From "Wings" to "Wasps"
Written: Aug 22 '03 (Updated Aug 22 '03)
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Pros: Simplicity
Powerful for displacement
Pleasant Appearance
Attention grabber
Cons: Small Wheels
Vibrations
The Bottom Line: This is not a Wing, but then a Wing is not a Vespa. Used for local commutes, this is a fun ride.
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| brojees's Full Review: 1977 to 1981 Vespa P200E |
I have had wind in my face for my entire life. Toured Japan extensively on a Honda CB450, the USA on a Honda CB750 and later a series of Wings. I have raced motocross 250cc & 360cc (Yamaha). Ridden trials, (Bultaco Sherpa T). Also have had a sucession of varied transportation bikes.
Recently my Da bequeathed me his purchased new 1979 P 200E with sidecar. His age finally mandated he park the wee beasty and he felt it better that it be kept rolling.
My son and I loaded it up in his pickup and brought it down to Houston where we could decide what to do with it. I live in Venezuela in a small village where scooters are quite common. Before returning home, I stripped it down and put it in good working order. This included pulling the head and cleaning the carbon from the piston top and the combustion chamber, (A very easy and highly recommended process). Did not bother tagging and inspecting it as our thoughts werew we would be shipping it south to Venezuela.
As luck would have it, I receivedf a project offer in Houston recently and returned here where the Vespa is my only immediately available transportation unless I short term a car rental. Why not, I have ridden bikes all my life, how much different could this wee toy be?
Ny son dropped the Vespa and I off at the insurance office on his way to work. $46.00 later I was insured and heading a few blocks over to be inspected. Quickly inspected it was off to the plate office to a lively discussion on how few characters are in the VIN. After finally reaching an accord, it was ;egal at last and off I went to west Houston to see about my project. Westr HOuston, well you head straight out Interstate 10! Right? WRONG!!
Although the beasty did rev up to 60mph, it was on one ramp and right back off the next. Sorry, but I like the gyroscopic effect of larger wheels on two wheel steeds when I hit freeway speeds.
So I took to an another east west surface street and found this wee beasty is actually fun! Once you get used to the sitting atop your machine instead of down and wrapped around it, you can settle back and enjoy a fairly comfortable ride. Keep the speed within reason on surface streets, leave the freeways alone and you are fine.
Now I know I will have someone quickly tell me how they ride the freeway everyday. Fine, I will say a prayer for you while I scoot happily around the surface streets.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1200.00
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1979
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Epinions.com ID:
brojees
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Reviews written: 1
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