2001 Italjet Torpedo 125CC

be found toiling faithfully all over the globe, carrying everything from an
assortment of family members, boxes, bags and baskets, to goats and assorted
livestock. The comparison is not meant to offend, it is in fact a complement
because the little Honda can probably lay claim to the title of ‘most popular
motorcycle in history'. What is this thing?
This is a step thru scooter, powered by a Piaggio four stroke, air cooled OHC
engine displacing 150cc and making 9.2 kW @ 7,500 rpm and 13 Nm of torque @
6500 rpm. Wheels are considerably larger than others in Italjet's range,
featuring a 90/80 16 front and a 110/80 14 at the rear. As with most modern
scooters, a centrifugal clutch means that getting going is just twist the
throttle and go. Starting is by either electric or kick. In addition to under
the seat storage the Torpedo can lay claim to having a paper tray, and a clock.
Surprisingly,the Torpedo is a good thing. Being four stroke there's more bottom end power at
small throttle openings than some of the two strokes, and that endows the bike
with enough acceleration to keep up with or ahead of the traffic. Top speed is
an asthmatic 90 kph, although that shouldn't be much of a problem as taking the
thing on the freeway would have to rate on the stupid scale along with scuba
diving with seals and expecting sharks to know the difference between diver and
dinner. Steering is light, and best of all, the bike is beautifully stable due to the wheels being
large enough to generate some gyroscopic effect. The Torp's 35mm forks and
single shock swinging arm do a reasonable job in keeping the wheels on the
ground and isolating the rider from the bumps, lumps and potholes that threaten
to swallow scooters with smaller wheels and worse suspension. Overall ride
quality is one of the Torpedos strengths and you could really quite enjoy the
trip to work/shops whatever.
Brakes are single 220mm disc up front, and 140mm drum at the rear, and do an excellent
job. Admittedly there's not a lot of weight to pull up, but the feel is
controlled and there's nothing to fear in pulling up quickly.
If there's a gripe to be made it's with the leg room, or lack of it to be precise. I'm sure
that anyone under 165cm will be fine, but over that and there just isn't enough
room to get your legs inside the foot well without having your knees sticking
out and looking like a mobile Melbourne Cup. The seat itself is big and plush,
and more than comfy enough for the kind of distances that will be undertaken.