Eicma Milan 2006 Gilera Fuoco 500 ie Gilera at the Eicma 2006 Milano Bike Show was full of surprises. The two-ring brand now runs on three wheels.
Piaggio Press With show-stopping looks and top performance, the Fuoco 500 ie is the Gilera version of the three-wheeler for people who want to stand out. ‘Safe fun’ is no longer an oxymoron. Riding has never been this easy, enjoyable and secure.
Passion, adventure and innovation have always been the Gilera watchwords, on asphalt racetracks and desert sand dunes alike.The Gilera Fuoco 500 ie expresses these concepts to perfection.
Two front wheels and a revolutionary parallelogram front suspension together with the new double ignition MASTER 500 engine give the Gilera Fuoco very racy performance to provide fast-riding fun in all safety.
Easy on the eye
The Gilera Fuoco’s innovative looks get its rider noticed. The front end of the Gilera Fuoco 500 is attention grabbing: its decisive shape expresses strength and character and hints at the incredible performance of the all-new 500cc single cylinder engine. The two-wheel frontal is marked by a steel tube bumper with metal mesh inserts that give the vehicle a rugged look. The front design protects the rider and the mechanicals while putting the unique front suspension technology on display. Other wicked touches are the sleek ‘naked’ handlebar in chrome-plated metal, black ten-spoke wheel rims and grooved tyre treads reminiscent of off-road bikes. The five-lamp headlight unit is not only striking to look at but highly effective as well; the two biggest lamps are equipped with off-road-style shockproof covers. The ash-grey front fairing and front shield fairing offer remarkable aerodynamic protection. There is a wide, comfortable footrest panel behind the front shield fairing.
The tail design is stark and minimalist, a mix of plastics and tubes that picks up on the styling of the frontal with a very useful rear rack, while the wide, comfortable seat ensures total comfort for both rider and passenger thanks to its ergonomic design and negligible height difference between the two parts of the seat.
A thrilling ride
But there’s more than design to the personality of the Gilera Fuoco. The latest product from the two-ring brand boasts top engine performance, ideally backed up by revolutionary running gear to provide astonishing ride quality. The Gilera Fuoco 500 streaks away from traffic lights and takes all kinds of terrain in its stride, handling twisty mountain roads and long motorway rides in all safety whatever the weather conditions thanks to its two front wheels commanded by an extraordinary parallelogram front suspension. This revolutionary technical set-up ensures impeccable road holding in all riding conditions, with stability and braking power that no conventional scooter can provide.
Technology
The steel tube frame conceals the powerful, reliable new MASTER 500 double ignition engine, a 4 valve, 4 stroke unit with electronic injection and liquid cooling. The capacity of the new MASTER engine has been upped to 492 cc to obtain maximum power of 40 hp at 7,000 rpm and maximum torque of over 42 Nm at 5,500 rpm. The introduction of the twin spark system has also made it possible to optimise fuel combustion inside the cylinder, with a reduction in noise and gas emissions. The result is a smooth, high-performance engine, very torquey at low and medium range rpm, that takes the Gilera Fuoco 500 ie to top speed of over 150 km/h while fully respecting Euro 3 norms thanks to the advanced closed loop injection circuit with a Lambda sensor and three-way catalytic converter in the in the exhaust pipe.
The engine’s exuberance is skilfully managed by the sophisticated running gear. The innovative parallelogram front suspension’s tilt mechanism is composed of four cast aluminium arms, with four hinges fixed to the central tube and two guide tubes on either side of the parallelogram, connected to the arms via suspension pins and ball bearings. This means that the Gilera Fuoco 500 ie as easy to ride as a traditional scooter, while its incredible stability, especially when cornering and braking, comes from its two front wheels.
Standard equipment includes an electro-hydraulic front suspension locking system that keeps the Fuoco 500 upright without a central stand. This makes it extremely easy to park anywhere. What’s more, there’s no need to put your feet on the ground to keep your balance when stopped at a traffic light.
Optimal rear end stability is guaranteed by a 14” rear wheel with a generous 140/70 tyre, while three 240mm disk brakes with dual-piston calipers ensure fast, efficient braking.
With its strong personality, aggressive design and cutting-edge technology, this three-wheeler is ready to ride into uncharted territory. Gilera Fuoco: a thrilling ride that’s easy on the eye.
GILERA FUOCO 500 ie – Technical specifications
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Engine
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Single cylinder MASTER 4 stroke
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Displacement
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492.7 cc
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Bore
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94 mm
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Stroke
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71 mm
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Fuel
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RON 95 unleaded petrol
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Compression ratio
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10÷11: 1
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Max power at crankshaft
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40 hp (28.11 KW) at 7,000 rpm
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Max torque
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42.23 Nm at 5,500 rpm
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Exhaust
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Closed loop system with lambda sensor and three-way catalytic converter in exhaust pipe
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Valve train
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(SOHC) 4 valve, electronic injection
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Ignition
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Electronic inductive discharge and variable spark advance in electronic unit with electronic immobilizer. Fuel pump shutoff when bike tips over. Two spark plugs.
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Starter
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Electric
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Cooling
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Liquid with three-way thermostat
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Gears
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Twist-and-go CVT
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Clutch
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Dry centrifugal type with damping plugs
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Frame
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Double cradle trellis made of high strength steel tubes
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Front suspension
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Rear suspension
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Oscillating engine fixed to the frame with a swingarm and two dual effect hydraulic shock absorbers with four-position spring preload. Travel: 100 mm
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Braking system
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Traditional: separate hydraulic brakes on front and rear wheel. Parking brake: mechanical; locks rear wheel.
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Front brakes
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Stainless steel double disk, Ø 240 mm, two-piston caliper
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Rear brake
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Stainless steel disk, Ø 280 mm, floating two-piston caliper
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Front wheel rims
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Die-cast aluminium alloy, 3.00x12”
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Rear wheel rim
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Die-cast aluminium alloy, 4.50x14”
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Front tyres
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Tubeless 120/70-12” 51S
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Rear tyre
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Tubeless 140/70-14” 68S
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Length
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2,160 mm
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Width
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775 mm
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Wheelbase
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1,550 mm
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Seat height
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790 mm
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Dry weight
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238 kg
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Fuel tank capacity
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12 litres (includes 1.8 litres reserve)
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Max speed
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Over 150 Km/h
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Distance covered at a 90 km/h
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Emissions
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Euro 3
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published 14/11/2006 |