc single-cylinder engine which develops a power of 11.6 HP, perfect for the purpose and the customers to whom it is dedicated and consumption is around 37 km/litre. The engine is fixed to dampers that absorb annoying vibrations together with the balancing countershaft and thanks to the continuously variable transmission, it is smooth at all speeds. It’s a 125, but Voge SR1 can challenge the most refined maxiscooters not only in attention to detail, but also in performance in all areas of comparison and last but not least, in price. Starting from 2,790 euros
SUZUKI BURGMAN STREET 125
Little brother of the 400, Burgman Street 125 is the scooter concept according to Suzuki. Easy and intuitive, the 12″ wheels are for the city where, thanks to an 8.5 HP single-cylinder 4-stroke engine, you consume very little and move in total harmony with the urban flow, also thanks to the EASS stop & start system. In the rear shield there are two convenient storage compartments, the footboard is also comfortable for the passenger, the ergonomics meet drivers of all sizes and the underseat is spacious with 21.5 liters of capacity. The autonomy of 52.6 km/litre makes it a true city battleship, almost unbeatable. The braking system does not have ABS, CBS combined braking works very well and increases stability. If you don’t want the fastest vehicle on the market, Burgman Street is certainly the right choice, especially for those who use it daily.. Starting from 2,990 euros.
With the common denominator of the maximum threshold being 3,000 euros, it is difficult to find anything over 125 cc, but it is also true that the price is mainly given by production costs and for an eighth of a liter scooter you never get to big figures. However, it must be considered that the simplicity of these products guarantees solidity to which top-level technological solutions are added and you end up with a vehicle suitable for everyday life and very economical to manage.
