Gilera GP 800

• Video

Scooter Association: Two- (or three-!) Wheels with an automatic transmission, usually with smaller wheels, with (compared to motorcycles) better weather protection and with more space for small items or a helmet under the helmet. seat.

Remember how weird we looked years ago when 500cc scooters hit the market. And who needs it at all - if you need a scooter, you buy it for the city, and if you want to be a motorcyclist, you buy a "real" car, with a classic gearbox. However, this is not entirely true, as it turns out that there are people in this world who forgive the maxi scooter for its non-motorized shortcomings and use it to good use every day. Also on weekends when they load towels, swimsuits and a spare t-shirt into their suitcases and drive to the sea in comfort.

I won’t lie if I write that the inventors of scooters are our Western neighbors. For some reason, it seems to me that they are upset today, because the Japanese are also massively present in this growing segment. T-max, Burgman, Silver Wing are the names of maxi scooters that mix Italian Beverly, Atlantic and Nexus. Oh no, but we are not going to give up, said the Italians, and did what no one had done before.

The two-cylinder engine with a harsh but not too loud sound that powers the fastest production scooter of all time is closely related to that of the Aprilia Mani. The torque is transmitted via the automatic transmission to the sprocket axle and then via the chain to the rear wheel. Here the GP already loses several "scooter" points, since, in addition to the drive belt, it is necessary to maintain and replace the chain, and the rear wheel is imperceptibly dirty due to splashing grease. Of course, during the ride, the chain is not felt, since the scooter behaves like any other.

When you turn the right lever, the two-wheeled vehicle accelerates by itself, the driver may forget to engage the clutch. Despite the ease of acceleration and the (simple) design of the scooter, I must mention that this is not a vehicle that I would recommend for beginners.

Due to the heavy weight and high power on the rear wheel, a lot of skill is required to maneuver safely. Especially when you need to slalom between parked cars or when you want to go a little faster through a series of corners on a country road. It can be tilted specifically, but it doesn't give the best feel when cornering. It even seems that the frame could be one shade stiffer.

Believe it or not, the test GP was the first bike I drove to the coast exclusively on the highway. The decision to skip the mountain turns this time was prompted by the idea that friends were waiting in Koper and that vignettes would not have to be spent on money at toll stations, and in the end I found that the mega scooter feels very good on the road. highway.

The room for the arms, buttocks and legs is really huge and you can easily sit on the chopper style seat. At the set highway speed, the needle on the speed indicator is still moving fast and only stops at a good 200 kilometers per hour. The brakes are strong enough, we only miss the possibility of an anti-lock braking system.

There is enough room under the seat for a midsize integral helmet (again there was no room for my XL tile), but I was missing some sort of box in front of the driver's feet. Hey, even a 50cc grinder. See he is! This is one of the reasons we believe that the vast majority of users will be satisfied with a 500cc scooter like the Nexus or Beverly.

The big GP is less useful, on the other hand stronger and less common on the road. At least with us. A month ago in Paris, he could not believe his eyes, he was very often seen in the city crowd, while guys in clothes with them went to work, to cafes or on dates. The GP 800 is a make-up artist who can only replace a motorcycle if the owner is ready for something completely new and it is easy for him to put up with any shortcomings.

Face to face. ...

Matyaj Tomajic: I don't know if you can even talk about a GP 800 scooter. It accelerates like a supercar, goes through corners and flies at over 200 km / h. It is full of inflation and reminds me of the legendary Ford Mustang most of all - performance and brutal power that are completely are needed in terms of driving performance, but thanks to their appearance, this is an excellent stylish and status addition. I would have expected more agility and ease of use, especially since I know how good the much cheaper Nexus is, which is made by the same factory. I can't imagine drive chain lube on a scooter, but because of its exclusivity, I can easily imagine it in my garage.

Test car price: 8.950 EUR

engine: V2, four-stroke, 839, 3 cm? with liquid cooling.

Maximum power: 55 kW (16 km) @ 75 rpm

Maximum torque: 76 Nm @ 4 rpm

Energy transfer: automatic clutch, variomat, chain.

Frame: steel double cage.

Suspension: front aluminum telescopic fork fi 41, 122mm travel, rear single shock, 133mm travel, adjustable stiffness.

brakes: front two fi 300 coils, Brembo double piston jaws, fi 280 rear coils, double piston jaws.

Tires: front 120 / 70-16, back 160 / 60-15.

Seat height from ground: 780 mm.

Wheelbase: 1.593 mm.

Weight: 245 kg.

Fuel: 18, 5 l.

We praise and reproach

+ place behind the wheel

+ comfort

+ power

+ brakes

– Not enough space for luggage and small items

- weight

- no ABS options

– dexterity

Matevž Gribar, photo: Aleš Pavletič

• Basic data

  Test model cost: € 8.950 XNUMX €

• Technical information

  engine: V2, four-stroke, 839,3 cm³, liquid-cooled.

  Torque: 76,4 Nm @ 5.750 rpm

  Energy transfer: automatic clutch, variomat, chain.

  Frame: steel double cage.

  brakes: front two fi 300 coils, Brembo double piston jaws, fi 280 rear coils, double piston jaws.

  Suspension: front aluminum telescopic fork fi 41, 122mm travel, rear single shock, 133mm travel, adjustable stiffness.

  Wheelbase: 1.593 mm.

  Weight: 245 kg.

We praise and reproach

brakes

мощность

comfort

steering wheel space

adroitness

ABS options

weight

too little space for luggage and small items