Folks - As some of you may recall, more than a year ago I began a series of Mallosi full-power upgrades on a stock 60th Anniversary editon LX-125 with the good owners and mechanics at Planete Scooter here in Paris. What started out as a desire to simply increase the pick-up on a standard modern Vespa turned into a major experiment born of my own curiosity of the scooter we all enjoy.
And I believe you might find the results interesting and of value.There's absolutely no doubt that increasing the size of the cylinder, changing the gears, shocks and adding all other applicable Mallosi modifications greatly adds to the power and enjoyment of riding a Vespa. Indeed, I'm not the only one on the forum who has expressed that sentiment.But be advised that the upgrade comes with a cascade of mechanical and safety issues that need to be considered - and that these issues result from how Piaggio manufactures its Vespas and the so-called performance mufflers available on the market.First and foremost, what I've discovered is based on riding the Vespa in an urban environment, on streets rough, smooth and cobbled. Highway driving amounted to four 100-mile round trips on motorways leading into and out of Paris.
I use my Vespa as a commuter vehicle, to take the kids to and from school and to drive to work. One weekend jaunt a month with my wife.The ConclusionsThe speed and increased finesse that comes from a Mallosi upgrade must be weighed against the poor stopping power that comes from Vespa's decision to continue using brake pads on the rear wheel. The poor rear braking power is evident under all conditions and particularly under wet conditions. There is much danger in this. The problem was most noticeable and chilling on the highway.
How often you tighten the rear brakes matters nothing. I doubt that Piaggio will ever address this issue; still, the company would be wise to install rear disk brakes. There's no way of getting around this worrisome fact.I've installed and tested all available performance mufflers, which include PM Tuning Pipe, Scorpion stainless steel, Scorpion titanium, Leo Vincent and the Sito Plus.Again, under the conditions that I drive in, the one-and-only can to go with is the Sito Plus and here's why. The Leo Vincent, PM Tuning and two Scorpion cans are easily and readily damaged in an urban environment. The Scorpion pipes, in particular, require constant adjustment and are frequently knocked loose. Although you can't argue about the fine sound and good looks of the Vincent, PM and Scorpion models, the power-hassle equation just isn't worth it.The Sito Plus is by far the easiest to fit and maintain - and I discovered only a marginal difference in ooomph and mileage with Sito Plus.
Where as the Sito Plus has gone for some 3,000 miles with no problems, the other pipes had to be refitted or repaired within the first 800 or so miles after installation. And, yes, each pipe was properly installed and by experts mechanics associated with professional and amateur motorcycle racing teams.In the end, I figure how each of us customizes our own Vespa is a matter of taste and where we drive. At the same time, I do believe, or at least claim to believe, it's well worth considering what I discovered after a year spent experimenting with all the available upgrades. Happy trails to all. In mph, the 125cc would on a good day reach 60. Fully loaded Malossi 195 or so cc has reached 72 mph. The oomph is in the pick up.
0-to-60 is real quick and, if you go full throttle from the start, lean forward or it's wheelie time. I've no specific data on fuel consumption, but I'm pretty darn certain the bike is getting better mpg with the Sito Plus can than with the others mentioned previously.
The RPM/torque is the real bonus with the upgrade and there's no doubt about that. And the torque continues to kick in a tad past 60 mph, before leveling off.
Cutting speed down, say to 45 mph, the torque comes right back at you after rethrottling up. I suspect this has more to do with installing the Malossi gear than anything else, but I'm no expert in this arena. The handling is superb. It's the clear the Vespa chassis and frame is built to handle much more than stock 125cc or 150cc engine and standard gear ratios. Still, the problem is the rear pad braking system and its woeful response to the added speed and torque.
Hope that helps. Embarrassed to report that I'm a dinosaur and don't have a digital camera, so no 'scooter porn.'
The body stock blue/gray in color with no visible adds except Sito Plus. On the question of detailing all the upgrades.Bitubo shocks front and backFront chrome bumper187cc Malossi cylinder kitMalossi drive beltMalossi Multivar and weightsMalossi delta clutchMalossi power disk front brakeAnd driving a motorcycle or scooter in Paris is not as dicey as you may think, though I've been doing this for more than 20 years. Parisian car drivers are overwhelmingly friendly and considerate to us folks, and often ask us questions about Vespas when stopped at traffic lights.
It's the damn bicycle riders you have to worry about. I take the kids separately. I'm a newbie, and am just curious.Apart from apparent hobbyist's joy of tinkering with the thing, what are the practical benefits of doing all the spectrum of power updates vs. Just getting a next power level bike in a first place? Instead of reworking LX125/150 to be 180, get GT200 or so? Sounds to me that considering all the time and money efforts, more expensive power scooter at the end would go on par with the reworked one, but the more powerful scoot was already designed to handle that extra oomph properly? Again, I understand hobby part, just trying to find out if there is anything else behind this that I would like to know?
You ask a good question. The Vespa LX is a perfect size scooter for Paris and, once you've added a bit more power, it's even better. The GT-200, 250 and 250 with ABM brakes are also fine bikes, but for me, at least, they're somewhat too big for Paris, particularly since we here are allowed to ride between cars and can park pretty much wherever we like. Quite a few folks here drive GTs and the problems are few. I went with the LX and, prior to that, the ET4 and PX 200, because I'd spent most of my saddle time aboard a BMW 650. The question you've asked me was the same question I asked myself when turning in the BMW for a series of Vespas.
Why go with a GT-250 for mostly urban driving, when I've pretty much the same juice on a BMW 650. In the city, size does matter.
Piaggio Vespa Lx 150 Manual Download
On top of all that, it's a hell of a lotta fun playing the mechanics on a Vespa LX and it's a splendid-sized bike for my kids to learn on. That said, if I had to commute into a city via a highway, I'd go with a stock GT-250 with the ABS brakes. The problem with the PM pipe affects those of us who ride on pave or cobble stones, as well as along any rough road for an extended period of time.
And I don't believe there's any way of getting around that reality. The PM is wonderful on an open and pothole-free highway. From my own experience, the Sito Plus is built to perfectly fit a Vespa. As for the Leo Vinci pipe, I don't have the Web site readily available, but have seen photos and links somewhere on the forum.
Anyway, the questions and arguments that orbit around just which pipe is best for a Vespa completely hinges on the your riding environment. I wish the roads and traffic of Paris could sustain a PM or the other available cans. Sadly, they don't. A pm pipe damaged easily?mines been hammered for 20k in all weathers up and down the countryyou wanna get a fatter rear tyre. Those 10 inch tyres woll be seriously flying round at that speed.it'll increase your top end by a hell of a lot! What size/kind would you recommend?
Does it decrease the quality of the ride or anything? Whst about the front wheel? Can you upsize it as well? If you do upsize should you keep the larger front/smaller back combo or make them of equal size?Thanks! Wouldnt do the front wheel, it'll put our speedo out. Nice topic and has to continueI wanna upgrade my lx 150 10.000km '05I am thinking about these;1.malossi chili red oil filter2.jcosta variator (maybe polini or malossi ) I need some help on it3.malossi delta clutch (not necessary)4.
Tires5.belt ( original or kevlar) I dont know6.secondary (malossi)gear7.maybe bitubo front and rear susp.for look1.back and front baggage handler2.xenon h4I need your help from around the world thanksPlease help me about the combination. And what are you thinking about the list??Last edited by on Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:09 am; edited 1 time in total.
Nice topic and has to continueI wanna upgrade my lx 150 40.000km '05I am thinking about these;1.malossi chili red oil filter -2.jcosta variator (maybe polini or malossi ) I need some help on it3.malossi delta clutch (not necessary)4. Tires5.belt ( original or kevlar) I dont know6.secondary (malossi)gear7.maybe bitubo front and rear susp.for look1.back and front baggage handler2.xenon h4I need your help from around the world thanksPlease help me about the combination. And what are you thinking about the list?? The Malossi oil filter is red. That's its main advantage.Just get some lighter weights for your stock variator like 8.5gr.Delta Clutch.
Like you said, not necessary.Tires. I'd get a Zippy1 in the back and a michelin pilot in the front.Belt. Stick with stock.Secondary gear. Nice if you plan to do a lot of top speed riding, but slows you down around the city. Need a 187cc cylinder kit to pull the taller gears.Bitubos.
Suspension can really make a scooter feel reponsive and handle well.The number one performance modification you can make is the 187cc cylinder kit. That should be your number one priority. Thank you for your answerBut are you serious about 8.5gr weights are better than a j costa? I think it will reduce my topspeed:SI am changing my list in this way1.malossi chili red oil filter just for color2.jcosta variator vs.
Original w/8.5gr weights (I thing it will reduce my top speed or not?)3.malossi delta clutch cancelled4. Tires zippy1 and michelin pilot city5.belt original6.secondary (malossi)gear if I add malossi 187 cylinder kit ( which will give a little top speed after 187cc's tork)7.bitubo front and rear susp.Can you give me some info about prices like malossi 187?thanks again. The order in which I did my mods:190 cylinder kitMalossi variator and springSito + exhaustI'd advise against doing them all at once. Start with the cylinder kit—as Max says, biggest bang for your buck. Get used to it, then think about what sort of additional performance you want.
Always go into the next mod with realistic expectations and the understanding that after a certain point, the returns are low compared to cost and affect on reliability.I just replaced my Malossi variator with a Polini (after 9,000 miles on the Malossi) and really like it.Cheapest and easiest performance mod: mid-sized windscreen. Thank you for your answerBut are you serious about 8.5gr weights are better than a j costa? I think it will reduce my topspeed:SI am changing my list in this way1.malossi chili red oil filter just for color $14.952.jcosta variator vs. Original w/8.5gr weights (I thing it will reduce my top speed or not?)3.malossi delta clutch cancelled4. Tires zippy1 and michelin pilot city $64 / $64.955.belt original $59.956.secondary (malossi)gear if I add malossi 187 cylinder kit ( which will give a little top speed after 187cc's tork) $1277.bitubo front and rear susp. $269 / $219Can you give me some info about prices like malossi 187?
Raises the cc's from 125/150 up to 187. Gives much better acceleration and allows you to reach the higher top speeds that the upgear kit is capable of.thanks again See above for pricing. I'm not much of a fan of the J.Costa stuff.
The magazine reviews were never very favorable, and there have been mixed reviews here in MV. If it were my bike, I would just go with lighter weights. Either a 8.5 or 9.3 gram. Either that, or the Malossi or Polini variator. First of all.greeting from indonesia.I'm new and want more knowledge to built a better rideI Have LX125 and i feel that it's quite underpower, so i plan to go for upgrade (including changing the cylinder kit - variator - etc).
Since i'm still new with the engine things, even after reading these postings it still not clear up my confusion. So can one make a conclusion which upgrade will suit me the best if i were go for touring mode, (more power with a slight twist of throttle - the top speed doesn't really matter, maybe in Indonesia due to road condition the higher top speed will be 120kph). Well, thanks for your help.regards,Nobel. 120kmh is possible when we're doing it not in the city traffic. Anyway i'm not staying in either of those two cities you mentioned luckily hahahaha.
I'm in Makassar.Well, back to the topic, i change my mind, perhaps i'm not going to change my engine block yet since it's still new (800km). But i would like to have some suggestion of how to make the most out of the stock engine (perhaps by changing the variator, roller, clutch spring, etc) or anything that may help me to improve for:- Smooth Acceleration- higher top speedWell, thanks b4 for your replyregards.
Love this thread. Some serious enthusiasts here. Now I have had a PM pipe installed on my LXV 150 ie. I am on Los Angeles streets (doing my best to avoid potholes) and I've only had it on for a couple of hundred miles, but so far no problems. And it looks and sounds fantastic.My vendor and the mechanics there have discouraged me from the 187 cc Malossi upgrade, saying that it tends to blow up engines. But I do not get that impression from this thread. Still debating it.Good riding to you,Johnny52img/img.
Type: PDF, Size: 8.08MB, Price: US $9.90Complete service repair manual for Piaggio Vespa Lx-4t 150. Comes with comprehensive details regarding technical data, diagrams, a complete list of parts and pictures. Save money and enjoy fixing machines.Dwonload Service Repair Manual for Piaggio Vespa Lx-4t 150This highly detailed digital repair manual contains everything you will ever need to repair, maintain, rebuild, refurbish or restore your Piaggio Vespa Lx-4t 150.This is the same information the dealer technicians and mechanics use to diagnose and repair your bike.