Piaggio Beverly 250i (2006-2009): Location: Mediterranean, Europe. Rider: Modern European.

Engine: The single cylinder liquid cooled four valve engine of 250 c.c. fed via injection, accelerates the scooter powerfully. Consequently, the scooter reaches instantly the speed of 40 Km/h, fast up to 60 Km/h, O.K. for 80 Km/h, slowly the 100 Km/h, while if rider persists on the throttle, top indicated speed will be 135 Km/h.

On really hot Mediterranean days, under traffic congestion, the ventilator will be heard to work frequently. Top power output is 22 bhp at 8250 rpm and torque 2.06 Kgm at 6750 rpm, nominal values.

Riding position: The seat for the rider is relatively high and wide, as a result , smaller riders will step down, not with the greatest confidence though. The scooter feels relatively heavy, while center of gravity feels relatively low. The width of the scooter is slightly larger than average, on traffic congestion it will be noticed. The front leg protecting part, keeps wide up to the very end at the rear, under the pillion seat. Τhis results in spreading riders legs whenever he will need to step down. Rider is positioned mainly in the scooter, riding position is neutral comfortable and rather tall.

    On the road: Steering lock is quite sufficient, allowing tight steering radius. Suspension’s stiffness is average, to the firm side. The tyres dimensions are 110-70-16 in the front, 140-70-16 to the rear. Town rides will be easy and trouble free while rider gets a decent road supervision. The handle bar and mirrors are usually higher than car mirrors which makes filtering easy. The width of the scooter will be an obstacle only under heavy traffic congestion.
    On decent streets, agility, steadiness and high quality feedback to the rider, provide superb rides. Over road imperfections though, suspension will not really manage to absorb them sufficiently, especially by the twin shocks at the rear. The result is that the scooter provides harder rides than what the rider would expect due to the large 16 inch wheels. Thus the Beverly’s riding quality on roads featuring many imperfections, may be improved.

On B roads, agility and steadiness once again are the main characteristics. Road imperfections will not be sufficiently absorbed. At the fast pace feedback to the rider is reduced gradually, while some flexibility is noticed close to the limit. Also close to the top speed, air turbulence will be noticed by the screen protection and some oscillations of the scooter.
The two disc brakes that are used, one for the front wheel, one for the rear, feature steel brake hoses. The front brake is relatively weak, feedback is average, while the rear is good.

Comments: The screen both at the finish to the top as well as about 10 cm under it, makes a curve that deteriorates sight through screen for short riders. Taller riders will get poor sight for the next 2-3 meters to the front. Under the seat there is shallow storage space sufficient for two bicycle helmets. There are two glove storage compartments in the front, the cover for the fuel cap is set just at the compartment between the rider’s legs and is released by a switch on the front of the rider.

The Beverly’s design is classy Italian. Two versions were derived, cruiser and sport, only design differences between them.

Price BEVERLY 250 MIC : 4230 €

+Design

+Price

+For a 16 inch wheels scooter, storage space under the seat.

-Suspensions

-Very low riders

Thanks to the motorcycle shop Baxevanis - Honda, tel.+302109237000, Kalirois 12, Athens, Greece, http://www.baxevanismoto.com/ for the test ride.

More, specifications new Beverly 300i, 2010, (IT)