The Vespa PX-150E

The growth in popularity of Japanese motorcycles in the seventies and eighties posed a challenge to Piaggio to create a scooter that was relevant to the times and catered to the needs of an increasingly upwardly mobile generation.

Initially released in 1977 with 125 and 200 cc variants, the PX built upon the Vespa legacy of style, mobility and practicality of its GS, 50 and SS models and added turn indicator lights, anti-theft cowls, a telescopic hydraulic front damper, and electric ignition (on the 150E) to further cement Piaggio as the world's foremost scooter manufacturer in the modern era.

The PX had boxy, angular lines that were representative of automotive design at the time - a significant departure from the smooth, curved lines of prior Vespa models, for better or for worse. Since the PX was conceived to be a major player in the global motorcycle market, amenities and social compliance would be the operative terms for the PX-150E in its various iterations in the years to come.

The PX was the first Vespa to incorporate safety features such as turn signals integrated at the legshield and the cowls, mounted side mirrors, and an innovative front damper that reduced front end braking dive while permitting longer travel and increased trail for improved handling. The convenience of individual tanks for fuel and oil eliminated the need to apply a proportionate pre-mix of fuel and oil for regular use. A battery was also introduced in the PX for electric ignition purposes, while all other electrical functions were still managed by the mechanical stator.

In terms of performance, the PX-150E generates 6.6 kW at 5,700 rpm with maximum torque at 11.9 Nm at 4,000 rpm for a top speed of 95 km/h. The fuel system is an oil-petrol mixture via the carburetor with variable flow automatic mixer and throttle drive. Forced air handles cooling while lubrication is done via a separate tank with an automatic oil pump. Fuel mileage is an economical 30 Kms for every liter of fuel. The latest PX-150E is compliant with both the emission standards of the EPA and the safety regulations of the DOT. Decades of trouble-free usage is assured as long as oil level and battery and cable health are routinely observed, along with an annual oil change. It also helps that the Vespa's solid cast-iron engine is virtually bullet-proof, will outlast the hardiest automotive engine at any class and is the hallmark of the Vespa's legendary durability.

While many may find its two-stroke engine to be uncomfortably noisy and trembly, it however provides enough torque to accelerate from zero to 60 Km/h in a city-respectable 12 seconds. Horizontally aligned with a direct drive mechanism, the engine provides better response than its belt-driven counterparts to enable the PX to accelerate from standstill to a safe distance from cars to compensate for its lower top speed.

Riding the PX is an experience in itself because Vespas are so much more than the sum of its parts. When you ride a Vespa, you are not merely riding a scooter. You are taking in a piece of Italian history.

The Vespa was designed to be foremost a daily city commuter. While its pressed steel monocoque frame gave it a distinct style by hiding what Piaggio perceived as an unsightly engine, it served a dual purpose by protecting the mechanicals from the elements for easier cleaning. A spacious utility compartment is placed behind the legshield to stow away tools, riding gloves and other whatnot. The PX is also a breeze to snake through traffic because of small 3.5 10" wheels that make it easy to maintain balance despite a high center of gravity.

An upright seating position provides comfort and an excellent view of the road. Controls, switches and gauges are well-laid out and do not distract the rider. The left-hand cowl doubles as a convenient spare tire compartment.

However, the Vespa does have its quirks and oddities that define its character. Foremost is its manual four-speed transmission that is disengaged by pulling on the clutch lever and twisting the left handlebar assembly. Shifting gears may take some getting used to. The placement of the engine on the right-hand cowl produces a weight imbalance on the PX that compels the rider to sit in an offset position to counter the weight bias. A word of caution on the brakes: hard braking locks the rear drum brake and produces the infamous Vespa fishtail that is particularly perilous on slippery roads. Front and rear drum brakes came standard on all Vespas until 2003 with the introduction of a front disc brake.

Many people may wonder how a motorcycle with a high center of gravity, weight imbalance, and nervous braking could actually attract a highly devoted following, but such is the mystery of the Vespa. It just works.

The PX-150E is the preferred vintage scooter of our local riding scene and this is not merely due to the lack of availability of other models. The PX offers a superior balance of performance, reliability, convenience and retro-style that can't be beaten by the rarest vintage scooter and the most advanced motorcycles. It is no wonder that the PX-150E is the largest-selling Vespa in Piaggio's history and may no easily be found in the shadows of New York's skyscrapers than in the back-alleys of India and the islands of the Caribbean.

The Vespa has endeared itself to all motorcycle enthusiasts since 1945 and was instrumental in the rebuilding of a war-ravaged Italy to industrial prominence. It is a success story of Italian ingenuity and resolve that is characteristic of the PX-150E and of its ardent following.