written by on 19/01/2013
I bought an 9000 mile, 18 month old X9 250 for less than half the price of a new one, so new ones were massively overpriced. It is easy to ride and has loads of storage space under the seat. I fitted a rear carrier and could carry even more. The 250cc four stroke engine was a Honda unit and pretty gutless although the pay off was good petrol consumption at about 70mpg. I could never get on with the seating position that put a bend in my back no matter what I tried. For short commutes this was fine but long distance made my back ache. The X9 was reliable for a year then things started to go wrong. The dealerships are awful and parts prices will make you weep. Try £28 for a paper air filter when my car filter is £10. I had a starting problem and was quoted over £400 for an ignition unit which is about the size of a cigarette packet - FOUR HUNDRED QUID!! ANY genuine Piaggio part needs to be ordered specially and sometimes from Italy, so your bike will be off the road for weeks. If you do anything mechanical, the plastic bodywork has to come off which requires about 4000 screws and bolts to be removed. Even with the bodywork off, access is poor, unless you have hands the size of a hobbit. Overall, boring like porridge without sugar or milk. I have owned lots of motorcycles/scooters and been a motorcyclist since 1975 and this X9 was one of the worst bikes I owned. Bland and a nightmare if things go wrong.
written by scooterbird on 30/10/2006
I bought this Piaggio X9 250 bike at the very good price of £1000. It needed a call out almost immediately. It has had the digidash replaced 3 times, needed a new alternator, fuel pump died, electronics fried, amongst other problems. The stand caused a problem which caused the belt to snap. This bike hates me and constantly tries to kill me. It breaks down all the time, roadside rescue don't even try to fix it cause it's so awkward to get to any of the important bits. Parts are extortionate and seemingly never in the country, they always have to ship them in from Italy.
The dealerships near me are totally kack. Despite my best efforts to keep this fun to ride, speedy wee bike on the road, I have now decided to give in, kick it to death and buy a Japanese bike which will hopefully have the guts to stand up to wet weather.
I have had many fun days on this bike and just wish it were more reliable. The enjoyment I've had from this bike has been tempered with thoughts of break downs and as a result, I try not to travel too far from home. It's just not good enough.
The bike has been well cared for, all maintenance carried out at the correct times and has been kept undercover.
I would not recommend this to anyone and if you're considering buying one, I'd suggest you call up your local dealer and find out if they have parts like an exhaust gasket, belt, syntered brake pads, rear tyre, ie, off the shelf parts in stock or how soon they will get them in.
I have loved this bike for the most part and will be sorry to let her go but I just can't put up will all her problems anymore.
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As rated by our community of reviewers
Dshaw647's Response to scooterbird's Review
Written on: 03/02/2008
I found this review helpful because... am thinking about getting an x9 but had a skipper 125 and had similar problems so am now not so sure!