Scooter News Overseas Piaggio News Latest model releases and updates from the Piaggio Group.
Piaggio Press GILERA RUNNER SIMONCELLI
The marque of the two rings is celebrating its triumph as 250 class world champion by presenting the new Gilera Runner Simoncelli. 
The Runner SP, the definitive sports scooter, now boasts a new livery in the colours of the racing bike of Marco Simoncelli, the young rider of Team Metis Gilera who won the 250 class of the MotoGP World Championship.
An exuberant 50 cc two stroke carburettor fuelled engine, Team Metis Gilera colours, and Marco Simoncelli’s own race number of 58 are the essential ingredients of this racing scooter dedicated to ‘Super Sic’.
51 years have passed since an Italian won a world championship title on a Gilera. The last man to achieve this feat was the legendary Libero Liberati, who won the 500 class in 1957. The victory of Marco Simoncelli, better known in racing circles as ‘Super Sic’, gives Gilera a total of 14 world titles (8 riders and 6 constructors). Gilera is celebrating this all Italian achievement with a special edition of its most aggressive scooter, dedicated to its sportiest young riders.
The Gilera Runner has always been referred to as ‘the scooter with a big bike inside’. Now this sporty, fun-to-ride scooter is ‘big bike’ on the outside too. The graphics of the new Runner faithfully reproduce the livery of the 250 class world championship winning Gilera. Even Super Sic’s lucky number 58 appears on the front shield and tail, just as on a genuine race bike. Our sponsors’ trade marks are also positioned exactly as they are on the bike that dominated racetracks all over the world.
Chassis
The impressive and racy bodywork of the Gilera Runner Simoncelli hides a double cradle frame made from high-strength steel tube with cold-pressed steel plate reinforcements. This completely new design achieves maximum torsional rigidity and greater stress absorption capacity. On the road the result is precise and dynamic handling and effortless transmission of engine power to the tarmac.
The Gilera Runner Simoncelli also features large wheels. The six spoke light alloy wheels are designed for maximum rigidity, minimum weight, and sporty looks. The 14” front wheel and 13” rear wheel are fitted with 120/70 and 140/60 tyres respectively.
In addition to title-winning colours, the Gilera Runner Simoncelli offers genuine sports-bike characteristics, including superb stability and a lean angle previously unknown in the scooter world. On the Runner, the rider is always in complete control. The Runner’s braking system plays a central role in ensuring this. Amazing braking and ultra-short stopping distances guarantee maximum safety on the road and are achieved by a double disc braking system (with a 220 mm front disc and 175 mm rear disc).
PIAGGIO BEVERLY TOURER 300 ie
 The middleweight Beverly Tourer has grown in engine size from 250 to 300 cc. While not affecting power, this latest development offers more torque at even lower revs for better than ever flexibility and response, plus reduced fuel consumption.
Perfect for every-day use, the Beverly Tourer 300 ie meets the widest range of requirements for safe mobility. This modern scooter is completely at ease in the city where its dynamic qualities and distinctive elegance set it aside from the competition.
The high performance, high-tech Beverly Tourer 300 ie stands out for a sensuous design that brings to the world of large wheel scooters all the excitement and control normally only found on a motorcycle.
Technical characteristics
Improvements in engine performance have concentrated on maximising response and acceleration, the two most important characteristics not only in city commuting but in touring too.
The liquid cooled, electronically fuel injected, four valve, single cylinder Quasar engine has been expanded to 278 cc by increasing both bore (now 75 mm) and stroke (63 mm).
Compared to the previous 250 version, the new Beverly Tourer 300 ie delivers more torque (23 Nm compared to 20.2) at an even lower engine speed (6,000 rpm instead of 6,500 in the 250). On the road, these figures mean impressive flexibility and excellent acceleration from low speed, and place the Beverly Tourer 300 ie firmly at the top of its class. This extraordinarily balanced performance makes the Beverly Tourer 300 ie the perfect vehicle for urban commuting and for short to medium range touring.
Sparkling performance is backed up by a top quality chassis too. The double cradle frame in high strength steel tube is coupled at the front to a 35 mm hydraulic telescopic fork, and at the rear to two double acting hydraulic shock absorbers with four spring preload settings to let you adjust suspension action to your own riding needs. Large diameter wheels and wide profile tyres (16”-110/70 at the front and 16”-140/70 at the rear) and a powerful braking system (with a 260 mm steel disc at the front and rear) are two other solutions that help confer on the Beverly Tourer 300 ie a high level of safety and excellent road holding.
Looks
Refined finish and meticulous attention to detail make the Beverly Tourer stand out from the crowd. The headlight is mounted on the handlebars underneath an elegant and protective, tinted methacrylate windscreen. The leg shield features a new front grille with chrome trim and adds a clear touch of classic style to the scooter’s overall appearance.
Stylish chrome abounds on the Beverly Tourer 300 ie, on the side trim of the leg shield and on the rear side panels. Even the rear view mirrors are finished in chrome and combine with the attractive handlebars and headlight to give the Beverly Tourer a truly impressive look. The elegant rear light cluster features clear lens covers. The quality upholstered seat, with contrasting stitching, covers a storage compartment big enough to house two semi-jet helmets.
published 10/03/2009 |