PREVIEW TEST, F B MONDIAL PIEGA 125: LITTLE BIG ROADSTER
FIRST QUICK TEST OF THE NEW SMALL ITALIAN "HYPER-NAKED", A SPORTS CAR WITH A LOT OF GRIT, A BEAUTIFUL DRIVE AND AN AUTHOR'S DESIGN
Once in the saddle, the Piega 125 remains very compact but incredibly habitable even from a large size . The tank is short and the handlebars close enough, but not as "underneath" as we expected. There is enough room to get down and back down also because the saddle is hospitable even though the tail looks so short in profile. It is a naked yes, but the tubular frame is cleverly hidden from view with a series of well-made plastic covers not only in form. The overall impression is therefore of a good workmanship.
The setting is that of a real sports naked.When the first round approaches we understand why they were even talking about hyper-naked: that is the reference world. However, an excessive load on the wrists is not perceived, on the contrary the position is quite natural and all in all comfortable for the type of motorcycle. Already in the first few meters, the chassis instills a certain confidence and confidence and supports you if you want to pick up the pace. We liked the response of the fork, an Upside-Down with 40 mm diameter stems and 97 mm of travel: it immediately makes you feel the bike in your hand. As was easily predictable, however, the 120 mm rear monoshock seemed to us to be set a little on the rigid in line with the agile and sporty behavior of the Piega. If this reduces comfort a little, it certainly contributes to a certain speed in the most confident driving.fairly low weight of only 133 kg . The remaining part is due to an approach that leads the pilot to be very central.
The engine is the same single cylinder 4-stroke, 4-valve DOHC of the HPS revised above all in the injection thanks to the collaboration with Dell'Orto. It produces 10.5 kW at 9750 rpm and 10.5 Nm at 8000 rpm . The grit is there, but to hear it sing and push you have to squeeze it a littlelooking for the upper area of the rev counter. By the way, the full-color digital instrumentation is pleasant and clearly legible, only inevitably positioned a little low. We also liked the response of the six-speed gearbox and the clutch is really soft. A motorcycle with a sporty soul can only have sporty braking. At the front we find a four-piston caliper with radial attachment and a 300mm disc, while behind there is a 220mm disc and a single-piston floating caliper.
As we had imagined starting from the Milan Motor Show, the new proposal by FB Mondial is interesting and very attractive for the design first of all, for the good performance, for the reactive driving and for a workmanship that seemed very good to us. It is offered in three colour combinations (Factory, Graphite and Magnesium) at a price of £3999 plus OTR and its arrival in the sales network is imminent. Just in time for school to finish ...
Credit Nicola Andreetto
