More auto power!

I thought I would let you know my thoughts after reading about the latest GTS scooters from Vespa in the December issue. The increased power from the GTS 300 may well be welcome to buyers but in this modern day 24hp from a 300cc motor is not special, and actually quite poor when BMW have a single cylinder 310cc, four-stroke motor with a claimed output of 34hp and 28Nm. Whereas the Piaggio engine has only 24hp and 19.2Nm. I know the Piaggio motor is a different size, shape and weight, but the figures do not represent progress. In the late 90s we had a 180cc Gilera runner with roughly 20hp, admittedly the Gilera was a two-stroke and now banned for emissions (shame).

I would congratulate Piaggio on their GTS125 which has 12hp and keeps up with most other machines easily. Whereas the Scomadi and other 125 scooters using a Chinese engine seem well down on power, hence most owners feel the need for sports exhausts etc. because their power delivery is described in magazines as smooth (bland/slow). In this day and age 12hp from a four-stroke 125 should be easily achievable and probably make the Scomadi much more fun. Just my thoughts on four-stroke autos. Happy New Year readers and staff, ride safe. Ian (Glasgow) Hi Ian, Interesting letter. It’s usually ‘BIG’ names like Yamaha, BMW, Honda etc. who tend to develop their own engines, and can afford to do so. Smaller companies like Scomadi etc. who don’t develop their own units, will be using generic engines, based around cost and availability. But that doesn’t explain why Piaggio haven’t ‘upped their game’ to produce a 34hp 310cc engine for the GTS. The 24hp engine they currently use is of course only 280cc, and has been in use for quite some time, so homologation and approval of a whole new engine would be a mammoth undertaking. Keep in mind that the worldwide market the GTS is actually aimed at will, for the most part, be happy with 24hp. It’s traditionally the MUCH smaller UK-based ‘scooter rally’ market that wants more power. But with more power comes increased specification requirements for larger fuel tanks, better wheels, brakes and suspension etc… so isn’t that just a Maxi-Scooter which already exists? Rest assured Piaggio know their target demographic, and the numbers behind it. Still… that won’t stop me, you and the rest of the readers hankering after more power, it’s in our nature! Thanks for the feedback. Dan