The Aventura-X EV29 has a lot of the feel-good attraction that comes together with nostalgic Vespa rides, but with none of the exhaust noise, scent of gasoline, or oily rag in your workbench. I spent a number of satisfying weeks driving this enjoyable little runabout and felt nearly like I used to be dishonest, getting the enjoyable vibes with out paying the conventional entry value of muss and fuss that goes with basic ICE scooters.
To begin with, I in all probability shouldn’t name it a Vespa, although it seems to be and appears like one. Aventura-X in all probability walks a effective line as it’s, conjuring up old-timey Vespa vibes whereas sustaining simply sufficient differentiation to keep away from authorized points. It’s a widespread sport today, giving us old-school feels with out blatantly ripping off a decades-old model.
However these sorts of points apart, this scooter nonetheless brings with it a classic-inspired trip that feels oh-so-good.
Test it out in my video evaluation beneath, then maintain studying for all of my ideas on this enjoyable trip!
Aventura-X EV29 video evaluation
Fast, what are the specs?
You in all probability need to know the numbers proper off the bat, so let’s hop to it.
The model I examined is the Aventura-X EV29. It has a 2,900 watt motor fed by a 72V 20Ah battery. There are literally two battery slots beneath the seat, so you possibly can add an additional battery to double the vary from 35 miles as much as 70 miles (56 km to 112 km). Should you don’t have an additional battery, like mine, you then’ve obtained some further storage beneath the seat!
The present sale value of US $3,295 doesn’t embody the additional battery, which is a further US $799. You do get the keyless begin from a wi-fi keyfob included at no cost although as a part of a promotional add-on, so not less than you’ve obtained that going for you!
Clearly this scooter is constructed for seems to be, although that doesn’t imply it doesn’t have some respectable utility baked into it as effectively.
There’s a small storage space in entrance of the battery compartment, nevertheless it’s extra of a telephone/pockets/keys/sunglasses-sized storage compartment. There’s additionally a bigger storage compartment in the correct rear fender that I used to be in a position to squeeze three of my driving cameras into in addition to my microphone setup.
I do know that’s not a standard unit of measure until you’re a YouTuber, however I’d guess that the wheel effectively storage is round 1.5 liters or so. It’s additionally roughly within the form of a water bottle. So for the Individuals within the room, image a 2L soda bottle and subtract a bit.
Then you definately’ve obtained the wicker basket on again, although that’s an add-on accent. It’s additionally not precisely a high-security resolution, nevertheless it does provide you with some further storage and positively seems to be elegant. Actually, it’d be proper at house driving to a picnic in your native park.
Now I believe most individuals will agree that the scooter seems to be nice, which is good because it isn’t terribly quick. At 30 mph (51 km/h), folks will get a superb lengthy have a look at you as you cruise by. Aventura-X additionally has 50 mph (80 km/h) fashions, however the one I’m driving is constructed for seems to be, not for pace.
Contemplating I used to be testing this in Florida, the place 50 mph roads are simply the way you exit your neighborhood, that decrease pace was a little bit of a problem. I principally caught to smaller streets the place I may and stayed in the correct lane after I needed to take quicker streets.
I can completely see the knowledge in having extra pace for protecting your choices open by way of highway alternative. Clearly a 30 mph prime pace goes to impression the place you possibly can trip, and so I see this mannequin being higher for cruising alongside the seashore roads than commuting on the freeway, if that wasn’t clear.
However I assume that’s the great thing about a number of choices. You may get the 50 mph scooter that Aventura-X gives if you wish to trip on quicker roads, or can avoid wasting dough on the slower scooter for those who’re sticking to neighborhood streets.
And as a fast notice on security: You’ll discover within the video on the prime of this text that I’m carrying my motorbike jacket and normally my driving gloves on the scooter (although admittedly I did overlook my gloves a few instances). I’m additionally in full pants and boots. Whereas I’m not going to be anybody’s mom right here, I attempt to by no means get on a bike with out all of my protecting driving gear, and that’s how I like to recommend driving. With regards to scooters, the extra laissez-faire nature of the trip makes it simple to by chance (or purposely) push the considered driving gear to the again of your thoughts. “I’m simply going for somewhat cruise,” is a standard sufficient thought, and I’ll admit that I’ve typically heard the siren’s name of a romantic scoot alongside the lapping waves in nothing however a t-shirt and shorts. However finally, that is nonetheless technically a bike and you’ll nonetheless technically cheese grater the pores and skin off numerous components of your physique in a crash. So simply think about that when selecting your trip outfit.
Whereas I’m carrying my Dianese mesh motorbike jacket on this video since I used to be travelling, I’ve been extra steadily carrying my Past Riders motorbike gear for my pleasure/commuter driving because it has all of the protecting qualities I’m on the lookout for however seems to be like typical avenue garments. I simply obtained a brand new flannel shirt from them that has hidden armor and a pair of khaki pants that get the identical remedy.
So I’m not saying you need to go well with up, however I’m saying I’d advocate it. Okay, security rant over.
I’m glad to see each a aspect stand and a middle stand included on the scooter, since they’re helpful in several conditions. The aspect stand is nice for fast stops like hopping off and operating right into a retailer, whereas the middle stand provides extra steady parking, particularly when parking on a hill or looser terrain like grass. It’s uncommon to see bikes or scooters that provide each. My every day rider – a Gogoro – has each, and I take advantage of them each typically.
With cute little 10″ wheels and a fake leather-based seat, the scooter positively seems to be the a part of a classic getup. Even the handlebars nearly seem like they might be from a number of a long time previous, skipping the massive gaudy plastic molded components of right this moment’s scooters and placing as a lot steel as attainable on these bars as an alternative. I’ve a ’69 Honda Sports activities Cub and the bars/switches/mirrors, and many others. all really look fairly much like these on the Aventura-X. The rubber finish grips take away from the retro vibe a bit, however not an excessive amount of.
Nevertheless, the physique panels don’t get the identical basic remedy. Whereas they give the impression of being the half, they’re really plastic. That’s effective from a number of steps again because you’d by no means know from a look. However for those who seize maintain of the entrance defend and shake it, it appears like a plastic panel.
That’s probably not a problem per se, nevertheless it means you would possibly need to watch out together with your parking so that you don’t crack a panel that might have merely dinged if it had been metal or aluminum.
As for the trip, I’ve lengthy been a scooter fan. I’m a every day scooter rider myself. Since my spouse and I went car-less some time again, an electrical seated scooter is our most important type of conveyance. And so the extensive foot space of the Aventura-X feels at house to me, as does the handy bag hook for carrying numerous odds and ends alongside for the trip.
Actually, as a lot as I like my bikes, I typically go for my scooters after I’m really commuting or operating errands for the reason that further foot house makes it simpler to hold issues with me or do the occasional buying journey.
The texture might be acquainted to any scooter rider, even when the wheels are a tad bit smaller than on a few of my different rides. The lengthy bench seat is comfy, the massive entrance defend retains you largely climate shielded from splashes and highway particles, and also you get all the enjoyment of being a part of the atmosphere (as an alternative of watching it go by via a window) but with out the complicated emotions that many individuals have in direction of true bikes. Principally, it’s the entire enjoyable with out the luggage.
In the end, I’m not precisely certain what I anticipated of the Aventura-X, nevertheless it positively left me smiling and glad. It’s a enjoyable, retro trip that appears to convey pleasure to simply about everybody who sees you go by.
On the similar time, although, you’re paying a premium for these feel-good rides. At its present value of $3,295, that is clearly not essentially the most reasonably priced technique to cruise round at 30 mph. And talking of which, that 30 mph pace is unquestionably limiting, leaving you barely quicker than an electrical bicycle but on a car that appears very misplaced within the bike lane.
Actually, you nearly actually shouldn’t be utilizing it within the bike lane, until your native legal guidelines enable it. Once I spent a 12 months in Boston again in 2018, I really may legally trip my 30 mph electrical moped (a Genze 2.0, RIP) within the bike lane. But even with the regulation on my aspect, cyclists who noticed me had been pissssssed about it. That meant I hardly ever really used the bike lanes until it was to briefly skip a line of visitors, and even then I used to be all the time further cognizant of any precise cyclists round me. I’m undecided many locations would enable an Aventura-X within the bike lanes today, or if Boston even nonetheless permits mopeds in, and so that you’ll must plan your individual native journeys accordingly.
There’s positively a spot for a trip like this, and I’m glad vintage-inspired electrical scooters exist. I will surely think about springing for the additional 20 mph although, because it opens up many extra potentialities for the place you possibly can trip. However for those who’re in a sleepy neighborhood or laid-back seashore city, zipping all the way down to that sea breeze coast at 30 mph on a scooter that appears like a blast from the previous may be the right trip certainly.
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