Piaggio X9 500 Reviews - Page 2 of 2

Nothing mechanical yet, only 1400 miles.

Batteries on handheld seat opening transmitter went dead, but I replaced them myself for $6.

Very fast, over 100 mph, accelerates well.

Handles well in traffic.

Brakes very well, stops straight and true.

A bit top heavy for turning on local streets, but cruises very well on the highway, and is very stable in wind.

The windshield could be slightly higher to block the wind.

The seat is very comfortable, but could use more padding under the driver for bumps.

Gets lots of looks/inquiries, great looking design/color.

Head bearings - showing signs of wear at 15k.

Silencer started to show signs of corrosion at 6k

(latest models now have s/s silencers...)

Built in radio reception is poor - needs a proper car aerial.

Astonishingly effective protection from weather, and capacious storage, make the X9 an able UK or trans-European tourer, as well as a nippy commuter.

Happy at 90mph all day driving, and fun in the twisties as well - the automatic transmission comes into its own in traffic.

Friendly and experienced owners clubs in the UK and in Europe are a great asset.

Engine seize - twice.

Dashboard replaced twice.

Centre stand power unit replaced twice.

Battery charging problems.

Heated grips broken.

Top box catch broken.

Seat catch broken twice.

Petrol leaks.

Oil leaks.

A serious waste of money.

Unreliable.

Ridiculous service costs.

Poor manufacturer back-up.

Poor parts distribution.

Nothing went wrong in the three months I owned it, but then I doubt I really gave it time.

In my second bike I was looking for something to continue the commuting capability of my little Typhoon, but something that was also capable of being ridden in place of driving the car at the weekends.

I knew pretty well instantly when I did my bike test that I was never going to get used to manual gear-change after two years of scootering, so a big auto bike was the only option, and after finding a Silverwing uncomfortable, I went for this.

First the good points - it was fantastically comfortable, blisteringly quick (for a scooter), almost as easy to handle as my little Typhoon (though it coudln't quite get in the same gaps) and it had a vast array of gadgetary (including an automatic centre stand for goodness sake). Fuel economy was okay, in the 50's round town.

There was only one bad point, but in the end it proved fatal, and that was the fact it was a bit top-heavy and the wheels weren't quite big enough for the weight (190kg unladen on 14's).

One day another bike did an emergency stop in front of me when an old lady stepped out into the the road without warning. I swerved to avoid going into the back of him and the bike went over - and that's when the bike's other fault became apparent - all that fancy plastic work on the side didn't actually contain anything as rigid as crash protection. End of bike with all of one side ripped off.

(End of my right boot as well, the only thing that prevented it being the end of my right foot according to the paramedics).