When Vespa and Lambretta dominate scooters markets in Europe in the mid to late 1950s, the world was more familiar with both of these brands. So dominant, two names that are considered legendary without competitors. In fact, in reality, many scooter makers competitors.
Apparently influence of the Italian made scooters success also spread quickly to Russia. In that time Russia still bears the name of Soviet Union also was recorded produce scooters ever. Here is some classic scooter ever made in Soviet Union era,
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| Soviet Union-made scooter named Tula 200. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Km4Sfz) |
Apparently influence of the Italian made scooters success also spread quickly to Russia. In that time Russia still bears the name of Soviet Union also was recorded produce scooters ever. Here is some classic scooter ever made in Soviet Union era,
1. Vyatka
In 1953, Soviet engineers began designing the scooter production. This scooter is intended to meet the transportation needs of the Soviet people. To expedite the project, the Soviet government appointed Vyatka Industry company to begin production of scooters. Actually Vyatka Industry is the war tools factory. They want a scooter like the Vespa 150 but with a better quality and also has good resistance to Russian harsh cold weather.
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| 1957 Vyatka VP-150. (Picture from: http://www.autosoviet.altervista.org/) |
Beginning in 1957, the Soviets began the scooter mass production. This scooter is labeled Vyatka VP-150, which is 15 percent lighter than Vespa. The scooter full name is Moped Vyatka. The scooter's engine was contrived in Vyatskiye Polyansky. Indeed, this scooter is very similar to Italian scooters, 1955 Vespa 150GS. So it is not surprising if there are states that Vyatka was copy it from the Vespa.
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| Vyatka V-150M Electron. (Picture from: http://www.autosoviet.altervista.org/) |
However Vyatka has greater power than the Vespa, because it uses the 148 cc engine capacity, whose combined with the 4-speed manual transmission. This scooter also can be accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 10 seconds. Besides the Vyatka scooter is also easy to be assembled, and modified. And no less important, the scooter is already completed with electric starter, which is a rare technology at that time.
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| Vyatka V-150M Electron. (Picture from: http://www.autosoviet.altervista.org/) |
From 1960 to 1975, Vyatka produced more than 1.5 million units. Scooter is like to be an icon of motor vehicles in the eastern bloc countries. The Vyatka's mainstay slogan is "Gives you as comfortable as driving a car and low price should the price of a bike."
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| Vyatka Electron 3. (Picture from: http://www.autosoviet.altervista.org/) |
In December 1965, the Vyatka released the V-150M scooter. The new version has been widely revised and then it is called Electron. In late 1966, this Vyatka production is stopped. And in 1974, Vyatka launched a new variant of Vyatka-Electron that is equipped with the new ignition model, and one way electricity. Technically the Vyatka more powerful engine (power up to 7.5 hp), more faster (up to 80 kph) and is more economical and fuel-efficient (less than 3 liters per 100 km). The current price also dropped to 280 rubles, which makes it affordable for the modest family.
2. Tula
Not only Vyatka, there is one other scooter brand that ever made by a Russian named "Tula" (Tula Motorzikly Zavod) made in the city of Tula. which were introduced in 1955. This scooter at a similar Heinkel Tourist, a German-made scooter. And at around the 1960s many of the Tula scooters used by Soviet community.
Compared to Vyatka, Tula scooters have a heavier weight and greater power anyway. Tula scooters popular among ordinary people, where the farmers can buy this vehicle with a cheaper price because it subsidized by the state.
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| 1962 Tulitza 200M. (Picture from: http://automotomuseum.vl.ru/) |
To fulfill the wishes of the farmers and ranchers, the Tula Muravey variant was launched. This scooter has a large enough body and make it effective for transporting of livestock, agricultural products, etc..
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| Tula Muravey. (Picture from: http://www.bikeshop.ro/) |
While the general specification of the Tula scooters, in addition to having a heavier body, but it is believed more stable when driven at high speed. This scooter uses a 4-stroke engine that has a capacity of 200 cc, combined with a four-speed gearbox, air-cooled with a fan.
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| 1987 Turist 200. (Picture from: http://www.autosoviet.altervista.org/) |
The scooter's engine can generate power up to 10 hp, still adheres to the chain transmission, such as motorcycles in general, is also equipped with an electric starter. This scooter is quite popular among eastern (socialist) countries in the 1950s. Tula discontinued scooter production around 1990. (Wanna see the American-made scooters.)
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOSOVIET | LITTLE BLACK STAR]
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOSOVIET | LITTLE BLACK STAR]
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I wanted to highlight a correction. the Vyatka was a copy of the Innocent Lamberetta Li150 series J. The vespa frame and engine are totally different. I always wanted a Lamberetta but could only get Vespas. I collected Vespas for. Many years.
ReplyDeleteThe Vyatka is a different design to the Vespa. The Vyatka is a direct copy of the Lamberetta. Lamberetta were considered much better than Vespas.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Vyatka differs from Vespa. Although, at the commencement of production in 1957 with the Vyatka VP-150, this Russian scooter displayed a resemblance in its design to the 1955 Vespa 150GS, it was 15 percent lighter than the Vespa. However, in the subsequent developments spanning from 1960 to 1975, the Russian manufacturer introduced a scooter with a design more closely resembling the Lambretta than the Vespa.
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