The mist was still rising off the tea gardens of Munnar when I fired up the Piaggio Medley 125 for the first time. In the dim early light, the LED headlight cast a clear beam onto the winding road ahead, while a light drizzle clung to the leaves, giving everything that wet, lush glow only Kerala can offer. I wasn’t there for leisure. I was there to test a machine,a big-wheel city scooter with bold claims and 15 horses under the seat. The idea was simple: if a scooter could survive Munnar’s steep climbs, unpredictable curves, and highland humidity while hauling luggage and two riders, it could handle anything an Indian city could throw at it. And so began a two-day ride through Kundala Valley, Echo Point, Mattupetty, and Top Station, with stops for chai, close calls with monkeys, and deep dives into how the Medley 125 truly performs beyond spec sheets.
15 hp Engine That Feels Alive
Let’s start with what matters: the engine. Fifteen honest, working horsepower from a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder 125cc engine doesn’t sound like much, until you hit the throttle. I did. Just outside of Munnar town, at a clearing near Pothamedu Viewpoint, I twisted the throttle with full intent, and the Medley shot forward like it had something to prove. This scooter isn’t shy. It pulls hard off the line, which is rare for a commuter-class 125cc. It easily outpaces most scooters at a red light. In Munnar’s steeper climbs, where other scooters would start wheezing or begging for a break, the Medley simply chugged along. Even with a pillion on board and a full under-seat compartment, the engine never once sounded strained. The top speed I managed on flatter sections was 99 km/h, and even at that point, the ride remained stable. The real highlight, though, was how civilized the engine felt. It starts with a gentle purr thanks to Piaggio’s starter-generator system, no whine, no fuss, just a quiet hum and smooth pull. This system also supports start-stop functionality, which came in handy during Munnar’s slow-moving weekend tourist traffic. A light tap on the throttle, and the engine wakes instantly. Fuel economy? I covered nearly 180 km over two days, and the fuel gauge had barely crossed halfway. That’s roughly 2.7 liters per 100 km, which is fantastic when you’re climbing hairpins and still keeping pace.
Lots of Storage Space, LED, LCD Display
Let’s talk utility, because that’s where the Medley made me grin like a fool in the middle of a mountain road. The under-seat storage is monstrous,36 liters to be exact. I managed to fit two helmets in there (a full-face and a half), along with gloves and a rain jacket. That kind of space on a scooter with such sleek lines is nothing short of brilliant. If you’re someone who hates riding with a bag on your back (guilty), this feature is a game-changer. Up front, there’s a USB charging port tucked inside a lockable glovebox,perfect for keeping the phone topped up while using it for maps. The LCD display is clear even under sunlight, and the layout is clean: speed, fuel, trip info, and ambient temperature, all laid out where they should be. You don’t need to squint, you don’t need to fiddle. You just glance and ride. The LED headlight was a savior during the early morning fog and the late evening return rides. It’s white, wide, and powerful, and easily one of the better lights I’ve used on a scooter in this segment. I was riding the S variant, which comes with Piaggio’s MIA connectivity system. It let me sync my phone to the scooter, manage calls, check messages, and track my routes. In a place like Munnar where mobile reception is spotty, having all that info directly on the dash made life easier. And for the record: bike finder mode saved me an embarrassing moment when I parked near the Munnar Flower Garden and couldn’t remember which side street I’d used. One tap, and the lights flashed. Simple. Effective.
Affordable and Functional
If there was ever a scooter that balanced affordability with genuine, everyday functionality, this is it. Everything on the Medley is built with purpose. The center stand flips up with no fight, the side stand is sturdy and easy to flick, and the passenger grab rails are actually usable, not just an afterthought. Even my pillion (a fellow rider used to big bikes) commented on how comfortable and supportive the rear seat was. The brakes deserve their own praise. Discs front and back, with dual-channel ABS. They offer great bite, even on damp mountain roads. During one particularly sharp downhill near Devikulam, I had to brake hard to avoid a rogue goat crossing the road. The Medley stayed composed. No skid, no panic, just controlled deceleration. That’s rare for scooters in this class. Handling is sharp, thanks to the large wheels (16 inches at the front) and a well-tuned suspension. Munnar’s roads aren’t always smooth, there are potholes, gravel patches, and sudden dips. But the Medley floated over most of them. Even fully loaded, the suspension stayed plush but never floaty. And that new wider rear tyre (now 120 mm) really makes a difference in grip. Whether I was leaning into the curves or just filtering through narrow gaps in Munnar’s chaotic town center, the scooter felt stable, nimble, and utterly predictable.
Technical data Piaggio Medley 125
| Manufacturer information | Specifications |
| Motor | 1 cylinder, 1-cylinder, 125 cc displacement, 11.0 kW at 8750 rpm, max. torque 12.0 at 6500 rpm, 4 valves/cylinder, injection system, liquid cooling |
| Assistance systems | 2-channel ABS |
| chassis | Single-loop tubular frame/steel; mm telescopic fork, 88 mm travel; rear swing arm, 76 mm travel; |
| Mass | Unladen weight approx. 145 kg, gross vehicle weight 340 kg; length/width/height 2020 / 705 / 1175 mm, seat height 799 mm; fuel tank capacity 7.0 l |
| Brakes | individually operated, front disc, 260 mm, rear disc, 240 mm |
| Performance / Consumption | Top speed approx. 100 km/h, 2.4 l/100 km |
| Price | 3999 euros |
Conclusion
By the end of my two-day ride, I wasn’t just impressed,I was convinced. The Piaggio Medley 125 isn’t trying to be flashy. It’s not out to break speed records or grab attention with weird gimmicks. Instead, it quietly delivers everything you could ask for in a real-world scooter: a strong, efficient engine, massive storage, modern features, and a ride that inspires confidence. It’s the kind of scooter that works just as well in the concrete jungle of Bangalore or Mumbai as it does weaving through misty plantation curves in Munnar. It’s got the soul of a workhorse and the heart of an Italian thoroughbred. At its price, with its spec sheet, the Medley 125 isn’t just affordable,it’s a smart buy. And more than that, it’s fun. I came to Munnar looking for a test. The Medley turned it into an adventure.
