Gilera Fuoco 500 - Good or bad?

[Haggishunter]

I saw on of these on e bay, and it took my fancy! I rode the burg 650 right up until I could not move it due to black ice last year, but thought this might be a laugh this winter. Here is the link

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gilera-Fuoco- ... 416a9ea024

Anybody have good/bad experiences with this beast - know it would be totally different to the burg but always like a change! Any comments/stories most appreciated

[Data]

I think they are a good machine based upon what I've read and what someone who had one once told me about it. Without doubt I believe you could ride one all year round if you are careful. Heck, I normally ride just two wheels all year round without problems...normally! Although I did have a few days with the bike in the garage in the really bad snow of two years ago. I would be interested to know what the bike has been doing in the last few years sinces it's registration as 1500 miles is way too little. Has it had regular oil changes? If it's been standing for very long periods you can expect maybe the fork seals to need replacing very quickly once it goes into regular use. Also some engine seals may need replacing too and that can be expensive. These all dry out if the bike is left standing for too long. Best way to approach it, if you buy it, is treat it like a new bike and don't thrash it. Just take it for a very gentle ride of just 4-5 miles and let it stand for several days. This will allow engine and fork seals to swell a little. Then just use it as normal and see what happens. If you have to ride it home as opposed to trailering it, then just don't thrash it, keep the revs low.

[chrisp]

4 owners, 1500 miles, wonder why it's done so little miles and changed owners. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea?

[ridinhigh]

lol i remember my first outfit a triumph thunderbird with a canterbury sidecar ,that went straight on too lol
takes a bit getting used to

[nexusmaximus]

Right! .... if i were you, i'd get a test ride on an mp3 first, any model will do, even the slightly wider wheel based LT. The reason i suggest this is that you'll either love it or hate it. The main reason in my opinion is the way it takes a corner, unlike a two wheel machine which you force into a corner, the Fuoco wants to dive into a corner because the whole system is more of a hinge than a natural lean. You'll find that you'll overcome this problem by attacking bends with more throttle than normal, just to compensate for the natural lean of the Fuoco, but when first attempting to corner the diving action can be a little unnerving, hence my recommendation to try one out first. It's so much fun, but as has been mentioned, has it's foibles (to put it politely!) If however you can afford to run two scooters, then i would whole heartedly recommend getting one as a fun ride opposite a more reliable commuter hack.... You'll be rewarded in spades with the Fuoco, it's an absolute blast!!

[terryvanman]

what he just said...I miss mine

[Mr Angry]

It's a real hoot to drive but lacks top end acceleration, can be embarrassing on the motorway when trying to overtake. Ice is about the only thing that will bring it down and you can see jaws drop when you 3 wheel slide around roundabouts in the wet. Fasteners corrode but are easily and cheaply replaced. As said try one out first but not the 125 as that is useless.

I would also revert it to standard if the track has been widened.

[Haggishunter]

Thanks for the replies - ah foibles! Please tell more Nexusmaximus! All scooters/bikes have foibles, mine at present is loosing screws from the fairing?! Saw the 500 over in Nice on holiday and the riders were having a hoot, diving so hard into bends etc, plus I think they look fun! Not sure the other half would go with me having 2 scooters (as well as a big road legal quad - now that is scary on the go!) so the Burg would have to go.

Of course being in the far flung wastelands of Aberdeen there are no scooter dealers here, and no chance to test ride one so will just have to travel as usual!

Cheers

[gn2]

Shirlaws in Crown St. do Moto Guzzi, so they have some sort of a relationship with Piaggio, maybe they could get one for you if you asked?
They are also agents for scooters from Suzuki, Kymco and Sym.
Ecosse in Hutcheon St. do scooters from Honda and Yamaha.
It's always seemed odd to me that there isn't a Vespa/Piaggio scooter dealer in Aberdeen because it's such a prosperous city.

[Haggishunter]

Well had a good look about on various forums - found the modern vespa MP3 section to be really good! (http://modernvespa.com/forum/forum13). Had no luck with finding any Fuoco up here in Aberdeen, none of the dealers have one or even know of one! Anybody on here know of one within a reasonable distance (ie within Scotland!)

They do seem to have their foiables and cetainly compared to my old Burg seems more maintenance required (belts at 6000 etc) but still like the look of them and would allow me to drive for longer in the winter (finally had to stop last year when couldn't get the Burg out of the drive because of black ice - took me 10 min to actually get it back as I could not get my footing!!)

Anyway if anyone can help with even letting me look at one would be grateful - I will be in Glagow area around 18/19th if that any use?!

Cheers