Modern Vespa

I would appreciate a few owner comments about the new Stella Scooters with the four cycle engine and manual transmission.

this is already being covered in "shifty scooters" You might check there

And on Modern Buddy, there is s dedicated discussion group for Stella. I'm seriously considering parting with my dear old Bajaj (also a 4t shifty scoot) when they get around to bringing in the LML 200cc version of Stella. Sadly, it could be years.

Richard, I have a shifty Stella 4-stroke alongside two modern Vespas, so I feel qualified to comment.

Aside from the engine, the scooter is largely identical to '80s-vintage Vespa P-series scooters. Many chassis parts are interchangeable. The biggest deviation -- other than the engine -- is the fact that the rear end of the scooter had to be structurally redesigned to accommodate the 4T engine. The rear part of the scooter now has a tube frame on which the steel body panels are attached, instead of being totally monocoque in construction.

The four-stroke engine is alledgedly a new design, but it has an awful lot of specs that are identical to the Bajaj Chetak 150cc engine that has been around for a couple of decades. It mates up to a four-speed transmission/clutch that is at least functionally identical to the old Vespa transmission and clutch, although the gear ratios have been adjusted to better match the power curve of the four-stroke. It has a carb, but a fuel-injected, 200cc US version has been rumored for some time (and is indeed available in Europe).

It uses 10" tube-type tires on split rims, like the old Vespas, but rims for tubeless tires are available in the aftermarket.

Performance-wise, it is close to the old 2-stroke P-series 150cc bikes, and it tops out at about 55 mph. It is slower than a modern Vespa LX150.

The Stella is actually a re-badged LML (as the brand is known in the rest of the world), and they are made in India by the same company that used to make Vespas for the Asian market. The fit and finish are unquestionably inferior to current Vespas... paint quality, plating quality, rubber parts, etc. are not as good. The electrical systems -- simple as they are -- are prone to glitches and short circuits primarily due to abrasion problems.

I own mine mainly because I enjoy shifting gears as part of a riding experience, but I have to admit it gets less use than my Vespas. I think Stellas are a good value for the money -- and they are the only choice available in the US for a new shifty scooter -- but they may disappoint those used to modern Vespa quality control and sophistication.

Old motorcyclist, new scooterist. Retired, wanted less weight, wanted not doing the swing leg over the saddle thing. Freeway would be nice.

Looking hard at the Vespa LX 150 and the Stella. I like the idea of no belt replacements every several thousand miles. I *really* like the idea of a spare tire/wheel. I like more than $1,000 less out the door.

For me, the different was the 147.5cc Stella versus the 150.5cc LX -- the LX is California Freeway Legal. Even if the cops don't care, I do. My question could the LX will be acceptable on the freeway. So I rented one and see if it was. From LAX to Arcadia to NoHoScooters to home -- with Arcadia - Hollywood being on the Foothill Freeway. Surprise, 65mph on the flat, could even pass slower vehicles. Acceptable. *note* -- I am not bothered by side wind / gusts. Also note, in Arizona the Stella IS freeway legal, their limit on a "motor-driven cycle" is 5 bhp instead of California's 150cc limit.)

So I got the LX, even if that variator has my speed inching up while the RPMs stay the same.

Pity the Stella 200 was not available yet.

One more thing to be said here Dick. The Stella's are older designs - modern classics certainly, but down on power. Knowing that you own two GT200s, you would find the Stella substantially less powerful and less reliable. (now, if you just have your heart set on a shifty, that is a whole different discussion )

While LML has, indeed, introduced the 200 cc 4T shifty, that is no guarantee that it can, or will make its way into the US any time soon. It took quite a while for the LML (Stella) 150cc 4T to make it through the approval process. If you need to do something now in terms of a shifty, either a 4T Stella or a well rebuilt P(X)200 is what you should look into, Richard. I say P(X)200 because it has more guts than a PX 150 or Stella 150.

the work of the devil

Lack of fuel injection for better emissions may be the hold up on the 200 coming to the US.
Are any of the new Vespa's 150 or over carbed still?

The 200 is available with fuel injection in Europe.

When Stella came out with black 4 stroke model the first pictures showed it with a black seat and it was just what I wanted. I ordered one from the dealer.
It came with a very ugly brown seat! This was un-acceptable to me but the shop said they would get me a black seat. I painted the seat red so I wouldn't have to look at the ugly brown. I liked it a lot better.
I had the scooter a month. It stopped running on me 3 times for no reason, plus the shop replaced the battery once. The 3rd time it stranded me half way to work I took it back to the shop and told them to keep it. They did.
The next guy they sold it to really liked the red seat.


That being said I know several people who own and ride Stellas, both 2 and 4 stroke, and they love them. They have a lot more patience than I.

To answer Mr. Lemmon's question: I have a Stella. I wanted it because I'm a shifty guy, and wanted the "retro" look in a new scooter. Having said that; this year it has only gone 101 miles. My Yamaha Riva did 364 miles this year before I sold it, and my ChinaScoot has 169 miles. Interestlingly, I prefer my Maxi-scoots over the smaller hp units. The freeway accessibility is just one reason. Tube tires on the Stella is another. The advantage to the Stella is the terrific mileage. I am averaging 111 mpg so far. So just for the fun factor, the Stella stays, but I don't commute on it. For me...the thought process is something like...bigger scoots can go slower, smaller scoots can't go faster. Just ask me about my 100 Sport. 0 to 50 in 22 seconds. Top speed 50 in the 1/4 mile...

and regarding another post about CHP saying no to a Stella 150 and yes to a Vespa 150: They have bigger fish to fry...