Vespa PK

The Vespa PK Series is a range of scooters manufactured by Piaggio under the Vespa brand.[1]

History

The Vespa PK was first presented in 1982 at Intermot Cologne as the replacement for the 50 and primavera line models that had been in production since the late 1960s. The PK range of models continued production till 1996. It was built with two drum brakes, a single-cylinder air cooled engine, electronic ignition and a steel chassis,It was originally distributed as Vespa PK50, PK S 50, PK125 and PK125S. For export outside Italy PK80 and PK100 versions were also produced.

A Sporting version of the 125 PK the PK125 ETS was displayed at the 1983 EICMA show in Milan.

In 1983 the first Vespa with automatic transmission, the 125 PK S Automatica was displayed at the 1983 EICMA show in Milan.In 1984 at Intermot Cologne show a 50cc version was presented -For export outside Italy PK80 Automatica and PK100 Automatica versions were also produced.

At EICMA in 1985 for 1986 a restyle for the original PK followed as the PK50 XL and XLS , PK125 XL and XLS and 50 XL Plurimatic models were presented. A 125cc version of the plurimatic followed in 1987.

To take advantage of new Italian traffic regulations the rated power of the PK 50 XL Rush was increased to 2.3 hp. This was introduces in 1987 at Eicma

For the new decade a third restyle of the PK was introduced as the Vespa PK50N and PK50N Speedmatic

In 1992 the final versions of the line were introduced as the FL2 (face lift) .

Comparison of Various PK Models

PK 50 PK 50S PK 50S Automatica PK 80 PK 100 PK 125 PK 125S PK 125S Automatica PK 125 ETS PK 50 XL/XLS PK 50 XL Plurimatic PK 50 XLS Plurimatic PK 125 XL/XLS PK 125 XL Plurimatic PK 50 Rush PK 50 N PK 50 N Speedmatic PK 50 FL2 PK 50 FL2 Speedmatic PK 125 FL2 PK 125 FL2 Plurimatic
Years in Production 1982–1986 1982–1986 1984–1986 1982- 1982–1986 1982–1986 1983–1986 1984–1985 1986–1989 1986–1989 1986–1989 1986–1990 1987–1990 1988–1990 1989–1991 1989–1991 1992–1996 1992–1996 1991–1996 1991–1996
Prefix V5X1T V5X2T VAS1T V8X5T V9X2T VMX1T VMX5T VAZM1T VMS1T V5X3T VA52T VA53T VMX6T VVM1T V5X4T V5X5T V5P1T V5X5T V5P1T VMX7T VMX7T
Engine Type Air-cooled, single-cylinder, two-stroke engine
Bore x Stroke (mm) 38,4 × 43 38,4 × 43 38,4 × 43 44,5 × 51 49 × 51 55 × 51 55 × 51 55 × 51 55 × 51 38,4 × 43 38,4 × 43 38,4 × 43 55 × 51 55 × 51 38,4 × 43 38,4 × 43 38,4 × 43 38,4 × 43 38,4 × 43 55 × 51 55 × 51
Engine Capacity 49,79 cm3 49,79 cm3 49,79 cm3 79 cm3 96,2 cm3 121,1 cm3 121,1 cm3 121,1 cm3 121,1 cm3 49,79 cm3 49,79 cm3 49,79 cm3 121,1 cm3 121,1 cm3 49,79 cm3 49,79 cm3 49,79 cm3 49,79 cm3 49,79 cm3 121,1 cm3 121,1 cm3
Power in kW (BHP) 1.5HP@

4500/min

1.5HP@

4500/min

1.5HP@

4500/min

5.4HP@

6000/min

3,9 kW (5,3 PS) 6.8HP@

5600/min

6.8HP@

5600/min

7.5HP@

6200/min

8.5HP@

6200/min

2HP@

5500/min

2HP@

5500/min

2HP@

5500/min

6.8HP@

5600/min

6.8HP@

5600/min

2.3HP@

4500/min

2.2HP@

5000/min

2.5HP@

6250/min

2.5HP@

6250/min

2.5HP@

6250/min

8.2HP@

6200/min

8.2HP@

6200/min

Transmission Four-speed manual, grip shift Automatic Four-speed manual, grip shift Automatic Four-speed manual, grip shift Automatic Four-speed manual, grip shift Automatic Four-speed manual, grip shift Automatic Four-speed manual, grip shift Automatic Four-speed manual, grip shift Automatic
Top Speed 40 km/h 40 km/h 40 km/h 77 km/h 86 km/h 90 km/h 90 km/h 97 km/h 50 km/h 50 km/h 50 km/h 90 km/h 90 km/h 40 km/h 40 km/h 40 km/h 40 km/h 40 km/h 100 km/h 100 km/h
Colours White, Red, Blue, Green White, Red, Blue, Green White, Red, Blue White, Red, Green White, Red, Green Blue, Grey Red, Grey/black stripes White, Red, Blue, Green White, Red, Blue White, Red, Blue Red, Grey/black stripes White, Red White, Red White, Green White, Green White White White White
Production Total 16,411 220,477 2,121 7,278 61,505 10,024 11,711 192,418 4,989 1,670 53,750 61,069 43,478 4,924

References

  1. ^ Sarti, Giorgio (31 March 2023). Vespa: All The Models (Updated Edition) (2nd ed.). Giorgio Nada Editore. pp. 125–131. ISBN 9788879118101.