Super Maxi Scooter

Recently, I was lucky enough to evaluate an Italian-made vehicle that’s exotic, fast, yellow and expensive. A Lamborghini Gallardo, you say? Nah, I would be too lucky (and dreaming) since that super car is too exotic and way too expensive. How about if I tell you it only has two wheels? You’d immediately think "Ducati Monster", right? Sorry, wrong again, even though that super bike is definitely fast and is available in yellow. So, what is it?

It’s a Piaggio X9 500 SL. Yup, it’s a scooter. But it’s not just a scooter; it’s a maxi-scooter.

Now, before you think that I had my head screwed up because of too many bike rides, let me first qualify the X9 with the adjectives I wrote in the opening sentence of this story. It is, of course, an Italian-made vehicle. Piaggio scooters are imported to the Philippines by Euro Motors Corporation (9639 Kamagong Street, San Antonio Village, Makati 897-2473/896-8548), who lent me the bike for this test. They also locally market the Gilera and Vespa motorcycle brands, making EMC a powerhouse for Italian scooters. Bellas macchinas, signiore!

The X9 is exotic, not because only a few units are roaming around the country, but also because of its features. Underneath its wind tunnel-developed aerodynamic body panels and fairings lies a welded steel tube asymmetric trellis frame structure with stamped plate links and front cross member; 14x3.50 light alloy Grimeca 5-spoke wheels shod in Michelin Gold Standard tires measuring 120/70-14 in front and 140/70-14 in the rear plant the X9 firmly on the terra firma; and Brembo Serie Oro (Gold Series) cross-drilled disc brakes with two-piston calipers (dual 260mm discs in the front and a single 240mm disc at the rear with an integrated brake system actuated by the left brake lever) deliver awesome stopping power.

If those features aren’t exotic enough, Piaggio is also the first in the industry to offer an electric automatic center stand. With the engine running, just press the yellow button adjacent to the "Start" button and the center stand deploys itself. Many pundits may find this the ultimate in laziness, but deploying the automatic center stand is a welcome convenience to those who are doggone tired after a long-distance ride. Besides, it attracts crowds during parking maneuvers, making you the toast of your late evening biker crowd.

To further add to its exotic-ness, the X9 500 SL features the exclusive Piaggio Integrated Communication System (PICS). This system uses special helmets equipped with built-in microphones and speakers that are plugged into port at the lower left side panel of the scooter. PICS is an integrated intercom and allows easy communication between the rider and pillion passenger. It can also receive calls and provide hands-free telecommunications when you plug your cell phone into the jack at the left front covered compartment. And when used with a portable MP3 or CD player, it also serves as an entertainment center.

To say that this maxi-scooter is fast is no idle boast. Powered by a liquid-cooled four-stroke 500cc single-cylinder motor that boasts of four valves, chain-driven single overhead camshaft (SOHC), and microprocessor-controlled electronic fuel injection (EFI) with a large 38mm injector, the X9 500 SL has a claimed top speed of 160kph with an acceleration curve to humble some stoplight grand prix poseurs. During our test ride, this writer was able to wring out an honest 140kph without breaking a sweat. The motor was still far below the rev limit, but oncoming traffic and a relatively new motor (about 279km, still in break-in period) dictated a more prudent riding style.

Nevertheless, the motor is docile around town, moving the 195kg (dry weight) maxi-scooter with verve and poise. With a perfectly-matched constantly variable transmission (CVT) automatic tranny, the X9 500 SL accelerates smartly from traffic, even beating the occasional 400cc "big bike" challenger with a manual shifter to the next light. The liquid-cooled motor is likewise happy in heavy stop-and-go traffic that would have air-cooled bike riders reaching for the "kill" switch to avoid overheating. Only the accompanying sound of a whirling electric fan hidden in the recesses of the body work indicates that cool air is being sucked in for the radiator.

The abundant torque of the big single also makes light work of pillion passengers, with the added weight exacting only a slight penalty in acceleration times. The two-tone leather-covered stepped seat, which comes with its own cover stowed underneath, allows the passenger to see above the rider’s helmet, while the manually-adjustable windscreen helps divert the wind around the top of their helmets. These features, combined with the aforementioned PICS intercom system, would undoubtedly make the X9 an ideal two-up touring bike with the strong motor and the shiftless CVT aiding and abetting in the enjoyment of the rushing scenery. Excited passengers come standard.

At P435,000 per copy, the Piaggio X9 500 SL may be a bit expensive for a scooter but you can blame the world economy for that. The strong euro and the weak peso conspired to make this maxi-scooter beyond the reach of middle-income earners, if the genre still exists in our moribund society. But for those in the niche lucky enough to afford the price of admission, this Italian maxi-scooter, painted in screaming, arrest-me yellow, would be an excellent alternative for one great getaway from the humdrums of everyday life. Ciao e Yahoo!