VESPA PX Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

The Vespa PX125 has essentially remained unchanged since its introduction in 1977, but it doesn't feel 35 years old. Subtle changes to keep the Vespa up to date and to get it through Euro 3 emissions regulations mean it feels similar to a modern scooter, only with a two-stroke, manual engine. It doesn't handle like a sportsbike - but a Vespa is all about looking cool, not going fast. Remember that and it can be great fun.

A two-stroke engine is a rare thing for any bike or scooter over 50cc today, so the 123cc two-stroke powering the PX125 is a welcome change of pace. It needs to be revved to get the best from it - trying to accelerate in too high a gear results in the motor bogging down. But keep the motor spinning and the PX will whisk happily along on a cloud of blue smoke.

The Vespa T5 it is a 125cc, single cylinder, 2 stroke scooter which was manufactured by Piaggio. The Vespa T5 was a true sporting scooter featuring an improved 5 port aluminum cylinder design allowing for greatly improved power and cooling, and higher revs, compared to its largeframe cousin, the PX. The squarish (55 x 52 mm) and lightweight piston design was aimed for high revs, as was the aluminum cylinder with Nikasil plating, the lightened flywheel, and the shorter 24mm carburetor (Dell'orto 24/24 G), all introduced with the model.

In the mid-70s the basic Vespa design had been refined almost as far as it was able to go. However, changing consumer tastes, and new technologies, coupled with tightened regulations meant that Piaggio realised that it was time to totally re-design the Vespa chassis. The result was the P-series. It was such a large break from the previous style and design philosophy that many hard-core scooterists did not consider the P-series to be true Vespas, even well into the 90's. It is a debate that still continues, though the influx of new automatic scooters has tempered it and helped propel the P-series into the ranks of the classics.

Launched in 1977 and sold in over two million units, the Vespa PX of 125, 150 and 200cc is the biggest sales success in the entire history of the Vespa company.