Gilera Saturno

[John B]

Well, I think I've just spotted my legitimate way back into Thumperdom. The Saturno, or preferably a Puma, but that's an even better story. 45 bhp as standard and only 309 lbs weight. Read that and weep SRX and SZRs. Anyone out there got one or had any experience with them? How are the spare parts availability and more importantly the reliability? Only downside seems to be rarity and therefore price.

Oh and what's with all the James Bond style secret codes on the forum now?

[Steve H]

Hi John. The codes are to stop automated spam messages. If you register you dont have to supply the codes.
As for the Saturno, nice looking bike, but thats about all I know.

[Richard]

Only ever seen one on the road at the V twin rally in Shaftesbury about 15 years ago, and one for sale at last years Stafford show - I have a photograph.  Beautiful, utterly beautiful, on a par with the last 450 desmo

Their own engine I believe, that also got used in their own trail bike at about the same time.  Was it the RC 600 ?

[Bill Rutter]

Bat Motorcycles in Biggin Hill have a 1990 Saturno for sale at just under £1900. 7,000 miles, under-seat exhausts and in good con. with warranty.
Have a look in the "Premier bikes" section of :  www.batmotorcycles.co.uk

[John B]

Bat Motorcycles in Biggin Hill have a 1990 Saturno for sale at just under £1900. 7,000 miles, under-seat exhausts and in good con. with warranty.
Have a look in the "Premier bikes" section of :  www.batmotorcycles.co.uk

Sound work Bill. It was the 500 I was thinking of but I will research the 350 side of things. After all Turner did say thet 333cc's was the optimum size per cylinder anyway. I believe the Piuma 650 came second at IOM Bob Mc memorial - straight from the crate!

[guest7]

I'm guessing someone has seen those two adverts for the Puma and Saturno inone of the classic mags this month?

GC

[themoudie]

Aye John B,

One 500cc in the Island at Ramsay Motorcycles offered at £2,800 during 2004 Manx. Complete with service tools and a spare set of complete wheels. An offer of £2,500 cash would have secured!

Bat motorcycles had at least 2 x 350cc and 1 x 500cc not long ago. They disappeared and then appeared to re-appear on NLM's website with a 'mark-up' and then sold quickly. Were still displayed on NLM's site when last looking with 'SOLD' through the image. Possible reason for this is that BAT will source them in Japan to fill the container, as that was their main export market. Few, Nuovo Saturno purchasers will visit BAT's site and NLM's site attracts them like bees round a honey pot! ;-) If BAT are selling a 500cc for less than £2,000, with warranty, go on!!! ;-)

I know of one 500cc up here, that went 'Pop'. A Nordwest motor was popped in and more fun was the result. What mods, if any were required and whether it is still running will require some discrete enquiries. A Nordwest circulated in the Manx a few years back and was no slouch.

Bob Wright Motorcycles I believe, can supply most running spares for the beasties.

Cheers, Bill.

[themoudie]

Just had a wee 'looksee'!

NLM priced their 350cc at £2,500. BAT's has to be worth a look, if your up for it!

Part exchange for 2 Imps and an XBR outfit from north of the Forth? ;-) Prompt!

Cheers, Bill

[J Hop]

Yeh the Saturno is a beautiful looking bike, (dont think I have ever seen one in the flesh though).

I have always found that BAT's bikes are priced as high as you will see by looking at other bikes they have for sell, I would try and buy private.

[John Burns]

As usual you boys have come up trumps by giving me all you know about the subject.  Can't wait to sort out a Saturno or an RS 250 and get back down to the Thumper rally in Wales.

All the best tae the best.

Slainte!

[guest18]

You can have the outfit but the Imps are not for sale as you very well know Bill ;-)

Have to say I've been enjoying bopping about on the MZ in recent weeks though, going to miss it over the next couple as I'll be in North Englandshire with work, and works transport is compulsory!!
;-)

[Steve Lake]

The only experience i've had of a Saturno is being soundly mugged by one at the Morini Riders cadwell track day every year, supposedly bog standard and running on bridgestone BT45's it was flying, ok, I know a lot of it is down to the rider, but i wasn't hanging about. lovely red missile, and with 110cc less than me i was well impressed.

[John B]

I'm guessing someone has seen those two adverts for the Puma and Saturno inone of the classic mags this month?

GC

Which mag Mr C?

[themoudie]

As usual you boys have come up trumps by giving me all you know about the subject.  Can't wait to sort out a Saturno or an RS 250 and get back down to the Thumper rally in Wales.

All the best tae the best.

Slainte!

Aye John,

Good to see your still nebbing into the site. This mean the Duke will be the PE item?

An acquaintance up here is thinking of getting rid of an ST4! To much poke for the licence, to much like a VFR with no soul and dodgy lights and electrics. Some things never change with Dukes!!

Regards, Bill

[John B]

Bill, The Duke is brilliant. I now have an all Ohlins model. It is everything I would ever want from a motorcycle and I haven't even got round to doing a couple of suspension mods/settings that would make it even better on the B and C roads I tend to inhabit. I kept the 749 for 2 touble free years and thus far (14 months) the 999 has only blown one headlamp bulb. Soul in spades and it weighs just a little more than the SRX! Licence loss is just as likely these days with a CG 125 have 3 points for doing 68 over Soutra. My wife got done in Mondeo on M6 for 82! I just do not speed much on A roads.  If I had been caught on some B roads I think I would have been sent to the colonies though! Thing is I like getting my hands dirty and a winter project appeals. Plus the Gilera looks to me to be the absolute epitome of my type of bike. Also very nice people involved, check the owners club site   http://www.igottagilera.co.uk/ If I find one I think an invite to the Gilera boys along to some Thumper events will be mandatory.