• Bikes for Sale
  • News
  • Buyer’s guide
    • Buy a Motorcycle
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
    • Motorsport
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Locals
imotorbike logo
  • Bikes for Sale
  • News
  • Buyer’s guide
    • Buy a Motorcycle
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
    • Motorsport
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Locals
  • Facebook

  • Instagram

  • X (Twitter)

  • YouTube

  • LinkedIn

  • RSS

Gilera CX125 : Unusual Futuristic Bike From The 90s
Sathurshan
January 8, 2020

The Gilera CX125: One of the most futuristic and hardly known motorcycles from the 90s!

Gilera CX125 motocycle

Gilera CX125 | Photo Credit: Race Alert

The Italian manufacturer Gilera revealed their futuristic CX prototype in 1989. Federico Martini was in charge of the design of the CX. Moreover, Federico Martini is the same man who was in control of Bimota DB1 and Tesi projects.

gilera motorcycles

Gilera CX Prototype | Photo Credit: Gilera

Gilera aimed to mass-produce the CX  in Arcore plant to attract the Italian youth market. In 1990 at the Bologna Show Gilera revealed the production version of the CX. The CX125 later appeared in the dealers the very next year in 1991. Back in the 90s, the CX125 looked like a motorbike from the future. The CX125 also led to the development of various other “unique”  motorcycles later. However, other unique batch manufactured bikes such as the Yamaha GTS and the Bimota Tesi stood out more to the public than the mass-produced CX125.

What is unusual about the CX125?

The Engine

The CX125 featured an unusual 125cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine capable of producing 28 Hp at 10,500 rpm. The CX125 could have been more successful if only Gilera used a bigger engine such as any big-bore V-twin, V4 or any 680cc four-stroke single which were getting popular that time. However, the chassis of the CX125 was remarkable and way ahead of its time.

gilera cx 125

Gilera CX125

The SSS suspension

The iconic SSS, single suspension system with a single-sided front fork and swingarm made the bike look futuristic. Unlike the Tesi and the GTS, the front suspension was not hub-centre type but more like a halfway inverted telescopic fork. The lower triple clamps connected to the mainframe by articulated alloy rods held the structure together. While the single damper at each end with the front fork improved the rigidity by 40% and reduced the weight by 30%.

gilera 2020

Gilera CX125

The Braking System

To incorporate braking system on the CX125, a fully floating single disc four-piston piston callipers were used. On top of this, 17-inch wheels accommodated the assembly of the braking system . Since the CX125 weighted only 120Kg the effect of suspension travel affected by the wheels in use was not a problem.

gilera 2020

The Frame

As for the bare frame of the CX125, a steel twin-spar frame from Gilera SP02 melds the assembly together. Though steel was used instead of Aluminium, the frame weighed 10Kg.

Gilera CX125 Frame

The Fairing

gilera motorcycles

Aside from the unique engineered quirks of the motorcycle, one of the attention-grabbing features is the CX125’s fairing. The unusual fairing which wraps around a modern instrument cluster still stands out in today’s standards.

gilera motorcycles

Where is Gilera now?

Gilera’s owner Piaggio shut down the production of their motorcycles including the CX in 1993. The current Gilera motorcycles are mostly scooters and the Gilera Fuoco by Piaggio. However, the 2009 Guzzi Diamante contains some of the CX 125’s unique quirks. The designer Filippo Barbacane used the front end of the CX 125 to make the stunning bike.

gilera motorcycle

2009 Guzzi Diamante | Photo Credit: Topspeed

 

 

Related Items12590sCXCX 125CX125featuredfuturisticGileraGilera CX125italianpiaggioretrounique
To read the full story
login with google
login with facebook
or
Create an account for free
This won't cost you.
by clicking this button you agree to iMotorbike's visitor agreement
Already have an account? Sign in here
Click here to get notified on every new article
News
January 8, 2020
Sathurshan

A Mechanical Engineer with an addiction to the smell of petrol and loves anything automotive.

Related Items12590sCXCX 125CX125featuredfuturisticGileraGilera CX125italianpiaggioretrounique

More in News

Alex Marquez Suffers Broken Hand in Dutch GP Crash

Hazique ZairillJuly 4, 2025
Read More

Jorge Martin’s 2026 Move Blocked Over Aprilia Contract

Michelle LiewJuly 2, 2025
Read More

India’s Gojek Moment? MoRTH Greenlights Bike Taxis

Michelle LiewJuly 2, 2025
Read More

Shoei J.O2 Helmet Combines Retro Style with Modern Safety

Michelle LiewJuly 2, 2025
Read More

Hakim Danish Gears Up for Magny-Cours Debut

Michelle LiewJuly 2, 2025
Read More

The importance of Wearing Gloves While Riding Motorcycle

Hazique ZairillJuly 2, 2025
Read More

Why ABS Matters: Life-Saving Tech Now Mandatory on Malaysian Motorcycles

Hazique ZairillJuly 2, 2025
Read More

FEAR-NONE Unleashes Summer 2025 Biker Collection

Michelle LiewJuly 1, 2025
Read More

Maeving RM1S Redefines the Electric Motorcycle

Michelle LiewJuly 1, 2025
Read More

Ruroc Raises the Bar with the Eox Carbon Helmet

Michelle LiewJuly 1, 2025
Read More

Kawasaki Unveils Hydrogen-Powered Motorcycle at Suzuka

Michelle LiewJuly 1, 2025
Read More

Diogo Moreira Marks As First Ever Brazilian Moto2 Winner 

Hazique ZairillJuly 1, 2025
Read More
We want to buy your bike Join us on Telegram
Scroll for more
Tap

Join us on Facebook

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • Comments

  • Motorcycle Loan Calculator & Motorcycle Rates Malaysia
    Buyer's guideJuly 1, 2025
  • Indian Motorcycle Officially Launched in Malaysia
    Buyer's guideJune 23, 2025
  • 6 Best Cruiser Motorcycles in Malaysia You Can Get Your Hands On
    Buyer's guideJune 19, 2025
  • Hanway Heritage 400 Review: A Budget Bobber That Turns Heads
    Buyer's guideJune 30, 2025
  • YADEA GT20 Debuts in Malaysia: Price Starts at RM4,998
    Buyer's guideJune 18, 2025
  • Yamaha Y15ZR V2 Review: Still the People’s Moped After All These Years
    Buyer's guideJune 13, 2025
  • Kawasaki Corleo: The Four-Legged Ride of the Future
    NewsJune 25, 2025
  • Alex Marquez Suffers Broken Hand in Dutch GP Crash
    MotoGPJuly 4, 2025
  • Jorge Martin’s 2026 Move Blocked Over Aprilia Contract
    NewsJuly 2, 2025
  • India’s Gojek Moment? MoRTH Greenlights Bike Taxis
    NewsJuly 2, 2025
  • Shoei J.O2 Helmet Combines Retro Style with Modern Safety
    NewsJuly 2, 2025
  • Hakim Danish Gears Up for Magny-Cours Debut
    NewsJuly 2, 2025
  • The importance of Wearing Gloves While Riding Motorcycle
    LifestyleJuly 2, 2025
  • Why ABS Matters: Life-Saving Tech Now Mandatory on Malaysian Motorcycles
    Buyer's guideJuly 2, 2025
  • MV Agusta Lucky Explorer Project 9.5: testing the Schiranna prototype - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • CFMOTO 450SR to enter Malaysia in March 2023 at RM29,300 - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • Suzuki V-Strom now available in Malaysia at RM81,900 - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • Colin says:

    I hope they make the Dax street legal. Love to…

  • Mohd Razi bin Rosli says:

    Adv 150cc

  • Nena Maxberry says:

    Just curious what they would retail for

  • Adam Kenny says:

    RM4159 for the front fork is it?

Categories

  • Buyer's guide
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • cafe racer malaysia murah
  • CSR Programme
  • Electric Motorcycles
  • Electric Motorcycles
  • Industry
  • Industry
  • Kedai Motor
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
      • EICMa
    • Helmet
    • Motorsport
      • ARRC
      • CubPrix
      • Moto3
      • Motocross
      • MSBK
      • WSBK
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Moto2
  • Motor Murah
  • News
    • Locals
    • MotoGP
    • Scoop
  • Review
  • Scoop
  • Scoop
  • Tips & Tricks

Corporate

About Us
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Disclosure Policy
Contact Us
SUBSCRIBE NOW!

2024 iMotorbike World Sdn. Bhd.(1205246-M). All rights reserved.

Adrien van Beveren retires from Dakar Rally after a crash
GasGas Factory Racing’s Laia Sanz performs well in Stage Four
Nak Jual Beli Motor 😊 ?
WhatsApp
Hi iMotorbike 😊
Open chat