Europe Builds A Blast

EUROPE BUILDS A BLAST

Piaggio, creator of the classic Vespa, has produced a stylish scooter-based machine the look and feel of a modern motorcycle. Similar in size to a Buell Blast, the Gilera DNA 180 is propelled by a four-valve, liquid-cooled, sohc Single that makes 20 horsepower at 8500 rpm-enough to push the 275-pound bike to nearly 80 mph. A centrifugal clutch and belt-drive CVT unit mean there’s no handlebar-mounted clutch lever to operate, so complex manipulatory feats such as braking while blipping the throttle and de-clutching for downshifts are eliminated. A stiff, stamped-sheet, twin-spar frame allows the rider to take full advantage of the fat 14-inch Pirellis, and disc brakes make for quick stops. Other neat features include the faux gas tank, which is actually a shell that tilts upward to reveal a generous storage area. The actual tank is under the seat and holds 2.6 gallons of fuel. Piaggio hopes to bring the DNA stateside, possibly as early as this summer.

Bruno de Prato