The X8, Piaggio’s compact GT (Gran Turismo), is now available in a 250cc displacement. The powerful new Euro3 compatible four-valve 250cc engine with electronic injection lines up alongside the Piaggio X8 125cc to provide a range that satisfies all the requirements of an urban commuter.
The new X8 250 also features design and technical changes. Stylishness, high-level performance and practicality are the selling points of the Piaggio X8 250 and 125, which offer the ideal mix of equipment, rider protection, easy handling and practicality. And its extra-large storage space makes the X8 a really convenient way to travel about town.
Quick and snappy, the Piaggio X8 is the only mid-sized GT with abundant space for rider and passenger, excellent aerodynamic protection and super-scooter load capacity. The storage and the advanced technical, style and ride features make the X8 the natural heir to the extraordinary Hexagon, the best-selling Piaggio vehicle that led to the emergence of the super-scooter.

The new 250cc version
Originally launched in November 2003 in 125 and 200cc versions, the Piaggio X8 has been a runaway success with over 30,000 units sold.
Piaggio’s compact GT range now includes the 250cc instead of the 200cc.
The new Quasar 250 with electronic injection is a four-stroke, four-valve liquid cooled unit that meets Euro3 standards. The advanced closed loop injection with a Lambda sensor, three-way catalytic converter and electronic ignition system control, considerably reduces emissions and fuel consumption and provides immediate throttle response. The Piaggio X8 250 is fun to ride, quick off the mark in town traffic and comfortable with mid-range touring.
The new Quasar i.e. series is the result of the Piaggio engine division’s commitment to create a top quality, environment-friendly engine.
Several design and functional changes have also been made to improve comfort and make the Piaggio X8 250 immediately recognisable.
The rear top box and the top section of the shield are both painted the same colour as the vehicle. The top box has a more sharply edged and racy design.
The instrument panel graphics are new. The splashguard, now more innovatively designed, is split into two parts with the front the same shade as the vehicle and the rear in black.
The seat height has been lowered to 785 mm to make the scooter easier to handle and control when manoeuvring it from a parking location.  The saddle has a new smooth lining with new stitching.
The Piaggio X8 125 is equipped with a latest-generation LEADER engine. The LEADER four-stroke, four-valve, liquid-cooled units have sparkling performance at the top of their category as well as reduced fuel consumption. Acceleration, pick-up and maximum speed are benchmark level for the class. The Piaggio X8 125 is particularly quick for the 11 kW category of scooter that can be driven with a car license.
Low consumption and a 12-litre tank give the Piaggio X8 125 an enviable running range.
The improved variable speed drive on the X8’s 125cc LEADER engine gives a fluid power output perfectly suited to the city commute.

Design
The Piaggio X8's design is elegant with fluid lines and rounded edges. The resulting impression is one of comfort, practicality and agility.
The front of the X8 is similar to the standard Piaggio has set for all its GT super-scooters, but veers towards automobile rather than motorcycle style. The wide front lamp with its multi-focus reflector ensures excellent visibility in the worst weather conditions.
The front shield and windscreen are wide and protective. CAD-sketched down to the last detail, the body of the X8 provides first-rate rider protection, as proved by wind tunnel tests.
The chrome trim highlights the sharply drawn lines of the scooter on details such as the edge of the wide footrest and the vehicle identification plates.
With a 56-litre load capacity and dual access to the storage area, the Piaggio X8 is extremely practical. It actually has more storage space than many bigger displacement GT scooters. The under-seat storage area holds two full-face helmets, a small bag and sundry items up to 80 cm in length. The storage area also contains a foldaway seat cover and a courtesy light.
All in all, the X8 loading bay is an extraordinary result, obtained through ultra-modern CAD styling techniques.
The frame was modelled to surround the storage area and thereby combine the rear boot and under-seat storage area. Practical handlebar switches provide dual access to the storage area through the rear boot lid and the tip-up seat. The front shield provides further space to place small items or documents within easy reach and is also equipped with a 12V plug to recharge a mobile phone.
Three-dimensional calculations geared to improve the ergonomics of the vehicle were applied to the X8 project right from the start.
The front shield and windshield offer exceptional protection and are complemented by a low seat to suit riders of any size, with the front and rear part of the seat nearly the same height and rear handgrips for the passenger’s use. The seat is wide and well padded with a built-in backrest, which can be adjusted to suit the rider’s body, making for a comfortable ride. As well as the usual side stand, the Piaggio X8 has a handy side stand.
The Piaggio X8's analogue instrument panel lets the rider check vehicle information at all times. It includes a speedometer, fuel gauge and temperature indicators, a clock and a mileage counter as well as a series of indicators - reserve, oil pressure, direction indicators in use, low-beam, high-beam, seat or rear lid open warning and immobiliser LED.
The seat can be opened either by pressing a button on the inside of the steering column or by using the innovative remote control button on the ignition key.

Cycle parts
The X8 frame is the result of an entirely new project and Piaggio made use of the best CAD technology to create it. As a result FEM analysis, optimal build strength and weight were identified and then tested from the earliest phase of the project, with the appropriateness of the solutions used checked at each step. The double-cradle frame in steel tubes has a telehydraulic fork with 35-mm shafts. At the rear, the engine/crankcase transmission acts as a single-arm with two dual-effect hydraulic shock absorbers and spring preload adjustable to four positions. The front wheel, stopped by a 260-mm steel disk and dual-piston floating caliper, measures 14” to enhance stability and road grip. At the rear, the 12” wheel rim has a large tyre (130/70) to provide the storage bay with extra space, improve road behaviour and allow for a lower seat height. The rear brake is a 240-mm steel disk with a caliper with 32-mm opposed pistons.

Accessories
With a wide range of dedicated accessories the Piaggio X8 lets riders customise their comfort and safety:
• Bigger windscreen with handguards for improved protection.
• Rear rack with a flip-down plate. The rear rack turns around and away when an unlocking switch is pressed. This makes it possible to easily access the rear boot lid even with the top case mounted.
• Rear top box with a 48-litre capacity that, together with the under-seat storage, provides for overall storage capacity of over 100 litres.
• Rear folding partition that draws back in one quick, easy movement to open up the under-seat storage entirely.
• Remote-controlled electronic anti-theft device.

Colours
The Piaggio X8 125 and 250 are available in metallic colours that emphasize their sober elegance: Excalibur Grey, Smoky Grey, Midnight Blue and Graphite Black.