Italjet Torpedo

The Torp' owes more than a passing nod to the ubiquitous Honda step thru that can 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. The clock I can understand but a paper tray?

What's it like to ride?
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.

Summing up
If it weren't for the leg room the Torpedo would be a top little bike. It's not really a scooter, nor is it a motorcycle, it's a step thru, which as far as I'm concerned is a plus. The finish on the thing looks like it'll be durable and the miserly four stroke engine gives it an amazing range for its eleven litre fuel capacity. I have no doubt that it'll be reliable and go on for ever providing cheap transport should make the air con'd box redundant. Which leaves the way it looks, hmmmm..kinda retro, but kind of new era chic. I liked it, question is, will the public?