Time stands still for no manufacturer, and evolution is essential unless you want to go the way of the dinosaurs. Piaggio’s four-valve X9 250 Evolution had been around since mid-2004, with the straight two-valve X9 250 before it dating back to 2000. Put simply, it was time for the Evolution to the evolve, and the new X8 250 i.e. is the result.
This is the only X8 to make it to Aussie shores thus far (there are four X8 models ranging in capacity from 125cc to 250cc produced by the Italian marque), and it’s pitched as a GT model, as in Gran Turismo.
Yep, it’s a 250cc touring scoot, with quite a few features that you won’t find on many other 250s, including electronic fuel injection (the reason behind the ‘i.e.’ at the end of its model name).
It offers pretty decent protection from the elements courtesy of its large screen and encapsulating bodywork, and its instrumentation is comprehensive, comprising fuel level, engine temperature, trip meter, odometer and speedo. There’s also a clock next to the speedo, which looks massive, but then I guess it’s of more use than a tacho given the automatic scooter transmission.
There’s a massive 56lt underseat storage area, which can be accessed either by raising the seat or opening the rear ‘boot’ – both these actions accomplished either by pressing a button on the handlebars, lifting a catch near the fuel cap or – in a surprising touch of gadgetry – a remote key fob.
The seat height has been dropped from the X9’s 790mm to 785mm, but those on the shorter side could still struggle a little, as its seat is quite wide.
The X8 is nicely put together and has a high quality finish, and combined with all the practicality its bodywork and storage space afford, I was really hoping I’d enjoy it through and through.
The trouble is, I didn’t. Let me say this: there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this scooter, it’s just that I struggled to find any aspect of its performance that excited me. Its liquid-cooled, four-valve single-cylinder engine is peppy enough on paper, but combined with its 171kg claimed dry weight, I found it a lacking. Punch from a standing start is where a scooter comes into its own in city traffic, but the X8 simply felt flat up until the 20km/h mark, where a decent surge of torque kicked in.
Embracing it in its GT brief and getting it out on the open road revealed that highway-speed overtakes simply weren’t on the agenda – once you’re above 60 or 70km/h there just isn’t much oomph left to push that speedo needle on, although it’ll roll along happily at 110km/h all day long.
Its touring-oriented bodywork means that from mirror tip to mirror tip it’s actually pretty wide for a 250cc scoot, which means you won’t slip through peak hour traffic quite as easily as perhaps you’d like.
Other niggles included a slightly recessed ignition I couldn’t actually see while sitting on the bike (making it hard to actually get the key in and start the thing), and a self-retracting sidestand, which in my mind is simply an embarrassing moment waiting to happen.
Right – having got all that off my chest, I can concentrate on the positives. It’s really very stable at open road speeds, and there’s very little in the way of turbulence in general for the rider. Its stepped seat with lumbar support is comfortable too, so if its lack of speed isn’t an issue, this really is a scoot you could quite easily tour on, providing you’re not on the taller side (I’m 6’2”, and I found it a little cramped).
It’s economical, returning 26.8km/lt during the time it spent in my care, which means you’re looking at close on 300km before stopping for fuel. It stops well enough and it handles nicely too, which a good amount of ground clearance meaning you shouldn’t ever need to grind anything.
So, if you’re not particularly tall or heavy and you’re looking for a small capacity touring scooter that’s fairly easy on the wallet, the X8 250 i.e. could well be a winner. But personally, I think the touring scooter recipe demands at least a 400cc engine as a main ingredient, and if you’ll be spending most of your time in the city then lighter, more sprightly and more maneuverable models will win out over the X8.
Piaggio X8 250 i.e.
Engine: 244.3cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, four-valve QUASAR single-cylinder
Fuel system: Electronic Fuel Injection
Power: 22bhp @ 8250rpm
Torque: 20.2Nm @ 6500rpm
Transmission: CVT automatic
Frame: Steel double cradle
Front brake: Single 260mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear brake: Single 240mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Seat height: 785mm
Wheelbase: 1490mm
Claimed dry weight: 171kg
Fuel tank: 12L
Price: $7690 plus ORC
Colours: silver, grey, blue or black
Warranty: 24 months/unlimited kilometres
Web: www.piaggio.com.au
Protect your Piaggio. Call Shannons Insurance on 13 46 46 to get a quote today.
