Road-testing the Vespa Granturismo 200L: Today, some 59 years after its first appearance, the Vespa scooter is still with us, seemingly little changed and selling better than ever. That makes it, along with the famous Model T Ford, and the VW Beetle, one of the great transport innovations.
The original Vespa scooter represented a total re-think of two-wheel mobility. Its use of aircraft production techniques resulted in light weight, frugal use of scarce raw materials and a serious leap in two-wheel appeal. Features such as stub axles, stressed-skin monocoque construction and aerodynamic details came straight from the sky.
Recent years have seen an explosion of competing makes and types of scooter. Affluence and cheaper cars have brought ever-increasing numbers of cars onto the roads, so that our motorways are becoming vast parking lots at peak times, and our cities are often gridlocked. In this environment, the scooter has come into its own again.
Vespa scooters are made by the Italian firm Piaggio. The 2004 Vespa Granturismo 200L is a worthy successor to the early, classic Vespas and, though this is a modern interpretation, the seemingly timeless Vespa look is immediately recognisable.
Mechanically, the 200L is quite different. The engine is a liquid-cooled, 4-valve, SOHC, 4-stroke producing 14.7kW (20 bhp) and 16.5Nm torque at 6,750 rpm. It has a 2-way catalytic converter, electronic ignition and automatic choke. Transmission is now Continuously Variable (CVT). Both front and back brakes are disk.
A 200 cc machine producing 20 bhp and weighing in at 146 kgs, it effectively has a power-to-weight ratio of 137 bhp per tonne. This means that, in performance terms, especially with no power loss changing gear thanks to the CVT, it's brisk and powerful.
Acceleration in all normal conditions is more than satisfactory. A maximum speed in excess of 85 mph can be expected, and a comfortable 70 mph motorway cruising speed can easily be maintained. All of which makes the 200L a pleasure to ride in city and suburban traffic. In the country it will go faster than the law permits and, importantly, it handles well on twisty country roads.
Our test machine was fitted with the optional extra high screen and Vespa's neat looking topbox, which not only incorporates a comfortable backrest but also comes with special counter-balance weights designed to overcome the effect of a high-placed box behind the rear axle.
The very tall screen - you look through rather than over it - is much loved especially by the Italians and French. One can see why, weather protection is almost saloon car standard. One could ride in an open face helmet in the worst of conditions. That's a big advantage, especially in the city; the open face helmet gives so much better peripheral vision.
Here and in Britain, the preference is for a screen you can see over, and lower screens are available. But, in strong, gusty conditions, at no time did this galleon sail of a screen cause concern.
The under-seat storage compartment can take two open face helmets. The seat contains a pull-out waterproof cover. There is a small glove locker in the front scuttle, complete with power point to charge your mobile phone. The front scuttle also has a secure hook for carrying a bag. The rear-mounted topbox has a 42-litre capacity. Both side- and centre-stands are fitted. There is a strong anchor point below the footboards for a security chain.
The instrument panel is clear and well designed. An engine imobiliser is standard. The 220 mm hydraulic disk brakes are well up to the machine's performance. Mirrors are very well placed.
This machine is not quite in the same league as the "big bore" scooters of 500 cc and more capacity, but nor is its price. At €4,500, it's less than half the price of the big boys. A 125 cc version is available at € 4,250.