Piaggio Beverly Tourer 300 (2009-2010): Almost ... the noble prince of the category.
Engine: The liquid-cooled single-cylinder Quasar 278 c.c. engine produces 22bhp/7250 rpm and 2.4 Kgm/6000 rpm torque, claimed values.Actually the acceleration provided, is punchy. The scooter is very, very fast up to the speed of 40 Km/h, very fast up to 60 Km/h, fast at 80 Km/h, OK at 100 Km/h, adequate at 120 Km/h.
Top indicated speed of 140 Km/h, rider alone, is achieved slowly. Nominal top speed at 125 Km/h. Acceleration feels lower after the 100 Km/h mark.
Compared with the previous 250cc version, the 300 cc engine provides better acceleration from 50 to 120 km / h. The latter engine compared with some 300 c.c. scooters, provides less top power and top speed which will be evident on the highway.
The acceleration, however, provided up to 100 km / h will be satisfying even for the most sports oriented riders of the scooter category. As it is common in the 300 c.c. scooter class, the cooling fan will be often operating during summer time commuting. The engine does not produce any noticeable vibration at idle.
Riding position: The saddle height is relatively high, riders higher than average will step both feet firm on the ground. The width of the saddle is modest, especially at the front part.
The dimensions of the scooter are average for the standards of the category. The front part of the leg shield may seem relatively wide. The weight is moderate at 165 Kg, centre of gravity feels low.
Rider is placed mostly in the scooter, riding position is neutral, relatively upright. The sense of being in the scooter is enhanced by the height of the headlamp, handlebar and screen.
The higher level of the pillion seat, defines the end of the rider¢s seat. As a result, no matter of the rider¢s height, a specific riding position is created. The saddle is comfortable for rider and pillion.
On the road: The firmness of the 35 mm fork is average, while the two shock absorbers at the rear feel relatively firm. The only possible suspension adjustment for the rider is the spring preload at the rear.
The factory fitted tires are Maxxis with dimensions 110/70-16 front, 140/70-16 rear. They are considered to be a moderate option especially on low friction factor streets. The change to a softer compound would greatly enhance grip, as it is described in this review.
On city rides, the Tourer is agile and stable. Neutral and trouble-free commuting is provided. Comfort is really good for the category standards. As a result, street imperfections will be absorbed quite well.
This is due to the suspension mainly, which is perfectly balanced between handling and comfort on average surface streets. Clearly there is an improvement over the previous model (2006-8) in this area. Also the majority of the 300 c.c. class scooters provide a stiffer and sportier riding.
As a result on high quality streets and fast riding pace these scooters provide a solid riding feel. However on average streets these scooters are abrupt, which gives Tourer a comparative advantage. This doesn¢t mean that the Tourer is a comfortable scooter on streets featuring many imperfections. Simply it¢s softer and more comfortable compared with competition.
In the process of filtering the handlebar height is usually slightly higher than car mirrors. The height of the scooter¢s mirrors is about the same with SUV mirrors. At the end of the day filtering will not be a problem for the rider.
Steering lock is excellent, it will be very helpful in city traffic. It is another point that has been improved over the previous model.
On B-roads, Tourer is very agile. This does not mean that it is not stable. Agility though is exceptional. Generally the Tourer is homogenous, while there is always a fun factor at the background of the ride, often tempting the rider. Confidence to the rider is quite good, comfort is very good.
Rider gets the impression that the Tourer is not a sporty scooter intending to set lap times on a ride. Its greatly neutral, fulfilling rider¢s needs at every pace that the rider will choose. In other words the riding pace is not defined by the bike.
This results to leisure B-roads riding or faster pace rides.
Aô the fast pace on low friction factor B-roads, Tourer is greatly neutral, agile and tempting. Of course its comfortable as well. Riding limits will be set by the decreased feedback to the rider, which is due to the factory fitted tyres.
Rider will feel the rear wheel to get lighten, after that it will gradually over steer. The front wheel feels more planted although feedback to the rider is also reduced. Confidence to the rider is not proportionally reduced due to the over steer, the ride will still be joyful. Riding pace will decrease due to the exponentially increased vague front end at such a pace and tarmac road.
At the fast pace on high- friction factor roads, Tourer is a neutral, agile, safe and comfortable scooter. Although rider does not feel the scooter to be planted on the road, a fairly fast rate will be achieved. Feedback to the rider is reduced again, rider will not feel the confidence to seriously charge because of the uncertainty created.
At the very fast pace the front end will feel slightly subtracted. Some flexibility can be felt on sweepers. No problem for the rider though. It should be encountered again that softer tyres will improve the handling of the Tourer.
On the highway, the Tourer is comfortable. Close to the top speed, air pressure becomes obvious to the rider. Around 120 km / h is the best cruising speed.
... On dirt roads, the Tourer will be adequate. The ride is between comfort and feedback from dirt road … obstacles.
Single 260 mm disc brakes, twin-piston calipers, ( opposed pistons for the rear) and steel brake lines front and rear are used. The front brake provides moderate braking power and relatively good feedback, while the rear is powerful providing good feedback.
Braking hard, the rear wheel will lock well before the front. Because of this, in emergency braking some attention is needed from the rider in this specific point: Because the rear wheel will be easier to lock in emergency braking, rider focuses his attention on that wheel, while there is no sufficient force applied to the front brake. Braking this way, the limits of the scooter brakes are not exploited. There is no ABS provided for the Tourer.
Reliability: No specific issues reported.
Comments: Access to the scooter is not step through. The use of the scooter¢s centre stand is really easy thanks to good leverage and sturdy pillion handgrip. To achieve this, the centre stand has been moved towards the rear of the scooter.
The storage space below the saddle will accommodate two bicycle helmets, just like the previous model. This is due to the small depth of the storage space. A 12V plug and internal light are provided there. It may be opened by a button on the handlebar, or through a switch inside the gloves compartment.
The petrol cap is revealed again using a switch inside the gloves compartment. The gloves compartment is quite roomy, as it can be seen from the photos taken, using a pocket camera case as a demonstration. The fuel reservoir is placed at the floor of the scooter, therefore handling is not affected by the amount of fuel. The radiator may be seen from the sides of the leg shield. The shiny plastic parts on the sides of the leg shield and the tail, will partially protect the body of the scooter in case of an accident.
Quality build is very good. And one exception: The ring that fastens the exhaust pipe to the muffler, looks very cheap.
The scooter is very effective, providing a multi-dimensional personality, which aims to fully meet the daily needs of each rider. The sense of homogeneous provided would be exceptional. Eventually however, its not, due to the awkward braking described in the relevant section.
Except from that, this is a very good scooter which is not promising anything plausible, e.g. by providing sporty design touches and firm suspension. Anyway, some 300 cc scooters providing features like these, provide harder rides over road imperfections and moderate feedback to the rider at the fast pace as much as the Tourer does.
It is also doubtful whether the owners of these scooters will seek such a high riding pace.
Thus Piaggio is fully justified, emphasizing the high Italian design of the scooter. Ôhe riding of the Tourer, using a great deal of imagination, resembles to the white prince of the category.
Because its underpowered compared to the most powerfull 300 cc scooters, , the title is downgraded to the ... noble prince of the class. Fortunately they didn¢t choose another aggressive-sporty design that practically is useless.
There have been many changes compared to the previous model. Design is the most evident. Road handling has been greatly improved in almost every aspect. If there was no braking disparity, it would be an excellent choice in this category for the daily needs of the majority of riders.
For a while in 2010 there were two 300 cc editions, the standard and the Tourer, the differences focus on design, larger front disc brake front and a 14 inch rear wheel at the standard version. Because of the smaller rear wheel, two jet helmets may be accommodated under the seat at the standard version. Tourer version is a combination of the standard version and the Cruiser version.
Price:
+ Practicality
+ Design
+ Comfort
- Riding to the limit