Not available in the U.S. where Piaggio->ke2268 offers the Fly 150, the 2015 Fly 125 3V available everywhere else is your answer to cheap transportation around town or for short jogs into the countryside. Piaggio -- maker of the iconic

Vespa->ke2257 scooter -- invites you to "Fly" first class on this classic-styled scooter->ke2256 it calls "smart urban mobility." That is an apt description for this sporty little two-wheeler that gives you awesome fuel economy.

Continue reading for my review of the Piaggio Fly 125 3V.

Design

For such a little ride, the Fly 125 3V has ample storage. The main storage compartment under the ergonomic seat is large enough to stow two jet helmets or a surprising amount of groceries from the market. For additional storage, add the rear carrier and color-matched top box accessory large enough to stow another helmet. No, you won't need to stow three helmets, but if you stow your helmet in the top box, you'll have plenty of storage available for whatever you need.

The Fly 125 3V comes in Pearl White, Graphite Black and Midnight Blue everywhere. If you want it in Red Dragon -- which looks very snazzy -- you'll have to check locally. You can get it in red in Italy, Spain and France; and maybe in a few other markets throughout Europe; but not in the U.K., Netherlands or Belgium.

Other accessories include your choice of clear or smoked windshield, electronic alarm, a handlebar lock standard, leg cover, and a Piaggio jet helmet with sliding sun visor.

If your Fly 125 3V is your only transportation, these accessories are each quite useful for comfort and security. Okay maybe not the Piaggio helmet. Any compliant helmet will do, but I really like the look of the Piaggio leather helmets.

Chassis

The single-cradle steel chassis -- not surprising for a small scooter -- is supported in the front by a 32 mm hydraulic telescopic fork and by a single hydraulic shock in the rear. It's nothing fancy, but quite sufficient for this little ride. Front and rear brakes are 220 mm discs with a dual-piston floating caliper in the front. Again, nothing fancy but adequate. On 12-inch alloy wheels front and rear, the ride is reasonably smooth and around town, that's really all you need.

Drivetrain

Piaggio put a 124 cc, single-cylinder, four stroke engine in the Fly 125 3V. The "3V" I'm sure stands for three valves -- two intake and one exhaust. With 8.9 kW at 8,250 rpm and 10.7 Nm at 6,750 rpm, the Fly 125 3V is quite zippy for your trips in town.

Pricing

If you want to bring a Fly 125 3V home with you, price starts at £2,071. That's £200 cheaper than the 2015 Piaggio Typhoon 125 and with a little more torque and horsepower. In fact, the new Fly 125 3V is the least expensive of Piaggio's 125 cc scooter lineup for 2015. The D'elight from Yamaha->ke301 comes in a little cheaper, but it also has a 114 cc engine.

He Said

My husband and fellow writer, TJ Hinton says, "A scooter? Are you nuts bothering me about a scooter? It does look like good cheap basic transportation, though. I'm surprised the sticker price is so low coming from Piaggio considering how pricey some of the Vespas and other scooters can be, even in this 125 cc bracket. You can get the champagne name of Piaggio at a beer price."

She Said

"I wonder why Piaggio offers the Fly 150 in the U.S. and the Fly 125 3V everywhere else. It must be the differences in licensing laws. The Fly 125 comes in under the A1 scooter license regulations, making it available to beginner riders as well as experienced folks who want or need that economical urban transportation. We don't break down our licenses that way. In the 125 cc scooter bracket, the Fly 125 3V is cheap transportation and a zippy ride for your short commutes."

Specs