Gilera MX-1 125

Presented at the Milan Show in 1987 and marketed since April 1988, the Gilera MX-1 is in effect a new bike, simply to share with her glamorous predecessor KK, best-selling sports cars of 1987 the motor and the wheels 16 ".

The 1988 was undoubtedly a crucial year in the market of the 125 sports bike which saw the birth of gifted technically and aesthetically: Aprilia introduced the wonderful fact summary, the aggressive and carenatissima Cagiva Freccia C10R Italy and Honda's revolutionary and scarenata NSR -F. If the RV of 1984 and subsequent KZ / KK, Gilera was completely caught off guard competition by real milestones in the evolution of 125, in the context described above, it is now much harder to think of the MX-1 as a revolutionary movement. Accomplices choices techniques such as conventional steel frame and wheels 16 "and a line perhaps less original than the new products introduced by competitors, the MX-1 is more like an interesting alternative to KZ and KK, which is curiously supports without replacing them, rather than its competitors.

The MX-1 remained in production until the end of 1989, when it was replaced by the MX-R.

Colour: White / Red White / Blue

Price in 1988: 4,955,000 lire (295,000 lire electric start, although de facto standard)

Other versions:

MX-1 Record

During 1988 was also presented the MX-1 record, characterized by a special coloring to celebrate the four speed records obtained on the Nardo track.

The bike soon

As for KZ and KK, the line of MX-1 is the result of the drawing pencil Luciano Marabese, although the design of the fairing was not only defined by the inspiration of Marabese, but also by numerous tests in the Pininfarina wind tunnel . In this regard, the trial has affected the fairing that goes to the upper end of a small flap to reduce pressure on the pilot and the positioning and sizing of air intakes power and cooling to improve not only the engine cooling, but also the exit of hot air to the benefit of performance. The headlight beam split and 'practically the same as that seen on KZ Endurance and fit well to the lines of the fairing. Very beautiful too snug, but streamlined front fender and matching mirrors.

A particular deserves the massive reservoir, well developed upward, and that in fact 'a generous compartment oddments: a solution previously adopted on KK and then also followed by the Cagiva Freccia C10R. Compared to KK who adopted a little 5-liter tank top and a larger placed under the engine, the true reservoir of less than 17 Litresof MX-1 is entirely underneath the engine and protected by a bulkhead antiheat It is obvious. The real filler protected by lock and 'placed on the right side inside the fairing and naturally' provided an electric pump that connects the tank with the carburetor. With this new solution, engineers have Gilera then got a double advantage over KK: further lower the center of gravity of the bike to the advantage of handling and create enough space for a large storage compartment suitable for containing even a full face helmet. All accompanied by excellent build quality and clear from details like the faux filler type aircraft by allowing the lock to open the compartment door-objects and the control spring to keep up when open. Also in place are the battery compartment, the suction openings of the filter case and a handy hole opened to access the spark plug. The oil tank and 'placed inside the fairing on the left side and then on the other side of the fuel nozzle.

As seen on KZ / KK, the band-tail side panels based on an aluminum shelf with integral seat and therefore not be opened. Less successful line of codon that is decidedly underpowered compared to the overall size of the bike, although a pleasing racing comes from the double staining of the saddle, so to make up a car and split the exhaust coming out the sides of the rear light. Finally, always well made and treated the CEV instrumentation complete new design also features digital clock and always beautiful electrical controls common to KZ / KK

Cycling

Abandoned solution used on the KZ / KK double cradle beamed square tubes made of steel, the chassis of the MX-1 It is a modern type Deltabox double side box-beam high-strength steel. Sin Gilera technicians have not thought about the most 'noble and lightweight aluminum, used only for the swingarm and the rear seat shelf Hold-halves in aluminum and the common KZ / KK. The Marzocchi fork has a diameter of 35mm and 'adjustable compression and in three positions and' with a stiffening plate. The rear suspension and 'Power Drive Note Gilera Boge monoshock with adjustable spring preload only. The braking and 'produced by Grimeca the front and there is a 260mm disc with a new four-piston caliper differentiated, while the 240mm rear disc served as a caliper with two opposed pistons. The wheel spokes are both 16 "and mount tires Pirelli MT75 in the following dimensions: 100/80-16 front and 120/80-16 rear.

Engine

The engine of the MX-1 is the third generation of engines Gilera born with a RV of 1984 and maintains the same structure, although compared to KK propeller mounted on the main differences are:

New exhaust valve APTS 2 with different settings and new control unit (also mechanical centrifugal) to improve the reliability
New exhaust system more preformante
Recalibration of the carburetor (Dell'Orto always PHBH 28)
Carter redesigned external
Gearbox and primary drive reviewed
With regard to performance, the MX-1 a good check that they result confirms the work done by technical refinement Gilera. With a maximum power to the wheel to 26.01cv 9600giri (25.71cv 9500giri to KK) and a top speed of 156.600 (157.600 km / h KK), the benefits observed were lower than the more 'recent competition. For the final shot, however, the Gilera engine shows its best quality ', proving very docile and popping in the tests taken in the 400 meters to 50km / h, a time of 20.587 seconds and a speed of 91.370 km output per hour (22.184 sec 80.720 km / h KK)