The Tula Turist was a Soviet scooter produced by the Tula Machine-Building Plant from 1968. It succeeded the original Tula and introduced a completely different body style, becoming one of the best-known Soviet scooters before it was replaced by the Tulitsa.
Tula Turist at a glance
| Maker | Tula Machine-Building Plant (TMZ), Tula, USSR |
|---|---|
| Production | Turist 1968–1971, Turist-M 1971–1979 |
| Predecessor | Tula T-200 |
| Successor | Tulitsa |
| Engine | 199 cc single-cylinder two-stroke, forced air cooling |
| Power | 11 hp (Turist), 12 hp (Turist-M) |
| Top speed | 85 km/h (Turist), 90 km/h (Turist-M) |
| Gearbox | four-speed, foot change |
| Fuel consumption | 3.2 l/100 km on the open road, 3.5 l/100 km in town |
| Fuel tank | 12 litres |
| Dry weight | 145 kg |
| Colour | light green |
Based on one source: the Russian Wikipedia article on the Turist scooter.
History of the Tula Turist
The Turist went into production in 1968 as the successor to the earlier Tula. Scooters of this series were painted light green and looked completely different from the earlier models. The tool box sat in the front wheel housing on the Turist, or under the seat on the Turist-M; the battery was carried between the rider’s legs and the air-corrector lever next to the front brake lever. The suspension was soft and there were two stands, side and centre. The engine was of the same type as on earlier models but more powerful, and the gear change differed from a motorcycle: neutral was placed before first gear rather than between first and second.
Two models were made: the Turist from 1968 to 1971 and the Turist-M from 1971 to 1979. The Turist had a glovebox in the front mudguard and its fuel tank was fixed to the frame; on the Turist-M the tank was held to the bonnet by straps. The horn on the Turist sat above the front wheel, where rain could flood it. The Turist-M also had a more powerful 12 hp engine and a higher top speed of 90 km/h. Both were considered good machines, like the later Tulitsa that succeeded them.
Design and features
- New body style: a completely different look from the original Tula, finished in light green.
- Practical layout: battery between the rider’s legs, two stands and soft suspension.
- Improved engine: the same layout as earlier Tula engines but with more power.
- Two generations: the Turist and the more powerful Turist-M of 1971.
Tula Turist versions
- Turist (1968–1971): glovebox in the front mudguard, tank fixed to the frame, 11 hp.
- Turist-M (1971–1979): tank strapped to the bonnet, 12 hp and 90 km/h.
The Turist replaced the Tula T-200 and was itself followed by the Tulitsa, whose engine went into the Tula 5.952 motorcycle. More vehicles are in the Tula collection.
Sources
- Турист (мотороллер), Russian Wikipedia: history, design, specifications
