Gilera Fuogo 500ie

Gilera Fuogo 500ie
Manufacturer	Gilera
Production	2007
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves
Compression ratio	10.1:1
Top Speed	142 km/h
Ignition	Electronic inductive discharge and variable spark advance in electronic unit with electronic immobilizer. Fuel pump shutoff when bike tips over. Two spark plugs.
Transmission	Twist-and-go CVT
Frame	Double cradle trellis made of high strength steel tubes
Suspension	Front: Parallelogram composed of four aluminum arms supporting two steering tubes, cantilevered suspension. Travel: 85 mm. Electro-hydraulic suspension locking system. Rear: Oscillating engine fixed to the frame with a swingarm and two dual effect hydraulic shock absorbers with four-position spring preload. 100 mm wheel travel.
Brakes	Front: 2x 240mm discs 2 piston caliper Rear: Single 240mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tire	2x 120/70-12
Rear Tire	140/70-14
Seat Height	790 mm / 28.7 in
Weight	238 kg / 524 lbs (wet)
Fuel Capacity	12 Liters / 3.17 US gal
Manuals	Service Manual

It could reach a top speed of 142 km/h.

Engine

The engine was a Liquid cooled cooled Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves. The engine featured a 10.1:1 compression ratio.

Drive

Power was moderated via the Dry centrifugal type with damping plugs.

Chassis

It came with a 2x 120/70-12 front tire and a 140/70-14 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2x 240mm discs 2 piston caliper in the front and a Single 240mm disc 2 piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a Parallelogram composed of four aluminum arms supporting two steering tubes, cantilevered suspension. Travel: 85 mm. Electro-hydraulic suspension locking system. while the rear was equipped with a Oscillating engine fixed to the frame with a swingarm and two dual effect hydraulic shock absorbers with four-position spring preload. 100 mm wheel travel.. The Fuogo 500ie was fitted with a 12 Liters / 3.17 US gal fuel tank.

Photos

Overview

Gilera Fuogo 500ie

My introduction to the Gilera Fuoco's three-wheeler technology came in 2006 year when I tested the Piaggio MP3 scooters on which it was pioneered

I emerged from that baptism grinning. Cornering with an additional wheel demands none of the care needed on conventional motorcycles. Twin front wheels married to electro-hydraulic suspension beg the rider to corner fast.

I thrashed the little Piaggios and found their roadholding exceptional but, with the MP3 range limited to 125 and 250cc, I wondered how much better the technology would feel with proper power.

Answer: It feels good. Leaping astride an unfamiliar motorcycle, pegging the throttle open and pointing it at a sharp bend is not normally my style but I made an exception. The Fuoco accelerated eagerly and I pitched into the roundabout at 60km/h. The exhaust touched the tarmac but the tires didn't flinch. In fact the risk of a front-end skid is, for all practical purposes, eliminated

With twice as much rubber in contact with the road, the Fuoco tilts and grips with Tigger-ish enthusiasm but resolutely refuses to bounce.

Ride quality is smoothed by the separate shock absorber on each of the parallel front wheels. These devour bumps, even two-up, making the Fuoco comfortable as well as frisky on pot-holed streets.

That extra rubber comes into its own again when you apply the brakes. Emergency stopping distances are about 20 percent better than on a two-wheeler and, though it is possible to lock both the front wheels and the rear one, there is no risk of falling off if you do.

Riding the Fuoco in town is a breeze, not least because of the brilliant "roll lock" suspension-locking system. It works like this: as speed drops below 10km/h warning light and beeping audio alert on the instrument panel combine to inform the rider that they can stabilise the scooter. This is achieved by flicking a switch on the right handlebar. Result? No need to put your foot down to keep the Fuoco upright at standstill.

With the lock engaged, those tilting front wheels lock firmly in position.

'Please, what is it?'

Pulling up beside car drivers is fun. The Fuoco's additional wheel, enormous front bumper and twin headlights are striking even to the unobservant. So is its big, comfy seat but little compares to the look of astonishment when you pull up at the front of the queue and sit there with no visible means of support.

In nearly 20km of urban riding I drew pointing, stares and a man who just lowered his window and said "Please. What is it?" With practice, I managed to lock at an angle to the vertical and remain seated while canted over. There is no risk. The lock is released as soon as you open the throttle. You cannot accelerate away with your suspension and steering frozen.

You can always guarantee being at the front of the queue because the Fuoco retains scooter dimensions. The single-cylinder 500cc engine used here is a slightly enlarged version of the unit deployed on the Piaggio X9 and Gilera Nexus two-wheelers (32cc bigger). It whisks the Fuoco away from the lights at a rate cars cannot match and which surprises motorcyclists.

Then it pounds up to a motorway maximum of about 160km/h and cruises comfortably at 140. I didn't feel intimidated in the fast lane. In my mirrors I could see the occupants of the Micra behind debating exactly what was pulling away from them.

Luggage limited

Gilera is the giant Piaggio group's sporty marque and the Fuoco is quick enough to justify the branding. Is it practical? In terms of comfort and safety it certainly is. You can hustle this machine over greasy, wet cobbles without risking a tumble. The riding position is relaxed enough for long journeys and cockpit instrumentation is excellent.

Luggage space is limited though; you cannot fit a laptop into the underseat storage compartment but there is a rear platform.

In the end this motorcyclist will always choose two wheels over three. I've spent too long learning to corner properly to really cherish a machine that helps a novice to lean like a GP racer. My suspicion is that most people who have the full licence required to ride this cute hybrid will agree.

Whatever, that's subjective. The Fuoco is fast, safe and expensive. It attracts envy and fits into motorcycle parking spaces. - The Independent, London

Make Model	Gilera Fuogo 500ie
Year	2007
Engine Type	Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves
Displacement	492 cc / 30.0 cu-in
Bore X Stroke	94 x 71 mm
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Compression	10.1:1
Induction	RON 95 unleaded petrol
Ignition	Electronic inductive discharge and variable spark advance in electronic unit with electronic immobilizer. Fuel pump shutoff when bike tips over. Two spark plugs.
Starting	Electric
Max Power	40 hp / 28.11 kW @ 7000 rpm
Max Torque	42.2 Nm / 31.1 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
Clutch	Dry centrifugal type with damping plugs
Transmission	Twist-and-go CVT
Frame	Double cradle trellis made of high strength steel tubes
Front Suspension	Parallelogram composed of four aluminum arms supporting two steering tubes, cantilevered suspension. Travel: 85 mm. Electro-hydraulic suspension locking system.
Rear Suspension	Oscillating engine fixed to the frame with a swingarm and two dual effect hydraulic shock absorbers with four-position spring preload. 100 mm wheel travel.
Front Brakes	2x 240mm discs 2 piston caliper
Rear Brakes	Single 240mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tire	2x 120/70-12
Rear Tire	140/70-14
Seat Height	790 mm / 28.7 in
Wet Weight	238 kg / 524 lbs
Fuel Capacity	12 Liters / 3.17 US gal
Standing ¼ Mile	16.7 sec
Top Speed	142 km/h

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