A FEW FACTS ON THE MOTO VESPA T5 AND TX
The T5 was first produced in Spain by Moto Vespa in 1987, with the TX200, which was only ever made in Spain, being produced from 1989.
The Moto Vespa T5 with Elestart cost 292,644 pesetas new in 1988 OTR; including tax, this was equivalent to £1423 at the time, with the TX200 costing 296,253 pesetas new in 1988 OTR including tax, which was £1424.
The Moto Vespa T5 is 99% identical to Piaggio Vespa T5 apart from a few small details. In Spain, Moto Vespa offered a similarly bodied version known as the TX with a standard PX200 engine.
No Spanish T5 was ever fitted with the flush wheel trims as standard; these were optional extras. Also, the T5 seat states Moto Vespa on the side and the horncast badge also carries the Moto Vespa logo, and for some reason the seat internals are also different.
As with all Spanish motorcycles, lights are on at all times and the speedo is always in kilometres. On the engine side panel only is a unique foil ‘SPORT’ sticker beside the T5 plastic panel badge.
The TX models have a rectangular sticker saying 200 in bright red on a matt black backing. Engines are the best part of the scooter with 99% having no oil injection, making tuning much easier.
Original colours are mainly red, white, black and a rare silver model.
The rarest T5 of all is the T5 Elestart, of which only 800 Mk1 and 1000 Mk2 were built; these machines also included the oil injection of Italian machines with a rather nice toolbox door ‘Elestart’ logo.
There is a great following for the Spanish Moto Vespa T5; the reason, according to some, is that the sheet metal of the Spanish models is of an excellent quality compared with that of foreign models. That, and spending life in the sun, means most models are rust-free. Also due to very strict ITV controls (the Spanish version of the MoT) most are standard, not kitted, relatively untouched and as they left the factory. Prices of these models have increased steadily over the past five years and due to the popularity of good, solid original paint T5 and TX machines in this condition are becoming harder and harder to find.