Modern Vespa

Well, Ardy and I discussed the pros and cons of our two machines in the mountains of Italy. Her Yesterday is kitted to 80cc, to include the hi-per Malossi crankshaft. Top end for the Yesterday is 88-90 kph (82-84 on a GPS) and 95 or so on the PX150 (89 GPS) on level ground, no wind. The PX is Euro II, fully stock, as it is still under warranty, and didn;t want to attempt a 2,200 km trip with the chance that Vespa might void the warranty due to a Sito + or the like. Exhaust upgrade takes place in 45 days or so.

But the big question in our minds was how each scoot would perform on the many miles of mountain roads, at altitudes up to 2100 meters.

1. Both performed well on level ground at altitude. A bit slow accelerating, as mixture was rich. Weren't able to check top end, but both handled 70 kph with throttle to spare. 85 (indicated) was no problem at lower altitudes, and since we were rarely on a road with a speed limit higher than 70, we had power to spare. Can only give indicated as we didn't use a GPS on the ride.

2. Downhill, the PX is the more desirable scoot. Reason? The manual trans offers engine braking, and on long (10 - 15 km at times), winding, steep downhill runs, it sure eases wear and tear on the brakes. Ardy spent a lot of time applying the brakes. Rear (drum) brake required minor cable adjustment twice.

3. Uphill, the yesterday's auto trans made it the clear winner for driving. On the steep, winding, uphill runs, good old "Vinnie the Variator" kept the engine operating at the sweet spot with just simple throttle control. On a tight, switchback curve, the PX required downshifting, and at higher altitudes, often to 2nd from 4th. Add to that the slow response at low RPM at altitude, and shifting was a bit of work. In terms of available power for uphill runs, both scoots were fully up to the task.

That's it for now. Pictures, if you haven't seen them, are here.

A&A

Great pics!

What scooter is this model of? P200E? 1979?

Looks awesome.

And is this Giorgio Bettinelli's P200?



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Lovely scoot, even Mini Me looks impressed!!!!

What the hell?

They should have named that one the "Grande", instead of this one:

looks like a great trip you took. excellent photos too.

i wanted to say hello/yasou! to you before. i noticed that you lived on paros. i spend about 4 months of the year on kefallonia island, on the other side of mainland greece from where you're at. i have a px200 there and a px150 here in LA.

i'm assuming you sailed out of patras, correct? then you went right by kefallonia.

anyway, thanks for sharing your story and pics.

john

My gosh... and people live there and wake up to that every day....


BTW, you folks have retired well. Congratulations on taking trips like that.

Yes, Patra to Ancona. Very pleasant sail.

Don't remember who's white PX that was. If it helps, the trip was made from 1997-2000.

Al

And motorcyclists complain about small wheels on Vespas...

It's a PX200S (S for Stretch). Use it to send the kids to their high school prom, while being sure there is no hankie pankie, like they do in the limos.

Al