Gilera, the sporting brand of Italian scooter giant Piaggio, has revealed an adventurous entry into the motorcycle market with their "Ferro" prototype. Evidence of Gilera's 850cc 90° V-twin sports engine surfaced some years ago but a chassis was never revealed.
The Gilera Ferro concept bike is the most advanced example of Piaggio Group R&D activity. The best of Gilera's R&D resources were put at the disposal of the Gilera Ferro project to explore one of motorcycling's new frontiers - electronic power-assisted transmission.
The sophisticated electronically managed gearbox shifts gears automatically and has a manual pushbutton option. This system combines faster, smoother gearshifts and an automatic clutch, as well as electronic engine braking control.
Acceleration out of turns is extremely smooth; performance is exciting and power delivery fuller and more fluid, without uneven gear speed shifts.
The rider is free to vary several parameters, including pre-determined speed ranges (simulating a manual gear change) and therefore also engine braking effectiveness. Or the rider can switch to full CVT and concentrate on enjoying the ride with the maximum power available at perennially optimal rpm.
With its strikingly modern design and extraordinary technical set-up, the Gilera Ferro is a prototype on which Gilera's engineers are carrying out some very specific testing. What they're aiming at is the kind of revolution that the motorcycle world hasn't seen since the gear speed selector moved from the fuel tank to the pedal.
Specifications - Gilera Ferro 850
Engine - Twin-cylinder 850cc, 4 stroke, 4 valves per cylinder, double throttle electronic injection
Cooling - Liquid
Lubrication - Dry sump
Starter - Electric
Ignition - Electronic
Gearbox - "Servocambio" electronic power-driven gear
Final drive - Chain
Tyres - Front 120/70-17" / rear 180/55-17"
Front suspension - Hydraulic USD Ø 51mm fork
Rear suspension - Single arm, single hydraulic adjustable shock absorber
Frame - Pressed steel pipes, stressed engine, aluminium arm
Front brakes - Two 320m discs with 4 piston calipers
Rear brake - 240mm disc with 2 piston caliper
Wheelbase - 1450 mm
Overall length - 2080 mm
Dry weight - 189 kg
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