Piaggio Zip Explained

Piaggio Zip
Aka:Gilera Easy Moving
Puch Zip (Netherlands)
Manufacturer:Piaggio
Production:1992–present
Assembly:Madrid, Spain
Pontedera, Italy
Foshan, China
Vĩnh Phúc, Vietnam
Class:Scooter
Engine:50cc
100cc
125cc
Ignition:Capacitor discharge electronic ignition (CDI)
Transmission:CVT automatic; gear final drive
Frame:Tubular steel spine
Brakes:Front; disc
Rear; expanding drum
Fuel Capacity:4L (1st gen)
7.5L (2nd gen)
Sp:UK

The Piaggio Zip is a scooter that is manufactured by Piaggio. All Zip models have a CVT automatic transmission, sometimes referred to as a twist & go transmission due to its lack of gears and use of an automatic centrifugal clutch, sharing several components with other models in the range. Several companies such as Malossi, Polini and PM Tuning offer an extensive catalogue of tuning parts for the 50 cc and 125  models.

History

The first generation Zip was only available as a 49cc two stroke. The base Zip model was air-cooled, with early models equipped with drum brakes front and rear. The Zip SP model was water-cooled and had single sided front suspension. The fuel tank had a capacity of 4L A 70cc machine based on the Zip SP with a 16bhp Malossi equipped engine was raced by a young Leon Haslam to win the 1997 Gilera Scooter Championship title.

In 2000 Piaggio introduced a redesigned Zip model range. These are sometimes referred to as the Zip 2000 or Zip Cat models. It had a height adjustable seat, lockable glove box and underseat storage with room for a full face helmet.

The base 50 cc version was once again a two-stroke but the engine was now the updated Hi-Per2 unit. The Zip SP had the water-cooled Hi-Per2 Pro engine and single sided front suspension. In the UK the 50 cc models were sold in restricted form to comply with moped licence regulations. The restriction was done by the use of a washer to prevent the variator from using its full range and a blank pipe from the exhaust to reduce power. The Zip model was the best selling powered two wheeled vehicle (by registrations) in the UK in 2001.In addition to the two-stroke variants a four stroke 124cc model was also made available. The Zip 125 had an air-cooled two-valve variant of the Piaggio group's LEADER (Low Emissions ADvanced Engine Range) engine. The 125 model was also equipped with side lights.

In late 2005 a four stroke Hi-Per4 equipped 49 cc Zip 50 4t was announced. The 4t was restricted for some markets via electronics, a washer in the front transmission pulley and a smaller main jet.

A four-stroke Hi-Per4 100cc model, the Zip 100, was made available in March 2006 in some markets.

In november 2017 the “2018 Model Year” introduces the new Piaggio 50 I-Get air-cooled, three-valve, four-stroke, engine Euro 4 approved. The new range is composed by the "basic" Zip and sporty Zip S versions which differ in the bodywork colours [1] In 2021 the I-Get engine has been re-homologated to Euro 5.

Specifications

ZipZip SPZip Cat/2tZip SP (2000)Zip 4tZip 100Zip 125
Year introduced19952000200520062001
Engine typetwo-strokefour-stroke
align=left Cooling typeair-cooledwater-cooledair-cooledwater-cooledair-cooled
align=left Engine familyHi-PER 1Hi-PER 1Hi-PER 2Hi-PER 2 ProHi-PER 4Hi-PER 4LEADER
align=left Emissions standardEuro 1Euro 1Euro 2Euro 2Euro 2Euro 3Euro 3
Engine Capacity49.4cc49.4cc49.4cc49.4cc49.9cc96.2cc124 cc?
Bore x Stroke (mm)40mm39.3mm40mm39.3mm40mm39.3mm40mm39.3mm39mm41.8mm50mm49mm57mm48.6mm
TransmissionContinuously variable transmission (CVT)
Dry weight71kg (157lb)77kg (170lb)95kg (209lb)[2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EICMA 2017: i modelli 50 cc del gruppo Piaggio dedicati ai più giovani. 6 November 2017. 14 June 2021.
  2. Book: Mather, Phil. Twist and Go (automatic transmission) Scooters: 50 to 250 cc. Haynes. 2004. Data 49–Data 51. 978-1844250820.