Introducing the Piper Moto J1: The Super Scooter

When a former Formula One engineer sets out to design a scooter, you know it's going to be something special. And that's exactly what the Piper Moto J1 is.

John Piper, the founder of Piper Moto and a seasoned engineer with experience at Williams, Benetton, and ProDrive, describes the J1 as a "super scooter." While this might sound like marketing hype, the specifications of the scooter speak for themselves.

Powered by a 690cc KTM LC4 Duke single-cylinder engine, the J1 boasts an impressive 67 horsepower. It can go from zero to 60 in just 4 seconds and has a top speed of 120 mph. With a dry vehicle weight of 160 kilograms and a perfectly balanced 50-50 weight distribution, this scooter is a force to be reckoned with.

But it's not just the performance that sets the J1 apart. The scooter's elegant styling is a sight to behold. With two solo seats placed one in front of the other, the design is both timeless and modern. The front fairing features ventilation ducts that surround the cockpit, adding to its sleek appearance. The frame is made of tubular steel, while the bodywork is a carbon and epoxy woven composite that is pressure-cured.

Equipped with 17-inch spoked wheels, the J1 offers more tire choices compared to standard scooter tires. The braking system features top-spec components, including a Brembo four-piston caliper in the front and a Brembo single piston caliper in the rear. The suspension consists of a 43mm upside-down WP fork in the front and a billet aluminum swingarm setup with a concentric spring and Exe-TC remote two-way damper reservoir in the rear.

One unique feature of the J1 is its six-speed gearbox. Unlike most scooters, which are twist and go, the J1 allows riders to manually shift gears. However, instead of a traditional hand-clutch and foot-shifter, it is equipped with an electronic shifter activated by a finger switch on the handlebar.

A prototype of the Piper Moto J1 has been built, and if all goes well, a limited production run may be possible. If you're interested in learning more or getting your name on the list for when it becomes available for purchase, you can visit the Piper Moto website for more information.