Vespa scooter models
The Italian scooter manufacturer began its history in 1946. Vespa models are not only the first, but also the most famous scooters in the world. They can be admired in scenes from more than 15 famous films. For example, “Roman Holiday” with the beautiful Audrey Hepburn, as well as in many videos. The popularity of the brand is explained by its quality (the design was developed by an aviation engineer) and sophisticated Italian style.
Vespa designers have come up with completely new models of lightweight scooters. All of them were distinguished by their low weight, excellent speed and engine displacement. Every year was marked by the release of a new scooter model, and now the first Vespa models are a tasty morsel for collectors. Moreover, among them there are also high-speed options.
Today, the Vespa scooter lineup consists of 6 models: Primavera, Sprint, GTS, GTS Super, Sei Giorni, 946. Motor vehicles of the Italian brand are also considered the most technologically advanced - concern for the environment is not the least important for it.
Primavera ABS 150
This 2022 model is one of the best-looking in the Vespa scooter lineup. The manufacturer offers 5 color options - black, white, red, lilac and peach. Measuring 1.86 m long and 0.735 m wide, the Primavera ABS 150 reaches speeds of up to 95 km/h. The low saddle height of 0.78 m is very convenient to use. Minimum fuel consumption and limited emissions make this Vespa model indispensable for use in the city.
Sprint 150
The Sprint 150 is a 2015 model. This Vespa sports scooter is available in two colors – black and yellow. In addition to its excellent design, it also has a number of excellent technical characteristics. To increase safety, the Sprint 150 brakes are equipped with an anti-lock system. In the city on such a scooter you can cover more than 40 km with a maximum speed of up to 95 km/h, spending only 1 liter of gasoline. Small dimensions - 1.87 m in length and 0.735 m in width allow you to safely bypass all traffic jams.
GTS 300 Super
The GTS 300 Super has been in production since 2009. This Vespa scooter model is offered in 4 color options: blue, black, gold and light blue. All colors are pearlescent and look noble. In the entire Vespa range, the GTS 300 Super occupies the highest position. This is not surprising: with its compact dimensions of 1.95 m in length and 0.755 m in width, this scooter reaches a maximum speed of 118 km/h.
Vespa 946
The Vespa 946 was released in 2014. These scooters are capable of reaching speeds of up to 93 km/h with dimensions of 1.77 m in length and 0.73 m in width. Vespa 946 in red is released in limited edition. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each copy goes to the fight against AIDS in African countries. In addition, this model has gone down in history as one of the best design solutions of the 20th century.
Description and equipment
The appearance of the scooter is completely classic with no unnecessary details. The manufacturer’s main emphasis is not on the variety of models, but on their safety and reliability.
As for the configuration, the model range is equipped with engines with different powers.
The wide, comfortable seat will appeal not only to the driver, but also to the passenger. A convenient luggage compartment is hidden behind the seat. Reliable footrests are also installed for the passenger, thanks to which the romantic trip will be comfortable and safe.
Dimensions and dimensions
The sizes of Vespa scooters depend on the model range and have the following averages:
- width from 735 to 760 mm;
- height from 1170 mm to 1340 mm;
- length from 1870 to 1930 mm;
- seat height 790 mm.
The dimensions of Vespa scooter models are classic and are suitable for a person of any height and build.
The dimensions of Vespa scooter models are classic.
Disadvantages of the model
- High acquisition cost.
- Inconvenient turn switch.
- To open the trunk, you must remove the keys from the ignition.
The most significant drawback of the scooter is its price, but if you take into account the quality of Italian technology, its durability and reliability, then the cost is justified. A comfortable fit allows you to stay behind the wheel for quite a long time. In terms of technical parameters, the lx 50 is significantly ahead of its competitors. The bike is more suitable for girls or men with average height. Tall people will find it somewhat uncomfortable to sit and reach the steering wheel.
Belated photo post. After a not entirely simple purchase procedure, Vespa was left unattended for a couple of weeks - there was absolutely no time for it, and there was nowhere to rush.
Later I carefully examined it from all sides and am sharing these photographs with you.
A plastic plug instead of a speedometer indicates that this is the simplest version of this scooter. Traces of glue are visible above it, for some reason it immediately occurred to me that some kind of toy soldier or Indian or something similar was glued there 
The original mirror is from a much later model. The case is cracked, held on with electrical tape, and is of no value.
And here is the first collective farm - having ripped off the thread in the mirror mount, the problem that arose was solved by simply drilling through the steering wheel body and inserting some kind of furniture screw there.
The original clutch lever, non-original grips and front brake lever from some Soviet motorcycle, which practically did not work due to the broken lower part of the mount.
The nose part (horncover) is from a later Vespa PK, with a funny red “patch” of reflectors and screws instead of the Piaggio hexagon
Vespa and Piaggio nameplates are all from the same Vespa PK, original white rubber molding.
Glovebox (glovebox) or simply - glove compartment. This “Special” model was not installed at the factory; sometimes a spare wheel was attached in its place. This modernization (horncover from a later model and glove compartment) was quite popular among Italian Vespa drivers after the release of the Special's successor - Vespa PK
Dead front shock absorber, although judging by the appearance of the nuts, they never looked into the suspension arm itself. And therefore there is a strong play and 99.9% dead bearings and the shaft on which the lever is attached.
A wonderful Soviet car hubcap. You can also see how skillfully the front plastic fender was painted, which is not original, because a metal one was installed at the factory.
And under the car cap there was a surprise in the form of a cap from FACO, which was produced specifically for ten-inch Vesp wheels. The cap can be easily restored, but I am not going to install it again.
Original muffler. Dented, rusty, with torn fasteners - definitely worth replacing. The wheel, like many other things, is covered with a thick layer of dirt of the most varied composition.
The front hub fastening nut, the situation with the rear is identical. Nails were used instead of cotter pins. As in several other places.
Missing: choke lever, gas tap lever, bag hook.
The issue of removing the gas tank was also radically resolved - the grinder is our everything
Original seat. Despite the tattered upholstery, old padding and rusty frame, it is very comfortable, much more comfortable than on my 2013 LML. Italy, why is it? The seat is locked not with a key, but with a spring latch (since this is the cheapest equipment)
And the saddest thing is that these lovers of drilling new holes and screwing in self-tapping screws did the trick - the “hood” lock was broken, they decided to fix it with a self-tapping screw. And they successfully damaged the plate with the body number. There will definitely be difficulties with registration.
Not the factory headlight mesh. Considering the 6V electrics, with such an accessory there is no lighting at all
Well, where would we be without good old bicycle reflectors? The frame with the number is original; these were installed only for the Italian market.
These are the “legs” on the central stand. Layers of electrical tape, rubber, an incomprehensible steel clamp, furniture legs. A nice bonus was the presence of a side (rather expensive and rare) stand from Buzetti (seen in the title photo). Will be restored and installed again.
That's all for now. Ahead is disassembly, ordering the necessary parts and that’s all. Thank you for your attention.
HPE
One of the hints is the rather modest inscription HPE (High Performance Engine, high-performance engine). Piaggio is proud of its new series of engines and is systematically equipping already proven models with them. The cubic capacity remained the same as in the previous version of the GTS 300 - 278 cubes - but the inside of the single-barrel gun has changed significantly. The redesigned head is better cooled, the four valves are slightly larger, and the combustion chamber has a new shape for improved combustion efficiency. Moreover, in the new engine they even changed a seemingly unshakable thing - the number and order of operation of the spark plugs. Yes, yes, studies have shown that two spark plugs increase the efficiency of fuel combustion even in a single-cylinder engine, and a similar scheme, previously implemented in the company’s larger cubic engines (in which the volume of the combustion chamber is higher), was also implemented in Vespa engines. A new camshaft optimizes valve timing, while high-pressure injectors inject fuel into a new, larger cross-section intake tract. Thanks to all this, maximum power increased by 12% - to 23.8 hp. at 8250 rpm. But it’s not power that helps you break away from the traffic at a traffic light, but traction—torque—and it has increased by 18%, to 26 Nm at 5250 rpm. The engine is traditionally controlled by the latest ECU manufactured by Magneti Marelli, and the exhaust purity complies with Euro 5 econorms.
The transmission has also been updated: the CVT has a new geometry, is equipped with a new belt, and new materials are used in it, and all this is installed in a new housing with sound-insulating material that reduces mechanical noise. In addition, the new model uses a new, more durable clutch bell.
The new engine is more than enough to easily leave the traffic light first. I rode a GTS 300 Sport at the beginning of 1919, and I must say, sometimes I managed to get away even from motorcyclists. True, provided that the variator is correctly configured (usually the stock rollers are a little heavy, so the engine spins up to the maximum torque more slowly than we would like), and at full throttle. But constantly keeping full throttle on the GTS is akin to suicide, because... You get to the next traffic light in about a hundred.
On the highway, speed and dynamics are quite enough. There is, however, a nuance: it was in the HPE version that the company for some reason implemented a speed cutoff (in the previous version of the ECU the cutoff was based on revolutions). But fortunately, this can be solved with the help of an ABS tuning modulator disc: the speed is determined by it, and by replacing it you can increase the maximum speed by about 8%. In stock, the scooter stubbornly refuses to reach 130 km/h (according to the speedometer), starting to twitch and slightly reducing traction as it approaches this figure.
Comparison with Japanese scooters
Compared to Japanese scooters such as Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda, the Italy “Vespa” scooter has many differences. Japanese models only borrowed design from retro Vespa models. Some equipment users note that Japanese scooters are more reliable, but if you buy a Vespa from an official dealer, the build quality will always be at its best. The price of scooters also differs significantly.
Vespa scooter models are distinguished by high performance indicators
Performance indicators
Vespa scooter models are distinguished by high performance indicators. All models are equipped with a reinforced metal body, as well as high-quality brakes. The tank holds enough gasoline for several days of intense city driving and is very economical.
Engine
Vespa scooter models are constantly updated with better and more reliable engines. Depending on the model, the vehicle is equipped with a single-cylinder 2-stroke or 4-stroke engine with an electric injection system. In the production of Vespa scooters, engines have different displacements - from 100 cm³ to 300 cm³.
This variety allows you to choose the most optimal option for personal use.
Chassis and brakes
Most often, Italian scooter models are equipped with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. For better safety, the most powerful scooter models are equipped with an ABS system. A distinctive feature of the Vespa is the monoshock absorber at the front, which adds to the smooth ride.
