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SPECS · PICS · RATING
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Review of the 2005 Vespa Granturismo 200 L:Vespa´s main road cruiser |
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Author: Jonjo, 2005-07-29, viewed 388 times. | ||||||
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For: style, solidity, comfort, economy Against: ground clearance, switchgear | ||||||
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I bought my Gt200 new just over a year ago, having owned an ET4 until passing the bike test. After the ET4, the Gt200 feels slightly bigger, and of course the urge on take-off is a revelation after a 125. I use the bike daily to do a forty mile round trip, and I can say that ther troubles have been very few. The only unexpected difficulties have been with the switches. Every one has had to be dismantled, contacts cleaned, silicone greased and then reassembled. I think the problem is water ingress causing corrosion of the contacts. The worst one of these, causing the most difficulty and embarrasment was the engine kill switch. The corrosion in this prevented the engine from starting whilst I was out on a trip. Flicking it off and on a couple of times got me going again on the day. As a machine to ride, the bike is a honey. The steel construction makes it feel rock solid, and it is comfortable for extended journeys. The weather protection is good, except for frozen fingers in the winter. I cured this problem with a pair of electrically heated inner gloves. Compared to the ET4, obviously the extra grunt of the 200cc´s is safer, meaning one can ride at 60 or 70 pretty well anywhere. Another improvement is in handling. My ET4 used to tackle left handers better than right handers, but there is no difference with the Gt. This may be because the Gt has spring/damper units on both sides of the rear wheel, unlike the ET4 which has a suspender only on the left. The Gt has a sidestand that I use all the time, very handy. The downside is that this stand is easy to ground on tight left hand turns, and no, my middle name is not Valentino Rossi! I get 80 miles to the gallon with the Gt, whereas the 125 used to give 75. The 125 was harry flatters at 56 mph, where the 200 is ambling at 60. Like the ET4, it eats rear tyres, consuming one every 5000 kilometres. Paintwork, badges and other twinkly bits are bearing up well under the strain of Brits**t roads and all the dross that is sprinkled on them. Servicing is OK, except that I can´t see anyway of removing the cam cover for valve clearance checks without part dropping the motor. Any suggestions here would be welcome. I did the belt at 12000 k´s. Unlike the 125, rollers, clutch shoes and springs seem to last very well, with none needing replacement yet, at 17000k´s Would I buy another? a couple of months ago I would have said a definite yes, but now that Piaggio have launched that 250..... |
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