X9 V Aprilia Atlantic

[SpudMonkey]

Hi guys

I will be buying a new scooter within the next couple of weeks and I am stuck between the X9 125 and the aprilia atlantic 125.

By researching and by looks i prefer the X9 but I must say I have been put off abit by the issues raised on this board regarding the cold start problem and other intermitant problems.

Does anyone have any balanced views on the two bikes and any other info to sway me back to the X9

Cheers
 

[Neil B]

You dont have to be Einstein to guess what the answers are going to be from us


GO FOR THE X9


     


.............................................................

We have a few members who have had other Scoots but the X9 seems to come up tops most of the time.

[joyce]

Seriously, if Aprilia had an active honest forum like this do you not think you would hear about all the little problems - all bikes/scooters/cars have their 'faults'.

I also think you will realise as you read thro' all the texts that most of these faults can easily be repaired (see J@Thompsons replies for repairs under warranty and Dave M's (and others) replies for do-it-yourself work).

I have a 125cc and am over the moon with it.

By the way welcome to the X9 forum - I hope you like what you see - and do ask those questions that are bugging you before you spend your dosh.

Joyce

         

[SpudMonkey]

[Aaron]

Haggle for free 3 year warranty (like I didn't ) Welcome to the club!

[Mr.Chips]

Hello and welcome from me, too.
I agree with what Joyce says about Forums.
I suppose the one disadvantage of a forum as good as ours is that every single fault or niggle is going to be discussed in some depth.
For example, the adjusters on the rear suspension tend to seize up if not used regularly. The fact that riders have to do it themselves makes it a 'problem'. I wonder how many of us know what seizes up in the suspension on our cars. I, for one, gave up grovelling about underneath mine years ago and let the Garage deal with it.
Incidentally, I checked mine yesterday, not having bothered to touch them in six months, and although they were a bit stiff, proved no problem to move. (They're WD'd and greased now).
If all else fails I say, "Better the Devil you know than the Devil you don't". I think you'll be extremely unlucky to have any real trouble with an X9 and again, as Joyce says, we have the support of the best Piaggio Dealer and the best home mechanics/technicians in the country.
   

[AndyDV9]

Hi Spud,

I also have a 125, and it's a great scoot, yes mine has the cold start problem, of stalling/loss of power which will be going back to my dealer for a new carburettor so it should be sorted soon.  This is the only problem to manifest itself in the two and a bit years I've had it and this only started since last Nov the rest of the time the scoots been fine.  So have yourself a test ride on one,  I presume as you're going for a 125 you have still to pass your test.

Andy

P.S. Welcome to the club

[SpudMonkey]

Yeah I've still to pass my test.

I thought I would get up and running on the 125 and after a year or two if i feel I need that extra punch upgrade to a 250 or 500

[Rocketman]

Hi Spud,

Yep i have the 125 same as Andy & Joyce,its September 2001 its been a dream,i have don nearly 11k on it mostly on club ride outs,it has performed outstandingly along side the 250's & 500's,i have not had problems with the cold starting in fact i have had no problems at all.i will be sad to see the old girl go in a couple of weeks,but a bigger smile will be on my face when i walkout with the 250 evolution i have just ordered.

I know nowt about the Alantic,except to say i dont think there are many around this area,i can not recall seeing one.

Regards

steve

[gkent]

spud monkey Yes I've just bought a used 500 from Miles 3 weeks ago and so far pleased with the purchase
So  give us a wave if we pass

[SpudMonkey]

Hi gkent

will do..

Also Can anyone tell me what colours I can get the 125 in..

The one i saw in the shop was metallic blue but was wondering what others I can pick up.

Again also does the 125 come with the electric stand or is this just on the larger models

Cheers

[Mr.Chips]

Hello Spud.
I don't know which colours are available at the moment but the electric stand isn't offered as an option on either the 125 or 250 now.
It was on the 250 definitely but was dropped because of the expense of the time taken to fit it retrospectively. I enquired of my dealer when I bought mine and he said it involved dismantling most of the scooter to fit it and that was loads of money!

As a point of interest concerning the Test, I took mine last year on a Gillera Runner of sufficient capacity supplied by the Training School as I was riding an NRG 50cc restricted scooter on my car licence at the time. It enabled me to ride a 250. Have you considered that?
   

[SpudMonkey]

Hi Mr Chips

I think I'm getting confused with which tests we are talking about (CBT, Full Motor or Full Motorcycle).

Currently I have a full car licence and I am taking my CBT tomorrow..

you mentioned riding a 250. but I thought you needed a full motorcycle licence when riding over a 125??

[Mr.Chips]

Hello Spud.
Sorry about that.
The pattern seems to be:
Restricted 50cc can be ridden on car licence (if one is old enough)

Sub-Category A1, the practical test must be taken on a bike/scooter of between 75 & 155cc. This restricts the rider to bikes up to 125cc/11Kw output.

Category A, test taken on a bike/scooter between 121 &125cc and capable of at least 100kph. This restricts the rider to riding a bike of up to 25Kw output and power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg for two years (for all practical purposes, a 250 but 500s can be restricted mechanically to the lower power output), after which the rider may ride any size of bike/scooter. (Licence is automatically upgraded)

Direct Access, taken on a bike/scooter of 35kW output or more. This enables the rider to ride a bike of any size immediately. (The only drawback with this route is that you can't take the bike out unaccompanied by an Instructor so is an expensive way of doing it)

Words in brackets are mine.

CBT is required before any test.

The same restrictions apply to T&G scooters as to automatic cars.

I'm copying from the DoT leaflet, 'Mopeds and motorcycles; Routes to your licence'.

Hope this helps.
   

[SpudMonkey]

Thanks again MrChips

so you are saying that If i ride a 125 for two years on only a CBT i will then automatically be able to ride a 500 without having to take the full motorcycle test.

If this is the case then cool...

[Mr.Chips]

Ah, No!
If you stay with a 50cc restricted moped for ever, you don't need to take ANY test (including CBT - which isn't a test, just a training session to be completed satisfactorily) as long as you have a full car licence.

If you want to take any of the three Tests I copied from the leaflet, you HAVE to complete the CBT satisfactorily. I assume you haven't got any type of M/c licence yet.
The CBT for the purposes of taking the Test is valid for two years.

So, to get a M/c licence of any sort:-
Complete CBT, apply for and
Take Theory Test. When passed
Take Practical Test.

   

[Mr.Chips]

I add hastily that there are slightly different rules if the rider is under 21.
Not sure how old you are.
   

[SpudMonkey]

If only...... 32 and proud.

Thanks for all your help.

Just 1 more point to clear this up then (Us northerner eh.)

After taking my CBT, can I then go and ride a 125 (X9 obviously) straight away.

Cheers

[Aaron]

You need to take the CBT, a theory test then a full test.

Have a good read of this page: http://www.twistngo.com/licence.htm

[Mr.Chips]

Hello Spud.
Yes you can with L-plates but no pillion passengers.
   

[SpudMonkey]

Cheers

My head is spinning now!!!!!

   

[Aaron]

:: Mine too. I'm at the stage where I can book my test, but I have to get the better of the fear as I'm crap at tests.

[Mr.Chips]

Hello Aaron.
Have you taken the Theory one yet?
If not, the Double CD Rom with the Theory and Hazard Perception Tests on is worth its weight in gold.
I've just looked for my copy and acn't find it but when I do, I'll pass on the name. It's available in M/c shops and some book shops.
   

[Aaron]

Thanks Mike,
Did it in October (I think) and passed 34/35. Using the Theory and Hazard Perception Test CDROMS you mentioned.

[Mr.Chips]

Cor, that's good!
Well, I found the Practical less stressful although, as others will agree, the two 'set' manoeuvres can be a bit trying!