Modern Vespa

I am newbie. I bought a used (1400km) stock, 2005 Canadian limited edition PX150. I am having alot of fun with it and its getting me around town. I am a 300lb+ guy who looking for improving his PX150.

I am still learning and my thought and research have concluded to this. I use this bike mainly for around town and do not need to get pass 90KM (55 mph). I found the take off and performance to be acceptable for the engine size, but once I get to the mid-range it starts to bog down and the top ends, well there is none. Hill climbing is not that great and I slow down the traffic.I concluded that I first need to change the Noth American stock cats type pipes, and install bigger jets. I still want to keep my spare and I am looking for quality, any thoughts out there will be much appreciated. 8)


- so far I found only a stock euro Vespa exhaust (no cats), a Sito plus exhaust and JL P125/150 Exhaust
- thought of increasing to 102 jet for sea level to 1500 ft.
- Are there any other options?
- Are there any worthwhile air filter options for better intake breathing?
- Is there a worthwhile performance difference between a Sito plus exhaust vs stock Euro Vespa (no Cats) exhaust? they both look about the same?
- JL P125/150 Exhaust seem too much for a stock px150, but it looks so cool.

Of course, time permitting, the best route and the best bang for the money would be for me to lose 120lbs. Weight equal power. Maybe that might be a motivation I need to cut down on my eating consumption. I think about it next time I eat a sandwich.

Hi Rudy, Welcome to MV.

OKay Mate! Now your a big lad, hill climbing is an issue for you.

So Malossi is the way to go. HP4 flywheel (Get's you up that hill quicker ) and is just a great bolt-on gain in HP. You must adjust the timing though.

Buy a JL (Right hand) or SS SIP Pipe. And if you really want to be crazy contact Hot rod Al and buy a carb from him, as he will set up the carb for you.

Now you will ride like a 95 pounder mate For Suspension, Go with Fournales Shocks, they are awesome. But they will need "Adjustments" every once in a while.

If you need any other help mate PM me and i will give you my Number.

Cheers

Hi Rudy, You seem to have edited your post mate.

A Sito+ is slightly better than stock and sounds a wee bit better.

Px150 are great stock motors, though if your not a speed freak like me then i would settle on HP4, rejet carb, Sebac shocks and a JL pipe.

Cheers

How loud do you want it?

I dont know anything about a cat-less euro exhaust (actually, does such a thing exist that isnt 15+ years old? They are tighter on emissions that we are in the U.S.) But I do know people have been very happy with the Sito+. Best bang for the buck. Simonini is also a good choice.

Are those two the best? No. That is where the sound level comes in. For the best increase in power, you have to trade for some dB.

Hi Jim

Thank you

I appreciate your enthusiasm, Its all cool brother, but I don't want any radical change on the motor. It is a limited edition and at this moment, I wants to keep it stock. However, you have given me some great idea on my next Vespa. I like to purchase a clean, stock looking Vintage 180 SS that is suitable for a complete performance rebuilt, for those, you know really fun days.

Thanks again

Rudy

If you don't want any radical change, then the sito+ and an upjet would be ok. Then again, the limitid edition is not really that limited. px150s sell by the millions all over the world. There is nothing special with it, except that it is a cool vespa. So I say just get a malossi, DR or a Pinasco kit, a sito+ and a si24/24 carb and you will be fine.

If you go specifically with a malossi and a JL-exhaust you'll have performance that matches or even exceeds that of the GT200. That would make your PX150 live more up to its "Limited Edition"-name.

I had to edit, it was too long and I wanted to clean it up and make it simplier to read.

Jimh, what would you recomend for rejetting with those cool looking JL. And why right handed? I will look into the sebac shocks.

The little better than stock and wee better sound factor does not appeal to me, I want to put more life into my Vespa. From what I read from other 2005 PX150 owners, the emission control rated pipes and carb setup really kills the potenial torque, acceleration, mid range and upper range. I have read that the Sito plus and rejetting to 102 did the trick. Somehow, after I have look at the Sito plus, I thought, there got to be something better.

Thanks again, Mate
Rudy812

Good point and I agree. These days, collecters/ buyers are willing to pay many extra hard or easy earned cash for something a little different from the rest. As far as PX150 goes, the 2005 PX150 was a one year deal. I wanted something close to new and modern. I really love it and I fell in love the smokey grey color.

Rudy812

fyi, there are two very different schools of thought on the HP4 (or any other lightweight flywheel for that matter). be sure to investigate fully before investing your hard earned dough.

btw, i'd go for sito+ and an upjet or a simonini on the stock carb and top end. once you start upgrading the topend, then it's time to think about the carb, pipe, and flywheel.

best,
-greasy

cat-less euro exhaust (actually, does such a thing exist that isnt 15+ years old? I don't know, I am a newbe. One locally tried to sell me one.

I can live with greater dB. I like greater dB with a cool throating sound. I like waking up those moron drivers who aren't able see or hear a scooter or motorcycle or a semi in plain sight.

I disagree with best bang for the buck, losing 120lbs is best and I will get back to stud status again. It just easier for me just to pay for performance upgrade, to get the same results. This week end I have participated on one of our local organize Vespa rides. Lots of hot ladies on Vespas. Something to think about next time I have a sandwich.

Thank you monza for your input

Best regards
Rudy812

Thanks greasy

Rudy812

The HP4 flywheel is really hard on the crank bearings. It makes the bike more "nervous" and will make it more difficult for you to maintain speed up long hills. I dunno if you actually loose torque with it, but it sure feels like you do.

On the good side it might give you an extra hp. Your scoot will feel more like a dirt bike and the throttle response and accelleration will be better.

In several italian and european forums is reported that you do not get such a difference in performance in fitting a Sito Plus instead of a standard no-cat exhaust.
However, everybody agree that a standard NO-CAT exhaust, with a bit of setup on the carburetor side, will make a distinct difference. It seems like the good ol' two-stroke gets choked when it is catalyzed.

Sito Plus is also a bit more expensive and noisy, and really works when it is coupled with bigger carburetors and some mods more.

I would go for the easier way. Just a stock, NO-CAT 'frying pan'. PX engine and its sound are so unique, I would not denaturalize them. A 150 is not that slow, after all, I have been riding my 125 for 23 years and I am 80 kg.
Furthermore, if you pump it on steroids you still have PX frame, brakes and 10" wheels.

Ride with style, do not take risks, keep it as original as possible. If you look for more performance, get a zippy Modern Vespa, a BV or a beautiful Scarabeo

I have heard lot's of good and bad on the HP4. However, it is all about set-up. I have never had any issues. (There just not to kind on the stock clutch basket.) For me they work well, you can also turn down your stock Ducati flywheel. Very simple if you have a lathe, or send it to Hot rod Al.

As far as re-jetting, in my wife's VNA. P150 motor, Stock top-end, HP4, JL, and a 120 main jet. 15,000 miles so far, no problems.

It's all about build mate. There are many people who think Lambretta's are unreliable also??

Simonini's sound like a "wet fart in a divers suit"

So, Back to basics! Sito+ and rejet your carb Yawnnnnn

Cheers mate.

I made my mind up. Thank everyone for ypur advice and wisdom. I still have about 7 months of warranty left on the bike. Replacing the stock exhaust with a sitoplus and increasing the jets to 100 or 102 will not void my warrenty if my dealer installs it. It is a good starting point that will not hurt my pocket book. If I need more, I will decide when the warrenty is up. From what I read, I believe this system will get me by. Hmm those JR exhaust looks so cool.

Best Regards
Rudy812

I can live with greater dB. I like greater dB with a cool throating waspy sound. I like waking up those moron drivers who aren't able see or hear a scooter or motorcycle or a semi in plain sight.

I disagree with best bang for the buck, losing 120lbs is best and I will get back to stud status again. It just easier for me just to pay for performance upgrade, to get the same results. This week end I have participated on one of our local organize Vespa rides. Lots of hot ladies on Vespas. Something to think about next time I have a sandwich.

Thank you monza for your input

Best regards
Rudy812[/quote][/quote]

I have a 2005 PX150 with the Sito+ and 105 jet on a stock carb with B7HS plug. My top speed on 4rth is about 57mph. It ran good, and plug reading is fine. On 3rd and 4rth gear, top speed in each gear max out about half throttle, if I do WOT it would slow down a bit. Would a bigger carb or a better exhaust (JL, Scorpion?) improved speed in 3rd and 4th? Thanks for the help.