EICMA 2024: News from Vespa, Polini, VMC, Lambretta and more ...

Milan - EICMA is celebrating its 110th anniversary! What began in Milan in 1914 with a few dozen stands and six participating nations has developed into one of the largest two-wheeler trade fairs in the world. The 81st edition, which has just opened at the Rho Fiera Milano, boasts impressive figures: over 770 exhibitors from 45 countries and more than 2100 brands represented. With the motto "EICMA, we have been leaving our mark for 110 years", the trade fair marks a historic journey full of innovations and world premieres. On 330,000 square metres and in ten Pavilions, the present and future of the two-wheeler world is presented here - an inspiring place for all those who want to experience the evolution and innovation of mobility up close.

And right in the middle of it all is our man Jesco, who tracks down the latest trends for SIP Scootershop. Whether it's the new Vespa GTS 310 and a Beach Lambretta. Or the "hot shit" from VMC and Polini that makes the hearts of tuners beat faster - Jesco feels the pulse of the industry. Let's go!

VESPA

Long awaited, hotly debated and the new flagship of the cult manufacturer from Italy: the Vespa GTS 310, which Piaggio calls "the most powerful Vespa ever built in the almost eighty-year history of this globally beloved two-wheeler". At the heart of this development is the new 310 cc Engine: based on the modern, liquid-cooled 278 cc engine, this unit is a significant evolution with over 70% new components. [...] The stroke of this single-cylinder engine has been increased from 63 mm to just over 70 mm, which raises the displacement from 278 to 310 cc and the power output to 25 hp."

However, the presentation at the EICMA press conference was extremely poor, as Jesco reports: "After listening to long Italian presentations about Aprilia and Moto Guzzi, all that was said in a nutshell was that there is a new Vespa GTS 310. Full stop. There was neither a model on stage nor any further news." At least he was able to admire the GTS 310 SuperSport "Blu_Eclettico" alongside other models. A real novelty is the Vespa GTV 310 HPE, which has never been seen before. During the interview, Jesco was at least able to elicit the red-hot information from the Piaggio employee that there is a "new Vespa GTS 310 with 310 cubic metres". No further information was forthcoming - a rather disappointing presentation overall. The Italians seemed to be much more interested in the adjoining Vespa shop with designer clothes and bling bling. Jesco's conclusion: "Vespa's journey seems to be more in the direction of lifestyle and fashion. Obviously, the aim is to appeal to a new, younger target group. I'm too old for that anyway." And that was that.

LAMBRETTA

No sooner have we published the much-noticed video with the new Lambretta models than Jesco finds another premiere at the EICMA: the Lambretta J125 "StarWave " - a smallframe version with a long tradition. "It's a real prototype that people can't or don't want to tell me much about yet," reports Jesco. "The model is due to be launched on the market in August or September 2025." We will probably only find out why a surfing and beach theme was chosen in the course of next year. In any case, everything is colourful. So the focus is still on the Lambrettas, which we have covered in detail: the Lambretta G350 and the Lambretta X125 and X300.

VMC

At VMC there's finally something for all tuning fans to see and Jesco is enthusiastic about the "hot shit" from the guys from Vicenza, Italy. "THUG" is the name of the new aluminium Cylinder for Smallframe Models. With RD350 Reed Valve, new overflow layout, one-piece exhaust and in 58 and 60 mm bore for 61 mm stroke. The "RVA 110", on the other hand, is a cylinder for 43 mm stroke and has been completely redesigned. The "Super-G" Cylinder has been designed in grey cast iron for the small PX blocks and will improve the torque considerably. A new "Stelvio" to match, also in the new design. However, Jesco has really fallen in love with the new 213 mm Cylinder with 69 mm bore. But before we get lost in the details here - take a look at the linked video and let Jesco and VMC inspire you. Look out for the new brake pump for the Vespa!

POLINI

The absolute tuning specialists from Alzano Lombardo near Bergamo don't let themselves get carried away, but bring many parts for automatic scooters to the shelves, both for two and four-strokes. Jesco has purchased Polini two very special products, which he presents in detail: Firstly, a Clutch with four Washers, a new approach and a slightly different Spring. You can't describe it, you have to see it. And secondly, a Polini Fork, of which Jesco says: "Many people probably think they already know this Fork from Polini, but this part is now available for the Vespa Smallframe. There is also a matching mudguard and in no time at all you have a very sensible chassis via plug and play."

ITALJET

And finally, as every year, the groundhog greets us, er, no, the dragster from Italjet. How many times has Jesco already told us about this bullet that attracts attention at the EICMA but has never been seen on any road in the world? We've lost track of it too. But now it really is supposed to be the final version with 700 cc and 65 hp, which will be launched on the market as early as summer 2025 in a limited edition for 15,000 euros. We think: don't rush into it ;)

NISA

The prototype of a new Seat for the old Wideframe models was on display, which should particularly please touring riders who ride their oldies long distances. The product range for Modern Vespa will also be continuously expanded in the coming years. And we particularly liked the fact that our new custom scooter "Tribute" was on display at the NISA stand. It simply has a great Seat! ;)

PINASCO

For the Vespa VNA there are Pinasco a grey cast iron cylinder. There is a new long-stroke version of the 244 Cylinder - a really useful update. The 252 Cylinder also gets a new Intake Manifold. If you don't want to replace the entire Ignition Base Plate, you can now get a Conversion Kit for breaker ignitions. And last but not least, they now have an aluminium Clutch in their range, which was previously made of steel. Lots of interesting little news that you will soon find in our range.

MALOSSI

There's not really any big news here, most of the products from Malossi were already known. Nevertheless, we will summarise them once again: For the Piaggio and Minarelli models, there is the 100 cc high-end Cylinder, where the long development time has paid off and which is perfect for the race track. Other transmission components for large-frame Vespas round off the range. Malossi is increasingly discovering its heart for moped riders and makes them happy with a Gear Box Cover: Compared to the standard part, the Gearbox Cover has been reinforced in various places. The bearing seats have been enlarged so that larger bearings can be fitted. The housing ventilation has been redesigned. Malossi has launched the popular and short-ratio 13:1 gearbox for models with a Vario drive. Thanks to upgrades such as the Malossi Big Deps Cylinder, the drivetrain is now the big weakness on the PIAGGIO moped. With the MALOSSI Overrange Kit/Variator Kit, the power transmission to the rear wheel is now finally constant and with less power loss.

JOHN DOE

A new full-face Helmet with attachable Visor and ECE 22.06 standard was presented. When it comes to protective clothing, the specialists at John Doe specialists are focussing on practical and stylish products such as rider shirts and AA-certified Jeans as monolayers.

EICMA 2024: Conclusion

These were the impressions of our crew around Jesco from the EICMA 2024. It was the many small updates and news that excited us, even if real sensations for Vespa and Lambretta fans were not announced - or were only presented in a half-baked way. Nevertheless, it was another great week in Milan, where we met many old acquaintances and made new contacts. We hope you enjoyed our information. Arrivederci!

Video: EICMA 2024

Picture gallery: EICMA 2024