For many riders who love to ride scooters, a classic-looking scooter, like a Vespa or a Lambretta is a must in their garage, much better if it’s a genuine vintage scooter that is as old as their father or grandfather.
Unfortunately, the price tag of these scooters is already enough to buy you a decent and “almost new” car or even an SUV. For those who want the attributes of a classic scooter but are on a budget, you might want to look for Bristol Motorcycle’s Vantaggio 150.
Classic meets modern
On the outside, the Vantaggio has all the ‘personality’ of a classic scooter. From the round headlight, round side mirrors with chrome finish, to the pronounced side fenders reminiscent of a Vespa, the Vantaggio has all that it takes to be a “classic”. Not only that, a lot of emphasis was put on the details and the Vantaggio looks strikingly clean in and out.
Underneath those classic-inspired fairings, the Vantaggio 150 has every modern feature found in a modern scooter.
The engine, for example, is a 150cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke that is capable of producing almost 14 Ps of power and 14 Nm of torque. According to Bristol, the Vantaggio’s engine is capable of propelling the scooter at upwards of 105 kilometers per hour. Additionally, the Vantaggio is also equipped with a keyless remote system which also acts as an anti-theft device. The Vantaggio also boasts an idling stop system similar to that on the Honda Click, which further expands the range of its 10-liter fuel tank.
Notice the Torx screws used in the Vantaggio's bodywork
For rider safety, the Vantaggio is equipped with dual-channel ABS as standard and both the front and rear wheels enjoy the solid grip of disc brakes.
Riding the Vantaggio 150
Our friends from Bristol Motorcycles were very generous and lent us this Vantaggio 150 test unit right after our stint with the Moto Morini X-Cape 650. To be honest, there’s just something with scooters, and the Vantaggio in particular, that made me enjoy it even better than the X-Cape 650.
This is a scooter that you will enjoy riding every day, including weekends. According to Bristol, the Vantaggio’s fuel economy is 43 kilometers per liter. During my short but sweet stint with this scooter, I was able to stretch it to 45 kilometers per liter at best, and when I felt like twisting the throttle more, fuel economy went down to just 42 kilometers per liter. In my book, this scooter is still within the “fuel efficient bracket” in the 150cc category.
Another plus for me on the Vantaggio 150 is the built-in USB socket on the left panel which is very accessible, especially for charging gadgets like a smartphone or a dedicated GPS device for traveling, unlike in other scooters where it is tucked in the underseat compartment or you have to figure out and install an aftermarket USB socket.
Speaking of the Vantaggio’s underseat compartment, it has enough space for a half-face helmet or an unpadded jacket and some small items.
Performance-wise, the Vantaggio 150 runs and feels very similar to the Honda Click 150i. Maybe it has the same engine as the Click 150i? I don’t know, but I was told by a mechanic who specializes in scooters that the engine components of the Vantaggio and the Click 150 have a lot in common and they look almost identical.
What I didn't like about the Vantaggio 150? I can't remember anything that I didn't like about the Vantaggio, as if I was always in a trance every time I was riding it. It felt like I was always in another dimension just chilling out and having a good time riding the scooter.
Currently, the Vantaggio 150 is retailed at an introductory price of PHP 148,000. After this promotion, this classic-looking scooter will be priced at PHP 168,000.
