Gilera DNA 125/180 owner - commuter?

[Keir]

Im looking at getting a dna 125/180 for commuting from essex to london. Its a 60 mile round trip on mainly the A13 until central london. Other traffic travelling 60-80 mph normally (unless in traffic).

My questions:

1) How many mpg do they get?
2)what top speeds have they got?
3) How long do they last? will 14k in a year kill it?

Any views greatly received.

Thanks!

[TheDonUK]

I used to have a Gilera Runner VX125 (4 stroke), basically the same bike as the DNA bar the looks...

You can fill the tank up for 5 quid (7ish quid for a FULL FULL fillup), prolly get around 100 miles for that, but look up the offical mpg if you need to... top speed is an indicated 75 ish, more likely around the 70 mark. Its fast if its your first time on two wheels, and i had no problems on A-roads (used to use the A13)... you will keep up with traffic no problem (even if you do have to pull in from time to time to let some past...)

I believe the 180's are bored out with a malossi kit or something similar, when you got one it seems like a good idea, but i am told by reliable sources that it makes reliability (which is excellent i might add on a stock bike) poor and reduces the resale value unless you sell it to some 17 year old pikey who thinks its cool and has alot of cash.

As for how long it lasts... I had mine for about a year and raped it mileage wise... put about 22k on the clock... but as i said reliability was excellent it never let me down... It even rode through torrential rain... up to the seat (dident like it) but it got thru a lake that formed on the road, i was impressed.

In all, i would highly recommend getting a 500 commuter like a GS500/CB500/GPZ, it will be alot faster, sound nicer and be cheaper when service time comes... also its an actual bike... so you wont be branded "ped boi"...

But if twist and go floats your boat or you want to be a ped boi then its one of the best 125's (althought i would get a runner over a DNA if i was in your position... to me DNA's look like they are trying to be something they are not...)

[tribal_tiger]

[Keir]

im not bothered by the "ped boi" image (i ride a gsxr 600 normally) and would use it purely for commuting. Im just after something that goes quick enough to be safe on the A13 and does a million MPG while being ultra reliable.
Ive looked at the 500's but they seem to be more expensive to start with - cheap transport is the name of the game here - and i purely assumed the upkeep of the bigger bike would cost more.

Thanks for your input!

Anymore views?

[Rookie]

I say a CG, they're cheaper still and they (should be) more reliable.

[timmya]

let me be the first to say i am in love with my dna. Its the best decision ive made in my life to buy it. its awsome. Its quick, agile and everywhere i go people are looking at it like they have never seen anything like it. they always comment on how beautiful it is.

I spend about 6 bux on it a week and its save me soo much money not to mention time. I lane cross whereever i go and it makes me feel like king.

Btw im telling the truth here so hold the flame throwers for now.


Anyways.. um..

oh what was yur question..


dunno how much mpg
i make but im tellin ya its good.

/end of advertisment
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Gilera Dna 180cc - first bike and i luv it..

[Keir]

thanks, but being beautiful isnt my no1 priority!

GC125? do they do 70?

[tribal_tiger]

I had a CG, it would sit between 65 and 70. 130MPG and insurance is stupidly cheap.

They run forever as well.

It took me over a year to getting round to putting any oil in it. Didn't matter it was still fine!
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How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could Chuck Norris?

All of it.

[Keen]

[TheDonUK]

Ahh, i thought the DNA/Runners came in a factory 200cc version, you are most likely right though, since i stoped riding peds i havent kept up with the comings and goings...

RE the original poster, if you have a Gixxer and this is strictly commuting yeah, go for a CG125, Cheapest thing this side of the north circ bar a cub90, and will get ridiculous mpg... I suggested a 500 thinking you would want a weekend blast as well.

And yes the runner provides decent wind/rain protection... moreso than a DNA anyway, when its pissing down you could tuck your lets right in and duck behind the screen... lord knows those "leg heaters" dont do a thing.

[timmya]

[divuk83]

DNA's come in 50cc two stroke and 125 and 180 4 stroke versions from the factory, although they stopped making the 180 a few years back. The Runners come in 50cc 2 stroke and 125 and 200 4 stroke from the factory. There are also loads of 125 and 180 two stroke ones avalible second hand. I have a vx 125 runner for getting about on. They have 12 litre fuel tanks (the DNA has a 9 litre one) and I could easily get about 220km out of a tank before needing to filll up again. Once warmed up it would pull to an indicated 70mph (the DNA has the same engine) and I don't think it ever used any oil! I have a mate who put about 27000 km on his and has never had any problems with it. I have never really had any problems with mine when it, though having said that my water pump went the other day, though thats the first real problem I have had since I got it. If I were you I would get a Runner VXR 200, can be had for less than the 125 due to 125's being in higher demand as they are learner legal, plus they are a bit faster than the 125 so would be a bit better on A roads etc. They are just as reliable and are as good for fuel consumption.

Dave

[code guru]

dna 125 will do 69mph with a pm pipe 77 mph then the cdi restiction comes in at about 11k rpm. fun bike and i did about 120miles 2 a full tank nearly so i would say 110 2 a full tank. y not get a runner 200cc?

[divuk83]

Rev limiter comes in a 10k rpm on the 125's, would be mad to rev beyond that. Aftermarket pipes make no real difference to speed on the 4 stroke scooters, howver they don't rust as quick as the standard ones and they are ligher and sound nicer.

Dave

[code guru]

hm my dna did 69 with the std pipe but with the pm pipe it got 2 77mph and it had a slight better acceleration

[simon1221]

Is that off the speedo

I am going with everybody else, get a CG125, you will get bored of a DNA128/180 even quicker believe me. Even if you dont care about looks the 125 and 180 versions are still the same frame as the 50cc version. The electrics break occasionally and there is loads of weight on the swingarm (its where the engine is), the digital speedos are also pathetically slow to react.

In short, youl look like a muppet on a DNA, thats if you even fit on it

So get a CG
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DNA50 (sorry) ->> TZR125l >> GPZ500S

[alan]

personally I disagree the dna was second choice to an aprillia rs 50 ( which I could ill afford) and has seen 14 k with no problems and having found an auto setup easier around town than my friends aprillia rs ( only moved between 8.500 and 10000 rpm I decided to keep with the design and got a gilera dna 125 which runs happily and behaves more truly to a bike , I would hesitate to ask however for all those twats who say automatic= ped , what do u call a car with an auto box ????? do you degrade that as well oh , and so what if you have an amazing top speed , the national speed limit is 70 mph anyway.
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when the going gets tough , the "tough" get lost ; be what you are guys and gals

[alan]

forgot to mention i fitted the front wheel from a cpi which makes the front actually look like a real bike

my only bug is the rear suspension in the 125 is a tad hard for rough ground , even when set at its softest setting , is it possible to get softer rear springs for the 125 model?
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when the going gets tough , the "tough" get lost ; be what you are guys and gals

[MRX Steve]

I would say go for the CG, just because it would probably be the cheapest and most reliable one to run. I believe you guys that the DNA may be reliable with about 14k on the clock, but im not so convinced that it would be so reliable with 40k + on the clocks. The cg also has a 13.5 litre fuel tank while the DNA has a 9 litre tank, so it would be more practical if you dont want to be constantly filling up the tank.
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Rieju MRX 50 Castrol Edition

[simon1221]

[TheDonUK]