Vespa 200 Rally Electronic 1974 (VSE1)

This was the most powerful vespa when it came in the 70-ies and it still outruns most of the scooters on the market. It has a 4 gear manual gearbox, 200cc engine with about 10 hp. 6V electrical system and drum operated brakes. Oil is manually mixed at 2% It is a Vespa well suited for going on highways and bringing passangers. Riding at +65 mph should be no problem. It has the glove compartment on the backside of the front shield (at your knees) leaving room under one side cowl for a spare wheel and on some models a battery.

PROS: This models still has a lot of similarities with the 60:s vespas but is a little more "squarish" in its looks. The electronic ignition makes it easy to start and most of all maintenance free. Still the ignition is not battery operated so it can start even if you have forgotten the lights and the battery is empty. The engine has good power as well as torque and it is no problems following the traffic (German Autobahns excepted :-). The chassis dimensions are different to the 60:s models, giving it a better stability and behaviour in curves. The more robust engine construction also makes it possible to tune for more horsepower without hazarding the bearings.

CONS: The glove compartment is fairly close to your knees and it is easy to bump in to it in case you make a panic brake. Some models are fitted with turning signals on the outer of the handlebars wich make them vulnerable, f. x. if you drop the scooter. The turn-signal relay has a switch frequency dependant on the rev. and on high revs the lamps are lit almost continously. Rumor has it that the ignition coil/unit is easily damaged, it still exists as a spare but is expensive.