✅ Three-wheeled scooter Gilera Fuoco 500: description, technical specifications

Sports maxi scooter Gilera Fuoco 500

The Gilera Fuoco 500 sports maxi-scooter stands out, first of all, for its striking body design and finishing.
Technically, the Gilera Fuoco 500 has solid mid-range performance and good flexibility. Like a scooter (and even like a maxi-scooter), the Gilera Fuoco 500 has perhaps only one drawback - its relatively large dimensions and significant weight. But, no matter what, the sports three-wheeled maxi scooter Gilera Fuoco 500 is something compared to ordinary maxi scooters. Gilera Fuoco 500 has special stability at low speeds and braking dynamics (inherent in a three-wheeled design), and in handling and maneuverability it is in no way inferior to a regular maxi-scooter.

The front wheel track of the Gilera Fuoco 500 is 420 mm (it doesn’t interfere at all in traffic jams), the maximum tilt angle is 42° (it doesn’t interfere even in “slow” turns). The Gilera Fuoco 500 maxi-scooter is equipped with an electronic stabilization system, which (when decelerating below 11 km/h) automatically turns on and off (when accelerating above 19 km/h) - this ensures not only safety on slippery roads, but also allows even an inexperienced driver do “stop”. Of course, one cannot fail to note the unique and very aggressive design of the Gilera Fuoco 500, where its sporty and omnivorous (in terms of roads) character is emphasized by “kangurins” installed in the front, rear and even below!

In fact, Piaggio (which includes scooter maker Gilera) is taking a risk with its three-wheeled reclining scooter concept. This is, of course, original and interesting, but it is not a fact that the market will accept such an original technical innovation.

Read more about the technical aspects of the implementation of the Gilera Fuoco 500 maxi-scooter.

Engine 492 cc. cm, used on the Gilera Fuoco 500, has already been found in various devices - this is a proven power unit. Among the characteristic features of its work are small dips at low speeds, but overall its work is excellent, and in the mid-range it is simply good. The engine response is clear, and fuel consumption for such a unit is very modest - 4.5

5 liters per 100 km. Sliding block transmission without surprises - smooth operation at start and subsequent smooth shifts are characteristic. The Gilera Fuoco 500 is equipped with the long wheelbase version of the MP3 chassis. Such a chassis, combined with a powerful engine and a massive upper structure, can only mean that this scooter is “not for city traffic”. This is a powerful maxiscooter and its element is the freedom of the suburbs. However, its excellent handling allows it to be successfully used in the bustle of the city during rush hour, but it is not just an average urban car. Gilera Fuoco 500 is great for long and fast driving on the highway. On the open road it turns into a stable machine with good performance. And the presence of a passenger will have virtually no effect on its performance.

The suspension of the Gilera Fuoco 500 is good. Perhaps due to its implementation, comfort suffers slightly, but it makes it easy to avoid potholes and amazes with its lightness. And its combination with additional traction (for the second wheel) makes it safe and very reliable - especially in extreme conditions. Suspension tuning is limited to ride height adjustment. The braking systems of the Gilera Fuoco 500 also do not cause any complaints. By the way, when driving at low speed (or at a complete stop), the front part of the Gilera Fuoco 500 can be fixed strictly vertically.

The handling of the Gilera Fuoco 500 deserves special praise - and driving this three-wheeler is a real pleasure.

About prices for the Gilera Fuoco 500 maxi-scooter.

And the price of Gilera Fuoco 500 is not small (

350 thousand rubles)… it’s not just “not small”, it’s probably the highest in the world of scooters. This is not to say that this is a price to pay for outstanding technical characteristics - the Gilera Fuoco 500 is certainly good in technical terms, but there are also faster maxi-scooters (this glory remains with the Suzuki 650 Burgman). Gilera Fuoco 500 has its own advantages - it is equipment (integral and complete). We can safely say that the Gilera Fuoco 500 has the most interesting and convenient dashboard. And in general, Gilera Fuoco 500 is very functional - it is thought out and made to the smallest detail.

Technical characteristics of the Gilera Fuoco 500 maxi-scooter (2007).

Engine type - Piaggio MASTER, SOHC4
Number of cylinders - 1
Number of bars - 4
Working volume - 460.00 cm3.
Cylinder diameter - 92.00
Piston stroke - 69.00
Power - 40.2 hp. (at rpm 7500.00)
Torque - 43.00 (at rpm 5500.00)
Transmission - automatic V-belt variator
System - liquid cooling
Fuel tank volume - 12 l
Front wheel - 120/70-12
Rear wheel - 140/70-14
Front suspension: multi-link, parallelogram, 85 mm travel
Rear suspension - classic, 100 mm travel
Front brake - two discs Ø240 mm, 2-piston calipers
Rear brake - Ø240 mm disc, opposed caliper
Frame - steel, tubular
Length - 2160 mm
Wheelbase - 1550 mm
Seat height - 790 mm
Dry weight - 238 kg

TEST DRIVE: Gilera Fuoco 500 (2009) – Three-wheeled trend

Gilera Fuoco 500 2009 492.7 cm3, under observation since July 2009. Author: Dmitry Tubolets, photo: Kirill Chernyshev from the “Used Iron” section of MOTOREVU magazine (08/2010)

MOTOGONKI.RU, October 16, 2010 — Moving safely around the city and light off-road, sand and gravel, asphalt and tram rails in the pouring rain at a speed of over 100 km/h on a scooter - the delirium of a madman? Not if the scooter has... three wheels!

Almost 18,000 km in less than a full season, in any weather, every day until the first snow and a little more until impenetrable ice appears in the yards. The conditions were set by a big city: after all, to study and work in the center of Moscow you have to travel from Monino (100 km - this is only to the Moscow Ring Road and back). I'm not bragging, but from July to October last year I covered 12,000 km on Fuoco. The rest is for two spring months.

Gilera Fuoco 500 (2009)

Nature miracle

The person who came up with the idea of putting two wheels in front and placing them on a parallelogram suspension with independent links should have a monument erected during his lifetime. A kind of symbiosis of all types of vehicles, absorbing the best from each. Independent suspension from quads, a narrow track from a motorcycle, a powerful 1-cylinder engine with a variator from a scooter, stability and controllability in a rear-wheel drive car. This is the main strength of Gilera Fuoco. It also has its weaknesses. The weakness lies in the overload of the front part of the device. The struts are taken from a road-going Vespa and, frankly speaking, are rather weak for such a mass (all 300 kg with the driver). A high-pressure pump is installed under the plastic, which blocks the suspension: it weighs decently, almost 40 kg. The small, 12-inch front wheels and racks carry too much load, and they are stiff and tight for city use. Any cracks in the asphalt echo throughout the pilot's insides. If for many heavy scooters the main consumable is the wheel hub bearings, then for Fuoco it is the steering column bearings: they do not withstand the tests of Moscow... I am changing them for the second time, on average they last 5-7 thousand. I don’t quite understand why you can’t put 14 inches in front? This would have virtually no effect on the weight of the scooter, but cross-country ability and comfort would improve significantly!

Wind protection is also designed for the city. In Europe there are almost no such distances as we have, and you can’t drive on serpentines. Here, every time you go out on the track, you start to struggle. Any overtaking of trucks, any oncoming traffic forces you to hold the steering wheel harder, the scooter begins to swing from side to side. Although the frontal resistance is high, it cuts through the air well with the frontal part, but cannot cope with side flows. Did you want to know about the disadvantages? Alas, this is all that we managed to unearth during the year of active exploitation. Then the continuous benefits begin!

To drive along tram tracks, especially after a little rain, on paving stones and dirty asphalt, you can only feel comfortable on three wheels. Even if one of them is demolished, two maintain their trajectory, and the large mass prevents the scooter from “jumping” from side to side on small bumps. Rear wheel drift is not a problem at all, but an element of fun when driving. The Fuoco can be safely drifted on any surface with little to no effort to load the front wheels. Braking at a 45-degree angle usually results in the motorcycle falling, but on a three-wheeler with a parallelogram in front it is possible and even necessary to ride like this. Maneuvering in a traffic jam after some practice becomes surprisingly easy, because you fully concentrate on the final goal rather than on aerobatics.

Electronically controlled wishbone suspension Gilera Fuoco 500 - the new standard for three-wheelers

It's a lot of fun to watch the motorists, especially in wet weather. You approach a traffic light and don’t rush to put your feet in a puddle, but press the button and lock the fork - the Fuoco stands upright. A phenomenal sight for an unprepared person!

I’ll say right away that I didn’t install any bells and whistles on my Fuuka. The exceptions were two undocumented tricks - a slightly wider rear tire and a windshield from... Honda Silverwing 600.

The base comes with a 14-inch rear wheel, the recommended tire is 140 by 70, but the rim holds up perfectly even at 160 by 70. You can’t put it any wider - it will cling to the shock absorbers. Only due to this it was possible to improve straight line stability! I installed Bridgestone - average tires, not top ones. But in any weather it holds its trajectory perfectly. I tried different “soft” tires, like Michelin, but the “medium” one turned out to be the best. But on the front wheels - only Dunlop, they have been standing for a long time and are not worn down at all.

As a tuning, a windshield from the Honda Silverwing 600

About the windbreaker. The story is generally comical. The standard glass can be removed and placed on a shelf immediately due to its complete uselessness. The Honda matched it not only in terms of fasteners, but also in design - it fit perfectly! It continues its smooth curve when viewed in profile, as if it was specially designed for Gilera, and in terms of aerodynamic qualities it surpasses any catalog tuning. These are the miracles.

In general, the special biodesign of Fuoco is the subject of debates “for” and “against”, they have been going on since the scooter was born. There are two options for how people perceive it: they say that it looks like a beetle, because of its jaw “a la aliens”; others have an association with the film “Judge Dread”, where Stallone rode a flying space bike. In traffic jams, I don’t feel like a flawed person, because people, seeing such a device behind them, usually make way, and not only Zhiguli cars...

I first saw this device in a magazine, but somehow didn’t pay attention. And when I saw it in Paris in May, I was “lit up.” There I tested it a little, but I didn’t have time to travel much; in general, you shouldn’t drive through an unfamiliar city with such wild traffic! But in Paris there are a lot of “fuocs”. This is the same platform as the Piaggip MP3, the only difference is the engines and body kit. I heard that Fuoco was previously positioned as MP3 Sport. But now, when Piaggio began to be equipped with a full-fledged 500 cc engine, there is no longer a need.

Front wheel lock button - for parking

If you compare the MP3 and Fuoco, the former is much wider, mainly due to the plastic fender covers. This means that Gilera is preferable for city traffic jams. Reliability is another key point. The Italians are considered trendsetters in scooter technology and they have learned how to make good motors. I have heard about problems with the electronic suspension lock on the Piaggio MP3, but I can say that this is definitely not a mechanical problem. Most likely, in electronics - in contacts! Here, the Italians, spoiled by dry, sunny weather, can really make mistakes.

Fuoco takes a lot from the Nexus 500: the motor-wheel unit and the pendulum. The suspension of the Nexus is made more aggressively, the muffler is raised higher, although it is exactly the same. The air filter is located under the saddle, and I have it on the variator unit. Electronics and many other parts are interchangeable. Nexus is a very decent, peppy device, and these qualities were transferred to Fuoco, even taking into account the difference in weight: excellent pickup from the bottom, a confident increase in speed and traction in the “middle”. Over the entire period of time, the Fuoco stalled for me once or twice, and then only in traffic jams at minimum speeds and in rainy weather. Most likely, this happened due to an abundant water film on the filters - when “intercepting” the injector did not have time to take a “sip of air” to enrich the mixture.

Gilera Fuoco 500 (2009) is fully compatible with Gilera Nexus

I took my Gilera second hand, with a mileage of 1000 km, literally after running it in. It cost me 340 thousand including a helmet, although in showrooms such scooters were and continue to cost 370. A high price for a scooter, especially compared to the Japanese. But in the city it pays for itself 100%.

Each maintenance for consumables costs 6,500 rubles, and if not for changing bearings, these are the only expenses. And so, kits were added (one kit per rack, each about 2,500 rubles), plus the cost of replacement work - together about 10,000: you have to disassemble the entire front end - remove hydraulics, plastic. It takes a lot of time, the scooter remains in the service center for a day.

Another advantage of Gilera is full compatibility with Nexus, very popular scooters in Europe and Russia. Piaggio MP3 has many modifications. There are models with original spare parts and original problems. I learned this by talking to mechanics who repair Piaggio. For example, the rear pads on the MP3 are practically impossible to find in Moscow, because they are cleverly shaped and wear down very quickly - for some reason Malossi ignores this device after 2500 km of active braking. And Fuoco has everything.

As a result, for 17,000 km I got about 22 thousand rubles including gasoline - 1.3 rubles per km!

Gilera Fuoco 500 (2009)

Crazy about 3-wheelers!

People have been working towards this for a long time - the combination of motorcycle handling, the ability to corner while leaning without fear of drift - this is worth a lot. Perhaps this is why new traffic rules have appeared in the European Union, according to which holders of a car category in their license have the opportunity to change to three-wheelers without passing new exams. Russia, of course, lags far behind in this regard. We still cannot (or do not want) to introduce a division of motorcycle categories by type of equipment, but this really needs to be done, what should we talk about next? OK. Seeing such a freebie, many Europeans rushed to buy not the cheapest, but very progressive devices.

Manufacturers also did not sit still, but it was the desire for progress that led the industry to a certain technological dead end.

Now that all of Europe is driving MP3s (they sold the most, especially the 250 cc ones), other factories are in no hurry to launch their concepts for sale. The Piaggio platform has been tested and perfected, but direct competitors, especially Peugeot, want to surpass the “traditional” scheme by adding either a hybrid or only an electric motor - to make the three-wheeler not only convenient, but also 100% environmentally friendly. And this is still very difficult to do, even in Europe. Other experimenters have taken the path of expanding the topic of motorcycling. They put the base on large wheels, but the result is three-wheeled motorcycles, not an innovative form of transport. Many schemes are stuck in a pre-production state. Not only that, Europe is obsessed with a new fetish - biofuels. They immediately tried to push the new engines into three-wheelers.

Piaggio did not escape these “bio-collisions”, and last year the MP3 Hybrid was released... with a 125 cc engine. Who needs this? A very strange “choice of song”, and besides, this one costs 9,000 euros, instead of 5,500, as for a “regular”, petrol and almost twice as powerful 250 cc. No one can say when electricity will pay for itself. But these devices have a future in our country!

Piaggio MP3 400, Gilera Fuoco 500ie

The Piaggio concern has been generous with new products lately - the market is demanding more and more sophistication from large manufacturers to win the minds and wallets of customers. When the stock of standard ideas runs out, everything that, it would seem, had no chance of becoming reality, is used. And if most market niches are crowded, companies often find new ones. This is currently the niche of three-wheeled scooters. The idea of producing such devices is not new. Many Japanese-made small-capacity models have been traveling around the world for decades. All of them are equipped with two wheels at the back and one at the front and are mainly designed for transporting goods. But Piaggio doesn't take the view that a three-wheeled scooter has to be utilitarian. The purpose of the third wheel, according to the Italians, is to improve the stability and controllability of the scooter. And therefore it should be placed not at the back, but at the front. And then, under any road conditions and angles of inclination of the body, the scooter will ride as if on rails. The main purpose of our test was to test this statement on experimental Piaggio MP3 400 and Gilera Fuoco 500ie.

Test drive GileraFuoco 500ie, PiaggioMP3 400

The history of the creation of these devices leads us to the recent year 2006, when Piaggio presented its MP3 in two versions: with engines of 125 and 250 cm3. Despite the unusual concept and design, the public greeted them with great enthusiasm. Fans of the curiosity were not afraid even of the high price (as for scooters of similar capacity). Seeing that the new products were a success, Piaggio did not deign to beg itself for long, and this year it gave birth to two more models, presented with a short interval one after the other. They were precisely the heroes of our test. These scooters, despite belonging to different brands, are close to each other almost like twins. They are built on the same platform, and therefore only an experienced motorcycle enthusiast can feel the difference between them. But when we talk about the difference, we don’t mean design and cubic capacity, but the driving experience.

Comparing the appearance of MP3 and Fuoco is a thankless task. The brutal product from Gilera cannot be compared with the elegant appearance of Piaggio. The two brands are two big differences. Gilera has always positioned itself as a manufacturer of sports and aggressive devices. Fuoco combines both. One look at it is enough to understand that an ordinary person with a balanced character will never own this device. You have to be a little extravagant to buy yourself a monster whose texture perfectly matches D'arth Vader from the Star Wars series.

But looks fade into the background when you get behind the wheel of these scooters. All attention is focused on how they behave when driving. Sitting on the seat, you no longer feel any differences in design, since “from the inside” they are very similar. Both the Piaggio MP3 400 and the Gilera Fuoco 500ie have exactly the same controls and instrument panels. The only difference is the nameplates with the manufacturer’s logo located on the steering column. The fit is also completely identical or close to it. It is worth noting that the time when the number “500” in the labeling of scooters with Piaggio Master engines meant only 460 cm3 of volume has passed. The Gilera Fuoco 500ie has a 492 cc engine. But the Piaggio MP3 400 has only 399 cubes. Therefore, the first difference between scooters is dynamics. The Fuoco's 93 extra cc of volume makes itself felt as soon as you touch the throttle. Gilera's claimed top speed is only 1 km/h higher than the MP3's at 143 km/h. It can be seen that they decided to “invest” the difference in power into improving dynamics. Taking off from a standstill, the Fuoco 500ie forces you to grip the steering wheel tighter, while the MP3 picks up speed smoothly, with a noticeable pick-up only when reaching the 5 thousand rpm mark, when the maximum torque of 37 Nm begins to develop into maximum power. The Fuoco 500ie has only slightly more torque and power at 40 hp. and 42.2 Nm, but it feels like the torque curve is more linear here, and the CVT settings help use the engine to its fullest.

But before moving on to the test drive, I would like to talk about the design of the front suspension of both scooters, since it is thanks to it that the handling devices are absolutely different from their two-wheeled counterparts. It is based on a parallelogram design consisting of four aluminum arms. The two wheels are suspended independently of each other on two shock absorbers. When the scooter deviates from the vertical axis, they also tilt, copying the angle of the body. The maximum tilt angle of a scooter with such a suspension is 40 degrees, after which one wheel hangs in the air. But don’t worry, you’re unlikely to be able to lay it on such a large angle in your life. The suspension is equipped with electronic-hydraulic tilt angle locking. With it, the scooter can be fixed not only in a vertical position, but also in any other position, if necessary. Since the scooter does not have a side stand, and you don’t always want to put it on the center stand, for parking in “sloping” places there is a handbrake that locks the rear wheel. You still won’t be able to drive fast with the suspension angle locked: you can choose one of two locking modes. One is automatic - when the lock is removed itself at a speed of about 15 km/h, and turns on again when the speed drops to the same. The other is manual: if you want, you put it on, if you want, you remove it, but this can only be done on a stationary device; when moving away, the lock is immediately removed. All control actions are performed by a toggle switch located on the right handle of the steering wheel.

So, I start it, start driving, and go. At low speeds, even with the lock turned off, the scooter is easy to keep in an upright position, but when stopping, it still doesn’t hurt to throw your feet off the pegs and rest them on the asphalt, not forgetting about the weight of the scooter. On the move, the weight is practically not felt, but the fact that there are 2 wheels in front is immediately felt. When leaning in a turn or driving over uneven surfaces, you don’t feel the connection between the steering wheel and the road that is inherent in two-wheeled vehicles. One gets the feeling that the front wheels of both three-wheelers live a separate life from the body. This is partly true. For example, when one wheel hits a small hole, only one shock absorber out of two is activated, and the parallelogram suspension design further compensates for the impact. Thus, only small echoes of what happened reach the steering wheel. But the Gilera Fuoco, due to its sporting orientation, has stiffer shock absorbers, and when hitting such obstacles it still shakes more than the MP3. But both scooters behave stably where a two-wheeled scooter would have long ago fallen on its side. For example, when braking on sand-strewn asphalt with the front wheels completely locked (!), both tested vehicles confidently maintained a vertical position.

The front brakes on scooters are also identical: two discs with a diameter of 240 mm and two-piston calipers. At the rear, the Piaggio has a 240 mm disc, while the Gilera has a 280 mm disc. But despite this, the difference in their effectiveness is almost imperceptible. Both devices are able to stop equally sharply and confidently. The brake power is enough. The two wheels at the front play an important role in this. Basically, thanks to this design, you can easily make a “stoppie” on both one and the other scooter. Also, according to the manufacturer's measurements, the braking distance of these devices is approximately 20% less than that of the best two-wheeled scooters ever produced by the Piaggio Group.

Both scooters are in the Hi-End segment. They are already equipped with a remote control built into one of the keys and allowing you to open the trunks located under the seat by pressing a button. It is also possible to install a proprietary anti-theft system. The MP3 has an optional passenger backrest. You can install a branded textile bag on the trunk of the Fuoco, and protection on the steering wheel handles. But the list of options doesn't end there. Common (but not interchangeable) parts include high windshields, central cases, covers and foot covers with built-in heating. For avid travelers, the TomTom Rider satellite navigation system will also come in handy.

As we can see, each of these two scooters can be easily upgraded to suit your needs. But this will not change their essence. The Piaggio MP3 will remain a more mass model, and the Gilera Fuoco will remain a device for the “select”.

Opinion : Ruslan Kokurudza

Height: 175 cm. Weight: 70 kg.

Driving experience: 4 years.

Head of Retail Sales

I have had the opportunity to ride many scooters, from fifty-fifty ones to large ones, and my impressions were different. Despite this, they were all somewhat similar to each other. But what Italian engineers have created is worthy of a bow. While waiting for the first three-wheelers from Piaggio and Gilera to appear in Ukraine, it was difficult to imagine what they would look like and what sauce they would be served with.

For the first time I saw these three-wheeled monsters, along with the amazed audience, I felt a certain excitement in front of them. The first “ride” was tantamount to tasting some scary-looking madness from a Chinese chef. When the job was done, the audience unanimously asked: “Well, how?” And I responded: “IT’S GREAT!” There was a lot of delight. Piaggio MP3 and Gilera Fouco are not the scooters we are used to; they are fundamentally different devices that have no analogues in the world yet. This vehicle is much easier and more comfortable to drive. MP3 and Fouco can forgive many mistakes, for example, overbraking and locking the wheels. Tram rails also cross seamlessly at an acute angle; sand scattered on the road, especially in corners, becomes invisible. It seems as if the scooter takes responsibility for the functioning of your vestibular system. This is especially felt when turning with the steering wheel turned completely, when on ordinary scooters and motorcycles you have to help with your feet.

Many people think that the prices for Piaggio MP3 400 and Gilera Fouco 500 are too high. In fact, they are even lower than those of Japanese scooters of similar cubic capacity sold in Ukraine. The same Yamaha Majesty 400 and T-Max 500 cost 49,350 and 61,250 hryvnia, respectively. But they don’t have the expensive front wheel suspension that the Italians have.

Text: Vladislav Sofonov

Photo: michel

general description

The front track of the three-wheeled scooter is 420 millimeters, the maximum tilt angle is 42 degrees. The model is equipped with an electronic stabilization system with automatic activation and deactivation, ensuring driving safety on slippery road surfaces. The aggressive and unique design of the Gilera Fuoco 500 scooter is emphasized by “kangaroos” installed at the bottom, front and rear. This solution is designed to highlight the sporty character of the maxi-scooter.

The manufacturer of the Gilera Fuoco 500 scooter is the Gilera company of the same name, part of the Piaggio concern. She exposes herself to significant risks by implementing the three-wheeled model. Despite all the originality and innovation of the vehicle, the likelihood of its positive evaluation and acceptance in world markets is low.

Transmission and chassis

Smooth gear changes and smooth operation at any speed are ensured by a block sliding transmission. The Gilera Fuoco 500 is equipped with an MP3 chassis for a long wheelbase, a powerful engine and a massive top structure, making the unit a true maxi sports scooter designed for off-road riding. Excellent maneuverability and controllability allow the model to be used within the city, especially during rush hour.

The scooter's suspension is light and absorbs road unevenness. Motorists in reviews of the Gilera Fuoco 500 note that the stiffness of the suspension had a negative impact on the comfort of movement, but this is completely outweighed by the reliability and safety of the entire structure, equipped with additional traction for the second wheel. Suspension tuning is sparse and only includes ride height adjustment.

The scooter's braking system is highly effective and provides quick braking on any road surface. The front part of the Gilera Fuoco 500 can be locked in a strictly vertical position when driving at low speed.

BIKES YOU'LL NEVER SEE: 1956 GILERA 500 SATURN CROSS

In 1956, a small skid plate was installed under the frame of the Gilera 500 Saturno Cross, which was necessary due to the engine's large oil sump.

Giuseppe Gilera, born in 1887, began training at the age of 15 with the Bianchi motorcycle company as a mechanic and continued his skills in the Italian branch of the Swiss company Moto Reve, including work at the Geneva plant. At the age of 22, Giuseppe Gilera built his first motorcycle in his small shop in Milan. In 1911 he created the modest Gilera racing team and competed in many regional races.

1956 Gilera 500 Saturno Cross.

At this point in his career, Giuseppe met a man who was having problems with his Harley-Davidson. Giuseppe Gilera fixed Harley's problem, and the man introduced Giuseppe to several wealthy investors who financed the launch of the Gilera Motorcycle brand. By the way, Gilera's real name was Giuseppe Gellera, but he always called his motorcycles Gileras (and even his name was officially changed to Giuseppe Gilera in 1939).

As always, the Italian craftsmanship in the castings, cabinets and construction was first class.

Gileras is best known in the racing world for his Grand Prix road racing with world champion Jeff Duke. Duke won six World Championships and six Isle of Man Championships. Three on Norton and three on Gileras. Due to the Gilera's success in road racing in the early 1950s, the best-known and most successful high-capacity Gilera model of the 1950s was the Saturno. 499 cc four-stroke single overhead valve engine. See Entered production in 1946 as a street bike. In 1951 it received an upgraded engine, telescopic front forks and hydraulically damped rear shock absorbers and was produced in several variants for several decades.

1956 Gilera 500 Saturno Cross.

After several successful motocross ventures with modified Saturnos, the factory introduced a motocross version of the Saturno in 1952. Based on the racing version of the Corsa, the Saturno 500 Cross was primarily a racing model with a 21-inch knobby front wheel. tires, straight-through exhaust; skid plate, drive axle front fork and smaller motocross tank, seat and mudguards.

Gilera Saturno 500 Cross had a displacement of 498.8 cc. CM, 7.1:1 compression ratio, 38mm Dellorto carburetor, four-speed gearbox and 84mm x 90mm bore and stroke.

Domenico Fenocchio was a three-time Italian 500cc motocross champion. See in your factory Gilera 500 Saturno Cross.

Gilera's top factory rider was Domenico Fenocchio, who was also the winner of the 1955 Milan-Taranto race. Fenocchio was the Italian 500 motocross champion in 1953, 1954 and 1955. Fenocchio also won ISDT six-day gold medals in 1954, 1956 and 1958. Fenocchio died in 2007 at the age of 94.

Incredible stability

The two front wheels guarantee incredible braking dynamics and stability of the Gilera Fuoco 500 scooter and are equipped with independent suspension, which ensures constant traction even when cornering at sharp angles. The three-wheeled maxi-scooter is not afraid of wet and slippery asphalt, and hitting an obstacle with the front wheel is practically not felt. 110 mm of suspension travel and a 14-inch rear wheel provide optimal levels of stability. The listed characteristics guarantee a comfortable ride and excellent handling of the Gilera Fuoco 500 scooter both on asphalt and on a dirt track on standard tires.

An innovative solution used by Gilera engineers when creating the front suspension of a three-wheeled maxi-scooter was an electronic-hydraulic system that blocks the tilt angle. It allows you to lock the vehicle in any position with a maximum tilt angle of 40 degrees, so the driver can perform almost any maneuver. There is no need for a side stand due to the three-wheeled design of the scooter: for parking it is enough to lock it in an upright position. Manual rear wheel locking is used for parking on a slope.

Gilera Fuoco. Controlled tilt

Gilera, which exists today under the roof of Piaggio, has long presented the world with an original three-wheeled scooter called Fuoco. But many people are still trying to understand how Fuoco’s front suspension works

Igor Vladimirov
Gilera, which exists today under the roof of Piaggio, has long presented the world with an original three-wheeled scooter called Fuoco. But many people are still trying to understand how Fuoco’s front suspension works

Scooter Gilera Fuoco © Photo: Gilera

In fact, the principle of operation of the front suspension is simple, like everything ingenious. Of course, it’s better to see everything with your own eyes, and then questions should not arise. But not everyone has the opportunity to look under the Fuoco crinoline. Therefore, we will offer an “X-ray” of this scooter, where the working principle is clearly visible. When turning, the structure located above the front suspension elements “folds”, with the upper part “moving away” in the direction of the turn. It is due to this that the tilt of the entire scooter is ensured. The front wheels lead an independent life, each with its own suspension and shock absorber. A special electronic device can block the scooter from tilting. When the tilt system is locked, the scooter is controlled in the same way as an ATV. That is, we turn the steering wheel, the wheels, naturally, also turn, but there is no tilt, which is usual for owners of scooters and motorcycles. We sit, as they say, on our butts straight and steer stupidly in the direction we want.

By disabling the tilt locking system, we risk falling on one side, since the system allows you to disable the locking even when parked. In this case, the wheels are straight ahead, but the scooter can be tilted, or rather, it itself can tilt.

The hydraulic locking of the front suspension is automatically switched off when the scooter reaches a speed of 19 km/h. This is convenient, and you don’t have to bother turning it off after starting off, for example at a traffic light. On the other hand, the lock allows you to do without a step. When parked, you can turn on the lock and handbrake (this trike also has a parking brake), and the scooter will calmly stand where it is placed, even for a day, even for a year.

Since the front wheels do not depend on each other in the vertical projection, hitting obstacles with one wheel does not affect the scooter in any way: the shock absorber and spring “worked out” a hole or a stone, and the Fuoco rode and continues to ride. The second wheel, which, for example, did not hit a bump, will take part of the load on itself, even in a turn, and the impact that would occur with the classical scheme will not follow.

When driving on wet asphalt or diabase, the two front wheels provide good traction. This is also a plus, since slipping on Fuoco is not only impossible, but you will have to try.

Scooter Gilera Fuoco © Photo: Gilera

Since each wheel has its own braking mechanism, the scooter brakes smoothly and, as a rule, the brakes do not lock. In short, you can stop on this device carefully and without incident in almost any situation, without using the foot brake.

When taxiing for a long time at low speeds, your hands get tired out of habit. This is understandable; turning two wheels instead of one, and with a bunch of additional couplings and hinges, is harder. Now, if only there was an amplifier... But that would be superfluous. Not our way. Let your hands train, and then the skill will come. As speed increases, steering effort decreases. This is our way, the proletarian way. If you don't want to strain yourself, roll faster.

Fuoco has an indisputable advantage over its two-wheeled counterparts on dirt roads and paths. When driving on uneven surfaces, in any case (with very rare exceptions) one wheel will have contact with the road, and not bad at that. Here's another plus sign.

In general, the ride on this device can be fiery thanks to the 41‑horsepower engine and confident thanks to the parallelogram front suspension, which provides good stability.

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Efficient braking system

The brake mechanisms of the Gilera Fuoco 500 scooter are represented by 240 mm discs installed on all three wheels. There is a single-piston caliper at the front and a two-piston caliper at the rear. Reinforced brake hoses guarantee the reliability of the braking system and its high efficiency.

The stability of the braking system allows you to maintain the vertical position of the maxi-scooter even with active braking on a slippery road, which entails blocking of all wheels. This feature of the brakes significantly increases the level of safety, which is difficult to expect from motor vehicles.

Vertical locking

The suspension is equipped with two vertical locking modes - automatic and manual. The first is activated when the speed limit of 15 km/h is exceeded and is turned off when the speed drops below this mark. In manual mode, vertical locking is carried out at the driver's request, however, it is only possible on a stationary scooter and is removed immediately after moving off. The mode and lock switch is located on the right handlebar.

Motorcycle enthusiasts and owners of three-wheeled maxi-scooters note that within the city it is more convenient to use the manual locking mode, since when maneuvering in traffic at minimum speed, the electronics can automatically engage the stopper, which can lead to an emergency. Manual locking mode is often used at traffic lights or parking lots, since it is very difficult to hold a rather heavy scooter on your own.

Gilera Fuoco 500 price

In its category, the three-wheeled maxiscooter has perhaps the highest cost: a new model can be purchased for at least 350 thousand rubles. By and large, the scooter owes its price to its original design, but not to its technical characteristics: they are, of course, impressive, but there are other two-wheeled vehicles that are distinguished by much better dynamism and power. In comparison with them, the undoubted advantage of the Gilera Fuoco 500 is the equipment and various systems that greatly facilitate and simplify operation. In general, the Fuoco 500 scooter is very functional and thought out literally down to the smallest detail, and coupled with its original design and attractive design, it becomes a desirable motor vehicle.

Audio system on Gilera Fuoco 500

Nobody knows if schoolchildren have diaries now? I found myself somehow not in the know: it’s too late for the children, and it’s too early for the grandchildren.

Studio: GL-Audio Project leaders: Vladimir Shorokhov and Igor Goglov

System type: audio
Composition: 3-way front + 2-way rear + subwoofer
Source: Pioneer DEH-4200SD + iPod/iPhone
Amplifier: Alpine PDX5
Acoustics: CDT Audio HD-M6, Morel Hybrid Ovation 4mid, Rockford Fosgate T1T, Polk Audio MMC 5250
Subwoofer: Polk Audio MM1240

What if there is something interestingly printed there, besides the lesson schedule and the final grade sheet? Once upon a time (horror, how long ago) at the end there were GTO standards, where I considered the most exciting point to be climbing a rope: separately with the help of legs, separately - without help. Without help it gave significantly more points.

I remembered this when they explained to me how they drive this vehicle, I have seen them on the streets, but so far - no closer than the next row. And I was surprised how you could move on this: with two wheels quite closely spaced in front. If they had been spaced wider, they would have looked like a three-wheeled car; indeed, these appeared from time to time under different brands. Until 1936, British Morgan generally made only three-wheeled cars, but it is still alive today. This is all clear, the main thing is not to rush around turns.

Two wheels are also not a Newton binomial, there is just a roll - that’s all they have, without it - only in a straight line. What's it like here? In general, when I saw this miracle of technology in the photo sent, I rushed to look at it without hesitation. Everything turned out to be even more interesting than I could have imagined. At first glance it looks like a toy. A cute cartoon animal, with four eyes and four ears, that you just want to pet. Considering it a “mopedic” (well, let it be a scooter, now this is more accepted) is also provoked by its origin, which is 100% Italian: the Piaggio concern, the Gilera brand, the Fuoco 500 model, straight from the words of Celentano’s song.

If you approach the Fuoco 500 from behind, it’s like a scooter, only powerful. The single-cylinder (but four-valve) liquid-cooled engine with a volume of 495 “cubes”, together with a continuously variable transmission, swings with the rear wheel suspension and, if it’s not scary, accelerates the miracle moped to 150 km/h. The engine, of course, is a four-stroke engine; no one will now allow you to burn oil on the roads of Europe, even in a ratio of 1:50. It's a different matter if you come in from the front.

Here the suspension and steering are almost like in a car (say, Morgan brand). Steering rods, wheel alignment, independent suspension of each wheel. Even cooler, the wheels turn in such a way that they do not interfere with leaning in a turn, like a motorcycle. But this is only when the “super moped” is driving. And when standing, even at a traffic light, the electro-hydraulic system blocks the front suspension, thanks to which the scooter stands on its three wheels without the help of the driver’s legs. As soon as you take off, the lock is removed, and then everything happens like a motorcycle. With a moped weighing 240 kg, this is very convenient, especially when the driver is not the driver, but the driver. As in this case...

The driver was pleased with everything, having mastered (in the first 15 minutes) the logic of the intelligent front axle. The only thing missing was music. The creators did not provide for such an option, and they did not tell us either: there is no space, no energy. The moped-style generator is integrated into the engine, and it cannot be replaced with a more powerful one. Therefore, the structure of the system, and especially the components, had to be chosen carefully.

They didn’t think much about the structure of the system - why reinvent the wheel, what the Italians invented is enough. Front, rear, sub - the scheme is well known. Without a rear on motorcycles, regardless of the wheel formula, nothing works, this has been tested many times. The front is three-way; on motorcycles this is not a luxury, but the most effective means of building frontal acoustics. The rear is two-way, taking into account the seriousness of its contribution to the overall sound picture.

Components must be light, compact, and economical. And musical. Not everything modern met the conditions set - it even seemed to me that Vladimir and Igor robbed the car audio museum, the address of which was known to them alone.

Front acoustics are prefabricated. More than once it turned out that this is the best way to obtain the required result with a reasonable investment of time and effort.

The architectural design of the front was subordinated to the overall layout of the scooter, and in terms of acoustics, it turned out just fine. The CDT Audio HD-M6 midbass and the Morel Hybrid Ovation 4mid midrange stand side by side in compact teardrop-shaped housings that flow around the center console with the handbrake lever. The volume of the cabinet for midbass is only 4 liters, but this is the peculiarity of this speaker, which we rarely encounter. The combination of parameters in the HD-M6 (resonant frequency 52 Hz, quality factor - slightly more than 0.4) is such that it reaches “Butterworth” already at 6 liters, and at 4 liters it works with a resulting quality factor of about 0.8, like many speakers are in the door. The volume for the “middle” is quite small, nothing else was required here, thanks to the close relative position of the emitters, it became possible to select the crossover frequency of the bass and midrange frequencies quite high, which also makes it possible to reduce the dimensions of the crossover. We used a ready-made one with a crossover frequency of about 700 Hz. The speakers were covered with black grilles from Morel acoustics - they fit perfectly into the overall style.

As you may have noticed, the layout of the front speakers goes somewhat beyond traditional solutions, when midrange and high-frequency emitters are placed close, and low frequencies are placed at a distance. Here in the distance there was an HF link, and it was installed in a peculiar way; I don’t remember such a solution. The beepers are hidden so that you can’t see them right away. The sound is emitted through the gap between the instrument panel and the wind shield, while the shield is also an element of the acoustic system, concentrating the radiation towards the driver's ears. The solution was ingenious, elegant and, as it turned out, effective.

The rear acoustic section is quite traditional in layout, but the most complex in execution. The compact-looking central case, made entirely of fiberglass, accommodates three separate compartments: 36 liters for the subwoofer and two times 5 liters for rear speakers. Damn me, but cramming 46 liters into these dimensions is only possible using non-Euclidean geometry... The body resembles the letter “P”, which Lobachevsky and Riemann first pulled in different directions, and then bent and flattened. The twelve-inch Polk Audio MM1240 stood in the recess of the resulting geometric figure, and on the sides were Polk Audio MMC 5250 midbass. The tweeters from the kit were installed without any fuss on the plane above the midbass.

Given the chosen path structure, it is difficult to find an amplifier more compact and economical than the Alpine PDX5; its five channels were just right. The amplifier along with the Pioneer DEH-4200SD signal source was placed under the seat, and a remote control and a connector for connecting iPod, iPhone and the like were located on the steering wheel...

After completing the musical arrangement, we also worked on the appearance. The tubular steel “chin” of the bumper gave the device a defiant and slightly frowning “facial expression”. To enhance the impression, “eyelids” were installed on the upper headlights - oblique flaps. The device was used in this form for about a year, and then some of the surfaces were finished “to look like gold.” When this happened, Igor and Vladimir dubbed their brainchild the “goldwing killer.” Why? Yes, it’s very simple, the device sounds much louder and more pleasant than many Japanese heavyweights, it attracts at least as many looks, and it’s more convenient to ride, because “without using your legs”...

The front “three stripes” are prefabricated. LF and MF components are clearly visible, HF can only be found if you know where to look

In this perspective, “Gilera” is very easy to pretend to be a banal moped

For history: after installation, but before styling

The non-Euclidean shaped body holds a total of 46 liters of volume

In the tight seat space, both the five-channel PDX and the single-din Pioneer seem unusually large

When there is no interior, there is no transfer function, and therefore the frequency response is more reminiscent of home acoustics than car acoustics. And it’s good homemade, pay attention. The system easily and without losses continues to play up to 50 Hz; below that, the radiation intensity, of course, quickly drops, but otherwise in an “open field” it is impossible. But the same “clean field” had a very beneficial effect on the frequency response in the mid-frequency region: where there is no salon, there are no salon resonances, the frequency response is the same as the emitters can provide, provided that the frequency bands and the sensitivity of the heads are properly matched. It is easy to see that this part of the work was completed flawlessly. This clearly involved some help from hands, heads and ears.

The stage is magnificent, high and stable. And quite wide, which I never expected. This is a consequence of the trick with beepers, and in both senses of the word “trick”.

The tonal balance is smooth, without any comments. Sub-bass and bass sound softly, without tension, the mids are expressive and detailed, the highs are without strain, very clear and warm. The overall impression is almost like home.

Tags: AlpineCDTGileraMorelPioneerPolk AudioRockford FosgateStudio: GL-Audio

Gilera Fuoco 500 scooter: innovation brought to life

Passion, adventure and innovation have always been Gilera's mottos. The Gilera Fuoco 500 sports maxi scooter takes all this to perfection. This model has an expressive, even slightly futuristic design. Two front wheels, a revolutionary parallelogram front suspension and a dual spark ignition system make Fuoco a colorful and efficient vehicle for fast, comfortable and safe driving on both paved roads and rough terrain.

Interesting appearance

The appearance of the scooter is innovative in many ways. Many owners of this maxi-scooter often note great interest in the Gilera Fuoco 500. The photo next to this unusual model has already attracted a considerable number of passers-by. No wonder. The presence of two front wheels, shapes that express strength, character and hidden power, distinguish this scooter from other analogues. Above the front wheels there is a bumper made of steel pipes with metal mesh inserts, which give the scooter solidity. The sportiness is enhanced by chrome metal inserts and black ten-spoke wheels. A block of five headlights, in addition to its attractive appearance, is quite efficient. The two large main headlights are designed in an off-road style with an impact resistant coating. The fairing provides reliable protection without compromising aerodynamics.

Technological innovations

The main highlight of the Gilera Fuoco 500 is its original three-wheel system and independent front suspension. As conceived by Italian engineers, the two front 12-inch wheels provide the scooter with better stability and maneuverability. This allows the scooter body to move as if on rails under different road conditions and inclination angles. Front suspension type – independent parallelogram. This innovation allows the scooter to lean at an incredible angle, allowing the footrest to touch the ground when turning. At the same time, at zero speed, the suspension keeps the scooter in a vertical position, which allows you to avoid additional support with your feet, for example, at a traffic light.

Incredibly stable

The Gilera Fuoco 500 scooter, thanks to its two front wheels, has extraordinary stability and braking dynamics. Two wheels combined with independent suspension ensure constant contact with the road even when turning at sharp angles. Gilera Fuoco 500 is not afraid of even slippery asphalt or wet road markings. If you hit an obstacle with only one of the front wheels, the scooter will not even notice it. Optimal stabilization is also ensured by the larger 14-inch rear wheel and 110 mm of suspension travel. All these factors ensure a comfortable ride not only on asphalt, but also on dirt or grass, even on regular road tires.

Another technical highlight of the front suspension is the electronic-hydraulic tilt angle locking system. With its help, if necessary, you can fix the scooter in any position, both vertical and in any other. The maximum tilt angle is 40 degrees. This is quite enough to perform almost any maneuver. Thanks to the three-wheel system, Fuoco does not need a side stand to park, just lock it in an upright position using the locking system. For parking on a slope, a manual locking of the rear wheel is provided, or, in common parlance, a handbrake.

Design Features

The main highlights of the Gilera Fuoco 500 scooter are its innovative design and unique front suspension, which distinguishes the motorcycle from its two-wheeled counterparts. The three-wheeled design was created specifically to increase the maneuverability and stability of the vehicle, which is why the additional wheel was installed in front rather than in the rear.

As a result, the company's engineers installed two 12-inch wheels at the front at a distance of 420 millimeters from each other and one 14-inch wheel at the rear. The independent front suspension is represented by a design of four aluminum arms made in the form of parallelograms. The front wheels are mounted on two shock absorbers and are independent of each other, but when the body deviates from the vertical axis, they follow it, repeating the angle of inclination.

The tilt angle of a scooter with a similar suspension is 40 degrees, which is enough to perform most maneuvers. A special feature of the Fuoco 500 suspension is the electronic-hydraulic tilt angle locking system, which allows you to lock the maxi-scooter in any position. A handbrake that locks the rear wheel is provided for those cases when it is necessary to park the motorcycle on an inclined road surface.

Effective braking is the key to safety

The braking system of the maxi-scooter deserves special attention. Fast and effective braking is achieved using 240 mm brake discs installed on each wheel. The front caliper is a single-piston caliper, while the rear wheel uses a two-piston caliper. Reliable operation of the system is ensured by reinforced brake hoses. The remarkable feature of the Gilera Fuoco 500 brakes is their stability. Even during heavy braking with all wheels locked, the device maintains a vertical position. This is a very significant plus for safety, especially for vehicles of this class.

A few years ago I wrote this test for an excellent site) Hardly anyone has seen it, so I’m sharing it here) A scooter with three wheels is like a white crow, a colorful dove or a girl with three breasts. And when there are two wheels in the front, and not in the back, this is equivalent to a Gnome bicycle going in reverse, or even worse, a girl with three breasts and two mouths. We mean that this is not bad at all, but simply unusual! But very practical... isn't it?

This scooter became a real revolution in the world of motorcycles. Although similar designs have been implemented before, it has only now reached mass production. The three-wheelers of the Piaggio concern (which has included Gilera since 1960) are divided into two categories: the first - Piaggio MP3 models with an engine capacity from 125 to 400 cm3 - city scooters with an attractive design, designed for a wide range of consumers; and the second - Gilera Fuoco 500ie (sold in the USA under the name Piaggio MP3 500) - a scooter with an aggressive appearance that not everyone will like. In today's review, the main character will be a more extraordinary modification.

When I saw the devilish (the official color name is Demon Black) scooter for the first time, I didn’t attach much importance to it. Well, yes, an unusual design, a strange design, but something just didn’t catch my attention. And only after becoming the owner of the beast, I realized that its appearance (the scooter, not the owner! - editor's note) either catches the eye and makes you admire, or frightens and causes negative emotions. No one remains indifferent to him. For some, the front resembles an evil insect, while others continue to find associations with a spaceship from the Star Wars era. Even after a year and a half of active use of the scooter in the city, the jaws of passers-by still lie in the area of the legs, their eyes are still bulging in amazement, and their hands are still reaching out to touch this miracle of design and technology. But leaving Phuoka on the sidewalk for at least an hour or two, there is a 100% guarantee that you will see traces of the “gatherings” of the most courageous pedestrians.

After the “face muzzle” comes the technically familiar tail section. The powerplant and transmission are typical Piaggio 500cc maxi, which makes it feel great both in urban environments and on country trips. The dynamics, of course, will not surprise fans of two wheels - 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h by the standards of modern motorcycle construction is simply an eternity, but it will suit a rider without special sporting ambitions, especially since the variator allows the engine to gain speed quite quickly.

The design of the front suspension is quite complex, which makes it interesting. Without going into technical terminology, I will only tell you about the operating modes of the hydraulic system of the front wheels. In fact, there are only two of them - blocked and free. The trick is to switch between them. Those who have read foreign tests of this device may remember about the automatic mode, when the suspension locks itself at a speed of less than 10 km/h... so - “it’s all bullshit,” as one of my friends says, there is no such mode. It is possible to switch to the first mode only manually - using the switch on the right handle, provided that the speed is up to 15 km/h and the crankshaft speed does not exceed 2,500 rpm. Once you get the hang of it, you can do this on the go, while stopping at a traffic light, for example. The design also allows you to lock the suspension when the scooter is tilted. You can switch to the second mode using the same switch, or simply by opening the throttle. In free mode, the Fuoka behaves like an ordinary maxi-scooter, sometimes only letting you know about its considerable weight of 250 kg. By the way, a three-wheeled unit can be dropped, depending on the desire or inability.

The dashboard looks quite modern and resembles that of cars or touring motorcycles. Two “wells” of the speedometer and tachometer are separated by a multifunction display, which displays information about the coolant temperature, odometer, two trip meters and outside temperature. The fuel level indicator was located at the bottom of the tachometer. A large number of lights and indicators hint at the high technical level of the scooter.

The seating position is typical of a scooter, but on long trips I would like more legroom, which is limited by the front suspension. The seat is comfortable and wide enough. It contains a pilot presence sensor. It protects the scooter and everyone around it from such a thoughtless action as trying to “accelerate” on the spot. In a situation without a sensor, the unit simply goes “into the zone” on its own, while Fuoka dampens the engine speed without trying to move. Under the seat there is a luggage compartment that can accommodate an integral helmet and a few other small things. In the underseat space, we are pleased with the presence of lighting and a 12V socket. A standard windshield does not protect against air currents at all. Fortunately, installing a tuning one is not a problem.

The brake system deserves special attention. All wheels are equipped with 240mm brake discs paired with single-piston front and two-piston rear calipers. Reinforced brake hoses are also installed in the stock. But the trick, again, is the stability of the device when braking. You can lock both the rear and all wheels while maintaining a vertical position. Another big plus for pilot safety.

The whole essence of the device is revealed in its ease of use in urban spaces. On it you stop noticing slippery markings, dirt on the road, crossing rails at any convenient angle, moving confidently on wet paving stones and many other pleasant moments. The width of Fuoka allows you to maneuver freely in traffic with four wheels, just like on a regular maxi scooter. I would also like to mention the ease of parking - you stop where it’s convenient, fix the front suspension in a vertical position, tighten the handbrake, lock the steering wheel and that’s it. The scooter stands securely even on an incline. If it's going to rain, you can use the built-in seat cover.

PS If, while reading this review, you did not find answers to your main questions “How much does it cost”, I will calm your souls with comprehensive answers:

Fuel consumption ranges from 4 (country highway) to 5.5-6 liters per 100 km under aggressive acceleration conditions with frantic “oiling” of the accelerator handle. The maximum speed is around 160 km/h, comfortable cruising speed is 120-130 km/h.

Price? About $9,000. But you have to clearly understand that a motorcycle, of course, is cooler than even such a scooter, but you stop thinking about it when you realize that you would have “decomposed” long ago on any two-wheeler...

PPS Only category A is required for control (not A1 and not B1). In the documents, the moped is listed as a “motor scooter without a side trailer” (a trailer is not provided in principle, it’s just the norm

Text: Slevin PHOTO: Paparazzi

Gilera Fuoco 500: technical specifications

In technical terms, this Italian maxi-scooter has excellent performance. Inside the steel tube frame is a powerful and reliable Twin Spark Master Piaggio engine - a 4-valve, 4-stroke power unit with electronic injection and liquid cooling. The volume of the updated Master engine was increased to 492 cm3, which allows it to produce a maximum power of 40 hp. at 7250 rpm and a maximum torque of more than 42 Nm at 5500 rpm. The introduction of the Twin Spark system (the use of two spark plugs per cylinder) made it possible to optimize combustion inside the cylinder, reduce noise levels and exhaust gas emissions. The result of all the upgrades is a smooth, high-performance engine that is very responsive at low to mid-range revs. The updated power unit accelerates the Gilera Fuoco 500 to a maximum speed of 145 km/h in full compliance with Euro 3 standards thanks to a closed injection circuit and a catalytic converter in the exhaust pipe. The volume of the fuel tank is 12 liters.