Hammerhead LaVita Scooter Review

by Scooterchick
(Florida)

Yesterday at Scooter Night, I had the distinct pleasure of being introduced to the new LaVita scooter from Hammerhead.

I quickly realized that it is a darn near perfect copy of a Vespa VBB. Upon close examination, it is easy to tell that it is indeed NOT a vintage Vespa. When started, it does not smoke. It is plastic, not metal. It is a twist and go, not a shifter. It has dual disk brakes, and the wheels are unmistakably Chinese.

The engine is a fuel injected GY6. It ran very quietly. I was allowed to take it for a spin around the parking lot, and found it to be very sturdy, peppy, and quiet. It stops FAST.

Storage, as on a VBB, is an issue. There is none. It does come with a rear rack. The gas filler is under the seat, which I found to sit too hard for me. The gauge is electronic.

It is a small scooter, about the size of a real VBB. The distributor says there are now 300 of them sold in the states. It retails for a hefty $2500. Some of the accessories sold by Scooterworks for Vespas will fit it.

It is made in Taiwan. Does anyone else have any experience with this scooter yet? Is this a compliment to Vespa or is it an abomination? Your feelings? (P.S. I kinda liked it)

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Sep 29, 2014
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Aug 06, 2014
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perfect copy of a Vespa VBB, is not it wonderful. Everything seems pretty perfect.
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Feb 25, 2012
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why give up on the LaVita?
by: Tom Grim,Ansonia Ct

i just found out that the lavita has been discontinued.My feeling is that someone could of and still can salvage this whole spectacular vision.Its all about having the look and style of an early vespa.WTF!! Does it really matter if it uses this modern drive train with all the q/c issues?Just put a proven gy6 engine in there and keep it simple.I love the style of the la vita and dont see any reason why someone cant keep it available...Look at all these cheesey retro wannabe's that continue to sell well.
My 2 cents,
Tom

Sep 22, 2011
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Hammerhead LaVita Scooter Review
by: Dale

Does anybody know if the scooters will be recalled? It would be nice to see Hammerhead refund at least a portion of the purchase price. If not, any suggestions on how to dispose of it in a "green" way?

Sep 21, 2011
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La Vita Scooter
by: Kevin

The scooter was discontinued by Hammerhead because it was a piece of junk and they couldn't stand behind the product anymore. Good residence to plastic trash! For some of us, it was a COSTLY lesson.

Sep 21, 2011
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Aww... Too Bad
by: Kathi, Site Owner

Well, that's a darn shame. I know I have quite a few Hammerhead LaVita lovers here on this site too. And coincidentally I just saw one of these at our local "Art in the Park" last weekend. In fact, I took a picture. Too bad it never took off, that it was never really marketed.

Sep 15, 2011
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No more La Vita
by: Anonymous

The La Vita is no longer being made: http://scootinoldskool.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/let-the-gnashing-and-rending-cease/

Jul 09, 2011
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My Wife Loves her La Vita
by: Columbus

Bought the La Vita 150 for my wife to ride the two miles to work. She loves the instant start, smooth idle and acceleration of the EFI. She doesn't drive over 45 mph because she's not comfortable yet but it will do 55. 350 miles so far with the only problem being a recall on the instrument cluster which they replaced for free. Added a Givi carrier for more capacity. It's a great value for a 150EFI scooter with disk brakes and a two year warranty, plus it looks great too.

Jun 30, 2011
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Do NOT Buy the La Vita Scooter!!!
by: Kevin

I bought the La Vita scooter over a year ago and I have had nothing but problems with the scooter since day one. In fact, there were so many problems the first scooter was replaced. The second scooter is no better: Needs oil every 50 - 70 miles, the rear brake assembly rattles and is about to fall off, the fuel injection system is completely shot!, the electrical gages doesn't work accurately. I had an independent mechanic look at it, and he said the "nuts and bolts weren't even tightened during assembly". Hammerhead won't return my calls and the dealer is now out of state. The scooter was to be used as my primary source of transportation to work, now my extra cash is going towards cab fare. Do NOT buy the La Vita scooter!!!

Jun 10, 2011
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Thrilled with it.
by: Dealer perspective

I'm a brutally honest dealer!
Not a hot seller but it has a captive audience.
The few I sold have never had a warranty claim and the customers are happy if not thrilled with them.
I've personally ridden it and with the exception of the center stand clearance and squeaky ABS I really like it. Fast, Smooth and stable. Starts at the thought of pressing the starter and FI settles her in immediately.
A secret scoot I wish weren't so secret!
I like happy customers!

Apr 13, 2011
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Awesome
by: Don Harris

I bought one for my wife and she is thrilled with it. I rode motorcycles most of my life and was thrilled by this little creature myself. I love the retro look and was quite surprised by the get up and go it has. I road it home for her and ended up taking the long way...it was a blast. I may just go back and get one for myself. I never thought I'd actually like a scooter but after riding this my mind has changed...now don't be confused , it's no motorcycle, but good solid transportation. I got it up to 55 mph and still felt very comfortable on it...no shakes or shimmy's...tight turns are a no no though. Like I said before...not a motorcycle so don't lean in too much on the turns...it rubs out.
Otherwise this is a great deal and I hope to see more on the road.

Sep 07, 2010
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Now...Now...
by: Marco Minardo

I grew up in the 60's in Italy and North Africa where the genuine Vespas adorned alleys and street corners as well as busy coffee shops, when the US was too busy to notice those pathetic two wheel contraptions because of their floating Olds 88 and Caddys and 55 Chevys (I like them too).

Nevertheless, the culture was successfully transplanted along with the Bugs and the Beatles. Having said that, the only thing I will add is this. You cannot get a new 'original' Vespa any more, just like you cannot get a new 'original' Bug or Camaro...but for those of you that were fortunate enough to grow up during the 50s, 60s and 70s, there is a revival of what we took for granted in those days and have come to miss in a bad way...

Thank you, Taiwan, for bringing back a piece of history at a cost not much more than the original, even if it isn't the original.

Aug 24, 2010
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Black La VIta
by: San Diego

Just picked up the black la vita with bench seat. Runs strong. It looks amazing.

Jul 12, 2010
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Certain People
by: Jim Zeiser

I didn't see the angry comment but I can imagine who the person was. I had to listen to it for a long time when I first bought Japanese bikes back in the seventies. American and European bike owners looked down their nose at us on our "cheap Rice Burners". Until we all started racking up large miles on our low price specials. I hope the angry snob on his European scooter has noticed that many Cheap Chinese Scooter (CCS) owners are now piling up larger miles on their rides than he would like. Especially since one day the people he rides with will be CCS riders just like so many Japanese bikes are filling out the motorcycle herds. Also that the La Vita is based on Taiwan technology like many SYM, Yamaha and BMW products built in China. Did I mention that the Piaggio Fly 150 is really a Zongshen, built in China.?

Jun 24, 2010
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What snobbery...
by: Fillmore

"If you have to exactly copy someone else product then you are a rip off. Asian piece of shit!" (NOTE from webmaster: I deleted the original comment that this comment is referring to, as I don't really want that kind of negativity and cursing on the site; it's not constructive.)

In this case won't this include Genuine's Stella? We all know that it is an updated version of the original Vespa PX under a different name.

The La Vitas are produced in mainland China. Yet, it was Hammerhead Offroad, an American company, that was behind the scooter's design and development.

In addition, underneath that vintage appearance, the new La Vita is a totally modern machine. How can it be an exact copy of a Vespa VBB?

Instead of throwing offensive comments, it's best that you get the facts right.

Jun 19, 2010
Rating

Not a bad scoot at all
by: itsuke

I have been driving the La Vita for a month now. The scooter is really nice and I haven't experience any problem. It runs very smoothly and brakes fast. I only wish there's an analog speedometer, (but Piaggio’s lawyers prevented that from happening).

Jun 14, 2010
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Oil Drip????
by: Jim Zeiser

This is what upsets me about today's world. I've seen the GY6 motor, up close and personal. The number of gaskets involved in an oil drip are so few it's ridiculous. There's even a cap on a breather hose that could be missing. I would try and fix the drip and display my skill rather than replace a scooter like a soda bottle. It bodes ill for later on that he thinks that way.

Jun 08, 2010
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Quality issues
by: Jonesy

I recently purchased the black LaVita with springer seat. It began to drip oil within the first 70 miles. The dealer kindly replaced the unit with a new one - again, approx 70 - 80 miles into ownership, it began leaking oil and gas. While I really love the design and performance, the quality is very disappointing! The dealer says it is only happening on the two units i've purchased. The others sold at their shop haven't reported a single problem. I'm currently awaiting the delivery of the third unit. I'll give them one more shot.

Let me know if you have others with the same experience.

Jun 05, 2010
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Not Just Any GY6
by: Jim Zeiser

If memory serves this is not just any old GY6 engine. It has the same engine as the Adly Thunderbike. A GY6 with a 4 valve head. That's my dream motor. I'd love to start seeing the 4 valve head finding its way into standard China scoots. Then they would be doing 65+ mph easily.

Jun 04, 2010
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More Info
by: Kathi

Thanks for that scooterchick! Here is another (brief) review, with lots of pics:

Philadelphia Scooters

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