The Piaggio Free is a scooter produced by the Italian manufacturer Piaggio from 1992 to 2002 in Pontedera. Introduced at the end of 1992, it was Piaggio’s first modern scooter defined as “high wheels”.
Piaggio Free at a glance
| Production | 1992–2002 |
|---|---|
| Introduced | end of 1992 |
| Engine at launch | 50 cc two-stroke, 4.6 hp |
| Position in the range | the least expensive scooter of the 1990s, above the Ciao and Si mopeds |
| Brakes at launch | 104 mm front drum and 100 mm rear drum |
| Weight | 69 kg |
| 1999 update | Free Catalyzed, Euro 1, 14-inch tyres, 200 mm front disc, 110 mm rear drum |
| 2002 engine | 100 cc four-stroke HI-PER, 7.6 hp |
| Free 100 weight | 92 kg |
The article is based on a single source, the English Wikipedia page on the Free, and is shorter than usual for that reason.
History of the Piaggio Free
The Free was introduced at the end of 1992 and was Piaggio’s first modern scooter defined as high-wheeled. It was only available with a two-stroke 50 cc engine delivering 4.6 hp, and it was positioned as the least expensive scooter model within the 1990s Piaggio range, slightly more expensive than the Ciao and Si mopeds. The braking system consisted of a 104 mm front drum and a 100 mm rear drum, and the weight was 69 kg.
The Free Catalyzed of 1999
In 1999 the Free Catalyzed was introduced with the 50 cc two-stroke engine updated by adopting a catalyst and Euro 1 homologation. New 14-inch tyres were fitted, and the braking system changed to a 200 mm front disc with hydraulic control and a 110 mm rear drum.
The Free 100 and the end of production
In 2002 the air-cooled 100 cc four-stroke HI-PER engine was introduced, delivering 7.6 horsepower and approved to Euro 1. That model was aesthetically identical to the 50 apart from specially designed 14-inch wheels with more spokes and wider tyres, and it weighed 92 kg. Production of the Free ended at the end of 2002, as sales had fallen because of internal competition from the Liberty, which was more refined and better equipped.
Design and features
- High wheels: the first modern Piaggio scooter of this type, with 14-inch tyres from 1999.
- Simple and cheap: the entry model of the 1990s range, just above the mopeds.
- Light: 69 kg with the 50 cc engine.
- Cleaner over time: a catalyst and Euro 1 homologation arrived in 1999.
Piaggio Free versions
- Free 50 (1992): 50 cc two-stroke with 4.6 hp and drum brakes.
- Free Catalyzed (1999): catalyst, Euro 1, 14-inch tyres and a front disc.
- Free 100 (2002): 100 cc four-stroke HI-PER with 7.6 hp and wider tyres.
The Free was replaced in the range by the Liberty, which took its customers with a more refined scooter, and it was the cheaper alternative to models such as the Zip. More scooters are in the Piaggio collection.
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Sources
- Piaggio Free, English Wikipedia: production, engines, 1999 and 2002 updates
