(posted elsewhere, apols to those who have seen this more than once)
I took some emergency coffee supplies to my dealer John Thompson’s showroom, and stayed and jawed most of the day with him and a friend, Mike. Just after Mike went home the Gilera GP800 arrived at the showroom from the workshop after PDI, and Dave one of the mechanics stepped off it grinning from ear to ear, Simon the workshop manager behind him in the van. Dave reckoned it would give many 1-litre bikes a run for their money, including his own. We had a good crawl all around it, and then I took it just round the block.
WOW! This has serious grunt, superb smooth acceleration, immense engine braking, fantastic handling (just like any good bike said Dave), great slow-speed manouverability, superlatives all round. :thumbup:
The looks are understated, from the front and rear it looks like many geared bikes, you wouldn’t know it was a step-through twist and go except from the side view.
It’s slim in profile, some serious filtering can be done with this.
The brake levers have adjustable throw, to accommodate all sized hands.
The exhaust sounds great - not an in-your-face bark, but a definite growl, while the engine itself can hardly be heard or vibrations felt.
A very useful handbrake.
This bike will do over 120mph, with its 70bhp V-twin 850 twin-spark engine, which is mounted in the frame, final drive being via chain.
The running-in max speed is 160kph - over 100mph!
Points to bear in mind:
There are two oil points to be checked regularly.
The chain will need to be lubricated every six hundred miles or so and adjusted now and again.
The foot area allows just two positions, flat on the floor (UK size 11 boots exactly fill the space) or feet forward. No real intermediate positions like you get on the X9.
The tunnel is much wider and higher than on other scooters - it’s only just a step-through.
Services are likely to be lengthy affairs, but Dave and Simon may well work out ways of doing things economically.
The handbrake isn’t locked when the steering lock is on.
All in all a revolutionary addition to Piaggio’s stable!
As for hand brakes - they are not uncommon on larger maxi scooters. I often wish for one when trying to operate the electronic tag operated security barrier on a steep slop at work as it can be done from a bike but needs both feet firmly on the ground and the use of two hands. I envy my colleague who has a Yamaha Majesty as he is the only person who can get out without getting off the bike.
Did the Hondamatic have a locking handbrake like a car? It would seem a dangerous place to have it on the left handlbar. Or did it just have a conventioanl rear brake lever there?
The larger scooters I mentioned tend to have a rear brake lever or linked braking system lever where the clutch lever would be and, if fitted, a locking parking brake lever near the centre of the handlebars or on the bodywork somehwere. BTW, the Aprilia Mana which shares the same engine as the GP800 has a locking parking brake but no left lever at all as rear braking is by a conventional pedal.
The 400 and 750 Hondamatic was a 2 speed semi automatic, similar in operation to a C90. The left bar had a locking lever that looked just like a clutch lever. There was a safety feature that would only allow it to be used while in neutral and stationary:)Moto Guzzi did an automatic V1000 at around the same time too.Shame we have had to wait another 20 odd years to get a replacement in the Mana:cool:
seems like the line between maxi scooters and tourer/bikes is blurring. even some motorbikes have auto gearboxes now dont they ? I think Aprillia have one now
The Gilera GP800 and the Aprilia Mana 850 use the same V Twin engine and automatic transmission. Gilera these days is just a brand name used by Piaggio for their sportier machines, and Piaggio wholly own Aprilia.
