Gilera 98

GILERA 98

Road Impression

ITALY'S INFLUENCE on the motorcycle industry is profound and Italian bikes possess a set of virtues found only in machines from that country. It is a compliment, to the knowing, to refer to any motorcycle as "typically Italian," because what you are saying is that it is usually smooth, quiet, very sporting in appearance, handles excellently, is particularly well made, and has a hard seat.

That pretty well describes Gilera's 98cc "Sei Giorni." Lovers of single-cylinder, four-cycle engines, take heart; the vanishing breed is not entirely on its way out, as long as Gilera has anything to say about it. Though Gilera's "big" machine is a 305cc twin, the balance of the line is comprised of singles. Offered our choice of a 98cc and a 124cc version, we picked the 98 as it fits into the contemporary light motorcycle picture neatly, measuring right around six cubic inches in displacement, retails fora little over $400 and competes handsomely with the Japanesemade machines of similar proportions. Also, it offers a few things the best of them lack.

Italians take great pride in their work, and the finish on the Gilera speaks well for their abilities. The paint is typically Italian red, most of the alloy parts are highly polished and enough chrome plating in such places as the muffler, exhaust pipe, gas cap, headlight rim, wheels, etc., add a respectable sparkle. But, appearances speak for themselves also; the photographs on this page tell most of the story.

Performance falls in the high average for bikes of this displacement; though no record breaker, the little Gilera will hold its own in most company.

Gearing is also typically Italian with first, second and third gear standard and more or less "close" together, but fourth gear falling much higher for economy. We wonder what kind of economy truly makes very much difference in a machine of such small displacement. What it does mean, though, is that the bike will go almost as fast, and sometimes faster, in third gear. This of course makes third gear excellent for passing but leaves fourth suitable only for level touring, not necessarily a drawback, more a matter of preference.

We were able to maintain a steady indicated 50 mph on our completely new and unbroken-in machine, and a shade under 55 mph in 4th. Once broken in, it should quite easily attain 60 mph. We might add that it takes a goodly while to break in the Gilera as it is set-up quite "tight" when new, another characteristic of Italian-made bikes. Good brakes are also common to this breed, and Gilera has thoughtfully included excellent stopping power.

Despite its sporty appearance with rather sparse fenders, it splashes very little in rainy weather, and handles quite well in the wet to boot. It is most at home in slow traffic where it can nip around in 2nd and 3rd, making great sport of it. We continue to object to one thing common to all Italian motorcycles: their hard and narrow seats. After about ten minutes of riding it gets pretty firm. This could of course be remedied with an accessory seat or a little padding, but again preference would dictate here and we are certain some would prefer the firm perch.

We probably liked the Gilera because it is a motorcycle, not a motorbike or scooter or anything else, pure and simply a motorcycle. Its small displacement detracts not one whit from the fact that it has full size frame and running gear, well placed forks with sufficient action for most road conditions, full lighting equipment, a tool box, all accessories for twoup touring, and most of the other details, large and small that go into the makeup of an altogether satisfying machine.

Technical specifications: 50mm x 50mm bore/stroke, 7 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm, maximum torque at 4,700 rpm, single-cylinder, overhead valves, battery and coil ignition, 17" wheels with alloy rims, fourspeed gearbox with foot change, front and rear suspension hydraulically dampened.