Museo Piaggio

A lovely video on the Museo Piaggio in Pontedera, Italy, to officially start this blog and cheer you up. Pontedera is near Pisa, just to let you know.

Ancora una Vespa sidecar

This original Piaggio sidecar for Vespa might be for sale. At the moment I'm negotiating with the current owner. The sidecar has been resprayed in this metallic blue colour. For me that's bad, my plan is to have a sidecar attached to my 1956 Vespa 150 (VL3), il Struzzo, that will get an original light grey colour.
I don't think we had any side cars of the italian Longhi brand here in Sweden. I've seen some german Bender and Royal sidecars attached to Vespas. Steib was also an option but I think that was mostly for motorcycles.

As you can see, the very small enamel Piaggio-badge isn't in top condition. Very hard to find, seems a bit like the badge on the Moscone outboard motor, but it's in another size.
The wind screen is ordered some ten years ago or so. I believe it's too short compared to the original screen from the 50's.

The seat is absolutely original and in good condition.

Piaggio FLY150, 2009

Piaggio FLY150, 2009

The Modern, functional, and elegantly crafted, both share superior performance, modern Italian styling, and comfort. Technologically advanced, the Fly inherits Piaggio's tradition of combining safety, reliability, and practicality with an eye-catching design. Light, compact, and agile, the Fly is easy to use, simple to park, and offers excellent power-to-weight ratio for enhanced performance. The 12" wheels and large, tubeless tires also contribute to greater stability and agility in traffic, and the low seat is perfect for riders of all heights. 

The Highlights:
•  Environmentally-friendly single cylinder, four-stroke, highly reliable Piaggio    LEADER engine
•  Low seat (30.9") suitable for riders of all heights
•  Low, wide wheels (12") for stability and safety
•  Automatic transmission and electric start (50cc model also includes emergency kick starter)
•  Automatic transmission and electric start
•  Underseat storage for full size helmet
•  Glove and cell phone compartment
•  Electronic Immobilizer system

The Accessories:
•  Windscreen
•  Top case
•  Electronic alarm

The Fly 150 inherits Piaggio’s tradition of success, using the latest technology and design trends. The result is a reliable vehicle for everyday riding that stands out for its style, comfort and ease of use.
• Single cylinder, four-stroke Piaggio Leader engine
• Wide, streamlined front shield – aerodynamic and protective
• Grab rail, for the passanger, rounds off the design
• Low, wide alloy wheel (12”) for maneuverability and stability
• Front disc brakes
• Underseat storage for helmet

ENGINE TYPE Single cylinder, four-stroke Piaggio LEADER
DISPLACEMENT 150cc
BORE x STROKE 62.6 mm x 48.6 mm
MAX POWER AT SHAFT 8.5 kW at 7,750 rpm (11.6 bhp)
MAX TORQUE 11.5 Nm at 6,000 rpm
MAX SPEED 61 mph (98 km/h)

FUEL / TANK CAPACITY Unleaded 1.9 gallons (7.1 litres)
GAS MILEAGE 70-75 mpg
DISTRIBUTION Single overhead camshaft (SOHC) with two valves
COOLING SYSTEM Forced air
LUBRICATION Wet sump
INGINTION Electric start
GEARS CVT CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and torque server
CLUTCH Dry automatic centrifugal type

CHASSIS Tube type
FRONT SUSPENSION Telescopic Hydraulic Forks, 32 mm
REAR SUSPENSION Hydraulic single shock absorber, spring pre-load adjustable to four positions
FRONT BREAK Disk 200 mm, ?oating caliper with two pistons
REAR BREAK Drum 140 mm
FRONT TIRE 120/70, 12"
REAR TIRE Tubeless 120/70, 12"

LENGTH 73.6" (1869 mm)
WIDTH 28.9" (735 mm)
WHEELBASE 52.4" (1331 mm)
SEAT HEIGHT 30.9" (785 mm)
DRY WEIGHT 247 lbs (112 kg)

Piaggio BV Tourer 500, 2009

Piaggio BV Tourer 500, 2009

A scooter agile enough for the city with added power for touring capabilities, the 2009 Piaggio BV500 Tourer is perfect for long distance rides as well as getting in and around town with power and style.

Underneath the plush, split-level seat is a lockable storage compartment. Add on an optional top case and side compartments and you'll have more than enough storage for urban errand-running or long distance travels.

The BV Tourer
• Modern Piaggio four-valve, liquid cooled, fuel-injected engines
• Large, front windshield
• Dual hydraulic shock absorber, four-position spring pre-load
• 16” front and rear tires (BV Tourer 500) / 16” front and
14” rear tires (BV Tourer 500)

• Underseat and front compartment storage

Piaggio BV Tourer 250, 2009

Piaggio BV Tourer 250, 2009

The Powered by a Piaggio single cylinder, four-stroke engine with an automatic transmission, the BV is the ideal vehicle for stop-and-go situations, while its 16" wheels and dual shock absorbers make for the smoothest ride in scootering.

The BV Tourer in a 250cc and 500cc version, combines high wheels and a motorcycle-style ride with the comfort and practicality of a scooter to ensure a safe and precise ride.
• Modern Piaggio four-valve, liquid cooled, fuel-injected engines
• Large, front windshield
• Dual hydraulic shock absorber, four-position spring pre-load
• 16” front and rear tires (BV Tourer 250) / 16” front and
14” rear tires (BV Tourer 500)
• Underseat and front compartment storage

Engine Type Single cylinder, four-stroke catalytic Piaggio QUASAR
Displacement 244cc
Bore x Stroke 72 mm x 60 mm
Max Power at Shat 22 hp at 8,250 rpm
Max Torque 20.2 Nm at 6,500 rpm
Max Speed 77 mph (124 km/h)
Fuel / Tank Capacity Unleaded 2.6 gallons (9.7 litres)
Gas Mileage 65-70 mpg
Distribution Single overhead camshaft (SOHC) with four valves
Cooling System Liquid
Lubrication Wet sump
Ingnition Electronic start
Gears CVT CVT automatic ratio variator (twist-and-go)
Clutch Dry automatic centrifugal type

Chassis Twin cradle tubes in high-tensile steel
Front Suspension Telescopic fork, 35 mm shafts, 104 mm travel
Rear Suspension Dual hydraulic shock absorber, four-position spring pre-load, 90 mm travel
Front Break 260 mm disc, floating caliper with two pistons
Rear Break 260 mm disc, floating caliper with opposed pistons
Front Tire Tubeless 110/70, 16"
Rear Tire Tubeless 140/70, 16"

Length 83.1" (2111 mm)
Width 29.9" (760 mm)
Wheelbase 57.9" (1471 mm)
Seat Height 30.9" (785 mm)
Dry Weight 328 lbs (149 kg)

Piaggio BV Tourer 250, 2009

Piaggio BV Tourer 250, 2009

The Powered by a Piaggio signle cylinder, 4-stroke engine with an automatic transmission, the BV is the ideal vehicle for stop-and-go situations, while its 16" wheels and dual shock absorbers make for the smoothest ride in scootering.
Engine Type
Single cylinder : four-stroke catalytic Piaggio QUASAR
Displacement : 244cc
Fuel Tank Capacity : Unleaded 2.6 gallons (9.7 litres)
Gas Mileage : 65-70 mpg
Distribution Single overhead camshaft (SOHC) with four valves
Cooling system : Liquid
Lubrication : Wet sump
Ingintion : Electronic start
Gears CVT : automatic ratio variator (twist-and-go)
Clutch : Dry automatic centrifugal

Chassis : Twin cradle tubes in high-tensile steel
Front Suspension : Telescopic fork, 35 mm shafts, 104 mm travel
Rear Suspension Dual hydraulic shock absorber, four-position spring pre-load, 90 mm travel.

Piaggio FLY50, 2009

Piaggio FLY50, 2009

Technologically advanced, the Fly inherits Piaggio's tradition of combining safety, reliability, and practicality with an eye-catching design. Light, compact, and agile, the Fly is easy to use, simple to park, and offers excellent power-to-weight ratio for enhanced performance. The 12" wheels and large, tubeless tires also contribute to greater stability and agility in traffic, and the low seat is perfect for riders of all heights.

The Light, compact and agile, the Fly 50 is equipped with a four-stroke Hi-PER4 50cc engine for incredible economy. A protective shield and rigid steel tube frame ensure safe, precise riding, whilst a powerful, reliable front disc brake contributes to total rider confidence. The Piaggio Fly features telescopic hydraulic forks and 12" wheels with large tubeless tyres for easy handling and safety even on rough roads.

The Fly's large footrest offers plenty of space for the rider's feet, as well as allowing room for stowing a bag on the useful hook at the front of the seat. There is also a glove compartment and ample space for a helmet under the seat. The instrument panel is clear and easy to read, and incorporates a clock and calendar.

The Highlights:
• Environmentally-friendly single cylinder, four-stroke, highly reliable Piaggio
LEADER engine
• Low seat (30.9") suitable for riders of all heights
• Low, wide wheels (12") for stability and safety
• Automatic transmission and electric start (50cc model also includes
emergency kick starter)
• Automatic transmission and electric start
• Underseat storage for full size helmet
• Glove and cell phone compartment
• Electronic Immobilizer system

The Accessories:
• Windscreen
• Top case
• Electronic alarm

The Fly 50 inherits Piaggio’s tradition of success, using the latest technology and design trends. The result is a reliable vehicle for everyday riding that stands out for its style, comfort and ease of use.
• Single cylinder, four-stroke Piaggio Leader engine
• Wide, streamlined front shield – aerodynamic and protective
• Grab rail, for the passanger, rounds off the design
• Low, wide alloy wheel (12”) for maneuverability and stability
• Front disc brakes
• Underseat storage for helmet

ENGINE TYPE Single cylinder, four-stroke Piaggio HI-PER4
DISPLACEMENT 49.9cc
BORE x STROKE 1.5" x 1.6" (39 mm x 41.8 mm)
MAX POWER AT SHAFT 8.5 kW at 7.750 rpm (11.6 bhp)
MAX TORQUE 3.5 Nm at 6,500rpm
MAX SPEED 39 mph (63 km/h)
FUEL / TANK CAPACITY Unleaded 1.9 gallons (7.1 litres)

GAS MILEAGE 110-115 mpg
DISTRIBUTION Single overhead camshaft (SOHC) with two valves
COOLING SYSTEM Forced air
LUBRICATION Wet sump
INGINTION Electronic
GEARS CVT CVT automatic ratio variator (twist-n-go)
CLUTCH Dry automatic centrifugal type

CHASSIS Tube type
FRONT SUSPENSION Telescopic Hydraulic Forks, 32 mm
REAR SUSPENSION Hydraulic single shock absorber
FRONT BREAK Disk 200 mm, ?oating caliper with two pistons
REAR BREAK Drum 140 mm
FRONT TIRE Tubeless 120/70, 12"
REAR TIRE Tubeless 120/70, 12"

LENGTH 74" (1880 mm)
WIDTH 28.9" (735 mm)
WHEELBASE 52.4" (1331 mm)
SEAT HEIGHT 30.9" (785 mm)
DRY WEIGHT 220 lbs (100 kg)
COLORS Midnight Blue, Optic White

NEW SCOOTER PIAGGIO HYBRID MP3

FIRST HYBRID SCOOTER : PIAGGIO HYBRID MP3Piaggio, creator of the classic Vespa scooter, introduced the first motorcycle with the engine supported by the gasoline engine and electric motor, which is planned to be marketed in September in the UK.Hybrid MP3, the motor will go into mass production at the end of summer, gave two options for the driver only with a key. How Hybrid mode, which combine