If you’ve ridden a post 1998 Vespa PX then the Belladonna RV150 will feel like…well a PX, given that they’re near identical. The Belladonna does have a few small changes worth mentioning. First off the engine is Euro 3 compliant so will remain legal to sell in most countries for many years to come. The 150cc engine also features a reed valve induction system and five port design in comparison to the Vespa’s more conventional rotary induction system. Another subtle difference is…well you can still buy the RV150. Vespa have discontinued the PX200 and are only doing a limited number of 125 PX’s before the model is also going the way of the dodo.

It’s awfully difficult reviewing a bike like this as you just can’t compare it to a modern scooter; they are very different things. A 1967 Ford Mustang is a very cool car; it was when it came out and it still is. Obviously in comparison to a modern Mustang it is a slow, gas guzzling low tech lump of lard. However…the 67 Mustang is without any doubt light years better looking than the current models. It’s almost like most modern designers are suffering some sort of mass brain fade. As soon as they bring pen to paper they come up with same dead boring designs. Worse still, the only answer they have lately is to actually copy older designs…hilarious really. Scooters are exactly the same; the style and downright coolness of the older designs simply hasn’t been touched in decades.

So that’s it; that’s the reason you by a Belladonna; you like the style. You probably also appreciate the simple design, the lack of complicated electronics and the decades of servicing information; virtually any good scooter mechanic will be able to quickly and easily repair an RV150. The price you pay for all this style is a really just a few sufferings in the ease of use department. The scooter has no under seat storage so you’ll be carrying your helmet; up front there is a large glove box that will hold a surprising amount of items so things aren’t too bad. Obviously you’re also going to have to change gears. This is both a blessing and a curse depending on how you look at it. Sometimes it’s just a pain in the ass; other times it’s great fun. It really does depend on what you like and how you intend to use the scooter. If you’re an inner city courier…this probably isn’t your bike. If you’re commute involves long trips on B-roads without lots of traffic lights…then the Belladonna would be killer.