Moped Tour 3.0: Piaggio Club Leverkusen Conquers Lake Maggiore!

In late summer, 14 members of the Piaggio Club Leverkusen set off on a true adventure as part of their traditional annual tour. From September 24 to 29, 2026, “Tour 3.0” set course for northern Italy—more specifically, the picturesque Lake Maggiore.

The trip got off to a perfectly organized start: With three cars and two large vans, in which the trusty mopeds were safely stowed, the group set off across the Alps. The historic villa “Casa Graziella” in the tranquil village of Castelveccana on the eastern shore of the lake served as the group’s ideal base camp for the six eventful days.

Above the Clouds: The Furka Pass Adventure

The first major highlight awaited them on two wheels right in the middle of the imposing Swiss mountain scenery. On their small but tenacious and enduring mopeds, the Leverkusen group conquered the legendary Furka Pass.

Turn after turn, the mopeds wound their way up to an impressive altitude of 2,436 meters. Naturally, they made a lengthy photo stop at the world-famous, historic Hotel Belvedere before continuing their journey through the high-Alpine panorama across the border into Italy.

450 kilometers, ferries, and a donkey as a mascot

From their base camp in Castelveccana, the group undertook four extensive day trips over the following days, covering an impressive total of 450 kilometers. To fully explore the winding roads around the lake, the club members took the car ferry twice, using it as a floating bridge across Lake Maggiore.

Among other places, the routes took the team up Monte Mottarone, which rises over 1,400 meters, as well as across the extremely challenging and steep Alpe di Neggia. In addition to the riding challenges, there were also encounters with animals: the donkey “Eduardo” was promptly named the official tour mascot—and, as befits his status, he was allowed to remain in his Italian homeland after the trip.

Craftsmanship by the Roadside: When the Technology Holds Up

The true test of durability: The moped engines withstood the enormous sustained strain on the steep mountain passes with flying colors. Z Of course, minor, classic mishaps were inevitable on the bumpy roads—from flat tires and broken V-belts to minor issues with converters or spark plugs. But thanks to the club members’ first-rate craftsmanship and the cleverly packed spare parts, all defects were fixed in no time at all right by the roadside.

After grueling kilometers in the saddle, the focus in the evening was on camaraderie: Everyone cooked together at the villa and enjoyed the meal in a convivial atmosphere by the pool before setting off on the harmonious journey home to the Rhine on September 29.
An unforgettable tour that proved once again: If you want to experience the true spirit of two-stroke travel, you don’t need hundreds of PS—just real friends and a reliable Vespa or moped under you!

Following the success at Lake Maggiore, the next highlight is already just around the corner for the Piaggio Club Leverkusen: Preparations for the traditional MOFA X-MAS TOUR 2026are in full swing! As in every year, fans and members can look forward to a very special treat: A classic Piaggio Ciao will once again be given away in a raffle.

Of course, Scooter Center is once again on board as a proud parts sponsor for this project and is supporting the rebuild with the right performance and replacement components. Soon we’ll learn more about the detailed insights into the restoration process, the parts used, and the event where the freshly restored iconic moped will log its very first official kilometers on the asphalt. Stay tuned—we’ll keep you updated!