2009-2016 Gilera Runner 125 Buyers Guide | the 125cc twist-and-go scooter you can ride on a CBT if you're over 17.

Highlights

  • Popular 125cc scooter
  • Suitable for riding on a CBT
  • Decent underseat storage

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Annual servicing cost: £100
Power: 14 bhp
Seat height: Medium (32.1 in / 815 mm)
Weight: Low (295 lbs / 134 kg)

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Gilera Runner 125 is a long-term favourite in the scooter market, and for 2009 the original design was finally updated.

Now four-stroke, the Runner is a sporty-looking and practical machine. It's suitable to ride on a provisional UK car licence as long as you've completed a CBT. That makes it ideal for new riders on their way to passing your full UK A motorbike licence.

The Gilera Runner 125 went off sale in 2016. It wasn't replaced. There's a thriving online community for this bike over at the Gilera Runner Owners Group on Facebook.

2009-2016 Gilera Runner 125 static shot of red bike with building back drop

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Gilera Runner 125 is one of the better handling engine-on-swingarm scooters, handling town scenarios with ease.

On the open road it’s stable unless you try to change direction quickly, which upsets it. Ride quality is OK until you hit a larger bump or hole, when the over-sprung/under-damped suspension qualities that seem to afflict all Piaggio group scooters jolts you in the seat.

Gilera Runner 125 cornering in a city

Engine

Next up: Reliability
2 out of 5 (2/5)

Being honest, 125cc four-strokes are bland at the best of times – adding a CVT transmission makes them truly featureless. The Gilera Runner 125 gets up to speed smoothly, efficiently but without excitement or a sense of urgency. It’s more than capable of keeping up with traffic though, and it’ll indicate over 70mph on a motorway, though that’s likely to be around 65mph in reality – enough for a safe journey, though revving it’s nuts off will become tiring.

Gilera Runner 125 exhaust

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
2 out of 5 (2/5)

Fit and finish of the enveloping panels is good generally, though the unpainted footboard panels are a touch flimsy. The Gilera Runner needs a dedicated approach to cleaning, otherwise the metal parts will suffer with corrosion – exhausts are nearly impossible to keep rust free, as with most scooters. A wire-brush and a lick of high-temperature paint once in a while solve it though. Similarly with any of the Runner's electrical connections, keep them corrosion free and clean and it should keep any of the electronic gremlin issues reported in groups regarding the older models.

Our Gilera Runner owner's review shows an above average score. It doesn't mention any drawbacks, however.

Gilera Runner 125 windscreen

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Gilera Runner 125 ST is a practical but enjoyable scooter to ride, and the looks are credible too, making it a perfect runabout for the young and stylish, though scooterists just looking for a runabout might be best of looking at something simpler and cheaper.

These days, the best 125 scooter is generally agreed to be the Honda PCX125 and this is backed up by its astonishing sales figures. The Yamaha NMax 125 is also popular and electric alternatives like the Silence S01 are also becoming more mainstream. 125 and 50cc machines will be the first to disappear from showrooms as the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles comes into effect.

Gilera Runner 125 headlight

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Gilera Runner 125 specs aren't crammed with toys but it's enough to get by. The obligatory underseat storage area takes a medium sized lid or enough kit for a day in the office, plus a small rack is fitted to take a topbox or strap items too. The dash is equipped with a clock and fuel gauge, the seat is big enough for two (though it’ll be slow going with a passenger). Two vents in the leg shields open to allow hot air from the radiator to pass over your legs, but the effect is barely noticeable.

Gilera Runner 125 clocks

Specs

Engine size 124cc
Engine type 4v liquid-cooled, single cylinder four-stroke. CVT transmission.
Frame type Tubular steel cradle
Fuel capacity 8.7 litres
Seat height 815mm
Bike weight 134kg
Front suspension None
Rear suspension Preload only
Front brake 240mm disc, sliding two-piston caliper
Rear brake 220mm disc, twin opposed-piston caliper
Front tyre size 120/70-14
Rear tyre size 140/60-13

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 46 mpg
Annual road tax £25
Annual service cost £100
New price -
Used price -
Insurance group -
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 14 bhp
Max torque 8.6 ft-lb
Top speed 73 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range 106 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

  • FX125 1998-2002: Powered by a two-stroke motor, the first Runner 125 was almost identical to the Runner 50 bar the engine. Still among scooter enthusiasts for it’s pokey, easily tuned engine.
  • 125 SP 1999-2002: Largely identical to the FX125 except a slightly higher price and a rear disc brake.
  • VX125 2001-2008: First of the four-stroke Runners outlasted the polluting two-stroke. Not as fast, but more reliable. Superseded by the ST125.
  • ST125: this bike. Went off sale in 2016.

Other versions

  • Gilera Runner 50 1997-1998: The first Runner – a two-stroke 50 legal for teenage novices was a success across Europe.
  • 50DD: 1998-2002: A rear disc brake is added to the Runner 50.
  • 50SP 1998-2008: Graphics changed over Runner 50DD.
  • Purejet 50 2003-2008: Direct-injection two-stroke engine offers lower emissions, but harder to derestrict for 17+ year-olds, and pricier new.
  • SP50 2008-current: Updated, restyled version of the original Runner retains the same virtues with a more modern look and feel.
  • 180SP 1999-: The most iconic Runner model, the two-stroke 180SP has serious poke – enough to impress a motorcyclist, and enough to pull power-wheelies!
  • FXR180 1998-2000: The four-stroke version of the biggest Runner offers better economy and no need to fill with two-stroke oil, but less excitement.
  • VXR180 2001-2008: Updated version of the FXR180, with minor changes including rear disc brake.
  • VXR200 2002-2008: The biggest ever Runner, the 200 matches the speed of the older 180SP, but still doesn’t manage the same excitement. The most suited to sustained high-speed riding, but still small enough to get around town.

Owners' reviews for the GILERA RUNNER 125 (2009 - 2016)

1 owner has reviewed their GILERA RUNNER 125 (2009 - 2016) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your GILERA RUNNER 125 (2009 - 2016)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Engine: 3 out of 5 (3/5)
Reliability & build quality: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Value vs rivals: 3 out of 5 (3/5)
Equipment: 3 out of 5 (3/5)
Annual servicing cost: £100
4 out of 5
20 September 2015 by Jordan

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £100

Easy to fit parts not very expensive parts and easy to get hold of parts

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Very comfortable for long distances

Engine 3 out of 5

Very reliable never had no problems with it not very powerful but expected from 125

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

Full tank 150 160 miles

Equipment 3 out of 5

Buying experience: 1500

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