Liberty over the long-term
Liberty over the long-term<br>We've reviewed a big number of scooters over the last year or so, but mostly we've only had them for a week or two. A couple of months ago, we called Piaggio asking for a long-term set of wheels, to temporarily replace MsMs M's typical week is riding about 12km each way through central Melbourne traffic each working day, plus a longer (about 30km each way) trip each weekend to Motorcycle Motion, where she teaches learner riders for fun and profit. She's clocked up a couple of thousand kays so far.
Architecture
The basic architecture of the Liberty is a latter-day C50 Honda - you know, the big-wheeled step-through which was heralded with the famous "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" campaign of 30 years ago.
Times and technology have changed. Today's bike uses a four-stroke, fan-cooled 150cc powerplant (which is used across a wide range of Piaggio and non-Piaggio product, feeding a stepless auto transmission. AKA a CVT. It has electric start and is whisper-quiet.
The frame is an underslung steel affair - traditional for scooters - while the defining characteristic is the large-diameter 16-inch wheel up front, mated to a 14-inch rear.
Fuel capacity is 5.9 litres and consumption in the 25km per litre range. It takes longer to remove your helmet than it does to fill the tank, while day-to-day running costs (including registration) are much cheaper than using public transport. Retail price is $5990 (plus ORC) and the warranty is 12 months/unlimited km.
In the saddle
So what's it like? Here are a few notes from Ms M...
It's not big on carrying space, but don't overlook the shopping hook - you can put a heavy backpack on it and it makes no difference to the handling. Just hook it up and go - quicker to load than on a rack or under the seat. (Piaggio also offers a topbox, which would enable you to lock away a helmet.)
Brakes are fine. Progressive feel - enough for a light-weight bike and you're not likely to lock them up easily.
There's big-wheeled stability, which you would expect, while it's very easy to manoeuvre around traffic and into small parking spaces. It's easy to plonk on the centrestand and there's no sidestand to forget.
Performance is good enough to stay with, or slightly ahead of, the traffic from lights, and I find - on freeways - it cruises up to 100 quickly and stays there without effort
Overall
The Liberty does not represent rocket science, but it's a well-finished and fun way to gad about the city. Tall riders will find it a little small - however Ms M, at around 160cm, finds it perfect.
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