Add Your News | Advertise | About Us | Newsletter | Industry Links | Search 
 
News and products for the motorcycle enthusiast and professional
 


BORN OUT OF RACING PASSION
17 August 2006 - Piaggio

Gilera Nexus 250 and 500 SP

The Gilera Nexus, the sportiest maxi-scooter on the market, is being revamped to reflect Gilera’s increased involvement in Grand Prix racing during 2006. The Nexus 500 SP and Nexus 250 SP hit the streets with an aggressive new look and a highly-tuned chassis, providing everyday thrills for enthusiasts everywhere.

The Gilera Nexus revolutionised the scooter market when it was launched in 2003. Heralding the birth of a new sector – the maxi super-sport scooter - the Nexus offered a proposition that possessed road grip worthy of a superbike together with the practical advantages of a scooter. The Nexus design took a 500cc single-cylinder electronically injected engine and added cycle parts never seen before on a scooter. With the engine fixed firmly to the tubular steel frame, an adjustable rear ride height, a progressive rear shock absorber and an upright riding position the Nexus offered total control. The design proved popular with European riders, the Nexus having sold over 6,000 units to date.

With the introduction of the new Nexus 500 SP and 250 SP the new Nexus range is aimed at riders who want the convenience of a scooter without compromising the mechanical benefits of a motorbike. Drawing on Gilera’s rich racing heritage, the designers and engineers have created a balance between road performance and racing image at a time when Gilera is once again a threat on Grand Prix circuits all over the world.

The new fairing reveals the powerful character of the vehicle: the new central air intake, positioned between the headlights to underline the scooter’s aggressive look, is a strong design statement. No fins or unnecessary bodywork surround it, just the thinnest of screens in pure racing tradition. The rear view mirrors have been moved from the fairing to the handlebars, and two aerodynamic deflectors have taken their place. Apart from completing the aggressive new look, the deflectors serve to protect the rider’s hands.

The dashboard graphics of the new Gilera Nexus SP have been updated and the key instruments have been re-positioned for better control. With the indicators now located on the front side panels rather than on the rear view mirrors, the design is more streamlined. The new Gilera Nexus SP also boasts an improved riding position as the seat is 25mm lower and the handlebars have been raised slightly, increasing comfort for the rider on longer and tougher rides.

The new Nexus SP has a new seat cover in micro-drilled material and it sports a new set of white lenses, instead of red, bringing the design right up to date. With the wheel rims painted in sporty Racing Black, this eye-catching scooter is sure to turn heads!

The 500cc single cylinder, fuel injected engine of the Nexus 500 SP is mounted to a stiff tubular frame which creates an extremely well balanced bike (48/52 weight distribution). The leverage on the suspension of the new Nexus 500 SP has been adapted to offer comfort and control on any kind of road surface. The 41mm front suspension forks isolate the immediate effect of bumps but still leave a good feel for the road ahead. The progressive Powerdrive rear suspension system is simple enough to change in a matter of seconds and the difference is immediately noticeable, gearing towards either easy riding or aggressive handling.

Braking is fundamental to the way any vehicle handles on the road, and once again the Nexus delivers at the top of the game. With a superb three disc linked braking system (two on the front, one on the rear) this bike is easy to handle. The system was designed by Brembo which demonstrates that the Gilera Nexus 500 SP is no ordinary scooter.

The Nexus 250 SP brings the sports appeal of Gilera to the predominantly urban user. The engine is a new generation four-stroke, four-valve, liquid-cooled QUASAR 250 with electronic injection which guarantees smooth running. Using the same frame as the 500cc, the 250 SP has a twin shock absorber at the rear to enhance agility and its 14” wheels suit the sporty nature of this smaller Nexus. The instrumentation and controls are the same ones used as on the 500cc.

The Gilera Nexus 500 SP and 250 SP are available in Dragon Red with new sporty graphics and a dual-colour saddle. The Gilera Nexus SP can be personalised with a wide range of accessories including a 42-litre top box that holds two full-face helmets for the Nexus 500 SP and a 32-litre top case for the Nexus 250 SP. An extended windscreen and leg cover for more protection during the winter months are also available, as well as an electronic alarm and vehicle cover for additional security.

The Gilera Nexus 250 SP and 500 SP are available in UK dealerships nationwide now and cost £3,249 and £4,849 respectively. For more information about any of the Gilera models or how to find your nearest Gilera dealer, call FREEPHONE 0800 20 30 10 or visit www.uk.gilera.com.

GILERA NEXUS 500 SP: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Single cylinder MASTER 4 stroke
Displacement 460 cc
Bore 92 mm
Stroke 69 mm
Compression ratio 10.5: 1
Max power to shaft 40.12 bhp (29.5 KW) at 7,500 rpm
Max torque 42 Nm at 5,750 rpm
Exhaust Closed loop system with lambda sensor and three-way catalytic converter in exhaust pipe
Valve train 4-valve SOHC, electronic injection
Ignition Electronic inductive discharge and variable spark advance in electronic unit with electronic immobilizer, transponder LED and fuel pump shutoff when bike tips over
Start Electric
Lubrication Wet sump
Cooling Liquid with three-way thermostat
Gears Twist and go CVT with torque server
Clutch Dry centrifugal type with damping plugs
Frame Double cradle, high-strength steel tube trellis
Front suspension Telescopic hydraulic fork, Ø 41 mm shafts, 93 mm travel
Rear suspension Progressive POWER DRIVE, gas shock absorber with spring preload adjustable to 7 positions; 90 mm travel
Braking system Linked: left brake lever simultaneously activates rear disk and right front disk; right brake lever activates only left front disk
Front brake Stainless steel double disc, Ø 260 mm, with floating Brembo Serie Oro caliper and two pistons
Rear brake Stainless steel disc, Ø 240 mm, Brembo Serie Oro caliper and two opposite pistons
Front wheel rim Die-cast aluminium alloy, 3.50x15”
Rear wheel rim Die-cast aluminium alloy, 4.50x14”
Front tyre Tubeless, 120/70-15”
Rear tyre Tubeless, 160/60-14”
Length 2,100 mm
Width 780 mm
Wheel base 1,515 mm
Seat height 795 mm
Dry weight 199 kg
Fuel tank 15 litres (includes 2.8 litres reserve)
Emissions Meets Euro 3 standards

www.uk.gilera.com


More News
  For August 2006
  From Piaggio
  For Mopeds
  Biker247.com Home Page

 

Biker247.com is an Internet publication brought to you by The 247 Network - Visit our other sites at www.the247network.com.
The entire content included in this website, including but not limited to text, design, graphics, interfaces, or code and the selection and arrangements thereof is copyrighted as a collective work under the UK and other copyright laws and is the property of The 247 Network.