![]() The unfettered Primavera cranks out 4.6 horsepower and 2.8 pounds of torque for a top speed of 40 mph, and a more thrilling ride coming out of the hole. Thumpers rule the day, and the two mill are within a single cc of one another with the Vespa coming out ahead at 49.9 cc. ![]() Give me a tubular-steel underframe like the Mio uses anyday. The Primavera brings more brakeage with a 200 mm hydraulic disc up front and a 140 mm mechanical drum in back, but it uses a stressed-skin, monocoque assembly of which I have never been a fan. Vespa packs in more fuel capacity with a 1.6-gallon tank, only one-third of a gallon difference but there it is. Give me the old tube-and-slider suspension like the Mio any day. Yeah, I'm sure it's safe enough and all, but I consider any kind of feature like that to be a vanity. Piaggio likes their trailing-link front ends that uses a coil-over shock to tame the motion of the single-sided front end. The only real technological star to be found here is within the cylinder where SYM's Ni/SiC ceramic cylinder coating replaces the old heavy cast-iron liner with something that wears longer and conducts heat better. This is a very basic engine yet it still manages to meet EPA, DOT and CARB specifications with an outstanding mileage rating to boot. A dry, centrifugal clutch works with the continuously-variable transmission to provide seamless, twist-and-go operation with a quiet, belt-type final drive to put the power to the pavement. If that seems low, just bear in mind that this thing comes governed for a 30 mph top speed and is pretty much a Euro-trainer scoot, so don't expect too much out of it and you won't be disappointed. Power output is mild with a claimed 1.9 horsepower at 8,000 rpm, and 2.15 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm. It runs a moderately hot, 12.6-to-1 compression ratio, and yes, that premium fuel is going to cut into the operational economy just a bit, but at around 100 mpg, you shouldn't need to fill it up very often. The beating heart is a 49 cc, air-cooled thumper. I'm sure I'm in minority now, but my ol'lady eyes do like the sweep gauges since they're easier to take in at a glance and don't get lost in bright light like the LCD displays can. The cluster consists of an overly optimistic, analog speedometer that goes up to 50 mph with a fuel gauge, turn-signal indicator and oil-pressure idiot light. Up top, a compact pair of round mirrors join the vestigial flyscreen to define the leading lines, but that little screen isn't likely to protect anything beyond the twin-clock instrument panel that follows immediately behind. Just sayin' guys, but maybe a set of fork-slider reflectors would have been better instead. In profile, the leg guard has a pronounced elliptical shape with a graceful curvature that fits with the rest of the panache, but then the factory ruins it somewhat with some afterthought-class side reflectors. The prevalent curliness sets in right up front in the cut of the front fender. It presents a fresh face to the world with recessed marker lights and dual forward lighting.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |