Manufacturer Piaggio Class Road Compression ratio 11.3/1 | Predecessor Vespa PX Bore / stroke 55×52 mm | |
 | ||
Engine 125 2-stroke, single cylinder, air-cooled | ||
The Vespa T5 was 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. This revised engine had about as much horsepower as a PX200, albeit at higher revs, at the expense of torque.
Like classic Vespas, the scooter had full steel body panels and weighed around 112 kg dry. The engine was housed in the rear right side on a swing-arm and the left side housed a spare wheel. The rear brake was operated by a right foot pedal.
On UK, and some entry-level Spanish and Italian models, premixing of 2 stroke oil was required; on French and German (and as an option in others) markets, autolube was standard, and accompanied by an electric start setup not available on base models.
The Vespa T5 had CDI ignition. Depending on the market, it either had no battery and all electrical components were powered by magneto after starting the engine. (UK, base models in Spain and Italy), or if a battery was fitted, it had an electric starter, and fuel gauge as well as horn were powered directly by DC (battery).
The T5 exceeded a top speed of 100KPH as standard, easily comparing to the Vespa PX200; but its dependence on revs and relative lack of torque made it pale in adverse conditions, and/or with a pillion.
The T5 was sold in three generations:
- Vespa T5 Mk1 Cosmetically, the Vespa T5 Mk1 featured a rectangular head light, an updated headset console which included a fuel level indicator and a digital or analog tachometer (depending on market), a flat rear end (achieved by adding the "square tail" sheet to a PX body), and a redesigned seat to complete the look. The scooter had a classic 4 speed manual left hand twist grip gear change, a kick starter, and a front storage compartment with a black tray atop it, adorned with a "Pole Position", logo, designed to underline its sportiness.
- Vespa T5 Classic The T5 Classic had a standard Vespa PX frame but kept the T5 engine.
- Vespa T5 Millennium The T5 Millennium saw the addition of a front disk brake.