Piaggio testing 850cc scooter with radical new electronic gearbox

The final transmission on the 850 will be belt-driven, similar to that offered on some Buell motorcycles, and whilst the traditional shockers at the rear indicate that radical suspension is not going to be part of the new bike, our bet is that the shockers were used in an attempt to make the bike look more traditional whilst the engine and radical gearbox were under trial.

Other obvious take-outs from the brief look were that triple discs were used for stopping power, and that different sized wheels were used and shod with radial tyres.