Piaggio 500cc scooter arrives late… 1000cc to follow?

Piaggio’s X9 500 scooter has finally made it into showrooms – almost a year late.

Originally launched last Spring, it was sent back to the drawing board after test riders reported an unnerving high-speed wobble and unstable handling at lower speeds.

Piaggio said it has fixed those problems by fitting a new rear tyre, up from a 140/60 to a 140/70, and lengthening the swingarm by 40mm.

We’ve now tested the new version to an indicated 112mph on the banked road of the Millbrook Proving Ground, Beds. For our verdict, see MCN, out on Wednesday, March 13, 2002.

The 460cc X9 is available now and is the cheapest super-scooter of the lot at £4499, compared to rivals like Aprilia’s £4719 Atlantic, Yamaha’s £5999 Tmax and Honda’s £6249 Silverwing. Details: 0800-203010.

The X9 is Piaggio’s biggest scooter, but the company is set to make the world’s first V-twin twist-and-go scooter, which could be much bigger. Vice-president Maurizio Maracci said: ” We can use the X9’s cylinder head with new crankcases to create a V-twin. It can be virtually any capacity, even 1000cc. Whatever we make, it’ll be ready for the end of 2003. “