Gilera Runner 125 vs Italjet FormulaF125LC
Stuart Allen
Gilera Runner 125 or an Italjet FormulaF125LC.
Comments on the pros and cons of either would be appreciated.
This is my first scooter for over 20 years, so I'll be
starting on a UK provisional licence.
Its use will be commuting (10 miles either way) and FUN FUN FUN.
Thanks in advance
Stuart
Cartman
Stuart Allen <S.A...@sheffield.ac.uk> wrote in message
news:7ssj5v$qc4$1...@bignews.shef.ac.uk...
to run and a bloody good laugh. I hear the Italjets have a problem with
quality control... my Runner was one of the first and has not missed a beat
yet (touch wood)
--
Dave not Eric
sco...@tesco.net
Gilera Runner 125FX
Also for the spam spiders out there
fre...@onlykidding.com
or...@earache.com
ve...@rusty.co.uk
massi...@knottedhammock.org
gibb...@fffgfgfgh.com
Michael Cracknell
Mike
www.fun.on.a.t-reg.8m.com
www.mr-scooter.8m.com
Gary
quality isn't as good as Gilera's.
Simon Evans
the market and it eats 125 Runners for breakfast... Actually it
eats R1's for breakfast around town. Quality control was a
problem in the early days but make sure you buy from an official
dealer as there were a few parallel imports floating around and
they are NOT (I repeat NOT) to UK specification.
Ride `em both back to back and you'll see why... Wibbly wobbly
Wunner versus Fantastic Formula equals No Contest. I remember
doing two wheel drifts round a busy roundabout for the cameras IN
BETWEEN cars and vans in perfect safety (well I was in a suit
and wasn't taking chances..) and we took a bog-standard road bike
and raced it to a class win at Lydden circuit against pure racing
scooters.
Gileras may have the reliability but they have all the style of
Swampy the tunnel rat.
Simon Evans
Ex-Marketing Manager, Italjet UK
--
Simon Evans
Michael Cracknell
Runner 125 than the italijet...what does that tell you
Mike
Simon Evans <10170...@CompuServe.COM> wrote in message
news:7svgff$871$3...@ssauraab-i-1.production.compuserve.com...
DannyT
wrote:
>Gileras may have the reliability but they have all the style of
>Swampy the tunnel rat.
>
>Simon Evans
>Ex-Marketing Manager, Italjet UK
Now you would not be just a tiddly-widdly bit biased now would you
Simon?
--
Danny T
http://www.bantam.demon.co.uk/runner.htm
Cartman
Simon Evans <10170...@CompuServe.COM> wrote in message
news:7svgff$871$3...@ssauraab-i-1.production.compuserve.com...
> Buy the Italjet.
<snip>
> Ride `em both back to back and you'll see why... Wibbly wobbly
> Wunner versus Fantastic Formula equals No Contest. I remember
> doing two wheel drifts round a busy roundabout for the cameras IN
> BETWEEN cars and vans in perfect safety (well I was in a suit
> and wasn't taking chances..) and we took a bog-standard road bike
> and raced it to a class win at Lydden circuit against pure racing
> scooters.
Nice hooligans bike then, but not reliable, well built or a _popular_ as the
Runner?
> Gileras may have the reliability but they have all the style of
> Swampy the tunnel rat.
>
> Simon Evans
> Ex-Marketing Manager, Italjet UK
Talking of tunnel rats, and purely out of interest - what does the
ex-Marketing Manager of Italjet UK do for a living these days. Nice to see
ex-employees still playing the company tune.
Chris
<S.A...@sheffield.ac.uk> wrote:
>I've narrowed my new scooter choice to either a
>Gilera Runner 125 or an Italjet FormulaF125LC.
>Comments on the pros and cons of either would be appreciated.
Buy the Gilera. I have had a Formula 125 for 5 months and it was
SHITE!!!! I am trading in for a Runner 125 SP DD and I pity the poor
sod that gets the Italjet
Crap build quality, crap panel fit, crap paint job, crap stickers,
paper exhausts, a water pump that blew itself to pieces (with
subsequent 6 week wait for parts) Instruments clocks that let in
water, plus general rattles that you would not expect from a machine
costing at one point 3.3K. Plus the fact you have a grossly inaccurate
speedo, and it is nowhere near as as Italjet try to make out. Badly
devloped and unreliable engine the main culprit I reckon.
Crack a HT lead and you are looking at 90 quid for the coil because
they dont sell separately, need I go on.... (i didnt pay 90 quid I
paid 2.50 for a meter of HT lead and fixed it myself)
Don't make the same mistake I did!!!
Chris
* Pookie! *
>Buy the Italjet. The F125 is the only twin-cylinder scooter on
>the market and it eats 125 Runners for breakfast... Actually it
>eats R1's for breakfast around town. Quality control was a
>problem in the early days but make sure you buy from an official
>dealer as there were a few parallel imports floating around and
>they are NOT (I repeat NOT) to UK specification.
>Ride `em both back to back and you'll see why... Wibbly wobbly
>Wunner versus Fantastic Formula equals No Contest. I remember
>doing two wheel drifts round a busy roundabout for the cameras IN
>BETWEEN cars and vans in perfect safety (well I was in a suit
>and wasn't taking chances..) and we took a bog-standard road bike
>and raced it to a class win at Lydden circuit against pure racing
>scooters.
>Gileras may have the reliability but they have all the style of
>Swampy the tunnel rat.
I can only suggest you're talking about an entirely different bike to
the Runner....
>Simon Evans
>Ex-Marketing Manager, Italjet UK
Ah....explains it.....
--
Paul Allen, poo...@u.genie.co.uk
Belfast, Northern Ireland, ICQ# 4695120
Gilera Runner 125FX...
http://come.to/poo-kie
Gary
using Piaggio engines if the unit in the Formula F125 is so good. I've had a
look at a Formula F125 in the local Carfour authorised dealer in Sheffield,
in my opinion the Runner looks much better and even a partially sighted bat
could have seen the poor panel fit on the display scooter. Is this why
people must buy from an authorised dealer because they employ the correct
skilled staff armed with a craft-knife to correct the panel fit problems. Or
are the gaps there to improve aerodynamics.
[ MaGiSkTeR ]
True, Itlajet's CQ is very bad. Alas, its too late for me now. I just had
the entire electrical system replaced dued to the same problem as Chris, the
cooling system flooded my CDI...blah blah..... Cost me an arm & a leg. Now
I'm just hoping to sell it off asap. Take the guys good hearted advice,
stick with a more reliable ride. Ciao!
--
Just me & my thoughts,
Magiskter
________________________________________
" Don't 'pray pray', else G0h Ch0k T0ng hears you. "
'99 Italjet Formula 125LC
[ NewsGroup ]
Chris <Ch...@home.com> wrote in message
news:37f3b9f...@news.demon.co.uk...
| Buy the Gilera. I have had a Formula 125 for 5 months and it was
| SHITE!!!! I am trading in for a Runner 125 SP DD and I pity the poor
| sod that gets the Italjet
|
| Crap build quality, crap panel fit, crap paint job, crap stickers,
| paper exhausts, a water pump that blew itself to pieces (with
| subsequent 6 week wait for parts) Instruments clocks that let in
| water, plus general rattles that you would not expect from a machine
| costing at one point 3.3K.
|
Simon Evans
outs of the situation from the inside I'm also not required to
stay silent. The simple reason that so many people praise the
Gilera is that 20 times more Runners have been sold than F125's.
I make no bones about F125's needing more looking after than
other scooters, but then a Ferrari costs more to run than a Ford.
Most of those praising the Runner have simply NEVER ridden a
F125, so are not in a position to comment. I have, and am...
The choice is performance orplodding reliability. The F125 is so
superior to the 125 Runner in performance that only the 180
version can compete. The F125 is, in my opinion, also
superior in all-round handling ability to the 180 Dragster,
which has the Runner engine...
Simon Evans
--
Simon Evans
Gary
Simon Evans <10170...@CompuServe.COM> wrote in message
Runner 180 which possibly isn't as technically superior to the F125 but it
worked, and worked very during its test ride. What use is a new scooter if
it can theoretically out-perform another scooter but possibly not get you
home due to poor durability and poor quality control when built. The F125 I
test rode suffered from poor carb. set up and annoying squeaking from the
body panels when I was travelling over uneven ground, this was from a demo
machine which I thought should be in a reasonable condition as it was meant
to influence the potential customers purchase decision. If a scooter
producer can't build a decent demo bike why should anyone buy one.
Simon Evans
annoying >squeaking from the body panels when I was travelling
over uneven >ground, this was from a demo machine which I thought
should be in >a reasonable condition as it was meant to influence
the potential >customers purchase decision. If a scooter producer
can't build a >decent demo bike why should anyone buy one.
Dealer issues, each and every one. Not manufacturer. The pdi
requires carb setup and fuel system flushing, body panels have to
be removed and replaced. I totally agree that a demo bike should
be in reasonable condition but you can hardly blame the maker for
the incompetence or lack of professionalism of the dealer...
Who was the dealer..?
Michael Cracknell
italijet is...are you going to stick up for italijet, or are you going to be
quiet...the Runner far outnumbers the Italishit in this country...so it is
far more popular...I don't see the Italijet in the top ten selling bikes in
the 100-150, but the runner is TOP...what do you have to say then???
Mike
Simon Evans <10170...@CompuServe.COM> wrote in message
news:7t7r4c$gmv$1...@ssauraac-i-1.production.compuserve.com...
DannyT
wrote:
>>The F125 I test rode suffered from poor carb. set up and
>annoying >squeaking from the body panels when I was travelling
>over uneven >ground, this was from a demo machine which I thought
>should be in >a reasonable condition as it was meant to influence
>the potential >customers purchase decision. If a scooter producer
>can't build a >decent demo bike why should anyone buy one.
>
>Dealer issues, each and every one. Not manufacturer. The pdi
>requires carb setup and fuel system flushing, body panels have to
>be removed and replaced. I totally agree that a demo bike should
>be in reasonable condition but you can hardly blame the maker for
>the incompetence or lack of professionalism of the dealer...
>Who was the dealer..?
>
Honestly Simon, as a former Manager of the place you cannot pass the
buck back to the Dealer. Of course, it is difficult for Italjet to
police all of their dealers but that's not the buying public's
problem, it's Italjets. If that buck-passing attitude is the
corporate policy of Italjet then that marque will become yet another
in the history books. I well recall similar attitude put forward by
hmmm let's see BSA, Triumph and Norton .....
It may have been better to defend Italjet production quality rather
than hide behind the skirt of the dealer.
Gary
>requires carb setup and fuel system flushing, body panels have to
>be removed and replaced. I totally agree that a demo bike should
>be in reasonable condition but you can hardly blame the maker for
>the incompetence or lack of professionalism of the dealer...
>Who was the dealer..?
In my oppinion it is the easyest pass the buck exercise going for a
manufacturer to say "Oh it's crap because the dealer didn't do a propper
PDI". The dealer explained to me that in there experience the pannels
squeeked on all F125 due to the rigidity (lack of) of the frame and the carb
problems were known about but they were having trouble getting parts from
the manufacturer.
I have heard and keep hearing about complaint about Italjets just look at
some coments posted on this news group. Why didn't Italjet respond to
criticism like Piaggio did with the Runner. Piaggio introduced an updated
model incorporating a rear disk brake and revised suspension.
Cartman
Simon Evans <10170...@CompuServe.COM> wrote in message
news:7t7r4c$gmv$1...@ssauraac-i-1.production.compuserve.com...
> requires carb setup and fuel system flushing, body panels have to
> be removed and replaced. I totally agree that a demo bike should
> be in reasonable condition but you can hardly blame the maker for
> the incompetence or lack of professionalism of the dealer...
> Who was the dealer..?
>
Sorry Simon, the dealer can only polish a turd, but a turd it remains.
You can't blame the dealer for intolerances an inadequacies in production -
build it well and build what the customer wants - Piaggio certainly try...
the Runner is proof.. now with rear disc and other improvements.
I've not ridden the Formula, but I've inspected several and they all lack
the finish and quality of the Runner... and those that have ridden it do not
all sing its praises.
Michael Cracknell
OF SHITE TO YOURSELF
Cartman <mail_a...@tesco.net> wrote in message
news:7t8kh3$a81$1...@barcode.tesco.net...
Simon Evans
>then that marque will become yet another in the history books.
>I well recall similar attitude put forward by hmmm let's see
>BSA, Triumph and Norton .....
Who..? Oh all those EX-motorcycle manufacturers... Seems to me
the validity of your argument is questionable. The fact that
Italjet have been around for 40-odd years and are still
trading seems to suggest they can do something right.
--
Simon Evans
Simon Evans
>just look at some coments posted on this news group. Why didn't
>Italjet respond to criticism like Piaggio did with the Runner.
>Piaggio introduced an updated model incorporating a rear disk
>brake and revised suspension.
They did. They just didn't redesignate the model. Production
line changes have been introduced right the way through the
models life. Ecxactly why I said in an earlier post to make
sure it was a full UK-spec model from a genuine UK dealer -
there are parallel imports on the UK market rescued from the
back aof a warehouse somewhere which I wouldn't want to ride,
let alone own. Why do you think that Italjet UK didn't bring
ointhe F125 until the Mark 111 version. And it appears that
Gilera still haven't got it right... just look at the post above
this one...
--
Simon Evans
Simon Evans
>all lack the finish and quality of the Runner... and those that
>have ridden it do not all sing its praises.
Thus speaks a Gilera Runner owner. You wouldn't be biased now,
would you...?
--
Simon Evans
Simon Evans
Why thank you for your reasoned and considered opinion. Tell me,
do you have to practice being a twat, or does it just come
naturally..? If you can't put together a substantive and
considered hypothesis then surely it is YOU who should keep
quiet, lest every time you open your mouth, a fool speaks...
--
Simon Evans
Simon Evans
CRAP the
>italijet is...are you going to stick up for italijet, or are you
>Italijet in the top ten selling bikes in the 100-150, but the
>runner is TOP...what do you have to say then???
Shame I saw this AFTER your ill-considered rhetoric later on. The
Runner is NOT The top-selling bike in the 100-150 class, the
Peugeot Speedfight is - 1935 versus 1379 units. The company
about wish you express such vehement opinions is ITALJET, not
italijet, and I presume you think a Ford Mondeo is a better car
than a Ferrari 356, because it sells more..?
--
Simon Evans
[ MaGiSkTeR ]
I'm a Italjet Formula 125LC owner and I hope that you could email me
personally & teach me how to de-restrict my Singapore registered 1999 model.
I understand I have to modified my 2T oil pump if I wish to carry out
modifications on my engine. But that would be too costly here in Singapore.
I do wish to know if the CDI might be restricted & how to overcome that.
It'll be great too, if you could any other areas that I could 'upgrade'.
BTW, Simon, could you kindly tell me which model is my F125LC?
- Frame number: ZJTFR 2000U 0080578
- Engine Number: FM 1251 02225
Which generation of Formulas is mine? Many thanks.
Cartman
news:RAYJ3.4302$18.1...@nnrp3.clara.net...
> In other words Simon, SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND KEEP YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT YOUR
HEAP
> OF SHITE TO YOURSELF
>
disagree with his opinion.
Cartman
Yes
I would point out that having seen both of the scoots in the flesh the
Runner was chosen because it was clearly better built, also the 3 year
warranty spoke for itself.
Being the ex - ex of Italjet... I don't suppose you're comments are entirely
impassionate either.
Lets agree to disagree.
Michael Cracknell
not that anti Ital Jet...and I certainly would never put abuse like that on
a news post....UNLESS it was about British Telecom
Mike
Michael Cracknell <mi...@fun.on.a.t-reg.8m.com> wrote in message
news:RAYJ3.4302$18.1...@nnrp3.clara.net...
> In other words Simon, SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND KEEP YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT YOUR
HEAP
> OF SHITE TO YOURSELF
>
> Cartman <mail_a...@tesco.net> wrote in message
> news:7t8kh3$a81$1...@barcode.tesco.net...
> >
> > Simon Evans <10170...@CompuServe.COM> wrote in message
> > news:7t7r4c$gmv$1...@ssauraac-i-1.production.compuserve.com...
> > > Dealer issues, each and every one. Not manufacturer. The pdi
> > > requires carb setup and fuel system flushing, body panels have to
> > > be removed and replaced. I totally agree that a demo bike should
> > > be in reasonable condition but you can hardly blame the maker for
> > > the incompetence or lack of professionalism of the dealer...
> > > Who was the dealer..?
> > >
> > Simon Evans ex Simon Evans ex Italjet etc etc
> >
> > Sorry Simon, the dealer can only polish a turd, but a turd it remains.
> >
> > You can't blame the dealer for intolerances an inadequacies in
> production -
> > build it well and build what the customer wants - Piaggio certainly
try...
> > the Runner is proof.. now with rear disc and other improvements.
> >
> > I've not ridden the Formula, but I've inspected several and they all
lack
> > the finish and quality of the Runner... and those that have ridden it do
> not
> > all sing its praises.
> >
Paul McDonough
like a restricted but good handling performance sportsbike. This is my
first scooter after 24 years on bikes and it's a toss up between my Honda
Varadero and the F125 for the morning commute or weekend fun ride. Style,
handling, nippy acceleration and bags of fun are the F125's strong points.
If you haven'y actually ridden one perhaps you should!!!
Maybe it's the lack of sun in the UK, but Down Under the F125 seems
fantastic and in case you suspect, I'm not an ex-Italjet employee.
Cartman <mail_a...@tesco.net> wrote in message
news:7tap26$opk$2...@epos.tesco.net...
> Simon Evans <10170...@CompuServe.COM> wrote in message
> news:7t9q1d$cdg$3...@ssauraac-i-1.production.compuserve.com...
> > >I've not ridden the Formula, but I've inspected several and they
> > >all lack the finish and quality of the Runner... and those that
> > >have ridden it do not all sing its praises.
> >
> > Thus speaks a Gilera Runner owner. You wouldn't be biased now,
> > would you...?
> >
>
> Yes
>
> I would point out that having seen both of the scoots in the flesh the
> Runner was chosen because it was clearly better built, also the 3 year
> warranty spoke for itself.
>
> Being the ex - ex of Italjet... I don't suppose you're comments are
entirely
> impassionate either.
>
> Lets agree to disagree.
>
Cartman
news:h1mK3.34262$ei1....@newsfeeds.bigpond.com...
> In defence of Simon, let me suggest that the F125 is a brilliant machine,
<snip>
> in case you suspect, I'm not an ex-Italjet employee.
Oh, so you're a current employee then...eh? ;o)
Cheers for helping him out...poor old Simon was in danger of being Runner'd
out of town.
Simon Evans
>being Runner'd
>out of town.
Just for the record, I'm not an Italjet owner either - I have a
Suzuki Burgman 400. It's about a second quicker to 60 than the
180 Runner and goes on to a genuine 112mph (as indicated on the
radar gun). And when it comes to cornering, well let's just
suggest that Runner owners and Formula freaks will not have any
chance at all.
Whole different league, gentlemen...
Provocative? Me?
--
Simon Evans
Julian Bond
Evans <10170...@CompuServe.COM> writes
>Just for the record, I'm not an Italjet owner either - I have a
>Suzuki Burgman 400. It's about a second quicker to 60 than the
>180 Runner and goes on to a genuine 112mph (as indicated on the
>radar gun).
> And when it comes to cornering, well let's just
>suggest that Runner owners and Formula freaks will not have any
>chance at all.
Oh, no, not provocative at all. When's the Chobham Roundabout Challenge
then?
>Whole different league, gentlemen...
Who are you calling a gentleman?
>Provocative? Me?
That should be "Provocative? Moi?", shirley?
--
-----------============>>>>>>>>>> )+( <<<<<<<<<<============-----------
Julian Bond mailto:julia...@voidstar.com
MegaScooter/FF info & mailing list http://www.shockwav.demon.co.uk
8770 M/C Suppliers, Contacts & Addresses http://www.bikeweb.com
> Un-Balanced Load <
DannyT
wrote:
>>If that buck-passing attitude is the corporate policy of Italjet
Spoken as if the same thing could not happen to Italjet. Recall, I
said that it is an "attitude" problem and sod all to do with quality
of build blah blah blah. Any manufacturer has to recognise it's
shortcomings or challenges and deal with them. Failure to do so will
consign them to the scrap heap regardless of how many previous years
they have been in business. That should have been something you learn
in Class 101 of Business Management!
Simon Evans
being made. What dooms manufacturers is not the absence of
quality control (FACT: NO MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURER EVER WENT BUST
BECAUSE THEIR QC WAS CRAP). Instead, it's the absence of response
to market forces, customer feedback and dealer requirements.
Failure to make progress in design & manufacturing to cope with
changes in demand and the competition brought about the demise of
BSA, Triumph et al, and it was a by=product of that decline that
QC suffered. `Tat` does sell, but it has to be priced right, and
pitched right.
It's my guess you don't know anything about the history of
Italjet as a company, so I think you should do your research
first, BEFORE you express an opinion. Italjet have a reputation,
even among scooter manufacturers, of having their finger on the
pulse... They were into scooters long before the Aprilias,
Kymcos, Derbis etc. etc.
--
Simon Evans