Gilera motorcycle reviews


Read Gilera motorbike reviews. These have been written by owners of Gilera for the benefit of fellow bikers. Read other Gilera owners' personal opinions of Gilera motorcycle ownership. You can also submit your own Gilera review.

Back to manufacturers

All Gilera Reviews
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >>
Gilera DNA 50cc Sept '01 (51)
Overall Rating:
Review
I am 16 and bought my Gilera dna a few weeks ago, have only ridden it up and down a local quiet road and it flies like a beast, but one day (when it was raining) i took it out and went to go and instead of it changing gear at 7000 rpm, it went up to 11,000 rpm and would not go any faster, is this a big problem and if so how much would it cost? email me at alexwinskill@hotmail.com if you know. Cheers
Submitted by
alex9394 on 14/03/2010
This review has been shown 7649 times
Write a Review for Gilera DNA
See ads for Gilera DNA for sale
Comfort

Handling

Braking

MPG

Running Costs

Reliability

Performance

Dream Appeal
Gilera DNA 50cc Apr '01 (Y)
Overall Rating:
Review
"The scooter that thinks it's a motorcycle" was one of the advertising lines Gilera used. Why would you have one? Well, it's the looks. The Gilera DNA range was deliberately styled to look like a sports bike with a steel wrap-around frame designed to look like a sports bike (grey painted to look like aluminium in the half-light) swoopy bodywork, twin headlights, what looks like a petrol tank between the rider's knees and motorbike rear. But the inner parts are conventional scooter - in 50cc form that means a water-cooled 2-stroke motor, automatic clutch and gearing for twist 'n' go riding, small wheels and brakes operated at the handlebar.

So what do you get? Restricted they were said to do just over 30mph. You are hardly likely though a few years after Gilera stopped making DNAs to find a restricted one today. That takes you to the next question: how was the restriction done? The simplest way keeps the original carburettor, airbox and exhaust and takes a DNA to 50mph. More can be wrung out of the little engine, but you need to test ride to see how well it was done. It can be a mess leading to no performance and lots of noise.

So for performance: you should get 50mph on the flat without a head wind and the riding position gets you crouched down to help. Acceleration should be up there with most 50cc 2-strokes, but not as nippy as lighter ones. Handling is better than some scooters owing to the good forks and riding position, but the scooter design with an engine whose weight is to the rear and the way the motor and wheel pivots on a rubber bush makes it less good than a conventional motorbike. (Check the swinging arm action for wear if the MoT is not new when you buy.)

Features: brakes are good (discs both ends), forks are beefy (not really needed on the 50, but the same were used on the DNA 180); headlights are good but the twin light look is a bit of a con as Gilera uses one side for dip and the other for full beam; the instruments are a digital display - nothing unusual now, but exciting 10 years ago. The petrol tank is a dummy one. Undo the lock and you can put some helmets inside, but not larger ones.

All in all the DNA is about style. It will probably outpace dad's 70s sports moped, whilst having electric starting, 12 volt lights and a proper oiling system. But at top speed a Honda C90 will outrun it and use half the fuel. But you won't be looking for a C90 as an alternative ride, will you - you'll be wanting real bike looks and something modern looking. As DNA 50s can be found taxed and tested in good order for £500, they are a bargain way to some cheap fun. If you buy a non-runner, parts are easy to get and everything fits straightforwardly. Simply buy with care - remembering they are plentiful.
Submitted by
Magnette in London on 24/02/2010
This review has been shown 24314 times
Write a Review for Gilera DNA
See ads for Gilera DNA for sale
Comfort

Handling

Braking

MPG

Reliability

Running Costs

Performance

Dream Appeal
Gilera DNA 50cc Sept '02 (52)
Overall Rating:
Review
i had my gilera dna 50cc for 8 months i got it from a local dealer for £410 with only a few problems with it that once worked out i easily fixed myself like the bike kept cutting out on me after only a few metres i found out it was the fuel switch which i bought new for £11 from ebay also the fork seals had gone which are easy to do once you know how they work and just a bit of touch up paint an it was good as new. everything was great the bike handled good and it had a top speed of around 55mph great brakes. once everything was sorted i never had a problem with it. but sadly one day after pulling in behind a van in a dead end street the van reversed without lookin in his mirrors an knocked me off it i was ok but the bike was a write off. i am now looking for a new gilera dna a 125cc one now that i am 17
Submitted by
samorogers on 14/10/2009
This review has been shown 34975 times
Write a Review for Gilera DNA
See ads for Gilera DNA for sale
Comfort

Handling

Braking

MPG

Reliability

Running Costs

Performance

Dream Appeal
Gilera DNA 125cc Sept '02 (52)
Overall Rating:
Review
a real head turner!!!!

had the bike for around 2 months now and i still love it!! windback and go is soo easy. no big problems as of yet just a little immobiliser fault that i was able to fix myself!!!

good points.. looks like a real bike from the front!!
have had so many offers for her,
often get other bikers giving me the nod, handles extremely nicely, had a race with a guy on a aprillia rs 125, and i was quicker round the corners :)my advantage is... i had no gears to think about.
i got a scorpion exhaust fitted when i bought mine,
so looks like a bike, rides like a bike, and sounds like a 400cc.

verdict... would reccomend to anyone whom wants a supersports 125, it may not go as fast but you wont regret it.
Submitted by
daveslayerv1 on 17/07/2009
This review has been shown 25017 times
Write a Review for Gilera DNA
See ads for Gilera DNA for sale

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj3PJ2UHUvk 		Comfort

Handling

Braking

MPG

Running Costs

Reliability

Performance

Dream Appeal
Gilera Runner 125cc Apr '09 (09)
Overall Rating:
Review
NEW SCOOTER REVIEW - GILERA RUNNER VX125

DOING A RUNNER

* What’s It all About?
If you’re fed up with being packed into a train for the morning commute and can’t face the prospect of queuing in your car either, a scooter could be the sensible answer. The most important question to ask when buying said scooter is “Will I look a complete **** on this?” Nine times out of ten, the answer, unfortunately, will be yes.
You will look a complete tool. People will point and laugh, especially if they ride ‘proper’ motor bikes. The reason for this is because you will be riding something with wheels smaller than anything you’ve ridden since you were in short trousers. That’s where Gilera Runner VX125 scores. With a fourteen inch front wheel and a thirteen inch rear it at least looks like a bike rather than a child’s toy. What’s more, the Gilera name carries a little more cred than many scooter manufacturers, the company having a serious racing pedigree to fall back on. That’s stretching things a bit though. As city transport this Gilera VX is tough to top.

* What Does It Cost?
You’ll need to raid the savings account for £2,499 to get hold of one but do the sums and you’ll find that it’s far cheaper over the longer term than a season ticket on the train and certainly a good deal cheaper and more stress free than sitting in your car, staring at the tail lights of a vehicle in front while you ponder new and imaginative ways to send the annoying berk in the Citroën Saxo behind you into the back of a parked milk float. Insurance is a very reasonable Group 5, so you’re not going to spend a fortune on cover and with fuel consumption rated at 75mpg, you’re never going to get that cut glass decanter on the basis of your petrol loyalty points.

* How Does It Handle?
Despite the bigger wheels adding more stability at speed, I’d be lying if I said it handled like a bike. It’s definitely scooterish insofar as it changes direction rapidly, and accelerates quickly and safely. Its top speed of 78mph is best left for the brave although 60-70mph cruising is easily achieved thanks to the full 14.6bhp learner-legal power output. The fact that it always drives at peak torque thanks to its CVT drivetrain also means you don’t even have to worry about changing gear. There’s room for a pillion passenger on the back and the rear pegs fold up neatly out of the way when you’re one-up. The brakes are perfectly adequate for town use but get a little overwrought if you start having Valentino Rossi delusions.

* Verdict
If the idea of a scooter turns you off, the Gilera Runner VX125 probably isn’t going to convince you. If, on the other hand, you’re a floating voter, it’s well worth a look.
Submitted by
UKBikerBoy on 04/06/2009
This review has been shown 30323 times
Write a Review for Gilera Runner
See ads for Gilera Runner for sale
Gilera Coguar 125cc Apr '02 (02)
Overall Rating:
Review
I've been around bikes since I was a youngster but as a pillion, this is my first bike ever and I'm quite pleased I chose it.

The fact that it's a challenging little bike makes for a much more careful learner as oppose to being over confident which I found the little Yamaha RS125 gave me.

It handles well if a little 'spongy' due to the handlebar bushes and has quite a wide turning circle compared to other bikes I tried (almost a soiled pants moment as I found this out at a mini roundabout! Very economical on fuel (about 6 quid to fill the tank), super cheap to insure and tax.

Slow riding is quite a challenge at first but once you tuck your knees into the tank it obviously puts you in a better position to balance so deals with any 'wobble'.

The engine is bullet proof, I've never ever known a bike engine so reliable in all weathers although the choke is in a fidly place. Flip side to having a great engine (Honda) is that the chrome and actual body work is not so great.

The brakes are fantastic and I've been out in all weathers so tested them to the max.

Speedy it isn't but I managed to ride to Donnington for the motor-cross on it and only snapped the speedo cable on the motorway so it's not all bad! I had anticipated searching for bike parts as they flew off but no such events.

I'd say I've only managed 70 top speed so far out of this bike and that was before I changed the dodgy exhaust for a new one (changed this week and currently stripping the yukky silver paint off the engine etc).

I'm hoping a complete service and clean out of the carburetor will benefit as I said before, I got a bit of a raw deal from the previous owner about the true 'state' of the bike.

I'm hoping to tidy my little bike up and sell next year so I can move up to a Virago 535 now I've passed my test. Unlike my counterpart I won't be selling until my bikes in much better condition than when I had it. After all bikers get enough of a raw deal without trying to get one over on each other selling 'dodgy' bikes.
Submitted by
taylorsprite on 28/12/2008
This review has been shown 29604 times
Write a Review for Gilera Coguar
See ads for Gilera Coguar for sale
Comfort

Handling

Braking

MPG

Running Costs

Reliability

Performance

Dream Appeal
Gilera RCR 50cc Sept '03 (53)
Overall Rating:
Review
Gilera RCR 50

I got this bike when I was 15, it had a full Hebo racing exhaust, standard air filter, and fully - de restricted.

After I got legal the next month I got a Metrakit air filter, 48t rear sprocket and a 16 tooth front sprocket and
Gold R1 works chain, It did about 60mph comfortably.
When i was racing (every one does it when they get legal) I got 74mph clocked by an Aprilia Tuono 125.

The RCR's and SMT's even the Senda's are the best starting bikes to get, they're easily stripped and re-built (if I could do it when i was 15!) they're cheap to run, parts are easy to get and cheap, the hardest thing for me was to get it looking better.
I am now 18 and still buying Derbi Sendas, GSM's, SMT's and of course my favourite RCR's to do up as a project.
Not only is it a good money maker, its fun!
better than working in an office :)
I rode the RCR from Swindon to Bristol and back, on £9 of petrol, with my mate.. Best thing I have ever done!
Submitted by
RustyMatty on 28/08/2008
This review has been shown 40746 times
Write a Review for Gilera RCR
See ads for Gilera RCR for sale
Comfort

Handling

Braking

MPG

Reliability

Running Costs

Performance

Dream Appeal
Gilera RCR 50cc Sept '06 (56)
Overall Rating:
Review
wow!!! It's amazing.... only a 50 but goes like a 125...
definatly recomended.
Submitted by
taktic in Edenbridge, Kent on 20/07/2008
This review has been shown 33191 times
Write a Review for Gilera RCR
See ads for Gilera RCR for sale
Comfort

Handling

Braking

MPG

Reliability

Running Costs

Performance

Dream Appeal
Gilera RCR 50cc Apr '07 (07)
Overall Rating:
Review
Gilera RCR 50

the RCR is a Great 1st bike for a 16 year old or older. As it is geared it is for those who wish to go into some further biking and just wish to get a taste of what riding is like.
It is a two stroke so has some serious power behind that little 49cc engine whilst it is still a learner and road legal.
Its top speed on a flat is 50Mph or a bout 60 when going down a hill with some tailwind. it is great for on and off road and will provide you with many miles of fun riding.
Submitted by
taktic in Edenbridge, Kent on 30/06/2008
This review has been shown 48871 times
Write a Review for Gilera RCR
See ads for Gilera RCR for sale
Comfort

Handling

Braking

MPG

Reliability

Running Costs

Performance

Dream Appeal
Gilera DNA 50cc Sept '00 (X)
Overall Rating:
Review
my bike currently does 55mph how can i make it go 65-70?
can i derestrict the rpm clock?
wb a.s.a.p
Submitted by
heelsy11 on 26/04/2008
This review has been shown 96065 times
Write a Review for Gilera DNA
See ads for Gilera DNA for sale
Comfort

Handling

Braking

MPG

Reliability

Running Costs

Performance
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >>
Links
Place a FREE ad today!