Which Italian 150 to Make 181cc

[pinkscoot]

So I'm in the mood to do another $T big bore kit on one of my 150's and I think its a no brainer but instead of just doing what I think I thought I'd see what the forum thinks, Here are the specs on the 2 scooters:


Scooter A
150 Engine - Single cylinder, 149.6cc, 4 stroke, SOHC, 2-valve, air cooled Piaggio LEADER
Carbureted
236 pound dry weight
69" long
10" wheels
front disc rear drum breaks
Very quick and nimble around town

Scooter B
Engine: 151cc Rotax, 4-valve, 4-stroke, liquid cooled single
Carburated
307 pounds dry weight
80" long
16" wheels
Front disc rear disc
Very quick but a little less nimble but loves pot holes

Both kits are the same price. Scooter B has a upgraded cam available but heavier springs are recommended. Up gears would be called for and are the same price. People who have done this to Scooter A do say they can get to 65MPH. Not much info for on scooter B but  I would guess 70MPH at least. So you all are welcome to weigh in with your opinions or experiences.
  

[aeroxbud]

But small wheeled scooters look cooler.🤔

[tiny]

I would go with ScooterB but I'm in a rural area with Alot of broken pavement. 16" rims and longer wheel base are great at making it smoother.

[pinkscoot]

Oct 23, 2020 16:13:45 GMT -5 aeroxbud said:

But small wheeled scooters look cooler.🤔

And its red so it will be faster.

[oldgeek]

I know nothing of 4T's but Scooter B sounds cooler with the ROTAX motor, So I would bump it up. The Piggy with 10" wheels is likely already enough to handle as it is?

[GrumpyUnk]

I'd go with door "B". Likely a better machine from the start, better quality components. A four-valve head is what many of the current small-engine vehicles use(that and a turbo or two). The extra valves allow more airflow, so they can breathe better. Given that, increasing displacement will take better advantage of that 'head start' than it would on a regular two-valve head. At least that's what I think.
Being liquid cooled, you can go through the jetting process and get it tuned to where it should be good throughout the seasons, eliminating the need to fiddle as the ambient average changes. In short it will run better over different temperature ranges. The large wheels will also afford better ride, and you won't go so deep into some potholes as you would with a ten inch wheel. A longer wheelbase should also give less frenetic steering, it won't be so 'jittery' as a shorter wheelbase at a given speed.
Your choice, of course. Which machine do you LIKE better? Is the 'nimble' worth the touchy steering at high speed and susceptibility to road imperfectins compared to the slower, less responsive machine? The latter seems more of a cruiser, the former a nimble traffic machine, though I am loathe to fiddle around in traffic as I fear most drivers don't give a fig about others, and even less about people 'naked out there on two wheels'. THEY make good targets...
tom

[pinkscoot]

Tom, you have laid out my feelings as well. Scooter A is my Vespa ET4 I can get it to 55-60mph and I'm terrified and paying very close attention to the roadway ahead of me.  It is fast enough. It's like having a fast 50cc scooter. Scooter B is the Aprilia Scarabeo 150, I have had it to 60 and it was happy to be there. When I ride it I have to watch my speed because I don't feel it. It also doesn't owe me anything, I think I have $300 in it including the tip I gave the guy who gave it to me. Now I just need to sell the TGB for the money to buy the go faster parts.

[jloi]

" Scooter A is my Vespa ET4 I can get it to 55-60mph and I'm terrified and paying very close attention to the roadway ahead of me. It is fast enough"

I don't really count cause I don't qualify as a full fledged scooterer or big bike guy- terrified is the key word for me . I could wish I had something with 16" wheels . I would be fine out on the salt flats with these 13's - but other idiots - not all that fun at speed with small tires .

my top speed was about 53 mph - at those speeds , with 13" tires , personally , sometimes my mind can just see worse case scenarios and I have to stop myself from thinking that way . be more positive .

like you said - no brainer - for me - B

[GrumpyUnk]

When I fixed one up and took it for a ride.... I got going, on a slight down hill grade........... and became really AWARE of the speed I was going. Decided right then that a scoot with 10" wheels/tires was NOT the one to use for a top speed run. I felt as if it was at or beyond its margin of safety. It just did not feel 'right', so I didn't repeat that again.
tom

[pinkscoot]

One thing about the Vespas is that they are well engineered and 55 on 10"wheels isn't as bad as my pink scoot on 10' wheels at 40.

[aeroxbud]

I found that on my Mrs Habana, with the Vespa engine. It felt ok flat out about 60mph. The engine wasn't very happy though!
Mind You It was a very long scooter.