(Because you never know when you need to go 120 mph)
Well we finally get a closer look at the GP 800 and upon closer inspection I find its look only moderately inspiring (IMHO). Here’s a few more details on the GP800 from Inside Bikes News:
Piaggio have shown their new 839cc (51.2 cubic inches) maxi scooter at Milan today. The scooter will wear a Gilera badge, with a 90 degree V-twin motor, making 75bhp (as much as a VW Polo) powering the machine to an estimated 120mph top speed.The new Gilera 800 scooter is actually heavier than some sports-touring bikes, at 235kgs (518 lbs) dry, and a steel frame, with 41mm forks and 300mm twin front discs indicate that the chassis is designed for high speed stability and handling. The scooter also has an 18 litre (4.75 gal) fuel tank.
There’s no word on price yet, but as the UK market hasn’t really taken to maxi scooters like the T-Max, Silver Wing 600 or Burgman 650, it’s likely to be expensive as unit sales targets will be very small for Piaggio in Britain.
Hrm… Well, if the the UK market isn’t looking good then the this baby stands an ice cubes chance in Texas of landing on our shores. That is to say if we EVER started importing Gilera (can we at least get THAT done?)
Here she is from the back… Dig the twin pipes? And there’s enough discs on this baby to stop a train! Oh, and here’s a couple of other small details… She’s riding on a 16″ front and 15″ rear tire, and apparently enough under seat storage for your helmet.
15. November 2006 at 11:26 pm
Looks like fun. I could see that definitely making some inroads as a police vehicle.
16. November 2006 at 4:35 am
The Gilera marque is not a USA brand. Gilera makes sport-scooters. Sport-scooters like the TMax-500 and Nexus-500 are popular in Europe and I would expect this 850cc Gilera with sport-bike stylng to be a big hit there.
The trend in the USA is for older guys to moved down from the GoldWing to the Burgman-650 and then rig it up with topbox, hard sidcases, GPS, comm-system, etc. to create a ‘mini-GoldWing’. The appeal of the Burgman-650 is the lighter weight, integrated storage, automatic transmission, and the step-through for those with bad hips.
If PiaggioCo wants to get a slice of that growing ‘boomer’ market they should make an 850 Touring Scooter with integrated topcase and sidcases for the USA market. Something like the classic Scarabeo GT ABS but with the 850 engine.
16. November 2006 at 5:02 pm
Nice looking scoot! I used to own a BMW F650CS with a toothed-belt final drive. Really liked it, but the belt only lasted 25,000 miles and was EXPENSIVE to replace.
Dudel is right, a Scarabeo 850 would definitely sell here in the States.
I dunno if anybody noticed, but looking at the picture, the badge on the Gilera 850 looks like that of a Victory.
John
16. November 2006 at 11:45 pm
Yeah – maybe someday it might make it over here. (fingers crossed) I like the raked out look of the rear tire ala drag bike style.
Either way it ain’t nuthin’ that a Sneaky Pete NOS bottle wouldn’t fix on my AN650 Moonpie! ;-)
Bring it on baby! I gots the manual mode!!! :-)
17. April 2009 at 1:21 am
i think it looks sexy frm the back but the front end looks way too big n rediculous basically