Category: Moto

Installing heated Grips on a Maxi-scooter.
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Riding in Northern Ireland means freezing hands are a given. I finally fitted some Oxford heated grips to the Beverly 350, but I didn't want a bodge job wiring setup. Here is how I used the Oxford Junction Box to keep things tidy and stop the battery draining overnight.

Removing a full Malossi performance pack from a BV350
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I was ready to flog the Beverly 350. The noise was unbearable, and I assumed that was just how these older scooters were. But it turns out, it wasn't the bike's fault; it was the previous owner's obsession with "performance" upgrades. Here is how I stripped off the screaming Malossi kit, returned the bike to stock, and saved my ears (and a fortune on a new bike) in the process.

An update to the faulty Piaggio ignition switch
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After a two-month wait, the warranty replacement for my Beverly 400 ignition switch finally arrived. But while the electrical fault is gone, the rattle remains. It turns out they replaced the switch but not the worn housing that caused the failure in the first place. Here is why I think this "fix" is doomed to fail.

The Tucano Urbano El Fast In Silver For A Review XXL
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I review the Tucano Urbano El'Fast open-face helmet. After finding a bargain on Vinted that perfectly fitted my weird 'egg-shaped' head, I was so impressed I bought a brand new one for Spain. It's quiet, comfy, and the customer service was top-notch. It has a few annoying niggles, but would I buy it again? Absolutely.

A graph of results for testing the Malossi RX Exhaust Running Lean
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Tired of forum myths and marketing claims, I used a diagnostic scanner to get hard data on the Malossi exhaust. This post details the farcical, multi-attempt process of testing and finally answers the question: does it make my Beverly 350 run lean? I swapped opinions for data, and the results are in.

How to clear the engine fault codes in a Piaggio Beverly 350
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I'd fixed the part, so why was the bike's engine light still glaring at me with the burning intensity of a thousand suns? It turns out the BV350's computer has trust issues and a very long memory. Here's the tale of how I finally convinced it to let go of the past and turn that bloody light off for good.

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A trip into Belfast highlighted a major flaw in my bike security. This post details the wake-up call that sent me searching for a better solution, the research journey with AI to find the perfect high-security chain, and the surprisingly flexible and secure setup I landed on involving two chains instead of one.

A stereotypical motorbike rider in leathers stands next to a younger, smartly dressed man on a maxi-scooter, on a modern city street.
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It's an online debate guaranteed to raise passions, and more than a little aggression: "My maxi-scooter is better than your motorbike." In this post, I give my take. And spoiler alert: my maxi-scooter IS better than your motorbike. (A healthy sense of humour is advised before reading.)

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My Beverly 350 came with a full Malossi kit, but I immediately swapped the loud exhaust for the stock one. After a few thousand kilometres, I'm putting it back on to see if it's just a noisy can or the final piece of the performance puzzle.

The front nose cone, or front shield, of a Piaggio Beverly 350 scooter.
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Need to get access behind the front shield of your pre-2021 Piaggio Beverly 350? Forget the vague guides. This short video and step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to remove the nose cone in minutes, without removing any other trim.

A lineup of maxi-scooters representing a detailed spec comparison.
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You've read the real-world story (previous post), now get the hard data. This is a on-paper showdown between the Piaggio Beverly 400, Honda ADV350, and Forza 350. I break down the crucial specs, from power-to-weight ratios to the all-important wheel size, to see which scooter wins the numbers game.

The author's Piaggio Beverly 400 S, a great maxi-scooter for tall riders, parked with Spanish mountains in the background.
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I've been asked a few times now "what's the best maxi-scooter for a tall rider". I get asked this because I'm tall, and have recently bought a one (actually, I've bought two!). So instead of saying the same thing over and over again I've made a blog post about it. I;ll not lie, there is a bit of artistic licence to make the article more interesting, but the facts remain the same!

A Piaggio Beverly scooter in a workshop with a diagnostic tool connected.
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After a £100 mechanic's bill for a simple sensor fault on my Beverly 350, I went on a hunt for a cheap diagnostic tool for my Piaggio scooters. This is the story of the FXTul M3: why it failed on my older 350 but worked perfectly on the new 400.

The author's 2017 Piaggio Beverly 350 scooter parked on a gravel path.
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After falling in love with the Beverly 400 in Spain, I realised I needed a capable scooter for life in Northern Ireland. This is the story of buying a used, surprisingly high-spec 2017 Piaggio Beverly 350 and the first jobs I had to tackle.

The author's Piaggio Liberty 125 scooter, Misty, parked in Spain.
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A look back at my first scooter, a Piaggio Liberty 125 named Misty. This is a review of what makes a 125cc scooter brilliant for local life in Spain, what its limitations are, and why it was the perfect stepping stone to getting a full motorbike licence.

A learner motorbike with L-plates on the back, ready for a lesson.
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After riding a 125cc scooter in Spain on just my car licence, I decided to get a full UK motorbike licence. I've had a clean driving licence for 40 years, so I thought it would be simple. I was wrong. Here's my guide to the confusing, expensive, and frankly bonkers system.

The Piaggio Liberty 125 scooter parked on a Spanish street.
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At the age of 55, I've just bought my first motorbike. It's not a mid-life crisis, but a practical solution to a common problem: how to get around Spain without a car. This is the story of why I chose a Piaggio Liberty 125.