Global Fold
In 1999, Roberto Ziletti, a €350 million "heavy" entrepreneur and motorcycle enthusiast, bought the Mondial name from the Boselli family. According to him, the inspiration for the revival of one of the most famous Italian motorcycle brands came from the heart. “I don’t follow the logic of the deal, because in the case of the World Cup, I give myself to my passion, which is in me! “says the president of Mondial. Well, this passion has cost him 9 million euros so far!
Mondial is not as famous as its Italian competitors MV Agusta or Benelli, but I still consider him one of the greatest "Italians." Between 1949 and 1957, they won five world titles in the 125 and 250 cubic centimeters classes. When Zanetti, a keen printing millionaire, chose him to bear the name of a super motorcycle, he became a hit. It turned out that he would even benefit from the chosen name when he was looking for a generator supplier for his dream motorcycle.
After being fired from Suzuki, he was interrogated by Honda, an impersonal Japanese giant! Rarely is the lucky one to whom Honda gives at least a crumb from his table, and this time the Italians from the factory in Arcore near Milan received a Japanese cake. Honda didn't forget about Modial's help when they learned how to make race cars in the XNUMX's. Thus, the student surpassed the teacher, and after more than half a century the roles were reversed.
Under the skin of a beauty
When I first see Piego, I begin to understand Robert. The bike is divinely beautiful, from the unusual shape of the front end with vertical pair of headlights to the carbon rear end. Even his technical data is almost heavenly. The aggregate heart of the Mondial is a slightly modified 999cc Honda V-design, taken from the SP-1. Are you satisfied with figures such as 140 "horsepower" (four more than the original Honda engine) and a dry weight of 179 kilograms? Gentlemen, let me remind you that with such qualities, Piega has grown to compete with the fastest and best V-twin.
This year only 250 copies will be available to buyers, and fans will have to pay around 30 euros for this. For this money, you will receive exclusivity, which, in addition to high technical capabilities, is also reflected in the abundance of the best equipment. Check it out at www.mondialmoto.it. The Honda engine turns 000 degrees, and the Mondial has its own carbon air chamber, self-fuel injection with 90mm intake manifolds and an exhaust system. This one is made of titanium, has an unusual shape and ends with two interlocking shock absorbers hidden in the carbon fiber rear.
For some reason, the tubular frame made of an alloy of chromium, molybdenum and vanadium smells like Ducati to me. The rear steel swingarm is coated in carbon, which the World Cup man says contributes to stiffness but certainly contributes to a distinctly sporty look. I remember Piega had his own suspension at the Munich Motor Show in 2000 when it was first introduced, but it was dropped. Mondial now equips Paioli with a front fork and Öhlins rear suspension.
The changes show the ability to compromise with Ziletti's team, which includes tech boss Roberto Greco, who ten years ago led the team of Venezuelan Carlos Lavado (remember him from Tomb?) On his way to winning the world title.
In the rhythm of the ride
Testing exclusive and non-series motorcycles is the dream of every test driver. I'm sitting on a brand new exotic motorcycle and racing around the new Italian track Adria near Venice. Yes Yes! Do you want anything else? Only one is a dry track. So, despite the wet pavement, I ran on a short winding race track.
Hey, the bike is very light and responsive, and it has torque for the entire basket. Hidden aggressively behind the windshield and nose in front of the Honda rebar, the Piega gives me the feel of a real racer. The sound was a little disappointing for me - it is rather muffled and does not complement the Piega's sporty image. After the first rounds of acquaintance, we become better and better friends. I am looking for a dry path past the wet sections of the trail, and Piega obediently serves me. Whatever I'm going to do, the silver Mondial will gladly do.
The high speed does not give him a problem and he also responds willingly around corners. However, for those that I even had to shift into first gear (this one is very long), I am concerned about responsiveness at the throttle, which is not my type. I'm impressed with how electronic fuel injection works, it's smooth and quiet. These are the brakes. The instrument feels best around 10 RPM, where the red field starts. He's also extremely strong in medium duty as he just shoots me on short planes out of corners.
When I park my bike, I am amazed at the work of Ziletti and his husbands Mondial. Imagine: start from scratch and create such a sinfully beautiful and technically perfect motorcycle like this Piega! Ziletti hides two more trump cards up his sleeve. The first one is called Nuda and will be presented in November in Bologna as a stripped-down version of the Piega, and the second is called participation in the superbike championship, in which it may even succeed with the support of Honda.
Technical information
engine: Two-cylinder, liquid-cooled, V-shaped design
Valves: DOHC, 8 valves
Volume: 999 cubic centimeters
Bore and movement: 100 63 x mm
Compression: 10 8: 1
Electronic fuel injection
Switch: Multi-disc oil
Maximum power: 140 h.p. (104 kW) at 9800 rpm
Maximum torque: 100 Nm at 8800 rpm
Energy transfer: 6 gears
Suspension: (front) Paioli fully adjustable telescopic upside-down forks, f 45 mm, 120 mm travel.
(rear): Fully adjustable Öhlins shock absorber, 115 mm wheel travel
brakes: (front) 2 discs Ø 320 mm, 4-piston Brembo brake caliper
brakes: (rear) Disc Ø 220 mm, Brembo brake caliper
Wheel (front): 3 x 50
Wheel (enter): 5 x 50
Tire (front): 120/70 x 17, Pirelli
Elastic band (ask): 190/50 x 17, Pirelli
Head / Ancestor Frame Angle: 24 ° / 5 mm
Wheelbase: 1420 mm
Seat height from ground: 815 mm
Fuel tank: 20 liters
Weight with liquids (without fuel): 179 kg
Text: Roland Brown
Photo: Stefano Gada and Tino Martino
Technical information
engine: Two-cylinder, liquid-cooled, V-shaped design
Torque: 100 Nm at 8800 rpm
Energy transfer: 6 gears
brakes: (front) 2 discs Ø 320 mm, 4-piston Brembo brake caliper
Suspension: (front) Paioli fully adjustable telescopic upside-down forks, f 45 mm, 120 mm travel.
Fuel tank: 20 liters
Wheelbase: 1420 mm
Weight: 179 kg
