Piaggio BV 125 (Beverly) ° Make Model | Piaggio BV 125 (Beverly) | Year | 2002 | Engine | 4-Stroke, single cylinder | Capacity | 124 cc / 7.6 cub in. | Bore x Stroke | 57 x 48.6 mm | Compression Ratio | 12.3:1 | Cooling System | Liquid cooled | Fuel System | Carburetor | Starting | Electric | Max Power | 11.2 kW / 15 hp @ 9500 rpm | Max Torque | 12.2 Nm / 1.24 kgf-m / 9 lb-ft @ 8 000 rpm | Clutch | Automatic centrifugal dry clutch | Transmission | CVT with torque server, 4-speed | Frame | tubular steel trellis frame | Front Suspension | Hydraulic telescopic fork, 35 mm | Rear Suspension | Shock with hydraulic dampers | Front Brakes | Disc, 260 mm | Rear Brakes | Disc, 260 mm | Dimensions | Length: 2110 mm / 83.1 in. Width: 760 mm / 29.9 in. | Wheelbase | 1470 mm / 57.9 in. | Seat Height | 800 mm / 31.5 in. | Dry Weight | 159 kg / 351 lbs | Wet Weight | 174 kg / 384 lbs | Fuel Capacity | 10.0 L / 2.6 US gal | Reserve | 2.2 L / 0.58 US gal | Consumption Average | 3.0 L/100 km / 33.6 km/l / 79 US mpg | Top Speed | 105 km/h / 65 mph | Review | The Telegraph | Big-wheeled scooters returned to favour in southern European markets several years ago, but still haven't made an impression here, which is a shame because they offer superior stability and potential ride quality, as Piaggio's new, upmarket B125 confirms. The deeply uncool image of gawky old Mobylettes is a big hurdle to overcome, but 16in wheel size aside, the slickly styled Piaggio is a world apart.
The downside is that the rear wheel eats into the underseat storage space and, sure enough, the B125 is only capable of stowing a couple of shallow, open-face crash helmets, above - if you wear a full-face lid (and you really should) you'll have to carry it around with you.
The suspension is surprisingly firm, which gives a harsh ride on poor surfaces, but it's another reason why the handling is especially good. The sportiness is further enhanced by disc brakes front and rear, although it's the rear that offers the most effective stopping power.
The engine is a four-stroke unit, which uses Piaggio's latest low-emissions technology and is capable of delivering more than 100mpg, although it's sluggish pulling away from a standstill compared with most two-stroke 125s - so much so that you think twice about nosing your way to the front of a queue of traffic in case you then hold it up when the lights change.
The B125 is well finished and equipped, with an adjustable screen, waterproof seat cover and phone-charging socket, and with road charges and yet more fuel tax looming, it doesn't seem so expensive after all. Kevin Ash, 2002 |