All aboard
The Stella weighs in at 267 lbs (121 kg), so you have to grab it firmly to set it on the centre kickstand, and unfortunately there is no side stand. Despite a seat height of 820 mm, hopping aboard is a breeze and you’ll immediately find a nice riding position. You can comfortably rest your feet on the floor, and the handlebars fall easily into hand. The minimalist instruments keep the rider well informed; I had no trouble locating or using the controls. My only complaint concerns the vibrating mirrors.

And with the Stella, you have to learn how to ride all over again. To start the machine up you must massage the clutch, getting a good feel for it without giving too much gas. But overall, it upshifts smoothly and joyfully thanks to an engine and transmission that complete each other beautifully.

Despite a seat height of 820 mm, hopping aboard is a breeze and you’ll immediately find a nice riding position. (Photo: Amyot Bachand/Auto123.com)

On start-up, you really have to twist your wrist to select the first gear, and in town, you need to remember to downshift into first before stopping, because it’s a real chore when you’re at a standstill. You can, however, take off in second gear if need be. As for the foot brake, it takes some getting used to.

Despite carrying more weight in back, the Stella is easy to handle and zips nimbly through the neighbourhood. The gear ratio spread combined with the judicious output make for a fun machine that can hold its own in either light or heavy traffic. And the Stella 4T is an excellent city scooter on major boulevards, maintaining 100 km/h and sipping little fuel.

The elongated saddle is quite comfortable and the suspensions absorb holes and bumps very well. Finally, the engine doesn’t vibrate and is rather quiet.

Learning again can be fun
I enjoyed the 150-cc Stella 4T for its easy road manners and comfort level, despite a few inconveniences. This vintage bike is a nod to the past – but a modern and well-finished one. Thanks to Olivier and Jean-François at Scootart in Montreal.

Pros
Comfortable
Trendy finish and colours
Potent and fuel efficient

Cons
No side kickstand
Watch that wrist selecting first gear
Foot brake
Minimal storage space