PIAGGIO X7 300 (2010 - on) Review

The versatile Piaggio X7 300 Evo is a bit of a sneaky bargain – it’s powered by the same brilliant 278cc motor as the Vespa GTS 300 (since the Piaggio Group owns Vespa) but it's £300 cheaper. Not everyone will be willing to sacrifice the Vespa style and logo, but if you’re on a budget it’s a cheaper way to get your hands on one of the best scooter engines about. 

The X7 Evo gives the impression that it was built for comfort and stability - there’s a big well-padded seat that’s a treat for pillions and tons of leg room, plus a tall screen that helps to keep the weather off and makes the X7 viable for distance work. It has an ever so slightly top heavy feel to it, but overall the handling is stable and composed. 

With an 80mph+ top speed and 70mpg, this little engine is a peach. It doesn’t feel quite as nippy in the X7 as it does in the Vespa GTS 300 – maybe because the X7 is a few kilograms heavier – but it’s still stonking in town with enough top end to make it practical out of the city too. 

Since the Piaggio Group owns Vespa, Derbi, Gilera and Aprilia (and incidentally Moto Guzzi), they know a thing or two about making scooters. There’s a 2 year warranty too. Most scooters get used and abused heavily, but if you look after it the X7 Evo should get you to and from work for a long time to come.

£3,599 is £300 cheaper than the GTS300 which features the same engine - it’s a lot less desirable, but more practical. Plus the smaller-capacity Yamaha X-Max 250 is £4,299 – which makes the X7 Evo sound like a bargain. Find a Piaggio scooter for sale.

The Piaggio X7 Evo 300 has a good boot, but it’s not quite deep enough to fit my full-face Shoei XR-1000 helmet. It is pretty big though, you’d get a lot of shopping in there. A big seat, tall screen and loads of leg room make the X7 very practical. Optional extras include a top box (with optional back rest), alarm, leg cover and chain lock. Compare and buy parts for the X7 Evo 300 in the MCN Shop.