Modern scooters give some of today’s 125cc motorcycles a run for their money.
They can be quick, push legal limits in terms of power and be a whole lot of fun.
What we are concentrating on today are the fastest scooters on the market.
Whether you want a capable scooter for longer commutes, or you are a thrill-seeking rider limited by licence restrictions and want the fastest bike you can get your hands on, we have you covered.
Let’s get into it.
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Fastest 125cc Scooter to Consider
Honda Forza 125
Specs:
- Engine – 124.9cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, single cylinder
- Max Power – 14.75 horsepower
- Max Torque – 12.2 Nm
- Top Speed – 80mph
- Seat Height – 780mm
- Kerb Weight – 161kg
Honda markets the Forza under the ‘Sports GT’ segment.
It is a scooter packed with technology, practicality and style with claimed class-leading acceleration.
The Forza has an estimated top speed of 80mph, making it one of the fastest scooters around.
With an engine pushing out 14.75 horsepower, it is right at the legal limit of what a 125cc scooter can produce in terms of power.
Paired with 12.2Nm of torque, the Forza has enough grunt throughout the range to make sure you have acceleration exactly where and when you need it.
Whether you are around town and fighting traffic or on the backroads and want to get up to speed.
The power produced is also enough to ensure you are comfortable on dual carriageways with room for overtaking.
There are only two scooters on this list I would consider taking on the motorway: the Forza and the next one up, the Yamaha XMAX.
Key Features:
- Electronic Windscreen
- USB-C Socket in Glovebox
- Honda Selectable Torque Control
- LED lights
- Storage Room for 2 Helmets
Yamaha XMAX 125
Specs:
- Engine – 124cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, single cylinder
- Max Power – 14 horsepower
- Max Torque – 12 Nm
- Top Speed – 80mph
- Seat Height – 795mm
- Kerb Weight – 175kg
Yamaha’s XMAX is built for sportiness but is merged with practicality and functionality.
Just like the Forza, the XMAX sits right at the legal limit of what can be produced for a 125cc scooter.
14 horsepower and 12Nm of torque pumping out the motor provide more than enough oomph to get you where you are going and then some.
The XMAX also has an estimated top speed of 80mph, so it is in joint first place with the Forza for the fastest scooter.
What is unique about the XMAX is Yamaha’s use of motorcycle style front forks which accommodates the sporty side of the scooter, increasing rider comfort and overall stability at all speeds.
For long commutes, riding on dual carriageways and potential short motorway use either the Honda Forza or Yamaha XMAX makes for a great choice.
Key Features:
- LED lights
- Motorcycle Style Front Forks
- Traction Control System
- 12V Outlet in Glovebox
- Storage Room for 2 Helmets
Italjet Dragster
Specs:
- Engine – 124cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, single cylinder
- Max Power – 12.5 horsepower
- Max Torque – 10.5 Nm
- Top Speed – 75mph
- Seat Height – 770mm
- Kerb Weight – 141kg
Next up, we have the Italjet Dragster, a small little monster chasing an exotic sporty dream for the rebels among us.
The Italjet Dragster is for fans of Ducati and Bimota to the point that you would choose style over function.
Even a Chrome Molybdenum trellis frame has been used, which is not dissimilar to the handcrafted frames used by Bimota for their top of the line sportsbikes of days gone by.
The scooter weighs very little, lacking any functional features like a charging socket, glove box or storage for helmets.
However, it has plenty of zip, with 12.5 horsepower and a top speed of 75mph, thanks to the power-weight ratio.
Not only is the Dragster one of the fastest on the list, but it is also by far the coolest, to hell with practicality, I say.
Key Features:
- Chrome Molybdenum Frame with Aluminium Plates
- Independent Steering System
- Hydraulic Shock
- LED lights
Piaggio Medley S
Specs:
- Engine – 125cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, Piaggio I-get.
- Max Power – 14.7 horsepower
- Max Torque – 12 Nm
- Top Speed – 70mph
- Seat Height – 799mm
- Kerb Weight – 136kg
The Medley S is a lightweight, compact scooter offering the same practicality and sportiness as some of the physically bigger scooters on the list.
While significantly lower in weight than the Forza or XMAX for Medley S still gives the owner storage space for two helmets and is packed with technical features such as the all-new Bluetooth connectivity system.
Best of all, the latest I-get Piaggio engine has plenty to offer in terms of power, acceleration and top speed.
Just shy of 15 horsepower, with 12 Nm of torque, the I-get motor will push the rider to reach a top speed of 70mph.
The Medley S is a zippy compact scooter that is perfect for around town but will happily take you on the backroads on an adventure and have you keeping up with traffic wherever you go.
Key Features:
- Bluetooth Piaggio Mia Connection
- Stop Start System
- Bosch ABS
- Storage Room for 2 Helmets
Honda PCX125
Specs:
- Engine – 125cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, eSP+, SOHC, single cylinder
- Max Power – 12.3 horsepower
- Max Torque – 11.8 Nm
- Top Speed – 67mph
- Seat Height – 764mm
- Kerb Weight – 130kg
The Honda PCX is one of Europe’s favourite scooters and has been for over a decade.
‘PC’ stands for ‘Personal Comfort’, and the X is on an X level. For 2022 Honda have taken apart the PCX and put it back together again, even better than it was before.
It is lighter and smaller than the Forza but is still capable of those small adventures.
The 125cc engine produces a little less power at 12.3 horsepower and 11.8Nm of torque, giving the rider a top speed of around 67mph.
The PCX is best suited for solo riders in and around town; it doesn’t have as much grunt as the Forza but still has enough for most everyday riding situations, and 67mph isn’t a bad top speed for a lightweight scooter.
Key Features:
- USB-C Socket in Glovebox
- Heated Grips
- Honda Selectable Torque Control
- Smart Key
- Storage Room for 1 Helmet
Peugeot Django 125
Specs:
- Engine – 124.9cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, single cylinder
- Max Power – 11.3 horsepower
- Max Torque – 11.2 Nm
- Top Speed – 65mph
- Seat Height – 770mm
- Kerb Weight – 137kg
Maybe a modern styled scooter isn’t for you, but you also can’t face buying a vintage Lambretta that will struggle over 30mph.
This is where the following two scooters come into play.
First up is the Peugeot Django, a retro-styled scooter with a respectable top speed of 65mph.
Propelling the scooter up to 65mph is a motor pushing out 11.3 horsepower and 11.2 Nm of torque.
The Django is best used around town and country roads, where the low and mid-range torque will be more than enough for your needs.
However, a quick blip will soon see you shooting for the red line and tipping the scales over 60mph.
Key Features:
- ABS
- USB Socket in Glovebox
- Retro Styling
- Storage Room for 2 Helmets (1 full-face, 1 jet)
Vespa GTS Super Sport 125
Specs:
- Engine – 124.7cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, single cylinder, Piaggio I-get
- Max Power – 13.8 horsepower
- Max Torque – 11.1 Nm
- Top Speed – 65mph
- Seat Height – 790mm
- Kerb Weight – 148kg
If you want a bit more history with your retro scooter, then the only way forward is to go for a Piaggio owned Vespa.
The Vespa GTS 125 is powered by the same Piaggio I-get 125cc motor, but it pushes out a little more horsepower at 13.8hp.
The GTS is the Grand Touring Sports model, and the Super Sport just expands upon that title.
It is a smooth ride, with fantastic acceleration and stability at top-end speed.
If you want to take things a step further style-wise, you could opt for the GTS Super 125 Racing Sixties model, a modern iteration of the ’60’s Vespas.
Key Features:
- Start Stop System
- LED Lights
- Ergonomic Seat
- Vespa Retro Styling
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