An all-new range of the Piaggio X8 is available in 2006, with no fewer than four versions designed to satisfy the diverse needs of town commuters and out-of-town travellers.

Two "street" versions in 125 and 150cc displacements now make their appearance alongside the X8 125 and X8 250 i.e., vehicles with exceptional performance, comfort and style. These optimal new entry-level scooters offer the perfect blend of equipment, manoeuvrability and cost-effectiveness.

Quick and snappy, the Piaggio X8 is the only mid-sized GT (tourer) with abundant space for rider and passenger, excellent aerodynamic protection and super-scooter load capacity. The storage and the advanced technical, style and ride features make the X8 the natural heir to the extraordinary Hexagon, the best-selling Piaggio vehicle that led to the emergence of the super-scooter.

The X8 125 and X8 250 i.e.

The new top of the range versions of the Piaggio X8 are designed for the most exacting users, who want their GT scooter to offer nothing less than the best in terms of comfort, style, power and performance.

The 250cc version uses the all-new four-valve, liquid-cooled Quasar 250 electronic injection engine, which meets Euro 3 standards. The advanced closed loop injection with a Lambda sensor, together with a three-way catalytic converter and electronic control system, considerably reduces emissions as well as fuel consumption and provides immediate throttle response. The Piaggio X8 250 is fun to ride, quick off the mark in town traffic and comfortable with short motorway trips as well as extended touring.

The new Quasar i.e. series is the result of the Piaggio engine division's commitment to creating a truly top quality, environment-friendly engine.

The Piaggio X8 125, for its part, is equipped with a latest-generation LEADER engine. The LEADER four-stroke, four-valve, liquid-cooled units offer sparkling performance - the best in the category - as well as reduced fuel consumption.

Acceleration, pick-up and maximum speed are benchmark level. The Piaggio X8 125 is particularly quick for the 11 kW category of scooter that can be driven with a car license.

Low consumption and a 12-litre tank give the Piaggio X8 125 an enviable running range.

The improved variator on the X8's 125cc LEADER engine provides for an even more progressive and fluid power output, enhancing the easy-ride features of this kind of engine and offering power output that is perfectly suited to town commutes on the Piaggio X8 125.

Several design and functional changes have also been made to improve comfort and make the new X8 125 and 250 immediately recognisable.

The rear top box and the top section of the shield are both painted the same colour as the vehicle. The top box now has a more sharply edged, racy design.

The dashboard graphics are new. The mudguard, now more innovatively designed, is split into two parts with the front the same shade as the vehicle and the rear in black.

Seat height has been lowered to 785 mm for easier handling and control when manoeuvring the scooter from a parking location. The saddle has a new smooth lining with new stitching.

X8 Street 125 and 150

The Street line is meant for customers in search of a practical, reliable GT scooter with an exceptional price-quality ratio, able to slip through town traffic with the greatest of ease while providing comfort and taking on short or mid-range motorway trips.

Both the 125 and 150 versions have single-cylinder LEADER, four-stroke, two-valve, liquid-cooled engines with electric start. Maintenance costs and time are reduced substantially, as these engines are extremely reliable. Fuel consumption is low (over 28 km/l for the 125cc), to increase the distance range and save on fuel costs.

The weight has been reduced to 149 kg by using a single shock absorber in front and taking off the radiator to help keep fuel consumption low and make the scooter easier to manoeuvre whilst stationary.

Design choices were made with functionality in mind and the shiny black used for the side panels, rear top case and the top of the shield give the X8 Street the sleek, dynamic look typical of the X8 range.

Agility, reliability and cost-effective running and maintenance together with very competitive pricing make the X8 Street the entry-level vehicle of choice in the Gran Turismo tourer segment.

Design

On both versions of the Piaggio X8, fluid lines with rounded edges recall the elegance that has made this mid-size GT from the Pontedera factory such a success. The overall impact is one of comfort, practicality and smooth running.
The large headlamp is striking without being overwhelming and fits neatly into the wide, protective front shield and windshield.

Capacious 56-litre storage capacity and a rear boot lid providing additional access to the under seat storage area make the Piaggio X8 extremely practical to use. In fact, it offers better storage capacity than most higher category GT super-scooters.
The under seat storage space on the Piaggio X8 holds two full-face helmets, a small bag and a foldaway seat cover for use when parking in the rain. It also contains a courtesy light.

The front shield provides further space to place small items within easy reach and is also equipped with a 12V plug.

The front shield offers exceptional rider protection and is complemented by a low, well padded seat to suit riders of any size, with hardly any height difference between the rider and passenger sections so as to ensure comfort and protection for the passenger, who can also hold on to the rear handgrips for extra safety.

Cycle parts

The Piaggio X8 is built around a steel tube frame designed using the best CAD technology to ensure optimal weight and build strength.

The X8 uses a telehyrdaulic fork with 35 mm shafts in front. At the rear, the engine/crankcase transmission acts as a single-arm, with two dual-effect hydraulic shock absorbers and spring preload adjustable to four positions. The front wheel, stopped by a 260-mm steel disk and dual-piston floating caliper, measures 14" to enhance stability and road grip. At the rear, the 12" wheel rim is supplied with a large tyre (130/70) to provide the storage bay with extra space, improve road behaviour and allow for a lower seat height. The rear brake on the X8 125 and 250 i.e. is a 240-mm steel disk gripped by a caliper with 32-mm opposite pistons, while the two Street versions use a 140 mm drum.

Accessories

A wide range of dedicated accessories allows the Piaggio X8 to meet personalised standards of comfort and safety:

• Bigger windscreen with hand guards for improved protection.
• Rear rack with a flip-down plate. The rear rack turns around and away when an unlocking switch is pressed. This makes it possible to easily access the rear storage lid even with the top case mounted.
• Rear top box with a 48-litre capacity that, together with the under-seat storage, provides for overall storage capacity of over 100 litres.
• Remote-controlled electronic anti-theft device.
• A dedicated helmet range: the X-Jet for town use, the X-Tour, a comfortable, practical modular helmet and the X-Sport, an ultra light fibreglass full-face helmet.

Colours

The Piaggio X8 125 and X8 250 i.e. are available in five metallic colours that emphasise their elegant styling: Excalibur Grey, Smoky Grey, Midnight Blue, Graphite Black and Ruby Red.
The X8 Street 125 and 150 are available in two metallic shades, Excalibur Grey and Graphite Black.