Gilera Runner 180

I had my Gilera 180 from new. I was impressed by the quality of the plastics against the Peugeots in the shop and the bike was comfy with the added storage under the seat that will take a helmet. Over 5 years of ownership I did 25,000 miles and got rid of it when the repair bill made it uneconomical to repair.

From just wear and tear it started to destroy itself. Exhausts lasted about 18 months and were not cheap at £225 each. In 5 years I needed three exhausts and the second one exploded after just a year. The performance was fantastic to begin with and 90mph was possible but performance gradually started to fall off over the years. The handling round corners was never good due to the pivoting rear end linkage which made the back end vague. A main bushing failed early on and was replaced (badly) by the dealer under warranty. Later the whole back end linkage failed making it feel like the rear tyre was punctured. The suspension linkages includes plastic parts...bad.

The biggest problem was the Gilera dealers. Parts availability is very poor and everything has to be ordered apart from consumables such as tyres. Two different dealers could not get suspension linkage parts for months and one dealer sold me the wrong part insisting it was correct - it wasn't. Gilera do not stock 100% of parts in the UK and some have to be ordered from Italy - so expect to have your bike off the road for weeks or months.

The front forks collapsed after about 24,000 miles and they were also badly rusted, so I sold the bike to a dealer for parts.

Overall a good scooter if it has low mileage, but don't expect it to keep going for years and years without expensive problems. The Gilera (read Piaggio) dealers are a real let down and this alone would stop me buying another bike/scooter from this company.

Can't fault it. If you wanted mileage, should have gone for a 4 stroke. The convenience and sheer zip is fantastic. Servicing?? Oh..you mean a new plug and cap, squeeze out the airfilter and ummm..uh..well thats it realy till next year. Not had the bits falling off and low mileage problems. Has anyone timed them 0-85 mph? I'm using a 2000 FXR 180 which I will only part with for something better, not seen it yet!

Perhaps you can help with the cold start problem; it chuggs for about 400 yds or 380mtrs and then kicks in and we're OFF!

The bike shop wasn't interested, said all the runners do it. Why??

I'm going to take the choke off and clean up the terminals, gotta be something simple? Any ideas? Cheers. Tom

I normally ride big bikes but was given a Gilera Runner while my BMW GS 1200 was being repaired. At first I was a bit embarrased about being on a scooter - 10 minutes later I couldn't stop laughing. I was amazed how much fun this thing was, . When I gave it back to the garage I just went straight out and bought one for myself.I owned it for 5 years, rode it every day and pretty much every day it was involved in some form of race. There was something gratifying about racing a sub 200cc scooter against a group of 600cc race bikes and knowing you'd most likely win. Bad points were the fuel economy (which was appalling), you'd also want to chain it to a police dog if you intended parking it anywhere at night. Storage wasn't great. The handling wasn't as good as some scoots (my current Vespa GTS 250 is better). Only one disk brake up front which meant the forks twisted slightly under extreme braking. And may eventually blow up but who cares - at least you'll look always back fondly on your time with this bike.It's a shame manufacturers can't produce something similar now - I understand that 2 stroke is out but perhaps just taking the engine from a Honda SH300i, adding a turbo and fitting it into an Italjet dragster frame might work.

So sluggish off the mark and at traffic lights my sons Aprilla 50 two stroke (unrestricted) beats it. I doesn't matter that water leaks out of the radiator if you fill it to the mark but it shouldn't. It is just not well put together.

The stickers blew off in the wind and the overall quality is rubbish. What ever happened to the old model!

I knew I ' d get along with this scoot, but I never thought I ' d LOVE it! Every ride is a buzz, I find myself out just for ridings sake, like I used to on my Hornet, (another stonking little bike capable of more than it has a right to be...) the unaware still think it's just a scoot, but the SP180 is much more than they'll ever know, until they wonder what is overtaking them round the outside of the roundabout and disappears up the road!

Had mine for 4 years, for use in summer, always starts first time after winter break. Slighty tuned and very quick 80 plus.

This bike was my dream for a while and when I finally got my Gilera Runner the front wheel didn't touch the floor. This is a good bike for people who get a buzz on miles of wheelies or the power of overtaking in traffic.

Excellent bike, generously sized fuel tank that used to last for ages, used this on mud-tracks to motorways, always performed well with no trouble, in the time I had it, it never missed a beat and never went wrong, amazing acceleration, would easily leave behind geared 125s and other scooters.

This Gilera Runner 180 bike is great to wheelie! The front lifts so easy and both mine with minor mods, hits a true 90+. That's off the clock!

Engine bushes go every 1500km but it might just be the way I ride. This bike doesnt handle round any corner well.

However, get one of these bikes and get on one wheel, that is what these 180s are for!

I have had 2 Gilera Runner 180s and loved every minute, the ride is so entertaining. I took to scooters after a major accident rendered me unable to handle my BMW any more, I missed 2 wheels so tried a scooter, had one now for nearly 6 years.

The 180 is brilliant, doesn't like ticking over from cold just get on and ride, the weight is very good. Acceleration is entertaining and leaves anything on the road. A good selection of tuning stuff is available too if you want more go. Bad points are fuel consumption, my 2 always did 48mpg however you rode them, good or poor? I originally thought it ok but actually its pretty bad if you think about it.

Another bad point is when you are wanting a bit more progressive power when the weather is bad the 2 stroke piles it on all of a sudden whereas a 4 stroke is very progressive, just a point but can easily spin wheel on turning.

Proper servicing is a must I used a bad dealer and my drive collapsed after a major service the Cario drive fell apart destroying itself and the clutch and belt, you may also have to argue for warranty but I got there in the end.

Am on a VXR now - another review.