With its snazzy looks and performance to match, Gilera has got it right with the new GP800, writes Tom Robert
SORRY ABOUT this, but you're going to have to mutilate your beloved copy of Dr Furtwangler's Dictionary of Motorcycles. Still, if you're careful, you should be able to tear out, without doing too much damage, the bit which says: "SCOOTER: slow, noisy, two-stroke used as vehicle of choice by Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, then later by hordes of Mods making their way to Brighton, a journey which normally took them several weeks at an average speed of 24.9mph, to stage running battles along the promenade with rockers."
And listen, don't blame me, blame Gilera for reinventing not only the wheel, but both of them, when they came up with the GP800, a sleek and frisky machine powered by the same 839cc V-twin as the Aprilia Mana.
And while it's been detuned to 74bhp, it will still beat most things on four wheels away from the lights and accelerate on to a mildly mind-boggling 124mph top speed.
Yes, you read that right. And while I can't confirm the top speed, I can confirm that at motorway speeds and beyond, the GP is as stable as a rock, not to mention phenomenally cosy behind that height-adjustable screen and wings wide enough to keep most of the wind and weather off your legs.
The bonus of getting some splendid double-takes from BMW drivers as you steam past them on what just looks like a slightly large scooter.
All of which means that if you're looking for a handy commuter and live a bit further out than the burbs, but couldn't be bothered with all that motorbike palaver, look no further than the GP800.
It will deliver you long distances day in, day out, rain or shine with no need for anything more than a light waterproof suit over your city clothes.
Even better, you won't need to spend your time looking around for the increasingly rare sight of urban filling stations, with a range of 160 miles on a full tank.
As for its performance around town, it may not quite live up to Gilera's outlandish claims that it rivals the Ducati Monster 695 or the BMW F800, but it's frisky enough to get you through traffic faster than any car and most bikes.
The twist and go automatic means no fiddling about with gears, and the sit up and beg riding position is far better in terms of visibility than being draped over a Japanese pocket rocket.
As for cornering, it doesn't live up either to Gilera's equally optimistic claim that it tackles bends like a sports bike, but with a bit of practice, I was able to combine leaning and counter-steering to flow smoothly through corners in a manner which came close to suggesting that I knew what I was doing.
Slow corners take a bit more practice, since that dinky front wheel prefers to go straight on, not to mention dancing about on road imperfections in a manner which will keep you entertained for hours on end, since it doesn't detract from the reassuring stability of the machine.
Early braking and suspension problems have been ironed out to the extent that stopping is entirely adequate, especially when you learn to stop looking with the rear brake with your right foot and transfer your attention to your left hand.
All in all, then, Gilera have pretty much got it right, with snazzy looks and a performance to match.
In fact, the only major fault I could find was that compared to other scooters, there's just about enough room under the seat for a helmet and a small muffin, so if you want to bring your designer Italian briefcase to work with you, you'll have to splash out for the 48-litre optional top box.
Colour-coordinated, naturally. After all, this is Italy we're talking about.
Factfile
Engine:liquid-cooled four-stroke eight-valve 839cc V-twin, fuel-injected
Power:74bhp at 7,250rpm, 56lb ft of torque at 5,750rpm
Transmission: belt and variable pulley automatic transmission, chain final drive
Performance:top speed 124mph, average fuel economy 46mpg
Price in the Republic:€9,950. Irish distributor is Bike World, Dublin 12, 01-456 6222, bikeworld.ie
Price in Northern Ireland £6,599. Test bike supplied by Piaggio Centre, Belfast, 028-9032 1509.