Piaggio X8

The Piaggio X8 is the new compact GT (Gran Turismo). Launched in classic 125 and 200 displacements to satisfy all the requirements of an urban commuter, the Piaggio X8 is the ideal city scooter with its mix of equipment, protection and manoeuvrability.

The Piaggio X8's strong points are elegance, high-level performance, practicality and ease of use. Its extra-large storage capacity makes it a uniquely comfortable vehicle.

Quick and snappy, the Piaggio X8 is the only mid-sized GT with abundant space for rider and passenger, excellent aerodynamic protection and 'maxi' scooter load capacity. This last element - together with its avant-garde technical, style and ride features - makes the X8 the perfect heir to the extraordinary Hexagon, the best-selling scooter that contributed more than any other vehicle to the emergence of the 'maxi' scooter phenomenon.

Design

The Piaggio X8's design is elegant with fluid lines and rounded edges. The resulting impression is one of harmony, comfort and practicality. The front of the X8 is similar to the standard Piaggio has set for all its GT maxi scooters. This time, however, it veers towards automobile rather than motorcycle style. The extended surface of the front lamp suggests dynamicity without being too aggressive. The use of a multi-focus reflector ensures excellent visibility in the worst weather conditions.

The front shield and windscreen are wide and protective. CAD-sketched down to the last detail, the body of the X8 has given excellent results in terms of rider protection during wind tunnel tests.

The chrome trim highlights the sharply drawn lines of the scooter on details such as the edge of the wide footrest and the vehicle identification plates as well as the strip that runs along the sides of the Piaggio X8. The loading lid, the only one of its kind in the category, is painted black, a feature that takes the X8 close to the sport wagon concept, while its shape emphasises the scooter's exceptional storage possibilities. With a 56-litre load capacity and dual access to the storage area - through a car-type rear boot lid as well as by tipping up the seat - the Piaggio X8 is extremely practical. It actually has more storage space than many higher-category maxi GT scooters.

The under-seat space of the Piaggio X8 can hold two full-face helmets, a small bag and sundry items up to 80 cm in length, such as a tennis racket. The large space also has a seat protection cover in case the scooter needs to be parked in the rain, as well as a courtesy light.

All in all, the X8 loading bay is an extraordinary result, obtained once again through ultra-modern CAD styling techniques. The frame was modelled to surround the storage space and avoid any interruptions to total continuity between the rear storage and under-seat space. The rear lid and the seat can be opened through ergonomic, practical handlebar switches.

Further space is available on the inside of the front shield, to place small items or documents within easy reach, equipped with a 12V plug to recharge a mobile phone.

The general ergonomics of the Piaggio X8 result from very precise studies, with a programme of three-dimensional calculations dedicated to the ergonomics of the vehicle being applied to the X8 project right from the start.

The exceptional protection the front shield offers is complemented by a low seat (just 790 mm from the ground) which suits riders of any size, and hardly any difference in height between the front and rear part of the seat. This ensures comfort and protection for the rider as well as the passenger, who can also make use of the rear grips. The seat is wide and well padded with a built-in backrest, modelled to adapt to the rider's body.

In order to make parking as quick and easy as possible, the Piaggio X8 has a double stand - a handy side stand as well as the usual central stand. The Piaggio X8's analogue instrument panel lets the rider check vehicle information at all times. It includes a speedometer, fuel level and coolant temperature indicators, a clock, and partial and total mileage. Besides, it has a series of indicators - fuel reserve, insufficient oil pressure, direction indicators in use, low-beam, high-beam, seat or rear lid open warning and immobiliser LED.

Cycle parts

The X8 frame is the result of an entirely new project and Piaggio made use of the best CAD technology to create it. As a result of computerised FEM analysis, elements such as build strength and weight were defined to perfection and tested from the earliest phase of the project, with the appropriateness of the solutions used checked at each step. The double-cradle frame in steel tubes has a telehydraulic fork with 35-mm shafts. At the rear, the engine/crankcase transmission acts as a single-arm with two dual-effect hydraulic shock absorbers and spring preload adjustable to four positions. The front wheel, stopped by a 260-mm steel disk and dual-piston floating caliper, measures 14" to enhance stability and road grip. At the rear, the 12" wheel rim is supplied with a large tyre (130/70) to provide the storage bay with extra space and improve road behaviour, and thereby allows for a lower seat height. The rear brake is a 240-mm steel disk gripped by a caliper with 32-mm opposed pistons.

Engines

The Piaggio X8's two versions, 200 and 125, are equipped with latest-generation LEADER engines. These four-stroke, four-valve, liquid-cooled units have sparkling performance at the top of their category as well as reduced fuel consumption. Low consumption and a 12-litre tank give the Piaggio X8 an enviable running range.

The LEADER 200 engine outputs 21 hp, giving the Piaggio X8 performance worthy of a 250. Acceleration, pick-up and maximum speed are benchmark level for this category. The 125 version is just as quick, and offers power output of 11 kW as per the norm for a vehicle that can be driven with a car license. On both Piaggio X8 engines, the variable speed drive has been improved. The result is smoother and more progressive output that makes riding these LEADER-equipped vehicles even more of a pleasure, with power output fluidly managed for the Piaggio X8's city use.

The Piaggio X8 shows concern for the environment. Its ultra-modern LEADER engines, both equipped with two-way catalytic converters and secondary air systems, are well within Euro2 emissions and noise limits; emissions are the lowest of any scooter in the GT category.

Thanks to : Motorbike