Bigger, Better Vespa

BIGGER, BETTER VESPA

Not so many months ago, Piaggio looked set to steamroll the entire Italian motorcycle industry. Having already bought Derbi and Gilera, it went after the Cagiva Group and legendary holding MV Agusta. That buyout failed for several reasons, but Europe’s largest maker of two-wheeled motor vehicles is still turning out new product. The latest is the Vespa 200 GT, the biggest, fastest and most comfortable model ever to wear the scripted logo. History did not allow any substantial detours from basic Vespa styling and technical landmarks. Nevertheless, the stamped sheet-metal unibody is nearly 300 percent more torsionally rigid than that of the best previous unit, with larger-diameter 12-inch wheels join-

ing disc brakes, the front teamed with a four-piston caliper. One feature not allowed to evolve beyond minor refinements is the trailing-link front suspension. The arm itself has grown in length and the coii-over shock is of a higher quality, but trailing link it was and trailing link it will stay.

Roomy enough for 6-footers, the 304-pound GT is fast off the line, has good throttle response and plenty of torque at any rpm. No surprise, given the fact that it’s powered by a liquid-cooled, sohc, fourvalve, 200cc Single (a 125cc version is also offered). Overall, the GT is fun, at home around town and, thanks to its 75-mph top speed, capable even on the open road. -Bruno de Prato