Gutsy Gilera GP800

Note to self: always dress appropriately when picking up a motorcycle.

I underestimated the weather when I fetched the Gilera from Vespa Wynberg and ended up under a bridge on the N1 South. I know bikers don't stop when it rains but I was wearing these really nice shoes ...

I ride a scooter to run my errands and sometimes even to the office. It's extremely light on fuel and although it's not the fastest scooter, it will get you to where you want to go.

So when I picked up the Gilera GP800, my thoughts were on how different this "scooter" would be from the others I've been on.

The first thing to strike me, was the sound. It roared so loudly that it actually sounded like a jet .The sound suits the body though, as it is a rather big, attractive scooter.

The GP800 is a maxi-scooter. It's relatively heavy at 235kg, but its tubular steel frame - with 41mm forks and 300mm twin front discs - indicate it will be more than a match for the high speed it is capable of.

The exclusivity of the GP800's styling can also be seen in the details - from the aluminium handlebars and the seat upholstery to the aluminium wheel rims with concave spokes and the light alloy fork. This is attention to detail in the best Italian tradition possible.

I hit the freeway straightaway and the power of the GP800 is amazing.

It was slightly overcast and the weatherman had predicted light showers in Joburg. But who would have guessedthat time would be now, so I pulled up under a bridge and waited for the rain to pass.

I noticed how many heads the GP800 turned now that it was parked - and I asked myself what passersby might be thinking. For as long as scooters have been available, they have suffered from somewhat of an image problem.

The GP800 runs an 839cc V-twin engine that makes for 75hp and 75nm of torque - big in comparison to any other maxi-scooter.

Combine the torque on this engine with a fantastic CVT transmission and you get rapid and effortless acceleration.

I clocked the Gilera at 5.4 seconds to 100km/h - which is enough to frighten the most average motorcycles.

The handling is also superb for a scooter. The suspension does a fantastic job of dealing with bumpy roads at normal riding speeds. It's certainly up to cruising at a far more rapid pace than every other scooter I have been on. It s rivals, such as a Burgman 650 would have absolutely no chance of keeping up .

Like any other scooter, it is perfect for everyday use because of its manoeuvrability, as well as twist-and-go transmission.

Add to this an engine braking effect, perfect ergonomics and high-level of comfort, thanks to an extra-protective front shield and the size of the underseat storage cove. The high-up windscreen is a great idea, especially when you hit the freeways.

To sum it up: Piaggio (which owns Gilera, Vespa, Moto Guzzi, Aprilia and Derbi) has really upped the game with the GP800. It is by far superior to any other maxi-scooter on the market and it totally blurs the line between scooter andmotorcycle.

The GP800 is perfectly capable of fast motorway cruising, long-distance riding, aggressive A-road carving - and it still beats the average motorcycle in town because of its simple CVT transmission.

So, if you're in the market for a large capacity, do-everything scooter for all types of riding, "there can be only one" - the Gilera GP800 is, in my opinion, the world's quickest.