Piaggio Zip 50 Review

Used Buyer Review

The Zip 50 is Italian scooter charm distilled into something genuinely useful for city commuting. It's not a motorcycle — let's be clear about that upfront — but as a 50cc runabout it punches above its displacement in terms of build quality and ride feel. The steel frame is noticeably more substantial than Far Eastern rivals, and the suspension actually absorbs potholes rather than telegraphing them directly into your spine. Buying used, you need to check the variator rollers and belt religiously — neglected examples feel sluggish and flat off the throttle. Carb jets get gummed up if it's been sitting, so budget for a clean or replacement. The two-stroke engine is dead simple to work on, which is both the charm and the curse — previous owners often have, badly. Look for service records and test that it pulls cleanly to its 45mph top speed without hesitation.