With petrol prices going the way of helium balloons, motorcycles and scooters make a lot of sense.
In a mix of city and highway riding here, the Gilera Runner ST200 will easily cover 250km on a full tank (less than $18). The same dollar amount in a mid-sized Continental four-wheeler would get you around 100km - if you're lightfooted.
Perhaps that is one reason why the COE price for motorbikes has remained quite firm, compared with the relatively deflated state of car COEs. Instead of buying a second car, some folks may be opting for two-wheelers.
Heck, bikes are not a bad alternative to first cars either.
Something like the ST200 is easy to operate (start button, twist and go, no gears to change), convenient (underseat stowage will accommodate a helmet) and zippier than many 1.6-litre sedans.
It is also relatively light and manoeuvrable, allowing you to weave to the front of the queue at the lights.
And it is really quite affordable.
The latest Runner is a lot smarter looking than its predecessor. It sports a bigger fairing, which houses a larger head-lamp and streamlined front winkers. Compared with the last model, it has more 'big scooter' presence.
The big fairing accommodates the ERP unit well, allowing the ugly grey contraption to sit behind the windshield and almost blend in with the Runner's smart instrumentation.
The scooter gets a longer seat, which is always welcome.
The latest model complies with Euro 3 emission standards (versus the predecessor's Euro 2), and thus suffers a 3kg weight gain and a dip in output. It loses 2hp and 0.5Nm in maximum torque, and requires higher revs to reach peak performance.
The good thing is that this bike has a very responsive throttle and is often able to reach 80kmh in a jiffy.
Acceleration on the fly is also above par.
As before, vibration becomes obvious once you go beyond 90kmh. And the front suspension is pretty harsh. So much so that the windshield shakes audibly when the scooter encounters speed humps or tarmac imperfections.
The test model betrays rust spots on a couple of bolts. Besides that, the Italian job seems pretty well put together.
GILERA RUNNER ST200
Price: $6,300 (without COE, insurance)
Engine: 198cc one-cylinder 4-valve liquid-cooled 4-stroke
Transmission: Fully auto CVT
Power: 19hp at 8,750rpm
Torque: 17Nm at 7,250rpm
0-100kmh: 11.5 seconds (est)
Top speed: 120kmh (est)
Fuel consumption: 3.8 litres/100km (city)
Agent: Piaggio Asia Pacific
