Available now Derbi Boulevard 50 The Retro 50cc scene is set for a major shake up. Brendon Watson The new Derbi Boulevard 50 has hit our shores. Able to be ridden on a car licence in Queensland the Derbi Boulevard is about to fill a void in the 50cc retro class. Australia already knows the 125cc version of this scooter in the form of the Derbi Boulevard & Piaggio Fly (same thing different trim) which are rated as one of the most dependable 125's on the market. Solidly built with strong long lasting engines.
First of all Derbi like Aprilia, Vespa & Gilera are part of the Piaggio group, the worlds 4th largest motorcycle manufacturer providing Derbi access to the might of Piaggio's global manufacturing resources. Quality of the Boulevard is superb designed in Italy with manufacturing performed in the Piaggio Joint Venture factory in China. This factory also produces the highly acclaimed Aprilia Scarabeo 200 & Sportcity One.
Fitted with 12" alloy wheels with a frame & suspension package that is also used on the 125 gives the smallest Derbi a feeling of solidity normally reserved for high end 50's & 125's. It just feels so strong soaking up bumps & road irregularities like a 125.
Ergonomics are great, indicators & switches easy to reach again with a solid quality feel about them. A big glove box, luggage hook & underseat storage are standard with an optional top box rack allowing fitment of most top boxes. A nice soft seat with padding that's going to last is key to a nice relaxed riding position. Shaped floor boards with a "cut out" for the riders legs makes the Boulevard an option for smaller riders, being a European design it will also house most taller riders.
The Boulevard 50cc is available overseas powered by either a 2 stroke or 4 stroke engine. Learning from the Piaggio & Aprilia experience Derbi Australia opted for the more potent 2 stroke air cooled Piaggio "Revolution" engine. This engine package also powers the far more expensive Vespa LX 50 & Aprilia Mojito 50. The liquid cooled version powers the awesome Aprilia SR50R & Derbi GP1 50's. Quite a pedigree indeed.
We know the Boulevard 50 quite well having put a disguised version through the rigours of the 24 hour scooter race in February 2009 (class C modified) where it posted the second fastest lap time (33.994) behind our awseome GP1 50 racing (33.003) the next fastest scooter in this class was a PMX naked (35.790). This speaks volumes of the handling & performance of the "Retro Cruiser". You may question the relevence of these figures when talking 50cc scooters especially Retro's, however when you only have 50cc's powering you little bit helps. Basically the Boulevard 50 performs up there with the high end exotics.
Warranty is 2 year unlimited Kilometres, the servicing intervals are very long for this class with 1st service @ 1,000 km, 2nd service @5,000km, then every 5,000km thereafter. Being well built the servicing costs will generally be lower than on lesser quality scooters (they hold together better)
The Boulevard has hit the market at $2,790 +orc equating to $3,432 rideaway with 12 months Qld reg. It's priced only a couple of hundred dollars more than a plethora of often boring & usually 4 stroke retro styled scooters, an extra couple of hundred dollars well spent. Personally I rate it up there with Vespa LX & Aprilia Mojito, it's just as good and almost half the price.
If you are after the cheapest 50 this isn't your scoot, if you are the cheapest of the good stuff the Derbi Boulevard is just what you are looking for.
published 28/07/2009 |