Cannonball Scooter Run By kz1000st (Read 1,098 times)

[kz1000st]

www.scootercannonball.com/results/2016Updates.php

First, that really isn't a Reflex in first place, it's an old Helix. Second the SMax 155cc has been hard for the Vespa guys to even get close to and third, the guy in third is about the best representative the Vespa crowd has and he's been riding his heart out and is still getting beat.

It's just that a Vespa isn't up to the task the way a Japanese scooter is.

[cyborg]

Super hard race,,,gotta be fast and very reliable,,,and the smaxx is Taiwanese ,,,nothing can touch them for now anyways,,,the Chinese will come into their own in another 4-5 years,,then they will be a serious contender,,I didn't look to see what year the Vespa was that is in third,,,funny all the modern ones have Taiwanese engines as well

[kz1000st]

Bill Leuthold is in third place on a 2007 Vespa GT. I had to laugh at his mentioning that the SMax was running him down from behind in the event. Shouldn't a 250cc scooter be able to out distance a 155cc scooter? It's pretty revealing that a Yamaha is as fast as a much more expensive Italian scooter.

[cyborg]

The stuff coming from Taiwan is flat out awesome,,,infinitely superior for now,,but you pay for it Taiwanese scooters are a very large buy in,,,triple and more msrp's of a comparable Chinese bike,,,don't get me wrong Chinese bikes can perform but not at the same level,,,that's why you don't see any of them as entries in the cannonball ,,,they simply are not up to the task,,,not even heavily breathed on ones,,,,materials are not up to it,,,,you'll see by the time the Chinese scoots catch up to the rest of the world their msrp's will be right there with them,,,,,,,

[jaxrhapsody]

Jul 16, 2016 15:49:02 GMT -6 kz1000st said:

Bill Leuthold is in third place on a 2007 Vespa GT. I had to laugh at his mentioning that the SMax was running him down from behind in the event. Shouldn't a 250cc scooter be able to out distance a 155cc scooter? It's pretty revealing that a Yamaha is as fast as a much more expensive Italian scooter.

at the shop I'm working at, there a is an Aprilia, that's a 150, fuel injected, and supossedly does 80mph.

[kz1000st]

Jul 16, 2016 19:22:15 GMT -6 jaxrhapsody said:

at the shop I'm working at, there a is an Aprilia, that's a 150, fuel injected, and supossedly does 80mph.

Early Aprilia 150s had Rotax engines and were wicked fast. Later models had the more pedestrian Vespa Leader 150 and aren't as intense.

[Kaveman]

OK my 2 cents worth since I do ride a licensed Vespa PX series copy with a Vespa 200cc 2 cycle engine under the seat ( home built): Older Vespa's are in a class of its own ! It's what got the scooter scene going for the masses long ago. The newer 4 cycle vespas are a different matter . Having previously had a Chinese 4 cycle scoot I'll stick with the older Vespa's for now . Especially after having put my 2T down ( accident) and picking it right up afterwards and keep going with only slight metal damage to the scoot itself . Something Taiwanise and Chinese scoots can't get close to when in an accident .
willc.

[jct842]

I would like to run into a 2stroke vespa at a garage sale. I think they are some what like a harley, used are over priced. Never owned a vespa. The older ones have a lot of class. I suppose after the epa got after them and then came 4stroke engines the class has pretty much disappeared.

I just hate plastic body panels. They remind me of fixing my kids toys 50 years ago when plastic was just coming into use big time. Sure wish I had saved my first scooter from when I was 16. I don't think there was an once of plastic on it. Had the classic tub body, one screw or bolt and lift it all up to see and service the engine. Just like a car, open the hood! Just did another oil change on the klx, Thats a 5 min job including a new oil filter.

[cyborg]

Look into a Stella ,, I love mine,,, 95% metal,, the only 2 things plastic on the bike,,, the top gauge cover and the horn cover,,,has a push button seat lock,, glove box door latch ,, two levers to remove side covers so easy access to the engine and everything else on the other side,, I can take a cover fully off put it on my bench pick it up and get it back on in less than 30 seconds,,,if I find another that's reasonable enough I'll grab it ,,,& giant AND they have Gerling shocks front and back stock,,,and the way they pivot the engine the ride is dam near a motorcycle without the bucking and sharp jolts you got with the yamaha

[kz1000st]

I just think it's sort of strange that an '86 Helix stuck it to the field and that a 155cc Yamaha impressed the 250cc owners with its speed.

My favorite Cannonball was 2012.

www.scootercannonball.com/results/2012Updates.php

The guy with the 1946 Salsbury snuck in with a 250 Ninja motor under the hood and waxed the field. Suffice it to say they altered handicaps to make that difficult again.

[jct842]

Shame they have to alter rules to keep just one out. In 2012 the whole field could have ran a 2 cyl engine if they saw fit to do so. But they still allow a 400cc scooter to compete against much smaller ones.

[cyborg]

I can garranty the helix or reflex is a ringer,,, fully balanced and blueprinted,, and there is nothing wrong with that,,, the guy who shoe horned the motorcycle engine and trans,, that's a stretch,,, when I had the Vespa et4 bug,, I thought about a honda 350 4 cylinder transplant,, but the thought passed and I came to my senses,,, I'll keep my scooters scooters and my motorcycles just that,,, my age must be showing,,, I just don't want to reinvent the wheel again,,,

[jct842]

It seems there are just two ways to get involved in the cannon ball, one to win and the other just to ride in it=======Some people get carried away with competition.

I think it would be a blast to stuff a motorcycle engine in one of the tub style scooters with a real quite muffler.