My Gilera gp800 often billed as the worlds fastest production scooter has proved to be the most unreliable. Numerous trips to Scootech in Roman Road have failed to fix an intermittent cutting out problem. The intermittent problem then became more frequent and after dropping bike off four weeks ago I have still not had it back.

My enthusiasm is waning having had bike let me down at key times. Coupled with some nasty crashes I have seen in last few weeks I am a little anti bike at moment.

I wouldn't get 'Anti-Bike'... 'Anti-Gilera' Maybe...
Crashes you have seen? - yep sometimes gives a wake-up as to the complacency of our daily activities... my speeding course gave me a little of that...

Maybe time for a change of steed is all that is needed?....

+1 on Paul's comments..

When are you going Meldrew? Myself and Gerard C are heading for Venice on the 1st October after doing the Hull/Zeebrugge ferry again.

Yeah - if you're scoot is giving trouble, then this does bring you down, as you feel you can't depend on it, and feel you can't relax and fun, as you might be stranded by the roadside any minute. You are clearly seeing the downsides (accident possibilities, having to get geared up when riding etc), but not seeing the upsides - the fun, the freedom, the ability to get round jams and queues.

So, I think its a Gilera problem rather than a scooter problem!!!

The gp800 is an amazing bike when it runs properly but the dealer support is not up to the same standard as the Japanese bikes. I could.use my mp3 but it seems all too tame after the gp ...... Even if it is more reliable!

I had similar feelings a couple of years go. At that time I ran a Bonnevile and the problem was it hardly ever left the garage as I didn't ride it enough. Ironically it was buying a scooter that kicked me out of the apathy. Maybe a change of brand would be a good idea, as they say a change is as good as a rest! TBF theres nothig worse than worrying about a vehicle, been there myself and the only cure is to get shut mate.

Although I do chunky annual mileages and long daily runs my bikes cannot compete with the safety and comfort of a car. I have never felt comfortable at motorway speeds on bikes. I find the wind and noise buffet hugely different between 60 and 80. I love the bikes as traffic busters but seen three bikes spread across road in as many weeks and one of my mates lost his apprentice aged 23 when a car turned across him on his way to work and he broke his neck. Cars might have got safer but drivers have got more dangerous.

c4aok wrote:Although I do chunky annual mileages and long daily runs my bikes cannot compete with the safety and comfort of a car. I have never felt comfortable at motorway speeds on bikes. I find the wind and noise buffet hugely different between 60 and 80. I love the bikes as traffic busters but seen three bikes spread across road in as many weeks and one of my mates lost his apprentice aged 23 when a car turned across him on his way to work and he broke his neck. Cars might have got safer but drivers have got more dangerous.

If you feel like that about bikes it is time to give up. My first bike was a BSA250 never went anywhere without a spare spark plug in my pocket, very rarely went out without some kind of problem. fifty four years on, just bought another a Silverwing 600 (my second) also have a car, and once had company cars, so did a lot of mileage. Every time I ride i feel sixteen again, don't get that in a car, when that feeling goes I know it will be time to stop riding. Till then I'll carry on doing my 10-12,000mls per year.

I do enjoy the buzz of an open road but much of my riding is around london so it is stressful and when you do get an open road it will have a speed camera on it. Hoping to get the gp800 back at the weekend and I will fall in love again. I hate the wind noise around helmet even with plugs which is what puts me off high speed touring. The adjustable screen on the gp800 does not cut out much noise.