Modern Vespa

Took it over to a 55mph state route this morning going for coffee, just to see...been a few years.

I sat my 6'3", 265lbs bolt upright like a man reading the New Yorker on the loo. About as aerodynamic as a brick wearing a helmet.
NGK Iridium plug, correct PSI in the newish Angels probably - no wind - no breakfast - OEM small "glare-screen".

I saw 64mph on the speedo. (so, actual @58mph?)
We didn't exactly rocket up to that 64 - I could have gone for a sandwich and come back.... But we got there.
Unboxed summer of 2017 - and once I tossed the plastic gas cap it has been a flawless scooter.
After well over 900,000 of these types of scooters from Piaggio - they've got it well sorted!

O.S.

Sounds about right. I'm the same weight but shorter, and my Liberty with the Multivar variator and white clutch spring tops out at 61(GPS)/66 indicated.

Even a slight uphill grade quickly brings that down to 55 (GPS), which it will maintain.

Good run!

At ~200lbs on a flat, resting my chin on the handlebars, I've gotten 62mph on my GPS before running out of road. I believe I've gotten faster on one of my interstate runs, but no proof and I was rather distracted by the semis.

I can always run a little bit faster on busy interstate highways.

There seems to be a flow of air like a "draft tunnel" all the time.

I usually get an extra 3 to 5 mph.

Bill

I was wondering how fast one of these can get to. What about someone about 172cm and about 70kg?

In my dreams I'm going around 96>98mph if I leave my right leg and arm at home.

Don't think anyone except salesmen are seeing much over low 60's GPS.
Who likes to ride WOT on an air-cooled single?
O.s.

I always thought weight affected acceleration, but top speed was mostly aerodynamics vs power?

So height becomes the main issue with top speed runs. I do feel quite a boost in top speed if I tuck down and pull my elbows in close to my body!

Me. I enjoyed doing that on bikes like a Yamaha XT 500.

Weight, mass would definitely affect acceleration. It's part of the equation after all! But it also affects speed up hill. I'm about 172cm tall and I can tell the difference from when I tuck down or sit upright, for sure. I heard someone once describe us riders as "meat sails". I think that about sums it up. Evolution did not build us for going fast. Aerodynamics was NOT a consideration!