Piaggio has released its new scooter range in time for spring, including the Liberty 50, 125 and 150, the Carnaby Cruiser 300 ie and the Beverly Tourer 300 ie. We take a look at the Liberty, which has been updated in style and some technical components.

The Liberty 50 has both two and four stroke engines, while the 125 and 150 cc are a benchmark of agility in the scooter market. The new Piaggio Liberty style is defined by the front handlebar-mounted headlight, crome features, including the storage compartment and instrument panel, and smaller touches such as the painted rear handle and heat shield for the silencer.

The saddle has been lowered by ten millimetres and is also longer for greater passenger comfort, further enhanced by new fold-out footrests. An even lower saddle is an optional extra, designed with female users in mind.

Piaggio Liberty 2009

Some attention has been paid to the chassis, with updates to the tubular steel frame, while the alloy wheels, at 16 and 14 inches front and rear, with 90/80 and 110/80 tyres are also new. The front disc brake has a larger diameter at 240 mm, and a double piston calliper.

The versatility of the Piaggio Liberty is proven by its extensive engine range, including the 2-stroke 50 cc, and the four-stroke 125 and 150 cc. The latter is a twin valve air cooled unit, giving the scooter decisive response in city traffic, while being ideal for longer urban travel and trips out of the city

The 125 cc four-stroke is a balance between performance, accessibility and economy. It has the same chassis as the 150 cc, but greater metropolitan mobility. Both models have a seven litre tank, offering a longer range.

The 50 cc engine gives younger users and female riders the choice of a snappy two-stroke or the efficiency and economy of a four-stroke.

The 2009 Piaggio Liberty offers a standard rear luggage rack, fold-out passenger footrests, under-seat compartment that will hold a demi-jet helmet and further storage at the rear of the leg shield.

Accessories available include top cases, windshield, electronic alarm, mechanical antitheft chain, leg cover, lowered saddle and a range of demi-jet helmets. Colours available are: Pulsar Grey, Midnight Blue, Perla White and Cosmo Black for the 125 and 150 cc versions, and Pulsar Grey, Andromeda Blue, Perla White and Cosmo Black for the 50 cc versions.

Pricing is currently unavailable, technical specs are as follows:

LIBERTY 50 4-STROKE/ LIBERTY 50 2-STROKE
Engine Single cylinder 4-stroke
Piaggio Hi-PER4 Single cylinder 2-stroke
Piaggio Hi-PER2
Capacity 49.9 cc 49.4 cc
Bore/Stroke 39 mm / 41.8 mm 40 / 39.3 mm
Starter Electric and kick starter
Cooling Forced air cooling
Transmission Automatic CVT continuously variable transmission with torque limiter
Clutch Automatic centrifugal dry clutch
Frame Single cradle tubular steel structure with die cast reinforcements
Front suspension Hydraulic telescopic fork
Rear suspension Hydraulic mono-shock
Front brake 240 mm Ø disc with double piston (2 x 25.4 mm Ø) floating calliper.
Rear brake 140 mm Ø drum
Front tyre Tubeless 90/80-16”
Rear tyre Tubeless 110/80-14”
Length 1935mm
Width 760 mm (at brake levers)
Saddle height 785 mm
Wheelbase 1320 mm
Fuel tank capacity 6 litres including 1 litre reserve
Euro homologation Euro 2

LIBERTY 125 / LIBERTY 150
Engine Single cylinder 4-stroke Piaggio LEADER
Capacity 124 cc 151 cc
Bore/Stroke 57 mm / 48.6 mm 62.8 mm / 48.6 mm
Max. power 7.7kW / 8250 rpm 8.9 kW / 7750 rpm
Max. torque 9.6 Nm / 7250 rpm 11.8 Nm / 6500rpm
Timing 2 valve single overhead camshaft (SOHC)
Cooling Forced air cooling
Lubrication Wet sump
Starter Electric
Transmission Automatic CVT continuously variable transmission with torque limiter
Clutch Automatic centrifugal dry clutch
Frame Single cradle tubular steel structure with die cast reinforcements
Front suspension Hydraulic telescopic fork
Rear suspension Dual action hydraulic mono-shock with 4-setting adjustable spring preload
Front brake 240 mm Ø disc with double piston (2 x 25.4 mm Ø) floating calliper.
Rear brake 140 mm Ø drum
Front tyre Tubeless 90/80 – 16”
Rear tyre Tubeless 110/80-14”
Length 1935 mm
Width 760 mm
Saddle height 795 mm
Wheelbase 1325 mm
Fuel tank capacity 7 litres including 1.5 litre reserve
Euro homologation Euro 3

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