Have you driven a scooter lately? If you haven't, you're in for a pleasant surprise. The new generation of scooters is safer, more streamlined - and more fun -than their predecessors.

Take the stylish Sfera, for example, Piaggio's new version of the Vespa. The classic Vespa, beloved of British Mods and cool Italians cruising the Via Venetto, is no longer available in Bermuda in lower engine capacities after more than 30 years as a mainstay of Pearman Watlington's cycle centre.

And while the Sfera, which is available in 50cc and 80cc models, may not have the European street cred of the old Vespa, it has a lot of advantages. For a start, it's automatic with automatic choke, which makes it a lot easier to drive than the Vespa with its often awkward handlebar clutch, and it has big wing mirrors -the lack of which always bugged me about the Vespa.

The dual saddle, with passenger handles, makes for an extremely comfortable ride and its responsive throttle quickly zips you up to a law-breaking top speed of 50 mph (30 mph on the 50cc).

Like most of today's scooters, the Sfera's seat lifts up to reveal a roomy helmet storage area - much safer and drier than hooking your lid to the outside -and easy access to the spark plug through a panel in the bottom of the helmet well. It's a lot easier than having to contort your arm and a spanner in between panelling as you do on older models.

And, also like many other models, the Sfera features a clear and streamlined dashboard, including a digital clock. Optional extras include a carrier and grey plastic top box that slides off and converts into a useful, if somewhat bulky, attache case; turning lights buzzer (why aren't they standard on all bikes?) ; remote control anti-theft device; and windshield.

On the technical side, the two-stroke, single cylinder Sfera features spring reinforced suspension, monocam drum brakes front and rear, light alloy rimmed wheels; a fuel tank capacity of 5.8 litres (unleaded); and comes in silver, turquoise, red and black. Prices: $1,899 for the 50 and $1,999 for the 80 (not including licence and insurance).

Peugot's smart-looking SV80 is proving a popular buy, according to Wheels manager Dave Panchaud. "It's a very modern-looking, executive-type bike but it's quite powerful,'' he says.

Like the Sfera, the SV is a comfortable ride and is extremely responsive.

Peugot prides itself on the SV's safety features - front disc brakes, anti-dive front suspension, wing mirrors that fold in on impact, and indicators that have both an audible warning and a self-centreing device on the switch.

Again, like many other models, it features an under-the-seat helmet well, easy spark plug access and a generous 8.8-litre fuel tank under the frame in a protective casing.

The SV comes with the usual dash controls, including a clock with time and date; rear luggage carrier; aluminium wheels and integrated rear foot rests.

Colour choices are metallic green, metallic red, white, black and silver grey.

Basic price, without licence and insurance, is $2,595.

The Honda Lead, the first of the modern generation of scooters to hit Bermuda's roads a decade ago and at 90cc the most powerful, has been completely restyled for the 1990s.

The boxy look of the popular 1980s models has been replaced by a stylish, more aerodynamic look and more safety features, such as a fuel tank under the flooring for better balance, front disc brakes and dual head and tail lights.

And like other rival models, there is ample under-seat helmet storage and a spark plug opening in the storage well. Honda have also made maintenance easier by making the whole storage well easy to lift out with the removal of a few screws, giving you easy access to the engine.

The new Lead is due to arrive in Bermuda this month, although Honda do have a few of the European version, called the Yupy. The Lead will retail for a base price of $2,640.

If price is a concern, Honda offer slightly cheaper versions of the Lead under the Taiwanese brand Sanyang. The Feel Big 90 has steel instead of alloy wheels but basically has the same features and looks identical apart from the Oriental decals and a base price tag of $2,450. The Sanyang also comes in a 50cc version, priced at $2,350 City slickers: Peugot's SV80, left from Wheels, and Piaggio's Stera, available from Pearman Watlington.

Nineties Style: Above, Sanyang's Feel Big 90cc, Sanyang Bullet 50cc and Honda's remodelled 90cc Lead, seen here under its European name Yupy. All available from Honda. Right, ample helmet storage under the seat and easy access to spark plug.

AUGUST 1993 RG MAGAZINE