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Piaggio Typhoon 50 (1993-current)

Detail	Value
New price	£1,399
Used price range	View Piaggio TYPHOON 50 bikes for sale to see current asking prices
Engine size	49cc
Power	4bhp
Top speed	35mph
Insurance group	2

	MCN ratings	Owners' ratings
Overall
Engine
Ride & Handling
Equipment
Quality & Reliability
Value

MCN overall verdict

The Piaggio Typhoon 50 has been around 16 years – as long as the teens allowed to ride it!

Originally a cutting edge sports scooter, the lightweight Typhoon is still a lot of fun but is now at the bottom end of the sports 50 price scale, making it good value for money.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Typhoon is very light, which makes the air-cooled twist-and-go feel perkier than it is.

In full power form (only legal for those over 17 years old) the Typhoon gets up to 30mph respectably swiftly, slowing as it winds round to its 50mph top speed.

Restricted, the Typhoon is as lethargic and dangerous in traffic as any other restricted 50, struggling to get to 30mph.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Surprisingly for a small wheel scooter the Typhoon doesn’t feel too nervous – the fat balloon-like tyres with a chunky tread pattern calm the handling compared to sportier scooters. They’ll also deal with bumping up kerbs better, and there’s enough grip to enjoy throwing the Piaggio around city streets. The front brake is effective, and the rear drum is brilliant for childish skids!

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Typhoon is basic – the dash has a rev counter and a fuel gauge, but no clock, the underseat storage area will accept an open-face helmet or a small full-face.

The seat will accept two people in theory – in practice, only a dwarf would fit comfortably, and the engine would struggle with extra weight anyway.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Piaggio build quality is notoriously poor – rust, corrosion and parts failure isn’t uncommon.

Cheaper build is slightly more forgivable on the budget Typhoon, but make use of the warranty if anything isn’t as it should be.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

In many ways the Typhoon is the best option in the Piaggio 50cc range – it’s just as quick, rides well, is plenty of fun and has enough practicality for most teenage buyers, yet costs less.

A Japanese scooter will be better built and more reliable, but few are as much fun as the perky Typhoon. Find a Piaggio Typhoon 50 for sale.

Insurance group: 2

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1993: Model introduced. Only colour and graphic changes since.

Typhoon 80 1994-1999: Same as the 50cc, but with a bigger barrel. Rare in the UK, as it falls between the traditional 50cc/125cc classes, plus all are at least 10 years old and will have suffered traditional scooter abuse.

Typhoon 125 1995-2003 : Shares much with the Typhoon 50 and Typhoon 80, but with an air-cooled 123cc motor suitable for riders allowed up to 125cc.

Specifications

Top speed	35mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	4bhp
Torque	3.5ftlb
Weight	88kg
Seat height	775mm
Fuel capacity	5.5 litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	120 miles
Insurance group	2

Engine size	49cc
Engine specification	Air-cooled two-stroke, CVT transmission
Frame	Tubular-steel cradle
Front suspension adjustment	None
Rear suspension adjustment	None
Front brakes	190mm disc, single piston caliper
Rear brake	100mm drum
Front tyre size	120/90-10
Rear tyre size	120/90-10