News – Piaggio is back to two-wheelers in 2012 with the X10 – X10: focus on space, comfort and high-tech!

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Piaggio goes back to two-wheelers in 2012 with the X10

News - Piaggio is back to two-wheelers in 2012 with the X10 - X10: focus on space, comfort and high-tech!

The XEvo ‘two-wheel’ GT scooter did not meet with the expected success, in particular because of the three-wheeled MP3s. In 2012 the X10 will try to regain the superb X9. He is accompanied on the Piaggio stand by the new Fly and a Vespa Quarantesei concept.

X10: focus on space, comfort and high-tech !

The arrival of MP3s – especially the mid-size LT models – turned everything upside down in Piaggio dealerships and undoubtedly contributed to the limited success of Piaggio brand two-wheel scooters like the X7 and XEvo compared to the competition, Yamaha Xmax in the lead.

In 2012, Piaggio will launch – at the same time as the – a brand new GT scooter in order to redress the situation: the X10 will attempt to take over from its real predecessor, the X9, a benchmark in the segment in the early 2000s. !

X10 125, 350 or 500 cc

After having worked several years in a row on their three-wheelers, Pontedera engineers have taken up the "Gran Turismo" file and presented in Milan their new two-wheeler standard bearer which will be available in 125 (15 hp), 350 (33 , 3 hp and 32.3 Nm, this is the new engine presented with the Beverly) and 500 cc (40 hp and 42 Nm).

The general lines of this new scooter are very close to those observed in the automobile: the X10 is massive, seems very long – it is especially low, with a saddle at 760 mm from the ground – and has a cubic rear part that would not deny not a Volvo station wagon !

Everyone is free to appreciate the aesthetics of the object as such. However, from a functional point of view, it should perfectly fulfill its role as a comfortable and practical vehicle! Unfortunately the model exhibited in Milan was still a model, which prevented us from getting on board.

"The X10 will be available at the end of the second quarter", also warned us Federico Musi, CEO of Piaggio France, during the presentation of this novelty. It will therefore be necessary to wait six months before judging the softness of the saddle and the depth adjustment of the lumbar cushion separating the pilot and passenger.

Ditto for the dashboard – off on the Milan stand -, but which will soon display "for real" a multitude of information by means of its digital screen surrounded by analog tachometers and speedometer.

"The on-board computer’s 4-inch LCD screen will indicate average and instantaneous consumption, average and maximum speed, range, fuel level, coolant temperature, journey time, clock, ambient temperature with risk alert of ice, mapping indicator (on the 350, Editor’s note), shock absorber preload adjustment level (on the 500, Editor’s note), odometer and its two partials, and battery voltage", list the Transalpines !

Eleven warning lights will also be responsible for informing the driver about various elements: high beam, turn signals, reserve, oil pressure, electronic injection, parking brake – automatically activated by the deployment of the side stand! -, ABS (on Executive versions), ASR (ditto), warning and starter.

A little tip that could be useful, especially during long winter nights: the stems placed on and under the handlebars are bright. Still in the practical section, Piaggio reports the presence of three large storage compartments: the one on the left houses a USB socket to charge your phone, and the one in the center a 12 V socket..

Under the saddle, two full-face helmets should find their place "and a briefcase or a "cabin" suitcase in planes could even fit", explains Guillaume Chatillon, marketing director of the brand in France..

"This trunk will be fully carpeted, it will be lit and the saddle will be mounted on a jack to make access more convenient.", he continues.

Combined braking or ABS-ASR

On each displacement, two levels of equipment will be offered: the first version baptized "Elegance" can be considered as the standard model, but it will still receive a combined braking system, thus taking advantage of the presence of two 280 mm discs at the front (even on the 125).

"The right lever activates a single front caliper, while the left acts simultaneously on the other front caliper and that of the 240 mm rear brake", specifies the manufacturer who has fitted his new GT with 15-inch wheels and 120/70 tires at the front – yes, only one! – and 14" and 150/70 at the rear.

By choosing the "Executive" version, buyers will have to give up this combined braking, but they will benefit from an even safer system to avoid falling: the ABS coupled with the ASR traction control! We will be able to approach more serenely the manholes, pedestrian crossings and other paving stones … on the condition of keeping his scooter straight like an "i", obviously !

As indicated above during the enumeration of the warning lights, the X10 will be equipped in its 500 cc version with an electronic adjustment of the preload of its mono-shock absorber, modifiable via a double command ("up" and "down") on the handlebars. Hence the usefulness of backlighting !

Owners of the 125 and 350 cc models will have to be content with traditional double shocks with manual adjustment in four positions. All X10s, on the other hand, receive the same fuel tank with a capacity of 15 liters..

It now remains to know, in addition to the exact date of their arrival at the dealership, the prices of the various X10s and their "Elegance" and "Executive" versions. In the meantime, discover two other scooters on the next page: the Fly 2012 by Piaggio and the Quarantesei concept by Vespa. !

Matthieu BRETILLE – Manufacturer photos

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