Rumormill: LML to produce Vespa PX clones with 4 stroke engines?
A few years ago, Bajaj stopped making their Chetak and Legend scooters, and since then there has been a dinstinct lack of any steel-bodied, manual transmission, 4-stroke scooters on the market. Genuine Scooters has begun selling their Stella scooter again after a short absence and Vespa themselves re-released 500 of the PX150 model to the American market, but both of those machines feature 2-stroke engines. Bajaj made some pretty compelling claims regarding the emissions improvement of their 4-stroke engine as compared to the original 2-stroke powerplants like those used in the Stella and PX150, so scooter riders who feel the need to ride "green" machines have been forced to scour the used market or buy a newer "twist and go" style model. There are a few rumors circulating, though, which could change all of that. The Stella scooter is made in India by a company called LML, and that same company may begin creating four-stroke, steel-bodied scooters using an as yet unnamed 4-stroke motor ranging from 125cc, 150cc and even 250cc versions.
If LML does start making 4-stroke Vespa PX clones, we can foresee a huge market for them in the States. We would love to see Genuine Scooters offer these models alongside their current range of Stella scooters, keeping the vintage designs in dealer showrooms for years to come.
[Source: 2-Stroke Buzz]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jay 4:55PM (3/05/2008)
Why is steel bodied better? More durable? Retro-chic? It must be heavier than plastic i.e. less mpg.
Reply
GenWaylaid 4:54PM (3/06/2008)
It's retro. That's pretty much it. I discovered the hard way that metal scooter parts are more difficult to repair/replace after minor crash damage.
Reply
Captain Obvious 11:51PM (3/07/2008)
The benefits of a metal frame are quite obvious. A crash on a plastic vehicle involves little bits all over the road and complete replacement of a body panel(s). There isn't any "repairing" of plastic. A metal frame may just result in scratches and dents in a minor accident. Metal can be pounded and welded back into shape for as long as that metal sticks around. How long will they make those plastic scooter body panels? A few years? Maybe? In 20-30 years from now you will still be able to repair metal. The plastic frame won't even last that long. Plus, the plastic looks and feels cheap and ugly. If you want a disposable vehicle, buy tupperware.
Reply