Ease of use is about as good as it gets for a maxi; bonuses like the remote release on the key to both the forward and rear under seat storage areas really make quick trips a breeze. There’s also a small non lockable compartment upfront which is great for smaller items like a garage door opener. The only real ease use issue is the centre stand; it’s pretty easy to get the 198kg bike on to it; getting it off is somewhat harder. On flat ground it’s not too bad, but park the X8 on any kind of uphill slope and getting it off the centre stand involves a strange kind of dynamic body launch into the handlebars. This probably won’t effect anybody over 80kg, but if you’re shorter or don’t weigh a hell of a lot then you might want to have a few goes at this on your test ride. Piaggio could certainly do a better job of the centre stand in future.

Summing up; the X8 is probably Piaggio’s best all rounder in the maxi scooter class. It handles well and its 400cc engine delivers smooth reliable power. We’d like to see an increase in fuel tank size from its limited 12 liter tank to say a 16 liter tank and a better implemented centre stand design but apart from that X8 is pretty much as good as it gets. The X8 400ie is also very competitively priced in some markets so is definitely got to be near the top of any 400cc maxi buyers shopping list. Give it a test ride; you’ll most likely find it hard to pass up.

0-50km/h	3.9 Seconds
0-100km/h	8.9 Seconds
50-80km/h	3.6 Seconds
Fuel Economy	5L/100kms - 47MPG
Speedo Accuracy	50kph displayed = 45kph actual - 100kph diplayed = 92 actual
Pros:	Awesome storage space, solid brakes, predictable handling, great build quality.
Cons:	Small 12 liter fuel tank, windscreen is far too low for most riders, hard to get off center stand.
Handling
Performance
Fuel Consumption
Value for money
Ease of use
Styling
Build quality
Overall Score	83%

Comments (3)

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written by Al , July 03, 2008

You can fit two full face helmets in it. The one in the rear needs to go in upside down with the front of the helmet facing you.

The other one goes under the seat on it's side with the top of the helmet pointing to the rear of the scooter.

Does it fit, well my Shoei XR1000 size 64 goes in the rear and size 61 under the seat.

It is very tight and can often take me 5 minutes to make it fit.

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written by Vince Lovrich , April 01, 2008

You will find it depends on the helmet. there are a few scooters that have this problem. Older style helmets (especially non vented ones) will quite often just fit but more modern/vented ones don't. This was a bit of an issue with my long term Suzuki, my old helmet fitted, then I upgraded and it won't quite go in there.

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written by Glenn Humble , March 31, 2008

Great scooter and good review although you cannot fit a full faced helmet in the storage areas although Piaggio and other reviews I've read state you can.

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